Selectboard Meeting Minutes joint with
RAAC Committee
Otis Town Hall
Conference Room
Tuesday, January 23, 2024, 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 Meeting
Time: Jan 23, 2024 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
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Attendance: Larry Southard- Chair, Gary Thomas, Terry Gould, Brandi Page, Tim Lee, Carol Lombardo, Scott Bergeron, Jon Sylbert, Sue Ebitz, Douglas Miner and Heidi Utenis. On Zoom: Carl Nett, Jim Crandall, Frank Tolopko, & Barbara Cormier.
Call to Order: 6:30 PM
Approval of Minutes: The minutes from January 9th were approved as written.
Knox Trail Sno-Riders: The group is requesting some sort of blockade to stop drivers from going through the unmaintained section of Becket Road during the winter. Several people commented on how every year people get stuck in there and need to be pulled out. The Sno-Riders would like to see the traffic through there blocked to preserve the riding conditions in the winter. One solution presented was letting the group put up large saw horses at either end that had signage on them. The Board discussed this option and unanimously approved it. Scott asked for safety reasons to have the saw horses include reflective tape. It would be up to the Sno-Riders to provide the saw horses and put them in and take them out.
Early Voting Hours: The Board approved Lyn’s early voting hours and signed the warrant for the March Primary Election.
Snow & Ice Operations: The Board reviewed the policy Derek had submitted. There were some minor type errors but they were good with the policy. Derek had already pushed it out on the website and town news.
RAAC Committee Update: Terry had submitted a statement outlining how she felt the Regional Agreement Amendment Committee meetings were going and some things that had transpired. She felt strongly that an outside consultant would be beneficial to the process. Frank spoke as well and felt the work had been pushed to the School Committee negating the need for the RAAC. Carol echoed the thought and felt the assessment information shouldn’t have gone to the School Committee yet. Douglas Miner, Sandisfield’s Town Clerk, School Committee member and newly appointed RAAC member, disagreed with Terry’s statement and wanted the opportunity to rebut. Larry Southard felt that was not necessary nor productive. Jon Sylbert, Sandisfield’s Town Manager and Chair on the RAAC, spoke as to the process so far and the charge of the committee. It was agreed a report back to both Town’s should be drafted by the entire committee. He maintained that the work of the RAAC is advisory only and that the authority to move the updated agreement forward is up to the School Committee. His opinion is that MARS will not weigh in on the assessments or any modification to them. It was decided at the first RAAC meeting to not incur costs with an outside consultant but to first work with the support and guidance of DESE. We are governed by the current RDA until such time amendments are made, agreed upon, approved by the School Committee, Approved by Town Counsel and then pass at Town Meeting in both towns. Larry thanked everyone for their input and said he felt the Board had a better understanding.
Surplus Items: This item was continued. The Recreation Commission had not had a chance to meet yet and discuss.
Recent and Upcoming Events: Sue Ebitz asked everyone to attend the upcoming community forum for the Library grant with the MBLC on January 31st.
Review & Approval of Warrants: Payroll and vendor warrants are on the table for signature.
Not Anticipated by the Board: None
Adjournment: 7:10 PM