 Egremont News |
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Issue 50 |
March, 2010 |
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.
Calendar Note: July 25, 2010 11am to 4pm Egremont on Parade at French Park Volunteers, donations and funding appreciated
Selectmen:
We are constantly looking for ways to save town funds during these difficult times. One way is to reduce mailing costs associated with our Newsletter. We want all of our citizens to have the opportunity to read about town activities, yet we also want to reduce waste. For our citizens that have a mailbox at either of our post offices, we are going to leave a stack of newsletters for you to take from, and end placing them in every mailbox. They will also be available at the Town Hall and Library. This should save considerable money and yet, have them available to you. We will be sure that there are plenty available and replenish them, as needed.
We would prefer to send you a digital version rather than a paper version, wherever possible. This would certainly save on paper and be more “green.” If you have an e-mail address please let us know. The more we can send electronically, the more we save. Of course, for those of you that are unable to get to the locations listed above and can’t get it digitally, we would be happy to send it to you, just let us know!
The Selectboard welcomes new Planning Board member Janis Martinson-Sagarin who will fill the vacant seat until the May election.
The Selectboard has scheduled a Saturday meeting for April 24, 2010 at 10am at the North Egremont Fire Station.
Thanks to the hard work of the Green Committee, and especially to Juliette Haas, the town just secured a $145,000 federal stimulus grant to make energy efficient building upgrades as well as to install an additional 12.8 kw solar array at the Town Highway Garage. Way to go Green Committee!
Police Facility:
The Board of Selectmen were directed by our citizens to do a needs assessment, and present information, to the community regarding a possible new Police Station. They have spent months in open meetings discussing and reviewing various plans, diligently collecting as much information as possible, to present to the community. They are looking at a number of scenarios and carefully costing them out, so the community can make the most informed decision. The Board of Selectman are planning an Informational Meeting to present their findings to the community.
ALL are invited. The meeting will take place on March 6th, Saturday morning at 10:00 am until 12:00am, at Mount Everett High School’s cafeteria. Illustrations of a number of options, along with elevations and costs, will be presented. Representatives from two companies will be in attendance to answer questions. This is an open meeting for the community to give their input. Please join us, if only for a short while. These are your tax dollars, your community and finally, your decision.
Town Offices:
It’s that time of year again…election and appointment time!
Our local election is May 11th. We have a number of elected positions that many of our citizens would certainly be qualified for. What is the qualification? The desire to give to your community is most important, and the belief in the purpose of the board or committee. If you are interested in running for an elected position, nomination papers are available at the town hall and must be turned in by March 23rd . If you are curious as to the responsibilities of the position, please call the Town Hall and we’ll gladly help. There are few things as satisfying as giving back to your community.
The elected positions which require you to be a voter are:
Assessor (3 year term), Cemetery Commissioner (3 year term), Constable (3 year term), Library Trustee (3 year term), Moderator (1 year term), 2 Planning Board openings (2 year term and a 5 year term), Planning Board Associate Member (1 year term), School Committee member (2 year term), Selectboard (3 year term), Town Clerk (1 year term), Tree Warden (1 year term), Water Commissioner (3 year term).
The Selectboard also appoints and reappoints members to various committees, towards the end of June, that serve the town. Many of these do not require you to be a registered voter. They only require the desire to serve. The committees with positions that are up for appointment or reappointment are: Animal Control Officer and Deputies, Board of Appeals and an Alternate (this requires voter registration), Representative to the Berkshire County Regional Planning Commission, Burial Agent, Conservation Commission, Council on Aging, Draft Hydrant Committee, E-911 Coordinators, Egremont-Alford Cultural Council, Emergency Management Coordinator, Fence Viewers, Field Driver, Finance Committee (this requires voter registration), Fire Chief and Assistant, Forest Warden, French Park Committee, Gas Inspector, Hazardous Waste Coordinator, Board of Health (this requires voter registration), Historical Commission, Municipal Coordinators, Plumbing Inspector, Poll Workers, Pound Keeper, Board of Registrars (this requires voter registration), Agricultural Commission, Southern Berkshire Medical Reserve Corp., Surveyor of Lumber, Technology Study Committee, Town Historian, Veteran’s Agent, and Wire Inspector.
