 Egremont News |
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Issue 27 |
May, 2006 |
Rules & Regulations of this Newsletter:
The purpose of this newsletter is to keep residents informed of what is going on in their community. It is printed on a bi-monthly basis by the Selectmen’s Office Staff. Articles submitted by Town Boards are not edited by the Select Board or Office Administrator. Outside organizations are allowed to submit articles of no longer than one column length. These articles are to be factual and will not be printed if they contain any political format, forum, or communication.
We welcome reader input and hope you enjoy reading the Newsletter.
Selectmen:
Annual Town Meeting May 2, 2006 7pm at Mt. Everett High School Auditorium in Sheffield.
The FY 2007 total proposed budget is just over $3,100,000.00, up somewhat from last years $2,961,000.00. Copies of the Warrant are available at the Town Hall, Library, North and South Egremont Post Offices and Karner Brook Store.
Town Election May 9, 2006 from 10am to 7pm at the North Egremont Fire Station.
If you are unable to attend the election you may request an absentee ballot from the Town Clerk’s Office.
On the ballot running for office is:
Moderator - Thomas Gage
Town Clerk - Margaret Muskrat
Selectman - Bruce Turner
Assessors - George Caldwell
Water Commission - John Walther
Bruce Cumsky
Library Trustee - Grace Moyer
Cemetery Commission - Henry Granger
Tree Warden - Jack Harvey
Planning Board - Helen Krancer
Associate Planning Board - Richard Allen
William Wood
There will be a Special Town Meeting tentatively on June 20th to possibly vote on the purchase of a new fire engine and to make some minor bylaw amendments.
Select Board’s are being required to take more active roles in Emergency Management. The Board members are required to train and pass testing for National Incident Management, Incident Command System, and All Hazards response. And Mass. Emergency Management is requiring extensive updates to the Comprehensive Emergency Management plan for the town. The work load being imposed on mostly volunteer board members is overwhelming. It has been noted at emergency management meetings that the state and federal government is going to force towns to employee full-time emergency management personnel.
As the summer months approach, please be prepared for severe thunderstorms and possible tornadoes. With the severe weather in other parts of the country it would behoove us all to pay close attention to the weather and to be prepared for any type of severe weather that may bring on power outages.
Egremont Volunteer Fire Departments:
The Fire Department is seeking new members. Men, women, juniors welcome. Meetings and training sessions are every Tuesday evening at 7pm. Extensive training is now required of all fire personnel. A small stipend is paid by the town. All fire personnel are insured by the Town. For more information contact Fire Chief William Turner at 528-3464 or stop by one of the Fire Stations on Tuesday night.
Open burning season ends on May 1, 2006.
Treasurer\Collector:
REMINDER - Real Estate & Personal Property Taxes are due May 1, 2006 -
This is the fourth & final payment of FY2006. Interest & penalties will accrue after that date.
Motor Vehicle Excise - The first commitment was due April 10, 2006. Interim bills are now being mailed periodically as the bill information is received from the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Interim bills are generated when a new or used vehicle is purchased and/or registered during the present or prior year. PLEASE NOTE: If you have disposed of a vehicle, please remember, it is the taxpayers responsibility to file an abatement. Do not ignore the tax bill as it stays on the books until it is paid or abated. Again, we only have the information provided to us from the Registry of Motor Vehicles which comes from the vehicle owner.
On Line Banking - UNIPAY on line banking is up and running. It is a great tool for last minute payments of any bill owed to the town. Go to the Town of Egremont web site www.egremont-ma.gov/ and click on pay your bills on line. Follow the instructions from that point. You will be able to use ACH or a credit card. Please give it a try.
Questions/Confusions - I will be glad to address any question that would be of general information to the taxpayers. Submit questions and concerns pertaining to the Tax Collector/Treasurer to Pat, P.O. Box 368 So. Egremont. Responses will be given in the following newsletter.
ATTENTION - Tax payments mailed to the Town Hall in the Town Clerk envelopes, may be received late to the Collector’s Office. Mail is sorted by department and may not be opened immediately. Please address tax payments to the Tax Collector’s Office for a timely payment.
Office hours - Tax Collector 7-3 Monday through Friday or by appointment
Don’t forget your dog license. Apply for one through the Town Clerks office.
