 Egremont News |
|
Issue 40 |
July, 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.
Reminder: July 27, 2008 11am to 4pm Egremont on Parade at French Park
Selectmen:
We welcome Bruce Cumsky to the Board and thank Mary Brazie for her six years as a Selectperson.
As well welcome to these new Town Officials: Robin Goldberg, Assessor; Keila Sheldon, Library Trustee; Charles Ogden, Water Commissioner. We thank Tom Haas and Bruce Cumsky for their years of service to the Town as Library Trustee and Water Commissioner respectively.
The Selectmen will be holding an open Selectmen’s meeting at the North Egremont Fire Station on Saturday, August 9, 2008 from 10:00am to 12:00noon. All are welcome. In particular it is hoped that this will give the weekend residents a feeling that they have a voice in their town government. Please join the Board.
The Selectmen are considering reviving the Affordable Housing Committee. If you would be interested in serving on this Committee please contact Town Hall.
The Selectmen have given approval for the formation of a citizen group to focus on restoring, preserving and promoting the South Egremont School building as part of the Town’s architectural heritage. Anyone interested in joining this effort should contact Susan Bachelder at 528-6505.
The Selectmen are pleased to note that the Cartop Boat Access at Prospect Lake is finally complete. The access is for carry in boats only. Enjoy!
Trash & Recycling:
New Recyclables: CLEAN pizza boxes. No food inside or grease allowed. Shredded paper - please place in a paper bag - no plastic bags. Staple the top of the bags shut. Gift wrap, gift bags, and greeting cards. No foil, metallic inks or glitter. Please no tissue paper, bows or ribbons.
No, repeat, no TV’s in the Swap Shop, please!!!
Soon the Town will offer free recycling of Compact Florescent Lamps (CFL) - the new spiral bulbs that are economical and long lasting. Watch for more information.
Reminder - Town Hall is collecting thermostats with mercury. This does not include mercury thermometers or light bulbs.
Egremont, thanks to the hard work of Juliette Haas, has been awarded a free sharps kiosk which will be placed at the Transfer Station. We hope to start this program in June as sharps are being banned from the waste stream. We will accept needles used on humans and animals. Watch for more information.
Upcoming Household Hazardous Waste Collections:
Mini Site Collections: Used motor oil, oil based (no latex) paints, turpentine, stains, thinner.
July 30, 4:30-6:30pm Lenox DPW
August 16 9-11:30am Great Barrington Recycling Center
September 13, 9-11:00am Lenox DPW
October 1 4-6:30pm Great Barrington Recycling Center
Comprehensive Collections: Please see flyer for details (at Town Hall or Transfer Station).
Sat., July 12 9am to Noon Lee DPW, 45 Railroad Street
Sat., Oct 18 9am to 1pm Great Barrington Recycling Center. Please call 1-800-238-1221 ext 17 to sign up.
Emergency Management:
To read a great article on “How to Survive A Disaster” go to
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1810315,00.html
Care for your Pets in hot weather: Do not leave in vehicles with the window up. Keep indoors if possible when there is excessive heat outdoors. Provide adequate shelter and shade if pet is outdoors, and provide plenty of fresh water. Plan to be outside with your pet during the cooler hours; early morning and evening. Blacktop, pavement and sidewalks get very hot and may burn your pets paws. Allow your pet access to cool areas of your home; an air conditioned room or the basement. Take extra care with your elderly, overweight or snub-nose pets. Include your pets in your disaster plan. If you are told to evacuate take your pets with you.
Conservation Commission:
When and how a property owner should contact the Conservation Commission is not as confusing as it may seem. All it takes is an understanding of the alphabet soup of basic terms: RDA, WPA, BVW, DOA, NOI, and OOC.
RDA, or Request for Determination of Applicability, is a simple, fast and inexpensive method to determine whether a project area is subject to regulation under the Wetlands Protection Act (WPA). It does require a hearing which is posted in the newspaper (your only fee is to pay for that and a small fee to DEP or Department of Environmental Protection.) The Commission must issue a response within 21 days after closing the hearing. Hearings can be continued from one meeting to the next depending on information needed.
The Commission may issue a “negative DOA”, or Determination of Applicability with the standard 18 OCC, or Order of Conditions, plus additional ones the Commission deems necessary. In these cases, it is obvious that compliance with these simple conditions will protect a resource area. So, in the case “negative” is good.
The determining factor is the extent to which the proposed project will impact the resource area and its “BVW”, or Bordering Vegetative Wetlands. Depending on the recourse area. So, in this case “negative” is good.
