Board of Selectmen
May 7, 2008
Minutes
Members present: William Cavanaugh, Doug Walter
John Murray-Absent
Others Present: Richard Furlong, Blanche Lennington, Colleen O’Connor, Mike Falk, Mercedes Gallagher, Madeleine Swindlehurst, Mark Moore, Pam Prentiss, Ann Krawet
7:00 PM Meeting opened. Reviewed minutes. Doug motioned to accept the minutes of April 16, 2008, Bill seconded. Motion passed.
The Selectmen reviewed the letter of resignation from Mercedes Gallagher from the Conservation Commission effective April 17, 2008. Doug motioned to accept the resignation of Mercedes Gallagher from the Conservation Commission, Bill seconded. Motion passed.
Mercedes Gallagher addressed the Board regarding the weed treatment of Center Pond. She gave the Selectmen copies of the weed survey for Center Pond. She explained that at the meeting the other night the Center Pond Foundation gave the Conservation Commission a plan that would involve chemical treatment and hand pulling. She was a little frustrated because she feels that the hand pulling would take care of most of the weeds so they would not need to treat twenty-five acres of the pond with chemicals. She also explained the weed pulling project that she is planning. She advised that there was one section that should be treated chemically which was about the size of an acre. She also advised that Greenwater Pond, Yokum Pond and the lakes in Sherwood Forest and Sherwood Greens are going to
have weeds pulled on them. She thought that the town should have a “Great Pond Management Board” to help with the communication of lake issues. This board could consist of someone from Greenwater Pond, Yokum Pond and the other ponds in town so they can share information and help each other with the care of all of these lakes and ponds.
Public Input: None.
Mark Moore, Project Development Engineer from Mass Highway, addressed the Board regarding the McNerney Road culvert replacement. He presented the plans for the culvert replacement and gave the Selectmen a timeline of when each aspect of this project would take place. He is hoping that the advertising would get done by this June. He advised that this project would be either 100% funded by the State or 80% Federal and 20% State funded. Pam Prentiss from the Right-of-Way Bureau spoke to the Selectmen about getting access to the work site through private property. She advised that if they need to cross over private property then they would need to get permission from the landowners. If this project is federally funded then the Town would need to get a Federal Right-of-Way certificate.
Richard will check to see who owns the property around the culvert. Mark advised that Shaker Mill Brook is designated as Wild and Scenic so the town will need to acquire permits and will have to comply with the river restoration. Mike Falk asked when this project would be completed. Mark advised that it could be completed by the fall of 2009. He also advised that there will be a meeting on May 19, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. at the culvert with the National Parks Service and the Army Corps. The Selectmen will attend this meeting.
Doug motioned to appoint Alfred Moylan to the Conservation Commission term to expire June 30, 2008, Bill seconded. Motion passed.
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May 7, 2008
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Blanche Lennington addressed the Board regarding the Rest of River Project for the cleanup of the Housatonic River by G.E. She is asking the Selectmen to send a letter to the EPA asking that they require G.E. to do a more extensive cleanup of the river. Colleen O’Connor asked if information regarding this project could be available at the Annual Town Meeting. Richard advised that information could be made available but they could not debate it at the meeting. Doug will work with Blanche to come up with information for the town meeting.
The Selectmen reviewed the News Release: Verizon Begins Work to Expand Its Broadband Network in Western Massachusetts. Briefly discussed the high speed internet problem in Becket. Richard advised that Verizon is only planning on completing approximately 70% of the town at first but will eventually complete the rest of the town later on. He also advised that Verizon is not saying when high speed internet will be available in Becket.
The Selectmen reviewed the 2008-2011 Transportation Improvement Program Amendments from BRPC and briefly discussed the program.
The Selectmen reviewed the invitation to a Legislative Forum featuring State Representative Smitty Pignatelli and State Senator Ben Downing on May 16th at the Berkshire South Regional Community Center. The Selectmen will be unable to attend this legislative forum.
The Selectmen reviewed letters from the Department of Conservation & Recreation regarding the sale of forest products within Becket namely the October State and Becket State forests.
The Selectmen reviewed the contracts between the Town of Becket and the Becket Woods Road District, the Sherwood Forest Road District and the Sherwood Greens Road District. These contracts are for the compensation of the tax collector, the assessors and the treasurer for work performed for the road districts. Richard advised that the town is requesting 3% of each district’s annual budget. He also advised that it is no longer a yearly contract and shall remain in effect each fiscal year unless or until it is renegotiated upon the request of either party. Doug motioned to sign the contracts between the Town of Becket and the Becket Woods, Sherwood Forest and Sherwood Greens Road Districts, Bill seconded. Motion passed.
The Selectmen reviewed the Notice of Public Hearing from the ZBA on application of John and Sharon Engels for a dimensional special permit for the construction of an existing non-conforming single family residential house.
The Selectmen reviewed the monthly reports of the Board of Assessors, Building Inspector and Ambulance Department.
Any other business: Richard advised that he received the Yokum Brook Restoration Award and certificate from President George Bush. He will display these in the Town Hall.
Richard gave the Selectmen the Ambulance Department Write-Off report for them to initial.
Richard reminded the Selectmen that the Annual Town Meeting was this Saturday.
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May 7, 2008
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Discussed the amendment of Article #10.
Mercedes asked if the Selectmen would entertain having a Great Pond Management Board. Briefly discussed this committee. Richard will try to find out about Hinsdale’s lake management committee.
Reviewed correspondence.
8:30 PM Doug motioned to adjourn, Bill seconded. Motion passed.
Reviewed payroll/expense warrants.
Respectfully submitted, _______________________________
Nina Weiler, Secretary William F. Cavanaugh, Chairman
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