Board of Selectmen
March 19, 2008
Minutes
Members present: William Cavanaugh, Doug Walter, John Murray
Others Present: Richard Furlong, Kathryn Darrow, Gail Kusek
7:00 PM Meeting opened. Reviewed minutes. Doug motioned to accept minutes of March 5, 2008, John seconded. All in favor.
Doug motioned to increase the percentage that the employee pays for health insurance to 23% for Fiscal Year 09 beginning on July 1, 2008 and to increase it to 25% in Fiscal Year 10 beginning on July 1, 2009, John seconded. All in favor.
Public Input: Gail Kusek addressed the Board regarding her horse situation. Her horses keep getting loose when she is not home and it is creating a dangerous situation. The last time they got loose, Richard, John Hall (fire chief), Darrell Fennelly (police officer), and David Shorey (highway department employee) rounded the horses up and put them back in their stalls. Richard sent her a letter advising that she would need to pay for the four employees for an hour each which was approximately $90.00. He explained that there were three issues about the horses getting loose that she needs to address. The first thing is that it is dangerous to vehicle traffic, the second thing is that it is dangerous for the horses and the third thing is that the horses do not have halters on so it is difficult to get a
hold of them. Gail explained that she owns one of the horses and the other horse is owned by another woman. The other woman stole all of the halters and bridles and cut the halter that was on her horse and that is why they did not have anything on the day they got loose. Gail is currently going to court because of this. She explained that she will install a better fence once the ground thaws out and she gave her cell phone number in case the horses got out again and she is going to repair the halter for her horse. John motioned to waive the fee of $90.00 but she will have to pay for any future fees if the horses get out again, Doug seconded. All in favor.
John motioned to sign the seasonal alcoholic license renewals for Jacobs Pillow Dance Festival for a seasonal all alcoholic restaurant license; Becket Country Store and Café for a seasonal all alcoholic package goods store license and for Berkshire Berries for a seasonal all alcoholic package goods store license, Doug seconded. All in favor.
The Selectmen reviewed the ballot question regarding Proposition 2 ½. Richard advised that this is a debt exclusion. He also advised that this does not go on the town meeting warrant; it just goes on the election ballot. The problem with that is that people do not know about it before the election. He thought that this would be a good way to handle it because if the State sees that we are trying to repair the bridge our selves then they may go ahead and repair the culvert on McNerney Road. Richard advised that he has already spoken with the Finance Committee regarding this issue. Doug motioned to put this question on the Annual Town Election ballot, John seconded. All in favor. The Selectmen would like Richard or the Finance Committee to make a presentation at the Annual
Town Meeting so people are aware of this ballot question.
The Selectmen reviewed letter from the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission regarding “Keno to Go”. Richard advised that this is already allowed but if the Selectmen do not want it then they would need to vote to not allow it in Becket. The Selectmen do not have a problem with allowing this.
John motioned to sign the warrant for the Annual Town Caucus to take place on Tuesday, April 8, 2008 from 12:00 noon to 7:00 p.m. at the Becket Town Hall, Doug seconded. All in favor.
The Selectmen reviewed letter from Center Pond Weed Project requesting a contribution of $1,200.00 for weed pulling on Center Pond. John motioned to put this request on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant, Doug seconded. All in favor.
The Selectmen reviewed letter of resignation from Mercedes Gallagher from the Zoning Bylaw Review Committee and the Water Resources Working Group effective immediately. Doug motioned to accept the resignation of Mercedes Gallagher from the Zoning Bylaw Review Committee and the Water Resources Working Group, John seconded. All in favor.
The Selectmen reviewed letter of resignation from Barbara Toomey from the Conservation Commission effective March 12, 2008. John motioned to accept the resignation of Barbara Toomey from the Conservation Commission effective March 12, 2008, Doug seconded. All in favor.
Doug motioned to approve the Town Administrator’s appointment of Nicole Miller as Probationary Police Officer term to expire June 30, 2008, John seconded. All in favor.
The Selectmen reviewed the invitation to the MMA Legislative Breakfast Series. Doug will attend the meeting with Richard.
Doug motioned to appoint Robert Gorden as alternate to the Zoning Board of Appeals term to expire June 30, 2008, John seconded. All in favor.
The Selectmen reviewed letter from Catherine and Leo Owens regarding the Verizon cell phone tower. They sent this letter to Senator Downing and he forwarded a copy to the Selectmen since this is a municipal issue. Verizon does not currently have anything in front of the Planning Board; they withdrew their Special Permit Application without prejudice back in January.
The Selectmen reviewed letter from Berkshire South Regional Community Center requesting an allocation of $1,200.00 towards their operating expense. Richard advised that the Finance Committee does not know about this yet but the Selectmen can vote to put this on the warrant and the Finance Committee can recommend to either fund it or not. John motioned to put this on the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting, Doug seconded. All in favor.
The Selectmen reviewed the Dog Control Bylaw. Richard advised that he spoke with Sally Bell about putting this on the Annual Town Meeting warrant as Exhibit A which is on file with the Town Clerk. The reason he wanted to do this is so that we do not have to have the entire bylaw on the warrant because it would not be practical when the warrant is mailed out. Doug motioned to put this on the Annual Town Meeting warrant, John seconded. All in favor. Voters can find this bylaw on the town website and they will be available at the Annual Town Meeting.
The Selectmen reviewed the monthly report of the Building Inspector.
Any other business: Richard has an Ambulance Department Request for Write-Off report. The Selectmen initialed the report.
Richard advised the Board that the Town has received a Common Cause Award for our website. Becket is one of ninety cities and towns that received this award.
Doug advised that he has heard from some residents that Rep. Guyer is telling people that the Selectmen are refusing the State’s aid in repairing the McNerney Road culvert. This is not the case. The Selectmen voted to have a permanent fix instead of a temporary one. Richard feels that the Selectmen should talk to Guyer about this and try to straighten it out. Doug will give him a call and speak to him about this situation and report back to the other Selectmen.
Richard gave the Selectmen a Safety Belt Policy to review. This is for all municipal employees that drive town owned vehicles or their own vehicles while at work. This could also be for board members who travel to meetings or go on site visits. John motioned to adopt the Safety Belt Policy, Doug seconded. All in favor.
Reviewed correspondence.
8:05 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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