Clarksburg Selectman Wants Verizon Refund
 The Selectmen were introduced to new Finance Committee members Mark Denault, Lori-Anne Aubin and Rebecca Buck. |
Holding up his Verizon phone bill at Wednesday's meeting, Chairman Carl McKinney pointed to the monthly charge the telecommunication giant added to its bills since the state allowed municipalities to tax its poles in 2009.
"Verizon property tax recovery charge, and this is one month, $2.29 on one phone line, one bill," said McKinney. "I would like some verification that they are in fact going to refund this money over this time to all the residents in Clarksburg."
The new tax on poles and wires was expected to bring in millions for cash-strapped municipalities but Verizon slapped "recovery" charges on customers. The company also appealed municipalities' attempts to collect back taxes prior to 2009 to the Appellate Tax Board and won that case earlier this year.
"It is my full expectation that when we give them this $2,297, they are going to credit everybody in town for what they've charged over the last three years in recovering what we charged them," said McKinney.
The board also heard a presentation from Amanda Chilson, coordinator for Mass in Motion, a state sponsored initiative to promote healthy living.
Chilson updated the board on some of the aspects of the program that is being funded through a five-year grant though the Department of Public Health, including last week's luncheon that brought produce from a local farm into the Clarksburg School. The initiatives will include working with a community advisory board to develop healthy nutrition and practices in the schools, develop ways to bring fresh, local foods into school cafeterias and local stores; raise awareness of the ability of residents on WIC or SNAP to shop at the farmers market.
Chilson said the program includes Safe Routes to School to encourage children walking and biking. Because of the limitations to that in Clarksburg, she said she is working with Berkshire Natural Resources Council to develop trails around the school and restore paths from the school to the adjacent town field. The possibility of a walking track was also raised.
 Amanda Chilson, coordinator for Mass in Motion, updated the Selectmen and the viewing audience on the new health initiative. |
Chilson said her job was to develop a strong base among existing organizations so that when the grant ended, the policies could continue.
"We're building on what's happening and creating the connections to see how we can put these together," she said.
In other business:
• The slab for the emergency generator at the Senior Center has been poured. Webb said the McCann Technical School CAD (computer-assisted design) program is designing a structure to go over the generator. An electrical hook up into the Senior Center will also be required.
• Town Administrator Thomas Webb reported that the Police Department will be applying for an emergency management grant to buy a Toughbook laptop and that Enviro Lab, which tests the Senior Center well and monitors the capped landfill, is outsourcing its testing because of difficulties with its own testing.
• Acting as the Cemetery Commission, the Selectmen approved the purchase of two lots in Clarksburg Cemetery for George and Marlene Walther.
• The board voted to extend the contract with the Mosquito Control Program into next year, for 18 months, on the recommendation of the Board of Health with the condition a map of larvicide application be submitted. BOH Chairman Greg Vigna said the board will weigh options during the fall and winter; McKinney asked that the board return for further in the new year for further discussion.
• Charles "Rusty" Ransford has made progress on his Walker Street property, said Webb, and Building Inspector Vincent Lively has asked the court for an extension. The town took Ransford to court over code violations. He is expected to be in compliance before winter.
• Berkshire Metal Spinning & Engraving, or its responsible party, agreed at a hearing at Sept. 13 in Land Court to pay $24,000 in back taxes and penalties to retain control of 161 River Road. The town had gone to court to take the property for back taxes; the company is in bankruptcy but has continued to operate.
Tags: Mass in Motion, mosquito spraying, Verizon,
