September 25, 2017

The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm in the Town Hall conference room. It was announced the meeting was being recorded.

Present: Selectman Don Hawley, Selectman Gary Thomas, Jim Crandall, Russ Loring, Michael Ernst, Terry Gould

Assessors: Not much to report – they are doing a great job and are up-to-date with motor vehicles. GIS mapping is a problem however – we need that kept updated.

Energy: The tower parts have arrived and the turbine base was set in place today. It weighs approximately 80 tons. The middle tower sections and final sections and blades will be assembled on Wednesday. The big crane will be disassembled on Tuesday. The turbine should be completely erected by Friday. Otis Observer was on site and Walter Engels got lots of pictures to mark this event. The tower cannot begin operating until Eversource is done with their finish work and testing.

Maintenance: The center Fire House has begun work to set up for the broadband generator. Maintenance was done in Fire Chief’s office. All fire extinguishers in all town buildings have been inspected. There were two funerals this month. The beach is officially closed for the season and all equipment is ready for winter (docks, swim area, etc.). The paving at the East Otis Fire House has been delayed until spring because of how far behind the broadband project is. Mark and Ron start a five week training class for Waste Water tomorrow and have been working with supervision at the treatment plant. Jim and Bill Dyer were able to get together to discuss the East Otis Schoolhouse and Jim is meeting with an engineer either late October or early November to discuss the scope of work for rehabilitating the schoolhouse. We need the scope of work in order to put the job out for bid.

Planning: They have a meeting scheduled for Oct. 16^th to officially discuss the revisions to the Sign By-Law. Michael also noted that the Berkshire Eagle in Sunday’s Now and Then section reported that Otis has already accepted the gift of St. Paul’s Church and we know we have not as yet.

School: We still need to survey the property before the land parcel can be transferred to the town.

Zoning Board of Appeals: It is quiet right now.

Highway: Don noted a report was submitted for this department and read the report aloud. Spread gravel on Lee-Westfield & Old Blandford Road. Awarded East Otis Paving bid. Installed bases for solar panels, mowed roadsides again. Delivered three roles of wire to turbine site.

Terry brought up the fact that we will need a Special Town Meeting for the Zoning By-law changes and we should consider getting the wording from the school for the Stabilization Fund article so we can vote on both articles at one Special Town Meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:03 pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Lisa D’Orazio

Selectmen’s Secretary

Town of Otis

List of Documents

The Highway Dept. writeup will be filed with these meeting minutes.