Some of these positions are mandated by the state and some require special knowledge or experience. Yet, there are many committees here that welcome new members and are not limited as to the number of members. We welcome both year-round residents and second-home owners to inquire about some of these committees and join in the good work that they do.
Descriptions of each position and each committee’s purpose is available at our Town Hall. We welcome seeing new faces and hearing new ideas. Many of these committees do not require great amounts of time and some can be flexible to match its member’s time constraints. So if you’ve ever sat back and wondered why a committee is doing something or thought you had a better idea… we want to hear it. A community is only as strong as its citizens.
Town Meeting and Election:
The Town Meeting schedule has been established as follows:
March 12 - Deadline for article for the warrant.
March 23 - Deadline to file nomination papers for running for Town Office.
April 3 - Last day to hold Caucuses
April 6 - Last day for Caucuses to file certified nomination papers for Town offices.
April 14 - Last day to register to vote
May 3 - Annual Town Meeting 7pm Mt. Everett High School
May 20 - Annual Town Election 10am North Egremont Fire Station
Offices up for election this year are Moderator for one year; Town Clerk for one year; Tree Warden for one year; Selectman for three years; Assessor for three years; Water Commissioner for three years; Library Trustee for three years; Cemetery Commissioner for three years; Constable for three years; Planning Board for two years; Planning Board for five years; and Associate Planning Board for two years. Nomination papers are available at Town Hall.
Eco-tip#1 - According to MassDEP follow these easy steps for safe disposal of old, unused prescription drugs: do NOT flush them down the drain, keep the medications in their original containers to aid in identifying the contents if they are accidentally swallowed, cross out personal information on the bottles, disguise the medications in their containers by either adding some water to dissolve them (if in pill form) or add a material like cat liter or coffee grounds (if liquid), close the lid and secure with tape, do NOT put them in the recycling bin.
.
Green Committee:
Green Committee members, donning appropriate
eyewear, getting ready for the upcoming GO SOLAR! event.
Important events in March and April:
GO SOLAR!
You are invited to GO SOLAR! -- an evening devoted to solar energy.
Wednesday March 17 at 6:30 pm at the North Egremont Firehouse
Join us for an in-depth look at the many solar installation projects going on around town.
If you’ve ever wondered if solar energy could be incorporated into your life, this is your opportunity to learn from the experts and to talk to Egremont residents who are installing solar energy systems in their homes and businesses. Come hear their success stories! Also learn about the money-saving programs available. Scheduled speakers are Brian Torrico (Sheffield’s Grenergy Solar Store), Nancy Nylen (Center for Ecological Technology), and Egremont residents Elizabeth Keen of Indian Line Farm and Brian Chebatoris.
It’s free, and refreshments will be served. Sunglasses optional.
ERECYCLES
The Earth Day roadside clean-up day is returning! Last year, more than 100 volunteers banded together on a beautiful spring day to clean up all the unsightly roadside trash that seems to accumulate once the snow melts. An amazing 94% of Egremont’s 44 miles of road was cleaned on our first organized effort. Our ERECYCLES 2010 goal is 100%.
Saturday April 24
Come into Town Hall or call Juliette Haas (528-0182 x22) beforehand to register as a volunteer. Claim the road you want (hint: call early for your choice of roads). On April 24, the Green Committee will have a booth on the green in front of Town Hall, where you will sign in and get a reflective safety vest and thick garbage bags. Then go to your road, pick up trash, and bring it back to our booth when you are done. Volunteers will be sorting the trash, demonstrating how easy it is to recycle. Rewards: great giveaways, and hearty cheers, smiles, and pats on the back for being a caring citizen who takes pride in your town.Last year, some folks (town groups, committees, etc.) signed up together. Why not call some of your neighbors and form a road group and do it together?
