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Selectboard Meeting - Mar. 17th, 2025

When:
Mon March 17th 2025 at 05:00 PM
Where:
Ketchum Memorial Meeting Room - Town Hall
111 River Rd.
Clarksburg MA, 01247 Directions

Agenda

  1. Call to order
  2. The Pledge of Allegiance
  3. Bid opening for Clarksburg Elementary School Roof project
  4. Update on school renovations
  5. Diana Worth, Animal control Officer update regarding Kennel Licenses
  6. MVP update
  7. Review and or approve 4th quarter sewer commitment to the Tax Collector/ Treasurer
  8. Grant updates
  9. Green Communities Competitive Grant
  10. Budget update and schedule Finance Committee Meeting
  11. Review and or approve meeting minutes 12.23.24, 12.27.24, 1.22.25 and 2.3.25
  12. Public comments
  13. Motion to adjourn

Minutes

Chair Robert Norcross opened the meeting at 5pm

Present were Selectboard members Dan Haskins, Colton Andrews, Animal Control Officer Diana Worth, Clarksburg School Principal Sandy Cote, Tammy Daniels, Tara Barnes Assistant Superintendent of Student Services/ Curriculum, Pete Gentile of Northern Berkshire Community Television and Tammy Daniels of iBerkshires.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Animal Control Officer Diana Worth informed the Selectboard that a residence containing 5 dogs or more requires a kennel license.  Animal control must inspect the residence prior to any license being issued. The Havenwood Kennel needs to be inspected.  Dan asked how a kennel license works.  Diana must inspect prior to any licenses being issued.  There are guidelines for space requirements.  Diana will consult with Marilyn regarding the process.  Chief Wiliams preformed the animal inspections prior to his retirement.  Diana is certified to perform the necessary inspections.  Diana will receive a ticket book.  The ACO does not handle wild animals.  The EPO’s handle wild animals and roadkill.  North Adams cannot let Clarksburg house animals there, there’s not enough room.  Diana is trying to construct a shelter on her property to house animals if necessary.

MVP update: The grant needs to be applied for by April 4th. This grant will cover the final designs, necessary permits and engineering.  Brittany at BRPC consulted with the state & the state is deciding if BRPC can apply for the grant with no matching funds.  A special meeting will be scheduled once they have received a decision. 

The Select Board acting as the Town’s Sewer Commissioners motioned to approve the FY’25, 4th Quarter Sewer Commitment

Sewer; $101,234.37 Water; $3,020.  Totaling $104,254.37.  Colton motioned, Dan second, motion carried. 

ADA grant update: Ron & Robert contacted the government to see why Clarksburg has previously been denied for the ADA grant.  They suggested focusing on one building at a time.  The question is which building needs to be focused on first.  The grant opens May 1st.  The board agreed to postpone the decision on which building to submit for the grant.

Green Community Grant will cover a heating/cooling pump for the school. 

One Stop Grant.  Strap grant put in for southern Middle Rd, culverts & paving. 

The West Rd. culvert project grant was for $180 thousand.  The engineering is not in yet.  Foresight, Kyle, Curtney & Ron will have a zoom meeting possibly next week. 

There are grants for business and towns in renovating old mills into store fronts.

SAFE ROUTES coincides with MVP.  The school cannot be connected to the Senior Center due to two properties in between.  There is discussion of a sidewalk possibly by the DPW. 

School roof & renovations update: Robert’s fear is that the town cannot afford a new school.  North Adams was given as an example 20 million for a new school.  3.3 million from the town is not sufficient to build a new school.  Colton feels residents need to be informed.  Colton believes the renovations would cost $10-11 million approximately.  Colton believes Robert & him are on different spectrums regarding the school.  He thinks it must be addressed, and a new school constructed.  Dan needs concrete numbers before he can formulate his opinion.  The school needs to be evaluated so that the board has the correct numbers.  Robert explained the valuation process.  Colton agreed they need concrete numbers and vote early fall.  He understands the tax burden on residents but the negative impact of doing nothing could be worse by homes depreciating.  Residents need to participate in discussions.  The school roof needs to be fixed.   The town needs to decide if they want to patch the roof or install a new roof.  A decision needs to be made soon.  Ron is having an appraisal of the school which is approx. 3 thousand dollars to perform.  Town Clerk, Marilyn Gomeau budgeted extra money for a special election if necessary.  Informational meetings will be scheduled.  70 % of the funding would be from the state and 30% the Town.  Ron wants the school to be a ballot question.  Town Field is wetlands so a school cannot be built there.   Robert spoke regarding needing all the necessary information to make a quick decision.  Sandy referenced the last vote regarding the school. The options were to continue with what they have been doing or to tear it down.  Under the circumstances now the options are to build a new school or tear it down.  The board is going to hold off till next week to decide on the roof replacement bids.  There is a possibility of fixing the middle section of the roof until they obtain more information and concrete numbers.  Sandy thanked the board for focusing on the school and participating in healthy discussions. 

Budgets were due today. The Finance Committee will be scheduling meetings with departments.

There is one week left for nomination papers.  Robert spoke regarding the importance of volunteering and the importance of these positions within the town. 

Robert motioned to adjourn at 5:46pm, motion carried.

 

 

 

A TRUE RECORD, ATTEST,

Rachelle Bleau

Administrative Assistant

 

SELECTBOARD,

 

         Robert Norcross, Chair                  Dan Haskins                            Colton Andrews