Men in authority will always think that criticism of their policies is dangerous. They will always equate their policies with patriotism, and find criticism subversive.
Henry Steele Commager
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Help Bring Broadband to Ashfield
David Kulp, chair of the Ashfield Telecommunication Committee, has provided this important link: http://groups.google.com/group/ashfield-broadband. If you go there and click on the first article (by David Kulp), you'll learn that the Massachusetts Broadband Institute is applying for federal dollars to help bring broadband to our area. But your letters of support are urgently needed and the deadline is March 5.
Let's go for it bloggers. Imagine the day when The Ashfield Town Common can be a place to share photos, videos, and music. It could happen, but we'll have to work for it. And thanks to David and his committee for all their work.
Ruth Julian
Let's go for it bloggers. Imagine the day when The Ashfield Town Common can be a place to share photos, videos, and music. It could happen, but we'll have to work for it. And thanks to David and his committee for all their work.
Ruth Julian
On the Wild Side
Sharing food is one of the most powerful ways for us as neighbors to connect. I love wild rice! What's not to love. The nutty aromatic flavor? The texture? The health benefits? Let's compare it to Brown rice, which I also love.
A 1/4 cup of uncooked brown rice contains 171 calories, 3.6 grams of protein, 1.3 grams of fat, 35 grams of carbohydrates, and 1.6 grams of fiber.
A 1/4 cup of uncooked wild rice contains 142 calories, 5.8 grams of protein, .4 grams of fat, 30 grams of carbohydrates, and 2.4 grams of fiber.
From a nutrition standpoint, it looks like wild rice is the clear winner. It does take longer to cook but it's worth the time. I cook 2-4 cups at a time and add it to other foods. I separate it into smaller portions, since it freezes well.
Let's take a wok on the wild side together. Have you stir fried it with brown rice, white rice, fried rice? Combine two or three, wouldn't that be nice?
Put some in your pot of chili, make it gourmet, make it simple or just be silly. How about adding some to your pancake batter? Put it in chicken soup, or any soup for that matter. I've added it to my oatmeal with some fruit. "My wild oats", Ok, now isn't that too cute?
I've given you some ideas that work for me.
What will you add it to, we'll wait and see.
Here are some easy ways to cook wild rice (thanks to about.com). One cup uncooked wild rice yields 3 to 4 cups cooked wild rice.
How to Steam Wild Rice: In a medium sauce pan, bring wild rice, 3 cups water, and 1/2tsp. salt to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to maintain a steady simmer, and cook until rice is tender and kernels pop open, 45 to 60 minutes. Uncover and fluff with a fork. Simmer five additional minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain off any excess liquid. Steamed wild rice has many popped kernels and a very tender texture.
How to Boil Wild Rice: Bring 6 cups water to a boil. Add 1 tsp. salt and 1 cup wild rice. Bring back to a boil before reducing heat to maintain a low boil. Cook until rice is tender, about 45 minutes. Drain in a sieve or fine-mesh colander. Boiled wild rice tends to have tender, but intact kernels.
How to Bake Wild Rice: Combine 1 cup wild rice with 2 cups boiling water or broth and salt to taste in a 2-quart casserole with a tight fitting lid. Cover and bake at 350° for 1 hour. Check wild rice. Add more water or broth, if needed, and fluff with a fork. Continue baking until wild rice is tender and still moist, about 30 minutes.
How to Microwave Wild Rice: Combine 1 cup water and 3 cups water or broth and 1/2 tsp. salt in a covered 2-quart glass or other microwave safe container. Microwave on full power for 5 minutes. Microwave on 50 percent power for 30 minutes. Let stand 15 minutes and drain.
How to Pressure Cook Wild Riced: Follow manufacturers directions. This is my preferred method.
Enjoy!
Suzi Day
A 1/4 cup of uncooked brown rice contains 171 calories, 3.6 grams of protein, 1.3 grams of fat, 35 grams of carbohydrates, and 1.6 grams of fiber.
A 1/4 cup of uncooked wild rice contains 142 calories, 5.8 grams of protein, .4 grams of fat, 30 grams of carbohydrates, and 2.4 grams of fiber.
From a nutrition standpoint, it looks like wild rice is the clear winner. It does take longer to cook but it's worth the time. I cook 2-4 cups at a time and add it to other foods. I separate it into smaller portions, since it freezes well.
Let's take a wok on the wild side together. Have you stir fried it with brown rice, white rice, fried rice? Combine two or three, wouldn't that be nice?
Put some in your pot of chili, make it gourmet, make it simple or just be silly. How about adding some to your pancake batter? Put it in chicken soup, or any soup for that matter. I've added it to my oatmeal with some fruit. "My wild oats", Ok, now isn't that too cute?
I've given you some ideas that work for me.
What will you add it to, we'll wait and see.
Here are some easy ways to cook wild rice (thanks to about.com). One cup uncooked wild rice yields 3 to 4 cups cooked wild rice.
How to Steam Wild Rice: In a medium sauce pan, bring wild rice, 3 cups water, and 1/2tsp. salt to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to maintain a steady simmer, and cook until rice is tender and kernels pop open, 45 to 60 minutes. Uncover and fluff with a fork. Simmer five additional minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain off any excess liquid. Steamed wild rice has many popped kernels and a very tender texture.
How to Boil Wild Rice: Bring 6 cups water to a boil. Add 1 tsp. salt and 1 cup wild rice. Bring back to a boil before reducing heat to maintain a low boil. Cook until rice is tender, about 45 minutes. Drain in a sieve or fine-mesh colander. Boiled wild rice tends to have tender, but intact kernels.
How to Bake Wild Rice: Combine 1 cup wild rice with 2 cups boiling water or broth and salt to taste in a 2-quart casserole with a tight fitting lid. Cover and bake at 350° for 1 hour. Check wild rice. Add more water or broth, if needed, and fluff with a fork. Continue baking until wild rice is tender and still moist, about 30 minutes.
How to Microwave Wild Rice: Combine 1 cup water and 3 cups water or broth and 1/2 tsp. salt in a covered 2-quart glass or other microwave safe container. Microwave on full power for 5 minutes. Microwave on 50 percent power for 30 minutes. Let stand 15 minutes and drain.
How to Pressure Cook Wild Riced: Follow manufacturers directions. This is my preferred method.
Enjoy!
Suzi Day
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Ashfield Tales, Both Short and Tall #2
Bill E. disliked all females. “They are devious, demanding and contrary,” Bill said to me. “Don, I feel left out. I really want a divorce, but I never married.”
Don Lesure
Don Lesure
Open Letter to SB Re: PD Tires
22 Feb 2010
Dear Mr. Murray and Mr. DeHerdt,
I am writing to formally place the Town on notice of my concern regarding the potential liability to the Town because of the continued use by the Police Department of its two police cruisers.
Months ago, the Select Board was advised that the two police cruisers should not be used for police operations due to their unsafe condition. Specifically, the Highway Department mechanic advised that the SUV tires are so worn that the vehicle should not be driven in the snow nor should it be used for any purpose other than an officer going to court.
Additionally, the Select Board has been advised that the Taurus tires are so worn that the vehicle is unsafe to drive in inclement weather or for any police purposes. Notwithstanding these warnings, the Select Board has allowed the Taurus to be used. Last week's serious, unnecessary accident involving Sgt. Nunez is a prime example of the danger in which the continued use of the Taurus places not only the officer but also the general public. Hiding this dangerous situation from the public and the State Police (failing to report the accident as required by both police department policies no. 4.xx and 2.38) will only result in serious injury or loss of life.
It is my belief that the Select Board's ongoing failure to take affirmative action regarding this matter rises to negligence and will result in significant financial exposure to the Town and its citizens. Therefore, I ask that you immediately address this situation and take the necessary actions to insure that the Town's police vehicles are safe and comply with State Law before they are allowed to operate on our town roads.
Respectfully submitted,
Suzanne Corbett
cc: Town Counsel
Massachusetts State Police, Shelburne Barracks
Dear Mr. Murray and Mr. DeHerdt,
I am writing to formally place the Town on notice of my concern regarding the potential liability to the Town because of the continued use by the Police Department of its two police cruisers.
Months ago, the Select Board was advised that the two police cruisers should not be used for police operations due to their unsafe condition. Specifically, the Highway Department mechanic advised that the SUV tires are so worn that the vehicle should not be driven in the snow nor should it be used for any purpose other than an officer going to court.
Additionally, the Select Board has been advised that the Taurus tires are so worn that the vehicle is unsafe to drive in inclement weather or for any police purposes. Notwithstanding these warnings, the Select Board has allowed the Taurus to be used. Last week's serious, unnecessary accident involving Sgt. Nunez is a prime example of the danger in which the continued use of the Taurus places not only the officer but also the general public. Hiding this dangerous situation from the public and the State Police (failing to report the accident as required by both police department policies no. 4.xx and 2.38) will only result in serious injury or loss of life.
