SOUTHWICK – The Board of Selectmen met for nearly three hours Monday night and discussed and voted on numerous items.
Among those was a request from Department of Public Works Director Jeffrey Neece for a $1.2 million appropriation for replacement of a water tank. Neece said he is applying for a grant to pay for the tank. However, “it strengthens the application if you have an approved appropriation,” he said. The funds must be approved at Town Meeting. Neece also requested a transfer of $10,000 of reserve funds to the sewer overtime account.
“Our sewer overtime has taken a hit,” Neece said.
The main reason for that, he said, is the need for almost constant maintenance at a water pump station, the repair of which is in the works.
Neece said the funds would be “backfilled by sewer retained earnings.”
Other action was taken this week on crosswalks. Select Board Chairman Arthur Pinell suggested that more crosswalks be placed in the downtown business district on College Highway.
Pinell said with the addition of sidewalks promoting walking in Southwick center, there should be more safe places to cross the busy street.
“There is nowhere for anyone to cross in the center,” he said.
He suggested a painted-only crosswalk. His request received support from the full board.
“I definitely support that effort,” said Tracy Cesan.
The Board of Selectmen also accepted the retirement of Police Officer Richard Cross this week, effective Sept. 29.
“Richard Cross has served the town well and he will be missed,” said Pinell. “He is always especially receptive to people’s concerns.”
The board agreed to interview candidates for his sergeant’s position from within the department this fall, then unanimously approved appointing Cross as a reserve officer upon his retirement.
In other business, Pinell alerted the board to a new license offered by the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission for caterers. The caterer’s license would cost $1,500 per event. The ABCC would issue the licenses directly, unlike other liquor licenses that are issued by the town.
Board members were concerned with enforcement of the license.
“I want to put this in our rules and regulations and find out what enforcement powers we have,” said Selectman Russell Fox.
