Putting our Egremont Community to Work:
            In the event of an emergency, first responders in our town need to know who the people are that have special needs. Our Egremont “special needs” list needs to be kept updated. Many of our neighbors are reluctant either to admit they have a disability, or to see themselves as requiring special attention. Egremonters are a proud people. When we send out surveys to try to gather this information, we get very few returns. Yet this information is important and could save lives.
            Two local organizations are cooperating to assemble this “special needs” list: the Egremont Council on Aging, and AGE TRIAD. For those of you who don’t know, AGE (Alford, Great Barrington, Egremont) Triad brings together seniors from the three communities, the various
protective services, and agency representatives dealing with senior concerns, in dialog to promote understanding and to work together in areas where seniors are vulnerable. For this “Needs Assistance” list we are reaching out and making sure that all ages in the community are covered.

            Here is how we need your help. We would like each of you to survey your nearest neighbors, 2-3 houses on either side of you, both sides of your road if possible, and see if anyone might have special needs in the event of an emergency. You must be very sensitive about this. Drop the term “special needs”. It doesn’t sit well with a lot of people. I’ve only used it so far as a shorthand way to describe what we are looking for. Substitute “In the event of any emergency, would anyone in your house need additional assistance?” Keep it simple and be specific. Does anyone have hearing needs, sight needs, oxygen needs, or have mobility issues? Do you have pets that would need taking care of? Are there other ways in which you would need assistance?
When you get your results, send them to Town Hall for passing on. The data will be marked on an Egremont map to see what parts of the town we’ve covered, and where we need to concentrate to get more information. I know this is asking a lot, but your effort might help to save someone’s life. Let’s make Egremont a model for community support.

 

Eco-tip

            To conserve electricity plug all electronic devices into one powerstrip (this includes chargers from cell phones, laptops, digital cameras and other gadgets) then unplug the powerstrip every night.

 

Treasurer\Collector:

            PLEASE NOTE:

            FY 2009 - Actual Real Estate & Personal Property Taxes have been mailed. The final due date is May 1^st, 2009. If the February 1^st payment was missed, or payment was received late, interest will accrue until the next payment.

            Fees & Fines - The demand fee for delinquent tax bills will increase to $10.00 per bill on July 1^st, 2009.

            Motor Vehicle Excise - The first batch of new Motor Vehicle bills were mailed and are due March 16, 2009. Interim bills are still being mailed periodically as the bill information is received from the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Interim bills are generated when a new or used vehicle is purchased and/or registered during the present or prior year. PLEASE NOTE: If you have disposed of a vehicle, please remember, it is the taxpayers responsibility to file an abatement. Do not ignore the tax bill as it stays on the books until it is paid or abated. Again, we only have the information provided to us from the Registry of Motor Vehicles which comes from the vehicle owner. If you have received a notice from the Deputy Collector please call his office to clear your obligation.

            On Line Banking - UNIPAY on line banking is a great tool for last minute payments of any bill owed to the town. Go to the Town of Egremont web site www.egremont-ma.gov/ and click on pay your bills on line. Follow the instructions from that point. You will be able to use ACH or a credit card. Thank you to all who are using the on-line product. It is working great. Please give it a try.

            Note: When making payments through your bank bill pay please remember to use your current tax bill number and check to be sure the remittence address is correct.

            Questions/Confusions - I will be glad to address any question that would be of general information to the taxpayers. Submit questions and concerns pertaining to the Tax Collector/Treasurer to Pat, P.O. Box 368 So. Egremont MA 01258.

            Winter Office hours - Tax Collector 7-3 Monday through Friday or by appointment.

 

SENIORS:

            Do you need assistance with your heating bills? The Council on Aging has received information from Berkshire Community Action that they may be able to help you. Some funds will be available until April 30 to help those seniors who are eligible. Assistance in filling out applications will be available at the Claire Teague Senior Center in Great Barrington on March 26.

            If you wish to make an appointment for March 26, or you have questions about this matter, please call Rachel Shaw at 528-3488 after 5p.m.

