tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68755855795052378512024-03-14T04:31:36.437-04:00Eye on EgremontTo learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize. - VoltaireKevinZurrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10514093726232316855noreply@blogger.comBlogger109125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875585579505237851.post-29817848298498879472016-03-21T11:56:00.000-04:002016-03-21T11:56:28.126-04:00Why WiredWest<div style="color: black; font-family: arial,helvetica; font-size: 10pt;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">WHAT IS WIREDWEST<br /></span><span><em><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>WiredWest is . .</strong> .</span></em></span><span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><strong>a municipal cooperative with 45 member towns in the four western-most counties in the Commonwealth</strong>. Governed by a Board of Directors made up of representatives for each member town, elected by their town’s Select Boards, it is a regional community-owned network. </span></span><br /><br /><span><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>WiredWest is NOT a private for-profit company</strong>. It hasn't come to Western Mass from somewhere else. It started nearly six years ago with a group of volunteers from the area. </span></span><br /><br /><span><em><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Governance</strong></span></em></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span>The member towns govern the cooperative through the representatives each town designates as Board Members to WiredWest. I am New Marlborough’s representative to the Board of Directors. My alternate is Gino Furio</span><span>. </span><span>As representatives, we are looking out for New Marlborough’s interests. In addition, three of the members of the WiredWest Advisory Council are from New Marlborough. (You can read up on all the details of WiredWest’s governance structure in the Learn More menu tab.</span></span><br /><br /><span><em><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>A Cooperative of Municipal Lighting Plant Towns</strong></span></em></span><br /><br /><span><span style="font-size: large;">WiredWest was incorporated in 2011 as a Municipal Lighting Plant Cooperative under Massachusetts General Law 164, Section 47C.</span></span><br /><span><span style="font-size: large;">Becoming a WiredWest member town involved New Marlborough undergoing a lengthy process to first become a Municipal Lighting Plant. This necessitated conducting Town Meeting votes – passed by 2/3 majority of registered voters – at two separate Town Meetings within a 13 month period. Then the Select Board voted to join the Cooperative, completed extensive paperwork, and paid a $1,000 membership fee to become part of the Municipal Lighting Plant Cooperative, WiredWest.</span></span><br /><br /><strong><span><em><span style="font-size: large;">WiredWest is An All-Volunteer Organization</span></em></span></strong><br /><span><span style="font-size: large;">The citizens in WiredWest's member towns who have been working to bring fiber service to our homes and businesses are all volunteers. No one is paid for the hundreds, and in some cases, thousands of hours they have each invested over the past four years to move this project toward its goals. The project would not be where it is today were it not for this level of commitment.</span></span><br /><strong><span><em><span style="font-size: large;">Mission</span></em></span></strong><br /><br /><span><span style="font-size: large;">WiredWest’s mission is planning, constructing and operating a regional community-owned, universal, fiber-to-the-home network in its member towns. The planning phase is nearly complete. Construction of the network will begin in early 2016. Service is projected to start in 2018.</span></span><br /><br /><strong><span><em><span style="font-size: large;">How The Coop becomes an ISP as it Moves Forward</span></em></span></strong><br /><span><span style="font-size: large;">WiredWest’s Board of Directors bring experience in project management, finance, law, network technology, finance, marketing, sales and community organizing. This deep-skilled group is the Coop's secret sauce.</span></span><br /><span><span style="font-size: large;">As the project moves forward to construction and operation of the network, this group, WiredWest’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee, will be hiring a CEO and other staff from the telecommunications industry to fulfill operational, financial, marketing, customer service and network maintenance roles. Some of these activities may be provided by third party contractors. </span></span><br /><br /><strong><span><em><span style="font-size: large;">Strength in Numbers</span></em></span></strong><br /><span><span style="font-size: large;">New Marlborough, with its 1020 households, is fairly large for a Western Mass town. Yet, compared to WiredWest, we are small. WiredWest member towns span four counties and represent about 30,000 households. Within the borders of the 31 towns that are eligible to participate in the fiber build are 20,000 households. Click here to see a map of the WiredWest towns.</span></span><br /><br /><span><span style="font-size: large;">The scale of the membership gives the Coop a remarkably broad range of real world skills to draw upon to accomplish its mission. </span></span><br /><br /><strong><span><em><span style="font-size: large;">Some Impressive Stats</span></em></span></strong><br /><span><span style="font-size: large;">Since February, over 7,000 households have pre-subscribed for service, paying in $49 each. 19 of 31 towns have surpassed the 40% pre-subscription sign up goal; 3 more are well above 95% to goal. 24 of the 31 eligible towns have passed their bond authorization votes, authorizing $38 million. </span></span><br /><br /><strong><span><em><span style="font-size: large;">The WiredWest Business Plan and Financial Model</span></em></span></strong><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span>WiredWest has worked from the outset with complete transparency. The Coop's business plan and financial model have been developed over a period of at least two years. Both the Financial Model and Business plan have been closely studied and thoroughly vetted by industry experts and a </span></span><span><span style="font-size: large;">number of operating municipal fiber networks around the country. T</span></span><span style="font-size: large;">he MBI, MBI consultants' have the Financial Model under review since mid 2014. During this time neither the MBI or its paid consultants have challenged the accuracy of the model. The Business Plan was submitted to the MBI and simultaneously made public in June 2015. In the 6 months since then <span>the MBI expressed no concern to that document either. Then, on </span>December 3, the MBI issued a public statement broadly critical of the entire WiredWest plan. Click here to go to the menu heading: "What's MBI's Problem?" t<span>o learn WiredWest's response.