 Egremont News |
|
Issue 46 |
July, 2009 |
Rules & Regulations of this Newsletter:
The purpose of this newsletter is to keep residents informed of what is going on in their community. It is printed on a bi-monthly basis by the Selectmen’s Office Staff. Articles submitted by Town Boards are not edited by the Select Board or Office Administrator. Outside organizations are allowed to submit articles of no longer than one column length. These articles are to be factual and will not be printed if they contain any political format, forum, or communication. We welcome reader input and hope you enjoy reading the Newsletter.
Reminder: July 26, 2009 11am to 4pm Egremont on Parade at French Park
Volunteers, donations and funding appreciated
Selectmen:
Help Wanted: Town Hall Office Clerk. 19 hours per week. Basic clerical support for Town Boards working in the Selectmen’s Office. Please call Town Hall for more information.
Senior Volunteer Work-off program. The Town offers those over 60 who are Egremont residents and have owned a residence in Egremont for over 8 months a chance to do volunteer work for the Town for a tax abatement. Contact Town Hall for more information.
The Selectmen are on their summer meeting schedule. The Board will meet on July 14 and July 28 and then on August 11 and 25.
Egremont Historical Commission Plans Public Information Sessions
As part of a grant from the Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area, the Historical Commission has scheduled two information sessions. These meetings will highlight the historical records, photographs and other material being scanned, then entered, into a computer system. The goal is to make this interesting documentary material available to townspeople, businesses, researchers and the general public.
Held in the Archive Room on the second floor of the 1829 Academy Building on Button Ball Lane in South Egremont village, the first session is on Friday, July 10 at 4pm. This is intended primarily for Egremont residents.
The second presentation, in the same location, is on Saturday morning, July 11, at 10 am. All are welcome.
For any questions, or to learn more about the grant, please call Betty Duryea, Historical Commission Chairman at 413/528-3426.
The Commission has Post Cards for sale at the Archives room. The Post Cards depict the old Gas Light store currently Farshaws Books, the old Bess Millard house currently the Town Hall location, Jug End Barn currently the State Reservation, and Turtle Rock and the old Dalzele Axle works in South Egremont.
The Archive Room is open during the Summer every month on the 3rd Monday afternoon, 2-4pm and on the 1st Saturday of the month, 9am-noon. Or by appointment (413/528-3426).
Animal Control:
Egremont has a leash law. That means your dog is not allowed to be off leash any where that is not your land. If you want your dog to be able to run and play Egremont has a Dog Park located at French Park on Baldwin Hill North. In particular people seem to think that the low density population on Baldwin Hill allows for a great area to let dogs run free - this is not the case. To avoid fines for unrestrained dogs, keep you dogs leashed when not on your property or inside the Dog Park.
Animal Inspector:
Is the Animal Inspector’s job to count all livestock in Egremont and report same to the State. Livestock must have appropriate housing and look free of disease. Livestock include farm animals such as cattle, horses, llamas, water fowel, poultry, rabbits, emu, etc. Do you have livestock that may have been missed in the count? Please notify Town Hall.
Trails Open in French Park:
Are you interested in walking, hiking, or horseback riding, or in the winter skiing? The trails through French Park are being cleared and marked this July. There are approximately one and half miles of trails which intertwine through the approximate 160 acres of the park, and the Chapel Road trail leading to the ruins of Mrs. French’s favorite tea pavilion. Members of the volunteer Egremont Fire Department under the leadership of Ethan Hendricks will be working on the trails on July 12 at 10:00a.m. Jennifer Brown, who has headed up this effort, has gone through the park to mark the different paths. After the firemen’s work, Eric Haupt of the Haupt Tree Company has donated the work of his crew to complete any unfinished trails. Eventually, the trails will be signposted with wooden arrows, and a map of their routes will be located at the entrance to the trails near the playground. The French Park Committee wants to thank Jennifer, the Firemen and the Haupt Tree Company for their time and effort. More volunteers are always needed to help with the park, and if you are interested in becoming a part of the committee, please contact a member listed below.