Call Juliette Haas (528-0182 x22) for more details.
Dogs:
There will be a rabies clinic for Cats and Dogs on Saturday, March 13, 2010 from 10am to 12noon at the North Egremont Fire Station. The cost of the vaccine is $10. Dog licenses may be available as well. All dogs living in Egremont must be licensed by March 31 of each year.
The Town of Egremont has a leash law. The fine for violation of failure to leash or for unrestrained dogs is $50. It is a violation of this order to allow your dogs to run free on Baldwin Hill, Phillips Road, French Park or anywhere in Egremont. Please remember this and pass the word to your friends.
Eco-tip #2
If you have a south facing room in your home open any curtains or blinds you have on the windows during a sunny day. The heat from the sun will provide you with free heat.
Egremont Free Library:
Volunteers Wanted: The Egremont Free Library is in need of volunteers to give a couple of hours every other week to help with shelving and weeding of books, setting up a back room for videos and general library work. If you are willing to give some time, it can be a senior working off some of his/her taxes or a young person. Call Sally at 528-1474.
Substitute Needed: The Egremont Free Library is in need of a person to substitute when the librarian and/or her assistant is not available. Required is a friendly attitude, a love for books and the media and willingness to learn a fairly easy computer program. If you are interested, please call Sally Caldwell at 528-1474.
Eco-tip #3
Take advantage of home appliance rebate programs currently available through appliance retailers and replace your old refrigerator and washer and dryer. You’ll notice a savings on your electric bill immediately.
Council on Aging: Notes for Seniors....
The Census is coming....The Census is coming....
Our national Constitution requires that every 10 years the Census Bureau count every resident of the United States.
It is extremely important that every citizen participate in this because an accurate count of the population forms the basis for many important political, economic and social decisions that end up affecting our daily lives. Be sure to return you census form so you can be counted!!!!
It is estimated that for every individual NOT counted, more than $2,000 per year in direct Federal aid to a community is lost. When that figure is stretched over the 10-year cycle of the census, it is easy to see why it is important for every person to be counted.
Safety Tips For Users Of Home Oxygen:
There are more resources for patients trying to stop smoking today than every before. Any smoker should ask their doctor about what help is available today. If you must use oxygen in your home, the reason to stop smoking becomes even more important!
While SMOKING is the leading cause of fires involving home oxygen, it is not the only cause. If is important to keep TEN FEET away form any flame or heat source such as electric razors, gas stoves, heaters, hair dryers and candles. Don’t wear oxygen near heat sources or when using these appliances. Home oxygen increases oxygen levels in the air, making fires burn faster and hotter. Furniture, clothes, bedding and hair absorb oxygen and can catch fires easily. This is a key point that most people do not understand and is why home oxygen increases fire risk.
Protective services:
Elder Services Protective Services program assists and supports elders who are victims of physical and/or verbal abuse, financial exploitation, or neglect. The Program will provide investigation, casework, counseling, legal assistance and any necessary in-home services to keep an older person in the best setting while respecting the dignity and right to self-determination.
All persons are encouraged to report suspected abuse/neglect of an elder in their community. Reports can be made 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling the Elder Abuse Hotline, 1-800-922-2275. Anonymous calls are accepted.
Conservation Commission:
Our areas of responsibility (wetlands, habitate, vernal pools, etc.) are all part of a greater whole: a watershed. With the exception of the Catamount area, Egremont is in the Housatonic River Watershed which is made up of many other smaller watersheds such as Green River, Prospect Lake and Karner Brook in Egremont. While Conservation Commissions are concerned specifically with certain resource areas (wetlands, rivers and streams for example and their “buffer zones” of up to 200 feet), the effects of human directed activity can alter a whole ecological area such as a wetland. Our jurisdiction does not exceed the resource areas and their buffers. We do want to keep residents informed that there are larger concerns. We share with you an introduction to watersheds from “The Massachusetts Lake and Pond Guide” published by Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Lakes and Ponds Program written by Michelle Robinson. (EOEA=Executive Office of Environmental Affairs)
“What is a Watershed? A watershed is an area of land in which all the water drains into a particular low-lying river or other surface water body. The boundaries of a watershed are determined by higher areas of land which separate it from adjacent watersheds.
