Savoy Elementary School Registration:
The Savoy Elementary School will be open for registration on August 25th and 26th from 9am to noon. Registration is for new students in town. A copy of the child's immunization record is required at the time of registration. For more information, call the school at 743-1992. For information regarding bus routes, please call Dufour School Bus Company at 743-7070.
School starts on Wednesday, August 31, 2005.
Monday, August 22, 2005
Sunday, August 21, 2005
KELLEHER will resign as of August 31st. The Town Clerk's office has officially received a letter of resignation from Selectman, Peter Kelleher. His resignation will become effective on August 31, 2005. The remaining members of the Select Board, Emile Mazur and Rita Pierce, have been officially notified by this office, in writing, that a vacancy will occur on the board on that date, giving them the option to call a special election or make other plans. If a special election is to be called, and that is the current opinion, it will have to take place between September 1, 2005 and January 28, 2006 to adhere to the requirements of the Massachusetts General Laws. The earliest date an election can be held in Savoy is November 8, 2005. As you can see, there is very little time to pull this all together because of the legal considerations the town must follow. Anyone who would like to fill this vacancy should contact the Select Board or the Town Clerk as soon as possible. Candidates must be registered voters of the town and must take out nomination papers in order to be on the ballot. from...TOWN CLERK'S OFFICE
Peter Kelleher resigns from Select Board. Mr. Kelleher offered his resignation at the Select Board Meeting, Tuesday, August 16. Other business conducted was the approval for the 10% raise for the road crew. The union asked for a 3-year contract and to commence negotiating next year’s raise after this contract is signed. Mr. Malloy was at the meeting to finalize an agreement with the Select Board for restoring his damaged property caused by the town. Mr. Mazur said he was voting ‘no’ and walked out of the meeting (not to return until Mr. Malloy left). Mrs. Pierce said she would not vote since Mr. Molloy is a relative. Mr. Kelleher said he would check with the town lawyer to see if he could make the necessary decision as Chair of the Select Board. by Brenda Smith
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Below are the minutes from the Select Board meeting of July 19. Due to a previous commitment, the Savoy Mountain News did not have anyone in attendance.
The Select Board Meeting for July 19, 2005 was called to order at 7:08pm. Select Board members in attendance, Peter Kelleher, Chair, Emile Mazur, and Rita Pierce. The meeting was attended by eleven additional town members. Minutes from the July 5, 2005 meeting were read and accepted as amended.
Ray LaBonte and Peter Kelleher had a brief disagreement about the way the Highway Report was prepared. Peter thought the report was childish and not appropriate for this meeting. Peter asked Ray to read the report and he refused. Stephanie Vidmosko, who was taking the minutes, turned off the tape recorder before leaving the meeting in a display of disgust; therefore, there is a gap in the recording. Peter read the portion of the report that contained facts and did not read Ray’s comments or opinions. Emile and Rita refused to initial the report as a protest that Peter did not read the entire report as written. The meeting was moved forward as Ray described the problem he has with road repairs when new construction of homes take place on sections of roads that have been unused and unmaintained for many years. Ray said the town needs to address the issue of discontinuance of roads. Emile explained the issue has been tabled in the past because the Select Board could not find the resources to complete this task. Emile stated the lawyer had told him when the town discontinues maintenance of roads, the road becomes a private way and goes back to land owners who abut the road. As a private way, the landowner who wishes to reactivate a road must improve it to current standards, and then the town takes it over again. Ray would like these discontinued many roads immediately. Emile explained that it takes a 2/3 town vote at a town meeting to do this. Emile suggested it be decided at a later time whether or not the issue is handled by the Select Board, Planning Board or Zoning Board. Ray raised issues regarding the Savoy Mountain News reporting of comments made during the Select Board Meeting of July 5, 2005. Ray didn’t think the article was very accurate. He felt the Select Board Minutes differed from what the News published. Portions of the article were read by Ray. Ray continued to comment on the lack of action from the Select Board regarding the pre-union agreement between the Town and the Highway Department. He stated the agreement did not finalize so the men sought assistance from the union. He stated the intent of the union contract was to take the pre-union contract and have it become the union contract. Peter asked Ray to focus on his purpose of his concerns for the article in the paper. Ray wanted to address the News article statements and ask to have the comments clarified. The editors of the paper were not present at this meeting. The ability of the Select Board to decide on contract details became a concern for Ray. Early on in the contract negotiations, Ray stated the Select Board held the position that the Town’s people had to decide on the contract details. Ray asked why the News article now states the Select Board makes the decision on the contract. Peter explained that when Alan, Emile and Rita first talked about an agreement, a lengthy one was written up and presented to the Highway Department. Peter pointed out that when he began on the Board in the spring of 2004, Emile pushed heavily to get that agreement signed and there was a refusal from the highway department to sign it. Emile did not know why it was not signed, but felt it was not a refusal to sign. Peter offered his recollection of what took place: The agreement between the Select Board and the Highway department was not signed due to the union stepping in and taking the place of the Highway Department’s role in the negotiations. Ray stated they have only signed one agreement, which is the one prior to the pre-union contract. Emile confirmed this and stated the Select Board told them to work under the first agreement until the second could be finalized. Peter noted that this is when he started on the Board. Since then, the union contract has been the focus. Ray moved on to the discussion on his raise of 10% and his men not receiving the same raise. Emile stated the town’s people gave a 10% raise to all. Ray asked for clarification on why the men didn’t get the raise.