Free Movie at French Park:
Thanks to the efforts of Vince Murphy there will be a free family movie shown outdoors at French Park on Friday, August 14 at 8pm. Bring your own seat, snack and drinks and enjoy the show. Bad weather will cancel this event.
Library:
The Egremont Library has available for borrowing passes to the following museums:
The Norman Rockwell
The Mount
The Clark
Chesterwood
It also has passes for discounted tickets to the Mystic Aquarium in CT.
These are available to any resident in the town of Egremont.
Treasurer\Collector:
PLEASE NOTE:
FY 2010 - Real Estate & Personal Property Tax Preliminary bills were mailed June 30, 2009. Due dates are:
August 1 & November 1, 2009.
Reminder:
**There is no grace period.
** Postmark is not considered received timely.
** Back dated checks are not accepted as timely.
Fees & Fines - The demand fee for delinquent tax bills will increase to $10. 00 per bill on July 1st, 2009.
Motor Vehicle Excise - 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 01258.
Office hours - Tax Collector 7-3 Monday through Friday or by appointment.
Internet Service:
Wi-Spring, the local wireless high speed internet service, has recently completed installation of a repeater on the South Egremont Church. They are offering service to all residences and businesses from the corner of Creamery Road to Baldwin Hill South. Please contact 528-5008 for information.
Egremont Agricultural Commission:Your Egremont Agricultural Commission has been working on developing a flyer that depicts agriculture in Egremont and the need to preserve, support, and live in harmony with our present agricultural operations.
A review of Egremont history reveals an extremely strong agricultural past, and for many this is one of the main reasons we live in Egremont. Those here for a long time have enjoyed the fields and all the related farming activities. Newer residents in Egremont perhaps do not reflect on Egremont’s past as much, but they enjoy the open fields and they see that agriculture is still viable and thriving in Egremont. The flyer is meant to raise awareness of our agricultural heritage as well as our current farming operations. It will be distributed to all visitors and new property owners in Egremont. The brochure may be used for several years.
We do have a slight problem in that our FY10 budget will not cover the cost of the flyer. We are in the process of requesting donations toward the cost of printing. If you are interested in contributing to this endeavor please make out your check payable to the Town of Egremont (please notate Ag. Com Flyer in the lower left corner) and mail it to Mary at the Town Hall (Town of Egremont, P.O. Box 386, South Egremont MA 01258). All persons donating to this project will receive a letter of thanks as well as being recognized in a future Egremont newsletter. We only need to raise about $1,000.00.
If you have any questions you may contact Mary at the Town Hall 528-0182 or David L. Sheldon, Chairman of the Agricultural Commission at 528-1378.
Again, if you are interested please send in your check soon as we would like to complete the fund raising by August 1, 2009.
Thanks so very much!
Conservation Commission:
In the late 1970's, the Wetlands Protection Act, with the local Conservation Commissions for local review, was established. One of the first Commissioners in Egremont was Ted Vining who has been on the Commission until May 31 of this year.
Over that time, Ted maintained the stance that we were the "Accommodations Commission", meaning we were not here to say no, but to find ways to accommodate the applicant, the Town and the Wetlands Protection Act. While some believe that was not done in their case or that it was even possible to accommodate all involved, Ted was a thorough and fair leader (whether chair or not!) of the commission. With over ten full file cabinet drawers of applications and decisions, his experience and knowledge are on each one.
For nearly my first three of five years on the Commission, I pretty much sat there and listened and learned from a great teacher and dedicated leader. I still have not figured out how I became Chairman; he just seemed to sneak it up on me! This is just a sample of his abilities that were shared with this town for thirty years: a notable record rarely achieved by few volunteers in any local government body.
For the current Commission, I extend to Ted our congratulations and thanks for all that he has done. We hope that as you see Ted, you will do the same.