It is my belief that the Select Board's ongoing failure to take affirmative action regarding this matter rises to negligence and will result in significant financial exposure to the Town and its citizens. Therefore, I ask that you immediately address this situation and take the necessary actions to insure that the Town's police vehicles are safe and comply with State Law before they are allowed to operate on our town roads.
Respectfully submitted,
Suzanne Corbett
cc: Town Counsel
Massachusetts State Police, Shelburne Barracks
An Important Definition
Satire
sat·ire [sat-ahyuhr] – noun
1. the use of irony, sarcasm, ridicule, or the like, in exposing, denouncing, or deriding vice, folly, etc.
2. a literary composition, in verse or prose, in which human folly and vice are held up to scorn, derision, or ridicule.
3. a literary genre comprising such compositions.
dictionary.reference.com
sat·ire [sat-ahyuhr] – noun
1. the use of irony, sarcasm, ridicule, or the like, in exposing, denouncing, or deriding vice, folly, etc.
2. a literary composition, in verse or prose, in which human folly and vice are held up to scorn, derision, or ridicule.
3. a literary genre comprising such compositions.
dictionary.reference.com
Tonight's Selectboard Agenda--2/25
TOWN OF ASHFIELD SELECT BOARD
MEETING AGENDA (preliminary and subject to change)
February 25, 2010 7 pm
1.Minutes
February 23, 2010 – executive session
2.APPOINTMENTS
a.Town Hall Building Committee
b.Police Chief Search Committee
c.Draft Strategic Plan of Shelburne Falls Center Center (Jamie Godfrey, Director of the Senior Center) [at about 8:15]
3.LIAISON REPORTS
a.Police
b.Fire
c.Highway
d.Emergency Manager
e.Town Hall
4.OLD BUSINESS
a.
5.MAIL
a.Shelburne Falls Area Business Association Scholarship
6.NEW BUSINESS
a.Budget hearing with Finance Committee and School Committee members [at 7:30]
8.Vote/Signatures
a.Highland Ambulance EMS contract
b.Warrant for Town Caucus on March 9 at Sanderson Academy
9.FUTURE MEETINGS/APPOINTMENTS
March 11 @ 7:00 pm – General Business followed by 7:30 pm budget hearings
March 18 @ 7:00 pm – General Business followed by 7:30 pm budget hearings
10.PUBLIC FORUM (if time)
10.EXECUTIVE SESSION (if necessary)
MEETING AGENDA (preliminary and subject to change)
February 25, 2010 7 pm
1.Minutes
February 23, 2010 – executive session
2.APPOINTMENTS
a.Town Hall Building Committee
b.Police Chief Search Committee
c.Draft Strategic Plan of Shelburne Falls Center Center (Jamie Godfrey, Director of the Senior Center) [at about 8:15]
3.LIAISON REPORTS
a.Police
b.Fire
c.Highway
d.Emergency Manager
e.Town Hall
4.OLD BUSINESS
a.
5.MAIL
a.Shelburne Falls Area Business Association Scholarship
6.NEW BUSINESS
a.Budget hearing with Finance Committee and School Committee members [at 7:30]
8.Vote/Signatures
a.Highland Ambulance EMS contract
b.Warrant for Town Caucus on March 9 at Sanderson Academy
9.FUTURE MEETINGS/APPOINTMENTS
March 11 @ 7:00 pm – General Business followed by 7:30 pm budget hearings
March 18 @ 7:00 pm – General Business followed by 7:30 pm budget hearings
10.PUBLIC FORUM (if time)
10.EXECUTIVE SESSION (if necessary)
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Interim Chief Funds Approved
In a special town meeting tonight, over 50 brave souls made it through the snow and rain to approve five warrant articles and table the sixth. The appropriated funds will pay for an interim police chief, police department consulting services, technical school expenses, legal fees, and retirement expenses.
The sixth article, to move $13,000 from the Belding Park Restoration Fund to the stabilization fund was tabled. Selectboard member Dave DeHerdt said the town has no special need for the money at this time, and he didn’t want to take away funds at a special town meeting that were approved by the annual town meeting.
At the beginning of the evening, Bill Perlman motioned to postpone the meeting to a date certain because the bad weather had lowered attendance, but the motion was defeated.
DeHerdt said after the meeting that a contract is being prepared to offer to John Cotton, the candidate for interim chief chosen at last night’s selectboard meeting. If all goes well, the new chief may begin as early as next Monday.
He said the board will be meeting again tomorrow night at 7 p.m. and will be joined by the Finance Committee to work on the budget.
Ruth Julian
The sixth article, to move $13,000 from the Belding Park Restoration Fund to the stabilization fund was tabled. Selectboard member Dave DeHerdt said the town has no special need for the money at this time, and he didn’t want to take away funds at a special town meeting that were approved by the annual town meeting.
At the beginning of the evening, Bill Perlman motioned to postpone the meeting to a date certain because the bad weather had lowered attendance, but the motion was defeated.
DeHerdt said after the meeting that a contract is being prepared to offer to John Cotton, the candidate for interim chief chosen at last night’s selectboard meeting. If all goes well, the new chief may begin as early as next Monday.
He said the board will be meeting again tomorrow night at 7 p.m. and will be joined by the Finance Committee to work on the budget.
Ruth Julian
Winter Storm Update
Emergency Services Director Doug Field reports that selectboard chair Ted Murray has not cancelled tonight's Special Town Meeting. He also said that, though about 50 houses are still without power, no state of emergency has been declared in Ashfield and the Highway Department has all roads open and passable.
He also reported that Sanderson Academy has not been opened as an emergency center, since the power company expects to have all electricity restored by midnight. The power outages are mostly in South Ashfield and on Baptist Corner Road.
Ruth Julian
He also reported that Sanderson Academy has not been opened as an emergency center, since the power company expects to have all electricity restored by midnight. The power outages are mostly in South Ashfield and on Baptist Corner Road.
Ruth Julian
Shelter from the Storm
If anyone is without power and needs a place to stay, I have a lot of rooms here.
Ricki Carroll
Ricki Carroll
Special Town Meeting Tonight?
At Tuesday’s selectboard meeting, Chair Ted Murray warned that the Special Town Meeting slated for 7 p.m. tonight may be challenged. The grounds for the challenge are that Town Hall, where the meeting is scheduled to be held, is not in complete compliance with state regulations governing handicapped accessibility.
Murray has been in touch with Fire Chief Del Haskins to ask that firefighters be on duty at both the walkway into the building and at the lift to assist any handicapped people in gaining access to the building. The paving stones of the walkway have been disturbed by frost and the lifts have had problems in the past. Murray reported that he has also tested the lifts to make sure they are in good working order.
On the advice of town counsel, the board will ask participants if there are any objections before the meeting begins. If any are raised, the meeting will have to be postponed for at least two weeks for proper posting and moved to Sanderson Academy. Murray said the postponement will not only delay the hiring of an interim police chief, but will impact other important town business. It will also distract the two remaining board members at a time when they need to focus on preparing the budget for the next fiscal year.
Murray also said that the selectboard will be meeting with the finance committee at 6:30 p.m. to try to find another source of savings in the budget, so that funds will not have to be drawn from the Belding Park Restoration Fund. He said the use of the park fund is the most controversial issue on the special town meeting warrant.
David King
Murray has been in touch with Fire Chief Del Haskins to ask that firefighters be on duty at both the walkway into the building and at the lift to assist any handicapped people in gaining access to the building. The paving stones of the walkway have been disturbed by frost and the lifts have had problems in the past. Murray reported that he has also tested the lifts to make sure they are in good working order.
On the advice of town counsel, the board will ask participants if there are any objections before the meeting begins. If any are raised, the meeting will have to be postponed for at least two weeks for proper posting and moved to Sanderson Academy. Murray said the postponement will not only delay the hiring of an interim police chief, but will impact other important town business. It will also distract the two remaining board members at a time when they need to focus on preparing the budget for the next fiscal year.
Murray also said that the selectboard will be meeting with the finance committee at 6:30 p.m. to try to find another source of savings in the budget, so that funds will not have to be drawn from the Belding Park Restoration Fund. He said the use of the park fund is the most controversial issue on the special town meeting warrant.
David King
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Selectboard Chooses Interim Police Chief
While citing the impressive credentials of both candidates for the position of Interim Police Department Chief, the two-member selectboard voted tonight to hire John Cotton for a four-month term running from March through June. Chair Ted Murray and member Dave DeHerdt agreed that the town's foremost need is for someone to stabilize the department quickly. They said that Chief Cotton's experience with a similar situation would allow him to move with dispatch in the limited time allowed to him. Also, his familiarity with the local situation would enable him to take control of the department quickly.