</span></span><br /><span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> To review the draft Business Plan document and learn about the process WiredWest employed in developing the Financial Model. You’ll find both under the heading: "About the WiredWest Business Plan and Financial Model."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">HOW A REGIONAL COOPERATIVE DIFFERS FROM A SINGLE TOWN NETWORK<br /> </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Small towns in western Massachusetts increasingly are recognizing the need to regionalize the delivery of a variety of existing public services. This concept has compelling favorable arguments when it comes to providing modern telecommunications services. Rather than restricting the design, construction and operation of the network to a single township – a political construct created in the 18th century – better to design-in the many advantages larger scale brings at the project at the outset.<br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">HOW A REGIONAL COOPERATIVE DIFFERS FROM A SINGLE TOWN NETWORK<br /> <br /><strong><em>The Leverett Model</em></strong><br /> What has taken place in Leverett is a good place to start. They're network is up and running. Has been for 6 months,. WiredWest salutes what Leverett has done<br /> to pioneer a single town fiber network—the first in our state. We in no way fault their decision. But before you decide following that lead is best for New Marlborough you really need to look closer, dig deeper. What is great for Leverett, say, or Alford, may not work so well for other towns. It's instructive to look at the demographics. </span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Small towns in western Massachusetts increasingly are recognizing the need to regionalize the delivery of a variety of existing public services. This concept has compelling favorable arguments when it comes to providing modern telecommunications services. Rather than restricting the design, construction and operation of the network to a single township – a political construct created in the 18th century – better to design-in the many advantages larger scale brings at the project at the outset.<br /><br /><em><strong>How scale works as an advantage</strong></em></span><br /><span><span style="font-size: large;">Were New Marlborough to operate its own service, the one-town network would have a maximum of 1039 customers (provided 100% of all households and businesses subscribed). The comparable number for the WiredWest network is about 20,000 households. That’s what's meant by scale. More realistically, think in terms of 500-700 customers if NewMarlborough were to go it alone versus 10,000 to 14,000 for WiredWest. Here are some things that the vastly larger customer base allows.</span></span><ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Economies of scale for service provision (acquiring bandwidth, TV programming, etc.)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">More flexibility in pricing and packaging of services over larger customer base</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Greater ability to introduce new services (e.g., telehealth) over larger customer base</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Reduction of demographic disparities between towns, such as high second-home ownership</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Greater negotiating leverage with contractors and suppliers</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Benefits of financial success returned to towns, not retained by ISP serving a single town</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Shared risk of financial underperformance and greater resources for responding</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Shared ability to respond to operating failures and emergencies</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Economies of scale through regionalized design and construction</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Greater ability to exercise oversight of network design, construction and spending</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Economies of scale for operation and maintenance</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Greater flexibility to provide redundancy in connecting the network to the internet</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Higher uptime and network resiliency (through interconnected equipment huts)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Greater ability to upgrade network as technology evolves and user needs grow</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Greater ability to attract professional managers (versus town administrator or Select Board)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Wider range of input and oversight from </span><span style="font-size: large;">diverse members on WiredWest Board of Directors</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">More sale-able asset serving 10,000+ customers (a single-town network may actually be unsellable</span></li>
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KevinZurrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10514093726232316855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875585579505237851.post-22549330196695387542015-12-28T12:25:00.002-05:002015-12-28T12:25:58.916-05:00MBI working with WiredWest to resolve issues<div dir="ltr">
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The Board of Directors of WiredWest, at its meeting on December 19th, voted unanimously to appoint a select group of representatives from its member towns to negotiate with the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) to resolve differences between the organizations’ plans for last-mile broadband deployment in WiredWest towns.</h3>
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MBI issued a statement on December 1<sup><span style="font-size: small;">st</span></sup> saying it would deny funding to WiredWest for the project to bring high-speed internet to people in western Massachusetts currently lacking such service. WiredWest responded with a detailed rebuttal, drawing on the organization’s comprehensive plans to bring broadband to its members. Responding to the controversy caused by these actions, the Board of Directors of MBI directed its staff to work with WiredWest to seek to bridge those differences, and then for the two organizations to come back before the Board in a joint presentation.</h3>
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Last week, several WiredWest Executive Committee members participated in a meeting hosted by MBI in Westborough, and it was agreed that the two organizations would address the specific issues of contention in breakout committees on finance and governance, with meetings in the very near future. WiredWest is also asking for a committee on technology, to work closely with MBI on network design, to ensure operational efficiencies are taken into account.</h3>
