Select Board Meeting Minutes 05/27/2020

By Otis Town ClerkBoard of Selectmen Minutes
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Select Board Meeting Minutes

Otis Town Hall

Conference Room

May 27, 2020

7:00 p.m.

 

*This meeting is being conducted remotely through Zoom. You must check back within 24 hours of the start time for a link to join.

Pursuant to the Governor’s March 12, 2020 order suspending certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, Sec 18, this meeting is being held via remote participation to the greatest extent possible. Every effort is being made to ensure that any member of the public may access the meeting in real time, via technological means. Agendas will be amended to show the link and participation code to access the meeting no sooner than 48 hours before. Recordings and/or draft proceedings of the meeting will be available on our website as soon as possible.

 

  1. Call to Order 7:00 pm

Heather Morgan, Brandi Page, Dan Hamill, Gary Thomas, Larry Southard, Lyn O’Brien, Rona Knight, Sonia Morrison, Teri Gould, Charles Schwartz, Diane Provenz (Eleven Participants in total)

 

  1. Approval of Select Board Minutes from May 12, 2020

Meeting minutes approved with the following changes.  Change Tom to Tom Ragusa and change Ken’s last name to Meyer.

 

  1. Review and Approval of Warrants

 

  1. Recreation Hourly vs. Salary

Patricia’s hours fluctuate so going to salary will streamline the process.  Vote to change Patricia Richard from hourly to Salary, unanimously approved.

 

  1. Forester for Forest Stewardship Plan

Since Bill was not in attendance Larry and Garry requested that it be tabled until next meeting.

 

  1. Illegal Dumping at Transfer Station

Several large trash bags were thrown over the transfer station gates.  The Otis police found who the perpetrator was by looking through the trash and by the security camera footage. A sixty day suspension from the transfer station was recommended for the illegal dumping.  Dan Hamill reported that the perpetrator admitted to the illegal dumping.  It was suggested that the planning Board may like to write a by-law to add a fee for illegal dumping. Motion to suspend transfer station access for the perpetrator for 60 days, unanimously approved.

 

  1. Election Workers

Voted to accept the election workers.  All agreed on the list.

 

 

  1. 1/12 Budget Approval

If we are not able to hold Town Meeting by June 30th the DOR has strongly recommended that towns submit a seek approval of a 1/12th budget to continue spending into the new fiscal year. The Board unanimously approved the plan being submitted.

 

  1. Complete Streets

Rona doesn’t see any reason not to go ahead with Complete Streets.   The town can get up to $400,000 to be used for widening roads, new construction, etc.  The town doesn’t have to do anything unless it gets the money from the state.  She recommends starting the process.  Sonia Morrison from the Historical Commission also thinks Complete Streets would be good for them.  They would like to put in a playground at the old school house.  Rona would like clarification from Jeremia as to why he feels Otis shouldn’t participate in Complete Streets.  Brandi will get in touch with him.

Rona also brought up that the master plan does not need to be done every 10 years.  It can be amended as needed.

 

  1. Approve & Sign Town Meeting Warrant

Larry and Garry approved the Town Meeting Warrant.

 

  1. Any topics not reasonably anticipated by the Chair at the time of the original posting.

Airosmith Development would like to put in a new cell tower in Otis.  Garry would like to see them do a feasibility study in West Otis.

Sonia wanted to know if the Board supports a five person Select Board.  Larry and Garry do not support it.

Sonia talked to another tree person and they said that what is driving the price up is that they will have to bring in a crane.  The crane costs $3,000 a day.  The Historical Society would like to give $1,500 towards taking care of the trees at the church if possible.  The insurance company has given Otis more time to do the repairs.  There is no new information for when the Town Hall will be open to the public.  The beach opened today.  The ship was removed.  The tenant in the Erbe building would like to terminate the lease by the end of June.  Garry and Larry do not have a problem with her breaking the lease.

 

  1. Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 7:51

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Heather Morgan

Selectmen’s Secretary, Town of Otis

 

 

List of Documents

Poll Workers List for FY2021

Recreation Pay

Town Meeting Warrant

Recycle Bylaw

1/12th Budget

Cell Tower Lease