 Egremont News |
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Issue 34 |
July, 2007 |
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:
We welcome the following new town officials who were elected on May 8: Mary Minehan - Assessor, Susan Bacheldor - Planning Board, and James Olmsted - Tree Warden.
We thank Mark Holmes for his years as an Assessor, and Steven Agar for his years on the Planning Board.
The Board, and the town, mourns the loss of long time Fire Department Chaplain Harry Almond.
If you read the local papers you know that the Board is struggling with the ramifications of the Town of Sheffield not approving its share of the Southern Berkshire Regional School District budget. The Board is keeping on top of this subject and is hopeful that the Town won’t have to appropriate any further funds for the school district, but will do what it needs to support our school.
The Board just appointed James Noe to a probationary appointment as Road Superintendent. It will be very hard to fill the shoes of long time Superintendent Warren “Cricket” Anson who is retiring, but as “Cricket” trained Jim for his current position with the Highway Department we felt that Jim could give it a good try.
The Board will be filling two laborer positions in our Highway in early July. One of these will be a foreman who can back up the Road Superintendent when needed.
The Emergency Management Team had suggested sometime ago that a Safety Handbook be put together. The handbook is finally done and copies are available at the Town Hall. This handbook will help residents to know what to do in the event of bad weather such as floods, snow storms, extreme hot or cold weather, and gives tips on to avoid the flu and take care of yourself in the event you do come down with it.
As well the Southern Berkshire Regional Emergency Planning Committee has printed a brochure on Basic Emergency Planning for Families. We have copies available at Town Hall.
The Southern Berkshire Medical Reserve Corps is seeking new members. This volunteer organization is made up of practicing and retired health care professionals of all levels who will be trained in a full range of areas to respond to a wide spectrum of crises in our area. Non health care people are needed to assist in the administrative duties of the organization. Call Town Hall for contact information.
Our Conservation Commission, which currently consists of 5 members, has been exceptionally busy this year. The Commission can hold 7 members and would like to increase it’s membership at this time in order to spread the work load out. The Commission oversees and protects the wetlands and buffers around our rivers, streams and ponds. If you are interested in serving, please contact Town Hall.
The new Fiscal Year 2008 Transfer Station stickers are in. Please come by Town Hall to get yours. This sticker is good until June 30, 2008.
French Park:
Save this date July 27, 2008 at 12noon. Join your neighbors for “Egremont On Parade” A community day at French Park. This event is being planned by volunteers in Egremont who feel that a spirit of community needs to be brought back to Egremont. The event will include a barbeque and picnic lunch, children’s events such as horse rides and a petting zoo, face painting and other fun activities; team sports for the adults with a theme of North vs South with a Tug-Of-War and softball game among other events; live entertainment; and a display of arts/crafts/goods from local talent. All activities will be conducted by Egremont residents. There will be no fee for attendance or for any of the events, but donations are being accepted made payable to the Town of Egremont for Egremont Community Day. We would love to hear from you about your feelings on this event or if you would like to pitch in and help with the planning. Do you have a talent that you would like to display during the event. Call either Bonnie Oloff at 528-5637 or email her at bonnie@bcn.net or Mary Brazie at Town Hall 528-0182 or tegremont@yahoo.com.
Recycling Hut:
Hooray! Sometime in early July, a new small building will appear at our compactor/recycling center up the hill behind Town Hall. Residents will now have a place to put articles that may be useful to someone else -- all that stuff that until now we have had to leave exposed to the weather on a 3X3 cardtable. Everyone is welcome to browse and take items home -- that’s the point! Common sense will dictate what is appropriate to leave there -- for example, no large furniture (small furniture is OK if space allows) and absolutely no large “white” appliances! Clothing (unless it is truly spectacular!) should still be put in the special clothing box or in one of the Goodwill boxes in Gt. Barrington.
Volunteers will monitor the hut periodically to make sure it is reasonably neat, and items that are inappropriate or have been there too long will be discarded. If you are willing to be on the list of volunteers (each volunteer would be responsible for checking the hut once during one specific week), please call Marj (528-3726) or Juliette (528-2028).
Finally, do not use the hut to avoid paying for items of trash that should go into the construction bin. This new hut will reduce the waste our community produces if it is used with respect!
South Egremont School House Study Group:
In light of recent events within our school
district, it seemed to us we should present
ourselves to the Town. Our group, Susan
Bachelder, Rich Edwards, Ron Ronan, Tom
Trabka and Karen Waller, was commissioned by
the Egremont Select Board in March to do an
analysis of the South Egremont School House;
its program and the costs incurred directly by the
town and through our school taxes. The report
will be submitted to the Town in September to
determine if the question of closure of our school
for any reason is warranted to go before a Town
vote.
