Coordinator Report September 30, 2010

Warwick Community School sprinkler system contracted work was completed
and passed its test on 9/23. Since I missed scoping a branch pipe to the
generator room, that piping will be addressed on 10/9 as an "extra".
This date was chosen because it is a holiday and disruption will be
minimal. The cost is $5,000 and it puts us over budget by $2,000.

On 9/27 the dry system was energized.  It appears to me the dry valve
had failed flooding the dry system. This caused the pump to run. There
were no leaks and the new piping drained back into the tank when shut
off. This component hadn't been touched in the new installation and it
hadn't been "live" in some time. The WCS janitor called Simplex
Grinnell, our contractor, and they dispatched a crew. I was contacted by
SG and approved the action and payment. I met with the janitor and he
agreed to remain on site at least until repairmen were on the scene.
When the repairmen turned the system back on everything was working
correctly. We are monitoring it.

The SG engineer did some research and reports that the dry valve has not
been recalled nor does it have recalled parts. We believe it sat for so
long that the rubbers and gaskets all dried out and are not allowing the
valve to seat properly and keep water below the clapper so the valve
needs to be rebuilt. His rough estimate is about half a day labor for
one man and a rebuild kit is around $500. We also determined that the
fire pump controller needs to be serviced. The automatic and manual run
switch appears to be wired backwards so someone is going to need to look
at and correct it. This is another time and material correction.

Security at WCS is a continuing issue, there having been another
break-in. We want to among other things put video surveillance inside
the building. It would not be operated during school hours. I sent a
summary of suggested actions to the principal which include in addition
to limiting master keys, changing the locks, and adopting better
practices in locking up the building. Superintendent Dorian reports that
the subcommittee discussed the matter and have requested more
information and the opportunity to speak with the town about what they
wish to do. We will send a police department representative to answer
their request which was that the town "outline a written proposal (video
or audio or both; interior or exterior; hours of operation; operated by
whom; operated continuously or in response to motion; guidelines for
retention and security of surveillance records) and come to their next
meeting to discuss it."  Their next scheduled meeting is October 21st at
6:30 p.m. at the Pearl Rhodes Elementary School" In a related matter the
school plans to change the locks on the four entry doors and the door to
the kitchen.  The rest of the locks will be disabled from the outside,
so they can only be opened from the inside, allowing exit, but not
entry.  The cost to do this is within the WCS budget. The school will
keep careful records of the new key distribution

Warwick Police have issued an invitation to the board and community
members to "ride along" as community outreach. See attached invitation
from Officer Shoemaker.

CPE / MBI / CDBG On 5/13/10 my report to you stated that, "I hope the
Broadband Institute will be implementing something soon on the matter of
wireless last mile because their not doing so is hindering adoption." I
also noted that, "I am in discussion with the Housing Authority
regarding reprogramming some CDBG repaid grant money to supporting low
income residents' access to our broadband system. In that report I
asked, "Is the board supportive?" I don't recall bringing this to a vote
but nobody said don't work on this.  The outcome of a recent face to
face meeting with Judy Dumont, MBI executive director, regarding
customer premises equipment (CPE) subsidy is that they are an additional
four to six months away from doing something for Western MA "last mile".
This update from MBI is after the passing of four months time during
which they had pledged to act in "three or four months". I indicated to
MBI our support for financial assistance in establishing additional base
stations / repeaters being added to eligible activities and I believe
this was added to their CPE scope. A total of $250k is allocated of the
$40M bond bill for last mile customer premises equipment (CPE). $250k is
the entirety of last mile of money for western MA out of the broadband
bond bill. To put it in perspective, the Warwick system when you count
the Town and our customer's individual investment stands at $90,000.

I have identified a source of funding for subsidizing CPE and it is
recycled CDBG grant money properly know as "program income".  The money
comes from people repaying their loans and since the original grant is
closed we have much latitude in expending this funding. As well, all it
takes is a vote of the Selectboard to do so.  As an example, recently
the Selectboard voted to use this funding source to assist a homeowner
we had in court on zoning violations. The amount was about $40,000.  I
won't name the case but you will remember it. At that time the Town
didn't have an active housing rehab program. Now we do and there is some
$350,000 plus looking for applicants. At the last meeting you voted to
change the design to make it more attractive.  The housing rehab
priority need is clearly accomplished. Another priority identified in
our project list and action strategy was broadband Internet. I recommend
that the Selectboard vote an initial amount of $10,000 to this project.
Nick has indicated to me that he feels this should be brought before a
Town Meeting. While it could be done with most any decision I recommend
the Selectboard exercise rather than give up its authority. This
authority comes by way of annual Town Meeting vote that authorizes the
Selectboard to apply for and expend grant money. We have had hearings
about priorities, most recently 11/12/2009. And because this money is
from completed grants this is the Selectboard's responsibility.  The
Selectboard could vote to hand over their authority to the TM just as
Congress gave the President power to declare war in the last decade.  I
hope you will decide to serve this need. A page on regulations provided
by Housing Authority is attached.

