 Egremont News |
|
Issue 37 |
January , 2008 |
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.
Assessors:
When Egremont property owners receive their January property tax bills they will note the absence of assessed valuations and tax rates. The bills will appear to be much like those for the 1st and 2nd quarter installments. A backlog of assessment and tax rate approvals at the Department of Revenue has prompted local finance officials to pursue issuing third-quarter estimated tax bills.
In most years, bills issued by the Town around the end of December bear the fiscal year’s assessed values, tax rate, and final tax calculation. Fiscal year 2008 is a full revaluation and certification year for Egremont. The town competes with approximately 120 other Massachusetts’ cities and towns for completion of a DOR assessment audit. Certification of proposed valuations is a lengthy process requiring many levels of review and approval. The Egremont Board of Assessors began their revaluation program last May and the certification process in September. While the town should receive DOR certification before the end of the year, the time required to produce and mail bills makes issuance of the estimated tax bill the only practical solution. Taxpayers will have 30 days from the issuance of the 3rd quarter bill to make their payments. Property owners should look for a final calculation of fiscal year 2008 taxes on their 4th quarter tax bills.
Most property valuations are slated to increase. Tax valuations are based not on current value, but on values as of the statutory assessment date - the January 1st preceding the start of the fiscal year. DOR guidelines require that the assessors estimate their valuations using calendar year 2005 and 2006 sales. This period saw tremendous appreciation in market values. Valuations prior to the revaluation were measured at a median assessment level of 78 percent of fair market value. With residential valuations increasing an average 18 percent, the assessors anticipate a sizable tax rate reduction. Signs of a recent downturn in the real estate market will likely translate into assessed value reductions next fiscal year.
Taxpayers with questions may either drop by the assessors’ office Tuesday evenings between 6pm and 8pm, or communicate with the Town’s Contract Assessor, Harald Scheid by email at hscheid@email.com.
Library Building Committee
The grant the Town received from the Mass. Library Board of Commissioners for $20,000, which the Town matched, requires the town to hire an architect to do a feasibility study and submit a conceptual design. The architect will be asked to submit 2 designs for a new library – one with a large community room and one without. With all of the interest in energy conservation, the committee will ask the architect to incorporate “green” technologies as much as possible.
The proposed timeline for this will be to hire the architect by February. The final conceptual designs will be approved by May. After the final design approval, the Library Building Committee will then hold several public informational meetings.
The next step for the Committee will be to apply for a Building and Construction grant. The next grant round for the Mass. Library Board of Commissioners will occur within 2 to 3 years. Once approved and on the grant list, the Library Building Committee will be doing fund raising to help offset any cost to the Town.
The committee welcomes any ideas or comments from the community. Please call or Email to: Grace Moyer 528-8972 gracemoyer@aol.com
Selectmen:
The Board is negotiating with the other 4 town’s of the school district (Alford, Monterey, New Marlborough and Sheffield) towards a new School District agreement and a new funding mechanism for operating and capital costs for the school. The Board has notified the school district that if the negotiations do not reach a settlement that is fair to all, Egremont will be considering removing itself from the District.
The town is again in need of an Assessor due to the resignation of Karen Cumsky. If you are interested in this position please contact Town Hall. We thank Karen Cumsky for her time on the Board.
Our two Full-time Police Officers have begun the Full-time Police Academy. They will be in the Academy for 16 weeks.
Winter has arrived and we finally have a full compliment on our Road Department. We welcome our newest member, Sean Plue.
Egremont Water Department
Winter, with it’s snow and below freezing temperatures, has arrived in the area. If you have not already done so, now is the time to winterize your home or business to prevent water freeze ups and possible costly plumbing repairs. Some suggestions are:
1. Drain and remove all garden hoses and store them inside.
2. Drain all outside faucets if they are not the frost free type.
3. Cover all outside faucets with a protective cover that can be purchased at any hardware store.
4. Drain all water lines that go out from your house to garden sheds, swimming pools, etc.
5. Make sure there is sufficient heat in all buildings that have water to prevent freezing and subsequent pipe damage.
The Egremont Water Department will closely monitor water consumption during the winter months by reviewing all monthly billings and usage. If we detect higher than normal water usage through your meter we will contact you immediately. Please do not hesitate to contact the water department at 413-644-9614 if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you
Board of Assessors:
In the past few months, we have welcomed Florence Browner as a member of our Board, and already her knowledge and experience have contributed to our work. We have also accepted the resignation of Karen Cumsky, and we thank her wholeheartedly for her invaluable hard work during the past year.
So we begin the new calendar year with an opening on the Board of Assessors. Anyone interested please contact us at 528-0182, ext. 14. We meet every Tuesday evening, 6PM to 8PM, with a Board meeting and general office hours. Our general office hours are Friday morning, 9AM to 11AM.
We wish each and everyone a peace filled Holiday Season and New Year.
