Sherry Berube Picked as Selectboard Aide

Selectmen Tuesday Mar 12 voted to offer Sherry Berube of West Street the part-time position of Administrative Coordinator and to advertise to find another person to replace Sherry as part-time assistant in the office. The board said the move will allow the Selectboard office to be open four days a week from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and closed on Fridays.

Berube was the first runner  up in 2012 when the late Steve Boudreau of Barre took over the job and more recently served as Boudreau's part time asistant.

The board met with Fire Chief Dana Robinson and Town Clerk Diana Cooley to discuss upcoming budget requests. Cooley said the elections budget will go down slightly because 2019 is "a light year." She said the low turnout of six percent of voters for town elections on March 4 "...probably cost us $30 per vote." The total town clerk expense budget will fall from  $17,640 to $16,485. Final totals are pending a determination of cost of living adjustments.

Fire Chief and Town Treasurer Dana Robinson said he will be seeking a new fire truck this year to replace a 40-year-old pumper. He projected the cost at $280,000 if approved. The fire department budget will rise from $30,725 to $31,126 in fiscal 2020. The 2020 budget year begins July 1.

The board learned that Petersham will be receiving up to $250,869 in state Chapter 90 highway construction funds in fiscal 2020.

Three Historic District Projects Are in the Works

The Historic District Commission Feb. 21 approved changes to an exit door from The Country Store's rear seating area intended to improve fire safety. The Commission also scheduled a public hearing  for March 18 (7 p.m. at the library) on plans to re-work an exterior door at the town hall to make way for a handicap lift system that will serve both upper and lower halls.

The Town Hall Handicap Access Committee recently got notice that the state will fund $70,000 of the $80,000 estimated project cost.

The committee has received a grant from the Massachusetts Office of Disability to install a lift system inside the building that will connect the upper and lower halls and provide access from outside the building as well. An existing door on the south front side of the building will be moved lower but no major exterior change is planned. Terms of the  grant require the project to be completed by June 30.

The East Quabbin Land Trust, which owns the Coutry Store building, filed the application. Cynthia Henshaw, the trust's executive director, said the goal is to increase the store's safety." The re-made door will fit in with the store building's current look, she said.

The commission also scheduled a public hearing for 7 p.m. March 21 on the trust's application to install 86 solar panels on the building's south-facing main roof and ell that could reduce the store's electric consumption by 62 percent. Henshaw said the project is intended to "keep the store sustainable."

Henshaw and Ann Lewis, a member of the trust Administration and Finance committee, said the plan is to install a total of 86 black solar panels on the two roofs. Lewis said the cost of the project, "... is not for publication." But she said the estimated cost of the solar panels has jumped 25 percent recently, "...probably because of tariffs."

Nichewaug Community Conversation on Hold Until April

The continuing informal conversation about the future of the Nichewaug property on the common will pause until April. Twenty seven residents attended a sixth two-hour session Feb. 20 without finding a compromise between those who want the property demolished and those who favor renovations that would meet town needs for senior housing and more.

Several residents said demolition would leave a gaping hole in the historic common. Others said renovation for new uses would harm the town center by adding too much new activity. Those who favor demolition say the vacant property is a safety hazard and a liability. The town is now paying about $54,000 a year for a loan that was used to remove asbestos floor and ceiling tiles from the 100,000 square foot complex. Demolition estimates range upwards of another $500,000. The town pays to mow lawns, for insurance and for an intrusion alarm system, but has deferred other spending for maintenance for a decade.

Others have offered a detailed plan for partial demolition and construction of senior housing but no plans for funding such a project.

Town Moderator Bart Wendell, who has led the informal Nichewaug meetings, has said a third option could be to take no action now. Several residents suggested that the town could seek a Community Development Block Grant of $20,000 to $40,000 to evaluate the condition of the buildings and propose a way forward. The town owns the property which comprises a large historic former inn and a 1950s-era brick-faced high school classroom building. The conversation will resume in April.

A Warm Snack Often Does the Trick on a Cold Day

Petersham Animal Control Log
January 2019

01/07 @9:15a Resident called to state cat has been missing for 5 days and she believes it is now in tree near home and will not come down. Gave advice re: warming food, other smells, etc. Owner able to coax cat down with warmed food.

01/08 @7:15a Cat in shelter brought to Second Chance for neuter, vaccinations, and vet check.

