SELECTBOARD MINUTES
Regular Meeting
April 15, 2008
6:30 p.m.
Present: Nancy Allen, Christine Durgin, Rick Marsh
Others present: Joe Mitko (ADN), Administrative Coordinator Dale Bull
Chair Nancy Allen called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
1. MINUTES
Christine Durgin moved to accept for purposes of discussion the minutes of April 1, 2008. Nancy Allen seconded the motion. With amendments noted and Rick Marsh abstaining, Christine Durgin and Nancy Allen VOTED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.
Rick Marsh moved to accept for purposes of discussion the minutes of April 8, 2008. Christine Durgin seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. PERSONNEL POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE
Nancy Allen stated that the Personnel Policy Review Committee had met at 6:00 p.m. She asked that a meeting be posted for April 29, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. in the upstairs conference room.
3. DEPARTMENT FEES SCHEDULES
A memo had previously been sent to all departments requesting that they provide any and all sources of income for their departments. Of the departments responding, the AFC noted that it generated no income, as did the Open Space & Recreation Committee. The BOA received $150 annually from the Warren Group and charges $.25 per copy and $1.00 for copies of maps and field cards. Of BOH fees submitted, the Selectboard suggested increasing the well construction permit from $25 to $50, the temporary food permits from $15 to $25 and the outdoor wood boiler permits from $25 to $50. After reviewing the Building Inspector’s fees, the Selectboard suggested the following: Increasing all $25 fees to $35, and the $75 in-ground swimming pool fee to $100. The Selectboard suggested that the wording of the Fee Schedule state that “The above fees will be doubled where construction is begun before a permit is issued.” The Conservation Commission’s fee of $150 seemed reasonable. The COA noted that it received $3,300 from the Elder Affairs Grant and $750 from the Town, but asked that that figure be increased to $850 if any money is available. The Highway Superintendent ideated that driveway permits are $50 each. The Selectboard questioned the amount of work required for this permits and felt that $100 might be a more appropriate number. The Board asked that it be provided information as to what work, ie. inspections, is required by the Highway Department in regard to this permit. Fees generated by the PCS seemed reasonable. The Planning Board stated that in FY09, it will begin charging $100 for ANR lots. In reviewing fees charges by its office, the Selectboard suggested increasing the business permits to $15, and class II licenses to $25. Further suggested increased were the Transfer Station motor vehicle sticker to $20, and Town Hall rental Lower level to $50, and upper level to $125. Tax Collector fees seemed reasonable. In reviewing the Town Clerk’s fees, the Selectboard suggested increasing all fees by $5.00 except the voter’s certificate. Regarding dog licenses, the Board suggested altered dog licenses be increased to $10 and unaltered to $15, that kennel licenses be increased from $30 to $60 for four dogs, $40 to $150 for 10 dogs and $5o to $250 for 25 dogs. Dale Bull will forward these suggestions along to the various departments.
4. DOG OFFICER’S LEGAL ORDER
The Board reviewed a Legal Order sent to Fran and David Phillips of 36 Oliver Street, Petersham, regarding a dog complaint on April 8, 2008, in which one of their hunting dogs killed a pet duck owned by the Peter Bates family of 34 East Street. The Order states that the Phillips are ordered to keep all of their dogs under physical restraint, leashed when not in captivity in the Town of Petersham and any further breeches of the Town by-laws will constitute suspension of their right to a kennel license or to operate, own any dogs in the Town. The Phillips are also mandated to pay damages to the Bates family.
5. ATM/STM WARRANT REVIEW
The Board received Draft #2 of the June 2 ATM/STM warrant.
6. AUDITOR’S FY07 REPORT
This matter was tabled until the next regularly scheduled meeting.
7. APPOINTMENT
Christine Durgin moved to appoint Rick Marsh to the Nichewaug Inn Task Force through June 30, 2008. Nancy Allen seconded the motion. With Rick Marsh abstaining, Christine Durgin and Nancy Allen VOTED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.
