 Egremont News |
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Issue 49 |
January, 2010 |
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.
Calendar Note: July 25, 2010 11am to 4pm Egremont on Parade at French Park Volunteers, donations and funding appreciated
Selectmen:
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
The Board wishes Dante Delmolino the best of luck in his retirement from the Highway Crew.
The Board thanks Susan Bachelder for her service to the Town on the Planning Board. In light of her resignation there is a vacancy on the Planning Board. Contact Town Hall for more information.
We have noticed that some people traveling to and from the Transfer Station/Recycling Center are doing so at dangerous rates of speed. The Police have been asked to sit at the foot of the hill and talk with those that are driving dangerously. We ask you to remember your safety and the safety of others and abide by the 10 mile per hours speed limit on the Transfer Station hill.
Did you know that the Registry of Motor Vehicles does not mail reminder notices for renewal of licenses and registrations any longer? If you have a computer you can sign up for a phone call or email notification - go to www.mass.gov/rmv to sign up.
Egremont is in need of a representative to the Southern Berkshire Technology Committee. If interested in serving please contact Town Hall.
Eco tip #1: Refrigerator: Leave the door open while you put in or take out several items. It’s more efficient than opening and closing it several times.
Egremont Agricultural Commission:
Your Agricultural Commission is extremely pleased and thankful for everyone that sent in a contribution toward our flyer project depicting the importance of Egremont agriculture. And if you really liked the idea, but just didn’t get around to sending in a contribution, we understand and we thank you for your silent support. All fund raising has now ceased as sufficient contributions were received to print the flyer and it has been placed in many Egremont businesses plus a few locations in Great Barrington. All business locations were very supportive to receive the flyer and placed it on display. If you have not seen the flyer, please pick one up at the Town Hall, the Library or any Egremont store.
Our last roster of contributors was given to you in the September Egremont News. Since that time we are very pleased to report the following additional persons/businesses have made contributions to this project:
The Old Mill, So. Egremont, MA
Berkshire County Farm Bureau
Tom & Liz Marino, So. Egremont, MA
Egremont On Parade
The Egremont Inn, So. Egremont, MA
Wheeler & Taylor, Gt. Barrington, MA
Bruce & Karen Cumsky, So. Egremont, MA
Ellen & Joseph Maggio, So. Egremont, MA
Maureen & Thomas Steiner, Longboat Key, FL & Hillsdale, N.Y.
Marj Wexler, So. Egremont, MA
Anonymous $
The Egremont Agricultural Commission is very thankful for the strong interest in this project, and especially for the contributions that enabled us to complete the project in a timely fashion.
Veteran’s Services:
Egremont Veteran’s Agent is a shared So. County Agent. Currently the agent is Paul Edleman. His office is in the basement of the Gt. Barrington Town Hall and his office is open Monday through Thursday 7am to 3pm. Please call 528-1580 for an appointment.
Mr. Edleman will gladly review benefits and possible entitlement to benefits with veterans and widows. There are funds available for prescriptions, funeral costs and other things.
Eco tip #2: Oven: Don’t peek. The temperature drops 25 to 50 degrees every time the door is opened.
Highway Department:
We have been informed by the United States Postal Service that we cannot touch your mail box to repair it or move it even if we have damaged it. If we did damage your box while plowing, or doing other Town work, please repair and then send a bill for the repairs to the Town Hall. We are not responsible if you placed your mail box to close to the road edge.
Reminder the Town does not allow parking on any road side in Egremont for extended periods or over night through out the winter months. Your vehicle will be towed at your expense if found to be in the way our snow removal activities.
Town Clerk:
Shortly after January 1st you will be receiving your Census letter. Please respond as soon as possible to this notice. If you live in North Egremont your Zip Code is going to appear as 01258. This is because for resident purposes everyone lives in the Town of Egremont.
January 19th is the Special state election to elect a new Senator. The Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. PLEASE NOTE THAT REQUESTS FOR ABSENTEE BALLOTS FOR THIS ELECTION MUST BE RECEIVED BY
5:00 p.m. on FRIDAY, JANUARY 15th. This is a change for this election only because of the Martin Luther King holiday on Monday.
Also, please note that there are four elections in 2010. If you would like Absentee Ballots for all elections in this calendar year you may submit one letter requesting ballots for all four elections.