@4p Pick up cat from Second Chance and return to shelter

01/09@4p Resident called to state there is a porcupine in barn that will not go out and it is time to feed animals in barn. Assisted in encouraging the healthy porcupine to move on.

01/13@12p Cat in shelter off to his new home.

01/20@11a Assist Hardwick ACO with situation regarding several dogs running at large.

01/24@4:15p Accompany Animal Inspector during visit after a complaint regarding animal welfare was received.

01/24@7:45p Resident called to report skunk in enclosed dog pen; unable to dig under fence. Gave advice to resident to entice skunk to climb over fence. Resident called back 15 minutes later to report the attempt was successful. Skunk ran off.

01/25@10:30a Resident reports dog running at large. After given a description of dog, suggested an owner very near where dog was found. Caller returned dog to address given. Discussion with owners.

01/26@9a Resident reports seeing a cat crossing 122; has seen in the past. Contact made with potential owner of cat.

01/26@11a Resident reports very large dog in North Common Meadow. Owner of dog contacted and dog restrained.

01/27@8p Contact from resident regarding the re-homing of two cats. Advice given.

01/28@9a Call from local medical office (human) regarding a dog bite to human. Records for dog obtained from veterinary office, spoke with owner, dog under home quarantine for 10 days.

01/28@12p Call from New Salem ACO regarding lost dog and need for possible short term housing. ACO feels the dog is aggressive; will contact when ready to transport.

01/28@1p Assist Athol ACO for afternoon.

01/29@3p Assist Athol ACO.

01/31@4:30p Spoke with resident regarding care of dogs in winter. Follow up planned.

Greater Petersham Community Chorus Planned

 

Do you love to sing? Are you interested in joining your voice with those of others to create music under the direction of a talented and energetic director?

A group of residents from Petersham and Barre met recently with Nym Cooke, a choral director and teacher at the Eagle Hill School in Hardwick. He has experience directing choruses and an interest in bringing a community chorus to the Petersham area. He is looking for a critical number of committed people (at least 20 – 30 singers, with 8 – 12 men) to sing music of all genres in four-part harmony.

The group would expect members to pay some dues, to be willing to work pretty hard, to attend rehearsals regularly, and to perform in at least 2 concerts per year. The plan is to have a musician to accompany rehearsals and at performances. Young people are welcome to join if they love music and the chance to share their voices. Rehearsals will be at the UU church in Petersham and chorus members are welcome to join from all of the local towns.

The group plans to get together with Nym in early Spring of 2019 to let him know about the level of interest in the greater Petersham community and make further plans. If you or your friends and family would like to participate or even just express  interest, get in touch with Diane Nassif at dianenassif@gmail.com or 978-724-3436.

Broadband Project Timeline Detailed

The Broadband committee said Feb. 1 that the state has signed an agreement that guarantees an $880,000 reimbursement for Petersham's local broadband system.

Broadband chairman Chip Bull said, "The state has (now) guaranteed Broadband reimbursement in the amount of $880,000 even though our borrowing amount was voted for $800,000. This will provide a final reduction to the previously approved $560,000 making our out-of-pocket cost $480,000 -- by far the lowest cost among the state's 40 plus "unserved communities."

The payment will be made after the system is up and running.  Town meeting voters agreed to borrow $800,000 for the work only after the state agreed to reimburse the money after the system is installed. 

Chairman Chip Bull said some homes could be connected to the planned new system in time for the June town meeting. Chris Lynch from Matrix Design said 75 percent of town will be hooked up by the time school opens in the fall. He said the system will serve nearly all properties in town and could be fully operational by Christmas.

Utility company "make-ready work" is scheduled to start in early March and be done by the end of May, he said. Bull said the town may decide not to connect to the state's "middle-mile" fiber cables because the cost is prohibitive but will still bear the expense of relocating those cables on utility poles to make room for the town's high-speed cables.

OPINION: Send Us Your Opinions About the Nichewaug MORE

State Certifies 2019 Local Tax Rate

Mass Department of Revenue has certified the town's fiscal year 2019 Tax Rate at $16.93 per thousand. The 2018 rate was $16.37 per thousand of assessed value. The increase is .56 cents per thousand of value.

The Friday Market  -- MORE

 

Town Hall Access Committee Report

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