Peter explained the Town Counsel gave advice and the Select Board is following that advice. At the town meeting, the town’s people levied or appropriated up to 10% and it’s the Select Board’s discretion of how much of that 10% will be given as a raise. It was agreed that the explanation of the process at the Town Meeting was unclear. Peter explained that the Select Board did not have a clear understanding of how this worked at that time. The issue of the School Committee granting raises to school employees was explained by Peter in that the School Committee governs the school, not the Select Board, by law. Ray asked why in a Finance Committee meeting in early 2005 it was agreed that he should get a 20% raise and the News article stated Peter felt Ray should only get a 5% raise. Peter explained it was not the amount of the raise he questioned. It was the manner in which the 10% raise was presented to the Town for a vote. Ray presented a clarification on the sick and vacation time buyback of $8,000. He explained that it is a compensation worked out years ago to avoid a cash raise to the men. Ray completed his questions.
The Select Board has not heard from Town Counsel on the Adams Road culverts in the Tower 51 road project. The question regarding private contractors installing them is the issue. Ray announced the highway department has $141,000 to repair Adams Road. The highway department will start at the Adams town line and work back into Savoy until money runs out. Emile will negotiate price for fuel with Berkshire Retail Purchasing group. A report has been received from the State Bridge Inspectors about Black Brook Bridge. The bridge is sound, but work needs to be done to see that is stays that way. Peter asked Ray to talk over the report and determine what can be done by his department. Ray stated there is nothing he can do. Peter asked that it be discussed at a later time. Mike Canales, Clarksburg Town Administrator, spoke to the Select Board about his position in Clarksburg and what he hoped to be able to do for Savoy. The Select Board will continue discussion about a Town Administrator for Savoy.
A brief discussion about an audit for the town accounting was held. Beverly Cooper felt she would like to have an audit since she is starting new in the position. Peter checked with Joe Boudreau and was told unless the town had more than $500,000 in grants, it was not necessary to have an audit. The cost for an audit will be about $8,000. It was decided to take no action on an audit at this time.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:56pm. from Select Board
Editors Note: Regarding Mr. Labonte’s accusations about the Savoy Mountain News inaccuracies, I have already clarified to Ray Labonte that all meetings I attend are tape recorded by me to ensure their accuracy, whether the reader agrees or not is another matter. The selectmen tape record as well and then write the minutes from the recording every week. Since the minutes are an official record, the entire meeting is not recorded verbatim; therefore our reporting is more detailed
The Select Board Meeting for July 19, 2005 was called to order at 7:08pm. Select Board members in attendance, Peter Kelleher, Chair, Emile Mazur, and Rita Pierce. The meeting was attended by eleven additional town members. Minutes from the July 5, 2005 meeting were read and accepted as amended.