There are 27 watersheds in Massachusetts and within each of these are the smaller watersheds of each lake or pond. Within each lake’s or pond’s watershed, all the water in that area flows to the lowest point, the water body..
Since all the land in a watershed drains into a
water body, every activity in that watershed ultimately has an impact. In undisturbed or natural
areas, the majority of water is either absorbed by
vegetation or infiltrates down through the soil
and replenishes underlying groundwater. As the
water passes through the layers of earth, many
harmful toxins, nutrients and sediments are filtered
out.
This cycle changes when an area is developed or altered. Impervious surfaces including pavement, buildings and other man-made constructions, prevent the infiltration of water into the ground. Instead, precipitation travels primarily
across the impervious surfaces as runoff (see
graphic below). Often, as storm water races over
impervious surfaces it attains velocity, causing
erosion and collecting pollutants. Storm water,
loaded with sediments, toxins and nutrients,
may flow untreated into nearby lakes and ponds.
Picture a drop of water falling near the summit
of a mountain. As the droplet begins to travel
down the mountainside it may pick up sediments
and oil residue as it trickles over a road.
The droplet continues to wind its way downward through a garden collecting pesticide residues, fertilizer and waste from a pet, and eventually enters a lake, stream or pond. This type of pollution is called non-point source pollution
because the pollution did not enter the lake from
a single identifiable location, such as a sewage
pipe; instead, the pollution came from multiple
locations.
When trying to maintain a healthy lake it is
important to monitor all the activities within the
watershed and to prevent nutrients, such as
phosphorus, sediments and other forms of pollution
from draining into a lake.
While many land and water resource managers have used the watershed as a resource management and planning unit for many years, the
Commonwealth formally adopted a watershed
approach in 1994. This EOEA initiative helped
focus state and local resources on developing a
better understanding of our natural resources and
seeking improvements in protecting and restoring
them in measurable ways. It also educated
many community officials and citizens about the
value of planning and managing resources on a
watershed basis.
Then, in 2000, EOEA launched the Lakes and Ponds Watershed Action Strategy for the
Commonwealth, a watershed approach focused
on lakes and ponds management. Under this
program, DCR lakes and ponds staff have worked
with communities to identify immediate actions
that could be taken to improve lake and pond
protection efforts and to integrate these efforts
with Massachusetts’ watershed approach.
This effort also reaffirmed the existing Lakes
and Ponds Policy of the Commonwealth, which
states:
Massachusetts advocates a holistic approach to lake and pond management and planning, which integrates watershed management, in-lake management, pollution prevention and education. Lake management in Massachusetts will be designed
with consideration of the quality of the lake’s
ecosystem, its designated uses and other desired uses, the ability of the ecosystem to sustain those uses, and the long term costs, benefits and impacts of available management options.
The Lakes and Ponds Watershed Action
Strategy has involved individuals and groups
across the state in lake and pond protection and
restoration in order to promote local stewardship
for these valuable Commonwealth resources.
Efforts have included education at the local level
to curb invasive species, development of an invasive
species response team, and funding demonstration
projects for innovative approaches to
lake management.”
Natural Ground Cover: 10% runoff
75-100% Impervious Surface: 55% runoff
Town Clerk:
By now everyone should have received their Census Form. If you haven’t, please call 528-0182 and one will be mailed to you.
If you have not yet responded to your Census Form please do so ASAP. Information from these forms are used to determine the funding the Town receives from the State. If your children are not listed on the form you receive, please write them in as this is important for School Census information.
