Coordinator Report December 22, 2011

I am still sorting out the legalities of procuring electric power
through the solar contract. Appears the "buy" is exempt from 30b
procurement and we will instead have reporting requirements to meet. I
am working to convince our legal counsel who has been involved in
similar deals that involve construction and ownership / leases. Ours is
simply a contract to purchase energy. From the 30b manual under
Exemptions:  33. Energy contracts entered into by a city or town or
group of cities or towns or political subdivisions of the commonwealth,
for energy or energy related services; provided, however, that within 15
days of the signing of a contract for energy or energy related services
by a city, town, political subdivision, or group of cities, towns or
political subdivisions said city, town, political subdivision, or group
of cities, towns or political subdivisions shall submit to the
department of public utilities, the department of energy resources, and
the office of the inspector general a copy of the contract and a report
of the process used to execute the contract; provided, further, that for
any such contract determined to contain confidential information under
sub clause (r) of section 7 of chapter 4, the governmental body shall
instead maintain a record of the procurement processes and awards for 6
years after the date of the final payment. The governmental body shall
make such records available to the inspector general upon request;
provided, however, that the inspector general shall not disclose said
information. [M.G.L. c.30B, S1(b)(33). (Thanks are due Andrea at FRCOG
for the above.)

FRCOG got another technical assistance grant and have issued an
invitation to suggest regional planning and shared service delivery
projects. The letter is in the meeting package.

Planning board and tree warden are working on scheduling shade tree and
scenic road hearing. Ted Cady wrote that for the last hearing it worked
out best for the various parties (Tree Warden, Planning Board and
Selectboard) to have the hearing on a Wednesday evening at 7:00. 
Planning board chair and tree warden suggest possible date for the joint
hearing Wed., January 18 at 7:00 PM.

BEC has suggested some work which I have assigned the custodian to do
including insulating hot water pipes and water heater, and investigating
using the domestic hot water zone present in the boiler in town hall.
The work to flash the leaking windows has been accomplished and the new
storm windows are installed. The off-site window sash restoration is
ongoing and the balance in the Town Hall improvement account is about
$10,000. We have done really well on our list of projects, far exceeding
the scope. Hard times are good times to build.

Progress has been made on the repair of the WCS generator which now
runs. Thanks to Roland and Steve. We need to make sure the regulator is
working properly and have the unit regularly tested by school staff. I
will investigate a replacement unit with an auto transfer switch so we
can consider moving the current generator to the town hall and properly
sizing a unit at the school. If this happens it will likely be over the
objections of the BEC.

Our amendment to our agreement with DCR has become a new contract and
the work is proceeding. Our contract with American tower is a simple
amendment and we are close to getting a notice to proceed. Berkshire
wireless will climb and Access Plus will be our general contractor on
the cell tower upgrade.

Town got tax rate approval. The rate is $16.43 / 000. Bills are being
printed and will be mailed this month which makes them due 1 April.

Bernardston Selectmen wrote to ask Warwick to weigh in on the regional
school district's plans for increased compensation to staff,
compensation at top steps, labor negotiation process, and a level funded
budget. I can't tell if they are alleging new positions. I have a call
in to superintendent.

Our trade association is having the annual meeting in January. I have
never attended and would like to keep my perfect record intact.