Selectboard Office

10:00 a.m.

Present: Nancy Allen, Alf Berry, Christine Durgin

Chair Nancy Allen called the meeting to order at 10:20 a.m. It was noted that this meeting is due to the postponement of the February 26, 2008, meeting because of snow.

1. MINUTES

Alf Berry moved to accept for purposes of discussion the minutes of the Special Meeting July 12, 2007. Nancy Allen seconded the motion. With Christine Durgin abstaining, the Board VOTED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

Christine Durgin to accept for purposes of discussion the executive session minutes of September 11, 2007. Alf Berry seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

Alf Berry moved to accept for purposes of discussion the minutes of October 2, 2007. Christine Durgin seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

Alf Berry moved to accept for purposes of discussion the minutes of the October 16, 2007, regular meeting. Christine Durgin seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

Christine Durgin moved to accept for purposes of discussion the minutes of February 12, 2008. With amendments noted, Alf Berry seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

Christine Durgin moved to accept for purposes of discussion the minutes of February 19, 2008. Nancy Allen seconded the motion. With amendments noted, and with Alf Berry abstaining, the Board VOTED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

2. MEETING WITH ALAN BACHRACH, RE: CLOTHING BIN AT TRANSFER STATION

No discussion.

3. BUDGET MEETINGS

A. MAHAR REP. MIKE LEBLANC

B. HDC/HC

C. HIGHWAY

These budgets were rescheduled for other meetings.

4. TOWN HALL WINDOWS

No discussion.

5. TOWN HALL DISHWASHER

No discussion.

6. NICHEWAUG INN TASK FORCE

Nancy Allen provided a list of individuals willing to accept the appointment to the Nichewaug Inn Task Force. It was agreed to make the appointments and then let the appointees place themselves in the appropriate sub-committees. After extensive discussion, Christine Durgin moved to appoint the following: Henry Woolsey, Richard McCrae, Bill Littlefield, Ellen Anderson, Chuck Berube, Larry Buell, Jim Ermini, John Baker, Eric Mandel, Ann Townsend, Ann Lewis, Gus Block, Anne Perkins, Alf Berry, Bob Bellefeuille, and Bill Mahoney (from North Adams) through June 30, 2008, and to send letters of inquiry as to interest of being on the Task Force to: Bob Legare, Brian MacEwen, and Van and Joanne Duros. Nancy Allen seconded the motion and with Alf Berry abstaining, VOTED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE. Alf Berry moved to appoint Christine Durgin to the Nichewaug Inn Task Force through June 30, 2008. Nancy Allen seconded the motion and with Christine Durgin abstaining, VOTED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

7. PERMITS

Christine Durgin moved to renew the business permit of Laurie and Todd Coombs, Sylvia’s Garden and Antiques for a shop at 1 South Street selling antiques, gifts, and garden items subject to a special permit signed by the Zoning Board of Appeals, dated June 20, 2006. Alf Berry seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

Christine Durgin moved to renew the business permit of John Berry, for the business of general carpentry located at 312 West Road. Nancy Allen seconded the motion. With Alf Berry abstaining, the Board VOTED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

8. MORGAN TRAILER PERMIT

Nancy Allen stated that she and Dale Bull had discussed the upcoming expiration of the permit for the three trailers located at 18 Popple Camp Road. She reiterated that at the October 2 meeting, the Board and the Morgans agreed that the house would not be completed by the July 26, 2008, trailer permit expiration date. Therefore, it was agreed by all that in order for the family to transition smoothly into alternate housing, the permit would be extended for a final six-month period to March 27, 2008. There would be no further extensions and that the trailers must be removed by that date, with alternate housing established no later than April 1, 2008.

9. CORRESPONDENCE

The Board reviewed the following:

Copy of memo from Chief Legare regarding CORI. Dale Bull asked the Board if they requested any action. Christine Durgin stated that she understood this would be addressed in the new Human Resource Policy Manual and asked that it be tabled until such time as the Manual is updated and accepted.
Free Cash as of July 1, 2007, is $184,484 in General Fund and ($23,356) in the Transfer Station Enterprise Fund
Copy of memo from Dale Bull to Norman LaPointe regarding inappropriate language on the Highway Department radios
Central Regional Homeland Security Advisory Council notification of PPE kits. Info forwarded to EM Director.
MIIA notification of MCAD/MIIA Discrimination Prevention Train-the Trainer in Marlboro March 26/27 and April 2/3. Nancy Allen stated that it did not seem too relevant for Petersham.
FY08 PILOT Payments of $225,583.40 and $154,563.76, totaling $380,147.16
Highway Department Snow Account time sheets
MRPC notification of Practical Strategies for Attracting Local Investment March 13, 2008
Millers River Watershed Council meeting on Sustainable Watersheds and Low Impact Development in March 20
Kopelman and Paige memo re: New Identify Theft Law

10. OTHER BUSINESS

*A discussion ensued regarding a policy of thanking individuals who work for the Town, volunteers vs. paid. Although there have been exceptions, the general consensus was that individuals paid for their services will not receive thank yous, while volunteers most likely will.

