Town of Otis, Massachusetts
Annual Town Meeting Minutes
May 15, 2018
Selectperson: William Hiller Chair, Gary Thomas, Donald Hawley
Finance Board: Michael Ernst Chair, Therese Gould, Walter Engels
Moderator: Blake Middleton
Town Clerk: Lyn O’Brien
Town Counsel: Jeremia Pollard
Board of Registrars: Marjorie Middleton, Emily Piacquadio
Total Registered Voters: 1128
Total Registered Voters in Attendance: 91
Meeting called to order at 7:00 pm at the Otis Town Hall by the Moderator.
A motion was made to dispense with the reading of the warrant and act on Article 1.
The motion was seconded.
The motion passed unanimously.
The Pledge of Allegiance was said.
A moment of silence was held for all those who have parted us in the past year.
The Moderator asked everyone to shut off their cell phones.
Emily Piacquadio and Marjorie Middleton were appointed as counters.
The Moderator reminded voters to speak into the microphone, raise their hand, and be recognized before speaking.
ARTICLE 1: To receive the reports of the various Town Officers and act thereon.
A motion was made to accept Article 1.
The motion was seconded.
The Moderator announced there was an error in the town report regarding Russell Loring our Constable. Russ Loring is an elected position with a three-year term and not a one-year term.
Article 1 passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 2: To raise and appropriate such money as may be necessary to defray the Town’s expenses for this fiscal year. See appropriations list attached at end of Warrant. $5,521,398.63
A motion was made to accept Article 2.
The motion was seconded.
Article 2 passed, 1 opposed.
The Moderator explained he would be reading the rest of the articles eliminating the word “raise” in order for the funding source to be clear. Article 2 is the only Article that should be “raise and appropriate” from taxation. All others are not from taxation.
ARTICLE 3: To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $111,097.00 for the purpose of paying the principal and interest due in fiscal 2019 for the fourth of five annual payments for the 2016 KME fire truck purchased in FY16 and to take said sum from free cash.
A motion was made to accept Article 3.
The motion was seconded.
Article 3 passed.
ARTICLE 4: To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $39,035.50 for the purpose of buying radios for the Fire Department and to take said sum from free cash.
A motion was made to accept Article 4.
The motion was seconded.
Article 4 passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 5: To see if the Town will vote to authorize to borrow the sum of $271,940.00 for the purpose of buying a new 2019 4×4 dump/plow truck to replace the Highway Department’s existing 2002 International.
A motion was made to accept Article 5.
The motion was seconded.
Discussion: What is going to happen to the old truck? Highway Superintendent, Derek Poirier answered the truck will be sold outright to the highest bidder.
A voter asked what brand truck will we be purchasing? Derek answered they have 2 quotes but haven’t picked the brand yet.
Article 5 passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 6: To see if the Town will vote to authorize to borrow the sum of $136,254.00 the purpose of buying a new 2019 loader/backhoe to replace the Highway Department’s existing 1995 loader/backhoe.
A motion was made to accept Article 6.
The motion was seconded.
Article 6 passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 7: To see if the Town will vote to accept $179,187.00 as an Available Fund under the Chapter 90 State Aid to Highways Program.
A motion was made to accept Article 7.
The motion was seconded.
Discussion: How much did we get last year? Derek Poirier answered this is about the same amount as last year.
Article 7 passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 8: To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to apply for, accept and expend a MassWorks Grant from the MassWorks Infrastructure Program in the amount of $1,000,000.00 and sum will be used for Safety Improvements and Reconstruction on Tyringham Road.
A motion was made to accept Article 8.
The motion was seconded.
Article 8 passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 9: To see if the Town will vote to appropriate $67,450.00 for the operation and maintenance of the municipal sewer system and to meet the appropriation, transfer funds from the sewer user fees.
A motion was made to accept Article 9.
The motion was seconded.
Article 9 passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 10: To see if the Town will vote to maintain separate Revolving Funds pursuant to MGL, Chapter 44, Section 53E ½ for the following fees. Fees received by Town Officials shall be credited to the respective revolving fund and expended for payment only by the authorization of the Town Treasurer. Respective expenditures from said Revolving Funds shall not exceed the amounts shown below for Fiscal Year 2019 without prior approval from the Board of Selectmen:
Plumbing & Gas Inspector $15,000.00
Wire Inspector $15,000.00
Fire Department Inspections $6,000.00
Sanitation Inspector $9,000.00
Recreation Commission $5,000.00
Demolition Debris Removal $25,000.00
Cemetery $2,000.00
Tax Title $10,000.00
A motion was made to accept Article 10.
