Town of Becket - Board of Selectmen Minutes 6/4/08

The Selectmen reviewed the bid for the 2008 or newer heavy duty plow/sander truck. Richard advised that the one and only bid received was about $20,000 over what was appropriated at town meeting. He also advised that Lenny may have enough to cover the cost from some of his accounts. If not, he may use Chapter 90 funds to purchase the truck or he may choose not to purchase it at this time. Doug motioned to award the bid for the 2008 or newer heavy duty plow/sander truck to Ben Funk, Inc. in the amount of $149,198.77, Bill seconded. Motion passed.

The Selectmen reviewed the dog complaint from residents at 220 Captain Whitney Road. The resident advised that this has been an ongoing problem for some time. Richard advised that Bert has given the Chichester’s two weeks to put up a fence or he will bring this before the Selectmen and ask that the dogs be removed from Becket. He also advised that the town could not enforce the dog bylaw that passed at the annual town meeting until it is approved by the attorney general. If the Chichester’s do not put up a fence within two weeks then the Selectmen will need to schedule a public hearing. The Selectmen would like Bert to keep them informed of this issue.

The Selectmen reviewed the letter from resident on Prince John Drive regarding large boulders by crossover culvert on Prince John Drive. Dave Bonney and Bill Brownhill from the Sherwood Forest Road District advised that the DEP has not contacted them about this issue. Dave Bonney advised that the Attorney General will not let the road district get a contractor for this so they have not been able to do anything. Doug motioned to send a letter to this resident advising that the Selectmen do not have authority over the Sherwood Forest Road District or the Conservation Commission about this issue and that he needs to contact the Sherwood Forest Road District Prudential Committee, Bill seconded. Motion passed.

Any other business: Loretta and Mike Murray addressed the Board about holding a benefit for the Ambulance Department at Uncle Larry’s Tavern. They asked if they could have outdoor drinking during the benefit. Richard advised that they could not expand the area where drinking is allowed which is currently the front porch and the deck in back of the building. Mike advised that the deck is not up yet in the back of the building. Bill advised that if they get the deck built in time for the benefit then people could drink out there. Richard was not sure what they would need to do to expand the drinking area permanently.

Richard advised that he has two transfers that need to be done for accounts that are overdrawn. The Selectmen reviewed the transfers. Doug motion to transfer $3,575.97 to the Health Insurance Account from the Transfer Station Account and to transfer $4,678.69 to the Vocational Transportation Account from the Vocational Tuition Account, Bill seconded. Motion passed.

Richard advised that Mike Richard would like the town to apply for a Community Development Block Grant for an elevator at the Becket Arts Center. He also advised that these grants are very complicated so we would need someone to write the grant. Berkshire Regional Planning Commission could write the grant and it could cost anywhere from $12,000 to $20,000. These kinds of grants are for a number of things and not for just one project. He asked the Selectmen if they would be interested in this. He said that Tom Matuszko, from BRPC, is in the process of getting the cost for writing this grant. The Selectmen would like to hear from Tom Matuszko before they make a decision about this grant.

Richard advised that there will be a Special Town Meeting in September for the proposed bylaws that the Zoning Review Advisory Committee and the Water Resources Working Group are working on. Jeanne advised that the elected officials bylaw needs to be changed since the bylaw that changes the collector and treasurer positions from elected to appointed passed. These sections need to be removed from the elected officials section.

Nina advised that the Extension of Agreement between CET and the Town of Becket for the Collection of Hazardous Waste Through the Multi-Town Collaborative came in after the agenda was set. The Selectmen reviewed the extension agreement. Doug motioned to sign the Extension Agreement between CET and the Town of Becket for the collection of Hazardous Waste through the Multi-Town Collaborative, Bill seconded. Motion passed.

Briefly discussed the Camp Greylock “Parent’s Day” parking issue. Richard explained that he has not written a letter because Bill Elovirta received a letter from the camp and he is waiting to hear from him to see if they have their parking plan. The Selectmen will not take any action until they hear from Bill.

Jeanne has the bylaw changes set to send to the legislature and needs the Selectmen to sign letters to Senator Downing and Representative Guyer. Doug motioned to sign letters to Senator Downing and Representative Guyer regarding the bylaws, Bill seconded. Motion passed.

Doug advised that he received a letter from a resident complaining about another resident’s taxes. He is accusing the Board of Assessors of giving someone an abatement so he would not have to pay taxes. Briefly discussed the letter. Bill will come in to speak with the Board of Assessors and the Tax Collector about this.