Members present: George Fuller, William Cavanaugh, Mark Karlberg
Others Present: Richard Furlong, Hildegarde Freedman, David Bonney, Beth VanNess, Colleen O’Connor, Josh Lombard, Geri Galliher, Meredyth Babcock, Bob Ronzio, Mark White, Bill Osborn, Bill Brownhill, David Devane, Ann Spadafora, Maryann Lorio
7:01 PM Meeting opened.
It was announced that Beth VanNess was audio taping the meeting.
Selectmen’s Comments and Announcements: George advised that he spoke with the man that is doing the mowing and he is currently mowing in Becket Woods but he would do the roadside mowing on Jacobs Hollow Road after he is finished in Becket Woods.
The Selectmen reviewed the minutes of the previous meeting. Mark motioned to approve the minutes of August 25, 2010, Bill seconded. All in favor.
Public Input: Colleen O’Connor questioned the minutes of August 11, 2010. She said that the Selectmen did not have a chance to review all of the people who were interested in being appointed the Emergency Management Director. She said that the minutes stated that the Selectmen reviewed all of the letters but she feels that only one Selectman chose and the other two just went along with it. George advised that he said that he did not have a chance to review the last one that came in that evening but he did before they voted to appoint the EMD. Bill explained that he chose who he thought would be best for the position and the other two voted how they wanted to and the majority vote counted.
Bill Osborn asked if the Selectmen had the proxy reviewed to see if it was legal. Richard advised that the proxy should be reviewed by the SFNA’s attorney not the town’s attorney. George Roberts had the proxy and was reviewing it but it is not up to the town to see if this is legal. Bob Ronzio thought that George Roberts was supposed to give the Selectmen a copy to review but he had not done so. Richard and Nina advised that they did not get a copy of the proxy.
Hildegarde Freedman advised that she is in the process of organizing a Chamber of Trade. A Chamber of Trade is compared to a Chamber of Commerce or the Lions Club. She advised that this will be a free organization and will be organized by groups the first being the Towns of Becket, Otis, and the hill towns. She explained that there will be a website online for this organization and explained how it will work.
The Selectmen reviewed the warrant for the Special Town Meeting. Richard explained all three of the articles on the warrant. George asked if the Finance Committee had a chance to review this warrant. Richard advised that the Finance Committee is going to meet tomorrow night. Ann Spadafora was concerned that the town is taking money out of Stabilization but should put it back in. Richard advised that if the town gets certified for free cash and it is a substantial amount of money then they could vote to put the money back into Stabilization. Bill motioned to approve the articles on the Special Town Meeting Warrant, Mark seconded. All in favor.
Bill motioned to sign the warrant for the Special Town Meeting to be held on September 28, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at the Becket Town Hall, Mark seconded. All in favor.
The Selectmen reviewed the letter of resignation from Heather Hunt as the assistant to the tax collector. Richard advised that the tax collector appoints her own assistant. He also advised that the position has been advertised in the Berkshire Eagle. Bill motioned to accept the resignation of Heather Hunt as assistant tax collector with regret and to send her a letter of thanks, Mark seconded. All in favor.
Any other business: Richard advised that the request for the Executive Session tapes has been denied by the town attorney. He has copies of the email that was sent by the attorney stating the reasons it cannot be released for anyone who wanted a copy. Ann Spadafora asked if this was going to be posted. The Selectmen stated that it will be included in the minutes.
Richard received a call from John Amato from Becket Woods who would like to install their own dry hydrant with the materials that the town purchases for this project.
Richard advised that there is a Finance Committee meeting on Thursday, September 2, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. if the Selectmen wish to attend it. He also advised that the tax bills should be going out within a week and a half.
Richard advised that Brian Domina of Berkshire Regional Planning Commission would like to make a ten minute presentation at one of the Selectmen’s meetings regarding the Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan and the Selectmen need to decide which meeting he should come to. George asked the Selectmen if they wanted to cancel the meeting on September 8, 2010 since it is Rosh Hashanah. The Selectmen agreed to cancel the meeting on September 8, 2010. Brian Domina will come to the meeting on September 15, 2010 to make his presentation.
Richard advised that there is a Partnership in Employment Employer Recognition Breakfast on Wednesday, September 29, 2010. The Selectmen will not be attending this breakfast.
The Selectmen reviewed the bids for the new ambulance. George asked if the bids were reviewed and Richard advised that they were looked over and the lowest bidder met the spec qualifications. Mark read over the bid results. Mark motioned to accept the bid in the amount of $116,054.00 from Yankee Fire & Rescue for the new Type 1 Ambulance, Bill seconded. All in favor.
Colleen asked what the reasons were for the tape of the executive session not being released. George said she could have a copy of the email from the attorney. Meredyth Babcock gave the Selectmen a letter asking for the release of the taped executive session meeting and said that she did not know that the attorney advised not to release it. She advised that if she does not feel the reasons were legitimate that she would contact the Attorney General’s Office.
The Selectmen reviewed the monthly report of the Ambulance Department.
Richard advised that the town had gotten a computer virus that has affected the Outlook email system. This has gone on for about two weeks and if they cannot fix the problem, the employees can use the email through our email provider.
Nina advised that the Massachusetts Broadband Institute would like a representative and an alternate from the Town of Becket to serve on this committee. Bob Ronzio advised that they would prefer if the people serving on the Wired West group would also serve on this committee. He would like to serve as alternate but he was not sure if Jeanne Pryor wanted to serve as the primary representative. Bill motioned to appoint Jeanne Pryor as representative and Bob Ronzio as alternate to the Massachusetts Broadband Institute and to send a letter to Jeanne asking if she would like to be appointed, Mark seconded. All in favor.
Nina advised that the treasurer gave her a bond anticipation note for the last payment of the Yokum Pond Road Bridge replacement and the Selectmen need to vote to sign it. Mark motioned to sign the bond anticipation note in the amount of $125,000 for the Yokum Pond Road Bridge Replacement, Bill seconded. Richard advised that this is authorizing the treasurer to borrow the money to make the last payment on this project. All in favor.
Reviewed correspondence.
7:50 PM Mark motioned to adjourn, Bill seconded. All in favor.
Reviewed the payroll/expense warrants.
Respectfully submitted, _______________________________
Nina Weiler, Secretary George Fuller, Chairman
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