John Cotton, who was interviewed in public session last week, is retired from his position as Chief of the Williamsburg Police Department. He also has experience as a lieutenant in the Northampton Police Department. His appointment is subject to successful negotiations and approval of funding at a Special Town Meeting scheduled for tomorrow night at 7 p.m.
Earlier in the evening, the board interviewed Ed Cronin of Gardner for the interim chief position. Cronin has retired from positions as Police Chief in both Fitchburg and Gardener.
In other business, the board announced its decisions for appointments to two important committees. The Town Hall Building Issues Committee will consist of Doug Cranson, Stuart Harris, Nancy Garvin, Sandy Lilly, MaryEllen Cranston, Mary Quigley, Grace Lesure, and Ron Coler. They will be asked to attend a meeting very soon to be officially appointed.
The Police Chief Search Committee will be Alan Taylor, Nina Coler, Bev Labelle, Paul Monohan, Doug Field, Sherrill Jourdan, Lenny Roberts, Suzanne Corbett, Lynn Dole, and Paul Lacinski. Nancy Hoff has been asked, but has not yet accepted. The committee will meet for the first time this Thursday, by which time they will have a list of tasks with which they will be charged and will be officially appointed.
In other news, Dave DeHerdt reported that the computer forensic team searching for the missing e-mails has hit a glitch with e-mails from last February. They have discovered that from February 9—27 there was no e-mail activity at all. They want to know whether or not the computer was shut down during that period. If not, they'll try other techniques to try to recover the e-mails.
David King
John Cotton, who was interviewed in public session last week, is retired from his position as Chief of the Williamsburg Police Department. He also has experience as a lieutenant in the Northampton Police Department. His appointment is subject to successful negotiations and approval of funding at a Special Town Meeting scheduled for tomorrow night at 7 p.m.
Earlier in the evening, the board interviewed Ed Cronin of Gardner for the interim chief position. Cronin has retired from positions as Police Chief in both Fitchburg and Gardener.
In other business, the board announced its decisions for appointments to two important committees. The Town Hall Building Issues Committee will consist of Doug Cranson, Stuart Harris, Nancy Garvin, Sandy Lilly, MaryEllen Cranston, Mary Quigley, Grace Lesure, and Ron Coler. They will be asked to attend a meeting very soon to be officially appointed.
The Police Chief Search Committee will be Alan Taylor, Nina Coler, Bev Labelle, Paul Monohan, Doug Field, Sherrill Jourdan, Lenny Roberts, Suzanne Corbett, Lynn Dole, and Paul Lacinski. Nancy Hoff has been asked, but has not yet accepted. The committee will meet for the first time this Thursday, by which time they will have a list of tasks with which they will be charged and will be officially appointed.
In other news, Dave DeHerdt reported that the computer forensic team searching for the missing e-mails has hit a glitch with e-mails from last February. They have discovered that from February 9—27 there was no e-mail activity at all. They want to know whether or not the computer was shut down during that period. If not, they'll try other techniques to try to recover the e-mails.
David King
Favoritism? Retaliation?
Incident #1: Ashfield Police Sergeant Kristina Nunez reports that sometime after January 8, 2010, she got a call from a townsperson saying that he has old marijuana plants, originally part of Ashfield Police Department evidence, in his barn. What does she do? Nothing? We know she does not immediately call the State Police to go to that resident's home to determine if, in fact, there are marijuana plants in the barn and, if there are, to retrieve them.
About a week later on election day, while the children attend school, townspeople see this same resident at Sanderson leaving the school building with the only police officer on duty there for the election. Both come out of the building, go to the resident's truck parked at the school next to the cruiser. The officer is seen taking something in a black plastic bag out of the passenger side of the truck and putting it into the backseat of the cruiser. Later this same day another townsperson going to vote sees the Sergeant outside the school building talking with the officer who took the black plastic bag from the resident's truck. Does she immediately contact the State Police?
Shortly thereafter, the Sergeant confirms that it is the old marijuana plants in the black plastic bag and that they are now in the police department.
Almost four weeks later, the Sergeant speaks to another townsperson stating that this investigation is not on the top of her priority list, that she does not want the incident to get out, and that no one is going to go to jail over this. She says that she has made a pact with herself that, within the next week, she will conclude her investigation and that she is proud of how she has been handling it. That conversation was two weeks ago. Do we know if her investigation even happened? Do we know if any charges have been brought? Do we know if the Sergeant ever contacted the State Police for this investigation?
Incident #2: This past Saturday afternoon a townsperson up at the town garage finds a set of keys on the ground behind the Ashfield Police Department SUV. This townsperson sees the keys behind the a rear tire in the snow and dirt. She picks them up and immediately delivers them to a selectboard member who secures them in Town Hall.
The townsperson then posts her satirical comments about the incident on this blog, describing what could have happened had someone else discovered the keys.
Around 11:30 p.m. that same night, the townsperson discovers that the State Police are looking for her. She finds out that a state trooper has already been to her home. While there, the state trooper questions the other person living there. This person tells the state trooper that the person he's looking for is not there. The state trooper asks him about the townsperson's whereabouts and her mental and emotional stability. He requests entry into the home and into her living quarters to look for her. He mentions the word felony three times in relation to this event. He says that he does not want to arrest her, or have to fill out the paperwork, but just wants to get the keys back. He asks why does she hate this police department? Then the state trooper says he has better things to do than chase someone with the keys to a disabled police cruiser.
Not finding her, the state trooper then goes to another resident's home and questions the person living there about the townsperson's whereabouts. The state trooper tells this resident that there is an issue about some keys that the Sergeant has told him were on the front tire of an Ashfield police vehicle. In leaving, the state trooper states that if the police would put their keys where they belong, in a lock box, there wouldn't be a problem.
The townsperson, now aware that the State Police want to speak to her, contacts the barracks at midnight assuring them that she gave the keys to a selectboard member immediately after finding them. Case closed? Or does this one become "top" on her priority list?
Isn't it interesting how one investigation seems to languish while the other has such immediacy? And they wonder why we are outraged and fearful.
Ricki Carroll
Doug Cranson
Doug Field
Wayne Gardner
Steven Greenman
Sherrill Jourdan
Paullette Leukhardt
Don Lesure
Jim Maloney
Karen Sullivan
Tony Virgilio
About a week later on election day, while the children attend school, townspeople see this same resident at Sanderson leaving the school building with the only police officer on duty there for the election. Both come out of the building, go to the resident's truck parked at the school next to the cruiser. The officer is seen taking something in a black plastic bag out of the passenger side of the truck and putting it into the backseat of the cruiser. Later this same day another townsperson going to vote sees the Sergeant outside the school building talking with the officer who took the black plastic bag from the resident's truck. Does she immediately contact the State Police?
Shortly thereafter, the Sergeant confirms that it is the old marijuana plants in the black plastic bag and that they are now in the police department.
Almost four weeks later, the Sergeant speaks to another townsperson stating that this investigation is not on the top of her priority list, that she does not want the incident to get out, and that no one is going to go to jail over this. She says that she has made a pact with herself that, within the next week, she will conclude her investigation and that she is proud of how she has been handling it. That conversation was two weeks ago. Do we know if her investigation even happened? Do we know if any charges have been brought? Do we know if the Sergeant ever contacted the State Police for this investigation?
Incident #2: This past Saturday afternoon a townsperson up at the town garage finds a set of keys on the ground behind the Ashfield Police Department SUV. This townsperson sees the keys behind the a rear tire in the snow and dirt. She picks them up and immediately delivers them to a selectboard member who secures them in Town Hall.
The townsperson then posts her satirical comments about the incident on this blog, describing what could have happened had someone else discovered the keys.
Around 11:30 p.m. that same night, the townsperson discovers that the State Police are looking for her. She finds out that a state trooper has already been to her home. While there, the state trooper questions the other person living there. This person tells the state trooper that the person he's looking for is not there. The state trooper asks him about the townsperson's whereabouts and her mental and emotional stability. He requests entry into the home and into her living quarters to look for her. He mentions the word felony three times in relation to this event. He says that he does not want to arrest her, or have to fill out the paperwork, but just wants to get the keys back. He asks why does she hate this police department? Then the state trooper says he has better things to do than chase someone with the keys to a disabled police cruiser.
Not finding her, the state trooper then goes to another resident's home and questions the person living there about the townsperson's whereabouts. The state trooper tells this resident that there is an issue about some keys that the Sergeant has told him were on the front tire of an Ashfield police vehicle. In leaving, the state trooper states that if the police would put their keys where they belong, in a lock box, there wouldn't be a problem.
