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Link Name:	Meeting Minutes	Description:	
Subject/Title:	November 7, 2005	Subtitle:	
Keywords:		Review on:	
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November 7, 2005

Present:  Deborah McMenamy, Cris Irsfeld, George Shippey, Ken Finch-National Grid, Derek Gentile-Berkshire Eagle, Jeremy Clowe-CTSB, Michael Blay, and Jorja Marsden

The meeting opened with the Tax Classification hearing.  Michael Blay, Principal Assessor, explained that the Board of Assessors recommends a single tax rate for residential, commercial and industrial properties.  Michael explained that the 49 commercial and industrial properties was a small portion to place a tax burden of two tax rates.  Cris Irsfeld made a motion to accept the recommendation of the Assessors and have one tax rate.  A second was received from George.  The vote was unanimous.

Ken Finch, Project Manager, Certified Arborist for National Grid came to explain a multi-year project designed to identify and improve tree outage performance on those circuits with a history of poor tree outage performance across Massachusetts. Stockbridge is the only town on the list in Berkshire County.  Mr. Finch stated that the program will remove those trees to reduce the chance of future damage to power lines.  Local property owners will be notified directly from National Grid.  All work done will be done with the permission of the property owner.  If for some reason, the property owner does not want their trees trimmed or removed, then they will not remove the tree.  Mr. Finch will be working directly with Tree Warden, Peter Curtin.  The wood would be available to the property owner or if owners do not want it, then it would be available to anyone who would like the wood in a central location.  The Selectmen were overall in favor, however emphasized to Mr. Finch that the property owners’ feelings of whether the trees are cut or not would come first.

Deb announced that there had been an advertisement in the Berkshire Eagle for two weeks and on the Massachusetts Municipal Association’s web site for an Owner’s Project Manager for the Plain School Project.   The Town received two applications and several phone inquiries.  Cris Irsfeld made a motion to hire Joseph Kellogg as the Owner’s Project Manager for the Plain School and the Town Hall project.  George seconded the motion.  The vote to name Joseph Kellogg, Owner’s Project Manager was unanimous.

The Selectmen publicly thanked the Boston Symphony Orchestra for their contribution of $24,000.00 in lieu of taxes.

George read a thank you letter to the Police Department from Susan Sapio.  The Police found her wallet with everything accounted for.

The following announcements were made:

	Nancy Socha has been appointed as Assistant Tax Collector and Assistant Treasurer to replace Jenifer Picard who has gone to work for the Town of Lenox.

	Flu shots will be given November 9 from 1 to 4 at Town Hall.
	The Town has accepted with regret the resignation of Kim Raftery, Planning Board Clerk.  The Town is looking for a part time person to replace Kim.  Anyone interested should call the Selectmen’s Office.

George made a motion to adjourn at 7:55p.m.  A second was received from Cris.  The vote was unanimous.

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