COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Sherwood Forest Road Maintenance District
Prudential Committee Meeting
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Committee Members Present: David Bonney, Chair (and Moderator for Special Meeting); Bill Brownhill, Co-Chair; Gilles Beaudoin, Jerry Grondin, Jerry Summit
Absent:
Public Present: Al Barvenik, Celia Boucher, Ron Boucher, Joyce Brownhill, Robert Guevin, Howard Lerner, Jerry McCarthy, Pat McCarthy, John McGeer, Robert Ronzio
MEETING OPENS before recording starts
- APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM 4/5/08
Mr. Bonney notes that something that Mr. Lerner said was accredited to Mr. Devane.
Motion made and seconded to accept the minutes of the 4/5/08 meeting.
Mr. Feit reports on current financial status, noting that there has been a large influx of money from tax payments. He also says he’s been advised that a lot of people have paid double so these overpayments will have to be refunded.
He reports on the operating budget and reviews the proposed budget for the upcoming year.
He presents bills for payment on today’s warrant. The warrant includes payment for the signs which have been discussed at previous meetings that were delivered and signed for in 2006. Motion made and seconded to accept warrant 5-08 as presented; Mr. Grondin questions payment of the signs; Mr. Bonney says it would cost more to fight it than to just pay it. The warrant is approved.
Mr. LaChapelle says just some potholes have been filled and some other basic maintenance done. Not a lot can be done until the A.G. is heard from. Mr. Bonney points out that the situation on Lady Lucille needs to be taken care of and that there are a few signs that are missing and need to be replaced.
Mr. Bonney says also that Greenwood Court and Singing Sword have been being used for a dump and the committee must think about closing these roads. Also Arrow Way must be closed between Little John and Prince John.
Motion made and seconded to temporarily close Arrow Way, Greenwood Court and Singing Sword. Unanimous approval.
- Unpaid Road Sign Bill: Addressed above.
- Liability Insurance: Mr. Summit reports that the district has now been turned down by three companies. The town’s company won’t even discuss any policy costing under $5,000.He suggests asking SFNA to bill the District for the portion of the roads on their policy. Mr. Bonney disagrees that this should be done. Mr. Summit says it would be a separate policy.
- Jakot’s Culvert: Mr. Bonney reports that DEP came in and went over it.
- Conservation Commission: There is a class coming up about culverts.
- Bylaws: Mr. Bonney reports that the lawyer is working on the election portion but the whole bylaw will have to be revamped at some point. There is extensive discussion of how this would be done and it is agreed that Mr. Bonney will talk to Atty. Holland about doing it.
- Conservation Commission Unpaved Road Workshop: Mr. Bonney will let everyone know the date.
- Annual Meeting Date: Another Prudential Committee Meeting is scheduled for May 17th to do the warrant for the annual election.
- Proposed 2009 Budget: The insurance figure needs to be adjusted; Mr. Summit will contact the company that insures the SFNA. The budget will be voted on at the May 17th meeting.
- Special Meeting: A warrant is signed for a Special Meeting on May 17th.
- Fund for Land Purchase: A fund must be set up. There is currently a parcel on Minstrel’s way with two parcels on Black Arrow for access. Tabled for now.
- Ms. Brownhill asks about voting for the budget as it is and taking more from the stabilization fund if needed.
- Ms. Brownhill is confused about what will be voted on at the special meeting. Is it the budget? Mr. Bonney says no, the budget will be voted on at the annual meeting. Mr. Summit says the Prudential Committee will meet on May 17th and that will be a budget meeting. Mr. Bonney says it will be special meeting and a budget meeting.
- Mr. McGeer speaks about the land acquisition. He says an article can be put on an annual town meeting to see if the town will give the land to the district.
- Mr. Ronzio cites the special act regarding the budget being done at the annual meeting.
- Mr. Lerner wants the lawyer to clarify the insurance issue in writing.
- Mr. Lerner speaks about the election guidelines in the bylaws.
- Mr. Lerner asks if anyone can go to the DEP workshop. Yes and Mr. Bonney will let him know when it is.
- Mr. McGeer says minutes of past meetings should be available at every meeting and discussion moves to the payment for the missing stop signs.
- Mr. Ronzio speaks of Road Closed signs that were put up on Black Arrow Way.
- Mr. Ronzio would also like to be notified about the DEP workshop. Mr. Feit says to just notify him and he will send out a mass email about it.
- Mr. McCarthy asks if there is a copy of the current budget available. Mr. Feit gives him one.
- Mr. McCarthy asks when the roads will be done. Mr. Bonney explains the legal holdup.
- Mr. McCarthy speaks to the access going down to the beach area next to him, asking that it be repaired/maintained. Mr. LaChapelle is hesitant to touch it without consulting the Conservation Commission. Mr. Bonney will talk to Kathy at Conservation.
- Mr. McCarthy also says there seems to be a lot of road runoff in that area as well.
- Mr. Ronzio says settling ponds could be built that would take care of that.
- Mr. Ronzio says the state, cities, and towns have ways to do this type of thing.
- Mr. Lerner suggests forming a feasibility committee to explore this.
- Mr. Ronzio says professional engineering is needed.
- Mr. Lerner suggests getting a quote from an engineering firm by the meeting on May 17th.
- Mr. McCarthy speaks of asking the DEP for advice.
- Mr. Beaudoin says renewal is coming up on his workers comp insurance and he needs to know what will be done about the brush on the roadsides this year.
There being no further business to conduct, a motion is made and seconded to adjourn; unanimous approval.
The time of adjournment is not noted.
Respectfully Submitted
Marty Feit
Clerk-Treasurer
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