Selectboard Meeting of March 17, 2009

I missed the first scheduled appointment scheduled at 19:05 hours for Stan Kaufman, a town resident who designed the front cover for the annual Town Report for years free of charge. I assume that he will provide his time and talent again for this year‘s cover. Thank you Stan! The next item the board discussed was the purchase of a new phone system. Due to lack of funds, the board decided to lease a system until after the annual town meeting. The 911 dispatch contract with the State Police was renewed for another five years.

The next appointment was scheduled at 19:15 hours for Jack Keough building inspector and zoning officer. The meeting was first scheduled at the last meeting. Jack Keough however was still on his way home from Florida and did not attend the last meeting. Tonight he was present. The selectboard informed the people at the meeting that they would discuss Jack Keough‘s job performance and a few other issues. The selectboard left it up to Keough whether he wanted to discuss the matter in executive session. Since he did the people present were asked to leave the board room and step into the hallway. The executive session lasted approximately 35 minutes.

The big event this evening was a presentation by Anthony Wonseski, engineer with SVE Associates, a civil engineering firm with businesses in Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Tony Wonseski is located at the Greenfield office on 377 Main St. #2. The phone number is 413 625 9774. About a year ago a project was initiated to improve about 2,400 feet of Sturbridge Road between the intersection of East Brimfield Road and Dug Hill Road.
Some abutters are faced with puddles the size of small ponds in front of their residences. These puddles create a nuisance on rainy days and also are a safety hazard for motorists. Sturbridge Road which is approximately 22 feet wide will be widened to 24 feet plus either a 4 foot sidewalk or a 4 foot bicycle lane on one side. The proposed sidewalk will be constructed it will run on the south side between the town hall and Graig Road and then cross the street to continue on the north side to Doug Hill Road where the side walk would end. The bicycle lane favored by Wettlaufer would be constructed it will run the entire length on one side. The decision whether to build a sidewalk or a bicycle lane and whether it will be paved or concrete is still up for discussion. Please leave a comment and let people know your preference.

It is also not decided yet if the road will be closed for through traffic to speedup construction and also save money. Some of the private retaining-walls are on town property as the town owns a 60 foot right of way. Tony Wonseski stated that these nice stone walls be incorporated into the design which makes a lot of sense. The construction will include a system to treat water runoff and storm water management. Wonseski explained the different functions of the proposed hydrodynamic separators depending on the amount of water they treat. Heavy rain dilutes pollutants and retaining them is not as critical as it is with just a short light rain as the pollution of the runoff water is more concentrated.

One of the abutters wanted to know who would be responsible to clear the sidewalk in the winter. She was not thrilled to hear that property owners would be responsible to shovel the snow. If the town decides to build a bicycle lane, the Highway Department would plow the bicycle lane as the lane would be level with the pavement of the Road.

According to selectman Earl Johnson, selectman Wettlaufer secured a $100,000 grant from the government. The selectboard intends to apply for TARP funds to pay 100% of the proposed project which will cost between $500,000 and $1,000,000.

The selectboard announced that starting in 2010, Holland will offer whole day kindergarten and that a tri-town meeting will take place at 19:30 hours at the senior citizen center in Wales Wednesday March 18.

Peter Frei