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Monica Webb, Chair of WiredWest, said: “I am confident that with genuine, open-minded collaboration, the two groups can resolve our differences in last-mile plans, and get the process of bringing desperately-needed broadband to the unserved back on track. We are all vested in the expeditious achievement of that goal.”</h3>
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<a href="http://www.shutesbury.org/broadband" target="_blank">http://www.shutesbury.org/broadband</a></div>
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KevinZurrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10514093726232316855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875585579505237851.post-7383230557581777022015-12-13T12:05:00.000-05:002015-12-13T12:05:30.362-05:00THE MBI MISSION AS ESTABLISHED BY LAWThere has been a lot of discussion about MBI funding. How do we ensure that we qualify for these funds. Fortunately when public monies are involved the governing authorities must clearly spell out in writing the rules that govern the disbursement of these public funds. If these rules are not followed to the letter these funds cannot be released. What follows is the text of chapter 231of the acts of 2008 which is the law establishing the MBI and the rules regarding the distribution of MBI funds. The mission and the spirit of the law is outlined in section 1.<br />
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<strong>AN ACT ESTABLISHING AND FUNDING </strong><br />
<strong>THE MASSACHUSETTS BROADBAND INSTITUTE. </strong><br />
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<em>Whereas, </em>The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is forthwith to establish and fund the Massachusetts Broadband Institute, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience.<br />
<em>Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same as follows:</em> <br />
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<span style="background-color: yellow;"><strong>SECTION 1. </strong>To provide for a capital outlay program to achieve the deployment of <strong><u>affordable</u> </strong>and ubiquitous <strong><u>broadband access for every citizen of the commonwealth</u></strong>, the sums set forth in section 2, for the several purposes and subject to the conditions specified in this act, are hereby made available, <u>subject to the laws regulating the disbursement of public funds.</u> </span><strong><br /> </strong><br />
<strong>SECTION 2.</strong><br />
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<strong>EXECUTIVE OFFICE FOR ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE </strong></div>
1599-7060 For a reserve to provide funds to the Massachusetts Broadband Incentive Fund established by section 6C of chapter 40J of the General Laws...................................................... $40,000,000<br /><br /><strong>SECTION 3.</strong> Section 3 of chapter 23A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2006 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 24, the words “wireless broadband development council” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- Massachusetts Broadband Institute.<br /><br /><strong>SECTION 4. </strong>Said section 3 of said chapter 23A, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in lines 62 and 63, the words “wireless broadband development council, established pursuant to section 6A” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- Massachusetts Broadband Institute, established by section 6B.<br /><strong><br /> SECTION 5. </strong> Said section 3 of said chapter 23A, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in lines 87 and 88, the words “wireless broadband development council established pursuant to section 6A” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- Massachusetts Broadband Institute, established by section 6B.<br /><br /><strong>SECTION 6.</strong> Chapter 40J of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out sections 6B and 6C, as so appearing, and inserting in place thereof the following 2 sections:-<br /><br /> Section 6B. (a) As used in this section and in section 6C, the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:- <br /><br />“Board”, the board of the Massachusetts Broadband Institute established by subsection (c). <br />“Broadband”, high-speed internet access, including wireless internet access, and as may be further defined by the board. <br />“Fund”, the Massachusetts Broadband Incentive Fund established by section 6C.<br />“Institute”, the Massachusetts Broadband Institute established by subsection (b).<br /><br /> (b) The corporation shall establish an institute for investment in broadband infrastructure in the commonwealth, to be known as the Massachusetts Broadband Institute. The executive director of the corporation, subject to the approval of the board, shall appoint a qualified individual as director to manage the affairs of the institute. <span style="background-color: yellow;"><strong><u>The purpose of the institute shall be to achieve the deployment of affordable and ubiquitous broadband access across the commonwealth. </u></strong></span>The objectives of the institute shall include: (i) assessing and improving broadband access conditions in communities that have no access or have limited or insufficient access to broadband; (ii) promoting robust broadband access for essential state and local governmental services including, without limitation, public safety, health and education; (iii) promoting increased availability of, and competition for, broadband access and related services; and (iv) creating conditions that will encourage economic competitiveness and growth. The first priority of the institute shall be to assess and improve conditions in the commonwealth’s communities that have no broadband access.