 Egremont News |
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Issue 29 |
September, 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:
This Board is very disappointed in the recent resignation of Thomas Race as the town’s Building Commissioner. His shoes will be very hard to fill. Ned Baldwin, currently Stockbridge’s Building Inspector, has been appointed on an interim basis and will likely be appointed permanently.
Negotiations with West Stockbridge Police Chief Karl Cooper to fill the town’s vacant full-time police officer position did not work out. We are beginning the search for a new candidate.
We need a Veteran who can consistently attend meetings of the District Department of Veterans’ Services in Great Barrington. The Board meets at least on a quarterly basis. Anyone interested may contact Al Adams, DDVS Director at 528-1580.
The Town is in need of volunteers for its Conservation Commission and Board of Health. The Town is also in need of a Tax Assessor. This is a paid elected position. If you might be interested please contact us at Town Hall.
Remember - mark your calendar on November 11 for the dedication of our new Veteran’s Memorial on the Green in the South Village. Help in planning the event is still needed.
The bylaw re-formatting and the new Wireless Telecommunications bylaw have been approved the Attorney General. See the new bylaw posted about town.
Town Clerk:
I would like to remind all residents that there will be two elections this fall. September 19 is the State Primary. The last day to register to vote in this election is August 30.
The State Election is November 7. For both elections the polls will be open from 7:00 a.m to 7:00 p.m. Absentee ballots are also available for both elections. Your request for an Absentee Ballot must be submitted in writing by 12:00 noon on the day before the election. You may request Absentee Ballots for both elections at the same time.
If you wish to check your voter status please contact the Town Clerk’s office.
Treasurer\Collector:
FY 2007 - Preliminary Real Estate & Personal Property Taxes - Have been mailed, and were due August 1, 2006. The 2nd payment is due November 1, 2006.
Reminder bills will be mailed by September 29, 2006. The actual tax bills will be calculated after the tax rate is set. Those bills will be mailed by January 1, 2007. Please remember to contact the Board of Assessors with inquiries on your assessments.
Motor Vehicle Excise - Interim bills are still 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. If you have received a notice from the Deputy Collector please call his office to clear your obligation.
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. Thank you to all who are using the on-line product. It is working great. 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
Council on Aging:
Seniors:
Don’t miss this opportunity to lower your prescription drug costs. Prescription Advantage is available to Massachusetts residents who are:
- 65 years or older
- Disabled individuals under 65 years old.
If you already have a Part D plan, or you are going to join one this fall, Prescription Advantage can lower your prescription drug costs. And, if you are not eligible for Medicare, you can still apply for Prescription Advantage.
There is no monthly premium for Prescription Advantage and those with limited income may also receive help paying for Medicare Part D plan premiums.
Prescription Advantage Open Enrollment is September 15 to November 15. Call Prescription Advantage for an application. 1-800-AGE-INFO (1-800-243-4636) or TTY 1-877-610-0241.
Healthy Habits Can Help Prevent Alzheimer’s:
To maintain the brain and reduce the risks of developing Alzheimer’s, mentally stimulating activity, exercise and diet all play an important role. Just how much of a role they play in reducing the risks of developing the disease is still being researched.
The Alzheimer’s Association is the world leader in Alzheimer research and support. The Alzheimer’s Association, MA Chapter has a variety of programs, such as the 24-hours Helpline, that offer support and education for people with Alzheimer’s, their families and caregivers. For more information call 617-868-6718 or 1-800-272-3900 or go to www.alzmass.org.
Technology Study Committee:
First I want to apologize to our fellow residents for not keeping everyone updated with respect to the latest technology changes in the town.
Last year it appeared that the only broadband services available in the town of Egremont were restricted to the expensive T-1’s or DSN. There was quite a bit of talk about a start up in the region that would offer wireless as well as the possibility of accessing the Internet through satellite connections such as DirectWay or Wildblue. So, where are we now?
The first item is that long standing rumor that DSL is coming to the North Village. From what the technology committee has been able to determine this remains a rumor. However, should you have a continued interest in obtaining DSL contact Verizon directly as there is always a possibility it could come to town.