Police Department:
The winter season has certainly arrived in the Berkshires. Winter driving sometimes can be hazardous and black ice can appear frequently. In the essence of safety, please be cautious at all times.
A concern has been brought to the attention of the Highway Department and the Police Department regarding vehicle speed on the way up and out of the compactor. Please be careful, drive accordingly, and please be mindful of other vehicles entering and exiting the compactor driveway, as well as, the Town Hall parking lot. No one wants to have an accident, so, we just want to take the opportunity to remind everyone to be respectful of others on the road. Thank you for your kind and respectful consideration.
Another area of concern sometimes during hazardous winter weather is our response to security alarms. If at all possible, please try to keep driveways open and clear so that we can gain entry to check residences.
As always please contact us at 528-2160 so that we can be of assistance to you.
Recycling:
Log on to www.freerecycle.org to find items of need that are being recycled. Freecycle Network is a grassroots, nonprofit for site people who are giving and seeking stuff for free. Egremont has an account. Post items to give away or search for an item.
We have a new recycling brochure - if you would like to get one stop by the Town Hall.
Eco tip #3: Monitor: Turn it off when you leave your computer for 20 minutes or more. Screen savers don’t reduce energy use. Switch to sleep mode or manually turn the monitor off to save energy.
Emergency Management:
Winter has arrived.
Please drive carefully, but be prepared if something happens by stocking your car with emergency supplies.
Be prepared, as well, for power outages. Keep your home stocked with emergency supplies that include bottled water and easy to open canned goods.
Remember your pets and other animals. Make sure they have adequate shelter and water at all times.
For more detailed information you can stop by Town Hall and pick up a safety handbook.
Planning Board:
The Planning Board received with regret notice of the resignation of board member Susan Bachelder, effective December 1, 2009. Susan had served on the board since May 2007. She was elected by the board to serve as Egremont’s delegate to the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission during that time period and attended numerous meetings to represent Egremont’s concerns and interests. The Planning Board thanks her for her diligent service in both positions.
In the event of a vacancy on the Planning Board, the position can be filled until the next election by joint appointment of the remaining members of the Planning Board and the Selectboard. Whether an interim appointment is made or not, at the annual election in May the position will be filled by vote for the remainder of that term until May 2012. The boards are jointly seeking interested townspeople to fill this position until the next election, at which point that person could choose to run for the remainder of the term.
The Planning Board meets regularly twice a month plus additional meetings or hearings as needed. Meetings are usually the second and fourth Monday of the month but that can be changed based on the vote of the board. The board acts under authority of state law and the town zoning bylaw on divisions of land, subdivisions of land, special permits, and zoning proposals among other things. Persons interested in more information about the position can call Vice-chairman Marj Wexler at 528-3726. Persons interested in applying for the position should contact Town Hall at 528-0182.
Eco tip #4: Laptop: Put the AC adapter on a power strip that can be turned off when you done for the night. The transformer in the AC adapter draws power even if the laptop is not plugged into it.
Conservation Commission:
In the past year we have had four instances where new property owners nearly or did commit Wetlands Protection Act, forestry or agricultural violations. The regulations and laws of the these three areas have been in force for at least thirty years, and they overlap, intertwine and supercede each other. One could believe that since these have been around so long that anyone selling or buying a house would know to check on the status of land being bought or sold. Apparently, not so. There have been violations in Egremont that have cost owners tens of thousands to rectify.
Another shock to new owners is after they buy a piece of property with dreams of constructing homes, it is discovered that the nightmare is about to begin as the dream is in a wetland. If the project is possible at all, the costs can be greatly increased.
We have always encouraged residents to check with the Conservation Commission before they build, dig, cut or bulldoze. We extend that urging to anyone selling or buying property, especially if you plan to clear or fill land, create a view, take the forest for growing crops or having a meadow, or drain or create a pond.
We urge sellers to know what restrictions may exist for their buyer's dreams. We urge buyers to know what your buying and build a dream to match. And we urge the professionals - the brokers, bankers and lawyers - to be proactive in the process to protect your clients. Check with the Conservation Commission: we have maps, on paper and online, that can show you what really exists on a property. If it's an area that's not in our purview, we'll get you going in the right direction.
What's it cost to ask? Nothing. What's it cost not to ask? Ask those folks who didn't, those with nightmares and violations.
