Officials Agree: Reduce the Town Meeting Quorum to 1 Percent

The town clerk, town moderator, Finance Committee members and Selectboard agreed June 2 that the town meeting quorum, currently 10 percent of all 930 registered, to one percent (about 10 voters) of the total. Legislative approval is needed and is pending for the Covid virus-inspired change.

During the discussion, conducted by telephone conference call, members said they support the move so long as the first  meeting session agenda contains only essential spending items and loan obligations. All other articles would be moved to a later meeting, likely in the fall.

Town Clerk Diana Cooley said, "You should go to 1 percent. You might not get 5 percent attendance. It is not going to hurt to do it once."  Chair Nancy Allen said if more voters show up than the proposed minimum quorum, none will be turned away from the June 29 meeting.

Allen said a final decision could be delayed until a board meeting next week.
 

 

No Words Yet on State Reimbursement for Towns, Cities

The Selectboard and Finance Committee said May 12 they will wait two weeks to put final touches on the 2021 town budget. There is no word yet on whether the state will fund reimbursements which cover about a quarter of Petersham's annual operating costs. The state is facing an estimated $5 billion revenue shortfall this year. State Sen. Anne Gobi reported during a previous recession, state revenues went down $4 billion over two years and caused a 28   percent drop in aid to cities and towns.

Selectboard Chair Nancy Allen said, "If we weren't dealing with Covid, we are in really good shape." She said as proposed, the 2021 budget is about $100,000 smaller than 2020. "Because of the Covid it is like we are pushing on Jello. We have to take a deep breath and wait out the state." Outgoing finance chair Ross France said, "We really don't know what the state numbers are going to be. Reimbursements were cut 28 percent during the last recession."

Board members said they will consider a state-recommended plan for fiscal 2021, which begins on July1 to peg monthly spending at one twelvth of 2020 spending.

The board said the delayed town election will be held June 22 and the annual town meeting will be June 29. Locations for the town meeting that will preserve social distancing are being considered. The warrant may be limited to money items only with the remainder taken up at a special town meeting later in the year.

Work on a handicap lift for town hall continues and has not been delayed by the Covid    epidemic. It is planned for completion by June 30

Covid Update from the State Dept. of Public Health May 31

Health officials announced 50 more state residents have lost their lives to corona virus.

State officials also confirmed another 789 case of the virus, bringing the total number of cases statewide to at least 96,301. The new positive cases are based on 10,774 tests reported on May 30.

As of Saturday, 6,768 people have died from COVID-19, officials said. Of those deaths, 4,217 were reported out of long-term care facilities.

Since April 15, there’s been a 74% decline in  positive coronavirus cases, according to a seven-day weighted average; a 44% decrease in the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations, according to a three-day average; a 67% decrease in the number of hospitals using surge capacity; and a 62% decrease in the number of corona virus deaths, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Link to town by town data


Mass Public Health Covid Info and Updates

Dogs, Stray Cats, Goats and a Snapping Early Turtle

April 2020 Animal Control Report

04/01 @3:30p Resident call regarding dog that chased when walking in road. Resident felt it was a GSD. To area, owner of dog identified, spoke with dog’s owner. Dog placed on leash, warning

04/06 @6a Resident call stating two dogs went missing when someone opened a barn door while animals in barn were being feed. PAWS FB, Missing Dogs Massachusetts postings, assisted with getting flyers up in area

@2p Resident call regarding large snapping turtle in middle of the road, advised. To area to assist turtle to move on its way

@2:30p Report of loose goats on Route 32. Potential owner notified and goats returned to yard.

04/07 @3p Call from owner of lost dogs (04/06), both dogs located and safe. As a precaution both dogs to veterinarian for exam

04/17 @10:30a Resident call regarding unfamiliar cat seen at locations on the east side of town. Discussed placing trap if cat is seen again, resident to notify asap if seen

@5p Resident with unfamiliar dog in yard, advised to open garage door, resident able to secure dog in garage. Likely owner identified and dog picked up

@6:30p Contact from North Quabbin Animal Control regarding Athol dog that went missing when out with owner on Petersham land. PAWS, Missing Dogs Massachusetts postings, gave additional advice to owner. Additional ACOs from surrounding towns notified. Feeding station set up in area where dog went missing, item of clothing and dog bed left, satellite cam set

04/18 @2p Dog from above located in Barre. Owner to area to secure dog

@3p Resident call regarding domestic cat that has moved new born kittens into a wall that is not easily accessible, suggestions given

@4p Cat previously seen on the east side of town successfully trapped and moved to shelter

04/19 Begin care and assessment of cat in shelter. Notifications to PAWS FB page and additional local lost pet pages, local ACOs notified, several response contacts made with no match for trapped cat

@10:30a Resident call regarding a very small bunny brought in house by domestic cat, suggestions given. Family member able to transport to rehab facility

@1p Resident call regarding livestock questions, to area to discuss issue

04/23 Assist homeowner and carpenter in removing section of wall where kittens were relocated by the mom. Kittens (and mom) successfully removed from within wall and set up in home

04/24 @9a Resident call regarding porcupine that is staying in barn, suggestions given is animal remains

04/26 Trap delivered to above location for porcupine and baited

04/30 Cat trapped earlier in the month re-homed. Owner understood, given the current status, the cat was not fully vetted.

Additional Notes:

1. Daily care of cat in shelter (2-3x/day) from 04/18-04/30

2. In general, marked increase in calls for wildlife sightings near roadways

Outdoor Broadband Installation Resumes

The Broadband Committee posted the following notice on April 29

Matrix and subcontractor crews will restart the street-side construction phase
of the town-wide Broadband Project on Tuesday, April 28.

When the home activation phase begins in approximately late May–June,
subscribers will be contacted directly by Matrix to arrange the individual
interior installation schedule. At all times, Matrix will strive to meet the
needs of each homeowner’s situation and appreciates the cooperation of
subscribers to ensure a safe, efficient, and successful installation for all.

The Matrix crews will be following a corporate-wide COVID-19 Safety Program
at all times; this includes following the recommendations of the U.S. Centers
for Disease Control (CDC) and U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration
(OSHA). While crews are working on Petersham streets, it is important that
residents maintain their distance so the contractors can remain focused on
their work. At the time of home installation, all crew members will be wearing
full personal protection equipment.

As always, any questions about the project may be directed to the town at
978-724-3353. Matrix and the Broadband MLP Board will endeavor to answer all
questions. For ongoing project updates, visit www.connectingpetersham.com"