Click on items above for more information.
AUGUST 25, 2010:
Town Clerk Resignation: The Selectboard accepted with deep regret the resignation of Town Clerk Carrie Silva at their meeting on Tuesday, August 17, 1010. Ms. Silva was happy to report that she had accepted a full-time position at Mohawk Trail Regional High School, but was sad to have to say goodbye to her position as Town Clerk for the Town of Rowe. She enjoyed serving in this position, but time constraints with a full-time job, children and a new home meant something had to be given up. Ms. Silva's resignation is effective with the appointment of her successor.
Recent Appointments: The Selectboard recently made the following appointments:
- August 24, 2010:
Town Clerk - Jennifer Morse Sprague
Broadband/Telecom Committee - David Lenth
- August 17, 2020:
WiredWest Organizing Comm - David Dvore, Russ Jolly, Dan Wessman
Assistant Town Clerk - Carole Veber
Assistant Treasurer - Sandra Silva
Cell Phone Service for Rowe???
At the request of several residents the Selectboard has asked the Broadband/Telecom Committee to pursue cell phone service for the town. Bear Swamp is looking into the possibility of having an antenna installed on one of its towers in western Rowe, and may work together with the town in this endeavor.
18.4 kW Photovoltaic Solar Array at Rowe Elementary School
Three responses were received to the town's RFP (request for proposals) for a solar PV array to be installed on the grounds of the Rowe Elementary School. The project was awarded by the Selectboard at their meeting on July 29, 2010, to Berkshire Photovoltaic/Sirois Electric, Inc. of Burlington and Adams MA. Other proposers were Ostrow Electric of Worcester MA and New England Solar and Green Solutions of Williamstown MA. This installation is being funded with $147,000 of Mass Dept. of Energy EECBG (Energy Efficiency Community Block Grant) funds via Federal ARRA funds. The Selectboard thanks the Rowe Energy Committee for their tireless efforts in handling all aspects of this project from inception to completion (expected this fall). The Energy Committee is using the services of Peter Talmage of Northfield MA
as technical advisor on this project.
Public Water Supply Inspections: The MassDEP conducted inspections of three of the town's public water supplies (PWS) on July 30, 2010 (Town Hall well, Avery Fountain and the Pelham Lake Park well. They also inspected the well/water system at the Gracy House. Reports have been received from the DEP that show deficiencies at all four locations. The Selectboard is working with Berkshire Enviro Labs (the town's certified water operator) to remedy these deficiencies. All of the town's PWS's are tested regularly, and there are no problems with the water quality. Deficiencies cited have to do with configurations of some of the systems, and updating of action and emergency plans.
Depot Street Bridge: A inspection of the bridge over the Deerfield River at the bottom of Monroe Hill Road--aka the Depot Street Bridge--was conducted by MassDOT (formerly MassHighway) on June 7, 2010. The inspection report was received at the Town Hall on August 23, 2010. This report shows severe deficiency in the stringers under the bridge, and requires that action/repair be initiated upon receipt of the report. The Selectboard will discuss actions needed with DPW Supt. Jim Taylor at their meeting on August 31, 2010.
JULY 27, 2010:
Recent Appointments: The Selectboard made the following appointments on July 22nd:
- Renewable Energy Committee - Dana Williams and Abigail Phelps
- Energy Committee - Sharon Hudson
Special Town Meeting July 12th: Articles 1 and 3 passed; Article 2 was tabled (see warrant above).
Rowe School Solar PV Project: Three proposals were received and opened by the Selectboard on July 22nd. Proposals were received from Ostrow Electric, Worcester MA; Sirois Electric, Burlington and Adams MA; and NE Solar, Williamstown MA. All three proposals are under review by the Energy Committee, who will make their recommendation to the Selectmen for approval at a Selectmen's Meeting on Thursday, July 29th, at 6:30pm.
JUNE 28, 1010:
Special Town Meeting: A Special Town Meeting has been called for Monday, July 12th, at 7:30pm at the Rowe Elementary School. Three articles are on the warrant (see attachment above).
FY2010 CDBG Funds: The Town of Rowe was not eligible to apply for FY2010 CDBG housing funds as there are still funds available from prior year grants (grants were obtained for FY2007, FY2008 and FY2009). Please contact Charity Day at FCRHRA (Franklin County Regional Housing & Redevelopment Authority) at 413-863-9781 ext.132 or at cday@fcrhra.org for information concerning available funds.
JUNE 17, 2010:
Welcome back Bill... It’s hard to believe that Bill Loomis’ quadruple bypass was on Tuesday, May 11th. He was back to work 4 weeks later on Tuesday, June 8th! This has to be one for the record books! Those of you that know Bill are probably not surprised. Ellen Miller
June 8th Board of Selectmen’s meeting: L to R: Chair Paul McLatchy III,
Town Coordinator Ellen Miller, Selectman Bill Loomis and Selectman Jenn Wood.
JUNE 16, 2010
Organization of Board: Newly-elected Selectboard member Jennifer Wood was welcomed to the Board at their meeting on May 19th. Due to the absence of Chair Bill Loomis, who was out of commission for a brief period for medical reasons, Paul McLatchy III served as Acting Chair. The Board sent their wishes to Bill for a speedy recovery. Mr. Loomis was back to work at the meeting on June 8th, at which time the board reorganized. Chair Loomis nominated Mr. McLatchy as chair; Mr. McLatchy nominated Mr. Loomis as chair. Mr. Loomis declined and stated that he was happy to turn the chairmanship over to Mr. McLatchy. The vote was unanimous. Mr. McLatchy is perhaps the youngest Selectboard chair in the state. When first elected in May 2009 he was 18, and is currently 19 years old.
Disclosure: To shun the appearance of any collusion or conflict, both Selectman Paul McLatchy and Selectman Jenn Wood filed disclosure forms with Town Clerk Carrie Silva disclosing the fact that they have both worked together during the winter months at Mt. Snow, and that they both intend to continue being employed there in the future.
During the month of May the Selectboard made the following appointments:
- Animal Inspector - Russ Powers
- FCSWMD Representative - Ted Palmer
- FCSWMD Representative, Alternate - Jim Lively
- FRCOG Planning Board, BOS Representative - Jack Williams
- Old Home Day Committee - Ellynn Packard, Jodi Brown, Bob Dykeman, Sean Loomis, Paul McLatchy, Ellen Miller, Christine Tower
New Plaque for Veterans’ Memorial
The Selectmen thank Veterans’ Agent David Scrivens for procuring the new plaque for the Veterans’ Memorial on the Town Common. It was expertly installed by Levin Hardison on Saturday, May 15th. The new plaque looks wonderful. Just in time for Memorial Day. Thank you David.
Have any municipal news???
The Board of Selectmen asks that town boards, committees, and departments that want to get information to townspeople quickly submit news items to Town Coordinator Ellen Miller at admin@rowe-ma.gov for posting on the town website. Click on Town of Rowe News under the Announcements column on the right-hand side of the home page. Too see
up-to-date meeting postings of town boards and committees, click on Town Calendars on the left-hand side of the home page.
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