Town Clerk:
The date for the Presidential Preference Primary has been changed to February 5th. If you would like an Absentee Ballot for this election you must put your request in writing. Requests must be received by 12:00 noon on February 4th. You may also request Absentee Ballots for all four elections in '08 by writing one request. You may mail your request to P O Box 56, So Egremont, MA 01258 or leave it at the Town Hall. The earlier your request is received the earlier you will receive your ballot
Board of Health:
Following are a few suggestions for New Year’s resolutions with a public health twist from your Board of Health:
- Is your home served by a private well? Come on down to Town Hall and pick up a water sampling kit and get your well tested. It’s easy to do, costs about $30, and you’ll learn a lot.
- Can’t remember the last time you pumped your septic tank? The Board of Health recommends you have your tank pumped every two to three years, depending on use. If it’s been longer than that you may be due. We have a list of septic hualers/pumpers in the area that can assist you with this and the cost is about $275. That $275 investment though can save you the cost of a new septic system if you ignore the problem and let solids enter your leach field.
- Does your septic system have a filter off the tank? If so it needs to be cleaned once a year. Again, this is easy to do or if you prefer, if you are having your tank pumped, the operator can do it for you.
- Is the winter weather keeping you inside and keeping you from your normal exercise routine? It is really important to both your health and mental well being to keep fit. So dusts off those snow shoes, cross country skies, join a health club, take up yoga or attend the local Council on Aging free exercise classes. Just 30 minutes of light exercise three times a week is all it takes to keep you strong and limber.
- Were you tempted by a few too many cookies this holiday season? (I know I was!) Now is a great time to take stock of the many “empty calories” that make up our diets. Limit your sugar and animal fat intake and substitute with healthier choices like fresh fruits, vegetables and the like. A healthier diet will also build your resistance which will help you fight the common cold.
The Egremont Board of Health wishes you all a happy and healthy New Year.
Technology Committee:
The Technology Committee received a response from the Commissioner of the Department of Telecommunications and Cable. A copy may be obtained at Town Hall for your review and it does give a detailed summary of current state initiatives to bring broadband connectivity to Egremont and other rural communities in the region.
There are a number of issues that still need to be addressed such as:
1. What is the difference between an unserved and an underserved community (Egremont is currently underserved).
2. How will regional companies such as WiSpring, Berkshire Broadband, Crocker Communications and others factor into the final solution?
3. What role will local/regional broadband communities play in this process?
4. Berkshire Connect has performed admirably in their support of Egremont and our neighbors. How do we continue to nurture this relationship?
Below is an excerpt, edited, from Berkshire connect addressing a critical survey they are conducting in partnership with Pioneer Valley Connect. Please look it over and respond to it as your response will have a major impact on answering some of the above questions. Also, please encourage your neighbors and friends from the community as well as surrounding communities to respond. The committee has taken the liberty of making appropriate notations in Berkshire Connects guidance.
“As we await the legislative outcome of Governor Patrick’s bill establishing a $25 million broadband fund (see attached letter from Commissioner Gillett) to address the challenges faced by unserved areas of the Commonwealth, Berkshire Connect and Pioneer Valley Connect (the Connects) have developed a survey to gather information that will be needed by the state in order to implement their proposed broadband infrastructure plans. It is our hope that by working with your community on the distribution/collection of this survey, we can gather information that will enable the Commonwealth to create mapping products that will be helpful in working with providers to bring broadband to our region.
Although we welcome responses in any form, we strongly encourage your businesses and residents to complete this survey online (works with dial-up and satellite). You willl find a link to the online survey at our websites:
www.bconnect.org
Those choosing to complete the paper survey can send their submission directly to Berkshire Connect or drop them at the town hall. The downloadable survey is one page, double-sided. All survey responses are completely confidential.
Thank you for your assistance in distributing this survey.
Sharon Ferry
Business Manager
Berkshire Connect, Inc.
Telephone: 413-496-9606
Email: bconnect@rnetworx.com
Web: www.bconnect.org
“Note: A printed copy of the survey is attached to this newsletter. You have the option of completing it and sending it directly to Berkshire connect, or dropping it at the town hall. We will also post this survey on bulletin boards through out the community. However, the committee strongly urges you to complete the survey online. If that is not convenient for you to do at home or you do not have dial-up, you may use the public access computer in the town hall or the one in the library.”
All survey responses are due to Berkshire Connect by March 1, 2008.
Annex Study Committee:
The Board of Selectmen authorized the establishment of an ad hoc committee to study the future of the Annex building which is located between Town Hall and the North Egremont Fire Station. The committee consists of Peter Goldberg (facilitator), Chief Reena Bucknell (Egremont Police Department), Richard Burdsall (Finance Committee), Sandra Martin (Emergency Management Committee) and Tom Haas (Board of Selectmen). The charge of the committee is to explore the various uses of the existing building through restoration, removal and replacement with a module structure or any combination of these.
A preliminary study was made by Creative Building Solutions (CBS) and they recommended that we salvage the valuable infrastructure of the building and use a modular structure for the balance of the building. This would allow us to house the Police Department on the second floor with its own entrance and have a 200 seat Town Meeting room which could be used for hearings, meetings and our Annual Town Meeting.
Our town counsel has supplied us with a document which outlines state regulations regarding police stations as well as the liability issues involved when a police station is located in a public town building. The conclusion clearly points at the need to correct Egremont’s current situation.