Council on Aging:
Medicare Part D - If a member of your family has not yet made a decision as to how to handle the purchase of medications through Medicare Part D, please get in touch with a Council on Aging member for assistance. The deadline is May 15th and should not be ignored.
Winter is behind us, and the possibility of house fires should be reduced with less heating requirements; however, if the Smoke Detector in your home is more than 10 years old, you should replace it. A program sponsored by the Mass. Dept. of Public Health addresses this matter by offering free detectors if a home owner cannot afford to purchase one. Our local Fire Departments are aware of this, and have offered to install a detector if a senior needs help. – Homeowners must now think, also, about installing a detector for the presence of Carbon Monoxide. The Commonwealth of Mass. has a new law effective March 31, which requires all homes to have the CO detector as well as smoke alarms. All home owners need to take care of these very important devices for their personal protection.
Seniors, please mark your calendar for two upcoming events: We are going to be entertained.... on Saturday, May 27th a picnic and entertainment will be held at the Claire Teague Senior Center, Gt. Barrington. We are all invited. This is a joint effort of the various COA’s so your Council looks forward to seeing a number of Egremont seniors on May 27th. ALSO, remember June 15, Thursday, noon at French Park! This is the annual Senior Picnic for Egremont, Alford and Sheffield. More publicity will be coming for that date! A little different type of “show” will entertain you, we promise!
Alford/Egremont Cultural Council:
Spring has arrived with new excitements, challenges and activities in Egremont. Please note the following events on your calendar which are sponsored in part by your Local Cultural Council:
Pastels Workshop with Greg Maichack. This workshop was originally scheduled for last February but was unfortunately cancelled because of snow. Here’s your chance to receive instruction from state-renowned pastel artist Greg Maichak on basic pastel technique. Each participant will complete the two-hour workshop with not only knowledge of this fine medium but also take home their own work of art. The workshop is scheduled for Saturday May 13th from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. and will be held at the First Congregational Church in South Egremont. All materials will be provided and the class is free to the first 20 Alford/ Egremont residents to register. Please call Robin Goldberg at 528-2228 if you are not already on the list or for more information.
Senior Picnic The Alford/Egremont Cultural Council is very pleased to financially support the special entertainment for this year’s Senior Picnic which will be held on Thursday June 15 at 12 noon at French Park. Rachel Shaw (bless this woman!), chairperson of the Egremont Council On Aging, has arranged a sure-to-please event featuring the talents of magician Carl Seiger. Bring a dish and a smile!
American Dream/American Nightmare with Leonard Quart Egremont resident and Berkshire Eagle columnist Leonard Quart will be holding a talk on the fascinating theme of the unrealized quest for the traditional American Dream incorporating two important pieces of 20th century American culture – the novel “American Pastoral” by Philip Roth and the film “Nashville” directed by Robert Altman. The event will be held on Wednesday June 28th at 7:00 p.m. at the Weatervane Inn on Main Street in South Egremont. Copies of the novel “American Pastoral” will soon be available at the Egremont Free Library to those who have not already read this must-read piece of literature or to those who wish to re-familiarize themselves with the work. DVD copies of the fascinating film “Nashville” will also be available at the Library. The event will certainly provide ample intellectual food for thought.
Please refer to upcoming issues of this newsletter for more events in the coming months funded by the Alford/Egremont Cultural Council. Interested in joining the Alford/Egremont Cultural Council and becoming a part of future cultural event planning for your community? Give chairperson Juliette Haas a call at 528-2028.
Friends of the Egremont Free Library:
The Friends of the Egremont Library is very pleased to announce The First Annual Egremont Writers Series and cordially invites you all to the following events featuring the following recently published Egremont authors:
Wednesday May 24th at 7:00 p.m. Isobel Noble author of the novel “Ruin, Book One: The Tent City”.
Wednesday May 31st at 7:00 p.m. Nathan Smith author of a selection of sonnets entitled “Temple Sonnets”.
Saturday June 3rd at 2:00 p.m. Jana Laiz author of the children’s book “The Elephants of the Tsunami”
Each event will be held at the Egremont Free Library and will feature a book signing and reading from the author and a reception with light refreshments afterwards. Come meet these fine writers, visit with friends and neighbors and celebrate our exceptional local talent.
The Friends plan to have a Silent Auction in mid July This is a very popular addition to the Friends’ year. Any town resident who would like to contribute is most welcome. Donations should be valued at least $25. They can be dropped off at the Library at any time.