<br /><br /> (c) The institute shall be governed and its corporate powers exercised by a board of directors, which shall consist of the following 9 members: the secretary of administration and finance or his designee; the secretary of housing and economic development or his designee; the commissioner of telecommunications and cable or his designee; the executive director of the corporation or his designee; and the chairman of the governing board of the John Adams Innovation Institute or his designee; and 4 members to be appointed by the governor, all of whom shall have knowledge and experience in 1 or more of the following areas: telecommunications, broadband infrastructure, public-private partnership development, information technology or other fields of experience consistent with the mission of the institute. The governor shall, from time to time, designate 1 member to chair the board. Each member appointed by the governor shall serve a term of 4 years and thereafter until his successor is appointed. Any person appointed to fill a vacancy on the board shall be appointed in a like manner and shall serve for only the unexpired term of such member. Any appointed member shall be eligible for reappointment. An appointed member may be removed by the governor for cause. Five members of the board shall constitute a quorum, and the affirmative vote of a majority of the members present and eligible to vote at a meeting shall be necessary for any action to be taken by the board. The members shall serve without compensation, but each member shall be entitled to reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of his official duties. The board shall meet at least 4 times annually. <br /><br /> (d) The board shall leverage private sector and federal investment by financing the construction and acquisition of broadband infrastructure to promote the development of broadband access. This broadband infrastructure shall include, but not be limited to, conduit, fiber and towers. <span style="background-color: yellow;">Any equipment or other property financed by the institute shall be owned by the corporation, the commonwealth or 1 or more other public entities, but may be leased or licensed by the institute, for a fee or otherwise, for use by nonprofit or for-profit private-sector entities.</span> Any such transaction shall constitute a transaction with the commonwealth for the purpose of chapter 30B. The lessee or licensee shall pay any lease or license fees to the corporation, which shall credit them to the fund. The institute may provide and pay for advisory services and technical assistance as may be necessary or desired to carry out its purposes. <br /> The board may work in collaboration with the corporation and other quasi-public and nonprofit entities and state agencies, and may provide advisory assistance to local entities, local authorities, public bodies and private corporations for the purposes of maximizing opportunities for the expansion of broadband access in the commonwealth and fostering innovative approaches to broadband access in the commonwealth. <br /><br /> (e) The board shall collect information from reasonably available sources including, but not limited to: municipalities and other public entities and agencies of the commonwealth, local and regional nonprofit entities and telecommunications and broadband service providers to develop and maintain an inventory of: (i) locations where telecommunications and broadband services are not available in the commonwealth; (ii) locations where telecommunications and broadband infrastructure is available or is likely to be available to support the provision of services to unserved and underserved areas; (iii) locations where new infrastructure may be necessary to support the provision of services to unserved and underserved areas; (iv) the quality of such services, including, but not limited to, speed of data transmission and cost of such services; and (v) any other relevant information as the board may deem necessary. <br /><br /> (f) The board shall establish a detailed long-term plan for the operation of the institute and the administration of the fund and shall consult with the joint committee on telecommunications, utilities and energy and the joint committee on economic development and emerging technologies on the plan. The plan, and any amendments thereto, shall be subject to the approval of the secretary of housing and economic development and the secretary of administration and finance and shall be filed with the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate who shall forward the same to the house and senate committees on ways and means, the joint committee on telecommunications, utilities and energy and the joint committee on economic development and emerging technologies. <br /><br /> (g) The board shall annually adopt an operating plan governing disbursements from the fund and, to the extent the plan provides for disbursement of appropriations or other moneys authorized by the general court, the plan shall be subject to the approval of the secretary of housing and economic development and the secretary of administration and finance. The board shall file the plan, and any amendments thereto, with the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate who shall forward the same to the house and senate committees on ways and means, the joint committee on telecommunications, utilities and energy and the joint committee on economic development and emerging technologies. <br /><br /> (h) The board shall promulgate rules and regulations for the administration and enforcement of this section and section 6C. <br /><br /> (i) The board shall review and recommend changes in laws, rules, programs and policies of the commonwealth and its agencies and subdivisions to further financing, infrastructure and development for broadband access in the commonwealth. <br /><br /> (j) The board shall prepare, publish and distribute, with or without charge, as the institute may determine, any studies, reports and bulletins and other material as the institute deems appropriate. <br /><br /> (k) The institute shall file an annual report of its activities with the governor and the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate who shall forward the same to the joint committee on telecommunications, utilities and energy, the joint committee on economic development and emerging technologies, and the house and senate committees on ways and means. <br /><br /> (l) Actions of the board may take effect immediately and notice thereof shall be published and posted. Meetings of the board shall be subject to section 11A1/2 of chapter 30A. Records pertaining to the activities of the institute shall be subject to section 10 of chapter 66, unless exempted under subsection (h) of section 12. The operations of the institute shall be subject to chapters 268A and 268B; provided, however, that the members of the board shall be considered directors for the purposes of the fourth, fifth and seventh paragraphs of section 3.<br /><br /> (m) Sections 38A1/2 to 38O, inclusive, of chapter 7, section 39M of chapter 30, subject to the provisions of subsection (c) of section 4A and sections 44A to 44J, inclusive, of chapter 149 shall apply to the operations of the institute.<br /><br /> Section 6C. The corporation shall establish a fund to be known as the Massachusetts Broadband Incentive Fund. The corporation shall hold the fund separate and apart from its other funds, to finance the activities of the institute. The corporation shall credit to the fund any appropriations, bond proceeds or other moneys authorized by the general court and specifically designated to be credited to the fund, and any other moneys legally available to the corporation which the board of the corporation may determine to deposit in the fund.