8. DAVENPORT APPRAISAL
As there has been difficulty in obtaining yellow-book certified appraisers and only one appraisal has been received, Christine Durgin moved to not accept any bids at this time and to rebid at a later date. Rick Marsh seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY. Dale Bull with check with Leigh Youngblood at Mt. Grace as to if she has heard anything about the extension of the CR.
9. BY-LAW – DUMP STICKERS
No information has yet been received from the BOH.
10. ENTERPRISE FUND MEETING WITH FIFI RE: LETTER FROM DEP AND ADDITIONAL EXPENSES.
No information has yet been received from the BOH.
11. TRENCH SAFETY REGULATIONS
Dale Bull explained that she had recently attended a Small Town Administrators of Massachusetts (STAM) meeting regarding the new Trench Safety Regulations that will go into effect January 1, 2009, and for which all towns will be required to adopt policies covering tech excavation and the appointing of a trench inspector. She stated that a permitting authority must be appointed by the Selectboard or voted at a Town Meeting. The definition of a trench was given and it was noted that this new regulation applies to all construction-related trenches on public ways, public property, or private property. A permit for any trenching will be required and a trench inspector must oversee this process. Dale Bull stated that the Division of Occupational Safety will be creating a sample permit in the near future. After discussion, the Board agreed to table this matter for future discussion in the near future.
12. PERMITS
Rick Marsh move to renew the following business permits and Christine Durgin seconded the motion:
-Glenn Tattan, Tattan Electric co., for the operation of a business of an Electrical Contracting Business located at 39 North Main Street;
-Robin Hinton, Windswept Farms, for the business at 233 North Main Street of horse boarding, training and instruction and sale of horse-related items.
The Board VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
13. CORRESPONDENCE
The Board reviewed the following:
14. OTHER BUSINESS
Dale Bull received a telephone call from Katherine Anderson, architectural photograph in Winchendon. She questioned if any articles in the Nichewaug will be sold and also expressed an interest in being on the Nichewaug Inn Task Force. She stated that she has a number of pictures of the Nichewaug and wants to make sure the Town receives them. After discussion, the Board agreed that when the Task Force is up and running, there most likely will be items for sale, that the Task Force is not seeking any out-of-town members at this time, and the Town would be interested in receiving the photos. The Board asked that Dale Bull let her know about the May 3 initial meeting of the Task Force.
The Board reviewed letters to the President and the Treasurer of the Petersham Country Club with regard to the status and use of Poor Farm Road and Pierce Road abutting the Country Club property. After discussion, Christine Durgin to send letters to President Ross Yanco and to Treasurer William Page of the Petersham Country Club stating that Poor Farm Road and Pierce Road are both public footpaths to be used for recreational and fire prevention purposes only and must have Selectboard approval for vehicular use. Rick Marsh seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY. The Board further reviewed a letter to DCR Service Forestry Program Supervisor James Soper advising him of the Annual Town Meeting vote designating Poor Farm Road as a public footway. Christine Durgin moved to send the reviewed letter to Mr. Soper at DCR. Rick Marsh seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
It was noted that one of the three trailers on the Morgan property at 18 Popple Camp Road has been moved up to the drive. One trailer has been demolished and remains on the property and one remains in place. Officer Horne hand-delivered a letter to Ms. Pond on Wednesday, April 9, 2008, informing her and Mr. Morgan that a $50/day fine would be instituted as of Wednesday, April 16, 2008, if the trailers or any part thereof remained on the property. Officer Horne also noted that no one is living the trailers. Nancy Allen stated that it appears the Ms. Pond and Mr. Morgan are attempting to remove the trailers and this matter will be revisited at the next regularly scheduled meeting.
A follow up memo from the Highway Superintendent regarding the Snow Account was discussed. Information had been requested by the Selectboard as to the regular pay and the overtime pay broken down by each employee, to also include the numbers of hours worked. It was noted that two full-time Town employees and three occasional part-time employees use the snow account for payroll purposes. Nancy Allen noted that the Highway Department needs to work with efficiency and within the economic framework of the Town.
15. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Rick Marsh moved to adjourn. Christine Durgin seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Fredrik A. Marsh, Clerk