April 24, 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 Bill Hiller, Walter Engels, Michael Ernst, Sandy Pinkham, Russ Loring, and Derek Poirier

Assessors: They have been working on 23 Real Estate and Personal Property tax abatements and will have recommendations on those ready for May 1st. They recently assessed Otis Ridge, have been handling taxpayer questions, motor vehicle abatements, and updating CAMA with address changes.

Energy: The tower will leave Quebec around May 25^th or 26^th when the roads are reopened there to extra heavy loads. This will require 10 to 14 days travel time. Stone from excavation will be crushed and the poured concrete needs to cure for 28 days. The transformer has been held up but is expected to be here before the tower arrives. We are still hoping the tower will be operational by November.

Finance Board: They have completed their budget meetings with the Select Board and we are well within 2 ½ %.

Fire Dept.: They have been busy with calls including a medical assist and a forest fire in southern Berkshire. They had their controlled burn on April 22^nd and Blandford, Becket, Tolland, Monterey, and Tyringham joined them. Everything went as planned and there were 39 participants. Sandy also noted that Kathy Stevens from MA DOT has sent a notice about a charity motorcycle ride through town in July. Sandy gave Lisa the paperwork to give to the Select Board tomorrow night.

Highway: They have been cleaning and winterizing the winter equipment. They have also been doing tree work on Becket Road. They picked up their new truck last week. So far they have received three bids on the surplus truck, but bids are accepted until midnight tonight. We have received three applications so far to replace the person who resigned. One of the applicants is a former Highway employee.

Library: The building is doing fine. Maintenance is always responsive to Kathy’s requests. They are definitely having issues with slow internet response and we have not yet gotten into the high usage season. They would like to upgrade their bandwidth to 10 over 10 for at least six months. The monthly artist display is continuing with great success.

Planning Board: They have a site plan review scheduled for May 8^th.

Police Dept.: Bill read Roberta’s email report aloud. Kops N Kids camp was a huge success. They had an ice cream social, a painting class, a trip to Fenway, and team building games and activities. Roberta thanked everyone who helped fund this: the Town, Tom Nadolny, and Otis and Sandisfield Cultural Councils. Roberta also thanked the Otis, Tolland and Becket officers as well as middle and high school students who all served as counselors. Call volume and firearm permit requests are steady and the dept. is getting ready for Memorial Day season.

School: Bill read Tom Nadolny’s email report aloud. All is well at the school over April vacation. The cafeteria floor will be replaced this year with current year funds. He would also like any update on the land transfer. He has also requested if the lower field can be mowed because town residents have asked if it can be used for kids baseball. The School Committee and teachers union have signed a contract.

Technology: They have approved Project 1 submitted by Prospect Marketing for the website update. The RFP for Broadband construction is currently being prepared. We start laying fiber as soon as Verizon and Eversource are done with make ready work.

Zoning Board of Appeals: They have a continuance on the South Bay Road property because there is a discrepancy on a property line.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Lisa D’Orazio

Selectmen’s Secretary

Town of Otis

List of Documents

A copy of the Assessor’s Office activity report will be filed with these meeting minutes.

A copy of Roberta’s email report for the Police Dept. will be filed with these meeting minutes.

A copy of Tom Nadolny’s email report for the School will be filed with these meeting minutes.