Minutes of Meeting – September 7, 2016; meeting called to order at 7:00pm. Present: Warren Archey; Ed Lane; Channing Gibson; Dave Roche. Absent: Ken Fowler.
The chairman congratulated the TM on the Town achieving a AAA credit rating from Standard & Poor’s. This will have a great effect on our interest rates when we begin to bond larger capital items.
MOTION by EL, seconded by CG to accept the Minutes of August 24 and 29. 4/0 vote.
Citizen’s Open Forum: Linda Miller from the Cable Advisory Committee and Jim Biancolo appeared before the Board regarding proposed changes that Spectrum wishes to make to the basic cable services. They explained that all subscribers will be required to utilize a set-top box in order to view cable television. Spectrum is saying that they will waive the $6.99 monthly fee for the first two years. There is a special meeting scheduled for 9/13 at 6pm in the Great Barrington firehouse, and she encouraged the Board to attend.
Consent Agenda: MOTION by EL, seconded by CG to approve a one-day A/A license to Seasons Catering for Saturday, 9/17 from 3-11pm at The Mount for a wedding; one-day W&M license to Jessica Provenze, BCD School for Sunday, 9/11 from 5-8pm at Ventfort Hall; one-day W&M license to Daniel Perry for Saturday, 9/24 from 4-midnight at Ventfort Hall for a wedding; a one-day W&M license to Ventfort Hall for Saturday, 9/17 from 6-11pm for a gala fundraiser. 4/0 vote.
The TM gave a financial update to the Board: The Town received a AAA credit rating, the highest rating given. This will allow the Town to receive a lower interest rate on our upcoming bonds. He also presented the Board with a draft FY18 budget calendar. Finally, he informed the Board that DOR had certified the Town’s Free Cash ($3.3M+/-) and Enterprise Fund Retained Earnings balances for FY17. These balances are now available for appropriation at the Annual Town Meeting.
He then asked the Board to delay his request to schedule a Special Town Meeting which would request approval to abandon a portion of Willow Creek Road in order to comply with DEP’s Post-Closure Use Permit conditions for the solar project.
Amy Lafave gave the Board an update on current activities at the library. She stated that the Library raised approximately $35,000 in used book sales.
Rest of River: WA stated that a meeting is scheduled for 9/23 for the ROR Committee. He would like to see the committee back his idea that we push for chemical bio-remediation from GE rather than the proposed dredging effort. He would also like to see the EPA and DEP support the committee on this idea.
Solar Projects: CG stated that Ameresco was able to negotiate the cost of the National Grid interconnection from over $600,000 to $74,801. This savings will free up funding to install monitoring wells and other requirements of the post-closure use permit, with any balance of savings reducing the price of the power purchasing agreement, and, thus increasing the annual savings to the Town.
BOS Liaison Reports: CG stated that the various housing committees/groups held a meeting to discuss affordable housing in town. He also mentioned that the CPC Committee will begin reviewing the step 1 applications received. DR mentioned that the ladder truck is now back in service. He also mentioned that the Fire/Ambulance Department is the first ambulance service in MA to be certified “Advanced” under the new national standards. WA stated that a few trees have been removed, and that we appear to be in good shape currently. EL stated that paving has begun, and that the Richmond Mtn. Road project is underway. The reservoirs are currently at 77% capacity, but some rain would certainly help.
Meeting adjourned at 8:00pm.
Minutes Taken By: ______________________ Minutes Accepted By: ______________________
Mary Ellen Deming Clerk
Director of Administrative Services Board of Selectmen
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