*Nancy Allen stated that she and Christine Durgin have been certified ICS100, ICS200, and ICS700. It was noted that Christine Durgin has not received her certification at this time.

*Nancy Allen stated that she discussed with Auditor Dan Haynes particular trust funds to be used by the PCS and he concurred that those funds should be used for FY09. He also confirmed use of the charitable trust fund by the Town. Alf Berry moved to purchase a $250.00 Mobil fuel gas card from the Elizabeth Newton Fund for a Town employee who has a sick, young child. Christine Durgin seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

Nancy Allen stated that she and Dan Haynes had performed a preliminary review of the FY07 audit. This matter will be discussed at a later date.

Nancy Allen stated that in her discussion with Town Auditor Dan Haynes, he indicated that in FY07 a transfer from the stabilization Fund for an article to paint the Town Hall for approximately $21,000 was not made by the Accountant. She stated that the Town voted the transfer but it was never made, thus maybe affecting the FY08 General Fund number. The Board questioned how the information getting to the Accountant. Nancy Allen further stated that last October a Stabilization Fund amount was voted but still has not been transferred. Christine Durgin suggested that on the Board’s behalf a memo be crafted to the Accountant from the Selectboard saying that “attached you will find the certified vote. Please send confirmation once this transfer has been made” and have the Administrative Coordinator monitor the transfer to make sure it is done in the appropriate timeframe and set the timeframe to be 30 days. Alf Berry stated that the Treasurer should also be checking this matter and he should be cc’d to confirm that it has been reflected appropriately in the Town books. Christine Durgin moved that the Board put the above practice into place. Alf Berry seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY. Nancy Allen stated that the Free Cash number may not be right at this time.

*Nancy Allen stated that last Tuesday a meeting was held regarding cutting of trees at the Country Club. A number of individuals from the Country Club, Mt. Grace, Harvard Forest, the Conservation Commission, the Tree Warden, Nancy Allen, several State groups, including DCR and several Town residents. She stated that it was a very good fact-finding mission and a report will be generated by the DCR that will be used by the various groups to determine what course of action should take place.

*Alf Berry moved to sign a Chapter 90 Request for Reimbursement in the amount of $120,300 for Shaw Road. Christine Durgin seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

Christine Durgin moved to sign a Chapter 90 Funding Request for a new dump truck for apprxoimately $122,708. Alf Berry seconded the motion. Nancy Allen stated that the CIPC met with Norman LaPointe last week and Norman LaPointe reported that he could use all Chapter 90 funds for this truck. He informed the CIPC that he could do this and not affect road work. The CIPC voted unanimous approval. He currently has approximately $313,000 in Chapter 90 and is expecting additional funds of about $200,000. Once ordered, the truck will not be delivered for six to twelve months. The Selectboard VOTED UNANIMOUSLY. Additional discussion regarding the old truck followed. Tradition has been that the old pick-up truck would go to the Fire Department. However, Fire Chief Dana Robinson indicated at the CIPC meeting that the condition is not good and he probably is not interested in it. Chief Robinson stated that he would take the truck only after a full review of the condition.

*Christine Durgin moved to approve a Reserve Fund Transfer in the amount of
$611.06 for the payment of election salaries for the February 5, 2008, primary. Alf Berry seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

*Nancy Allen clarified newspaper articles regarding the Police Station Committee’s request for a well on The Trustees of Reservations’ property. She noted that a well on that property was never part of the project, and the original plans as presented to the voters in 2006 call for water access under East Street to the Fire Station, the work being completed by the Highway Department.

*Christine Durgin suggested future seminars must be approved by the Selectboard. Nancy Allen stated that most budgets allow seminar and travel expenses.

*Nancy Allen and Christine Durgin thanked Alf Berry for serving on the Selectboard for the past nine years.

11. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Alf Berry moved to adjourn. Christine Durgin seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY. The meeting adjourned at 12:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Christine J. Durgin, Clerk