A number of residents have opted to contract with Wildblue for satellite service. They offer packages as follows:
Value Pak:
Price: $49.95 per month
Download Speed: up to 512Kbps
Upload Speed: up to 128Kbps
Installation: Free
Equipment Cost: $299.00
Select Pak:
Price: $69.96 per month
Download Speed: up to 1.0Mbps
Upload Speed: up to 200Kbps
Installation: Free
Equipment Cost: $299.00
Pro Pak:
Price: $79.95 per month
Download Speed: up to 1.5Mbps
Upload Speed: up to 256Kbps
Installation: Free
Equipment Cost: $299.00
Those residents interested in obtaining this service may contract for it online at
http://www.wildblue.com. Their website is very informative and provides more details on the above packages. Further, it will provide you with the names and phone numbers of local installers.
The local addition to this mix is WiSpring. It is a wireless internet service based in Great Barrington and grew out of the founders' recognizing a need for high-speed Internet in the region. Berkshire County lags behind the rest of the State in broadband accessibility. While the telephone and cable companies chose to ignore our community, WiSpring is now providing service to Egremont and beyond as a possible alternative to Satellite or DSL.
Residential service starts at $59.95 per
month for speeds up to 1.0Mpbs down
and 384Kbps up. Business service starts at $79.95
per month for speeds up to 1.0Mbps down and
512Kbps up. There is a charge for equipment and
you should contact WiSpring directly to find out
what that is.
According to the founders, their service:
*Performs in all weather conditions
*No need for a second phone line
*Can send photos and files faster than satellite
*Allows for VPN, remote security systems &
VoIP services
*Great for online games
*Offers optional static IP address
*Always on connection
*Local company supporting the local community
Further, the company's founders postulate their high-speed data rates and coverage areas will support equality in education, opening the door for more students to access content rich research and coursework from home. Area businesses, telecommuters and second-homeowners will have videoconferencing capabilities, bringing the boardroom to one's living room. Businesses will also be able to quickly and efficiently send and receive state and federal tax information online. As WiSpring expands broadband connectivity, local economies and our community will benefit.
You may contact WiSpring on the net at www.wispring.com or call 413-528-5008 for further information.
French Park:
French Park looks beautiful this year and is being used a lot by many different groups both private and public. Little league and softball had a great year, and the horse show season is still underway. There have been many private parties and the park has other reservations through the fall. There is still some dates available, so if you wish to use the park for a special event, please contact town hall.
Work has been done in the park this summer. The trails are being cleared by a tree company and some of the Tornados damage is being cleaned up. We have received our first check for the removal of the trees.
The French Park Committee is still working with The French Park Fund and are currently working on fund raising for the updating of the playground and the tennis courts.
Thank you once again to Nick and Scott for the beautiful maintenance of the park this summer.
Board of Health:
In this day and age clean drinking water is something assumed to be as fundamental as the rights written into the Bill of Rights over two centuries ago. And in a sense, safe drinking water is as basic and as priceless as the right of free speech. Safe drinking water is not a luxury available only to a chosen few but a right that should be available to all. With all of the advancements in technology and all of the environmental regulations on the federal, state and local level one would think clean drinking water is just a given. Those lucky enough to be on Town Water can breathe a sigh of relieve and know your water is 100% delicious and 100% safe. Those served by private wells need to understand the nature of those wells and the factors which can influence your water quality.
Some wells are drilled, some are hand dug. Some deep wells tap into subterranean veins hundreds of feet below the surface. Some “point” wells can be quite shallow and can be located in a basement with an above ground pump. The location of a well is very important. Wells should be out of the range of potential contaminants from septic systems (either your own septic system or neighboring septic systems), road runoff, feed lots, etc.
Traditionally, deeper wells are cleaner wells. The ground acts as a filter much the way a paper filter in your coffee pot filters the bitterness out of brewed coffee. Water quality from shallow wells can be easily influenced by things like road salt (increasing the water’s sodium level), garden and lawn fertilizers, and believe it or not, household pets defecating or urinating on top of the well. Deep wells also have their share of potential problems. Natural underground shifting can open up a water vein and introduce a contaminant. There have been a few cases of “beaver fever” in Egremont in the last few years which is a term for well contamination caused by busy beavers changing the flow of above-ground water.