The motion was seconded.
Article 10 passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 11: To see if the Town will vote to appropriate $266,610.85 to pay costs of purchasing and installing solar panels to be located on various Town buildings, including the payment of all costs incidental and related thereto and to take said sum from wind project contingency funds.
A motion was made to accept Article 11.
The motion was seconded.
Discussion: Why are we doing this project when we have the wind project? Town Administrator, Rebecca Stone explained we need town meeting approval. Larry Gould, Project Coordinator explained this is excess money from the wind bond project. Three of the solar projects are complete and two are not. Bond Counsel said it was prudent to come to town meeting and make the additional vote to authorize the expense. The wind turbine is providing a revenue check to the town and the solar panels are saving the town buildings on electricity.
Article 11 passed, 2 opposed.
ARTICLE 12: To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $446,762.00 in FY19 in principal and interest for the Wind Project Bond and to take said sum from wind project revenue.
A motion was made to accept article 12.
The motion was seconded.
Discussion: Do we have revenue? Larry Gould, Project Coordinator said revenue has been coming in. Larry is in discussion with Eversource and hoping for electronic transfers. They are generating $40,000-$60,000 per month. The turbine has been online since March 9th. The town is expecting $500,000-$600,000 per year in revenue.
Article 12 passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 13: To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $37,415.00 for paying the principal and interest due in FY19 on funds borrowed for the Wind Project Serial Note and to take said sum from wind project revenue.
A motion was made to accept Article 13.
The motion was seconded.
Article 13 passed.
ARTICLE 14: To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $32,250.00 for paying the interest due in FY19 on funds borrowed for the Otis Fiber Project and to take said sum from free cash.
A motion was made to accept Article 14.
The motion was seconded.
Discussion: When will construction be done? Bill Hiller, Selectboard Chair and Technology member said the town has approval of the first section and anticipate the entire town to be completed in the next year to 18 months.
How many are signed up for the service? Bill answered 650 households are signed up at this time.
Who pays for the clearance of the polls? Bill answered we have already paid and a grant helped us.
Is the town guaranteeing everyone gets the service? Bill hopes so and the State of MA requires 96% of the town to be serviced.
Article 14 passed, 1 opposed.
ARTICLE 15: To see if the Town will vote to accept a gift of the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church from the legal successor of the Wardens of the Protestant Episcopal Society of Otis, and accompanying land, said properties being recorded in the Berkshire Middle District Registry of Deeds at Book 4949, Page 78, and Book 5677, Page 345, provided that the Episcopal Missions of Western Massachusetts successfully quiets title to said properties in a court of competent jurisdiction with the assent of the Executive Committee of the Congregation of St. Paul and/or any other parties necessary to quiet said title, and to authorize and direct the Board of Selectmen to execute any and all documents in connection with said transfer once the title is resolved.
A motion was made to accept Article 15.
The motion was seconded.
Discussion: What is the plan? Sonia Morrison, Historical Commission member stated there are many plans for the building including preservation for prosperity, a meeting space, the land alone, and the possibility to use the second lot to extend the sewer system. A voter suggested to see a plan in place prior to any commitments being made.
What is it going to cost? Sonia stated they hope to find funds from outside sources including grants and fundraising done from non-profit groups.
A voter asked how is this article different from what we voted on last year? Jeremia Pollard, Town Counsel stated we are here due to Town Counsel’s certification of the title of insurability. We are back before town meeting because the title is not clear. The Diocese is going to act on quiet title. The current Executive Committee of the Congregation of Saint Paul’s Church is willing to do this only if the town votes to take the property.
A resident asked if the Town is going to be picking up the expenses of the Diocese as well as their own expenses? Jeremia answered the town can’t pay for the legal fees of the Diocese because of the Massachusetts anti-aid amendment. The Town can’t pay anything until the Town owns the building. The Diocese will need to pay their own legal expenses. The only expenses the Town will have will be to have Jeremia review it from the real estate side.
A voter suggested an amendment to accept the land but come to town meeting for anything that would happen to the building.
A voter stated this building is going to cost over $200,000 in repairs and if the repairs exceed 2/3rds of the buildings value the building needs to be brought up to code. This includes a well, septic, environmental study, handicapped accessibility, etc.
The Moderator called the vote.
A count was completed. Yes- 43 No-36
Article 15 passed.
A motion was made to adjourn the meeting.
The motion was seconded.