Egremont Green Committee:
Exciting news from the Egremont Green Committee! The town has received the funding to install a 2-kilowatt solar photovoltaic (PV) array to generate clean renewable electricity. The energy generated by the solar panels will be tied into the electric panel serving the town’s highway garage located on the transfer station property. This will save the town money by offsetting some of that building’s energy costs.
The funding for this project came from those Egremont residents who chose to add a small surcharge to their monthly National Grid bills to support renewable energy development and implementation. Local financial support was then matched by the Commonwealth's Clean Energy Choice (CEC) program, and over a three-year period these matching funds grew to over $20,000.
It was the Egremont Green Committee’s charge to study the many projects described by CEC program guidelines and make a recommendation for expenditure of funds to the Board of Selectmen. After months of study, the Egremont Green Committee chose the 2-kilowatt PV highway garage installation because it best demonstrated clean and sustainable energy production, which not only will lessen the carbon footprint of the town and help combat climate change but also will save the town money by offsetting current electric usage.
The energy generated by the future 2-kilowatt installation, which is slated for completion in April of this year, will be fed directly into the electric grid and is anticipated to offset approximately 10% of the building’s annual electric costs (approximately $450 a year). This may seem small, but the PV array will be built with the potential for additional solar panels in the future. To that end, in December 2009 the Egremont Green Committee on behalf of the town submitted an application for federal stimulus funding for green technologies for additional solar panels and, depending on the level of funding from that grant, the solar energy production may be as high as the building’s total yearly electric demand.
The Green Committee will hold a ceremonial “First Switch to Solar” party in the spring to celebrate this groundbreaking switch to solar. Stay tuned!
Eco tip #5: Car travel: Slow down. Gas mileage decreases rapidly above 60 miles per hour. Each 5mph over 60 mph is like paying at least 20 cents more per gallon.
Egremont Water Department:
As you read this, our new meter reader and billing software programs will be fully installed and operational. Due to the changeover, our monthly meter reading schedule has been thrown off, for which we sincerely apologize. Our intention is to move readings back to the first week of the month, with bills going out during the second week.
If you are experiencing financial difficulties and find it hard to pay your water bill in full each month, we, like our Tax Collector, are willing to make a flexible payment plan for you. We do not relish the idea of shutting off water to any of our customers; however, our expenses go on and we must pay our bills and also comply with all mandates from the DEP (Department of Environmental Protection). Please call our Office Administrator during normal business hours or one of the Commissioners or you may attend our monthly meeting at Town Hall.
Council on Aging:
SENIORS, PLEASE NOTE:
Your Council on Aging members wish to remind you of some safety factors for the winter months.
WINTER DRIVING TIPS....
Reduce your speed according to road conditions.
Never lock you brakes on icy roads. You will lose steering control.
Increase the space between you vehicle and others. You need more distance to stop safely on slippery surfaces.
If it is snowing, start your car slowly and test your brakes.
Make sure your windshield wipers and defrosters are in good condition.
Before driving, remove the ice and snow from your vehicle. Clear all windows, wipers, headlights and brake lights. Clear the roof so snow and ice will not create a hazard by blowing off your car while you are driving.
Keep your fuel tank at least half full to prevent freezing in the fuel line.
Make sure you fill your windshield washer reservoir with a cleaning solution that will not freeze.
Keep a blanket, flashlight, and small shovel in your trunk.
HOME OXYGEN USE:
When oxygen is used in the home, the amount of oxygen in the air, furniture, clothing and hair goes up, making it easier for a fire to start and spread.
When more oxygen is in the air, fires will burn hotter and faster.
When using home oxygen, learn how to handle it safely – especially if you smoke.
It is important to keep home oxygen and tubing 10 feet away from heat sources.
SMOKING ISSUES: No one should smoke in your home. The fire danger is too great. If you are using oxygen, your family and friends should not smoke around you. If you must smoke: disconnect the oxygen, wait 10 minutes, go outside to smoke.
If some on in your family wants to quit smoking, there is FREE help available? The Massachusetts Smokers’ helpline at 1-800-879=8678 can help a person quit. The helpline offers free telephone counseling, information and referral services for Massachusetts residents who want to stop smoking. It is open!