The townsperson, now aware that the State Police want to speak to her, contacts the barracks at midnight assuring them that she gave the keys to a selectboard member immediately after finding them. Case closed? Or does this one become "top" on her priority list?
Isn't it interesting how one investigation seems to languish while the other has such immediacy? And they wonder why we are outraged and fearful.
Ricki Carroll
Doug Cranson
Doug Field
Wayne Gardner
Steven Greenman
Sherrill Jourdan
Paullette Leukhardt
Don Lesure
Jim Maloney
Karen Sullivan
Tony Virgilio
Tonight's Selectboard Meeting Agenda
TOWN OF ASHFIELD SELECT BOARD
MEETING AGENDA (preliminary and subject to change)
February 23, 2010 7 pm
1.Minutes
February 10, 2010 – open session [not yet available]
February 17, 2010 – open session
February 17, 2010 – executive session
2.APPOINTMENTS
a.Interview with Ed Cronin, candidate for Interim Police Chief
3.LIAISON REPORTS
a.Police
b.Fire
c.Highway
d.Emergency Manager
e.Town Hall
4.OLD BUSINESS
a.Town Hall building committee
b.Police chief search committee
c.Status of forensic search for missing emails
5.MAIL
a.Letter from Select Board of Colrain
6.NEW BUSINESS
a.Plan to meet with School Superintendent re: voting procedures
7.Vote/Signatures
a.Warrant for Town Caucus on March 9, 2010
b.Highland Ambulance EMS contract
8.FUTURE MEETINGS/APPOINTMENTS
February 24 @ 7 pm – Special Town Meeting followed by Select Board Meeting
February 25 @ 7:00 pm – General Business followed by 7:30 pm budget hearing with Finance Committee and School Committee representatives
March 11 @ 7:00 pm – General Business followed by 7:30 pm budget hearings
March 18 @ 7:00 pm – General Business followed by 7:30 pm budget hearings
9.PUBLIC FORUM (if time)
10.EXECUTIVE SESSION (if necessary)
MEETING AGENDA (preliminary and subject to change)
February 23, 2010 7 pm
1.Minutes
February 10, 2010 – open session [not yet available]
February 17, 2010 – open session
February 17, 2010 – executive session
2.APPOINTMENTS
a.Interview with Ed Cronin, candidate for Interim Police Chief
3.LIAISON REPORTS
a.Police
b.Fire
c.Highway
d.Emergency Manager
e.Town Hall
4.OLD BUSINESS
a.Town Hall building committee
b.Police chief search committee
c.Status of forensic search for missing emails
5.MAIL
a.Letter from Select Board of Colrain
6.NEW BUSINESS
a.Plan to meet with School Superintendent re: voting procedures
7.Vote/Signatures
a.Warrant for Town Caucus on March 9, 2010
b.Highland Ambulance EMS contract
8.FUTURE MEETINGS/APPOINTMENTS
February 24 @ 7 pm – Special Town Meeting followed by Select Board Meeting
February 25 @ 7:00 pm – General Business followed by 7:30 pm budget hearing with Finance Committee and School Committee representatives
March 11 @ 7:00 pm – General Business followed by 7:30 pm budget hearings
March 18 @ 7:00 pm – General Business followed by 7:30 pm budget hearings
9.PUBLIC FORUM (if time)
10.EXECUTIVE SESSION (if necessary)
Relatively Wise Words
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.
Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein
Monday, February 22, 2010
Special Town Meeting Warrant for 2/24, 7 pm
Article 1: To see if the Town will transfer $45,600 to Technical School Expenses from the following sources:
$20,000 from General Highway Expenses
$7,000 from Highland Ambulance Capital Account
$4,000 from Property Insurance
$2,500 from Town Hall Wiring Upgrade
$2,097 from Assessors Salaries
$2,000 from Highway Utilities
$2,000 from Highway Fuel
$2,000 from Transfer Station Expenses
$74 from Ashfield Lake Dam
$1,325 from Reserve Fund
$900 from Fire Department Utilities
$600 from Fire Department Fuel
$300 from Veterans Graves
$250 from Office Expenses
$250 from Office Supplies
$100 from Planning Board
$100 from Animal Control Expenses
$100 from Moderator
$4 from Police Chief Salary
[Total=$45,600]
Article 2: To see if the Town will transfer $5,000 to Legal Expenses from the following sources:
$4000 from Winter Roads
$500 from Treasurers Expenses
$500 from Board of Health Expenses
[Total=$5000]
Article 3 : To see if the Town will transfer $1680 to Retirement Expenses from the following sources:
$1680 from Ashfield Lake Dam
Article 4 : To see if the Town will transfer $10,526 to Interim Police Chief Salary from the following sources:
$3,500 from Tax Title Expenses
$3,000 from Emergency Management Expense
$2,505 from Select Board Salaries
$46 from Ashfield Lake Dam
$675 from Board of Health Salaries
$250 from Postage
$200 from Street Lists
$150 fromTree Warden Salary
$100 from Town Clerk’s Expenses
$100 from Conservation Commission
[Total=$10,526]
Article 5: To see if the Town will transfer up to $4,500 to Police Department Consulting from the following source:
$4,500 from Belding Park Restoration
Article 6: To see if the Town will transfer up to $13,000 to the Stabilization Fund from the following source:
$13,000 from Belding Park Restoration
$20,000 from General Highway Expenses
$7,000 from Highland Ambulance Capital Account
$4,000 from Property Insurance
$2,500 from Town Hall Wiring Upgrade
$2,097 from Assessors Salaries
$2,000 from Highway Utilities
$2,000 from Highway Fuel
$2,000 from Transfer Station Expenses
$74 from Ashfield Lake Dam
$1,325 from Reserve Fund
$900 from Fire Department Utilities
$600 from Fire Department Fuel
$300 from Veterans Graves
$250 from Office Expenses
$250 from Office Supplies
$100 from Planning Board
$100 from Animal Control Expenses
$100 from Moderator
$4 from Police Chief Salary
[Total=$45,600]
Article 2: To see if the Town will transfer $5,000 to Legal Expenses from the following sources:
$4000 from Winter Roads
$500 from Treasurers Expenses
$500 from Board of Health Expenses
[Total=$5000]
Article 3 : To see if the Town will transfer $1680 to Retirement Expenses from the following sources:
$1680 from Ashfield Lake Dam
Article 4 : To see if the Town will transfer $10,526 to Interim Police Chief Salary from the following sources:
$3,500 from Tax Title Expenses
$3,000 from Emergency Management Expense
$2,505 from Select Board Salaries
$46 from Ashfield Lake Dam
$675 from Board of Health Salaries
$250 from Postage
$200 from Street Lists
$150 fromTree Warden Salary
$100 from Town Clerk’s Expenses
$100 from Conservation Commission
[Total=$10,526]
Article 5: To see if the Town will transfer up to $4,500 to Police Department Consulting from the following source:
$4,500 from Belding Park Restoration
Article 6: To see if the Town will transfer up to $13,000 to the Stabilization Fund from the following source:
$13,000 from Belding Park Restoration
Sunday, February 21, 2010
The Great Cruiser Keys Caper
Suzanne Corbett reports that after she posted her blog entry yesterday, Ashfield Police Sergeant Kristina Nunez printed it out and took it to the State Police to try to generate a felony charge against Corbett for the theft of the keys.
The keys were actually delivered to a selectboard member for safekeeping immediately after they were found. Suzanne Corbett is a graduate of the full-time Police Academy and a former Sergeant of the Ashfield Police Department.
Nonetheless, State Police came looking for Corbett yesterday evening at her home and the house of a friend, where she had parked her car when she and her friend went out together. As soon as she learned that the State Police had been looking for her, Corbett says she phoned them to let them know where the keys were.
By then the selectboard member had locked them safely in Town Hall.
Ruth Julian
The keys were actually delivered to a selectboard member for safekeeping immediately after they were found. Suzanne Corbett is a graduate of the full-time Police Academy and a former Sergeant of the Ashfield Police Department.
Nonetheless, State Police came looking for Corbett yesterday evening at her home and the house of a friend, where she had parked her car when she and her friend went out together. As soon as she learned that the State Police had been looking for her, Corbett says she phoned them to let them know where the keys were.
By then the selectboard member had locked them safely in Town Hall.
Ruth Julian
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Have Keys, Will Travel
Excuse me, does anyone out there want to ride shotgun with me? You may have use of the blue lights, siren, and radios. But to use the radios, I must insist we abide by the law and that you have a certificate from the FCC. The good news is that I will let you use the lights even if you are not one of those "special commissioners."
I have the ability to obtain a 4x4 SUV black in color with blue lettering. I must caution you, however, that the clunking noise under the seats may mean that the 4x4 drive is slightly blown and we may, as others have, simply ignore it. If we slide down Ashfield Mountain, do not blame me for the illegal tires because of the tread depth. Or we can strip out the radio system and sell it to the underworld.