<br /><br /><strong>SECTION 7. </strong>Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, to meet the expenditures necessary to carry out section 2, the state treasurer shall, upon request of the governor, issue and sell bonds of the commonwealth in an amount to be specified by the governor from time to time, but not exceeding, in the aggregate, $40,000,000. All bonds issued by the commonwealth as aforesaid shall be designated on their face, Massachusetts Broadband Incentive Fund Loan Act of 2008, and shall be issued for a maximum term of years, not exceeding 30 years, as the governor may recommend to the general court pursuant to section 3 of Article LXII of the Amendments to the Constitution. All such bonds shall be payable not later than June 30, 2043. No authorization shall be expended unless expressly authorized by the secretary of administration and finance. All interest and payments on account of principal of such obligations shall be payable from the General Fund. Bonds issued under the authority of this section shall be general obligations of the commonwealth. <br /><br /><strong>SECTION 8. </strong>Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, in making the initial appointments pursuant to subsection (c) of section 6B of chapter 40J of the General Laws, the governor shall appoint 1 member to serve for a term of 1 year, 1 member to serve for a term of 2 years, 1 member to serve for a term of 3 years and 1 member to serve for a term of 4 years. <br /><br /><strong>SECTION 9. </strong>Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, not less than 10 days after the effective date of this act, the Massachusetts Technology Park Corporation, established by section 3 of chapter 40J of the General Laws, shall transfer the balance of the Wireless and Broadband Development Fund established by section 6C of chapter 40J of the General Laws to the Massachusetts Broadband Incentive Fund, established by said section 6C.<strong> </strong><br />
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<em>Approved August 4, 2008 </em></div>
KevinZurrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10514093726232316855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875585579505237851.post-13684042276251300992015-12-09T09:44:00.001-05:002015-12-09T09:44:19.244-05:00Wired West Rebuttal to MBI<br />
<strong>WiredWest Rebuttal to the Statement by the Massachusetts Broadband Institute of December 1, 2015</strong><br />
<strong>MBI said: “</strong>The MBI is committed to working with you to develop a sustainable plan for governance and operation of a regional network, and therefore will be prepared to partner with towns on new pathways to successfully expand broadband service as needed.”<br />
<strong>WW replies: </strong>The only way that MBI can work and partner with the towns is on the basis of respect for the towns and WiredWest. “New pathways” is merely a code word for detouring around WiredWest. That is not the route the towns have chosen to take. By releasing its statement of December 1, MBI has sewn confusion in the towns, thrown the project into chaos, and subjected it to further delays. This will only prolong the frustration of people in western Mass. at their lack of broadband. MBI must become part of the solution, not part of the problem.<br />
<strong>MBI:</strong> “The Massachusetts Broadband Institute at Mass Tech Collaborative (MBI) is committed to partnering with towns to extend broadband service to residents and businesses. WiredWest was an early supporter of a regional solution and has sought to complement MBI’s efforts to promote aggregation of towns and to educate them about the benefits of a common, regional approach. Those efforts have been successful in instilling early and sustained energy and providing information about many of the issues involved with building and operating a fiber network for the citizens of western Massachusetts.”<br />
<strong>WW: </strong>For more than four years, the WiredWest cooperative has been working with its 44 member towns to bring “last mile” high-speed internet service to the people in western Mass., long before MBI became involved in such an effort. MBI is now “partnering” with the towns only to the extent that towns do so on MBI’s terms.<br />
<strong>MBI: “</strong>More recently, WiredWest has extended beyond these educational and outreach efforts to develop and propose a plan and agreement under which WiredWest would own and operate the network on behalf of the towns.”<br />
<strong>WW:</strong> Since its formation in 2011, the Bylaws of WiredWest have stated that the purpose of the cooperative was “planning, building and operating a regional fiber-optic network.” That is why towns joined WiredWest. It is misleading to imply that WiredWest has changed its mission, or that is an entity separate from the towns which would operate the network on their behalf. <em>It is a cooperative of the towns, by the towns and for the towns. </em>WiredWest is nothing but the towns. It is governed by a Board of Directors, representing each of the member towns, which has supported and continues to support this purpose.<br />
<strong>MBI:</strong> “It [WiredWest] has informed towns that it will be seeking the towns’ execution of the proposed agreement in early January. We are writing to provide you an update on our ongoing review of the WiredWest regional fiber network proposal, in order to support your upcoming decision-making around signing the proposed Operating Agreement.”<br />
<strong>WW:</strong> Numerous drafts of the Agreement have been subject to extensive review and input from the Board, town officials and counsels, town broadband committees and others. The board unanimously approved the proposed Operating Agreement. MBI is not acting to “support” the towns’ decision-making, but to thwart it.<br />
<strong>MBI:</strong> “The MBI has been reviewing the WiredWest operating agreement and business plan, which propose a new, independent, regional, municipal cooperative in the telecommunications business. While WiredWest continues to revise both the operating agreement and business plan, it is important for the MBI to provide local officials with preliminary feedback now based upon our review.”<br />
<strong>WW:</strong> WiredWest continues to adjust our governance and business plan, <em>by design</em>, in response to multi-year discussions and feedback from towns and industry experts. The changes embodied in the Operating Agreement change the form of the existing WiredWest cooperative from a corporation, formed according to state law governing such coops, to a Limited Liability Company. Operating as an LLC would not only give the towns <em>continued control of the coop</em>, but <em>actual ownership</em> of it in shares proportional to their investment in the network.<br />
<strong>MBI: “</strong>The MBI believes that the current draft WiredWest operating agreement is not compatible with the best interests of the Commonwealth, the towns, or their residents. The operating agreement coupled with the business plan would require substantial, in some ways fundamental, revision in order to succeed as a reliable framework for the startup and operation of broadband service in the region.”<br />