The South Egremont School House has
been located in Egremont since 1881. Over the
course of its history a good number of our
citizens have been educated there. Today it
operates as a classroom within the Southern
Berkshire Regional School District (SBRSD).
Our district, the first school district in the
Commonwealth, was formed in 1954. We now
have a Kindergarten and First Grade
Commonwealth approved program. The program
costs and building maintenance costs are carried
for the most part in our school taxes.
A report called the EDM Evaluation,
commissioned by the SBRSD, took a look at the
physical facilities of all of the buildings within
the district as to their present condition and
possible future needs. This document will also be
reviewed. Egremont is one of four towns with
school buildings. Monterey, New Marlboro and
Sheffield, our major campus, all have buildings
whose maintenance is carried in the school
budget. We will separate these elements to
determine what Egremont’s needs are and what
are the actual costs now and in the future.
It is our intent to also review the teaching
program now in place and see if it serves the needs
of our children. And finally we will try and gauge
some of the intangibles associated with the venue
such as the school’s impact on its neighbors, its
value to the community and other aspects of its presence.
We welcome your questions but look
forward to presenting the Select Board and the
town with our final report in September. Until
then, have a great summer!
Historical Commission:
Here it is June already . From now until the end of October the Archives room will be open on the First Saturday of each month from 9am to 12noon and the third Monday of each month from 2pm to 4pm.
We would like to thank Bud Candee for the beautiful stand he made for our extra large scrap book. It’s great!!! This was a very thoughtful and generous gift to our Archives room. Hand signed by him as well.
Stop by to see it!!
Planning Board:
The board extends its thanks to Stephen Agar, who did not seek reelection, for his many years on the Planning Board. Steve was a member of the Planning Board for 26 years.
The board welcomes Susan Bachelder as its newest member, following the May election. Reorganization of the board was as follows: Eileen Vining, Chair; Charles Proctor, Vice-Chair; Marjorie Wexler, Clerk; Helen Krancer, Treasurer; Susan Bachelder, Representative to Berkshire Regional Planning Commission.
Following review by Town Counsel Jerry Scully, the board’s draft Adult Entertainment Bylaw is available to the public for review at the town hall. The draft bylaw will be on the agenda for the board’s meeting on July 23 at 8:00 PM at the Egremont Town Hall for any questions or discussion by the public prior to being presented at a future Public Hearing and Town Meeting. The bylaw proposal allows adult entertainment uses in Egremont while limiting the potential impacts on abutters and the Town. Adult entertainment uses may not be totally prohibited by a town.
Susan Bachelder will be the board’s representative on the Source Water Protection Committee, which has had one meeting to date. Marj Wexler is the board’s alternate. The committee is investigating ways to protect drinking water in Egremont and neighboring towns.
Board of Health:
Thomas Jefferson, patriot, statesman, scholar, author of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, (not to mention one heck of a US President) coined the phrase “determine never to be idle”. With great respect and homage to our learned founding father the Egremont BOH would like to update his wise words by giving them a 21st century environmental twist: Determine Never to Idle
Perhaps you have already seen the “No Idling” signs around town and around Berkshire County. These signs and the “No Idling” movement refer to leaving your motor vehicle engine running for extended periods of time when not in motion. Many of us may leave our cars engines running when we run into the post office to pick up our mail or grab a cup of coffee at a convenience store. Some may even leave their engines running to either keep their cars cool in the summer or warm in the winter. By doing so though excessive idling not only wastes your expensive gasoline but is harmful to the public’s air quality and is a producer of greenhouse gases which contributes to global warming.
To alleviate this public health concern the state enacted numerous laws which make it a violation punishable by possible fines to idle unnecessarily for more than 5 minutes. There are public health laws in effect to protect air quality standards to work towards reducing the amount of noxious particulate matter emanating from car exhaust systems. The Commonwealth also enacted nuisance laws to curb excessive idling of loud engines (diesel and others).
So take the pledge….Determine Never to Idle. An act as simple as turning off your car’s engine when not in motion will help preserve air quality, make our town a quieter place, save your gas and even contribute towards saving the planet.
Library Building Committee:
A meeting was held on June 7th with the Building Committee and Anne Larson, Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, to put the final touches on the Building Program. A few minor changes were made and the Building Program will be submitted by the end of the month.
Anne Larson outlined the needs for future planning: hiring of a Project Manager and an architect and what each role will play in developing the site for the proposed library as well as a model of what the library will look like and what facilities it will contain. All of this must be accomplished within the $40,000 budget (a combination of a $20,000 grant for the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and $20,000 matching funds voted at a previous Town Meeting).