The meeting adjourned at 7:55 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Lyn O’Brien, Town Clerk
| AMOUNTS FOR ARTICLE 2 | |||
| FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019 | |||
| GENERAL GOVERNMENT | FY19 | FY18 | |
| 1 | ASSESSORS EXPENSES 015141.700 | $ 71,150.00 | $ 68,850.00 |
| 2 | ASSESSORS CLERK 015141.115 | ||
| 3 | ASSESSORS PRINC ASSESS SALARY 015141.113 | ||
| 4 | ASSESSORS SALARIES 015141.114 | $ 9,500.00 | $ 10,100.00 |
| 5 | AUDIT 015159.700 | $ 12,000.00 | |
| 6 | CONSERVATION COMM EXPENSES 015171.700 | $ 10,200.00 | $ 8,250.00 |
| 7 | CONSERVATION COMM SALARY 015171.113 | $ 5,152.80 | $ 5,130.00 |
| 8 | ELECTRICITY 015472.000 | $ 53,000.00 | $ 52,500.00 |
| 9 | ERBE BUILDING 015192.405 | $ 3,700.00 | $ 3,700.00 |
| 10 | FINANCE BOARD EXPENSES 015131.700 | $ 332.00 | $ 332.00 |
| 11 | FINANCE BOARD SALARIES 015131.113 | $ 1,700.00 | $ 1,700.00 |
| 12 | GIFTS AND FLOWERS 015162.000 | $ 750.00 | $ 750.00 |
| 13 | HEATING/FURNACE 015192.404 | $ 54,600.00 | $ 63,500.00 |
| 14 | LEGAL EXPENSES 015151.702 | $ 40,000.00 | $ 20,000.00 |
| 15 | MAINTENANCE EXPENSES 015192.117 | $ 41,700.00 | $ 45,200.00 |
| 16 | MAINTENANCE LABOR 015192.116 | $ 115,273.76 | $ 112,184.80 |
| 17 | MAINTENANCE SUPT SALARY 015192.119 | $ 62,947.19 | $ 59,949.70 |
| 18 | BLDG SUPERVISOR/PROJECT COORD.015192.120 | $ 12,853.07 | $ 12,241.02 |
| 19 | OFFICE SUPPLIES 015136.000 | $ 8,000.00 | $ 9,500.00 |
| 20 | PLANNING BOARD EXPENSES 015175.700 | $ 1,950.00 | $ 1,850.00 |
| 21 | PLANNING BOARD CLERK 015175.113 | $ 3,000.00 | $ 3,000.00 |
| 22 | SELECTMEN’S EXPENSES 015122.700 | $ 3,615.00 | $ 3,415.00 |
| 23 | SELECTMEN’S SECRETARY 015122.114 | $ 25,332.00 | $ 24,360.00 |
| 24 | SELECTMEN’S SALARIES 015122.113 | $ 11,000.00 | $ 11,000.00 |
| 25 | TECHNOLOGY 015192.003 | $ 60,073.28 | $ 60,641.48 |
| 26 | TOWN ACCOUNTANT EXPENSES 015135.400 | $ 1,600.00 | $ 1,600.00 |
| 27 | TOWN ACCOUNTANT SALARY 015135.113 | $ 18,773.74 | $ 18,051.67 |
| 28 | TOWN ADMINISTRATOR 015123.113 | $ 65,000.00 | $ 57,855.00 |
| 29 | TOWN CLERK EXPENSES 015161.700 | $ 6,875.00 | $ 6,393.00 |
| 30 | TOWN CLERK SALARY 015161.113 | $ 39,790.26 | $ 38,259.87 |
| 31 | TOWN CLERK ELECT/REGISTRATION 015162.700 | $ 9,075.00 | $ 10,375.00 |
| 32 | TOWN CLERK ELECTIONS SALARIES 015162.113 | $ 7,650.00 | $ 4,000.00 |
| 33 | TOWN COLLECTOR EXPENSES 015146.700 | $ 19,700.00 | $ 19,900.00 |
| 34 | TOWN COLLECTOR SALARY 015146.113 | $ 41,146.04 | $ 39,961.48 |
| 35 | TOWN HALL 015192.400 | $ 14,300.00 | $ 14,300.00 |
| 36 | TOWN HALL ADMIN ASSISTANT 015192.113 | $ 44,408.76 | $ 41,732.60 |
| 37 | TOWN REPORT 015195.700 | $ 4,350.00 | $ 4,350.00 |
| 38 | TOWN TREASURER EXPENSES 015145.700 | $ 6,800.00 | $ 6,710.00 |
| 39 | TOWN TREASURER SALARY 015145.113 | $ 19,773.74 | $ 19,051.60 |