I say anyone stupid enough to leave keys on the ground behind the back tire, where anyone could come along and take control of town equipment or destroy town equipment by joy riding, as has been done in the past with the ambulance, you should be suspended and long gone. The liability keeps mounting.
SM Corbett
I have the ability to obtain a 4x4 SUV black in color with blue lettering. I must caution you, however, that the clunking noise under the seats may mean that the 4x4 drive is slightly blown and we may, as others have, simply ignore it. If we slide down Ashfield Mountain, do not blame me for the illegal tires because of the tread depth. Or we can strip out the radio system and sell it to the underworld.
I say anyone stupid enough to leave keys on the ground behind the back tire, where anyone could come along and take control of town equipment or destroy town equipment by joy riding, as has been done in the past with the ambulance, you should be suspended and long gone. The liability keeps mounting.
SM Corbett
Ashfield Tales, Both Short and Tall #1
When telling tall tales about trout fishing, Lin W. said, "Elmer, the fish in my brook are so big they have to go up to Ashfield Lake to turn around."
Don Lesure
Don Lesure
Friday, February 19, 2010
Editor's Note on New Comment
Please note that a response to Karen Sullivan's comment on David King's post entitled "On Moving Forward" appeared today. I mention it because you will have to find the post in the archives, but I do want to encourage comments at any time.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Missing E-mails Recovered
A citizen who attended tonight's selectboard meeting reports that the board announced that 100% of the board's missing e-mails have been recovered by the computer forensics experts who have been hired to do the job. The e-mails are currently being reviewed to exclude any that should, by law, be kept private. The rest will be made public.
Ruth Julian
Ruth Julian
Big Changes on Selectboard
Chair Ted Murray and member Dave DeHerdt accepted with regret the resignation of Tom Ulrich, effective last Monday. The reasons for Ulrich’s resignation were not given. The chair expressed gratitude for the good service Ulrich had given to the town over the years. The seat will be listed as an unexpired term for town caucus next month and will remain vacant until the election in May. DeHerdt will take on Ulrich’s duties as liaison to the fire department and town boards.
Murray, who won a special election to fill a vacant seat on the board in October, also announced this evening that he will not run for re-election in May. He said that he came on the board with three goals in mind: to be the third member required to get the board working together; to resolve the controversies surrounding the police department; and to resolve the town’s budgetary problems. He feels he has made good progress toward all three goals and hopes to make more before his term expires in May. While time constraints prevent him from pursuing re-election, he hopes to continue to serve the town by working on special projects.
This means that next month’s caucus – where candidates are chosen to appear on the ballot for the election in May – is especially critical, since it will supply candidates for a majority of the selectboard.
Dave DeHerdt said he will be offering training sessions for prospective candidates to learn how the select board makes its decisions and what laws it operates under.
David King
Murray, who won a special election to fill a vacant seat on the board in October, also announced this evening that he will not run for re-election in May. He said that he came on the board with three goals in mind: to be the third member required to get the board working together; to resolve the controversies surrounding the police department; and to resolve the town’s budgetary problems. He feels he has made good progress toward all three goals and hopes to make more before his term expires in May. While time constraints prevent him from pursuing re-election, he hopes to continue to serve the town by working on special projects.
This means that next month’s caucus – where candidates are chosen to appear on the ballot for the election in May – is especially critical, since it will supply candidates for a majority of the selectboard.
Dave DeHerdt said he will be offering training sessions for prospective candidates to learn how the select board makes its decisions and what laws it operates under.
David King
Interim Chief Candidate Interviewed
Residents tonight got an opportunity to question one of the two candidates for the position of interim chief –-John Cotton, who has retired from his position as Police Chief in Williamsburg. He also has experience as a senior lieutenant in the Northampton Police Department.
When asked how he would deal with some of the controversies that the town has faced in the last year, Cotton repeatedly stressed the importance of transparency. He also maintains that every police officer should be Academy trained.
Residents will get the chance to meet and question the other candidate, Mr. Ed Cronin, on Tuesday, February 23rd at town hall. Mr. Cronin is retired from positions as chief of both the Fitchburg and Gardner departments.
David King
When asked how he would deal with some of the controversies that the town has faced in the last year, Cotton repeatedly stressed the importance of transparency. He also maintains that every police officer should be Academy trained.
Residents will get the chance to meet and question the other candidate, Mr. Ed Cronin, on Tuesday, February 23rd at town hall. Mr. Cronin is retired from positions as chief of both the Fitchburg and Gardner departments.
David King
Tom Ulrich Resigns
A reliable source who chooses to remain anonymous reports that selectboard member Tom Ulrich has resigned from his position for personal reasons. More details will probably emerge at tonight's selectboard meeting.
Ruth Julian
Ruth Julian
Revised Agenda for Tonight's SB Meeting
TOWN OF ASHFIELD SELECT BOARD
MEETING AGENDA (preliminary and subject to change)
February 17, 2010 7 pm
Minutes
February 3, 2010— open session February 10, 2010 — open session February 10, 2010 — executive session
2. APPOINTMENTS
a. Community Preservation Act review (Wendy Sweetser from Highland Communities Initiative)
b. Interview with John Cotton, candidate for Interim Police Chief
c. Review of STM warrant with Moderator, Buz Eisenberg
d. Appointment of Laura Blakesley and Maryellen Cranston as joint custodians for purpose of sealed bid auction
3. LIAISON REPORTS a. Police
b. Fire
c. Highway
d. Emergency Manager
e. Town Hall
4. OLD BUSINESS
a. Franklin Regional Retirement System COLA
b. Town Hall building committee
c. Police chief search committee
d. Status of forensic search for missing emails
5. MAIL
a. Letter from Select Board of Colrain
6. NEW BUSINESS
b. Plan to meet with School Superintendent re: voting procedures
Vote/Signatures
a. Local Emergency Planning Committee proclamation
b. Letter to School Superintendent
c. Letter to Franklin Regional Retirement System re: COLA
8. FUTURE MEETINGS/APPOINTMENTS
February 23 @ 7 pm — Interview of Ed Cronin, candidate for Interim Police Chief February 24 @ 7 pm — Special Town Meeting followed by Select Board Meeting February 25 @ 7:30 pm — Budget hearing with Finance Committee and School Committee representatives
PUBLIC FORUM (if time)
10. EXECUTIVE SESSION (if necessary)
MEETING AGENDA (preliminary and subject to change)
February 17, 2010 7 pm
Minutes
February 3, 2010— open session February 10, 2010 — open session February 10, 2010 — executive session
2. APPOINTMENTS
a. Community Preservation Act review (Wendy Sweetser from Highland Communities Initiative)
b. Interview with John Cotton, candidate for Interim Police Chief
c. Review of STM warrant with Moderator, Buz Eisenberg
d. Appointment of Laura Blakesley and Maryellen Cranston as joint custodians for purpose of sealed bid auction
3. LIAISON REPORTS a. Police
b. Fire
c. Highway
d. Emergency Manager
e. Town Hall
4. OLD BUSINESS
a. Franklin Regional Retirement System COLA
b. Town Hall building committee
c. Police chief search committee
d. Status of forensic search for missing emails
5. MAIL
a. Letter from Select Board of Colrain
6. NEW BUSINESS
b. Plan to meet with School Superintendent re: voting procedures
Vote/Signatures
a. Local Emergency Planning Committee proclamation
b. Letter to School Superintendent
c. Letter to Franklin Regional Retirement System re: COLA
8. FUTURE MEETINGS/APPOINTMENTS
February 23 @ 7 pm — Interview of Ed Cronin, candidate for Interim Police Chief February 24 @ 7 pm — Special Town Meeting followed by Select Board Meeting February 25 @ 7:30 pm — Budget hearing with Finance Committee and School Committee representatives
PUBLIC FORUM (if time)
10. EXECUTIVE SESSION (if necessary)
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Cancellation
The Board of Assessors meeting scheduled for tonight ( Tuesday 02-16-2010 ) has been cancelled. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, 02-22-2010, 7:00pm.
