Selectboard Meeting Minutes
Otis Town Hall
Conference Room
Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at 6:30 PM
This meeting will be held in person at the location provided on this notice. Members of the public are welcome to attend. A remote option is offered via zoom with the link provided below.
Please note that while an option for remote participation is being provided as a courtesy, the meeting will not be suspended or terminated if technological problems interrupt the virtual broadcast, unless otherwise required by law. Anyone with interest in any specific item should plan in person attendance.
Topic: Select Board
Time: Sep 26, 2023 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86903734127?pwd=aDNCODRrallSbGVERkpnS2lMQW9GZz09
Meeting ID: 869 0373 4127
Passcode: 961518
Attendance: Larry Southard- Chair, Terry Gould, Gary Thomas, Brandi Page, David Donahue, Matt Puntin, Mark Amanti, Steve Palinkis and Lyn O’Brien. On zoom: Jim Wilusz and Phil Magovern.
Call to Order: 6:30 PM
Approval of Minutes: The minutes from 8/22 and 9/12 were approved as written.
Approve Election Calendar: The Board reviewed the election calendar Lyn O’Brien had submitted for 2024.
They approved the dates applicable to the Town Election. Lyn asked the Board to set the rate for our officers acting as constables at the elections to be paid. They discussed time and a half vs detail pay. The Board approved paying at the detail rate. Gary made a motion to compensate at the detail rate. Terry seconded and the motion passed.
Appointments: The Board reviewed the application from Lyn O’Brien we had received for Emergency Management Director. Brandi stated that our Berkshire County MEMA rep had met with Lyn and herself and outlined some of the duties and trainings that were part of the position. The Board felt Lyn would be an excellent fit. Terry made a motion to appoint Lyn with a term ending June 30, 2024. Larry seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Septic Concept: Matt Puntin from S.K. Design Group was present on behalf of the D&J project on Reservoir Road. Also present were David Donahue and Mark Amanti. The project had gone before the Planning Board and they wanted the Select Board to specifically review the concept plans for the septic and recommend back to them. Terry was concerned any amendment would conflict or void their existing special permit. Matt stated it would not and clarified the project was always meant to be a phased project. This current plan is to keep the existing building and have 7 apartments with a total of 11 bedrooms. The proposed septic would be on the high end behind where the post office is located. The plan will include expansion of the system at a later date. Jim Wilusz also felt it was important for this to come before the Board for transparency. This is a large project with a lot of public interest. Jim recommended the Board require this to be a pretreatment system to protect the Reservoir. This will require oversight of the system. Brandi asked for clarification on the term “seasonal apartments” which was included on the plan for this existing building. The applicants felt there would be enough interest for year round rentals so basically these will be airbnb’s. Terry maintained that she was uncomfortable approving the concept. Brandi felt the Board would not be approving until final design for the septic came back before the Board. This was more of a recommendation back to the Planning Board. Larry made a motion to recommend the concept with the requirement that the system is designed as a pretreatment system. Gary seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Rte. 8 Snowmobile Bridge: Steve Palinkins was present to update the Board on the Knox Trail Sno-Riders plan to replace the snowmobile bridge that goes across Rte. 8 south of town. They received a grant for 60,000 for DCR but they estimate the cost of going out to bid and construction to be over 100,000. Steve asked the Board if they had any ideas of how to raise the extra money needed. The current bridge is still functional but they have proposed a new bridge to accommodate multiple modes of travel. The Board supports the project and asked Steve to keep them in the loop.
Town Hall Annex: Brandi stated that the architect qualifications had been ranked and recommended the Board award the design to Dietz & Co Architects as they were ranked most beneficial for the project. Larry made a motion to make the award. Terry seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Recent and Upcoming Events: None.
Review & Approval of Warrants: Payroll and vendor warrants are on the table for signature.
Not Anticipated: None.
Adjournment: 7:41 PM