If a “positive DOA” is issued, the applicant is required to submit a “NOI”, or Notice of Intent. The purpose of a NOI is to provide the Commission with information to determine whether the project should go forward, i.e whether it can be conditioned to prevent adverse impact on resource areas (e.g. wetlands, river banks, vernal pools, etc.)
An NOI requires: a posted hearing; notification of abutters; payment of fees to the town and DEP (fees are determined by the proposed extent of impact). Once the hearing is closed (generally, NOI’s require more continuations than RDS’s), the Commission must issue the OOC, or Order of Conditions, within 21 days.
For either RDA or NOI, there is a ten working day period to allow for appeals, and review by DEP which can superceded the local commission findings. No work at the site can begin before this period expires. If there is an appeal or a superceding order, work can happen, but at the risk of the applicant depending on the result.
All of this is about the protection of wetlands which are determined by more than how wet the land is. Type of soil and the presence of certain flora and fauna are also involved. A property owner can come to a commission meeting (7pm, second and fourth Thursdays at Town Hall) to ask what will be required, RDA or NOI. The Commission asks that you come prepared with site plans, photos, and any reports you’ve received from biologists, engineers, architects, etc.
Failure to do so can result in an “Enforcement Order” - but that’s a subject for another article!
Cemetery Commission:
Your Cemetery Commissioners are busiest in the summer months, showing and selling plots to residents and land owners in Town, arranging for interments, and providing mowing and other maintenance.
Some of you may have notices the fence along the road in front of Riverside Cemetery has been removed. It was looking pretty shabby, and we decided it wasn’t needed any more. Some cleanup still remains to be done, and will be done shortly.
The town meeting recently appropriated some funds from “sale of lots” account to reset some of the monuments at Riverside. This work will also be done this summer, and we will do as many as we can. Town House Hill Cemetery had some resen in the last two years, but more has to be done there too, as fund permit.
Hillside Cemetery is the only place we have plots for sale, the other two cemetery’s are sold out. The price for individual plots was increased to $300 on the first of the year, $50 of which goes into the sale of lots account, and $250 goes into the perpetual care account. With interest rates being at the lowest they have been in some time, the interest from these accounts barely covers the summer mowing, and leaf removal in the fall. We do not want to invade the “principal”. If you are interested in a plot at Hillside, we urge you to contact us soon, as we may be forced to increase the price again next year. We can sell them as singles (one), or two, four, six or even eight in one deed. If you are interested in cremation, more than one, perhaps up to four can be placed in each individual plot, which is five feet wide and ten feet long.
Some have expressed concern about the frequency of the mowings. The weather is the primary factor in getting it all done between the rain drops. Our budget only plays a small part, but it is of concern. We want to keep all three areas “looking good”, and we will do our best to do that. We would request that you do not mow your own plot(s), we know your concern, but we will get there!!
There have also been some inquiries about the policy on “decorations”. For flowers and containers on fresh graves, if the bereaved don’t remove them in a week or so, or when they appear wilted, the commissioners will remove them and dispose of them at the transfer station. For holiday, and winter decorations, please do not place them before October 15th, and if the bereaved don’t remove them by April 15th, the commissioners will. Any that are neglected, or look inappropriate at any time will also be removed by us. Please do not use any glass containers. Also, no in-ground plantings are allowed, except in the “memorial strip” around the outside of Hillside. If there are any questions about it’s location, we will be happy to show you. Plants, or pots, must be placed on the monument bases to facilitate the mowing and cleanup operations. Other regulations are printed on the deed to the plot(s) you have received, or will receive.
We hope this information is helpful to you all, and if you are interested in purchasing in Hillside, give anyone of us a call, and we can arrange to show you what is available. If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, you can also call or see any one of us.
South Egremont School:
As the school year ends at South Egremont
School, the students opened their doors to the public
for two of their projects. Always a good time,
remember to keep your eye peeled for next year’s
events and have a great summer recess.
PIX 1: Mrs. Katherine Kane of Main Street is being questioned by her son Matthew in the South Egremont School’s annual “Mammal Museum”. Each class member chose an animal, built a diorama showing habitat and asked a series of questions of the visitors to see if they could guess which mammal had been chosen. Most guests found these quite challenging to answer and the scholarship was
impressive.
PIX 2: An adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ THE LORAX”
that included original songs and dances composed
by teacher Julie Milani was the School’s Spring
Play. Some of the cast members take a bow after the
performance in front of the scenery they designed
and painted. Seen in the audience of the packed
house on opening morning were the Haas’ and the
Cumskys’, as well as the grandparents of Finn
Chebatoris’ from Creamery Road who had flown all
the way from England for the event.