I helped Wendell and New Salem uncover that they have as well program
income funding and I am helping their coordinator bring this project
forward in those towns.  As well I agreed to gather data on demand for
CPE subsidy for the MBI and I have drafted a survey instrument for the
three towns which is included in the board package. There is no low or
moderate income beneficiary requirement as there was with the original
grant that brought us these funds.  That said, I am recommending we
impose a means test anyway that is the same as the original grant
funding. That is the design I am bringing forward.

Warwick Broadband successfully upgraded the Internet connection to the
base station on the cell tower. Service was out for about an hour. Now
those customers on that node are at parity with our other customers.

A place to ride motorized off road vehicles has been requested by a
youth from town. Ben Lambert has written us a letter asking that we
designate a place for this use. He copied the Open Space committee. I
have placed this on the agenda. You may want to get committee input. I
lost this request for a time and since the letter wasn't dated can't say
for how long. The young gentleman has been waiting.

Highway Department has enlarged the concrete pad on which sit our
recycling containers so we can add the paper compactor. They have been
attending the work on the box culvert on Wendell Rd, working with a
hired grader and operator on the gravel roads. This has proven to be a
good out for us and is taking less time and money than budgeted. The
e-brake on our grader is fixed and we wait for a new part to restore our
grader to service. A few more days of grading remain to be accomplished.
 The new employee hiring process is underway. Tim advertised in the
Recorder and Daily News and listed the job on the state "JobQuest" site.
We have at least 15 applicants at this writing. Tim and I will winnow
the list to three finalists, interview and check references and bring
forward an appointment.

WCS Energy / systems analysis consulting saw some progress this week.  I
have a paid intern developing an inventory of existing documents and a
list of capital items and their ages. The Town and District now each
have duplicate copies of owner's documents on WCS systems. I expect to
issue the RFP next week and the Buildings and Energy Committee will
conduct interviews of respondents. The budget totals $10k for this
project.

I forwarded the previously sent Chapter 40b (comprehensive permit)
letter from the Selectboard and Planning Board to the town of Peru in
care of their town clerk. A total of 14 towns have been invited to join
this effort and ten or so have expressed their support.

Liquor Liability: In addition to having liability coverage in force at no
additional premium, I have confirmed that the Town has liquor liability
insurance provided the proceeds from the sale of alcohol benefit the
Town.  The fire department has reserved the Town Hall for Oct 23 and
request the Selectboard grant them a one day beer and wine license.

STAM wiki site just became my responsibility.  Northfield's Coordinator
is resigning to take a job at FRCOG. She had set up and moderated the
Small Town Administrators MA wiki site. I was really worried that I was
being asked to be an officer when she called which didn't turn out to be
the case. I agreed to take on the STAM Wiki project as my contribution
to the association. At STAMsite.org  you can see a growing knowledge
base that beats reinventing the wheel.

New Warwick 15 gallon bags are now available and sell for $1.50 each at
the Library and Town Hall.

Town Hall Roof replacement materials are on site and work will proceed
early in the week. Weather has delayed us a few days. I called MA
Electric to get the power lines blanketed. Cost will total about
$23,000. Nancy Hazard, who is a member of Greenfield's Energy committee,
wrote a press release on Warwick's energy saving work which will run in
the next few days. I was contacted for more information by Daily News.

Enumeration was the subject of a meeting between Gunnar, George and me.
We reviewed the system George implemented while fire chief in the early
1980s.  Each number represents about 25 feet of road frontage.  George
learned that Erving is holding a hearing on the Dusty Rd Erving
enumeration. I don't understand why, as it is not a public way. George
provided Gunnar with an updated copy of the list that Orange and Warwick
keep as hardcopy in the ambulance and police cruiser. We also discussed
the Ruggeri enumeration matter. He originally took number 351 under his
own authority. Gunnar gave him 225 which lines up at the junction of
Gale and Athol Roads, which is our mistake. He should be number 293 so
he is off by 78. If he won't voluntarily change the number the
Selectboard should order him to do so. I agree with law enforcement
officials that this poses a dangerous situation for his neighbors even
though he states he doesn't care about the potential effect on himself.

In case you missed it included in the meeting package is a news photo of
our youth / Ranger firefighters, their coach Brian Miner and a Warwick
truck.