SHERWOOD FOREST ROAD DISTRICT

Prudential Committee Meeting

November 20, 2004 Minutes

Committee Members Present: Richard Tallberg, Chairman; William Brownnhill, Vice-Chairman; David Bonney; Robert Ronzio

Staff Present: Charles Andrews, Road Superintendent; Maryellen Lake, Clerk/Treasurer

Members of the Public: See sign-in sheet

The meeting was called to order at 10:33 a.m. Reading of Minutes of Previous meeting: Bob Ronzio noted that under “Old Business” the paragraph relating to Sand and Salt Storage, should read that “the District can purchase or lease equipment .. .” There being no further additions or corrections, Bill Brownhill moved that the minutes be accepted as corrected; David Bonney seconded; the motion passed.

Treasurer’s Report: Bill moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented; David seconded; motion passed.

Road Superintendent’s Report: Chuck had nothing to report. Maryellen reminded Chuck to write a letter to the property owner who was cutting trees to remind them to remove the brush from the ditch.

Communications: Letter from the DOR confirming that in the matter of payment of back taxes the Town gets paid first; letter from the Berkshire Eagle informing us of new website. If we use the site for legal notices we will receive a 3% discount.

Bills: 1 Refund, Verizon and AT&T for October, Egan, Flanagan & Cohen legal services, Charles Andrews and Maryellen Lake, salaries. Total bills $1,369.21.

Reading of Warrant: Belval & McCarthy refund, $24.85; Verizon, $47.19; AT&T, $23.17; Egan, Flanagan & Cohen, $390.00; Charles Andrews, $433.33; Maryellen Lake, $450.67; Total $1,369.21.

Bill moved to pay the bills; David seconded; motion passed.

Committee Reports: None

OLD BUSINESS

AT&T - Maryellen called again and found that the new calling plan only applies if you sign up for call forwarding and include local calling, which would still remove the $15.00 mandatory charge, but would then add $17.50 just for call forwarding. She is still checking with Verizon to see if their rates can be adjusted to lower cost. She has already had the Call Forwarding charge of $6.00/month removed from the billing. Still checking on the 911 availability in case of power failure. She will ask if the 911 charge included in the “disability” item is mandatory.

Sand and Salt Storage: Bob met with Richard to go over maps, etc. to see where there may be other parcels that can be used. He would like to have another Board member go out view these. The property we were interested in is in Tax Title. Richard will contact the Court to see if they can speed up the process or return it to the Town. Bill will look at the other properties.

Contractor Status: Richard spoke to the lawyer, who said he would contact the State’s Attorney’s office and get back to Richard. He has not heard from the attorney to date.

NEW BUSINESS

Bob submitted a notice regarding a Parking Ban similar to the one used by the Town. The parking Ban will be from December 1 through April 15, 2004 and will be in effect between the hours of 11p.m. and 7 a.m. The notice would be posted in the press. Bob preferred that it be posted as a legal notice. The sense of the Committee was that an announcement would be sent to the Country Journal for the Becket page and to The Berkshire Eagle. Bill moved that the notice be sent to the Country Journal. David seconded; motion passed.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:

Bill: Old culverts were not removed by the contractors. The Road Superintendent was given the authority to have them removed, and they are gone. It was noted that there are many old culverts that have not been removed.

Ron: Marty Powers re-negotiated with Blakely.

Bob: asked for people to let the Committee know the location of things like old culverts, etc. They will check the Assessors’ maps to find the location and will check out the situation.

Other topics: Street signs, condition at the top of Carriage Hill; potholes on Jester’s Lane; possibility of purchasing more dense grade for repairs; people moving large rocks on to District property from their driveways will impede plowing; long-range capital improvement projects;

Dick: Contractor’s RFP’s were sent to the attorney who was going to contact the State’s Attorney waiting to hear back. Meantime we can work on an emergency basis; more discussion on alternatives to repairs on Carriage Hill and other roads.; put copies of complaint forms on the table at each meeting. The Committee will try to find a solution to the problems on Jester’s Lane. Chuck estimated the cost of dense grade per mile would be about $30,000.00. It was generally agreed that improvement on a larger scale would be desirable. Suggestions included setting up a program of doing one mile per year to improve the worst roads.

Dick: Appoint a committee to look into the problem of major improvements after the first of the year; no further action on the subject of piggy-backing with the town on sand and salt storage.

There being no further Public Participation Bill moved to adjourn; David seconded; motion passed.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:15 a.m.

A TRUE COPY & ATTEST

Maryellen Lake, Clerk/Treasurer