The Dog Park:
Are Egremonters aware of the remarkable gem we have at French Park - that fenced in area which dogs can call their own? It’s such fun to watch these dogs - all sizes from tiny to huge. Some are shy. Others are bold and proud and eager to get acquainted. We get to know the dogs first, then the humans accompanying them. We know the dog’s names and frequently forget the names of the owners. We help with “poop” location and share the plastic bags.
There have been injuries to be sure, due to inattention. When 2 or 3 dogs are tearing around it pays to keep an eye on them and to stay out of their way. This is their place, after all.
In good weather we have a portable living room of sorts complete with chairs, a bench, a couple of umbrellas, and water bowls – a concession to our humaness and our desire for comfort and sociability. We have planted a few trees which someday will give us shade. They are protected with fencing.
Many, many people and their dogs have heard of this wonderful place. They come from Connecticut, from NY, from Lee, from Monterey, from Pittsfield. Egremont is praised for this extraordinary place. Weekenders come on Sunday afternoons to exercise their dogs before the trip back to the city. There are birthday parties for puppies, and a community of friends has developed.
We are so grateful to the town for the snow plowing, for the mowing, for the necessary renovation of grassy patches, and for the added gravel in muddy conditions.
What follows is the chorus of dogs, most of them steady customers of the Park - all saying to Egremont:
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
There’s Otis and Max and Dylan and Willie and Murphy and Wilson too
There’s Nina and Mollie and Macy and Shiloh and Chloe and little Tutu
And Gidget and Sasha and Juno and Hudson and Lexie and Danny and Mo
And Savory, Jeebus, Bella, and Maggie and Shane and Annie and Bo
AND THE OWNERS THANK YOU TOO!!!!!!!!!!!
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 every other Tuesday evenings 7pm. Office weekdays 7am to 3pm.
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 - Every other Tuesday evenings 6pm -
9pm, Tuesday mornings 9am to 12noon
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.
Citizens Corner:
Bev Almond announces the publication of Harry Almond’s book “An American in the Middle East”. Please contact Bev at 528-0172 to obtain a copy of the book - the cost is $12.00. Harry Almond was a long time Egremont resident. His book is a story that spans a half-century of tumultuous relationships between America and the Middle East as seen through the eyes of an American.
The community potluck dinners are being held for the winter at the South Egremont Church on the third Thursday of the month at 6:30pm - January 21 and February 18. For information contact Bev Almond at 582-0172..
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 -
Horse 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
Zorn Core Fitness - Boot Camp
Outdoor workouts.
413-528-1594
Yoga at Zorn Core Fitness, Karin Beebe
Ashtanga Yoga 9am Tuesday and Thursday
Gentle/Hatha Yoga at 10:30am Tuesday and Thursday
46 Main Street
413-528-0828 kbyoga@gmail.com
Cory 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
James Olmsted - Outdoor Services & Caretaking
Field mowing
413-528-0102
pager 413-261-2150
PAPERCHASERS Barbara Fields - Organizing and Productivity Services, Project and Time Management
413-528-2824
Support local businesses
Me an Ol Sam
by Stan Farnum
Me an Sam, we live alone, my best old friend an me.
Don’t know what I’d do thout ol Sam, ya see,
He’s jess a fat old hound dog layin round all day,
Onc’t in a while he’ll scratch hisself, but don’t have much to say.
Or then sometimes I’ll get outta my chair and he’ll open one eye
cause he don’t wanna miss if I’m goin somewhere
He’s nosey ya see but real sly.
See he ain’t really ever all the way to sleep
he’s jees pretendin to be
So when I think to sneak off on my own
He’ll most run right over me.
His tongue’ll hang out an his whole rear end wags
An his ears is straight up in the air,
He jess can’t wait to git in the old car
Which he’s got all covered with hair.
But ya know that ol hound can jess about talk
He knows every word that I say
He’s king of the place an spoiled real bad
But I guess I musta made him that way.
He jess adores folks, especially kids
An he’ll wake up anytime to play
Old ladies they love him and spoil him some more,
Don’t tell him, but I like him that way.
He’s loving an gentle but too lazy I’d say
To even take a deep breath,
But guard dog, you bet, so burglars watch out
Cause he’ll probly kiss ya to death.
Like I sez he’s lazy an bossy ya see
But he shines, oh he shines with the love
That god gave all dogs for old ladies an kids
An sure for an ol guy like me.
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.”