Council on Aging:
Elder Services in Pittsfield recently provided the following summary of services which would be very helpful to a senior resident. We hope you will keep this information for referral in case any of these needs should arise.
“The information and Referral (I&R) department of Elder Services of Berkshire County is used as a resource by individuals and professionals in the community. I&R specialists provide callers with answers to a variety of questions concerning elders. The staff determines the caller’s needs and provides the needed information. If the information requested should not be immediately available, the staff will research the question, try to find an answer and return the inquirer’s call as soon as possible.
If an elder: Needs assistance with personal care, meal preparation, homemaking or a personal Emergency response system, referral can be made to Elder Services’ - STATE HOME CARE;
Is unable to prepare his or her own meals, a referral can be made to Elder Services HOME DELIVERED MEALS;
Is no longer able to live alone in their own home, a referral can be made to Elder Services’ HOUSING DEPT;
The FAMILY CARE GIVER SUPPORT program is available, as well as PROTECTIVE SERVICES if a senior is “being taken advantage of” or abused;
MONEY MANAGEMENT is available for help in managing finances;
the S.H.I.N.E. Program is available to assist with difficult Medicare, Medicaid or Insurance questions.
Elder Services can provide a link to programs and services that CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN AN ELDER’S LIFE. ALL CALLS ARE WELCOME AT (413) 499-0524 OR 1-800-544-5242"
Members of your Council look forward to the coming year in expectation of input now from the male perspective with the addition to our Council of Bruce Bernstein several weeks ago and more recently the Select Board added another new member, Stanley Gershen. We welcome them both and look forward to working with them. – We must say good-bye to longtime member, Louise Sierau, who felt she could no longer serve. We will miss her and truly appreciate the time and effort she gave to this program’s efforts.
PLEASE NOTE: Good news for seniors!! On June 21 at the Great Barrington Senior Center 70 seniors, service providers, safety and law enforcement officials met to form the A.G.E. (Alford, Gt. Barrington, Egremont) TRIAD. Future meetings will be held on the second Wednesday of the month. Seniors are invited to attend meetings or get in touch with a member of the COA if you have any problem or concern which the group might address.
Library:
Why spend the money for gas to drive to Great Barrington or Sheffield to the library when you can find what you are looking for right here in South Egremont. We have a full bookcase of new books as well as a large selection of both audio books and videos and cd’s.
The library is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 2-6 pm, and Saturday morning from 9-12,
Our smiling staff would like to get to know you and for you to learn more about us.
Treasurer\Collector:
FY 2009 - Preliminary Real Estate & Personal Property Taxes - Have been mailed, and are due August 1, 2008. The 2nd payment is due November 1, 2008. The actual tax bills will be calculated after the tax rate is set. Those bills will be mailed by January 1, 20010. 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 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.
Office hours - Tax Collector 7-3 Monday through Friday or by appointment
Egremont Technology Committee:
At a recent meeting the Select board approved a proposal for the town of Egremont to join in a regional technology committee. This is the culmination of over three years of efforts by the Egremont Technology Committee to establish a regional organization that will represent the interests and needs of the towns of South Berkshire with respect to future broadband deployments. Working closely with our legislators, we hope that this will ultimately result in a seat on the Massachusetts Broadband Institute, when the governor’s broadband legislation is passed, and a more direct voice in how and where the funding is employed.
In addition to approving the proposal, the Select board appointed Technology Committee members Charles Flynn as primary member and John Wells as alternate member. We also wish to thank the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce for assuming a pro-active role in support of this organization.
It appears that the Governor’s legislation will pass sometime this summer and we will try to keep residents informed as post passage events unfold.
Board of Health:
According to reports from the Bureau of Communicable Disease Control approximately 30 new cases of Lyme Disease were noted in Egremont in just the past six months. For a town our size that is an alarming rate of infection. Educating yourself as to the causes of the illness and the preventative measures you can take are key ways to avoid the pain and suffering that come from Lyme Disease illness.
Lyme Disease is a tickborne disease caused by a corkscrew-shaped bacterium called a spirochete. Signs and symptoms of early onset, usually occurring 3-32 days after one is bitten by an infected tick, may include fever, muscle aches, headache, swollen lymph glands, fatigue, mild neck stiffness and joint pain. More advanced symptoms may include profound fever and fatigue, neurological symptoms such as headache, facial palsy as well as impairments of mood, memory or sleep patterns. In extreme cases people may even experience heart inflammation.
