SELECTBOARD MINUTES
Regular Meeting
May 20, 2008
6:00 p.m.
Present: Nancy Allen and Rick Marsh.
Not present: Christine Durgin
Others present: Joe Mitko (ADN), Administrative Coordinator Dale Bull, Dana Kennan, Ivan Ussach, Fifi Scoufopoulos, Brianna Skowyra
Chair Nancy Allen called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
1. MINUTES
Rick Marsh moved to accept for purposes of discussion the minutes of April 29, 2008. Nancy Allen seconded the motion. With amendments, the Board VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
Rick Marsh moved to accept for purposes of discussion the minutes of May 6, 2008. Nancy Allen seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
Rick Marsh moved to accept for purposes of discussion the executive session minutes of May 6, 2008. Nancy Allen seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
Rick Marsh moved to accept for purposes of discussion the minutes of May 13, 2008. Nancy Allen seconded the motion. With amendments, the Board VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
Rick Marsh moved to accept for purposes of discussion the executive session minutes of May 13, 2008. Nancy Allen seconded the motion. With amendments, the Board VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. MEETING WITH BOA CHAIR, RE: REVAL
BOA Chair Dana Kennan stated that the Board wants to complete the full measure and list for FY09 and will begin visiting the remainder of Town by next week. He stated there are two groups of people, one group working on the full measure and list and one group setting values for FY09. Residents will be asked to allow entrance into their homes. If they refuse to allow the Vision Appraisal representatives to come on their property, residents lose their right of appeal to the local BOA and to the Appellate Tax Board. Vision representatives carry ID’s, but if a resident feels uncomfortable, they can request that a BOA member be in attendance during the inspection time.
3. MEETING WITH IVAN USSACH, RE: LIBRARY
PML Trustee Ivan Ussach stated that the Library has begun a First Friday Film Series at 3:00 p.m. for children and 7:00 p.m. for adults and is looking for better attendance. He stated that the Library is asking for signage in the center of Town the last few days of the week before the movies will be screened. Suggested locations include on the South Common in front of the Town Office Building and the northernmost point of the North Common. After discussion, Rick Marsh moved to allow the Petersham Memorial Library to erect small signs on the Common for no longer than three (3) days prior to the first Friday of the month for free movies and free refreshments at the PML. Nancy Allen seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
4. MEETING WITH BOH CO-CHAIR FIFI SCOUFOPOULOS RE: DEPARTMENT BUDGET
BOH chair Fifi Scoufopoulos met with the Board to discuss the $8,000 being removed from her Department’s revolving fund placement in the General Fund. She stated that she felt in a conversation she and Nancy Allen had regarding this money, that they didn’t quite understand each other and the Board was taken aback by the Selectboard’s action and the BOH not being told. Nancy Allen stated that in that conversation at the Library, Fifi Scoufopoulos agreed it was ok with her and would check with the BOH and get back to the Selectboard. After discussion, Fifi Scoufopoulos agreed to the $8,000 transfer to the General Fund. Fifi Scoufopoulos stated that unused funds in the BOH account could be put toward the Town Hall kitchen sink and offered $4,000.00.
5. MEETING WITH BUILDING INSPECTOR, RE: NICHEWAUG INN
Building Inspector Brianna Skowyra presented a letter to the Selectboard regarding a group of people touring the Nichewaug Inn on Saturday, May 17, 2008. She stated that as the Building has been declared unsafe, there is a definite protocol to entering the Building and that protocol was not observed on Saturday. She stated her concern was with the safety of the individuals entering the Building and those who might have to go into the Building for rescue, should there be a problem. Her letter further stated that should requirements not be followed in the future, she will consider the Building entered illegally and will have those who entered, removed and charged with trespassing.
Nancy Allen stated that the group who entered the Building was the Buildings Committee of the Nichewaug Inn Task Force consisting of Rick Marsh, Alf Berry, Chuck Berube and Bill Mahoney. Nancy Allen stated that the group had been provided with all access procedures. Rick Marsh stated he would bring this information to the attention of the chair of the sub-committee and it will not happen again. Nancy Allen stated that from time to time members of the Task Force will need to go into the Building, but they would need to follow procedures. Rick Marsh noted there were two firemen with the group, one inside and one outside. Brianna Skowyra stated she will want to know why and who is entering the building and that she is to be contacted prior to entry.
Brianna Skowyra then discussed a poster for a Painting Party at the Nichewaug Inn on Saturday, May 24, 2008. She stated she was unaware of this until she saw the poster in the Town Office Building hallway. Again, she discussed her concern with the safety of the Building and volunteers being near an unsafe structure. Dale Bull noted that authorization for the work had been obtained from the Selectboard and discussed liability concerns and volunteer forms. Rick Marsh stated that if the Building Inspector was concerned about the Building safety, then the work should not be done at this time. Nancy Allen stated that she would let those organizing the event that it must be cancelled. It was agreed that the Building Inspector and the Police Chief should meet with the Task Force sub-committees to discuss projects and safety protocol.