            The first day of Spring is March 20^th this year. We still have the chance of encountering some slippery roads and walkways. BE VERY CAREFUL! Seniors receive very serious injuries from falls and a high percentage of them DO NOT RECOVER! Walk carefully!!!

 

South Egremont School:
This year our first grade was offered an elective class learning how to play the recorder.
Seven have enrolled and are happily tooting away. We are moving from the dark forest of cacophony into the land of beautiful music over the rainbow bridge of notes every Thursday afternoon. We are learning how to read music, play in concert with others and practice the discipline of practice - and we sound really good!
Our Principal, Tom McGuire has brought this to our attention and we hope you can help bring the wonder of music to others.
Instrument Drive: Your old musical instruments are badly needed!
We are trying to build capacity in our elementary instrumental program. While many students have expressed an interest, we have too few instruments to lend. The cost of renting instruments can be quite high and some families cannot afford even a serviceable used instrument. If anyone has an instrument that has been under a bed, in a closet or up in the attic that does not seem likely to be used again, would you please consider donating the instrument to the school? This is such a generous community. If you do not have an unused instrument, perhaps you could contact a few people in your circle that might? Thank you. Please contact Tom McGuire, Principal, or Courtney English at the High School if you can help. tmcguire@tek2000.net or cenglish@tek2000.net

 

Egremont Free Library:

            THE BEST BARGAIN IN TOWN.

            You read in the newspaper about the budget challenges facing our nation and our states and our communities. The recession has slain our nations appetite for buying and building homes, for purchasing new cars, for taking pricey vacations, for any excess spending at all.

            Closer to home, right here at #1 Buttonball Lane, the Egremont Library is waiting for your visit. We have the latest books, hundreds of audios and videos, up-to-date magazines and a very pleasant venue to meet and chat with your neighbors. The other day, a woman from Tyringham came in...having heard about our library.

            If you don’t have a computer at home, or you think it is too slow, we have three here waiting for you to use them....

            And, if you would like to learn more about libraries today and what they have to offer, we are willing to share our knowledge and to invite you to volunteer here in the Library.

            AND, IT’S ALL FREE!!!!

 

Egremont Green Committee:

            Please join the Egremont Green Committee for “E Recycles 2009” on Saturday April 18^th from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Egremont Town Hall Parking Lot.

            “E Recycles 2009” (that’s E for Egremont) is an all day, multi-event program designed to increase public awareness and participation in the many recycling programs currently in place in our community and to increase town-wide and individual recycling efforts for the future.

            To coincide with other Earth Day celebrations an organized volunteer town roadside clean-up program is scheduled. Please sign up with event coordinator Juliette Haas (528-2028) and specify what portion of an Egremont road you would like to pick up trash on. On Saturday April 18 wear proper attire (sturdy shoes, gloves, etc.) and with a yellow trash bag you have been supplied with beforehand pick up any trash you find along that stretch of road. Bring your bagged trash to the manned Egremont Green Committee table at the Town Hall Parking Lot on Saturday April 18^th between 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Your trash will go into recycling containers (as appropriate) and your amazing efforts will be rewarded with eco-friendly giveaways and tasty refreshments.

            We are seeking participants for a “Trash to Art” exhibit which will also be set up at the Town Hall Parking Lot that day. Here’s your chance to turn throw-away objects into something cool and unusual and demonstrate that one man’s trash truly is another man’s treasure. Prizes for entries will be awarded in the following categories: Most Creative Use of Junk, Funniest & People’s Pick/Best of Show.

            Most people realize the sad environmental truth that our planet is simply running out of space to put trash. But they don’t realize there is significant economic savings to taxpayers when a town recycles because when we do we decrease ever-growing trash disposal costs. Furthermore, recycled materials also bring in revenue to the town as these goods have a value in the recycling market.

            Help celebrate Earth Day and support recycling. Give “E Recycles 2009” coordinator Juliette Haas a call at 528-2028 and let her know how you would like to participate. And visit the Egremont Green Committee’s booth at the Town Hall Parking Lot on Saturday April 18^th from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. We look forward to seeing you there.