Ray LaBonte and Peter Kelleher had a brief disagreement about the way the Highway Report was prepared. Peter thought the report was childish and not appropriate for this meeting. Peter asked Ray to read the report and he refused. Stephanie Vidmosko, who was taking the minutes, turned off the tape recorder before leaving the meeting in a display of disgust; therefore, there is a gap in the recording. Peter read the portion of the report that contained facts and did not read Ray’s comments or opinions. Emile and Rita refused to initial the report as a protest that Peter did not read the entire report as written. The meeting was moved forward as Ray described the problem he has with road repairs when new construction of homes take place on sections of roads that have been unused and unmaintained for many years. Ray said the town needs to address the issue of discontinuance of roads. Emile explained the issue has been tabled in the past because the Select Board could not find the resources to complete this task. Emile stated the lawyer had told him when the town discontinues maintenance of roads, the road becomes a private way and goes back to land owners who abut the road. As a private way, the landowner who wishes to reactivate a road must improve it to current standards, and then the town takes it over again. Ray would like these discontinued many roads immediately. Emile explained that it takes a 2/3 town vote at a town meeting to do this. Emile suggested it be decided at a later time whether or not the issue is handled by the Select Board, Planning Board or Zoning Board. Ray raised issues regarding the Savoy Mountain News reporting of comments made during the Select Board Meeting of July 5, 2005. Ray didn’t think the article was very accurate. He felt the Select Board Minutes differed from what the News published. Portions of the article were read by Ray. Ray continued to comment on the lack of action from the Select Board regarding the pre-union agreement between the Town and the Highway Department. He stated the agreement did not finalize so the men sought assistance from the union. He stated the intent of the union contract was to take the pre-union contract and have it become the union contract. Peter asked Ray to focus on his purpose of his concerns for the article in the paper. Ray wanted to address the News article statements and ask to have the comments clarified. The editors of the paper were not present at this meeting. The ability of the Select Board to decide on contract details became a concern for Ray. Early on in the contract negotiations, Ray stated the Select Board held the position that the Town’s people had to decide on the contract details. Ray asked why the News article now states the Select Board makes the decision on the contract. Peter explained that when Alan, Emile and Rita first talked about an agreement, a lengthy one was written up and presented to the Highway Department. Peter pointed out that when he began on the Board in the spring of 2004, Emile pushed heavily to get that agreement signed and there was a refusal from the highway department to sign it. Emile did not know why it was not signed, but felt it was not a refusal to sign. Peter offered his recollection of what took place: The agreement between the Select Board and the Highway department was not signed due to the union stepping in and taking the place of the Highway Department’s role in the negotiations. Ray stated they have only signed one agreement, which is the one prior to the pre-union contract. Emile confirmed this and stated the Select Board told them to work under the first agreement until the second could be finalized. Peter noted that this is when he started on the Board. Since then, the union contract has been the focus. Ray moved on to the discussion on his raise of 10% and his men not receiving the same raise. Emile stated the town’s people gave a 10% raise to all. Ray asked for clarification on why the men didn’t get the raise.
Peter explained the Town Counsel gave advice and the Select Board is following that advice. At the town meeting, the town’s people levied or appropriated up to 10% and it’s the Select Board’s discretion of how much of that 10% will be given as a raise. It was agreed that the explanation of the process at the Town Meeting was unclear. Peter explained that the Select Board did not have a clear understanding of how this worked at that time. The issue of the School Committee granting raises to school employees was explained by Peter in that the School Committee governs the school, not the Select Board, by law. Ray asked why in a Finance Committee meeting in early 2005 it was agreed that he should get a 20% raise and the News article stated Peter felt Ray should only get a 5% raise. Peter explained it was not the amount of the raise he questioned. It was the manner in which the 10% raise was presented to the Town for a vote. Ray presented a clarification on the sick and vacation time buyback of $8,000. He explained that it is a compensation worked out years ago to avoid a cash raise to the men. Ray completed his questions.
The Select Board has not heard from Town Counsel on the Adams Road culverts in the Tower 51 road project. The question regarding private contractors installing them is the issue. Ray announced the highway department has $141,000 to repair Adams Road. The highway department will start at the Adams town line and work back into Savoy until money runs out. Emile will negotiate price for fuel with Berkshire Retail Purchasing group. A report has been received from the State Bridge Inspectors about Black Brook Bridge. The bridge is sound, but work needs to be done to see that is stays that way. Peter asked Ray to talk over the report and determine what can be done by his department. Ray stated there is nothing he can do. Peter asked that it be discussed at a later time. Mike Canales, Clarksburg Town Administrator, spoke to the Select Board about his position in Clarksburg and what he hoped to be able to do for Savoy. The Select Board will continue discussion about a Town Administrator for Savoy.
A brief discussion about an audit for the town accounting was held. Beverly Cooper felt she would like to have an audit since she is starting new in the position. Peter checked with Joe Boudreau and was told unless the town had more than $500,000 in grants, it was not necessary to have an audit. The cost for an audit will be about $8,000. It was decided to take no action on an audit at this time.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:56pm. from Select Board
Editors Note: Regarding Mr. Labonte’s accusations about the Savoy Mountain News inaccuracies, I have already clarified to Ray Labonte that all meetings I attend are tape recorded by me to ensure their accuracy, whether the reader agrees or not is another matter. The selectmen tape record as well and then write the minutes from the recording every week. Since the minutes are an official record, the entire meeting is not recorded verbatim; therefore our reporting is more detailed
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Volunteers are needed to help at the Town Park. An active group of participants who are willing to help with trail work, tree planting, creating flower gardens, brush clearing, bridge building, and other healthy projects will give a much needed boost to the town park projects that have been on hold because of a lack of bodies willing to do physical work on the project. The creation of FRIENDS OF THE TOWN PARK will happily enlist anyone who would like to help on these very physical chores, for shot periods of time. Efforts to get work at the park going have been centered on the building of the pavilion, but there are many other projects worth being involved with that require a number of able bodies to get things done. Even if you can only afford a few hours at a time to something, it would be greatly appreciated. The first 'FRIENDS' will meet at 8:00 AM on Saturday, August 20th, at the park. For information on the work planned and how to sign up to help, call Don Phinney 743-3361.
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