6. CAPITAL OUTLAY VOTE
The Board agreed to use a capital outlay expenditure for needed funding to paint the entire Town Hall Building. Rick Marsh moved to use $21,000.00 as Capital Outlay Expenditure for repair and painting of the entire exterior of the Town Hall Building. Nancy Allen seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
7. OPENING OF JUNE 2, 2008, ANNUAL TOWN MEETING WARRANT
Information was received from Town Counsel regarding the termination of an easement from the Nichewaug Inn to property owned by Roy Nilson. Rick Marsh moved to open the June 2, 2008, Annual Town Meeting warrant, to insert a new article. Nancy Allen seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY. As this request for action on this easement was received so late, if it is found that Town Meeting is not needed, the Town will be asked to take no action on the article. Rick Marsh moved to close the June 2, 2008, Annual Town Meeting warrant. Nancy Allen seconded the motion and VOTED
UNANIMOUSLY.
8. SIGNING OF JUNE 2, 2008, ANNUAL TOWN MEETING WARRANT
Rick Marsh moved to approve and accept the June 2, 2008, Annual Town Meeting warrant as written. Nancy Allen seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
9. ACCEPTANCE OF FY07 AUDITOR’S REPORT
Rick Marsh moved to accept the Town’s FY07 audit completed by Hirbour & Haynes. Nancy Allen seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY. Dale Bull noted that she has not heard fro the Town Accountant regarding the audit.
10. PERMITS
Rick Marsh moved to renew the following business permits and Nancy Allen seconded the motion:
-Thomas M. Barnes, T.M. Barnes Logging for a business office at 186 East Street for a logging business;
-Bradford Becker, Becker Home Inspection Services, for the operation of an office located at 31 Flat Rock Road for home inspections.
The Board VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
11. CORRESPONDENCE
The Board reviewed the following:
12. OTHER BUSINESS
BOH co-chair Fifi Scoufopoulos presented information from the DEP regarding a grant application for Municipal Assistance Coordinator salary to assist the Town on waste and recycling issues of its choosing. She stated the timing was good with regard to starting a new contract with a new hauling company. She volunteered to fill out the grant application if the Selectboard was in agreement that the Town should apply. The Board agreed.
BOH co-chair Fifi Scoufopoulos stated that DEP has requested improvements at the Transfer Station, notably exposed trash. She stated that last year community service individuals helped to clean the area but they are not available this year. She asked if the Highway Department could assist in cleaning up the Transfer Station within the next few weeks. The Board agreed with the request if the Highway Department has time available.
As the Town’s nominee, Fifi Scoufopoulos stated that she had attended the Unsung Heroines Day in Boston earlier this month and greatly enjoyed it.
With regard to cutting of Town trees on Town property by the Petersham Country Club, the Board reviewed a letter from Nicholas A. Ogden of Donovan/Hatem, counsel for the Petersham Country Club. He stated that “Although it is the Club’s position that it is not legally responsible for such alleged violations, the Club intends to take action this week to ‘stabilize’ the area near the stream as per the Order.” (refers to the DEP’s Order). Dale Bull stated that she received a faxed copy of the letter to the Town Clerk and the Conservation Commission of Monday, May 19, 2008. On that same day, Atty. Ogden telephoned to be assured that if his client did the work, he wouldn’t get in trouble with the Town. Dale Bull stated that she informed Atty. Ogden that he should wait for the Town’s response in writing before proceeding and that he agreed to that. After discussion, the Board agreed that it supports the Conservation Commission’s review of the DEP decision and looks to the Conservation Commission to respond. A copy of the letter will be forwarded to the Tree Warden and Police Chief.
Rick Marsh moved to sign a reserve fund transfer for $61.80 to cover the electric bill for the Town Barn. Nancy Allen seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
Checks received for scrap metal from the Nichewaug Inn ($881) and the Highway Barn ($1001) will go into the General Fund per the direction of the Town Accountant.
Nancy Allen signed paperwork to enroll Denis Legare in the Town’s health insurance program.
The AFC will meet with the Selectboard and departments to discuss budgets at the next regularly scheduled meeting.
The Board discussed the Morgan trailer situation at 18 Popple Camp Road. It was agreed to send a letter and invoice to the Morgans as of June 2, 2008, starting with the fine date of April 23, 2008.
Nancy Allen stated that last Friday, Town Counsel confirmed that the Flint Fund cannot be used for covering PCS Nurse’s salary. The matter would have to go to Probate Court to change the terms. It was agreed that the trust funds will be looked at more closely this summer to determine their usages.
13. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Rick Marsh moved to adjourn. Nancy Allen seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY. The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Fredrik A. Marsh, Clerk