Well, it happened again. Faulty recording equipment caused us to only record 1:28 of the meeting that actually lasted 1:58. So, only the first 1:28 of the meeting is available for viewing here on the web site.
New equipment has been ordered. Our apologies for the inconvenience.
Below,
I have added the summary of the Town Administrator’s portion of the agenda.
SELECT BOARD, TOWN OF BUCKLAND
TOWN ADMINISTRATORS UPDATE
NOV. 12, 2019
Senior Center
I attended one of the three forums for the Senior Center expansion committee and heard
their presentation and survey instruction for site selection. It was very informative, and I am glad
I went. They focused on the four primary sites and two alternative sites during the presentation.
I have attached the presentation and TWO surveys here for your review and copies are
available on the Town’s website. It was noted that one of the surveys is very subjective and
looking for residents’ feelings about the six possible sites and the 2nd survey is much more
objective and is more of a data collection exercise. Residents should be encouraged to fill out
both surveys and return them to the senior center before the first week in December. There is a
request that residents put their names and towns on the surveys but for those concerned about
privacy the committee made it very clear that the consultants will be responsible for reviewing
and compiling the results. There is one more forum on and a meeting is planned for Dec. 4th at
6:30 p.m. for the Select Board’s of the three member Towns. That meeting will be held in the
Shelburne Town Hall.
Brownfields Program
FRCOG is conducting its RFP process to hire a consulting firm to conduct the
environmental site assessments. They are scheduled to have a firm under contract by the end
of December and their Brownfields Steering Committee would begin review and prioritizing
application in January or February, depending on scheduling. If our project is prioritized, the
actual assessment work will need to be scheduled with the consultant and we would go forward
from there.
MassWorks
The Town’s application for a MassWorks grant for Charlemont Road was not successful.
We will wait and get DOT’s feedback about what our application lacked before revising it for a
FY20 submission. I would also like to consider working with Charlemont on a joint application if
that is something this Board supports.
Meanwhile Upper Street is finishing up and after two rainouts we hope to have final
pavement down on this Friday.
Williams Street
We are working through the punch list of items for this CDBG project but have heard that
by and large residents are happy with the work and we are looking forward to getting Phase II
designed and out to bid soon.
Tax Classification
As you know a majority of the Board met with the Assessors last Thursday and voted to
keep the single tax rate for residential and commercials taxpayers. This is consistent with the
vote the Select Board has taken historically and one that, I wholly agree, makes the most sense
for the Town. The Finance Team is working hard to finalize year end.
Recreation
The Friends of Buckland Recreation, Inc. are now official in the eyes of the IRS and
have been provided their own EIN. They are working with Attorney Will Flanders and will soon
be kicking off their Pool fundraising program.
The Open Space & Recreation Committee continues to meet to update the OSRP. They too
have a survey and are looking for residents’ input. That survey is also on the Town’s website.
Dog Complaint Form
Animal Control Officer Kyle Dragon has created a new form for Dog Complaints. It’s on
the Town’s website as well.
In addition, the meeting
Acknowledged the volunteer efforts of the Women’s Club of Shelburne Falls for a great season on the Bridge of Flowers.
Announced the final forum on site selection by the Senior Center Expansion Committee on Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. in Ashfield.
Heard public comment from resident Marilyn Kelsey regarding the Senior Center’s expansion plan
