Town of Otis
Select Board Meeting Minutes
August 23, 2016
Meeting called to order at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall conference room.
Present: Selectman Don Hawley, Selectman Bill Hiller, Chris Morris, Terry Gould, Larry Gould, Peter Kolodziej, Jim Wilusz, Roland Dupuis, Marlyn Coffey, Benjamin Naylor, Hank Wingate, Michael Ernst, Russ Loring, Art Riordan, and Mary Adams
Approval of Minutes: The August 9, 2016 Select Board meeting minutes were unanimously approved as written by Bill and Don.
Board of Health: 28 Ridge Avenue: Peter and Jim have been working with Roland Dupuis on this plan for awhile. The latest plan swaps the location for the owners new drilled well and the bottomless sand filter. This new layout eliminates three of the variances previously requested for the owner and two of the abutting properties, and the one abutter who had problems with the original plan has seen and agrees with this new plan. With the new plan, there is still one abutter with a shallow well that is 65 feet from the proposed field. This abutter has not used their property in over 20 years. The owner of 28 Ridge Road will need to test his own new well regardless of whether it is within or outside of the 100 foot allowance. The Select Board approved the proposed new plan contingent upon the actual plan matching what was discussed at tonight’s meeting. The presented plan at tonight’s meeting was not the completed revised plan and both Board of Health agents will review the correct printed plan for accuracy before issuing the condition of acceptance letter.
373 Stanley Road: Benjamin Naylor from Berkshire Engineering is representing the owner for the presented plan. Due to the shallow depth (1 ½ to 2 feet) before hitting ledge on this property, the engineer is proposing to install a tight tank because this is a seasonal residence. Both health agents suggested the engineer look at installing a compost unit that will eliminate the main source of potential contamination and allow for a gray water system. The engineer was concerned with the additional cost this may incur. Both the agents and the Select Board noted that tight tank plans are only looked at as a last option and they would like to see the costs associated with a compost system. They also want the engineer to confirm the number of bedrooms with the Assessors’ office. Decision tabled until we get more information.
Consistency Issues: Both Jim and Peter have noted they are having consistency issues with a particular Title 5 inspector and with a designer as well. The inspector and the designer have both been submitting work with inaccuracies in their documents. The Board of Health has written letters to these individuals stating they will be monitoring their work. If these two are not doing the upfront work properly, that result could negatively impact the homeowners.
Wind Project Transformer Bid Award: Larry noted the low bidder does meet all the specifications for work per the electrical engineer. The Transformer Bid was unanimously awarded to the low bidder, Wesco, per the conditions stated below.
Wind Project Recloser Bid Award: The Recloser bid was unanimously awarded to the low bidder, Metro West, per the conditions stated below.
Larry also noted both bids were for equipment purchases only and did not include installation. Awards will be conditional upon meeting any change in specifications that Eversource may make in the impact study. The specification changes are expected to be internal to both the pieces of equipment.
Other:
Fire Dept. Surplus Inventory: Chris mentioned that Sandy would like to have the old building siren and some old worn fire hose declared as surplus inventory so he can get rid of them. Don Hawley wants to keep the siren. Only the old fire hose was declared as surplus inventory.
Assessors: Russ noted that RRG was progressing with their work very well and everyone works well together with all town employees.
East Otis Meeting House Demolition: Hank thanked everyone for being transparent about the demolition and doing it during the daytime so residents could observe the progress.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lisa D’Orazio
Selectmen’s Secretary
Town of Otis
List of Documents
A copy of the letter by Chris Morris recording the results of the two bid openings on August 16, 2016 will be filed with these meeting minutes.