Egremont Free Library:
When was the last time you visited the Egremont Free Library? Do you know where it is? Have you been there since you left elementary school, or are you a newer resident who thinks you have to go to Great Barrington to get a good book?
Sally Caldwell has been the Librarian in Egremont for the past twelve years. Have you met her? Do you know that the Trustees and Sally make it their business to have the most up to date Library possible in our small village? Do you know what the latest best sellers are? All you have to do is walk in to the Egremont Free Library to find many of these or the finest art books or the latest non-fiction.
An that’s just the beginning. We have some very generous patrons who travel back and forth to the city each week and then drop off the audio they like to listen to when they travel. And how many times can you watch a movie? Many of our patrons pass them on to the Library.
And, if we don’t have what you are looking for, we can get it, usually within a week or so from, our interlibrary loan service here in Massachusetts.
Do drop by and find out what you are missing! We are open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 2-6PM and Saturday morning from 9-12 noon.
Library Building Committee:
Interviews for the Building Committee Consultant are being held on Saturday April 22nd and 29th at Town Hall from 9AM to 1PM. The Consultant Selection Committee will conduct the interviews and will make the final selection. The Committee is made up of Grace Moyer, Sue Turner, Tom Haas, Sally Caldwell, Bruce Turner, Chuck Ogden, Herb Lorentzen and Don Chester.
In the last newsletter we referred to a survey that was to be circulated to the towns people regarding what was wanted in a new library facility. Upon advice of Anne Larsen of the Mass. Board of Library Commissioners, we held off until the Consultant was hired so as to get his/her input.
Board of Health:
Those of you who have been reading the Board of Health column in this newsletter for the past two or three issues have probably noticed the great amount of attention this office has been giving to Emergency Preparedness. You might even be saying to yourself, “why should our little Board of Health in our fair little town be so concerned about issues like avian flu, hurricane disaster relief and the like?” Some might even be thinking, “why don’t those folks at the Board of Health go back to writing columns on septic system maintenance, remind people to pump their septic tanks and continue teaching the importance of proper hand washing techniques?” Proper septic system maintenance and proper hand washing techniques are all very worthwhile subjects and perhaps subjects for columns at a later date, but Emergency Preparedness is the most important matter before all Local Boards of Health and before the Massachusetts Department of Public Health today taking up a great deal of time and involving a great deal of planning.
To find the reason for that one only has to look in a daily newspaper or on the evening news. Almost everyday there are reports of new cases of avian flu in countries that have never had it before. The clean up efforts continue to this day in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region after the devastation cased by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and Americans all over the country are concerned about possible future acts of terrorism on our shores. Like a good insurance policy, good disaster planning is something that is waiting for you even if you may never need it. And let’s genuinely pray we never do! Good disaster planning has all the inter-town agreements signed and ready to go, the long list of emergency personnel identified and trained and a good plan in place so the citizenry won’t be asking why no one thought of planning before an emergency actually occurred.
An aspect many people have a hard time understanding is the role local officials and Health Department volunteers play in possible large scale national emergencies. By its very nature Public Health is a field which centers on the prevention of illnesses which can affect the larger public. Issues before a Board of Health in a town like Egremont have traditionally been local ones – ensuring that proper food codes are employed in restaurants to prevent food borne illnesses, protection from contamination from possible faulty septic systems, etc. Let’s use pandemic flu as an example of a large scale national emergency since that is getting so much press lately. To put it bluntly in an event of something like a pandemic flu where it is estimated 40% of the work force (that figure includes health care workers like doctors and nurses) could be affected it is crucial to have a pool of qualified people trained to not only provide basic care for the sick but to provide counseling, support and logistics planning. Questions like who will care for the sick, who will provide temporary hospital facilities and who will keep basic law and order will all need to be addressed.
It has generally been understood that in the event of a public health emergency officials on the state level would come to our town and assist where needed. Again in the event of something like a pandemic flu state officials in the bigger towns like Amherst or Northhampton are going to have their hands full in their own towns to say the very least. Egremont and all the other towns in South Berkshire County would need to pull together and care for the local population. This is where good advance planning comes into play. Effective Emergency Preparedness is truly the best policy and it is reassuring to know that many dedicated officials in and out of the Public Health field on both the state and local level are diligently working to be there for you with a plan in place.
