Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Ashfield Website Goes Live
Ashfield's official website is now live and chock full of information about the town and all its functions. Check it out at http://ashfield.org.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Up for Re-Appointment Before July 1
Ag Commission (3 year)
Robyn Crowningshield
Nancy Garvin (associate)
Joel Arsenault
Conservation Commission (3 year)
Lester Garvin
Zoning Board of Appeals (1year)
Anne Yuryan, Associate
Historical Commission (3 year)
Mollie Babize
Gerard McGovern
Steve Gougeon
Town Administrator (1 year)
Maryellen Cranston
Municipal Town Clerk/Treasurer (3 year)
Maryellen Cranston
Assistant Municipal Town Clerk (1 year)
Nancy Dunne
Town Collector/Assistant Treasurer (3 year)
Laura Blakesley
Registrar of Voters (1 year)
Nancy Intres
Registrar of Voters (2 year)
Susan Gambino
Emergency Manager (1 year)
Doug Field
Fire Chief (1 year)
Del Haskins
Fire Department (1 year)
Asst Chief Alan Taylor
Captain Mark Hurley
Captain Bryan Mollison
Lt. Matt Haskins
Lt Michael Purcell
Doug Field
Deb Craven
Angela McCartney
Bill Burnett
Alan Surprenant
Donna Sarro
Doug Mollison
Tiertza Schwartz
Jeffery Dufresne
Susan Urquhart
Kyle Walker
Kyle Meservey
Damion Mccartney
Lisa Bolognani
Geoff Roske
Sue Roske
Andre' Chapet
Jacob Niquette
Sunil Leue
Joey Teller
Lynn Taylor
Penny Mollison
Aux List
Jo Burnett
Fred Howes
John Svoboda
Walt Craven
Karen Haskins
Dianne Field
Police
Kristina Nunez
Jarek Konopko
Auxiliary
Elizabeth Lesure
Walter Zalenski
Animal Control Officer
Warren Kirkpatrick
Fence Viewers
Alden Gray
Field Drivers
Roland Townsley
David King
Surveyor of Wood and Lumber
Ramon Sears
Robyn Crowningshield
Nancy Garvin (associate)
Joel Arsenault
Conservation Commission (3 year)
Lester Garvin
Zoning Board of Appeals (1year)
Anne Yuryan, Associate
Historical Commission (3 year)
Mollie Babize
Gerard McGovern
Steve Gougeon
Town Administrator (1 year)
Maryellen Cranston
Municipal Town Clerk/Treasurer (3 year)
Maryellen Cranston
Assistant Municipal Town Clerk (1 year)
Nancy Dunne
Town Collector/Assistant Treasurer (3 year)
Laura Blakesley
Registrar of Voters (1 year)
Nancy Intres
Registrar of Voters (2 year)
Susan Gambino
Emergency Manager (1 year)
Doug Field
Fire Chief (1 year)
Del Haskins
Fire Department (1 year)
Asst Chief Alan Taylor
Captain Mark Hurley
Captain Bryan Mollison
Lt. Matt Haskins
Lt Michael Purcell
Doug Field
Deb Craven
Angela McCartney
Bill Burnett
Alan Surprenant
Donna Sarro
Doug Mollison
Tiertza Schwartz
Jeffery Dufresne
Susan Urquhart
Kyle Walker
Kyle Meservey
Damion Mccartney
Lisa Bolognani
Geoff Roske
Sue Roske
Andre' Chapet
Jacob Niquette
Sunil Leue
Joey Teller
Lynn Taylor
Penny Mollison
Aux List
Jo Burnett
Fred Howes
John Svoboda
Walt Craven
Karen Haskins
Dianne Field
Police
Kristina Nunez
Jarek Konopko
Auxiliary
Elizabeth Lesure
Walter Zalenski
Animal Control Officer
Warren Kirkpatrick
Fence Viewers
Alden Gray
Field Drivers
Roland Townsley
David King
Surveyor of Wood and Lumber
Ramon Sears
Town Hall Bulletin Board
Agricultural Commission 6/8 @ 8pm
Select Board 6/9 @ 7pm
Ashfield History Project 6/9 @ 7pm
Conservation Commission 6/9 @ 7:30pm
Police Chief Search Committee 6/10, 6/17, 6/24 @ 7:30pm
Belding Library Trustees 6/14 @ 7:30pm
Board of Health 6/15 @ 7pm
Board of Assessors 6/15 @ 7pm
Planning Board 6/16 @ 7:30pm
Park Commission 6/22 @ 9am
Scheduled, Not Yet Posted:
Select Board 6/16, 6/23 @ 7pm
Special Town Meeting 6/30 @ 7pm
Select Board 6/9 @ 7pm
Ashfield History Project 6/9 @ 7pm
Conservation Commission 6/9 @ 7:30pm
Police Chief Search Committee 6/10, 6/17, 6/24 @ 7:30pm
Belding Library Trustees 6/14 @ 7:30pm
Board of Health 6/15 @ 7pm
Board of Assessors 6/15 @ 7pm
Planning Board 6/16 @ 7:30pm
Park Commission 6/22 @ 9am
Scheduled, Not Yet Posted:
Select Board 6/16, 6/23 @ 7pm
Special Town Meeting 6/30 @ 7pm
Amended Select Board Agenda
TOWN OF ASHFIELD SELECT BOARD
MEETING AGENDA (preliminary and subject to change)
June 9, 2010