Friends of Prospect Lake:
Friends of Prospect Lake (FoPL) will hold its Annual General Meeting at 10:00 AM on Saturday, July 18, 2009, at the North Egremont Firehouse. All interested are invited to attend and speak, but to vote you must be a member. Information on becoming a member can be attained from any board member who are listed at the end of this article. Initial agenda items include: financial reports, 2009 lake treatments, tag sale results and fundraising, NEGEF project, community education efforts on lake health, and election of a Director-at- Large to the Board to fill the unexpired term of Marty Kornheiser.
Any member present at the meeting may nominate or be nominated for the open position. Joyce Frater will be placed in nomination.
Two lake treatments have occurred this year: on June 1, non-native, invasive weeds, particularly curly pond weed, were treated with a product called Diquat; and on June 29, alum was added to the lake to reduce heavy algae blooms.
On Green Day in April, members of FoPL participated in the road cleanup by doing portions of Prospect Lake Road and Oxbow Road.
Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend (remember 80 degree temperatures?), our Annual Tag Sale netted $2,700. Our thanks to all who purchased, donated items, were on the work crews, and bought raffle tickets. Thanks also go to the Town Meeting voters who approved $5,000 towards the efforts of keeping Prospect Lake clean and alive. Membership income and donations this year are keeping pace so far with last year. These items complete our annual income, but we would welcome a surplus year to get a head start on next year.
FoPL received a matching grant from the New England Grassroots Environmental Foundation (NEGEF) to test the use of vegetative buffers as a way to control runoff into the lake. These buffers will be placed on three lakeside properties this summer.
Members of the FoPL Board are:
President: Genis Melendez-Delaney, genismd@verizon.net
Vice President: Dave Johnson, 644-9043
Treasurer: Frank Penglase, penglase@verizon.net
Secretary: Chet Delaney, delaney.chet@verizon.net
Directors-at-large:
Marj, Wexler, mwexler@gmail.com; and
Craig Elliot, oldegg@wildblue.net
Library Building Committee:
The Egremont Free Library Building Committee would like to report that architect Ken Best continues to work on two schematic designs for our proposed library. The committee plans to meet on Thursday June 25th, July 9th and July 23rd at 5:00PM at the Town Hall. As always the public is invited to attend. A public forum will be scheduled in August. Watch for the date!
Emergency Preparedness:
Purchase a NOAA Weather Radio with a battery backup and tone-alert feature, and keep a battery powered radio on hand.
We are in Tornado Season: A watch means tornado’s are possible. A warning means a tornado has been sited - take shelter immediately.
Have a plan and a family Disaster Supply Kit. Keep records of your personal property in a safe place.
Be alert for approaching storms, particularly funnel-shaped clouds. Remember that tornadoes sometimes come rapidly so there is no time for advanced warnings.
Please make sure that Town Hall has update phone numbers to reach you in the event of an emergency. If there is someone in your household who will need assistance during an emergency or a long term power outage, please contact Town Hall.
Alford-Egremont Cultural Council:
The Council has funded “Mushrooms of the Northeast”. This program is scheduled for Saturday, July 18, 2:30pm, at the Alford Town Hall. Contact John Root at jroot@comcast.net for more information.
Council on Aging:
Council on Aging members are working closely with Elder Services, TRIAD Affiliates and others to provide information and safety for Egremont seniors. If you know an elder with special needs, please phone Bruce at 528-8269, or Rachel at 528-3488 so that we can add their information to our file. – We are especially exploring the possibility of finding a source of assistance in procuring a response system such as “Life Line” (or other similar brands) for elders who live alone, and are likely to suffer a serious fall and need immediate help.
Attached to this newsletter is an article prepared by Elder Services, Pittsfield, which we are sharing with you since this article contains information very important to seniors and/or their caregivers. Please take the time to review its content you could learn some important facts......
PLANNING BOARD:
Reorganization
The Planning Board has reorganized for the coming year with Charles Proctor as Chair, Marj Wexler as Vice-Chair, Eileen Vining as Clerk, Helen Krancer as Treasurer and Susan Bachelder as Egremont’s Representative to the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC).