 

Eco-tip

            Compact fluorescent light bulbs use between one fifth and one third of the power of a regular light bulb. Since lighting accounts for approximately 9% of household electricity widespread usage could save as much as 7% of total US household electrical usage.

 

Water Department:

            On the morning of Friday, December 12^th the employees of the water department were shocked when they arrived at work only to find the treatment plant discharging over 200 gallons per minute and the 200,000 gallon clear well down to around 10,000 gallons. It was obvious that we had a major water main break and everything must be done to locate and repair as soon as possible. While Jim took a ride around the distribution system to see if there was any obvious water showing, Jack began calling Mass. Rural Water Association and the Mass. Department of Environmental Protection. Because of the large amount of rain within the past 24 hours it was impossible for Jim to locate anything suspicious. By 11:00 a.m. Friday morning we had crews from Mass. Rural Water, Mass. D.E.P. and a leak detection team from the City of Springfield Water Commission on site and ready to go. By 5:00 p.m. it was determined that the leak was somewhere between the water plant and Jug End Road but nothing more could be done until the rainwater subsided.

            Everyone was back at the plant early Saturday morning and by 10:00 a.m. the leak was discovered in the main which goes under Karner Brook. The D.E.P. declared a state of water emergency for Egremont which would have allowed us to purchase truck loads of water if needed. A repair crew from Joe Wilkinson, Inc. soon arrived on the scene and repairs began. Because of the location of the break (in the middle of the brook under three feet of water) it was decided to construct a bypass over the brook next to the bridge for the water main. The crew from Joe Wilkinson, Inc. along with the Egremont Water Department employees, the Egremont Highway Department and the Egremont Fire Department worked continuously in the very cold weather and repairs were completed at approximately 9:00 p.m. Saturday night.

            Customers of the Water Department were kept advised of the situation by a series of telephone calls using the Town’s emergency AlertNow program which proved invaluable. The Water Department would like to thank all the other town departments and numerous other individuals who volunteered their time and equipment during this emergency. The Water Department would also like to thank all of their customers for their understanding and cooperation. The Water Department was able to maintain enough water and water pressure in the system so it was not necessary to purchase trucks of water. Once the leak was repaired several water samples had to be taken to Berkshire Enviro Labs for testing. These tests all came back negative and the water emergency was lifted several days later by the Mass. D.E.P.

 

Conservation Commission:

            The Egremont Conservation Commission has recently joined a newly formed group called the Berkshire Conservation Commission Group. The first meeting was held in Pittsfield on Feb. 4^th, 2009 and will meet monthly from now on. Members from numerous Conservation Commissions were in attendance and a wide range of topics of mutual interest were discussed. This group will be of great assistance to all conservation commissions in Berkshire County by sharing concerns and available information on subject matters affecting everyone.

            The Egremont Conservation Commission is in the process of obtaining GIS software from the Commonwealth which will greatly improve our ability to locate and identify property which may be affected by wetlands, rare species habitat, etc. We have also recently attended a training seminar for new “Picture” software which is basically aerial photographs of Egremont which will also allow us to identify certain properties and their exact location in relation to wetlands, etc.

            The Egremont Conservation Commission meets on the second and fourth Thursday of every month at 7:00 p.m. at the town hall. If you have any questions or concerns about an upcoming project, please do not hesitate to contact us.

 

Planning Board:

            The Planning Board met with the Selectmen at the end of January and among other things asked whether any written input had been received from regulatory agencies about locating a telecommunications tower at the Town Hall site in Egremont. At that time, the Selectboard explained that they were still awaiting the Request for Proposals from Town Counsel so they could seek applicants for the Town Hall site.

            The Planning Board would like to review for townspeople its position on the current status of our telecommunications bylaw.

            Currently the town allows telecommunication facilities at the Town Hall site and at Catamount Ski Area. Those two sites were identified by the board’s telecommunications consultant as sites that could provide service to the majority of the town. The sites were then adopted by townspeople at town meeting as the “Wireless Telecommunications Overlay District” (or “WTOD”).