February 17 Selectboard Agenda
TOWN OF ASHFIELD SELECT BOARD
MEETING AGENDA*
February 17, 2010 7 pm
Minutes
February 3, 2010 — open session February 10, 2010 — open session February 10, 2010 — executive session
2. APPOINTMENTS
a. Community Preservation Act review (Wendy Sweetser from Highland Communities Initiative)
b. Interview with John Cotton, candidate for Interim Police Chief
3. LIAISON REPORTS
a. Police
b. Fire
c. Highway
d. Emergency Manager
e. Town Hall
4. OLD BUSINESS
a. Franklin Regional Retirement System COLA
b. Town Hall building committee
c. Police chief search committee
d. Status of forensic search for missing emails
5. MAIL
a. Letter from Select Board of Colrain
6. NEW BUSINESS
b. Plan to meet with School Superintendent re: voting procedures
7. Vote/Signatures
a. Local Emergency Planning Committee proclamation
b. Letter to School Superintendent
c. Letter to Franklin Regional Retirement System re: COLA
8. FUTURE MEETINGS/APPOINTMENTS
February 23 @ 7 pm — Interview of Ed Cronin, candidate for Interim Police Chief February 24 @ 7 pm — Special Town Meeting followed by Select Board Meeting February 25 @ 7:30 pm — Budget hearing with Finance Committee and School Committee representatives
PUBLIC FORUM (if time)
11. EXECUTIVE SESSION (if necessary)
* This is a preliminary agenda and is subject to change
MEETING AGENDA*
February 17, 2010 7 pm
Minutes
February 3, 2010 — open session February 10, 2010 — open session February 10, 2010 — executive session
2. APPOINTMENTS
a. Community Preservation Act review (Wendy Sweetser from Highland Communities Initiative)
b. Interview with John Cotton, candidate for Interim Police Chief
3. LIAISON REPORTS
a. Police
b. Fire
c. Highway
d. Emergency Manager
e. Town Hall
4. OLD BUSINESS
a. Franklin Regional Retirement System COLA
b. Town Hall building committee
c. Police chief search committee
d. Status of forensic search for missing emails
5. MAIL
a. Letter from Select Board of Colrain
6. NEW BUSINESS
b. Plan to meet with School Superintendent re: voting procedures
7. Vote/Signatures
a. Local Emergency Planning Committee proclamation
b. Letter to School Superintendent
c. Letter to Franklin Regional Retirement System re: COLA
8. FUTURE MEETINGS/APPOINTMENTS
February 23 @ 7 pm — Interview of Ed Cronin, candidate for Interim Police Chief February 24 @ 7 pm — Special Town Meeting followed by Select Board Meeting February 25 @ 7:30 pm — Budget hearing with Finance Committee and School Committee representatives
PUBLIC FORUM (if time)
11. EXECUTIVE SESSION (if necessary)
* This is a preliminary agenda and is subject to change
Monday, February 15, 2010
Community Fiber Network Meeting
On Saturday, February 6, 2010, Ashfield residents David Kulp, Betty Stewart and Select Board member Dave DeHerdt were among the fifty people who attended a meeting in Northampton to discuss a grassroots effort to establish a municipal utility district to serve approximately 22 Western Massachusetts towns with a fiber optic cable network to municipalities, homes and local businesses.
There is a tremendous momentum behind this effort with the goal of getting all participating towns to put forward a motion at each town's upcoming annual town meeting to advise each Select Board to participate in this effort. David Kulp and Andy Smith of Conway joined the steering committee.
Fiberoptic technology is a mature, proven technology that sends data packets at the speed of light, and nothing travels faster than light. Fiber is relatively economical to install and has an almost infinite capacity. The life span of such a system is anywhere between 30 and 100 years. The proposed network would provide high-speed internet, telephone, and television access for a cost of between $125 and $150 dollars per month.
On February 23, 2010 David Kulp, Mike Levine and Andy Smith plan to visit Crocker Communications in Greenfield to learn more about the technical and political issues involved in expanding DSL.
There is a tremendous momentum behind this effort with the goal of getting all participating towns to put forward a motion at each town's upcoming annual town meeting to advise each Select Board to participate in this effort. David Kulp and Andy Smith of Conway joined the steering committee.
Fiberoptic technology is a mature, proven technology that sends data packets at the speed of light, and nothing travels faster than light. Fiber is relatively economical to install and has an almost infinite capacity. The life span of such a system is anywhere between 30 and 100 years. The proposed network would provide high-speed internet, telephone, and television access for a cost of between $125 and $150 dollars per month.
On February 23, 2010 David Kulp, Mike Levine and Andy Smith plan to visit Crocker Communications in Greenfield to learn more about the technical and political issues involved in expanding DSL.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
The Squirrels' Valentine
Here in Baptist Corner, a pair of squirrels have been seen taking those first slow steps in their mating dance. The lady climbs the oak slowly, stopping to entice every few feet. The gentleman follows at a stately pace behind.
This is the first sure sign of spring. The pace of the squirrel’s dance will quicken. The rising sap will soon follow.
Ruth Julian
This is the first sure sign of spring. The pace of the squirrel’s dance will quicken. The rising sap will soon follow.
Ruth Julian
Donations Needed for Ashfield Community Hall
Ashfield Community Hall, Inc.
521 Main Street, P.O. Box 316
Ashfield, Massachusetts 01330
February 2010
Greetings from the Ashfield Community Hall Board of Directors:
We have been able to do some fabulous improvements at the Community Hall due to the generous support of some members of our community. We are hooked up to the town sewer system; we have had wonderful concerts, singing workshops, several conferences, and yoga, stretch and dance classes. The Boy Scouts and the Lion’s Club meet here. Out-of-town crafters and artisans used our space at Fall Festival, thus increasing the number who could attend. We are continuing the long tradition of providing a wonderful community space. From the time of its construction in 1830, people in Buckland and Ashfield have used, maintained, and valued our hall, first as a church, then as the Ashfield Grange Hall and now as a place for community gatherings of all sorts.
Volunteers began restoring the kitchen in the spring of 2009. We removed the stoves, sinks, and other equipment so we could repair and paint the ceiling and walls and replace the floor. Our goal is to finish the restoration this year so that we will have a Board of Health certified kitchen available for hall users and others who need such a facility.
Another goal for this year is to obtain special outer windows to protect and preserve our very old and beautiful, fragile ones. This will improve our energy efficiency and enable increased year-round activities in the building.
We are currently seeking donations to help bring these goals to reality and again are reaching out to the community for support.
We sincerely appreciate the generous donations we have received in the past and hope that you will give what you can to help us continue to move forward.
We thank you for your support.
The Board of Directors:
Ricki Carroll
Nina Coler
Douglas Cranson, President
Lester Garvin
Thomas Miner, Vice President
Joanne Ostrowski, Secretary & Treasurer
Barbara Zalenski
521 Main Street, P.O. Box 316
Ashfield, Massachusetts 01330
February 2010
Greetings from the Ashfield Community Hall Board of Directors:
We have been able to do some fabulous improvements at the Community Hall due to the generous support of some members of our community. We are hooked up to the town sewer system; we have had wonderful concerts, singing workshops, several conferences, and yoga, stretch and dance classes. The Boy Scouts and the Lion’s Club meet here. Out-of-town crafters and artisans used our space at Fall Festival, thus increasing the number who could attend. We are continuing the long tradition of providing a wonderful community space. From the time of its construction in 1830, people in Buckland and Ashfield have used, maintained, and valued our hall, first as a church, then as the Ashfield Grange Hall and now as a place for community gatherings of all sorts.
Volunteers began restoring the kitchen in the spring of 2009. We removed the stoves, sinks, and other equipment so we could repair and paint the ceiling and walls and replace the floor. Our goal is to finish the restoration this year so that we will have a Board of Health certified kitchen available for hall users and others who need such a facility.
Another goal for this year is to obtain special outer windows to protect and preserve our very old and beautiful, fragile ones. This will improve our energy efficiency and enable increased year-round activities in the building.
We are currently seeking donations to help bring these goals to reality and again are reaching out to the community for support.
We sincerely appreciate the generous donations we have received in the past and hope that you will give what you can to help us continue to move forward.
We thank you for your support.
The Board of Directors:
Ricki Carroll
Nina Coler
Douglas Cranson, President
Lester Garvin
Thomas Miner, Vice President
Joanne Ostrowski, Secretary & Treasurer
Barbara Zalenski
Friday, February 12, 2010
January Budget Meetings for Current Fiscal Year
During the month of January, I attended all four combined Finance Committee and Select Board meetings held on Thursday evenings. These were Finance Committee meetings with the Select Board attending and participating. The combined meetings had eight people, five from the Finance Committee and three from the Select Board.
I watched and listened each week as eight people reviewed with great concern the town’s budgeted line items for the remainder of this fiscal year. There were many opportunities for thoughtful discussion about all of the budget details and a careful concern was demonstrated for the needs of all departments contained in the town’s budget.
All eight members deserve recognition and praise for their combined efforts during this tight budget time. This process was not taken lightly and everyone participated.
Something else I learned during these combined meetings has to do with the plowing of some of the roads in Ashfield:
Route 112 is plowed by the Mass DOT (Mass Department of Transportation formerly Mass Highway).
Route 116 from the intersection of Rt. 112 and Rt. 116 down Main Street to South Ashfield and all the way to the Conway town line is plowed by the Mass DOT.
