Select Board Meeting Minutes
Otis Town Hall
Conference Room
September 08, 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.
Attendees: Bill Hiller, Garry Thomas, Larry Southard, Heather Morgan, Brandi Page,
Celeste Watman, Katelyn Chaffee, Leigha Chaffee, Larry Gould, Terry Gould, Diane Provenz
Call to Order
7:01
Approval of Select Board Minutes from August 25, 2020
Minutes from August 25th were unanimously approved.
Review and Approval of Warrants
Warrants are in the office and will be signed.
Request change to minutes from Aug 11th
Change to minutes was unanimously approved.
Historic Commission Appointment
Gail Gelburd was appointed to the Historical Commission by unanimous vote.
Book House Location
The best placement for the Berkshire United Way Book House was discussed. Currently it is located at the Farmington River Country Store. Katelyn Chaffee spoke and expressed that she, along with other mothers of young children, feel there is a need for the Book House to be more accessible to people with small children. She believes that near the skate park, behind the town hall, would be an appropriate spot. She mentioned that the Book House does have a roof and is weather protected. Berkshire United Way is in support of the move. Katelyn has agreed to help maintain the Book House.
The Selectmen unanimously agreed that the Book House can be moved to behind town hall. Brandi and James will be responsible for finding a location.
Update on Cares Act and Fema $
The town received $10,000 in Cares Act money. Six hundred and fifty dollars was earmarked for food but Fema did not approve the additional food costs as estimated. Brandi recommended that the $650 is reimbursed to the AMVETS for food that they have purchased. The Select Board unanimously approved.
Any topics not reasonably anticipated by the Chair at the time of the original posting.
Larry Southard mentioned that Norton Road extension is experiencing runoff from the hill portion of Norton Road. It was mentioned that there is limited space for the water to go. Norton Road is pitched to Norton Rd Extension causing the problem. Brandi, Bill and Derek have already looked at the road. Derik did clean out the run offs. Larry suggested following through on the catch basin solution. It was unanimously agreed to put Norton Road on a future agenda for further discussion. Larry will go to take a look at Norton Road with Brandi and Derek.
The Food Pantry was brought up in discussion. Larry has not had a chance to look at the rack prices and a first meeting hadn’t been organized yet. Jim has been working on the closet. He has fixed a leak and is going to paint it. There is concern because as of September 10th food delivery will stop. Brandi will follow up with Kendra on when the first meeting of the Food Pantry volunteers will be. The committee will get back to the Select board regarding their needs. Diane Provenz suggested that the Food Pantry use the whole kitchen at town hall. Bill explained that the kitchen is used for other events and the town is looking for a long term solution. The town is starting small and then moving forward. Terry Gould mentioned that the town hall is used as an emergency shelter so the kitchen cannot be used solely for the Food Pantry. The kitchen needs to stay available to others.
Meeting adjourned.
7:30
Respectfully submitted by,
Heather Morgan
Selectmen Secretary, Town of Otis
List of Documents
Meeting Minutes Draft 08.25.2020
Minute Change Request
Historical Commission Appointment Application
Email Regarding Berkshire United Way Book House