The Town Election schedule is included in this newsletter for your information. Please note that Nomination Papers are available at the Town Hall during regular business hours.
Absentee Ballots are available for Town Election, as they are for all elections. Your request for an Absentee Ballot must be received in writing by 12:00 noon on the day prior to the election.
For your information you should also know that you can request Absentee Ballots for all elections in a calendar year. Send a request, in writing, to receive ballots for all election in that year. You should plan to send the request shortly after January 1 of any given year. These requests are only valid for one year.
And, finally, one more reminder. Please remember to license your dog by March 31 to avoid fines.
If you have any questions or need more information, please call Town Clerk Margaret Muskrat at 528-0182, ext 11
Treasurer\Collector:
PLEASE NOTE:
FY 2010 - Real Estate & Personal Property Tax Actual tax bills were due February 1, 2010 . If the dead line has been missed, interest will accrue until payment is made. Next payment is due May 3, 2010.
Motor Vehicle Excise - The new calendar year Motor Vehicle Bills have been mailed. The due date is March 12, 2010. If the information is incorrect on your bill, please contact your insurance agent or the RMV to correct it. The bills are issued from your registration information given to the RMV at the time of registration. 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 has up graded to UNIPAY GOLD. 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 any credit card except VISA. Thank you to all who are using the on-line product. It is working great. Please give it a try.
Note: When making payments through your bank bill pay please remember to use your current tax bill number and check to be sure the remittence address is correct.
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.
Office hours - Tax Collector 7-3 Monday through Friday or by appointment.
Water Department:
First the good news; we have just completed our first meter reading/billing using our new state-of-the-art software and reader. You will have noticed how different your current invoice looks! We are on track to do meter readings the first week of every month with bills going out the second week. Your bill for water use in the last week of February and the month of March should arrive the week of April 5th.
Now for the not-so-good news; the treatment plant is aging and components are beginning to fail. Pumps, meters and analyzers which operate continuously are, for the most part, now obsolete and cannot be rebuilt. The replacements are very costly and this has had negative impact on our budget. Added to that is the fact that outflows spiked close to our limit of 100,000 gallons per day. One significant leak was found and repaired; however, our outflows are currently double what we would expect at this time of year. We are constantly searching for large leaks but with the ground frozen and snow cover it is almost impossible. The water that we are losing has been fully treated, which costs us money, but it is water we cannot bill for. We are hoping for an early spring so that detection will turn up some large leaks. If you notice pooling of water or an unusual ice “pond” anywhere near your service line, please call Jim or Jack and they will come and investigate. Also, if your water meter is easily accessible, it would be helpful if you would check it occasionally to see if it is spinning wildly…you may have an expensive leak!
Planning Board:
On February 1, 2010, the Planning Board met in joint session with the Board of Selectmen to appoint a new Planning Board member to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of a board member. This joint appointment is prescribed in the statute for filling such a vacancy. The appointment fills the seat until the upcoming general election in May 2010, at which time the seat will be filled by vote of the townspeople for the remainder of the 2 year term held by the board member who resigned. There will also be a five year seat voted on at the annual election.
The two boards voted to appoint Janis Martinson Sagarin of North Egremont to the board. The Planning Board welcomes her. Janis began her duties at the next meeting on February 8, 2010.
Recycling:
Following are some ideas on how to recycle some unusual items.
Blue Jeans - recycle for insulation contact greenjeansins@aol.com.
Gift cards, key cards, wallet waste - recycle@earthworkssystem.com takes PVC cards to recycle into new cards.
Six-Pack Beverage Rings - itw@ringleader.com.
Tennis Balls - for a prepaid shipping label contact info@rebounce.
Keys - donate your keys for Multiple Sclerosis by contacting keysforkindness@yahoo.com.