            Location at the Town Hall property would provide service to the northern sections of town as well as provide significant revenue to the town. However, there has been considerable discussion and local input about whether the Town Hall site is suitable for a tower location because of its proximity to the airport. The Planning Board is anxious to have a clear indication from regulatory agencies about the feasibility of the Town Hall site, before considering whether any bylaw changes might be advisable.

            If it is shown that either or both of these sites are not feasible for the location of towers, then the board would work with providers to identify other sites to propose to the town for acceptance under the bylaw. The board’s position is that town resources should not be spent on identifying other sites unless and until it is shown that the present sites approved by town vote are not feasible. If new sites are needed, the board would request input from providers as to possible site locations or requirements for site locations as well as seek a consultant’s opinion in this very technical field. New sites could then be added to the WTOD by town meeting vote.

            The WTOD is just one part of the zoning bylaw that deals with telecommunications. The other is the Personal Wireless Service Facilities and Towers section (PWSFT). Whereas the WTOD identifies sites where towers may be located, the PWSFT deals with procedures for application and other administrative aspects of telecommunications facilities. The PWSFT bylaw is very similar to those adopted by other local towns where telecommunications facilities have been located. It is the position of the present Planning Board that the PWSFT bylaw section provides important and valuable protections for the town related to the application for and administration of telecommunications facilities, and the board believes it is to the town’s benefit to have these protections remain in place.

            Cell service is currently available in certain areas of Egremont because of tower locations in other towns. As many of Egremont citizens do, the Planning Board looks forward to the provision of more widespread wireless telecommunications coverage in a safe and appropriate manner and will continue to work toward that goal if it is shown that our present bylaw does not offer that opportunity.

 

Town Clerk:

            Please respond to your Census Letter as soon as possible. Your prompt response ensures your continued status as an active voter.

            Nomination Papers are available for Town Elections. They must be turned in by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24. You need to obtain at least twenty signatures.

            You will notice that your dog's license has a new format. All information is now on our computers. This will better enable you to find a lost pet. Your dog can be traced by tag number, breed, owner's name or owner's street address. Also, don't forget to license your pet by June 1 to avoid a fine

 

Board meeting schedule:

Subject to change. Please see postings of meetings at Town Hall and the Post Offices for more detail.

Archives Room - First Saturday 9-noon and May to October the second third Monday 2-4pm

or by appointment

Assessors - Tuesdays & Thursday 9am to 12noon & by appointment

Board of Health - Monday- 8am to 1pm, Tuesday 8:30am to 12pm & 12:30 to 2:30pm Wednesday & Thursday 8am to 1pm Meetings - First & Third Thursday 9am to 11am

Board of Selectmen - Meetings Tuesday evenings 7pm. Office weekdays 7am to 3pm.

Wednesday 7am to 1:30pm

Meeting Saturday, April 25, 2009 10am at the

North Egremont Fire Station

Building Inspector - Tuesday 12:30pm to 3:30pm. Other times and inspections by appointmentConservation Commission - Second and Fourth Thursdays 7:00pm

Finance Committee - Thursdays 7pm January through March.

Library - Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 2-6pm & Saturday 9-12noon

Planning Board - Second & Fourth Monday 7:30pm

School Committee: Second & Fourth Thursdays 6pm Mt. Everett High School Library

Tax Collector: 4/1 - 11/1 = Monday 7am to 4pm, Tuesday 7am to 6pm, Wednesday 7am to 11am, Thursday & Friday 7am to 3pm.

11/1 - 4/1 = Monday - Friday 7:00am to 3:00pm

Town Clerk - Tuesday evenings 7pm - 9pm or by appointment

Transfer Station - Tuesday & Thursday 8am to 1pm, Saturday 8am to 3pm, Sunday 12noon to 4pm

Water Department - Office weekdays 8am to 2pm Meetings Third Thursday 4:30pm at Town Hall

       Zoning Board of Appeals - as needed

Town Meeting - May 5, 2009 7pm at Mt. Everett High School

Town Election - May 12, 2009 10am at North Egremont Fire Station

 

To reach a board member or to leave a message please call the Town Hall.

