Due to work related meetings, I was not able to attend past Select Board meetings, except for July 11. I have the minutes from the meetings and will publish them for your perusal. The minutes are old, old news; but for continuity, I will bring the blog up-to-date. The following is from Brenda Smith.

July 11: The issue of Don Curley’s property was discussed. The law firm representing Mr. Curley’s estate is waiting for the probate court to appoint an executor. Once this has taken place, the Select Board has requested the clean-up of the property be completed by November 15.
Fred Sawyer requested the Select Board do something to keep the water from running off Route 8A onto his property. Since the road was blacktopped three years ago, water has continually run onto his business, (S & S Machine). The Select Board agreed to have the highway department lower the manholes.
Daniel LaBonte from the Conservation Commission came before the Select Board with concerns regarding Burnett Road. He stated there was nothing in the conservation files for the work done on Burnett Road. Chad Wagenknecht explained to Mr. LaBonte that Ray LaBonte, Highway Superintendent, spoke with Mr. Dave Demariais (property owner on Burnett Road). Mr. Ray LaBonte instructed Mr. Demariais to replace the old culverts with 15" culverts, and to have construction grade aggregate put on the road to bring it up for use. Ray said he had not had any problems with Mr. Demariais. Mr. Demariais was willing to do what Ray requested. Mr. Daniel LaBonte was still concerned that this might set a precedent if Mr. Demariais did not go before the Conservation Commission with a plan for what he intended. Mr. Wagenknecht suggested Mr. Daniel LaBonte send a friendly letter to Mr. Demariais requesting he attend a Conservation Commission meeting. (Note: When Emile Mazur was on the Select Board, Mr. Demariais approached the Select Board to discuss his plans for building a home. At that time the Select Board was considering discontinuance of maintenance of part of the road. The Select Board agreed not to discontinuance maintenance if Mr. Demariais repaired the section of Burnett Road leading to his property. Mr. Mazur conveyed this decision before he left the Select Board to Mr. Bettis and Mr. Wagenknecht.)
Mr. Ray LaBonte last day as Highway Superintendent was July 13. He will return to County Concrete.
June 17: Alice Liebenow requested the catch basin near her property be repaired by the Highway Department. She stated the catch basin is in bad shape. Joe Bettis will investigate and talk to Mr. LaBonte.
There was to be a bid opening for the Highway Department as run in the newspaper. There were only two bids. These bids were returned. The town is looking for more bids.
Mr. Wagenknecht discussed improvement to Tilton Road, extending to the end.
June 13: Robert Lucido discussed raises for Highway Department, cost of living every year set at Town Budget. Joe Bettis explained the process vote by town.
Bob Maynard, Town B cemetery. Mr. Maynard stated the cemetery is town owned and provided papers of ownership. Question, does the town want to care for the property currently cared for by him. Joe Bettis suggested a meeting with the Cemetery Commission to investigate further.
Don McCauley, from Minuteman, gave an update where they are going. He indicated he may want to attend Select Board meetings in the future. Mr. McCauley expressed his thanks for the use of the Town Fire Department for his group’s meeting. Mr. McCauley discussed the permitting process with the Town and concerns with the proposal bylaw, ‘cumbersome’. Mr. McCauley had model by-laws from Fair Haven. He also inquired who is the Town’s Counsel.
Mr. Wagenknecht stated the state will allow the Select Board to adjust account and transfer funds to balance the budget, up to 3% per account or $5,000.00, which ever is greater.
May 30: The Town Clerk noted it is time for the Select Board to make appointments for Town Boards. There was also a request for a raise for town election workers. The Select Board approved the request. They reviewed current appointees on town boards and addressed open positions in need of filling. They will continue working on filling these positions.
May 23: Preston McClanahan (Blackbrook Road) and Noel McClanahan (Hawley) came to discuss wind power. They were concerned about the effects of noise from the towers. This group wants to use the Savoy Fire House for an informational meeting for "Green Berkshires" to do a presentation, and showing films representative of impact results. Group stated inaccuracies in Minuteman presentation (visual projections). Select Board stated they will remain neutral. The Select Board suggested they contact the Savoy Fire Chief for using the firehouse.
Joe Bettis stated the Senior Center has damage that may require repair and will need to be evaluated.
Assessor Sam Davis has received a letter from theBureau of Local Assessment for the State of Massachusetts. The letter states that the Town of Savoy has forfeited to appeal the Commissioner’s determination of the 2006 Equalized Valuation.
May 16: Joe Bettis stated he will be the Northern Berkshire Solid Waste representative, appointed by the Select Board.
Jamie Reinhardt came to speak about the wind turbine meeting. Mr. Reinhardt explained the wind tower by-law is still in draft form and would like feed back from Select Board. The committee has been working with the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. Mr. Reinhardt told the Select Board that the proponent has a draft copy of the by-law.













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