Cultural Council:
One of the many programs that the Alford-Egremont Cultural Council funded is “Wildflowers of the Northeast” by John Root. This program will take place on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 at 1:00pm at the Alford Town Hall.
Friends of Prospect Lake:
During 2009, the Friends of Prospect Lake worked on a number of fronts. Our signature effort was clearing the lake of non-native weed species. The lake was treated with the herbicide Diquat to attack the weeds before they could seed in the spring and with alum (for algae) towards the end of summer. Aerial and surface surveys before and after the treatments showed significant improvement in both weeds and algae. Under discussion at present is the treatment plan for 1010.
FoPL held a huge Tag Sale on the green in front of Town Hall as a major funding effort on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. The sale netted some $2,700 in support of our work. We obtained a financial grant from the New England Grass Roots Environmental Fund (NEGEF) for the buffer project (see below), a small grant from the Berkshire Life Insurance Company, and a major grant from the Town itself. Our annual membership drive generated just over 60 members and a significant portion of our funding for the year. Far more fun - and WAY more elegant - was the fund-raising breakfast provided by The Inn at Sweetwater Farm. Linda and Andrei outdid themselves, served so many breakfasts in their gracious dining room that we actually started to run short of food, and raised over $1,000 for the lake.
NOTE: FoPL is planning on holding a Tag Sale again on the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend 2010 - May 29. Tag Sale Items Sought - if you have items you wish to donate - clear out your basement or attic or garage - call Marj Wexler (528-3726).
FoPL used the grant from NEGEF (see above) to test out the idea of using vegetative buffers as a means of slowing and controlling runoff into the lake. Buffers were planted on three lakefronts volunteered for this pilot project: the Kornheisers, the Hougtons, and the Allens. We worked with Project Native to select strictly local buffer plants, prepped the sites, and planted the selected flowers and bushes. Sites varied in size and design. All plants seemed to take good hold by the end of summer. We are watching to see how they over-wintered.
FoPL’s mission is more than preserving Prospect Lake and its immediate environs. We are concerned about the whole surrounding ecology and the lake’s watershed. Following below are some activities that you can do that will help keep watersheds clean and help preserve the ecology. We all live in a watershed, and visit many others, which means these activities apply where we live or visit. These activities are from “The Massachusetts Land and Pond Guide” published by Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Lakes and Pond Program, written by Michelle Robinson.
“Reduce Phosphorus
Reduce the level of phosphorus that is released into the watershed and/or lake. Massachusetts has taken action and recently passed the Massachusetts Phosphate Bill (GML Chapter 111 Sec. 5R). The law prohibits the sale of any household cleaning products with a concentration of
greater than 0.5% by weight. However, there are
additional actions you can take to reduce phosphorus:
• Perform a lawn test in the spring to determine
if fertilizer is needed, before applying. For information visit: www.umass.edu/plsoils/soi
• Do not fertilize prior to or just after any precipitation because storm water runoff may carry
the phosphorus to nearby water bodies, and
like your lawn, it fuels plant growth.
• Select plants that require little fertilization and
spot treat with liquid fertilizer only as needed.
• Use products that are organic, have no phosphates
or have only slow release phosphorous. To determine the phosphorus content in the fertilizer, read the middle number in the formula
on the package. For example: 16 4 8. Four is the phosphorus content.
Maintain Your Septic Tank
• Conserve water and reduce the burden on your
septic system by fixing leaking faucets.
• Choose commercial drain cleaners carefully as
many may be harmful to the groundwater and
to your leach field.
• Monitor the levels of sludge in the septic system
and have the tank cleaned when it reaches
half full. When septic systems are not pumped routinely, the leach field may become clogged.
• Bleach, drain cleaners, chemicals, and paints
harm beneficial microorganisms in the septic
system. Paper towels, cigarettes and garbage disposal debris should never be flushed as these
products can overload the septic system.
Reduce Hazardous Materials
Consumer products such as paints, paint thinners, solvents, batteries, and household cleaning
products are hazardous materials and need to be
disposed of properly. Many of these products
may be a health hazard once released into the
environment, and may remain there for many
years.