Route 116 that departs from the combined Rt. 112 and Rt. 116 near Sanderson Academy and continues all the way to the Plainfield town line is plowed by the Ashfield Highway department.
Paullette Leukhardt
I watched and listened each week as eight people reviewed with great concern the town’s budgeted line items for the remainder of this fiscal year. There were many opportunities for thoughtful discussion about all of the budget details and a careful concern was demonstrated for the needs of all departments contained in the town’s budget.
All eight members deserve recognition and praise for their combined efforts during this tight budget time. This process was not taken lightly and everyone participated.
Something else I learned during these combined meetings has to do with the plowing of some of the roads in Ashfield:
Route 112 is plowed by the Mass DOT (Mass Department of Transportation formerly Mass Highway).
Route 116 from the intersection of Rt. 112 and Rt. 116 down Main Street to South Ashfield and all the way to the Conway town line is plowed by the Mass DOT.
Route 116 that departs from the combined Rt. 112 and Rt. 116 near Sanderson Academy and continues all the way to the Plainfield town line is plowed by the Ashfield Highway department.
Paullette Leukhardt
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Selectboard News
Tonight the selectboard announced the resignation of police officer Steven Woods, effective Monday, February 8. No reason for the resignation was given.
The board has also completed its initial screening of interim police chief candidates. The two remaining candidates will be interviewed in public in the coming weeks. Meet and greets with the candidates will follow the interviews.
John Cotton, who is retired from his position as police chief in Williamsburg, will be interviewed on February 17 at 7:30 p.m. He also has experience as a senior lieutenant in the Northampton police department.
At 7:00 p.m. on February 23, Ed Cronin, who is retired from positions as police chief in both Fitchburg and Gardner, will be interviewed.
The board will then deliberate in open session and make their choice. An article on the special town meeting warrant for the following day, February 24, will ask voters to appropiate the funds to pay for the new interim chief’s salary.
Citizens are encouraged to submit questions for the candidates to the selectboard in advance of the interviews.
In other business, the board approved a new e-mail/public records preservation policy. Unless restricted under the law, e-mails must now be printed out and given to the town administrator to be kept with other public records.
The board also approved a town hall use application made by the Ashfield Community Theater.
Ruth Julian
The board has also completed its initial screening of interim police chief candidates. The two remaining candidates will be interviewed in public in the coming weeks. Meet and greets with the candidates will follow the interviews.
John Cotton, who is retired from his position as police chief in Williamsburg, will be interviewed on February 17 at 7:30 p.m. He also has experience as a senior lieutenant in the Northampton police department.
At 7:00 p.m. on February 23, Ed Cronin, who is retired from positions as police chief in both Fitchburg and Gardner, will be interviewed.
The board will then deliberate in open session and make their choice. An article on the special town meeting warrant for the following day, February 24, will ask voters to appropiate the funds to pay for the new interim chief’s salary.
Citizens are encouraged to submit questions for the candidates to the selectboard in advance of the interviews.
In other business, the board approved a new e-mail/public records preservation policy. Unless restricted under the law, e-mails must now be printed out and given to the town administrator to be kept with other public records.
The board also approved a town hall use application made by the Ashfield Community Theater.
Ruth Julian
Town Hall Bulletin Board
Select Board 2/10 7:00pm
School Committe 2/10 7:00pm-Mohawk
Conservation Committee 2/10 7:30pm
Emergency Dept. 2/16 3:30pm
Board of Health 2/16 7:00pm
Assessors 2/16 7:00pm
Planning Board 2/17 7:30pm
Special Town Meeting 2/24 7:00pm
Select Board 2/24 after special town meeting
Sewer Commission 3/2 6:00pm
Ashfield Historical Project 3/3 7:00pm
Park Commission 3/23 9:00am
School Committe 2/10 7:00pm-Mohawk
Conservation Committee 2/10 7:30pm
Emergency Dept. 2/16 3:30pm
Board of Health 2/16 7:00pm
Assessors 2/16 7:00pm
Planning Board 2/17 7:30pm
Special Town Meeting 2/24 7:00pm
Select Board 2/24 after special town meeting
Sewer Commission 3/2 6:00pm
Ashfield Historical Project 3/3 7:00pm
Park Commission 3/23 9:00am
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Feb. 10 Selectboard Agenda
TOWN OF ASHFIELD SELECT BOARD
MEETING AGENDA*
February 10, 2010 7 pm
1. Minutes
February 3, 2010— open session February 3, 2010 — executive session February 5, 2010 — executive session
2. APPOINTMENTS
3. LIAISON REPORTS
a. Police
b. Fire
c. Highway
d. Emergency Manager
e. Town Hall
4. OLD BUSINESS
a. Franklin Regional Retirement System COLA
b. Warrant for STM on Feb. 24
c. Email Policy & public records request procedures
d. Response to FRCOG re: technical assistance & project priorities
e. FRCOG study of shared services
f. Search for interim police chief
5. MAIL
6. NEW BUSINESS
a. Town Hall building issues
b. Search for permanent police chief
7. Vote/Signatures
a. Application for use of Town Hall
8. FUTURE MEETINGS/APPOINTMENTS
9.
February 13/14 — sign warrants
February 17 @7 pm — Select Board Meeting (CPA presentation by Wendy Sweetser) February 24 7 pm — Special Town Meeting followed by Select Board Meeting
10. PUBLIC FORUM (if time)
11. EXECUTIVE SESSION (if necessary)
* This is a preliminary agenda and is subject to change
MEETING AGENDA*
February 10, 2010 7 pm
1. Minutes
February 3, 2010— open session February 3, 2010 — executive session February 5, 2010 — executive session
2. APPOINTMENTS
3. LIAISON REPORTS
a. Police
b. Fire
c. Highway
d. Emergency Manager
e. Town Hall
4. OLD BUSINESS
a. Franklin Regional Retirement System COLA
b. Warrant for STM on Feb. 24
c. Email Policy & public records request procedures
d. Response to FRCOG re: technical assistance & project priorities
e. FRCOG study of shared services
f. Search for interim police chief
5. MAIL
6. NEW BUSINESS
a. Town Hall building issues
b. Search for permanent police chief
7. Vote/Signatures
a. Application for use of Town Hall
8. FUTURE MEETINGS/APPOINTMENTS
9.
February 13/14 — sign warrants
February 17 @7 pm — Select Board Meeting (CPA presentation by Wendy Sweetser) February 24 7 pm — Special Town Meeting followed by Select Board Meeting
10. PUBLIC FORUM (if time)
11. EXECUTIVE SESSION (if necessary)
* This is a preliminary agenda and is subject to change
Monday, February 8, 2010
Belding Library Trivia Game Night
On Saturday, March 6, teams of trivia lovers will meet at Sanderson Academy for the second annual Belding Library trivia game night. The teams will be competing for prizes including gift certificates. Refreshments will be available.
The deadline for team registration is February 19. Registration forms are available at the library. Tickets are $3/person, $10/family, with the proceeds to benefit the library.
The deadline for team registration is February 19. Registration forms are available at the library. Tickets are $3/person, $10/family, with the proceeds to benefit the library.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
To "A Concerned Reader"
I am writing to invite the author of the anonymous letter that David King received this morning to post his/her concerns on the blog by commenting on David’s post and signing the comment. It is my dearest wish that The Ashfield Town Common should be a place where people can disagree with respect for each other and without fear.
Ruth Julian
Ruth Julian
Thursday, February 4, 2010
On Moving Forward
Various people have been calling for the town to put the recent controversies behind us so we can move forward. But . . .
After Chief Gancarz got the town involved in a lawsuit and later resigned, we put it behind us and moved forward. After Chief Heim left under a cloud with a hefty cash payout, we put it behind us and moved forward. Now, after Chief Svoboda’s behavior was ignored by the board for years resulting in two more lawsuits (so far), we should put the whole thing behind us and move forward?
I suspect that the people who want us to move forward feel that Chief Svoboda was the sole source of all the problems, and now that he has resigned, the town’s problems are solved. But the select board’s handling of the entire controversy points to some serious, systemic problems in Town Hall of which Chief Svoboda was only a symptom.
The most disturbing of these problems that has come to light so far was the willingness of two select board members to rig John’s hearing behind the scenes, violating the open meeting law in the process. I’m also disturbed by the willingness to sweep harassment in the Assessor’s office under the rug in the name of moving forward. Then there are those missing e-mails, which must have been deleted for a reason, and the police department’s handling of the record keeping for confiscated weapons. We currently have a complete inventory of all the weapons the department currently has, but there is no way to tell how many weapons were confiscated in the last ten years and what became of them.
Some people even think that moving on means ignoring Massachusetts state laws with regard to elections, handicapped access, and even fire safety.
