SHERWOOD FOREST ROAD DISTRICT

Minutes from: Prudential Committee Meeting - February 7, 2004

Meeting called to order by Vice-Chairman Susan Schneider at 10:58am

Attendance: Prudential Committee Members: Sue Schneider, Richard Tallberg, Amy Somerville, Dave Devane, Road Superintendent Hugh Powers, Clerk/Treasurer Cheryl Powers, and Bill Brownhill . Absent members George Sherman, and Harry Joiner.

Public Attendance: Refer to sign in sheet.

Minutes for January 10, 2004 Meetings: Vice-Chairman Sue Schneider solicits a motion to dispense with the reading of the January 10, 2004, minutes and accept them as written. Richard Tallberg made the motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes and accept them as written. Amy Somerville seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.

Treasurer’s Report February 7, 2004: Vice-Chairman Schneider solicits a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report. Dave Devane made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report. Amy Somerville seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Road Superintendent’s Report: We received a few snow and ice storms in January, the crews did the best they could to open and push back the roads for widening. We also experienced some heavy winds that caused some trees to come down and land on the roads, and quite a few snow drifts around the lake. Washouts on King Richard, Sir George and Hilltop were fixed. The ditching on some roads are icing up and forcing the water to come across the road, we are using rock salt and heavily sanding those areas to correct this problem. Received two inquiries, one this morning and one yesterday about sanding. The sand crew was out taking care of the sanding. Complaint from Linda McCormick on 2/6/04 at 1:14pm regarding property damage to bushes and lawn. I went over to investigate, there was a house next to her property that the Town of Becket took down. Who ever took the house down caused the damage to Linda’s property not the Road District. This is a Town of Becket problem. Vice-Chairman Sue Schneider solicits a motion to accept the Road Superintendent’s report. Dave Devane made a motion to accept the Road Superintendents Report. Richard Tallberg seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.

Communications and Reading of the Bills: Treasurer Powers made available Warrant #9 for $18,290.98 for FY04, for the Prudential Committee to review and discuss. Vice-Chairman Schneider solicits a motion to pay the bills as presented. Dave Devane made a motion to pay the bills as presented. Amy Somerville seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Letter received from DOR on tax rate set at 14.54, last years rate was $17.80. Letter to the clerk from Carl Edwards SFNA (see letter for specifics).

Committee Reports: None

Old Business: None.

New Business: Clerk/Treasurer Powers reports that a State of Emergency was call on December 6, 2003 to December 7, 2003 by FEMA #3191-EM for snow removal. She attended the briefing on January 26, 2004 in Pittsfield, to fill out the necessary paper work for the District to be eligible. Richard Tallberg made a motion to table the matter regarding the letter addressed to the clerk from the Association. Dave Devane seconded the motion. Discussion, Sue said she didn’t have a problem waiting till March, but asked if there was a specific reason for tabling the matter. Richard replies that we have to decide who it will be, and then we have to make the appointment, which I assume would have to be at a public meeting. Motion carried unanimously.

Public Participation: Jessica Touponce, had questions regarding the taxes. The clerk explained the process on how the tax rate is calculated. At the Annual Meeting a budget is voted on by the register voters of Sherwood Forest, once passed the paper work is sent to the Assessor at Town Hall to include the overlay appropriation (which is for abatements) to the budget. It is then sent to the Department of Revenue for their approval. Once the DOR approves the tax rate is set, and a letter is sent to the District and the Assessor. If any one has concerns with there assessment by all means go to town hall and obtain an abatement form from the Assessors. Lengthily discussion occurs, between Bob Ronzio, Bill Lamb, Rich Tallberg, Marty Powers, Robert Geruinon Sue Schneider, Cheryl Powers, and Bill Brownhill pros and cons on tax issue. Question arose on contract and prevailing wages. John Hall addresses the Prudential Committee on behalf of his Fire Chief, Steve Gallagher. It is extremely important to have all the dry hydrants in the forest clear out and assessable to the Fire Department. Road Superintendent Powers will see that this is taken care of.

Remarks for the Good of the District: R.Ronzio, C.Powers, D.Devane, S.Schneider commended the Crews on a great job.

Meeting Adjourned: Sue solicits a motion to adjourn the meeting. Richard motioned. It was seconded by Dave Devane at 11:50am Motion carried unanimously.