Town of Otis
All Boards Meeting Minutes
January 23, 2017
The meeting was called to order by Roberta Sarnacki at 6:30 pm in the Town Hall conference room. It was announced the meeting was being recorded.
Present: Select Board Chair Roberta Sarnacki, Selectman Don Hawley, Selectman Bill Hiller, Walter Engels, Jim Crandall, Michael Ernst, and Derek Poirier
Energy: They met at the site last Friday. Questions from the walk-thru are supposed to be in by tomorrow. The bids ar due the following Tuesday.
Finance Board: They are ready and waiting to begin when budgets are ready.
Investment Advisory Committee: Michael has a cash report as of November.
Highway: They began widening Becket Road in November up past Jakubiec’s. They’ve been tree trimming and chipping in between ice and rain weather events. The trucks are running okay. The new truck body is in route from New Hampshire and the truck should be ready end of March. Last year they estimated $25,000 just to repave the East Otis Fire House parking lot. That estimate does not include any gravel or fill needed to create a solid bed for the lot. The Select Board recommended an estimate for that be included during budget discussions – this may become a Capital Expense item. Last week Derek checked that our insurance is set up for replacement values after the fire in Tolland. He checked with Chris and our heavy equipment and vehicles are itemized for replacement value. Other Highway equipment not itemized should be adequately covered under the building’s content insurance. They had to install a third fuel tank on the truck that regularly needs to be repaired. GM wanted $2200 for a new fuel tank and Highway had it fabricated for $950.
Library: Patrons are coming in regularly. After the next Library meeting they should have a new museum curator named. The school kids have had their art work on display.
Maintenance: They worked on the East Otis Fire House repairs for the end of December and the beginning of January. They made chase ways for the internet cabling in Town Hall and began stringing the cables. They have been painting rooms in the Town Hall. Jim compared trash from years back and the tonnage has remained consistent. Jim is working on a DEP Recycle Dividends Grant that recurs every year. Friday last week was Dave Moretz’ last day and Patty will be leaving early March. Three applications have been received so far.
Planning Board: We just heard and approved a split from a large lot.
Police Dept: Sergeant Hamill will be returning the first week of February and will be working up to 24 hours a week. Roberta is also hoping to have candidates for the part time position to discuss at the first February Select Board meeting. Officers have been attending in-service training for Legal Update, First Responder, and Youth Interactions. The Sheriff’s Office records management system is ready to be installed in Otis. They only have one technical person supporting the installation so we have been waiting on his availability. The April Kops ‘n Kids camp will have registration forms online.
Technology: We have our first make ready pole submittal in to Verizon and the second submittal is ready to go in. Verizon has a six month window for the make ready work. Otis was officially awarded the full amount of the MBI construction grant of $1 Million. The broadband network design should be completed by Feb. 9 with a list of the materials needed. Some of the materials have long lead times so we can order those items as soon as possible to get everything in on time to begin construction when the make ready work is completed by section. We are still planning to have Westfield operate our broadband network. We are continuing to wire the Town hall with the help of Maintenance.
Zoning Board of Appeals: They have a meeting on February 7th.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:59 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lisa D’Orazio
Selectmen’s Secretary
Town of Otis
List of Documents
The email from Roberta reporting on the Police Dept. will be filed with the meeting mi