Selectboard Meeting Minutes
Otis Town Hall
Conference Room
Tuesday, November 22, 2022, 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: Selectboard
Time: Nov 22, 2022 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
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Attendance: Larry Southard-Chair, Gary Thomas, Terry Gould, Brandi Page, Tammy Weidhaas, Richie O’Brien, Rick Phair, Dana Pustinger, Jen Catolane, Wendy Peterson, Phil Magovern, Michele Ransom, Denise Hardie, Carol Lombardo, Deb Fogel, Arlene Tolopko & Eric Kreis. On Zoom: Cathy, Frank Tolopko, Linda Curtiss, Trish Tetreault, Lizy Fie, Charlie Ransom, 413-563-1483, Cecily, Leo Tetreault, Joe Salzano, & Mary Kay Pinkham.
Call to Order: 6:31 PM
Approval of Minutes: Minutes from 11/09 & 11/15 were approved as written.
Appointments: Jen Catolane from the Recreation Commission was present to request being a five member board instead of three and to request appointment of additional members. Larry made a motion to make the Rec Commission a five member board, appoint Robin Martin from alternate to full member with a term that expires June 30, 2024 and appoint Wendy Peterson to the remaining position with a term that expires June 30, 2023. Gary seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Carol Lombardo, School Committee Chair, had submitted Jess Drenga’s resignation letter, the application and school committee’s recommendation for Mary Kay Pinkham. The Board stated they would like to hold off on the appointment until the next meeting so that the vacancy is made public and anyone interested may apply. They feel it’s best practice to wait on these elected positions that often gain the interest of several candidates. Carol’s concern was that we are coming into budget season and who ever is appointed on the 13th would miss the next school committee meeting. It was decided that any interested party should attend the next school Committee meeting just incase. Larry Made a motion to continue the appointment until our next meeting on the 13th. Gary Seconded and the motion passed unanimously. This appointment will only be in effect until the next election at which time the candidate would have to be on the ballot for the remainder of the term.
Transfer Station Fees: Larry asked Eric if we could continue to review the information he had submitted and take this up again at the next meeting. Everyone agreed to continue to Dec 13th.
Otis Rescue Squad: Richie O’Brien updated the Board on the latest actions by the Rescue Squad. They have interviewed for a part time manager and want to get this person in place. They wanted to confirm this with the Board and make sure the funds set aside for this position would be released. There was additional discussion about exploring a joint ambulance service with the Town of Becket. The Rescue Squad has no opposition to this being explored. There was discussion about what this means for the Rescue Squad and their equipment and how decisions are voted within their organization. It was agreed that the Rescue Squad would get this person in place, their additional funds would be available and that in a month’s time there will be a follow up meeting with Becket to assess the current situation and discuss if a joint service is beneficial to pursue.
Highway Department: Derek, our Highway Superintendent, requested we not contract with either applicant that had come in for plowing due to the small size of the trucks. We are welcoming Bob Navin to our crew who accepted the Working Foreman position. For the remaining laborer opening Derek recommended applicant one as he has previous experience in our Highway department. Gary made a motion to offer it to applicant one for the 25.17 that we currently pay. If he doesn’t accept to then offer it to applicant two. Larry seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Review & Approval of Warrants: Payroll and vendor warrants are on the table for signature.
Not Anticipated: Brandi mentioned the auditors opinion on the ski pass distribution. There will most likely be changes to this to ensure compliance. Gary brought up a situation at Fratelli’s. There is a small amount of water leaking into the kitchen from upstairs. The restaurant owner wanted to know if the Board of Health has any oversight and can intervene. It was agreed this is a civil issue that the owner of the building needs to resolve for the tenants.
Adjournment: 7:46 PM.