Town of Otis
Select Board Meeting Minutes
August 9, 2016
Meeting called to order at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall conference room.
Present: Select Board Chair Roberta Sarnacki, Selectman Bill Hiller, Selectman Don Hawley, Terry and Larry Gould, Michael Ernst, Derek Poirier, Hank Wingate, Sonia Morrison Kobrin, Kathy Carroll, Mary Adams, Nick Hiller
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Roberta Sarnacki who announced the meeting was being recorded.
Approval of Minutes: The July 25, 2016 All Boards minutes were unanimously approved as written. The July 26, 2016 Select Board meeting minutes were approved as written by Don Hawley and Bill Hiller with Roberta Sarnacki abstaining.
State Primary Warrant: The warrant was accepted as written and signed by all three Select Board members. It was noted the State Primary Election will be held on Thursday, September 8, 2016.
Historical Commission Appointment: After discussion, it was determined that both members of the Historical Commission had no objection to the appointment, and he had previously served on the commission, so Charles Rosenblum was unanimously appointed by the Select Board to the Historical Commission.
Other:
Highway Bids: The West Center and Pearl Road Bids were opened by Chris Morris on Wednesday, August 3, 2016 at 3:00 pm. Palmer Paving was the low bidder and Highway recommended we go with them. The Select Board unanimously approved Palmer Paving for the job.
Surplus Properties: The surplus inventory from the East Otis Meeting House has been distributed per Chris Morris’ letter of award, although not everything has been picked up and/or delivered. Only two rows of pews were awarded and the others were destroyed with the building. A resident also submitted a photo with another town’s bell display and suggested Otis do the same. The Select Board is welcoming suggestions from town residents as to how they think the bell should be utilized.
Highway Laborer/Equipment Operator position: So far we only have two applicants. The Select Board members suggested Derek do pre-interviews and have the applicants see the operation first before recommending anyone for interviews. Derek was also asked to make certain the applicants had a valid CDL license. Hydraulic and hoisting licensing is also preferred, as well as plowing experience.
Renting out Town Hall: Lisa had a situation today where a resident asked if rooms at Town Hall could be rented in a for-profit situation. Don Hawley reminded everyone that Town Hall Building usage was for private events for residents or for non-profit usage only and this usage had been established years ago.
Fire Department: The Select Board unanimously requested a letter of thanks be drafted to send to the Fire Dept. for their assistance with knocking down the East Otis Meeting House.
Highway Dept: The Western Star truck that has been having all the body work problems has been taken to the manufacturer’s shop in Illinois today. The manufacturer has promised it will be back in a month. They are going to take a look at the problem and if they determine the problem is not worth fixing, they will install a new body. All work is covered under warranty.
Rec Center Parking: The parking area for the Recreation Center, the Otis Library, and the Congregational Church will be reclaimed and repaved starting next Monday and continuing into Wednesday, weather permitting. Both the Rec Center and the Otis Library will be closed during this process.
Rec Center Weight Room: The Recreation Commission has requested that a reverse 911 call go out to residents stating that the weight room will be unavailable indefinitely. We are still waiting for the engineering report on the building, and depending on the cost to repair, any expenditure towards work will need to be approved by the town residents at town meeting. Recreation has also turned in the results of the approximately 80 surveys done for the Fees for Drop-In classes. Most respondents were between 65 and 75. And Bill determined that both BJs and Walmart will accept online account orders for pickup at the store, but noted payment would need to be made at time of ordering.
Town-wide Pole Survey: Westfield Gas & Electric and their fiber division, Whip City Fiber, will be conducting pole surveys in the town during the next month or so. The trucks and employees will be very identifiable. The results of this survey will determine Otis’ expected costs for make ready work for broadband in town. WG&E was expected to begin today, but will actually be starting tomorrow.
At 7:32 pm the Select Board meeting was unanimously adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lisa D’Orazio
Selectmen’s Secretary
Town of Otis
List of Documents
A copy of the signed State Primary Warrant will be filed with these meeting minutes.
A copy of Charles Rosenblum’s email requesting appointment and a copy of the acceptance letter will be filed with these meeting minutes.
A copy of the results of the August 3, 2016 West Center and Pearl Road Bid Opening results will be filed with these meeting minutes.
A copy of the awarded disposition of the East Otis Meeting House surplus inventory dated August 4, 2016 will be filed with these meeting minutes.
A copy of the email illustrating another town’s bell display will be filed with these meeting minutes.
A copy of the Otis Recreation Commission’s survey results for Fees for Drop-In Classes will be filed with these meeting minutes.