| 40 | ZBA EXPENSES 015176.700 | $ 3,000.00 | $ 3,000.00 |
| 41 | ZBA CLERICAL 015176.113 | $ 3,600.00 | $ 3,600.00 |
| TOTAL GENERAL GOVERNMENT | $ 901,671.64 | $ 879,294.22 | |
| PROTECTION OF PERSONS AND PROPERTY | FY19 | FY18 | |
| 42 | ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER 015292.113 | $ 5,400.00 | $ 5,030.00 |
| 43 | BUILDING INSPECTOR EXPENSES 015241.113 | $ 5,140.00 | $ 4,900.00 |
| 44 | BUILDING INSPECTOR SALARY 015241.700 | $ 54,977.88 | $ 52,359.89 |
| 45 | ASST BUILDING INSPECTOR SALARY 015241.701 | $ 4,000.00 | $ 3,500.00 |
| 46 | EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 015291.700 | $ 19,500.00 | $ 17,250.00 |
| 47 | FIRE DEPARTMENT EXPENSES 015220.700 | $ 43,290.00 | $ 41,540.00 |
| 48 | FIRE CHIEF SALARY 015220.113 | $ 4,000.00 | $ 4,000.00 |
| 49 | FIRST ASST. FIRE CHIEF 015220.114 | $ 2,500.00 | $ 2,500.00 |
| 50 | INSPECTORS 015249.000 | $ 1,606.80 | $ 1,000.00 |
| 51 | OTIS RESCUE SQUAD 015215.700 | $ 211,000.00 | $ 200,000.00 |
| 52 | POLICE DEPARTMENT EXPENSES 015210.702 | $ 16,485.00 | $ 16,985.00 |
| 53 | POLICE DEPARTMENT LABOR 015210.114 | $ 76,073.28 | $ 75,947.68 |
| 54 | POLICE CHIEF SALARY 015210.113 | $ 17,115.09 | $ 16,819.60 |
| 55 | TREE WARDEN 015294.113 | $ 500.00 | $ 500.00 |
| TOTAL PROTECTION OF PERSONS AND PROPERTY | $ 461,588.05 | $ 442,332.17 | |
| EDUCATION | FY19 | FY18 | |
| 56 | SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE 015300.006 | $ 8,000.00 | $ 8,000.00 |
| 57 | SCHOOL 015300.002 | $ 2,421,150.00 | $ 2,484,167.00 |
| 58 | SCHOOL BOND 015300.001 | $ 59,730.00 | |
| 59 | SCHOOL COMMITTEE 015300.003 | $ 1,700.00 | $ 1,700.00 |
| TOTAL EDUCATION | $ 2,430,850.00 | $ 2,553,597.00 | |
| PUBLIC WORKS AND FACILITIES | FY19 | FY18 | |
| 60 | CEMETERY 015491.115 | $ 11,450.00 | $ 10,700.00 |
| 61 | GAS AND DIESEL 015471.000 | $ 52,700.00 | $ 52,700.00 |
| 62 | HEALTH AGENT EXPENSES | $ 3,300.00 | $ 3,300.00 |
| 63 | HEALTH AGENT SALARY 015433.113 | $ 11,484.08 | $ 4,039.71 |
| 64 | HEALTH BACKUP SALARY 015433.115 | $ 4,140.71 | $ 11,203.98 |
| 65 | HEALTH AND SANITATION 015433.700 | $ 143,100.00 | $ 142,350.00 |
| 66 | HEALTH WWTP CHIEF OPERATOR | $ 57,958.76 | $ 56,270.64 |
| 67 | HIGHWAY EXPENSES 015422.110 | $ 152,000.00 | $ 150,500.00 |
| 68 | HIGHWAY GARAGE 015422.800 | $ 9,840.00 | $ 9,100.00 |
| 69 | HIGHWAY LABOR 015422.114 | $ 89,861.60 | $ 86,244.30 |
| 70 | HIGHWAY ROAD MACHINE MAINT 015422.700 | $ 58,400.00 | $ 51,500.00 |
| 71 | HIGHWAY SNOW EXPENSES 015423.115 | $ 121,000.00 | $ 122,000.00 |
| 72 | HIGHWAY SNOW REMOVAL LABOR 015423.113 | $ 79,093.60 | $ 78,052.26 |
| 73 | HIGHWAY SUPT SALARY 015422.113 | $ 68,835.52 | $ 66,188.00 |
| 74 | SANITATION INSPECTOR 015433.114 | $ 6,500.00 | $ 6,500.00 |
| TOTAL PUBLIC WORKS AND FACILITIES | $ 869,664.27 | $ 850,648.89 | |