The best way to avoid Lyme Disease is to avoid getting bitten by an infected tick. In Massachusetts the highest risk of exposure occurs during the spring, summer and fall and most actual cases occur between April and October. The single most important thing one can do to prevent a tickborne disease is to check oneself for ticks once a day. Favorite places ticks like to go on the body include areas between the toes, back of the knees, groin, armpits, neck, along the hairline, and behind the ears. When hiking in the woods stick to main pathways and the center of the trail. Wear long-sleeved, light-colored shirts and long pants tucked into socks. And don’t forget the insect repellent. Use repellents containing DEET and choose a product that will provide sufficient protection for the amount of time spent outdoors.
There are many environmental preventive measures as well: keep grass short, remove leaf litter and brush from yard, prune low lying bushes to let in more sunlight, keep woodpiles and bird feeders off the ground and away from the home and keep plants around stone walls cut short.
Understanding man’s interaction in the natural environment is also important in combating Lyme Disease. Simply put, there are more cases of Lyme Disease because there are more people living in and enjoying rural areas. Also mankind has an unfortunate tendency of messing up the incredibly sensitive balance of nature. If we didn’t kill the predators of the animals which carry the spirochete bacterium in their blood then the ticks would have fewer hosts to catch the disease from so there would be fewer infected ticks.
If you walk away with anything from this information it is to be aware that Lyme Disease in this region is a serious problem. Don’t become a Lyme Disease statistic. Don’t feel that Lyme Disease is just a right of passage in the Berkshires and that you’ll get a simple blood test, take some antibiotics and you’ll be right as rain. There are things you can do to prevent the short-term and dreaded long-term effects of the disease. And as your ol’ granny used to say, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”.
Have a happy and healthy summer!
911 Coordinator:
With the heavy rains these past few weeks, there may be heavy growth of weeds around your 911 signs. Please cut away these weeds to allow the sign to be easily seen. Time is precious when we are responding to your emergency calls.
Friends of Prospect Lake:
The Friends of Prospect Lake (FoPL) are happy to report two major successes this summer:
· The lake was treated with a herbicide early in the season, and the result was a great reduction in the amount of non-native weeds. Swimming and boating in the lake are much easier and far more pleasurable than they have been in recent years. The lake will be surveyed towards the end of summer to see how well this has lasted and to provide data for planning next summer’s weed program.
· The first Prospect Lake Fair took place on July 14 and was a resounding success. The Bounce House, the Pony Rides, and the Pocket Lady all made for a fun day for kids. The outdoor cuisine was all that a summer day could ask for, and the Tag Sale drew a well-satisfied throng of bargain hunters. July 12, 2008, has been booked for next summer’s Fair. Mark your calendars!
FoPL members will attend the LAPA West* conference on Sept. 8 to learn of the latest techniques in lake management. FoPL will then hold its annual General Meeting on Sept. 15, 2007, to explain what LAPA has to say. The General Meeting will also include a report on the results from this year’s weed program and a discussion/decision as to what program to follow next summer based on this year’s results and the funds available.
The General Meeting described above will take place in French Park at 11:00 a.m. on Sept. 15,2007. All members and interested parties are invited to take part. The meeting will be followed by a picnic lunch in the Park.
To join us for lunch, please RSVP to Eileen Johnson (413) 644-9043 and purchase a lunch ticket in advance ($10 per person).
FoPL invites you to join in celebrating this summer’s success in making Prospect Lake an accessible resource for all. Hope to see you on Sept. 15.
*LAPA West = Lakes and Ponds Association of Western Mass
Board meeting schedule:
Subject to change. Please see posted calendars at Town Hall and the Post Offices for more detail.
Archives Room - First Saturday 9-noon and the second third Monday 2-4pm
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. Every other Tuesday beginning June 24 to September 2. 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
School Committee: 2nd & 4th Thursdays 6pm Mt. Everett High School Library
Town Clerk - Tuesday evenings 7pm - 9pm or by appointment
Transfer Station - Tuesday & Thursday 8am to 1pm, Saturday 8am to 3pm, Sunday 12noon to 4pm
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, lessons, a 4-H program.
413-528-2367 arabpinto13@yahoo.com
Indian Line Farm - Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) & Farmers Markets
413-528-8301
G&S Gventer “Books - Buy & Sell Books
413-528-2327
Elfi Six Shiatsu/Acutonics®, Bodywork
413-644-9979
www.CosmicResonance.com
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 Country 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 Knight - Matthew Wall
PC repairs - Networking - Internet
413-528-5415
Zorn Core Fitness - Boot Camp
Outdoor workouts.
413-528-1594
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.”