1. MINUTES
• open meeting minutes from June 2, 2010
• executive session minutes from June 2, 2010
2. APPOINTMENTS
• Senior Center Task Force at (7:00)
• Nan Parati (7:30)
• Interim Police Chief (7:45)
3. LIAISON REPORTS
• Emergency Services (Dave)
• Highway Department (Doug)
• Emergency Manager (Doug)
• Town Administrative Offices (Norm)
• Town Hall Committee (Norm)
• Police Chief Search Committee (Doug)
• Other Boards & Committees (Doug)
• Franklin Regional Council of Governments (Dave)
4. OLD BUSINESS
• Senior Center Strategic Plan Implementation
• Legal opinion Letter from Town Counsel
• Windmill Siting Letter
• STM Warrant Items
• FRCOG Joint Police Chief Study
• Scope of retroactive application of GL 66 Section 14 (Public records turnover/oath requirement)
5. MAIL
6. NEW BUSINESS
• Reappointments for FY 2011 preliminary discussion/review
• National Incident Management System (NIMS)
7. VOTES/SIGNATURES
• Northampton Cycling Club (sent to Police and Fire for review on 6/2)
• Street Light (vote to turn off remaining street lights or place on STM Warrant for funding).
• Appointment of Paullette Leukhardt to Website Committee
8. FUTURE MEETINGS/APPOINTMENTS
• Select Board Meeting – June 16 @ 7:00 p.m.
• Select Board Meeting – June 23 @ 7:00 p.m.
• Special Town Meeting -- June 30, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.
9. PUBLIC FORUM
10. EXECUTIVE SESSION
• To Discuss potential Litigation
MEETING AGENDA (preliminary and subject to change)
June 9, 2010
1. MINUTES
• open meeting minutes from June 2, 2010
• executive session minutes from June 2, 2010
2. APPOINTMENTS
• Senior Center Task Force at (7:00)
• Nan Parati (7:30)
• Interim Police Chief (7:45)
3. LIAISON REPORTS
• Emergency Services (Dave)
• Highway Department (Doug)
• Emergency Manager (Doug)
• Town Administrative Offices (Norm)
• Town Hall Committee (Norm)
• Police Chief Search Committee (Doug)
• Other Boards & Committees (Doug)
• Franklin Regional Council of Governments (Dave)
4. OLD BUSINESS
• Senior Center Strategic Plan Implementation
• Legal opinion Letter from Town Counsel
• Windmill Siting Letter
• STM Warrant Items
• FRCOG Joint Police Chief Study
• Scope of retroactive application of GL 66 Section 14 (Public records turnover/oath requirement)
5. MAIL
6. NEW BUSINESS
• Reappointments for FY 2011 preliminary discussion/review
• National Incident Management System (NIMS)
7. VOTES/SIGNATURES
• Northampton Cycling Club (sent to Police and Fire for review on 6/2)
• Street Light (vote to turn off remaining street lights or place on STM Warrant for funding).
• Appointment of Paullette Leukhardt to Website Committee
8. FUTURE MEETINGS/APPOINTMENTS
• Select Board Meeting – June 16 @ 7:00 p.m.
• Select Board Meeting – June 23 @ 7:00 p.m.
• Special Town Meeting -- June 30, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.
9. PUBLIC FORUM
10. EXECUTIVE SESSION
• To Discuss potential Litigation
Monday, June 7, 2010
Select Board Agenda for Wednesday
TOWN OF ASHFIELD SELECT BOARD
MEETING AGENDA (preliminary and subject to change)
June 9, 2010
1. MINUTES
• open meeting minutes from June 2, 2010
• executive session minutes from June 2, 2010
2. APPOINTMENTS
• Senior Center Task Force at (7:00)
• Nan Parati (7:30)
• Interim Police Chief (7:45)
3. LIAISON REPORTS
• Emergency Services (Dave)
• Highway Department (Doug)
• Emergency Manager (Doug)
• Town Administrative Offices (Norm)
• Town Hall Committee (Norm)
• Police Chief Search Committee (Doug)
• Other Boards & Committees (Doug)
• Franklin Regional Council of Governments (Dave)
4. OLD BUSINESS
• Senior Center Strategic Plan Implementation
• Legal opinion Letter from Town Counsel
• Windmill Siting Letter
• STM Warrant Items
5. MAIL
6. NEW BUSINESS
• Reappointments for FY 2011 preliminary discussion/review
• National Incident Management System (NIMS)
7. VOTES/SIGNATURES
• Northampton Cycling Club (sent to Police and Fire for review on 6/2)
8. FUTURE MEETINGS/APPOINTMENTS
• Select Board Meeting – June 16 @ 7:00 p.m.