<strong>WW:</strong> It is not up to MBI, a bureaucracy in eastern Massachusetts, to decide what is in the best interests of the towns and their residents in western Massachusetts. It is the responsibility of the towns to determine the course that is in our best interests. The MBI’s letter follows a long series of actions that are not in the town’s best interest. The revisions MBI seeks are for the purpose of furthering its attempt to control the last mile project, despite the fact that the towns are providing nearly two-thirds of the funding, while threatening to withhold funding from the organization which the towns themselves created.<br />
<strong>MBI: “</strong>Operating Agreement Review: The WiredWest Operating Agreement includes basic elements that contradict MBI’s Last Mile Broadband Policy as passed by its boards on July 30, 2015. The program policy was established to mitigate financial and operational risk to towns and taxpayers, and ensure that any project receiving state and local funds had a pathway to sustainability.”<br />
<strong>WW: </strong>The Director of MBI told representatives of WiredWest that they would have input into the Policy. They did not. WiredWest believes that elements of the Policy increase, rather than mitigate, the risk to towns and their taxpayers. The assessment of such risk must ultimately be that of the towns who are undertaking an unprecedented financial commitment to the project, and not a dictate of the state. The MBI claims that the WiredWest business model is not sustainable, but provides absolutely no evidence to support its claim. On the contrary, the WiredWest model has been fully vetted by many experts including a nationally recognized network consultant.<br />
<strong>MBI:</strong> “For example, the WiredWest Operating Model requires towns/MLPs to transfer ownership of the network to WiredWest in perpetuity, while retaining ultimate responsibility for the local debt obligation for construction of the network. Towns/MLPs are required to maintain membership in WiredWest for a minimum of 10 years, and if the towns leave WiredWest they will lose all rights to the broadband network in their towns with no assurance of full repayment of their municipal debt.”<br />
<strong>WW: </strong>The towns and their MLPs (Municipal Light Plants) are not transfering ownership of the network to WiredWest. The towns are choosing to jointly own the network and WiredWest serves as the mechanism to manage it. WiredWest is committed to repaying the debts of its Members, which no other provider of internet service is proposing to do. When a town withdraws from WiredWest, after a sufficient period of time to enable it to achieve financial stability, the Operating Agreement stipulates that it it will be reimbursed in full for its outstanding debt for the project.<br />
The 10-year membership requirement in the Operating Agreement includes four years of construction and six years of operation, which is necessary to build reserves to repay any town that choose to leave the co-op.<br />
<strong>MBI:</strong> “In addition, the Operating Agreement contains no clear means of resolving unbudgeted financial shortfalls or obligations such as may be expected in the start-up of a challenging business. Such shortfalls could lead to sale or mortgaging of the network without any return of funds or control to the towns.”<br />
<strong>WW:</strong> This is false. Under the Agreement, the members of WiredWest are fully empowered to address any financial difficulties. The net proceeds from sale of the network, the necessity of which will be decided by the members, will be returned to the towns. And of course, it goes without saying that if the network were sold, the towns would no longer control it.<br />
<strong>MBI:</strong> “Some practical concerns from the operating agreement review include:<br />
<ul>
<li>Towns lose direct managerial and policy control over their network when substantial unknowns exist that may cause towns to want or need to modify plans;</li>
<li>Towns lose flexibility to respond to the interests of their respective residents in the future, despite any business conditions or market factors that may arise; and</li>
<li>The proposed structure of WiredWest creates unnecessary financial and operating risks for the towns.”</li>
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<strong>WW:</strong> The towns’ ownership and control of the regional network<em> mitigates, not creates, </em>risks. Again, the towns own and control the network, and are empowered to respond to any such concerns through their representatives on the Board of Directors.<br />
<strong>MBI:</strong> “Business Plan Review: The MBI has also engaged many industry experts, led by a consultant team from Wipro, to evaluate elements of WiredWest’s business plan, and to explore and further test various operating models. We will be providing more information in the weeks ahead, and believe WiredWest continues to adjust certain elements of the plan, but preliminary analysis demonstrates that the current draft plan understates challenges and expenses and overstates the amount and timing of anticipated revenues.”<br />
<strong>WW:</strong> It is disappointing that in its rush to stop towns from signing the Operating Agreement, MBI would hint at the conclusions of a report, by a company having little experience with municipal broadband projects, that has not been finalized nor made available for examination. On the other hand, WiredWest just released a report by CTC, a leading communications consultancy which has also consulted to MBI. It concludes: “The WiredWest financial model has been well designed and is a reasonable portrayal of its business.” The full report is available at wiredwest.net/2015/12/02/ctc.<br />
<strong>MBI:</strong> “Some practical concerns from the business plan review include:<br />
<ul>
<li>WiredWest has developed a model which starts up and runs the business independently, rather than relying on professional or technical partners who can bring organizational experience in the business, which is risky given the challenges associated with operation of rural fiber-to-the-home networks;</li>
<li>WiredWest plans a fully-insourced model of administration, staffing and services, which is expensive and very challenging to sustain. MBI’s review indicates a sustainable approach must include contracting out many administrative, service and maintenance operations”</li>
</ul>
<strong>WW:</strong> These statements are <em>simply not true</em>. The aim of the WiredWest business model is to minimize the costs to towns not maximize profits to private industry. The WiredWest Board will determine who WiredWest will or will not partner with, and which functions should be performed inhouse versus outsourced, on the basis of their financial and operating costs and benefits. The main business of MBI’s consultant Wipro is outsourcing, so it is not surprising, if not a conflict of interest, that they would advocate that WiredWest do so.<br />