Planning Board:
The Planning Board sends its thanks to all the voters who supported the bylaw proposals at the Special Town Meeting on March 29, 2006. Those changes now go to the Massachusetts Attorney General for review and approval, which can take up to 3 months once received. Approvals date back to the date of the vote.
There will be one zoning bylaw proposal on the Annual Town Meeting warrant in May. This proposal would amend the bylaw to allow retail business and consumer service establishments in Egremont of up to 10,000 square feet on a lot by special permit. Such uses are now allowed by special permit without any size specified. The proposal gives the opportunity for the town to decide whether it would like new retail business and consumer service establishments to be in scale with existing such businesses in town.
Many townspeople do not realize that Egremont does not have residential and commercial zoning districts as many other towns do. Commercial uses are allowed anywhere in town along with residential uses. Under the special permit process for commercial uses, abutters to the property for which the special permit is sought receive notice of a public hearing and have the opportunity to comment on the potential new business to be located next to them. Often concerns are expressed about impacts such as traffic, lighting, sounds, and hours of operation, and the Planning Board tries to address such potential impacts by putting conditions on the special permit. The zoning bylaw currently has no limitations on the size or type of businesses or where it could be located. The 10,000 square foot size proposed would be comparable to twice the size of the town hall as a two-story building or four times the size of the town hall as a one-story building.
The Planning Board is considering proposals to establish zoning districts that would define more clearly the types of businesses allowed and where they might be located in town. As we work on these proposals, the 10,000 square foot proposal on the Annual Town Meeting warrant would ensure that any new retail business and consumer service establishment would be in scale with those already existing in the town.
2006 Household Hazardous Materials Mini-Site Collections:
Saturday, April 22 - 9am - 11am Lenox DPW 275 Main Street, Route 7A.
Saturday, May 20 - 9am - 10:30am Otis Recycling Center, 538 West Center road, off Route 23.
Saturday, June 10 - 9am - 11:30am, Great Barrington Transfer Station, Route 7.
Acceptable materials: Used motor oils, Oil based (not Latex) paints, Turpentine, Stains, thinner. No acceptable: Latex Paint, paint brushes/rags, Medical Waste, Asbestos, Fireworks & Explosives, Ammunition, Gas Cylinders, Smoke Detectors, Radioactive Material, Fire Extinguishers, Empty Aerosol Cans, PCB’s.
Pre-registration mandatory: 1-800-238-1221 ext. 17 or alison@cetonline.org.
Egremont Garden Club:
On Saturday, May 27, from 10A.M. to 2PM at the First Congregational Church, South Egremont our members will hold our annual Plant, Bake and Tag Sale.
Our members are potting containers with cuttings from their favorite perennials - these plants will be rooted and ready to plant in your garden. Hanging floral baskets and four and six packs of annuals will also be available at reasonable prices.
Our bake counter will be set with culinary delights from our members best recipes, come and pick out cakes, pies, cookies and bread. Come early for your favorites.
If tag sales entice you our items are outstanding. There are no chips, cracks or dirt on our glass or pottery. Books, pots, and utensils have been scanned and been deemed in good shape. All of the items will be displayed in an organized manner, easy to see and ready to pack.
The money made at this sale will make us able to provide trees to planting, field trips for children to the Botanical Gardens, scholarships, Village beautification in summer and winter, Public programming and aid to gathering programs at the Southern Berkshire schools.
All the garden club members thank you.
Friends of Prospect Lake:
A number of residents in North Egremont have formed an organization named “Friends of Prospect Lake.” FoPL’s mission is to monitor, maintain, and enhance the environmental, aesthetic, recreational, and economic values of Prospect Lake and its watershed, and to provide education with respect thereto.
The lake has recently shown evidence of accelerated eutrophication and evidence suggests that invasive species have found their way into the Lake. At the Egremont Special Town Meeting on Wednesday, March 29th, the voters were asked to approve a proposal for the town to match the funds raised by FoPL. We are pleased to announce that FoPl has received the majority “YES” vote thereby allowing the town to match funds for the purpose of saving Prospect Lake.
Please join us at our next meeting which will take place on Saturday, May 13th, at 10:00AM at the North Egremont firehouse on Route 71.
We invite you to join our membership
Board meeting schedule:
Subject to change.