But the most serious systemic problem is that a small group of people has been deciding behind closed doors how the town should be run, then implementing those decisions whether the town wants them or not. Anyone who disagrees is called a liar or a troublemaker.
Unless we acknowledge and address these systemic problems, we will be right back where we are now. That is not moving forward.
David King
After Chief Gancarz got the town involved in a lawsuit and later resigned, we put it behind us and moved forward. After Chief Heim left under a cloud with a hefty cash payout, we put it behind us and moved forward. Now, after Chief Svoboda’s behavior was ignored by the board for years resulting in two more lawsuits (so far), we should put the whole thing behind us and move forward?
I suspect that the people who want us to move forward feel that Chief Svoboda was the sole source of all the problems, and now that he has resigned, the town’s problems are solved. But the select board’s handling of the entire controversy points to some serious, systemic problems in Town Hall of which Chief Svoboda was only a symptom.
The most disturbing of these problems that has come to light so far was the willingness of two select board members to rig John’s hearing behind the scenes, violating the open meeting law in the process. I’m also disturbed by the willingness to sweep harassment in the Assessor’s office under the rug in the name of moving forward. Then there are those missing e-mails, which must have been deleted for a reason, and the police department’s handling of the record keeping for confiscated weapons. We currently have a complete inventory of all the weapons the department currently has, but there is no way to tell how many weapons were confiscated in the last ten years and what became of them.
Some people even think that moving on means ignoring Massachusetts state laws with regard to elections, handicapped access, and even fire safety.
But the most serious systemic problem is that a small group of people has been deciding behind closed doors how the town should be run, then implementing those decisions whether the town wants them or not. Anyone who disagrees is called a liar or a troublemaker.
Unless we acknowledge and address these systemic problems, we will be right back where we are now. That is not moving forward.
David King
Franklin County Bar Association Scholarship
The Franklin County Bar Association (FCBA) will be awarding a scholarship to a deserving High School student who resides in the Franklin County area. Scholarships will be awarded in the Spring of 2010.
For more information, please contact:
Katie Schendel at the FCBA office
(413) 773-9839
For more information, please contact:
Katie Schendel at the FCBA office
(413) 773-9839
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Missing E-mails to be Recovered?
The Selectboard voted tonight to send the hard drive from the town's computer to the Lorenzi Group, a computer forensics services provider, to try to recover a series of erased e-mails. The e-mails, written during the spring of 2009, were deleted by person or persons unknown.
A private contribution has made it possible to bring in the Lorenzi Group at no cost to the town.
The town's computer hard drive will be shipped off this Friday and returned and reinstalled by Monday.
David King
A private contribution has made it possible to bring in the Lorenzi Group at no cost to the town.
The town's computer hard drive will be shipped off this Friday and returned and reinstalled by Monday.
David King
Agenda for February 3 Selectboard Meeting
TOWN OF ASHFIELD SELECT BOARD
MEETING AGENDA*
February 3, 2010 7 pm
Minutes
January 27, 2010—open session January 27, 2010 — executive session
PA
3. LIAISON REPORTS
a. Police
b. Fire
c. Highway
d. Emergency Manager
e. Town Hall
4. OLD BUSINESS
a. Technology Support Services
b. Use of sealed bids for selling tax title properties
c. Franklin Regional Retirement System COLA
d. School Budget discussion and MMAC
e. Warrant draft for STM on Feb. 24
f. Email Policy & public records request procedures
g. Disabled access to Town Hall
h. Response to FRCOG re: technical assistance & project priorities
j. FRCOG study of shared services & search for interim chief
k. Community Preservation Act
l. Establishment of revolving funds for Planning Board and Conservation Comm.
5. MAIL
a. Regional landfill meeting
6. NEW BUSINESS
7. Vote/Signatures
a. Recovering deleted emails from 2009 & creation of fund account
8. FUTURE MEETINGS/APPOINTMENTS February 10 @ 7 pm — Select Board Meeting February 13/14 — sign warrants
February 17 @ 7 pm — Select Board Meeting
February 24 @ 7 pm — Special Town Meeting followed by Select Board Meeting
PUBLIC FORUM (if time)
10. EXECUTIVE SESSION (if necessary)
* This is a preliminary agenda and is subject to change
MEETING AGENDA*
February 3, 2010 7 pm
Minutes
January 27, 2010—open session January 27, 2010 — executive session
PA
3. LIAISON REPORTS
a. Police
b. Fire
c. Highway
d. Emergency Manager
e. Town Hall
4. OLD BUSINESS
a. Technology Support Services
b. Use of sealed bids for selling tax title properties
c. Franklin Regional Retirement System COLA
d. School Budget discussion and MMAC
e. Warrant draft for STM on Feb. 24
f. Email Policy & public records request procedures
g. Disabled access to Town Hall
h. Response to FRCOG re: technical assistance & project priorities
j. FRCOG study of shared services & search for interim chief
k. Community Preservation Act
l. Establishment of revolving funds for Planning Board and Conservation Comm.
5. MAIL
a. Regional landfill meeting
6. NEW BUSINESS
7. Vote/Signatures
a. Recovering deleted emails from 2009 & creation of fund account
8. FUTURE MEETINGS/APPOINTMENTS February 10 @ 7 pm — Select Board Meeting February 13/14 — sign warrants
February 17 @ 7 pm — Select Board Meeting
February 24 @ 7 pm — Special Town Meeting followed by Select Board Meeting
PUBLIC FORUM (if time)
10. EXECUTIVE SESSION (if necessary)
* This is a preliminary agenda and is subject to change
Monday, February 1, 2010
Town Hall Bulletin Board
Select Board 02/02/2010 12:45 pm exec session
Assessors 02/02/2010 7:00 pm
Park Commission 02/03/2010 6:00 pm
Select Board 02/03/2010 7:00 pm
Ashfield History Project 02/03/2010 7:00 pm
Planning Board 02/03/2010 7:30 pm
Greening Ashfield 02/04/2010 7:30 pm
Ag Commission 02/09/2010 7:00 pm
Conservation Commission 02/10/2010 7:30 pm
Emergency Dept. 02/16/2010 3:30 pm
Board of Health 02/16/2010 7:00 pm
Sewer Commission 03/02/2010 7:00 pm
Assessors 02/02/2010 7:00 pm
Park Commission 02/03/2010 6:00 pm
Select Board 02/03/2010 7:00 pm
Ashfield History Project 02/03/2010 7:00 pm
Planning Board 02/03/2010 7:30 pm
Greening Ashfield 02/04/2010 7:30 pm
Ag Commission 02/09/2010 7:00 pm
Conservation Commission 02/10/2010 7:30 pm
Emergency Dept. 02/16/2010 3:30 pm
Board of Health 02/16/2010 7:00 pm
Sewer Commission 03/02/2010 7:00 pm
Hot Recipe
This recipe is for a hearty, Indian soup called "Vegetarian Mulligatawny Soup" It's name comes from the word for "pepper water" that gives you the clue that the base is hot. But not too hot....delicious!
3Tbl olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 large spanish onion (I used reg.)diced
2 ribs celery, diced
4 carrots peeled and sliced
1 lb. dried lentils
2 cups, 16 oz. canned tomatoes
1 can, 16 oz. chickpeas, rinsed and drained
8 cups vegetable stock
2 cups tomato juice, I used a can of tomato sauce
3 tsp yellow curry powder
3 tsp ground cumin
3 tsp coriander
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 can (16 oz) coconut milk
2 Tblsp honey
1-1/2 cup cooked basmati rice
1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Heat a stockpot over med-high heat. Add the garlic, oil, onion, celery and carrots. Saute for 7 min. Add the lentils, tomatoes, chickpeas, stock, tomato juice, currypowder, cumin, coriander and cayenne pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, cover the pot, and simmer for 40-45 minutes. Stir in the coconut milk, honey, rice, cilantro, salt and pepper. Serves 12.
Karen Sullivan
3Tbl olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 large spanish onion (I used reg.)diced
2 ribs celery, diced
4 carrots peeled and sliced
1 lb. dried lentils
2 cups, 16 oz. canned tomatoes
1 can, 16 oz. chickpeas, rinsed and drained
8 cups vegetable stock
2 cups tomato juice, I used a can of tomato sauce
3 tsp yellow curry powder
3 tsp ground cumin
3 tsp coriander
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 can (16 oz) coconut milk
2 Tblsp honey
1-1/2 cup cooked basmati rice
1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Heat a stockpot over med-high heat. Add the garlic, oil, onion, celery and carrots. Saute for 7 min. Add the lentils, tomatoes, chickpeas, stock, tomato juice, currypowder, cumin, coriander and cayenne pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, cover the pot, and simmer for 40-45 minutes. Stir in the coconut milk, honey, rice, cilantro, salt and pepper. Serves 12.
Karen Sullivan
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