Sherwood Forest Road Maintenance District

Prudential Committee Meeting Minutes

June 3, 2006

Committee Members Present: David Bonney, Robert Ronzio, Jerry Summit, Mike McEnerney. Richard Tallberg, Chairman, (arrived at 10:47)

Staff Present: Chuck Andrews: Road Superintendent

Public Present: See sign in sheet.

Reading of the Minutes: The minutes of the May 3 meeting presented to all present, motion to approve by Jerry Summit, seconded by Bob Ronzio, minutes approved by all.

Treasurers Report: The Treasurers report was presented by Bob Ronzio due to the currently vacant treasurer’s position. Based on communications from the Town, no funds have been turned over pending the appointment of a new treasurer. In summary, the funds available at this time total $66,173.10. There was no cash in and no cash out during this past month. Treasurers report motion to approve by Jerry Summit, seconded by Bob Ronzio, all if favor, Treasurers report approved.

Reading of the Warrant: The warrant (number 14) was read by David Bonney. The total of this warrant is $26,260.64, including fee for bonding and transfer of bonding name. Motion to sign the warrant by Bob Ronzio, seconded by Jerry Summit, approved by all. The bills cannot be paid until a determination is made by Massachusetts DOR.

Road Superintendent’s Report: Spring grading is underway. We have had 16 days of rain according to Mr. Andrews. Six miles are done, another 13 miles to do in his estimate. Chuck advises that a “Cease and Desist” order is in place for Road District property in front of Harry Sykes property. The Conservation Commission cited SFRD with violations at this location in error. The owner of the property (SFNA) should have received the citation. Chuck issued one driveway cut permit for the property across from Dick Tallberg. No culvert is required here.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Gail McGeer – Asks about 134 Little john Drive, property which she sold. The current owner is, in her words, being harassed by the Road District for a septic field in Road District property. Gail claims that the field is not in Road District property, only the dirt mound is out to the road. Rains brought the dirt into the ditch, it is dirt from the back of the property that would have traveled here even if the septic field was not here. Gail Questions Chuck Andrews about the May 18 meeting on this problem that he was to attend. Chuck advises that he did not attend, he was busy with the Sykes issue.

Gail claims that the ditch needs to be fixed, other developments have proper ditches, Sherwood Forest does not. Chuck claims that he investigated this issue with the Board of Health and the Conservation Commission. Mr Fuller claims that no variance was granted, he claims that the town made an error by allowing this system to be installed here. Gail claims that there is septic system “breakout” at a house on her street, she does not want to call it in, Bill Brownhill feels that Gail would like someone else to call it in.

Jim Griffin – Sykes property question. It is now 182 days since Sykes placed a ditch in SFRD property and changed the flow of water. Jim has a plan to permanently correct this problem. Jim presented a sketch of his proposed plan to Dick Tallberg. Dick advises that an engineering study is needed before the Road District can make any changes at this location. Chuck advises that this also needs to be presented to the Becket Conservation Commission. Jim claims that the “cease and desist” order could be lifted by the Conservation Commission if a plan is presented to them. Bob Ronzio has spoken with the Conservation Commission about this as a representative of the Road District. The Conservation Commission claims that they have the Sykes plan for water flow, this is the plan that Sykes was asked to bring to several Road District meetings.

Jim Griffin – Also on this subject, at the last Road District meeting on May 6, his request was for a “ cease and desist” on Sykes, not against the Road District as the Conservation Commission ordered. Two “cease and desist” orders were put in place by the Conservation Commission. Chuck claims that he did not ask for this, he claims that he was asking the Commission about removing a culvert here. Bob Ronzio advised that the Conservation Commission will send the corrected “cease and desist” order to SFNA since they own the roads. Bob claims that the Road District could have fixed the problem months ago but was stopped by Howard Lerner who did not want taxpayers money used for this situation.

Bob Madore – Advises that this meeting is being taped by him since I the past documents ant tapes requested have not been readily available. Additional discussion of Sykes issue and the fact that he should be responsible of any costs of an engineering study. Bob Ronzio feels a meeting of all involved is needed.

Jerry Grondin – Questions wording of White Wolf contract statement in May minutes. White Wolf did not reject the contract, the minutes should be revised to show this.

Ron Boucher – Would like a copy of the letter from the lawyer concerning this contract proposal.

Gail McGeer – Question, would like a new ditch to the fire pond on Minstrels Way (Martha’s Pond). (Lot 216-25)

Bill Brownhill – Concerns about the warrant for the Annual Meeting and its legality. He states that the warrant was not up for the required 14 days and that the warrant was not signed at a meeting as required by law. At a previous meeting this year, Mr. Brownhill had requested to complete a warrant so that bills could be paid and due to lack of a quorum of Prudential Committee at this meeting, the warrant was not signed.

Gail McGeer – Would like to put off the Annual Meeting that is scheduled for today at 1 PM and reissue a legal warrant. Bill Brownhill enforces this fact.

COMMUNICATIONS

Letters form Town of Becket, Berkshire Bank, Atty Aaronson and AT&T were discussed

OLD BUSINESS

Bonding and Office Storage. The requirements for bonding and transfer of the bond were covered. Bob Ronzio advised that he paid $180 for Beaver storage from his own account due to lack of a Treasurer.

According to Bob Ronzio, Bill Brownhill and Maryellen Lake are no longer on the Berkshire Bank SFRD account. Bob has had his name approved for the signature card. Dave Bonney inquires as to who made this decision. Bob advised that Dick Tallberg as Chair requested this.

There is a motion by Jerry Summit to have Bob named Vice Chairman of the Prudential due to the lack of one (after Bill Brownhill resigned). The motion is seconded by Mike McEnerney. This motion is opposed by Dave Bonney, voted on and passed ( by a count of four to one).

Question by Bob Madore for documents previously requested, Bob Ronzio advises that they are not currently available due to lack of a Clerk, Bob Madore agrees to wait till they become available.

Dick Tallberg would like to hold the Annual Meeting today as planned. Dave Bonney does not want the meeting today, he would like a new warrant, properly prepared and posted for the required 14 days.

Motion to close old business by Jerry Summit, seconded by Mike, no opposition on the Committee.

NEW BUSINESS

Bob Ronzio makes a motion to cancel the Annual Meeting that was scheduled for today due to concerns over the warrant validity. The new meeting date would be June 24 at 10:30 AM. The motion is seconded by Dave Bonney, approved by all and passes.

The Annual Meeting will be June 24. The next regular meeting will be July 1. Both meetings at 10:30 AM.

Motion to adjourn by Dick Tallberg, seconded by Mike McE, all in favor, meeting is adjourned.

Minutes recorded and prepared by Mike McEnerney

A True Copy