• Select Board Meeting – June 23 @ 7:00 p.m.
• Special Town Meeting -- June 30, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.
9. PUBLIC FORUM
10. EXECUTIVE SESSION
• To Discuss potential Litigation
MEETING AGENDA (preliminary and subject to change)
June 9, 2010
1. MINUTES
• open meeting minutes from June 2, 2010
• executive session minutes from June 2, 2010
2. APPOINTMENTS
• Senior Center Task Force at (7:00)
• Nan Parati (7:30)
• Interim Police Chief (7:45)
3. LIAISON REPORTS
• Emergency Services (Dave)
• Highway Department (Doug)
• Emergency Manager (Doug)
• Town Administrative Offices (Norm)
• Town Hall Committee (Norm)
• Police Chief Search Committee (Doug)
• Other Boards & Committees (Doug)
• Franklin Regional Council of Governments (Dave)
4. OLD BUSINESS
• Senior Center Strategic Plan Implementation
• Legal opinion Letter from Town Counsel
• Windmill Siting Letter
• STM Warrant Items
5. MAIL
6. NEW BUSINESS
• Reappointments for FY 2011 preliminary discussion/review
• National Incident Management System (NIMS)
7. VOTES/SIGNATURES
• Northampton Cycling Club (sent to Police and Fire for review on 6/2)
8. FUTURE MEETINGS/APPOINTMENTS
• Select Board Meeting – June 16 @ 7:00 p.m.
• Select Board Meeting – June 23 @ 7:00 p.m.
• Special Town Meeting -- June 30, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.
9. PUBLIC FORUM
10. EXECUTIVE SESSION
• To Discuss potential Litigation
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Maytag Dishwasher Recall
Please see the website listed below to find out whether or not your dishwasher is on the list of those being recalled.
Maytag dishwasher recall 2010 has been posted on the www.maytag.com website.
The recall is due to reports of dishwasher heating element problems resulting in fires.
Paullette Leukhardt
Maytag dishwasher recall 2010 has been posted on the www.maytag.com website.
The recall is due to reports of dishwasher heating element problems resulting in fires.
Paullette Leukhardt
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Home Rule and Wind Power
It was reported on this blog that Andy Wells recommended that the Select Board formally oppose state bill H.4687, the Wind Energy Siting Reform Act, which trumps local zoning control of placement of turbines. Paul Swem replied that this was a "NIMBY" response to a greater good and that opposing it did not necessarily represent the will of the people. For the Select Board to oppose the legislation could even be illegal, Paul suggested.
Andy has experience with wind farm installations and has been involved with reform of turbine projects in other parts of the state that are sited too close to homes or that damage the environment. I'm a friend and neighbor of Andy's and I also share his cautious attitude. As a clean, renewable resource, wind is an attractive energy solution. But just the same, there's very good reason to be worried about a turbine in your backyard -- pejorative term aside. But to that issue in a moment.
What is at issue in front of the Select Board is relinquishing local zoning control. Home rule is a much treasured part of our Massachusetts town governments and any town should naturally be wary of losing local control and deferring to the state, which could mandate against the town's best interests. The law overrides town regulations on placement of industrial wind turbines as well as associated roads and transmission lines.
It is natural for the Select Board to oppose such power grabs regardless of opinions on wind farms. Furthermore, we elect the Select Board to represent us and expect the board to do their duty and take actions on behalf of the town -- including voicing dissent regarding proposed state legislation, which is legal and appropriate.
Now all that said, modern wind turbines are indeed a very big deal that we all should be worried about. Money, politics, and a poorly regulated industry combine to cast a pall over the expansion of wind energy into western Massachusetts. There is significant monetary incentives for developers and landowners to build turbines and this money is what is partly behind the legislative push for a law to expedite wind farms and it also is encouraging proposed turbine sites in less than ideal locations such as Ashfield. Furthermore, there is a major political effort in Boston to build thousands of new wind turbines in the state -- not much around Boston, of course, but on the coast and the western part of the state -- regions where small populations have little impact on legislative decisions. This new legislation will further erode our regional and local strength. Lastly, the wind energy industry is currently poorly regulated with respect to the impacts of turbines. We can have faith that the state will do the right thing and through this bill establish environmental regulations for wind turbines (as yet to be determined) that are appropriate across the commonwealth. We can hope that allowed exemptions to environmental safeguards will be in the best interests of all. Or we can take pause and worry that significant commercial and political interests will shape the use of wind energy in ways that will negatively impact our town's character, our property values, and well-being.