Archives Room - First Saturday 9-noon
Assessors - Wednesdays 9am to 11am & Tuesdays 7pm to 9pm
Board of Health - Monday by appointment, Tuesday 10am to 2pm, Wednesday 10am to 12noon, Thursday 10am to 12noon
Board of Selectmen - Meetings Tuesday evenings 7pm. Office 7:30am to 3pm. (Every other Tuesday during July and August)
Building Inspector - Tuesday 12:30pm to 3:30pm.
Conservation Commission - Second and Fourth Thursdays 7:00pm
Finance Committee - Wednesday 7pm as needed.
Library - Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 2-6pm &
Saturday 9-12noon
Planning Board - Second & Fourth Monday 7:30pm
Town Clerk - Tuesday evenings 7pm - 9pm
Water Department - Third Thursday 4:30pm
Zoning Board of Appeals - as needed
To reach a board member or to leave a message please call the Town Hall.
SBRSD Calendar Highlights:
May 6 - Madrigal Feast
May 12 - SADD breakfast
May 12 - Prom
May 19 - 7pm Grade 5-9 Musical “The Bard is Back
May 20 - 7pm Grade 5-9 Musical “The Bard is
Back
May 21 - 2pm Grade 5-9 Musical “The Bard is
Back
May 24 - Grade 5-12 Band Concert
May 26 - 7pm Elementary Music Concert
June 1 - High School Choral Concert
June 6 - Grade 3-8 Choral Concert
June 15 - Last Day of School
Community Notes:
Do you have something noteworthy you would like the community to know about - please pass it on.
Business listings:
In an effort to promote local small businesses, the following businesses/services located in Egremont have agreed to be listed here. If we missed asking you and you wish to be included, please send your information to the Town Hall.
Baldwin Hill Farm B&B - Lodging and breakfast
413-528-4892 / 888-528-4092
www.baldwinhillfarm.com
The Silo B&B - guest accommodations
413-528-5195
The Weathervane Inn - Lodging
413/800-528-9580
John Andrews’ Restaurant - Restaurant
413-528-3469
Elm Court Inn - Restaurant
413-528-0325
Swiss Hutte Country Inn and Restaurant-
Restaurant & Lodging
413-528-6200
Howard’s Antiques - Antique Lighting & Restoration
413-528-1232
www.howardsantiquelighting.com
Red Barn Antiques - Antique lighting & fine metal polishing
413-528-3230
Blue Rider Stables - Therapeutic Riding Center
413-528-5299
Green River Arabians & Pintos - Horse back riding, training, lessons, breeding
413-528-2367 arabpinto13@yahoo.com
www.thearabianexperts.com/greenriver
Odyssey II Kennels - All breed boarding for Dogs
413-528-2816
Indian Line Farm - Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) & Farmers Markets
413-528-8301
House to House Hauling & Recycling-
Rubbish removal
413-528-0943
G&S Gventer “Books - Buy & Sell Books
413-528-2327
Cosmic Resonance (Elfie Six) Shiatsu/Acutonics®, Soundhealing,
413-644-9979
Peter Goldberg, Dipl. Ac - Acupuncture, Pain
Management 413-528-5055
Divine Automotive - Automotive repair
413-528-8007
Old Egremont Store - groceries, beer, wine, liquor, newspapers, lottery, & much more
413-528-4796
Blueberry Lane Home Design - Interior decorating
413-528-9633
Closet Collection - clothing & household
consignment shop
413-528-6236
Berkshire Veneer Company - wholesale/retail
wood veneer sales
413-644-9696
L and L Construction - Home repairs, additions,
new home building
413-528-5548
Catamount Ski Area - Skiing
413-528-1262
Anita Schilling - Real Estate Listing & Sales
Century 21 Franklin Street
413-528-8118 x12
Florence F. Browner Real Estate - Full Service
90 Creamery Road
413-528-3266
Linda Warner - Realtor Associate
Lance Vermeulen Real Estate
413-528-1428
FrogEstate@aol.com
Kenver Ltd - Ski equipment and apparel
39 Main Street
413-528-2330
Maple Leaf Art Gallery - Joan Mentzinger
154 Hillsdale Road, Route 23
The Agency Without Walls - Helen Krancer
Advertising, sales promotion, direct marketing. 413-644-9700
Cyber Knights - Matthew Wall
Computer repairs & sales
413-429-7884
Support local businesses.
Town of Egremont
P.O. Box 368
South Egremont MA 01258
413-528-0182
Printed, on recycled paper, Selectmen’s Office Staff
as submitted by Town Department.