August 7, 2018
6:00PM Open Meeting
In Attendance: Robert S. Ciskowski, Carol A. Francesconi, and Ed St. John IV
Absent:
Press: iBerkshires
Board conducts the business session of the meeting by reviewing and approving weekly payroll and vendor warrants.
6:30PM Carol opens the regular portion of the meeting.
Carol makes a motion to accept the Board’s July 31, 2018 meeting minutes.
Robert seconds the motion.
Resident, Steven LaFogg:
- Thanked Highway Superintendent, Blair Crane, for his quick response and excellent repairs to a washout on West Mountain Road.
Several residents of Maple Drive attended tonight’s meeting to voice their needs for paving their street. Blair explained his schedule for road repairs and paving.
Highway Superintendent, Blair Crane:
- Submitted Weekly Activity Log for 8/1/18-8/7/18.
- Researching prices of a new roller.
- Awaiting on salt pricing from the county bid procurement system.
- Meeting with residents at Shadowland Cover this week to continue design phase.
- Waiting on numbers from John Deere/Grader.
- Continuing to work on an action plan for snow removal.
- Continuing to mow roadsides as weather permits. Wells and East Harbor Roads are completed. Lanesborough Road is next on the schedule.
- Working with National Grid on Jenks Road pole project.
- Pot hole/paving repairs.
- Wood chipping.
- Repair equipment/maintenance.
- Paperwork/Planning phase of three asphalt project as well as road striping and culvert work.
Paving:
- Wells Road (from Main to just east of Dublin - 1900').
- West Mountain Road (From Curran Road to the east 1500').
- Maple Drive (entire roadway-1400').
Highway Superintendent, Blair Crane: continued
Culverts:
- Curran Road - Catch Basin repair and 60' culvert replacement.
- School Street/Richardson Street - 40' total replacement with ADA sidewalk.
- Stafford Hill Road - culvert and curb repair at the bottom.
Road Striping:
- Wells Road (North End)
- Windsor Road (New pavement-east end)
This evenings Berkshire Boys meeting regarding a Host Agreement was cancelled and they requested to meet on Tuesday, August 14, 2018 at 7pm. Meeting change confirmed.
Town Administrator, Mark Webber:
- The BOS unanimously voted to lock in heating oil at $2.56/gallon. Last year 21,000 gallons at the Cheshire School and 1,700 gallons at the Police Station and; 2,500 gallons at Town Hall/Annex were used.
- Letter received from Kraus and Hummel. A Hearing was scheduled for Saturday, August 25, 2018 at the Cheshire Community Center by the Cheshire Rent Control Board.
- Mark suggested scheduling a Shade Tree Hearing for two (2) weeks from tonight. The abutter and National Grid will be notified. (Jenks Road pole project).
- Two (2) laptops have arrived for the Cemetery Department and the Animal Control Officer. A used printer will go with the Cemetery laptop.
- Filed a Workmen’s Compensation claim for a highway worker following a missed work event taking place last Wednesday. A doctor’s note saying the individual can return to work on 8/27/18 has been requested.
- Spoke to Michelle at Complete Streets regarding the town’s failed application. Mark inquired about why Cheshire did not score well. She said there was a decrease pool of funds and the competition was stronger. She suggested we apply again and top focus more heavily on the three (3) key aspects of Mobility, Safety and Equity. Mark will be in contact with Eammon at BRPC to review the outcome.
Christine Emerson: No issues or concerns.
Chief of Police, Timothy Garner: Report submitted.
Fire Chief, Thomas Francesconi:
- Ed reported that Douglas J. Wooliver & Sons, Inc. submitted a bid from David J. Tierney, III for repair to 1/3 section of the Cheshire Fire Station. Their cost for framing carpentry work is $64,566.00. Included was $5,000 for plumbing rework and $5,000 for electrical rework allowances in their price for electrical and plumbing.
- Chief Francesconi discussed further the condition and safety factors in moving forward with the project.
- For deck repairs, engineering to complete the job it will probably be $24K with a total of $95K.
- Ed will be contacting Adams Hines to see if there are any grants to assist. The need to understand the condition of the whole building is pertinent.
Mail and Correspondence:
- Completed and mailed to the DEP a WPA Emergency Certification Form for the installation of screen over culvert to prevent beavers from blocking culvert, thus causing flooding of the adjacent body of water. All work done by hand.
Carol:
- Requested Biggs Waterman to attend the meeting. The BOS wanted an update as to what the Water Departments plans were for working on Depot Street. He said there were 15-20 homes serviced and Travis is developing a plan that should be done by spring.
Mark submitted to Blair a copy of the Road Paving Bid. The opening will be on September 4, 2018 at 7PM.
Robert:
- Questioned Blair about the boom mower and its ability to work. Blair reported that it is, “Working great”.
- Questioned if there was a truck ban on Stewart White Road. It was reported to be in the system at BRPC.
- Robert wanted the BOS to think over a concept he has worked on regarding a letter received a few months ago from the Hutchinson Water Company. The company was interested in the Town of Cheshire taking over ownership. Although the BOS and the Water Department had little interest at the time, Robert had been mulling over the concept of water needs south of the town and the creation of an industrial/manufacturing areas. He also could see it as a backup for the town. Research of the company would have to been completed as to DEP non-compliance issues, pipe conditions, and tank conditions. Robert asked that the topic be reconsidered.
Resident, Lynn Clairmont:
- Displayed photos of a full culvert with debris coming from across the road on Pleasantview Drive. Blair will make a site visit on 8/8/18.
Resident, Peter Traub:
- Questioned Blair Crane regarding a property on Lakeshore Drive that is experiencing wash out on the edge of the property and by the driveway. Carol visited the site and agreed with Blair that it is not the Town’s responsibility. Blair will be grading the road for emergency vehicles to have access. Peter said, “It is the road and it has always been repaired”. Blair responded that it is an unapproved road and it will be maintained for access of emergency vehicles”.
- Reported that he spoke to Ray Fisher regarding the need for the lake to be harvest again from Tape Weeds. Solitude has been contacted and Mr. Fisher is awaiting a response from the company as to the best practices for removal, costs, treatment, and who will be paying the bill. Robert felt that not many years ago a mesh was being used. He will be checking out the situation this weekend and will be reporting back to the BOS.
8:30PM With no additional business to come before the Board, Carol made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ed seconds the motion. A unanimous vote was taken.
Respectfully Submitted,
Carole A. Hilderbrand, Board of Selectmen’s Secretary
_______________________________________________________________
Carol A. Francesconi, Chairman
Robert S. Ciskowski, Clerk
Ed St. John IV, Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds