Board of Selectmen
March 5, 2008
Minutes
Members present: William Cavanaugh, Doug Walter, John Murray
Others Present: Richard Furlong, Colleen O’Connor, Kathryn Darrow, Mike Falk, Bill Hoch, John Hall, Maddy Elovirta, Bob & Liz Will, Susan Donnelly,, Jeffrey Waite, Bert Goodermote, Mark White, Marc Portieri, David Shorey, George Fuller, Bill Girard
7:00 PM Meeting opened. Reviewed minutes. John motioned to accept minutes of February 20, 2008 Doug seconded. All in favor.
Reviewed bids for the 2008 Fire Tanker. John Hall explained why they rejected some of the bids. These bids did not follow the specs for various reasons. John explained that the town has received a grant in the amount of $180,000.00 and the town would have to put some money in for the tanker. John motioned to accept the bid from Rosenbauer Fire Fighting Technology for the 2008 Fire Tanker in the amount of $181,688.00, Doug seconded. All in favor. The Selectmen signed the contract for the 2008 Fire Tanker.
The Selectmen reviewed letter from School Superintendent, Donna Harlan regarding her meeting with the Selectmen and Finance Committee. Mike Falk advised that the Finance Committee meets every Thursday in March and thought that the last Thursday would be a good time to meet with Donna Harlan. Mike will try to set up the meeting for March 27, 2008 and get back to the Selectmen.
Public Input: None.
Mike Falk advised the Board that the Finance Committee asked Richard to do a survey on health insurance to see what other towns are paying. After reviewing the survey, the Finance Committee has recommended that the Selectmen vote to change the percentage to 25% employee share and 75% town share for health insurance to be done over the next two years. He explained that a vast majority of towns are at the 25%-75% ratio. Jeff Waite feels that the employees are being shafted because the Selectmen voted to increase the employee share by 10% a couple of years ago. Mike explained that the town made an adjustment to offset the cost of the increase. Jeff advised that he did not get an increase for three years and he lost money. Mike advised that if an employee was at the top of their pay range
then they did not get an increase. He explained that the Finance Committee is trying to be competitive with the cost of health insurance. The health insurance premiums keep rising every year so this is the reason the Finance Committee is recommending the increase. Marc Portieri asked if there could be a separate meeting on this because he just found out today about this issue. Colleen suggested that the Town pay the employee a rate and then they go out and get their own insurance but Bill advised that they could not do this. Bill advised that the Selectmen will take this up at their next meeting in two weeks and if the employees want to meet then they should do it but he was concerned about violating the open meeting law. Richard will check with town counsel to see if the town could conduct a meeting outside the open meeting. John motioned to table this vote until the meeting on March 19, 2008, Doug seconded. All in favor.
The Selectmen reviewed letter from Bill Hoch of Camp Watitoh regarding Center Pond Dam repairs. Bill Hoch addressed the Board about a letter that the owners of this dam received from the State. The State is ordering that the dam be repaired by the end of November 2009. He advised that he along with State officials have been working to find a solution to this dilemma. He believes that they have developed a concept for how to bring the dam into conformity with State regulations. He wants to inform the Selectmen of what is going on so that if they are asked about the dam they can inform the residents of the progress. He stated that if the owners do not repair the dam then the State would have the dam removed and that would be a disaster. He asked the State what would be the easiest
way to get the dam from being rated poor to a fair rating. He explained what would need to be done to bring the rating up to fair. He advised that Camp Watitoh, Camp Greylock and a number of property owners around the lake could provide some of the funding for this but he asked if they could go ahead with the project if the dam owners do not wish to do anything. Briefly discussed the original offer which was that the owners would turn over the dam to the Center Pond Foundation with a sum of money to put towards the repair but this was turned down. Bill Hoch advised that the State may go ahead with the repairs and then just bill the owners if they refuse to do anything. He is asking the town to support the project and help them to get this done as quickly as possible. Richard asked what would happen with the ownership of this dam in the future. Bill advised that the Center Pond Foundation has expressed that they would be willing to take over
the dam and would create a lake district to maintain it but he advised that there would be some opposition to a lake district. Briefly discussed how to go about forming a lake district. The Selectmen would like to be kept informed of the progress of the dam repair.
The Selectmen reviewed the letter from the Department of Revenue regarding FY2007 Schedule A. The DOR is going to withhold any local aid to the town if they do not receive the Schedule A by March 21, 2008. Richard advised that he has been having some trouble with the accountant but the Schedule A form is now at the DOR. Briefly discussed accounting services.
Doug motioned to appoint Priscilla McEwen to the Conservation Commission term to expire June 30, 2010, John seconded. All in favor.
John motioned to express their intent to join the Southern Berkshire County Regional Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program, Doug seconded. All in favor.
The Selectmen reviewed letter from the Dalton Recreation Association asking for contribution. The Selectmen will table this until the Finance Committee takes this up.
The Selectmen reviewed letter from Haley Diamond regarding displaying an informational sign/board at the Becket Town Beach. She would like to put up a display at the Town Beach showing the aquatic life in Center Pond. Richard advised that she would need to apply for a building permit in order to do this but she would be exempt from the fee. John motioned to go along with this project, Doug seconded. All in favor. The Selectmen would like a letter sent to her explaining that she would need to apply for a sign permit and that they are all for the project.
The Selectmen reviewed the email from Verizon regarding its plan to bring high speed internet service to Becket. Briefly discussed this email.
The Selectmen will take the budgets for the police and highway departments home with them to review.
The Selectmen reviewed letters from David Marsh regarding his current assessment. Sue Donnelly advised that she has sent him two letters requesting an inspection of his property which is part of the abatement process but he has refused to let them do the inspection. The Selectmen would like to write Mr. Marsh a letter thanking him for his correspondence and advise him that they cannot do anything regarding his assessment.
The Selectmen reviewed the invitation to the Berkshire County Selectmen’s Association Dinner Meeting on Thursday, April 17, 2008.
The Selectmen reviewed the monthly reports of the Board of Assessors and the Ambulance Department. Briefly discussed the Ambulance Department inspection. The Selectmen would like to send the Ambulance Department a letter of thanks for a job well done.
Any other business: Richard advised that the animal control officer has spoken to Mr. Chichester about getting an invisible fence to keep his dogs on his property so hopefully this will correct the situation with his neighbors.
Colleen O’Connor asked the Selectmen to check if the issue with her house is an insurance issue because it deals with fraudulent Title V reports and racketeering. She advised that the longer this goes on the more it will cost the Town of Becket and for her also for attorney fees. Richard advised that the insurance company covering the town has not told him anything about this. She would like to leave Becket and not have to continue to come to Selectmen’s meetings all the time but she cannot. Bill explained that once it goes to court then you cannot negotiate. He feels that it will be determined in court.
Reviewed correspondence.
8:35 PM Doug motioned to adjourn, John seconded. All in favor.
Reviewed payroll/expense warrants.
Respectfully submitted, _______________________________
Nina Weiler, Secretary William F. Cavanaugh, Chairman
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