Coordinator Report December 9, 2009 Several residents have contacted us regarding the beach at Moore's Pond which is for sale. The sale of the beach is coupled to a camp on nearby Wilson Rd. and is priced at $135k. I find it significant that the beach property's neighbors are in favor of the town acquiring. Mary Williamson contacted me to let us know that Mt. Grace Land Trust could assist us were the town interested. I expect some residents at the meeting when we discuss this. When this beach property was for sale in the 1990s the Selectboard declined to pursue acquisition because of liability concerns. I contacted our insurer to see if this concern could be surmounted. According to our agent this beach would be covered under our existing policy at no additional premium. They advise that we would be well served to post a sign that says something to the effect that: Town Beach (hours of operation, if applicable) No Lifeguard On-Duty Use of this Beach is at your own Risk The Town of Warwick assumes no responsibility for Injuries or Death They note that the less written, the better; we should minimize any 'rules' that could later be interpreted as rules that were not enforced. The Council on Aging has decided to increase the compensation of those employed under the state grant from $10 to $12 per hours. This is agreeable to the funding source. In order to implement the change the Selectboard needs to vote to authorize this change in hourly wages paid for under the grant. This is the determination of our accountant. One employee has been waiting for more than a month for payment so the board needs to act on this matter. Mr. Whipple has applied for renewal of his class II and class III licenses. He has provided proof of insurance, paid the $150 fee. The term of the license is the calendar year 2010. We have the continuation of Richmond Rd. utility pole hearing on Monday 14 Dec. at 6:30 pm. I contacted Mr. Marine, National Grid's contractor, Mr. Malinsky the local National Grid representative and the Kurley's concerns regarding pole placement. I have confirmation that Nat. Grid will have a representative at the hearing. I mailed notices to all the abutters. On behalf of the highway department, Tim is ok with the placements providing the poles are located outside of the markers, e.g. they don't come any closer to the roadbed. We have the annual tax classification hearing at 7:00 pm. This is an annual rite. The hearing was legally advertised. I recommend that we continue to tax all classes of property at the same rate. Has always worked in the past. Open space plan is nearly complete. I printed a couple of copies and it is on the website. A very impressive document it goes 164 pages and makes good reading. I met with Finance Committee who approved three reserve fund transfers. One was $5k to help with the cost of the Chestnut Hill bridge replacement which was an unanticipated expense. I distributed the draft right to farm by-law to additional residents. Took delivery of a new heater for the trash compactor hydraulic tank. In addition we got a steel enclosure over the compactor opening installed. I mentioned the issues around construction procurement in a previous report. The Governor signed new law that makes under $5k construction rules of Chapter 168 like the 30b procurement law. Mr. Shaw contacted me to report his trailer has been removed from town as of Nov 20th. He is living in his home on the property and grateful to the town for our assistance in making that possible. We had a successful work day at the town hall last Saturday. The front door closure was repaired. More air sealing work done and interior storms completed for most of the office end of the building. Proposals for exterior storms are due by 12/10. We have one good submission to date meaning that project will be able to proceed. We have two workable proposals for the PV project and I have confirmation that our grant contract is being processes. This installation will proceed in the spring. The Severance case is in court on Friday and will be handled by the building inspector and town counsel as I am out of town that day. That project is nearly complete. The homeowner claims religious issues prevent them tying to the electric grid. We've had one new broadband order this month and one inquiry by a new resident. Last month we had five new installations. We have until Jan 1 to decide how we want to handle follow-up service calls. For a start, I suggest that I be authorized to pay installers $20 / hr. for follow-up work. We can avoid a lot of it by tighter installation standards though it would be counter to our mission. A few weeks ago Tim shared with me that he is an applicant in Petersham for the highway boss job. He likes working for Warwick. At the same time it is about $20k more and requires no overtime. He is one of four finalists. If he is selected he will give us 30 days notice. We owe him two weeks vacation and I told him that we'd want him to work the thirty days and would pay the vacation in addition. I'd rather have a little budget trouble than be on a short timeline selecting a replacement. While I wish him well, I bet you join me in not wishing him too much luck in this.