Egremont Free Library:
DID YOU KNOW:
♦ The Library has free passes for residents to the Norman Rockwell Museum, The Mount and the Clark?
♦ We have a website: www.egremontfreelibrary.org?
♦ Our email is egremontfreelibrary@gmail.com?
♦ We have a book club that meets the last Tuesday of the month at 12 noon?
♦ We have a Friends’ group which meets the last Wednesday of most months to support the work of the library?
♦ We are up to date with the latest fiction and non-fiction?
♦ We have movies, tapes, CD’s and DVD’s to borrow?
♦ We are open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 2-6 and Saturday mornings from 9-12?
♦ We would love to get to know you?
Council on Aging:
SENIORS, It’s Picnic Time!!!! Please mark your calendars for Thursday, July 12th. Once again, we are invited to the town Park in Sheffield for the senior picnic with lots of good food, fellowship and an enjoyable time for all!! Please call a member of the Council for a reservation. Sheffield folks need to know how many seniors will be coming out for the fun!!! Please make that phone call by July 5th.
After an appeal by our chairman for some new members on the Council, we are pleased to tell you that we are hoping to have Landis “Andy” Olesker join us as an Associate member. He is a part-time resident of Egremont and New York City. As an attorney, we expect that Andy will be a great resource, aiding us in getting answers to some of the “tangled” questions and problems brought to our attention.
If you, or a senior member of your family, is still having problems with prescription coverage under Medicare Part D, please remember that we do have trained counselors who can help solve some of the problems involved with this important matter. Call 528-3488 to obtain an appointment with a SHINE Counselor for this assistance.
Town Clerk:
Reminder: All dog licenses are now due. Fines will be issued starting August 1. Proof of rabies vaccination is required to license your dog.
Garden Club:
The Egremont Garden Club has been busy the past few months. We have has a most successful Spring Plant, Bake and Tag Sale. Thanks for all your support. We have such fun doing this and it's always rewarding to have so many "customers" stop by. We have heard from so many that all our plants are healthy and grow well when planted.
The bridge boxes have been planted and a team of members are faithfully watering. This is a task that can never be neglected, even though we have an occasional shower to help, Boxes dry out quickly because of the small amount of soil in each, We hope you enjoy our efforts when you drive by.
The gardens at the Library and the
Cemetery have been weeded and mulched. Herbs
have been planted at the Library. We will honor
our long time member, Gertrude Burdsall with a
tea at the Berkshire Botanical Garden on June 20.
The proceeds will go toward a scholarship fund
being established in Gertrude's honor. Terry
Moore, owner and chef from the Old Mill will be
our speaker. His topic will be "Cooking With
Herbs". Terry has long supported the Garden Club
with much appreciated donations to our projects.
He will not be charging the Club for speaking at
this event. Many thanks, Terry!!
We have some interesting plans for future
projects. We hope to be able to let you know what
we what we are going to be doing in the near
future.
Friends of Prospect Lake:
On July 14, the Friends of Prospect Lake
(FoPL) will host a Family Fun Fair in French Park,
from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Food, music, pony rides and other games for kids, a whopper of a tag sale -- all to raise money for the cleaning and maintenance of Prospect Lake.
Bring your neighbors and come to visit or for lunch. Our Tag Sale tables are guaranteed to have that little thingamajig you've been looking for.
Board meeting schedule:
Subject to change.
Archives Room - First Saturday 9-noon
Assessors - Wednesdays 9am to 11am & Tuesdays 7pm to 9pm or by appointment
Board of Health - Monday- 8am to 1pm, Tuesday 8:30 to 12pm & 12:30 to 2:30pm Wednesday & Thursday 8am to 1pm
Meetings - First & Third Thursday 9am to 11am
Board of Selectmen - Meetings Tuesday evenings 7pm. Office 7:30am to 3pm. July, August, September every other week
Building Inspector - Tuesday 12:30pm to 3:30pm. If Monday is a holiday Wednesday 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 7:00pm
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.
The Silo B&B - guest accommodations
413-528-5195
The Inn at Sweet Water Farm - B&B
1 Prospect Lake Road
413-528-2882
www.innsweetwater.com
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
Lesson, summer programs
www.bluerider.org
413-528-5299
Green River Arabians & Pintos - Horse training, and boarding, a 4-H program.
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
Barnbrook Realty
413-528-4423
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
Egremont Heights, South Egremont
Computer repairs & sales
413-429-7884
Dellea.biz Computer Services
Windows PC repairs & house calls
Toll-free 1-877-594-0497
Tarot Readings By Diana Dixon Ziegler
413-528-0452
561-632-7171
Support local businesses
South Egremont School House and class members.
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.