Coordinator Report

September 3, 2009

Town buildings - Tim developed estimates for replacing the sump pump
with functioning drain. Project will cost about $12,500 and involve a
hired excavator and operator at $1200 per day and our crew acting as
masons and pipe layers. We will create two catch basins to make turns
and provide cleanout points. I heard from four members of building and
energy committee including chair and all agree this is the next
priority. I confirmed with town accountant that funds are available and
the project needs only a vote of the Selectboard.  The building and
energy committee contacted me regarding making the elevator less energy
consuming. I am trying to locate the as built plans and referring them
to the maintenance company regarding their desired changes to lighting,
heating, and venting the system. I am the ADA coordinator and I feel
conflicted regarding pushing these changes. WCS sprinkler as built
designs have been forwarded to sprinkler engineer who is reviewing. A
meeting with architect, engineer, school and town officials is next
step.  The rotted fascia on the building has been repaired, the surfaces
caulked and painted.  I authorized some additional exterior painting of
"weak" areas.  About $4,000 will remain and that will be expended on
advancing the sprinkler repair matter.

Housing Rehab grant - We have our award letter and now await the actual
contract.  This is a grant to the town and the rehab activity becomes a
loan to the participant. The Selectboard needs to appoint a resident to
the grant's citizen advisory committee.  It would be advantageous to
appoint a low or moderate income resident if possible. Once we get the
contract and execute it we will need to vote to formally engage /
contract with HRA to administer the grant. There will be some hearings
along the way to get public input on our goals, outcomes and
effectiveness.  I am continuing to take names of residents interested in
participating in the rehab program.


WiValley MOA is ready for signature.  It has three functions. It allows
our system and theirs to connect customers to each other's systems and
compensate the other with 50% of the revenue. It has each of us
providing alternate back-haul to one another. And it allows us to
partner with them to implement 3.65 GHz WIMAX (802.16) on Mt Grace using
their license when available.

CFI - (conflict of interest) I disclosed by letter to the town clerk my
possible appearance of a conflict of interest in the above WiValley
matter. It is that I have a WiValley email address among my many email
addresses. It is actually Gmail which is free.  I got the email account
to test branded Gmail as an option for Warwick's broadband and for a
number of reasons have not recommended that we proceed. I have no stake
in WiValley and didn't use my position to get something of value.  That
is what the letter says and it is on file.  I also conferred with Town
Counsel regarding ZBA matters. I then discussed the finer points first
with outgoing chairman Dibble and later with new chairman Janet Conover.
ZBA needs at least one new member / alternate.

OHD Dish toss
Dunk tank

Highway department will continue to be busy. This week they have been
working on Chapter 90 funded crack sealing on many paved roads.  They
are waiting on a date to begin stone sealing a portion of Sheperdson
Road.  The delivery of the new sweeper is past due.  And provided the
Selectboard vote to authorize the crew will be replacing the town hall
drain culvert.

Police department confirmed a second case where a house stripped of
copper. Persons unknown have attempted entry of the historical society
building and I found the basement of the town hall had been forced. 
Citizens should take note and report suspicious activity

Fire Rangers scored a win over Northfield at old home days winning all
but one event. They will be participating at the Franklin County Fair
Fireman's muster

Chapter 61 - When someone elects to remove their property from Chapter
61 with provides special tax classification for property based on its
current use, the town gets a right of first refusal to acquire the
property.  At Patricia Lemon's request I have distributed some sample
policies of other rural MA towns on the handling of these cases to
Selectboard members for consideration.  The right of acquisition can be
extended to a land trust or other not for profit.

Town board and committee vacancies - We need a few good men and women as
vacancies exist on a number of town boards.  ZBA, Finance Committee and
CDBG advisory committee each need nominees.  Some are Selectboard
appointments and the Finance committee is a Moderator appointment.
Contact me as coordinator at 544-6315 to discuss the possibility.

Broadband system - We have exceeded fifty connections counting those
being resold out of town. Monthly revenue approaches $2500. The
committee is recommending that installer pay be increased by $25 per new
installation and that the Town begin to offer financing of the initial
fee. It is my opinion that before we do it we need to figure out how to
secure / collateralize our equipment. If somebody fails to pay, we need
to have the right to go on their land and take our property. If we have
to go to court to get the right it will be really costly.  Can we use
the betterment laws? Betterments are paid by those who receive benefit. 
DOR could assist us with advice. Maybe we could place a municipal lien
on the property until paid for. We also will need to establish some
underwriting criteria. Do we check credit?  And we clearly need to model
the cash flow implications.  A successful business can fail from lack of
working capital.  We need to know the implications before setting out. 
We should consider a methodology to ration this financing if needed. And
figure out the effect on our previous business model.

MEMA is holding back about $4,000 in December ice emergency
compensation. I filed the requested paperwork last week. We ended up
with about $3,000 less into the tree projects and $10,000 more than they
estimated in the gravel repair. I am asking them to blend the projects
and give us our due. If we don't get the blend it will reduce our
reimbursement by about $1,000.