• Seek alternatives to hazardous cleaning products
and reduce the use of heavy metals.
• Store hazardous materials in approved containers,
in a safe location, and check for leaks.
• Never dispose of oil or gasoline on your driveway
or street. Many gas stations recycle batteries
and oil. Used motor oil is the major source
of oil pollution in the aquatic system.
• Dispose of solvents and paint thinners responsibly
because these products are toxic to the
environment and are not biodegradable. Watch
for a Hazardous Waste Disposal Day or encourage
your town to hold one.
• Mercury is very toxic and exposure can cause
hearing, memory or vision loss, paralysis, psychological effects, kidney problems and at high
doses, death. Mercury can cause congenital
malformations and pregnant women can pass
mercury along to their child after eating contaminated fish. If you own a mercury thermometer, learn about disposal and trade-in
options. (see contacts on back inside cover)
Reduce the Use of Pesticides
Although environmentally persistent pesticides of the past, such as DDT have been banned, there are still over 700 EPA registered pesticides available for use nationwide. Many are approved for use in Massachusetts, although only six active ingredients are approved for use in MA water
bodies. If these, or any chemical, is improperly
handled or used, there is the potential to damage
non-target organisms.
To protect peoples’ health and our environmental resources, the state requires the testing and registration of all pesticides and the licensing of all pesticide applicators. For lake and pond use, each application of a herbicide must be
approved by a conservation commission.
There are a variety of pesticides on the market today including; rodenticides, fungicides,
herbicides, insecticides and disinfectants, and
although many of these products serve beneficial
purposes, they can inadvertently end up in
our environment. Most of these chemicals are
associated with agriculture and industry.
According to the National Wildlife Federation,
“research indicates that virtually all surface
waters in the country contain detectable levels
of one or more pesticides.” In certain cases the
impacts of a pesticide are very apparent, however,
there are indirect impacts that may occur
undetected.
For instance, some copper-based algaecides or fungicides can block the olfactory system in certain species of salmon, reducing their ability to
avoid predation, migrate, and time their spawning,
thus ultimately impacting the population.
Pesticides often impact non-target organisms
including beneficial insects (bees, spiders etc)
that are invaluable pollinators or natural pest
controllers.
Despite some negative impacts associated with some pesticides, there may be no feasible alternative to their use, particularly in the case of nonnative species. To minimize harm to the environment follow the guidelines below.
If you must use pesticides
- Select and use the products for the specific
purpose they are intended; use the minimum
dose; and be sure to store or dispose of remaining
product appropriately.
- Try to identify the pest and use only a product
specifically designed for that species.
- Refrain from using pesticides prior to, during
or shortly after a storm.
- Do not discard left over pesticides down
drains or on the ground; empty containers are
often still an environmental hazard. Visit your
nearest DEP facility to return containers.
- Rake as little as possible because leaf litter will
help to soak up excess chemicals
Alternatives to Pesticides
Reducing the use of household and yard
chemicals can help prevent them from entering
into our lakes and ponds.
- Marigolds help repel asparagus beetles.
- Pour beer or vinegar in a shallow pan to
attract and trap snails and slugs.
- Bacterial spray can be used to kill gypsy
moths during their larval stage.
- Cockroaches can be removed with a 1:1 powdered
sugar and boric acid mix sprinkled along
baseboards and in corners. Make sure that no
water is available for the cockroaches to drink.
- Remove or replace rotting wood, as this is an
attractant for carpenter ants and termites.
- Always keep counter tops very clean and
store food carefully.
- Enhance your backyard so that
Board meeting schedule:
Subject to change. Please see postings of meetings at Town Hall and the Post Offices for more detail.