 

Business listings:

            In an effort to promote local small businesses, the following businesses/services located in Egremont have agreed to be listed here. If we missed asking you and you wish to be included, please send your information to the Town Hall.

The Silo B&B - guest accommodations

            413-528-5195

The Inn at Sweet Water Farm - B&B

            1 Prospect Lake Road

            413-528-2882

            www.innsweetwater.com

The Weathervane Inn - Lodging

            413/800-528-9580

John Andrews’ Restaurant - Restaurant

            413-528-3469

Swiss Hutte Country Inn and Restaurant-

            Restaurant & Lodging

            413-528-6200

The Egremont Inn and Tavern-Restaurant & Lodging

            10 Old Sheffield Road

            “A perfect place, great food, music and nice people”. 413-528-2111

            www.egremontinn.com

Howard’s Antiques - Antique Lighting & Restoration

            413-528-1232

            www.howardsantiquelighting.com

Red Barn Antiques - Antique lighting & fine metal polishing

            413-528-3230

Home - Asian Antiques & Interior Objects

            195 Hillsdale Road (Route 23)

            413-528-5383

            www.homeasianantiques.com

Blue Rider Stables - Therapeutic Horseback Riding

            Lessons, summer programs

            www.bluerider.org

            413-528-5299

Green River Arabians & Pintos -

            Boarding, lessons, a 4-H program.

413-528-2367 arabpinto13@yahoo.com

Indian Line Farm - Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) & Farmers Markets

            413-528-8301

            www.indianlinefarm.com

Turner Farms Maple Syrup - Phillips Road, open 7am to 7pm 7 days a week. 413-528-5710

G&S Gventer “Books - Buy & Sell Books

            413-528-2327

Elfi Six Shiatsu/Acutonics®, Bodywork

            413-644-9979

            www.CosmicResonance.com

Peter Goldberg, Dipl. Ac - Acupuncture, Pain

            Management 413-528-5055

Zorn Family Chiropractic-Chiropractor

              44 Main Street

            413-528-9654

            www.healingspiritdc@yahoo.com

Divine Automotive - Automotive repair

            413-528-8007

Old Egremont Country Store - groceries, beer, wine, liquor, newspapers, lottery, & much more

            413-528-4796

Blueberry Lane Home Design - Interior decorating

            413-528-9633

Closet Collection - clothing & household

            consignment shop

             413-528-6236

Berkshire Veneer Company - wholesale/retail

            wood veneer sales

            413-644-9696

L and L Construction - Home repairs, additions,

            new home building

            413-528-5548

“Jack of All Trades”-Handyman Services

            Jack Buckley

            413-528-1982

            413-446-1982

Catamount Ski Area - Skiing

            413-528-1262

            www.catamountski.com

Anita Schilling - Real Estate Listing & Sales

            Barnbrook Realty

            413-528-4423

            anitacentury21@aol.com

Florence F. Browner Real Estate - Full Service

            90 Creamery Road

            413-528-3266

            flobro@berkshire.net

Kenver Ltd - Ski equipment and apparel

            39 Main Street

            413-528-2330

Maple Leaf Art Gallery - Joan Mentzinger

            154 Hillsdale Road, Route 23

The Agency Without Walls - Helen Krancer

Advertising, sales promotion, direct marketing. 413-644-9700

            helen@agencywithoutwalls.com

Cyber Knight - Matthew Wall

            PC repairs - Networking - Internet

            413-528-5415

            matt@cyber-knight.net

Zorn Core Fitness - Boot Camp

            Outdoor workouts.

            413-528-1594

            aribzorn@yahoo.com

 

                      Support local businesses

              

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

            (South Egremont School Students)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

            Town of Egremont

P.O. Box 368

South Egremont MA 01258

413-528-0182

www.egremont-ma.gov

tegremont@yahoo.com

 

Printed, on recycled paper, by the Selectmen’s Office Staff

      as submitted by Town Departments.

 

 

“The Town of Egremont is an equal opportunity provider and employer.”