Proposed Wind Energy Siting Reform Legislation
Three board members recently attended a meeting at BRPC to learn about the proposed Wind Energy Siting Reform Act of 2009 which may soon be before the Massachusetts legislature and could have significant implications for Egremont. The purpose of the proposed legislation is to facilitate the siting of wind towers and lessen Massachusetts’ dependence on out-of-region fossil fuel sources of energy. Governor Patrick’s administration has a goal of production of 2000 MW of wind energy in Massachusetts or adjacent waters by 2020. The state currently has about 7 MW. Because a state study shows that the greatest potential for wind power production is off the shore of eastern Massachusetts and along the ridgelines of Berkshire County, this legislation may be of special interest to Egremont residents.
The proposed legislation could put the final say for the siting of wind towers and all related facilities, such as access roadways and transmission lines, under the authority of a state panel. While there would be initial local review, local decisions could be overturned by the state. Consideration of local impacts would be limited to towns where the facilities are located and not to abutting towns which might also sustain impact. The state is to develop a set of standards for approval of wind towers, but those standards would not be developed until after the legislation is passed.
Several local and statewide groups are reviewing the legislation for input. While supporting the development of alternative energy sources, some groups have expressed concerns about the loss of local control and the lack of clear standards prior to passage of the legislation, among other issues.
A study commissioned by the state has identified potential for 10 wind turbines on state-owned land in Egremont/Mt. Washington for total production of 15 MW, and eight turbines on non-state owned land in Egremont/Mt. Washington for total production of 12 MW. The study identified more than 700 potential wind sites in Western Massachusetts alone. This study looked only at sites suited for five or more wind turbines, so additional sites for smaller numbers of turbines may also exist.
While many citizens support the development of wind energy resources and many think that wind towers themselves are attractive, significant impacts can result from access for installation of the large structures as well as transmission of energy to other areas, along with other environmental impacts of the turbines’ operation. With large tracts of state land in these two towns and the potential for wind tower sitings along the ridges of Egremont and Mt. Washington, the planning board is very interested in following the progress of this legislation and suggests any interested townspeople do so also. While a Public Hearing on the legislation has been requested for Berkshire County, to date no Public Hearing has been scheduled for Western Massachusetts. It is expected that the legislation may be acted on in the near future, so anyone considering having input to local legislators may have to act soon.
With the concerned involvement of local residents, towns and interested groups, the Planning Board hopes that the results of final legislation will be a process which supports the need for alternative energy sources while also respecting local environments and home rule.
The Planning Board will leave copies of information it has received at town hall
for interested citizens to review.
Board of Health:
In mid June the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the level of influenza pandemic alert for the H1N1 virus (once referred to as swine flu) from Phase 5 to Phase 6. This step reflects the virulence of the virus in terms of how rapidly is has spread worldwide since its discovery. While this step measures confirmed cases (to date 30,000 cases in 74 countries) it does not imply that this strain is any more severe than other influenza viruses in the past. In fact the WHO Phase 6 declaration did not change any recommendations or policies by Public Health officials in this country. At this time, most people who have become ill with H1N1 in the United States have not become seriously ill and have recovered without hospitalization.
That being said, a pandemic by any other name is still a pandemic and individuals should take proper precautions to avoid getting this and any flu. World health organizations are closely watching this flu strain because of similar patterns to the 1918 flu – that pattern being mild and wild spread at first with the virus changing into a more serious strain in the months that followed. Therefore it is important to remember that the potential remains for the virus to become more severe.
The following key steps are your best bets for prevention:
· Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
· Practice proper “cough etiquette” by covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or practice the habit of coughing or sneezing into your inner elbow if tissues are not available. Don’t forget to wash your hands after sneezing or coughing into a tissue.
· Stay at home if sick and keep children at home if they are sick. People with flu-like illness should stay home for 7 days, or 24 hours after their symptoms have gone away – whichever period is longer.
· Stay informed about the latest developments of the H1N1 outbreak. Vaccine manufacturers are currently working on the production of seasonal vaccine and are working towards a full capacity to ensure the largest possible supply of pandemic vaccine in the months to come.