<strong>MBI:</strong> “WiredWest’s plan to repay debt service to the towns will be difficult or impossible to achieve at reliable subscription rates (including WiredWest’s proposed ranges from 40 percent to 55 percent subscribers). Towns should assume that they will have to repay most if not all of the debt they borrow.”<br />
<strong>WW: </strong>The CTC report states that the take rate of 55% required for WiredWest to repay town debt service is feasible, citing municipal broadband projects that exceed 60% take rates. In fact, as a result of WiredWest’s presubscription campaign, nearly 40% of all households in its service area have already signed up for service and made a $49 deposit two or more years before they will be connected. That is already two-thirds toward 60%, which WiredWest is likely to surpass by time service is available to customers.<br />
<strong> </strong><strong>MBI: “</strong>Our obligation to the towns, policymakers, and taxpayers investing state and local funds is to support sustainable and successful approaches which will expand broadband service for the region. Because of overall concerns with project operations and sustainability, the MBI will not authorize expenditure of state funds for a project with core elements as proposed in this draft operating agreement and business plan. Therefore, the MBI recommends towns not sign the WiredWest operating agreement as currently planned for January 9, 2016.”<br />
<strong>WW: </strong>MBI has an obligation to towns and their taxpayers to respect their opinions and decisions, which regretably MBI’s actions have shown that it does not. Nor are its concerns justifiable, as demonstrated above. In fact, MBI’s desire to control the project and minimize the ability of towns to oversee its expenditure of their funds, despite the towns providing most of the money, is the reason MBI is stepping in at this late date to block the implementation of the Operating Agreement. Refusing to fund the solution chosen by the towns is bureaucratic blackmail.<br />
<strong> </strong><strong>MBI: “</strong>Moving Forward<strong>:</strong> This modeling and analysis also convinces MBI that there are viable approaches to building and operating broadband service in the region. As Leverett’s success shows, a single-town approach to broadband service can work. However, MBI believes that a regional approach to policy making, procurement and shared services is the preferred pathway, and that there are ways to make a regional model work.”<br />
<strong>WW:</strong> Leverett is a unique case, because of the demographics and location of the town. Individual, single-town networks are higher cost and higher risk. WiredWest agrees with MBI that a regional approach is preferable. Our business plan for a regional network has been more painstakingly developed—substantially based on work done by consultants to MBI—and more exhaustively reviewed than any other so-called “viable approaches” which thus far MBI has not revealed.<br />
<strong>MBI:</strong> “If WiredWest can demonstrate flexibility to align with the towns’ interests and the state’s policies, we can all continue to work together on a substantial, municipally-owned regional project.”<br />
<strong>WW: </strong>WiredWest is prepared to continue to work together with MBI, provided that MBI demonstrate flexibility in recognizing the legitimacy of WiredWest as the grassroots voice of its member towns, and the decision of the people in those member towns as to how best to use their funds for a regional solution.KevinZurrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10514093726232316855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875585579505237851.post-35855796427737116772015-12-08T10:51:00.000-05:002015-12-08T11:03:29.995-05:00Other Information SourcesThere has been a lot of conversation concerning WiredWest and the other broadband choices that are open to Egremont. Because many of the readers of this blog may not be followers of these other sites I'm going to post discussions and comments from these sites. What follows is a thread from Egremont Neighbors, a site graciously hosted by Marj Wexler. To read the entire thread follow the link: <a href="https://groups.google.com/forum/?utm_source=digest&utm_medium=email#!topic/egremontneighbors/ZarKYqfBk14">https://groups.google.com/forum/?utm_source=digest&utm_medium=email#!topic/egremontneighbors/ZarKYqfBk14</a><br />
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Eric Swanson wrote:<br />
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The letter from MBI refers to a consulting firm for some of its concerns about Wired West. <span style="background-color: #ffe599;">The first, and to me most important, concerns are based only on Wired West's proposals regarding ownership and control of a assets paid for by the town of Egremont's taxpayers.</span> Nothing that any Wired West official or representative has ever written or said has addressed those concerns satisfactorily.</div>
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There are a number of Wired West True Believers who accept the logic of Wired West's proposal without any real criticism. They are demonizing MBI for doing part of its job. </div>
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The question of how best to provide fiber broadband service to Egremont requires serious scrutiny and evaluation. Some of this forum's posts are more reflective of a religious war than a business decision.</div>
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To which Jonathan Taylor responded:</div>
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Eric, <br />
The issue of ownership is a smoke screen, hiding the real issue of the comparative costs to the towns and individual subscribers.<br />
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It seems strange that you find the biggest concern to be the ownership issue, because both of the other corporations vying to build our network also plan to own the network, NOT the town.<br />
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On the surface these seem like great alternatives to WiredWest except when you look at their pricing structures. Fiber Connect wants to collect a $250 connection or start up fee and will be charging nearly $100 per month for the entry level of internet access, and will offer no TV as part of their broadband service. Matrix wants to collect a $500 start up fee and will likewise charge about $100 per month and will offer Sling TV which requires a set top box like the Apple TV box which allows anyone with an internet connection to stream TV shows they offer like Apple TV does. WiredWest wants a $100 start up fee plus the $49 subscription fee, will charge $49 per month for their entry level internet and will have an online TV package much like we get from Direct TV or Dish TV. Just not the 900 useless channels. The pricing for that is TBD based on a planned survey of what people want to watch. All three of the companies will offer online telephone service for about $20 per month. By my calculations each subscriber will be spending almost $600 more per year for their internet if we do not work with WiredWest.<br />