By and large well water in Egremont is safe. Sometimes though wells become contaminated. Sometimes it is difficult to definitively pinpoint the cause of that contamination as there can be more than one contributing factor. If you have a private well and if you are concerned about the quality of your water the Egremont Board of Health highly recommends you periodically take a water sample and bring it to a water lab for testing. You can have a basic water test performed (runs about $30) which tests bacteria levels or you can have a complete well test performed (about $225) and determine if any additional levels of organic and inorganic materials are in your water. Water testing kits are available at Town Hall or can be obtained from water labs around Berkshire County.
If you have been having problems with your well and feel poor water quality is affecting your health immediately have your water tested then take a look around and see if there are any new signs around you which could be leading to the contamination. Rainfall plays a very big part in water quality – too much rain can inundate a water source with water that is not pure; too little rain can dry up your water source and leave you with sediments and impurities.
Homeowners can have their wells chlorinated which resolves the problem if the problem was caused by a one-time occurrence. In cases of persistent contamination there are products available to homeowners (reverse osmosis systems, ultraviolet light systems, etc.) which treat your water to safe levels.
We are all concerned about the quality of our drinking water in Egremont. Know that working towards protecting a resource as precious as our drinking water supply is a top priority of the Egremont Board of Health.
Library Building Committee:
Thank you for your responses to our questionnaire regarding the proposed library needs. We received 230 replies which represents a 25% return. Not only is this a very high percentage of return, but the quality of the responses was very thorough.
There were negative as well as positive comments. It provided us with a wealth of information that is now being “sifted” through by our consultant, Sondra Vandermark who will issue a final report and will be incorporated into her Library Building Program document.
Sondra will be here in Egremont in September for meetings, site inspections and to address the Building Committee. She may also address the Board of Selectmen at on of their meetings. The Finance Committee will be invited to attend the presentation. You are welcome to attend. Watch for postings of this meeting.
Again, thank you for your excellent responses as it will play a major part in the coming process.
Alford/Egremont Cultural Council:
The Alford/Egremont Cultural Council is excitedly gearing up for the 2007 grant cycle. The grant application deadline date is Monday October 16, 2006. If you or someone you know is interested in applying for a Local Cultural Council grant please check out the highly informative website www.massculturalcouncil.org or call committee chair Juliette Haas (528-2028) for more information. Copies of the application are available on line at the above-mentioned website and also available at Egremont Town Hall, Alford Town Hall and The Egremont Free Library.
What types of programs are considered for grant funding? Obviously, if you can offer a program that has cultural significance to Alford/Egremont residents then the sky is the limit! Many of you may have seen the postcard questionnaire the Alford/Egremont Cultural Council inserted in the last newsletter. The response was positive and indicated a desire for programming that involved more local participation. That being said, the committee is activity seeking and will be looking favorably towards programs which bring residents together for hands-on workshops, lectures or other similar events.
As this is a state program and these are state funds there are prescribed guidelines an applicant must follow to be eligible. Every year the committee has the difficult task of reviewing more applications then the funding allows. The Alford/Egremont Cultural Council is always looking for programs that have a broad appeal which also have a venue with a specified date for the program in the application.
So to all you interested grant applicants the committee looks forward to reviewing your applications and welcomes calls you may have regarding the program.
Planning Board:
The zoning bylaw changes approved by the town at the March 29, 2006, Special Town Meeting have been reviewed by the Attorney General and approved with four exceptions, all of which occur in Article 2. This was the article that covered the reformatting of the entire bylaw, restructuring and renumbering it to make it more user-friendly. To give approval to this article, the Attorney General reviewed the entire Egremont bylaw and found four areas that were in conflict with state or federal laws. The following four deletions were made by the Attorney General:
1. In Section 1.5, the reference to Section 6 of the state zoning statute was deleted as an incorrect section number.
2. Section 4.4.1, which prohibited activities related to radioactive waste in all areas of town, was deleted because federal and state laws preempt local regulations of high-level and low-level radioactive waste.