Green Committee:
The Egremont Green Committee is currently focusing its attention on studying a renewable energy project for the town. Projects on the table for consideration include: photovoltaic solar panels on the roof of the Highway Department building at the Transfer Station, photovoltaic solar panels on the roof of the Water Department building, micro-hydro turbine at the Water Department and solar converters to power Egremont’s street lights in South Egremont village.
The Green Committee will be studying what these projects can generate in terms of energy (annual kilowatts), what are the up front costs to implement and install these projects, what are the savings to the town’s current energy expenses, find the funding and then perform a comparable analysis on all of the above.
Currently the town has about $20,000 in an account specifically designated for a renewable energy project. These funds came from a state matching grant from the Renewable Energy Trust. Depending on the project chosen this account can also be matched with additional energy grants stretching project funding even further.
The new administration in Washington has made a commitment to support energy projects which reduce our nation’s carbon footprint, address climate change and global warming and invest in clean energy production. A renewable energy project for Egremont follows this federal mandate while also demonstrating our local support and commitment to energy independence and a clean, healthier tomorrow.
We’ll keep you posted through this newsletter and public informational meetings on further project developments. Better yet, if you have the time, why not attend some of our meetings and join in the discussion.
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 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 1:00pm
Building Inspector - Tuesday 12:30pm to 3:30pm. Other times and inspections by appointment
Conservation Commission - Second and Fourth Thursdays 7:00pm
Finance Committee - Wednesdays 7pm January through March. Other times as needed.
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: 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
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
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
Blue Rider Stables - Therapeutic Horseback Riding
Lessons, summer programs
www.bluerider.org
413-528-5299
Green River Arabians & Pintos -
Boarding, lessons, judging, 4-H program.
413-528-2367 arabpinto13@yahoo.com
Indian Line Farm - Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) & Farmers Markets
413-528-8301
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
Cody B. Loder, L.I.C.S.W. - Individual & Couple Counseling - Specializing in Dual Diagnosis
9 Miller View
413-528-0393
1-888-528-0393
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
Anita Schilling - Real Estate Listing & Sales
Barnbrook Realty
413-528-4423
Florence F. Browner Real Estate - Full Service
90 Creamery Road
413-528-3266
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
Cyber Knight - Matthew Wall
PC repairs - Networking - Internet
413-528-5415
Zorn Core Fitness - Boot Camp
Outdoor workouts.
413-528-1594
James Olmsted - Outdoor Services & Caretaking
Field mowing
413-528-0102
pager 413-261-2150
Support local businesses
Town of Egremont
P.O. Box 368
South Egremont MA 01258
413-528-0182
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.”
North Egremont Baptist Church:
By Stanley Farnum, South Egremont
I stand enthralled in darkness outside the radiance of light from the open door of the little church. Whispers of thought, perhaps of collective memory, are with me; for here within this “one of many mansions” lie the past and future threads that weave the garment of the soul.
I have just stepped outside for a moment and here in the shadows where the moon cannot see me I have listened and looked. Far off a train whistled and the sound trickled down through the dark places of the night and made me feel alone.
The silence of the shades about me make the light from the church a patch entering into all that has gone before in two centuries of human strengths and frailities. Here have come the newborn to enter into faith, and here assembled those to send a loved one to a greater mansion.
These walls have heard the voices raised in unison of spirit and the soft deep tones of the organ as two who love walk down the aisle of light in betrothal even as I have here walked to hand my own lovely daughter as a lovely bride.
Down through all the long years the word of love and goodness, the dignity of man and the indestructible soul, have filled this sacred house and the messages whisper about me from the open door.
Now though I stand along in the night, lonely, I’ll turn back to reality inside and find it is sometimes a little nice to be outside in the shadows, for a return into such a hallowed place is that much more joy.
Though I be home or far afield, or find foreign soil to trod, I’ll not forget this little church, this gentle fold, this little town, this house of god.