Click on items above for more information.
FEB 2, 2011:
Recent Appointments:
Cultural Council: Kerri McLatchy, Meghan McLatchy
Election Teller/Workers: Noel Abbott, Helen Danek, Marjorie Morse, Mary Paige, Susan Wood
Rowe Elem School District Study Committee: Selectman: Paul McLatchy III, Finance Committee: Myra Carlow, School Committee: Maggie Rice, Citizens: Noel Abbott and Jennifer Morse, Teacher: Laurie Pike, PTP: Elizabeth Buck
Post Office Changes: The Selectboard has been notified by the U.S. Postal Service that effective March 25, 2011, the U.S. Post Office in Rowe will no longer be the town's Business Mail Entry Acceptance location. Other businesses in Rowe have received similar notices. As of March 25th our assigned Centralized Business Mail Entry Unit will be the U.S. Post Office in Greenfield at 223 Main Street. One item brought about by this change is that the Rowe Post Office will no longer accept BULK mailings. These must be handled through the Greenfield P.O. Town Coordinator Miller will attend a Business Mail workshop later this month at the Greenfield P.O. to get additional information and learn what our mailing options are via the USPS's new PostalOne! system. There will be no changes to First Class mail at the Rowe
Post Office, nor will home delivery be affected.
Jan 5, 2011
Meeting Day Change: Effective in February the Selectboard will meet on alternate Wednesday evenings at 5:00pm. Chair McLatchy's new class schedule conflicted with the Tuesday evening meetings. This new schedule takes effect Wednesday, February 2nd.
Golden Cane: An anonymous donor has donated a golden cane to the town to honor Rowe's eldest citizen each year. The Selectboard accepted this cane at their Jan 4th meeting. Arrangements are being made to honor our current eldest citizen.
Police Dept News:
- The Selectboard voted to award the bid for the new police cruiser to Balise Toyota of West Springfield for a 2011 Toyota 4Runner Trail 4x4 V6 for the net price of $23,237. This price includes a $7,400 trade in allowance for the current cruiser (a 2001 Toyota Sequoia).
- Welcome to new Special Police Officer Melissa Salls of Ashfield MA who began work on Tuesday, January 4th. Melissa joins officers Selmi Hyytinen and Julie Shippee. We now have three officers to patrol town, as well as perform other police duties.
- The town has applied today to the MA Criminal History Systems Board to establish a Law Enforcement connection to CJIS [see-jis]...the Criminal Justice Information System. Police Chief Henry Dandeneau and officers Hyytinen, Shippee and Salls will have access to this web-based system, which will greatly enhance investigative duties and allow for electronic processing of gun permits.
NGrid Rebates: As part of the ESCO (energy savings) project, rebates in the amount of $5,065 were received in December 2010 from National Grid. These funds will be deposited in the town's General Fund.
Memorial Donation: On behalf of the Cemetery Commissioners, the Selectboard accepted a donation for the West Cemetery from Jeanne and Roy Pindara of Chelmsford MA in memory of Roger Brown.
Recent Permits Issued:
- Angela Foshay: Building Permit--New roof
- Richard Alix: Building Permit--New breezeway
- Greg's Wastewater/GM Enterprises, So. Deerfield MA - 2011 Septage Pumper/Hauler Permit (expires Dec 2011)
DEC 21, 2010:
Appointments: The Selectboard voted to appoint the following:
- Broadband/Telecom Committee Noel Abbott, Ford Hill Road
- WiredWest Organizing Committee Noel Abbott, Ford Hill Road (alternate representative)
- FRCOG Representative Jack Williams, Brown Road
NOVEMBER 3, 2010:
Special Town Meeting: The warrant for the November 16, 2010 Special Town Meeting is attached above. Meeting will be held at the Rowe Elementary School at 7:00pm.
Veterans' Agent: The Selectboard is happy to report that David Scrivens has accepted appointment as the Veterans' Agent. Mr. Scrivens served Rowe's veterans in the post of Veterans' Agent for many years in the past, and has again agreed to serve. If you have any questions or vet matters to discuss, please contact him at 339-5376.
OCTOBER 22, 2010:
Stretch Building Code: The Rowe Board of Selectmen is holding a public hearing on the Stretch Code on November 9, 2010 @ 6:00pm at the Rowe Town
Hall. The following week, on Tuesday, November 16, 2010, at 7:00pm at the Rowe Elementary School there will be a Special Town Meeting. Adoption of the Strectch Code as a general bylaw for the Town of Rowe is on the warrant for that meeting. A Green
Communities criterion, the Stretch Building code has a higher standard of energy conservation and efficiency than the current code. A summary of the proposed code is available above.
AUGUST 31, 2010:
Town Counsel: Town Counsel Janet Pumphrey met with the Selectboard and several town boards at the Selectmen's meeting on August 31st. All town officials were invited to meet with Ms. Pumphrey to discuss past and future interactions with both Ms. Pumphrey and Kopelman and Paige PC. It was a very positive discussion and emphasized the good working relationship the town has with town counsel. K&P offers tremendous depth of knowledge, representing over 1/3 of the cities and
towns in Massachusetts.
New Town Clerk: Newly-appointed Town Clerk Jennifer Morse Sprague has stepped right in to the Town Clerk's office and is quickly learning the ropes. Her office hours are: Tuesdays 8:30am to Noon and Wednesdays 5:00-8:00pm.
Recent Appointment: The Selectboard voted unanimously to appoint Bob Dykeman as Constable. Mr. Dykeman will serve as back-up to our elected Constable Christine Tower.
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.
| 
