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Selectboard Meeting - Sept. 9th, 2024

When:
Mon September 9th 2024 at 05:00 PM
Where:
Ketchum Memorial Meeting Room - Town Hall
111 River Rd.
Clarksburg MA, 01247 Directions

Agenda

  1. Open meeting
  2. Pledge of Allegiance
  3. Interviews for Police Chief position
  4. Discuss funeral for PFC Erwin S. King III
  5. MVP update
  6. Library update (repairs & trees)
  7. Audit update
  8. LED streetlights 20W
  9. Chair lift at School update
  10. Digital Equity Initiative update
  11. Discuss open space land (BWD & Town)
  12. Review and/or approve minutes
  13. Review and or approve warrants
  14. Adjourn

Minutes

Chair Robert Norcross opened the meeting at 5pm

Present were selectboard members Dan Haskins and Colton Andrews, Town Administrator Carl McKinney, Nichole Miller, Pete & Natasha Kirchman and Peter Gentile of Northern Berkshire Community Television.

The pledge of allegiance was recited

Nichole Miller informed the board she was originally from Chicopee, moved to Becket as a child and has resided there since.  She’s been policing for 20 years and graduated from the academy in 2004.  Nichole enjoys collecting old cars.  Robert asked why she applied for this job.  She said she gets a unique view by being an officer in Becket and a Chiefs view of budgets & grants in Washington.  She enjoys the balance of both, and this position is a balance of both.  The position involves a bit of everything from animal control to first responder.  Robert informed her about the town and how Clarksburg is rural.  It’s a small town with city issues.  Clarksburg lacks industry and tax base.  Budget season can be difficult.  Dan asked what the breakdown of her current position is.  In Becket she is a full-time officer and in Washington she is a part-time Chief.  They are covered by the Cheshire barracks.  State police coverage is minimal.  Speeding is a major issue.  She tries to take advantage of as many grants as possible, for example the road safety grant.  Her current cruiser is 14yrs old and she recently got approval for $50 thousand and ARPA funds for a new cruiser.  Dan asked how many hours it takes for the current Chief position.  It varies.  Her hours are flexible.    Dan asked how many officers were under her.  There are 2 part time slots & one officer under her.  Dan asked if she was keeping her position, and she said she would not work for Becket & keep the Washington position.  Nichole is an emergency management officer.  Robert is concerned with the distance.  Nichole is not looking to relocate but is interested in a condo or possibly a town house.  Chief Williams asked if she has conducted any investigations.  She currently is the sexual assault & child abuse consultant for her department.  She hasn’t really delved into the civil issues.  She presented her plan of action to the board for their review.  She inquired about the current officers.  Clarksburg currently has one part time and Chief Williams.  She asked what the concerns of the Town would be on her starting day.  Chief Williams said speeding is an issue.  People have been spinning their tires in the road in the evenings. There is one open investigation on a scam.  NB EMS covers the ambulance service.  The Fire Company is paged when an ambulance is called & Chief Williams responds.  Nichole verified for Dan that the State Police are responsible for coverage when Nichole and the other part time officer are not working.  She’s in the Town of Washington at least 10 hours a week.  Pete feels like the State Police don’t come up as often as necessary but there is a good relationship with North Adams.  Chief Williams informed Nichole of the BLEC agreement.  North Adams covers the towns dispatching, booking & holdings. 

Pete Kirchman informed the board that he would like to be Chief.  He would like to try to modernize the department by bringing it up to standard.  He feels this would give the more department more options. For example, the department currently has no tasers and only 1 AED.  Pete has been in the department for several years & is aware of everything the Chief does for the Town. Pete informed the board he can be flexible and is not opposed to leaving his current position. The board asked the Chief if there were peak hours and if a schedule should be adjusted.  He said Its more prominent at the end of the workday & at night.  Colton asked how he would like the department staffed.  He said in the future he would like to see another officer for more coverage.  He has a good relationship with the local departments.  He would like to find a grant for digital fingerprints and functioning laptops for the cruisers.  Currently when they run anything through the database, they must call North Adams.  He has completed the bridge academy training & just needs the hours.  He plans to continue ongoing training.   Pete tries to complete one training course per year.  He loves the character of the town and does not want to see the police department close.  Robert asked if he was looking for this to be a full-time job and Pete confirmed yes, he plans on residing in Clarksburg.

Marine Private 1st Class Edwin S. King will be coming home to Clarksburg for his burial on the 24th at 11am.  He was killed in action September 24, 1942, in the battle of Guadalcanal.  Carl is waiting for more information pertaining to the details.

MVP is meeting tomorrow September 10, 2024, with Safe Routes to see how they can combine things while avoiding duplication.  A safe route from the school to the Senior Center has always been an issue with the regards to traffic.  Safe Routes has determined a path is not feasible.  At 3:30pm tomorrow they will have their regular meeting regarding the Briggsville Dam & The Town Field.

The library will be meeting next week.  Tom Bona looked at the back of the library and discovered issues with rot.  Deb Bua who resides next to the library is not opposed to the necessary tree removal.  Carl has not been in contact with National Grid.  A letter will be sent from our tree warden.  Briggsville water is donating the repacement siding to the library. 

Carl informed the selectboard the audit is working on 2024.

National Grid is going to update the streetlights to LED.  Carl is recommending 20 watts for the entire town.  Chip had recommended 30 at the intersections.  Robert said some residents don’t want bright lights near their house.  Carl informed the board that the lights project light towards the ground.  The board recommended inquiring about 30 watts across the board.

The Chairlift has been inspected

There is a Digital Equity Initiative update public forum is Saturday September 14, 2024, at 11am.  There is a 56 thousand dollar grant for internet in the town.  The plan is to offer residents education, training regarding the internet and purchase computers for these classes.  The internet needs to be updated at the Senior Center.  Residents were previously mailed an invitation to RSVP for the forum on Saturday.  The B challenge is posted on the town’s website.

There is a property of open space land on East Road.  The land is currently in land court.  The property abuts the land recently purchased by Briggsville Water District.  It is classified as a non-buildable lot.  The zoning bylaws require a 3rd of an acre with public water/ sewer.  If acquired by the Town it may be added to the 2.6 acres.  Carl is looking for support from the board to not auction off the property.  The board asked if any abutters were interested.  The current abutter has not been approached.  The board agreed if an abutter doesn’t want it the town may proceed.

Robert motioned to Adjourned at 6:11pm.  Motion carried.    

 

A TRUE RECORD ATTEST,

Rachelle Bleau, Administrative Assistant

 

SELECTBOARD,

 

___________________________    ____________________________    ____________________________

Robert Norcross, Chair                           Dan Haskins                                       Colton Andrews