A decade ago many Ashfield residents were opposed to the construction of telecommunication towers. While that concern might have abated over time, I suspect that almost everyone still would object to a tower built, say, beside Ashfield Lake Beach or on the town common. Similarly, many would probably object to 200 foot turbines looming over our town center and pulsing light and noise 24 hours a day. All are extreme examples that would never likely come to pass, but this is exactly why we have local control of planning and zoning: to ensure that those things we value -- low noise and light, good health, an attractive, peaceful and sustainable community -- are maintained. And those values are all part of the total environmental equation.
I'm sure that all of us acknowledge the importance of energy independence and clean energy production, but that doesn't mean that all solutions regardless of impact are appropriate. I particularly resent the implication that challenging wind turbine plans is inappropriately sowing discontent at a time when the town should be healing from past disagreements. To question the placement of wind turbines and to resist relinquishing zoning authority to the state is part of wise and thoughtful self-government. I hope that all of the turbines that will be proposed in Ashfield will be adequately set back from residences to eliminate health concerns, minimize annoyances, and preserve our beautiful landscape. I suspect that there are appropriate locations to achieve these aims even in Ashfield, but I'm not naive enough to expect the state and developers to just get it right. Diligence is our responsibility.
David Kulp
Andy has experience with wind farm installations and has been involved with reform of turbine projects in other parts of the state that are sited too close to homes or that damage the environment. I'm a friend and neighbor of Andy's and I also share his cautious attitude. As a clean, renewable resource, wind is an attractive energy solution. But just the same, there's very good reason to be worried about a turbine in your backyard -- pejorative term aside. But to that issue in a moment.
What is at issue in front of the Select Board is relinquishing local zoning control. Home rule is a much treasured part of our Massachusetts town governments and any town should naturally be wary of losing local control and deferring to the state, which could mandate against the town's best interests. The law overrides town regulations on placement of industrial wind turbines as well as associated roads and transmission lines.
It is natural for the Select Board to oppose such power grabs regardless of opinions on wind farms. Furthermore, we elect the Select Board to represent us and expect the board to do their duty and take actions on behalf of the town -- including voicing dissent regarding proposed state legislation, which is legal and appropriate.
Now all that said, modern wind turbines are indeed a very big deal that we all should be worried about. Money, politics, and a poorly regulated industry combine to cast a pall over the expansion of wind energy into western Massachusetts. There is significant monetary incentives for developers and landowners to build turbines and this money is what is partly behind the legislative push for a law to expedite wind farms and it also is encouraging proposed turbine sites in less than ideal locations such as Ashfield. Furthermore, there is a major political effort in Boston to build thousands of new wind turbines in the state -- not much around Boston, of course, but on the coast and the western part of the state -- regions where small populations have little impact on legislative decisions. This new legislation will further erode our regional and local strength. Lastly, the wind energy industry is currently poorly regulated with respect to the impacts of turbines. We can have faith that the state will do the right thing and through this bill establish environmental regulations for wind turbines (as yet to be determined) that are appropriate across the commonwealth. We can hope that allowed exemptions to environmental safeguards will be in the best interests of all. Or we can take pause and worry that significant commercial and political interests will shape the use of wind energy in ways that will negatively impact our town's character, our property values, and well-being.
A decade ago many Ashfield residents were opposed to the construction of telecommunication towers. While that concern might have abated over time, I suspect that almost everyone still would object to a tower built, say, beside Ashfield Lake Beach or on the town common. Similarly, many would probably object to 200 foot turbines looming over our town center and pulsing light and noise 24 hours a day. All are extreme examples that would never likely come to pass, but this is exactly why we have local control of planning and zoning: to ensure that those things we value -- low noise and light, good health, an attractive, peaceful and sustainable community -- are maintained. And those values are all part of the total environmental equation.
I'm sure that all of us acknowledge the importance of energy independence and clean energy production, but that doesn't mean that all solutions regardless of impact are appropriate. I particularly resent the implication that challenging wind turbine plans is inappropriately sowing discontent at a time when the town should be healing from past disagreements. To question the placement of wind turbines and to resist relinquishing zoning authority to the state is part of wise and thoughtful self-government. I hope that all of the turbines that will be proposed in Ashfield will be adequately set back from residences to eliminate health concerns, minimize annoyances, and preserve our beautiful landscape. I suspect that there are appropriate locations to achieve these aims even in Ashfield, but I'm not naive enough to expect the state and developers to just get it right. Diligence is our responsibility.
David Kulp
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