| HUMAN SERVICES | FY19 | FY18 | |
| 75 | ANIMAL INSPECTOR 015292.00 | $ 500.00 | $ 500.00 |
| 76 | COMMUNITY HEALTH 015529.000 | $ 1,000.00 | $ 1,000.00 |
| 77 | CONSTRUCT INC. 015599.204 | $ 200.00 | $ 200.00 |
| 78 | COUNCIL ON AGING 015541.700 | $ 13,110.00 | $ 13,110.00 |
| 79 | MENTAL HEALTH 015599.200 | $ 584.62 | $ 584.62 |
| 80 | SHINE 015541.701 | $ 500.00 | $ 500.00 |
| 81 | VETERANS BENEFITS 015543.600 | $ 25,000.00 | $ 25,000.00 |
| 82 | VETERANS DISTRICT ASSESSMENT 015543.700 | $ 7,494.27 | $ 7,494.27 |
| 83 | VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION 015522.700 | $ 3,969.00 | $ 3,969.00 |
| TOTAL HUMAN SERVICES | $ 52,357.89 | $ 52,357.89 | |
| CULTURE AND RECREATION | FY19 | FY18 | |
| 84 | CELEBRATIONS 015692.000 | $ 10,000.00 | $ 10,000.00 |
| 85 | CULTURAL COUNCIL 015699.000 | $ 5,000.00 | $ 5,000.00 |
| 86 | HISTORICAL COMMISSION 015691.700 | $ 4,523.42 | $ 3,600.00 |
| 87 | LIBRARY 015610.700 | $ 63,664.00 | $ 62,927.00 |
| 88 | RECREATION EXPENSES 015630.000 | $ 29,457.25 | $ 31,581.00 |
| 89 | RECREATION SALARIES 015630.113 | $ 32,878.04 | $ 32,074.24 |
| 90 | SOUTH BERK LIT NET 015610.701 | $ 400.00 | $ 400.00 |
| TOTAL CULTURE AND RECREATION | $ 145,922.71 | $ 145,582.24 | |
| INTERGOVERNMENTAL EXPENSES | FY19 | FY18 | |
| 91 | BERK CTY RETIREMENT 015911.170 | $ 158,091.00 | $ 160,060.00 |
| 92 | BERK REG PLAN COMM 015840.664 | $ 1,253.07 | $ 1,222.51 |
| TOTAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL EXPENSES | $ 159,344.07 | $ 161,282.51 | |
| MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES | FY19 | FY18 | |
| 93 | HEALTH INSURANCE 015914.170 | $ 310,000.00 | $ 237,682.00 |
| 94 | INSURANCE 015945.740 | $ 83,500.00 | $ 63,867.33 |
| 95 | MEDICARE 015914.171 | $ 17,000.00 | $ 16,000.00 |
| 96 | RESERVE FUND 015940.700 | $ 13,000.00 | $ 13,000.00 |
| 97 | UNEMPLOYMENT 015913.170 | $ 14,000.00 | $ 13,000.00 |
| TOTAL MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES | $ 437,500.00 | $ 343,549.33 | |
| MLP FIBER EXPENSES | FY19 | ||
| 98 | MLP FIBER | $ 62,500.00 | |
| TOTAL MLP FIBER EXPENSES | $ 62,500.00 | ||
| TOTAL BUDGET | FY19 | FY18 | |
| TOTAL GENERAL GOVERNMENT | $ 901,671.64 | $ 879,294.22 | |
| TOTAL PROTECTION OF PERSONS AND PROPERTY | $ 461,588.05 | $ 442,332.17 | |
| TOTAL EDUCATION | $ 2,430,850.00 | $ 2,553,597.00 | |
| TOTAL PUBLIC WORKS AND FACILITIES | $ 869,664.27 | $ 850,648.89 | |
| TOTAL HUMAN SERVICES | $ 52,357.89 | $ 52,357.89 | |
| TOTAL CULTURE AND RECREATION | $ 145,922.71 | $ 145,582.24 | |
| TOTAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL EXPENSES | $ 159,344.07 | $ 161,282.51 | |
| TOTAL MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES | $ 437,500.00 | $ 343,549.33 | |
| TOTAL MLP FIBER EXPENSES | $ 62,500.00 | ||
| TOTAL BUDGET | $ 5,521,398.63 | $ 5,428,644.25 | |