3. Sections 5.1.3.1 (a) and (c), which pertain to location of mobile homes in the Flood Plain Overlay District, were deleted as inconsistent with the State Building Code.
4. Two words in Section 5.1.4 (b) pertaining to subdivision standards for construction of public utilities in the Flood Plain Overlay District were deleted, as the State Building Code governs such construction.
The remainder of Article 2 was approved, along with Articles 3, 4, and 5, which relate to the telecommunications overlay district, regulations for wireless telecommunications, and adoption of the zoning map.
The Attorney General also suggested the town consider clarifying other bylaw sections or correcting deficiencies by:
1. adopting parking standards for special permits for businesses;
2. considering a change in the Jug End Residential District to remove an irrelevant statute reference;
3. clarifying certain Flood Plain Overlay District regulations to assure they do not conflict with State Building Code; and
4. assuring that any extensions of variances be consistent with extensions allowed under the state law.
The Planning Board will be looking at these areas of the bylaw, which were not disapproved by the Attorney General but were brought to the town's attention as possible areas for future clarification.
Now that our new bylaws have been approved by the Attorney General, new bylaw copies will be available at Town Hall and should be used in place of previous versions.
These new bylaws are deemed to be in effect from the date of the March 29, 2006, town meeting vote.
The Planning Board is pleased to have these new bylaws in place and thanks townspeople for their support of these bylaws at the March Special Town Meeting.
Historical Commission:
August 19th Nick Cooper spoke on “Jug End” at the Reservation for the Land Trust program.
Court McDermott and his sister Alma, formerly of Egremont, visited the Archives Room to review the pictures and information they donated regarding the Marble Quarry and Axle Factory.
There have been several visitors to the Archives recently.
Trash/Recycling:
Household Hazardous Waste Collections - October 14, 9am - 1pm Great Barrington. - call for pre-registration 1-800-238-1221 ext 25 or 14 or email cynthiag@cetonline.org. There is also a mini site collection for oil base (latex) paints, motor oil, and other painting supplies on September 9th, 9am to 11am in Great Barrington. Again you must call to register 1-800-238-1221 ext 25 or cynthiag@cetonline.org.
Please remember that new Transfer Station stickers were available in July. Please stop by the office to get yours.
We are putting a book drop at the Transfer Station to recycling books for non-profit organizations. This will keep books clean and dry and help to benefit local charitable organizations.
Mosquitoes & West Nile Virus:
What can you do to prevent mosquitoes from spreading West Nile Virus? The most important thing you can do is to get rid of standing water on your property now. That’s where mosquitoes breed. Don’t leave standing water in outside pet water bowls, old tires, potted plants, anywhere that holds stagnant water. Dump birdbath water and replace very two or three days. Drain and cover unused swimming pools. Use safe, pesticide-free insect repellents. Discover why spraying for mosquitoes doesn’t eliminate the threat and why it’s dangerous to kids and pets. Let’s do it together and hit mosquitoes where they breed. Learn how at www.beyondpesticides.org/mosquitoes. A public service message from the Berkshire County Board of Health Association and Beyond Pesticides.
Egremont Garden Club:
All gardeners dream of a Utopia where the season is long with gentle showers and warm sun every day with no harmful pests. As we know, in the real world, we are more likely to have the opposite conditions.
This summer we have had a spectacular problem with the bridge boxes. Despite all our watering and care, plants died. We wish we knew why. As all gardeners know, we sometimes have to accept the unexplainable and go on. We have replanted the bridge boxes and hope to have flowers until frost takes its toll.
Over the next few weeks we will be stringing new lights on the tree in The South Egremont Village Green in anticipation of the coming holiday season. It’s our pleasure to add to the holiday spirit of the Town with lights on the tree.
We are also busy planning for our major event of the year, “Holiday in Egremont”. We have some interesting new things for your approval this year and hope you will put December 9 on your calendar.
Board meeting schedule:
Subject to change.
Archives Room - First Saturday 9-noon & Third Monday 2-4pm
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.
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
Home - Asian Antiques & Interior Objects
195 Hillsdale Road (Route 23)
413-528-5383
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
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, by the Selectmen’s Office Staff
as submitted by Town Department.