We are now looking at other options for the Annex, but the most economical and logical way to proceed is to use the valuable parts, cement floors, steel beams, etc., and use new materials for the balance of the building.
Our findings are due to the full Board of Selectmen in March 2008.
Conservation Commission:
In a recent Town newsletter, the difference between a Request for Determination Application (RDA) and a Notice of Intent (NOI) were outlined. These are the two ways to get approval, from the Conservation Commission, for a project that is covered by the Wetlands Protection Act. The common belief is that once you have your permit, you do the project and your job is done. Not true.
You may start work under either and decide that you want to change the scope of your project. Doing so requires that you come back to the Commission for an Amended Order of Conditions. If you are working with an RDA, you may have to resubmit with an NOI.
Changing the scope of a project without notification is one of several ways that can cause you to be served with an Enforcement Order, aka stop work order. If one is issued, you have to negotiate with the Commission for a solution. Permits are issued for three years. As you approach the end of your permit, and the project is not finished, you can apply for an extension. This should be done at least three months prior to the end of the permit. Extensions are recommended especially for what are called “maintenance projects”, e.g. cleaning gravel out of a stream or sludge from a pond. Extensions are granted without new hearings or permits providing the scope of the project and the conditions of the surrounding environment have not changed.
If you have or had a NOI, or received an Enforcement Order, and you complete the project, you are still not done. Your permit or your order have been attached to your deed at the registry. Failure to remove these can delay the settlement of the sale or estate of a piece of property. In order to remove the NOI, you must submit to the Commission a request for a Certificate of Compliance. This will be reviewed by the Commission, possibly including a site visit, before it can issue the Certificate for the Registry. For an Enforcement Order, you need a letter from the Commission that the Order was lifted. Do it now: we recently had a Certificate request for a permit issued in 1975; the work was never done, but the sale was delayed.
Emergency Management:
Suggested Winter Emergency Car Kit:
Keep the following items in your car in case of emergency during a Winter Storm.
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Charged cell phone
• Basic first-aid kit
• Necessary medications
• Pocket Knife
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Extra clothes (include rain gear, mittens, socks)
• High-calorie, non-perishable foods (dried fruit, nuts, canned food.)
• Non-electric can opener
• Container of Water
• Shovel
• Road flares
• Sand for generating traction
• Tire chains or traction mats
• Basic tool kit (pliers, wrench, screwdriver)
• Tow rope
• Brightly colored cloth to use as a flag
• Jumper cables
Make sure that your tires have adequate tread and keep your gas tank at least half-full. Check your windshield wiper fluid regularly and keep a windshield scarper and small broom for ice and snow removal. Plan long trips carefully, listening to your car radio or NOAA Weather Radio for the latest news, weather forecasts and road conditions. Travel during the day, and if possible, try to take someone along with you.
Now is a good time to make sure all your flashlights and your portable radio have good batteries. Update your Family Emergency Communication Plan.
Power Outage Safety Tips:
• Check flashlights and portable radios to ensure they are working and have extra batteries on hand.
• If you think an outage is imminent fill your bathtub with water and fill all your extra containers with water.
• Set your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings if you feel an outage is imminent - but remember to set them back.
• When an outage occurs unplug all sensitive electronic equipment, such as TV’s, stereo, VCR, microwave oven, computer, cordless phones, answering machines, and garage door openers.
• Be extra cautious when you go outside after a storm in case there are downed or hanging electrical wires hidden in snow. Do not touch downed lines and keep children and pets away. Do not touch anything the lines are touching. Call National Grid.
Roof collapse & storm drains:
If your roof is not cleared of snow the snow acts as a sponge in adsorbing sleet and rain, adding to stress to structures. Particularly flat roofs.
• Be on the alert for large accumulating snow building-up or snow drifts on your roof.
• If roof snow can be removed with the use of a snow rake (available at most hardware stores), do so. Use caution, as metal snow rakes conduct electricity if they come into contact with a power line.
• Try to avoid working from ladders, as ladder rungs tend to ice up. Snow and ice collect on boot soles and metal ladders.
• Flat roofs can be shoveled clear, but only it if is determined that the roof is safe to stand upon. Exercise care when on the roof to avoid potentially dangerous falls.
• Flat roof drainage system should be kept clear to minimize the risk of excess roof ponding in the event of heavy rainfall or snow melting.
• Large icicles can form on roof overhangs, but do not necessarily mean ice damming is occurring. Icicles overhanging doorways and walkways can be dangerous and should be carefully removed.
• All of the mentioned actions should only be performed by able-bodied adults, as the snow is heavy, and roofs and other surfaces may be slippery. Protective headgear and eye protection is recommended.
Board meeting schedule:
Subject to change.
Archives Room - First Saturday 9-noon
Assessors - Fridays 9am to 11am & Tuesdays 6pm to 8pm 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.
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.
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 -
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
Zorn Family Chiropractic-Chiropractor
44 Main Street
413-528-9654
www.healingspiritdc@yahoo.com
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
“Jack of All Trades”-Handyman Services
Jack Buckley
413-528-1982
413-446-1982
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
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
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.
“The Town of Egremont is an equal opportunity provider and employer.”