Archives Room - First Saturday 9-noon and May to October the third Monday 2-4pm
or by appointment
Assessors - Tuesdays & Thursday 9am to 12noon & by appointment
Board of Health - Monday- 8am to 1pm, Tuesday 8:30am to 12pm & 12:30 to 2:30pm Wednesday & Thursday 8am to 1pm Meetings - First & Third Thursday 9am to 11am
Board of Selectmen - Meetings every other Tuesday evenings 7pm. Office weekdays 7am to 3pm.
Building Inspector - Tuesday 12:30pm to 3:30pm. Other times and inspections by appointment
Conservation Commission - Second and Fourth Thursdays 7:00pm
Finance Committee - Wednesdays 7pm January through April. Other times as needed.
Library - Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 2-6pm & Saturday 9-12noon
Planning Board - Second & Fourth Monday 7:30pm
School Committee: Second & Fourth Thursdays 6pm Mt. Everett High School Library
Tax Collector: Monday - Friday 7:00am to 3:00pm
Town Clerk - Every other Tuesday evenings 6pm -
9pm, Tuesday mornings 9am to 12noon
or by appointment
Transfer Station - Tuesday & Thursday 8am to 1pm, Saturday 8am to 3pm, Sunday 12noon to 4pm
Water Department - Office weekdays 8am to 2pm Meetings Third Thursday 4:30pm at Town Hall
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
Swiss Hutte Country Inn and Restaurant-
Restaurant & Lodging
413-528-6200
The Egremont Inn and Tavern-Restaurant & Lodging
10 Old Sheffield Road
“A perfect place, great food, music and nice people”. 413-528-2111
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
41 Main Antiques Gallery - Vintage and modern furniture, antiques, collectibles, architectural and decorative objects.
413-528-0112
www.41mainantiques.com
Blue Rider Stables - Therapeutic Horseback Riding
Lessons, summer programs
www.bluerider.org
413-528-5299
Green River Arabians & Pintos -
Horse Boarding, lessons, judging, 4-H program.
413-528-2367 arabpinto13@yahoo.com
Indian Line Farm - Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) & Farmers Markets
413-528-8301
Turner Farms Maple Syrup - Phillips Road, open 7am to 7pm 7 days a week. 413-528-5710
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
Zorn Core Fitness - Boot Camp
Outdoor workouts.
413-528-1594
Yoga at Zorn Core Fitness, Karin Beebe
Ashtanga Yoga 9am Tuesday and Thursday
Gentle/Hatha Yoga at 10:30am Tuesday and Thursday
46 Main Street
413-528-0828 kbyoga@gmail.com
Cory B. Loder, L.I.C.S.W. - Individual & Couple Counseling - Specializing in Dual Diagnosis
9 Miller View
413-528-0393
1-888-528-0393
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
James Olmsted - Outdoor Services & Caretaking
Field mowing
413-528-0102
pager 413-261-2150
Berkshire Wildlife Solutions - Resolving conflicts with nature. Eric F. Ives
Mass Problem Animal Control Agent
Consultation/Inspection, Capture, removal and exclusionary work.
413-528-9813 413-250-5094
PAPERCHASERS Barbara Fields - Organizing and Productivity Services, Project and Time Management
413-528-2824
Support local businesses
A Valentine From Stan
You are my valentine.
You know who you are.
You are the girl who said “hello” this morning and started me on an already better day.
You are the girl who smiled and made the sun seem to shine, although all the world lay under a ceiling of clouds.
You are the girl who gave me a friendly hug and left the faint fragrance of flowers where you passed and my heart beat for a moment as though I were young again.
You are the child already looking through the age old eyes of woman – the child who is mother to earth.
You are love and all the gentle memories of the ages. As I watch you walk from me, the sun in your hair is a radiant halo that frames your loveliness. As you turn to wave, you are poised in beauty as though caught in time by a cosmic camera.
You make me think good thoughts and leave me with a warm glow inside that lasts me through the day.
You are my valentine.
By Stan Farnum
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 Departments.
“The Town of Egremont is an equal opportunity provider and employer.”