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Anyone who understands municipal networks knows the participant towns own a percentage of the network not their own portion of it.<br />
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Perhaps, the last, but not the least important aspect of WiredWest's proposal is that after a number of years, when the network is up and running and the towns' debts are being paid by WiredWest, the excess profits can be returned to the towns. This has been belittled consistently by you, Eric, but the new report by CTC Technology and Energy, 2 links to which have been posted here, indicates that WiredWest's business plan is well reasoned and in their opinion is workable. CTC is a prominent technology consulting firm in Maryland. From their website- <br />
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CTC Technology & Energy is an INDEPENDENT communications and IT engineering consulting firm with more than 30 years of experience. We work at the highest levels on cutting-edge communications networking projects for public sector and non-profit clients throughout the U.S. <br />
their client list includes- the city of Boston, the Internal Revenue Service, the State of Kansas, New York City and hundreds more (see their website for complete listings). They are known for their<u> neutrality</u> and conservative fiscal approach - as the client list would support. Therefore, the your personal issue of this company being paid for its services by WiredWest is yet another smoke screen,<br />
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Why Eric you have chosen to publicly belittle WiredWest and the people who have worked so hard to make an affordable network a reality, is truly a mystery to me? Why this campaign of misinformation and misdirection? And, why in a time of such religious turmoil, would you characterize the democratic process of discussion regarding WiredWest as a "religious war? <br />
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My observation:<br />
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One thing not really mentioned is the state and federal monies being given to anyone who builds the network. The only way we can use these funds and still retain ownership of the assets by hiring a company to build the network for us or having an ownership stake in WiredWest. <br />
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If we cede our portion of the state and federal funds to the private companies to build out their company's assets we forfeit our ownership stake in the network. Then the only way to regain ownership is to buy it back. This would be tantamount to the state and federal government using tax dollars as venture capital to fund a private for profit company. KevinZurrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10514093726232316855noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875585579505237851.post-16596723283244140532015-12-04T15:09:00.000-05:002015-12-04T15:09:15.077-05:00Tech Com meeting 12/03/2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />KevinZurrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10514093726232316855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875585579505237851.post-59207867926045277992015-11-13T09:29:00.001-05:002015-11-13T09:29:38.468-05:00Technology Committee Q & A 11/12/15<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For the many people can't make a 4 pm meeting I have posted my feeble attempt to record the technology committee meeting. You'll have to forgive the unprofessional camera work as I am not a film maker. I don't expect that it will win any awards. But hey, it's better than nothing. That being said I hope you enjoy the show. Feel free to ask any questions you may have and hopefully someone in the know will answer. </div>
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<br />KevinZurrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10514093726232316855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875585579505237851.post-4203335842930256962015-11-10T21:56:00.001-05:002015-11-10T21:56:08.994-05:00LETS TALK BROADBAND<span lang=""></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN"> In the interest of full disclosure I'll state upfront that I support the town contracting Wired West to build and run our network as a cooperative. WW carried the ball from inception to now and a lot of people invested time, travel and treasure to develop this co-op. Like me, many people are wondering why the BoS is even entertaining other companies. We thought when we sent our $49.00 deposit to Wired West it was because WW was the provider of choice. So many were shocked to find that we were exploring private for profit companies to build our network. <br />
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Despite the fact that we were all led to believe that we were voting on a bond issue to set up the WW co-op the BoS set up an ad hoc committee to interview all candidates who express interest. <br />
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The broadband committee is vetting two private for profit companies and WW to present to the BoS for their approval. Once presented the BoS will sign a three million dollar plus contract with whosoever they choose. Over the next few days, weeks or however long it takes we will be discussing the various options for our broadband network. <br />
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One of the private for profit companies being vetted is Matrix Design Group. Matrix is a well known company and has a lot of experience in this and other fields. They are certainly qualified to do the project. However, we would never receive any of the revenues and we would be paying exorbitant subscriber fees. <br />
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The cost for a standard Internet connection of up to 50 Mbps would be $95 per month. The cost for a standard Internet connection plus a VoIP line would be $115 per month. A second VoIP line could be purchased for an additional $20 per month. <br />
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Subscribers at the time of installation may opt for a Calix WiFi for an additional equipment charge of $5 per month. Additional charges such as taxes and MLP fees may also apply. This is a far cry from what we would pay for Wired West.<br />
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Aside from the inflated cost Matrix wants the town to guarantee there will be 470 customers. To ensure this Matrix will have a three month pre-subscription period in which more than half of the town will have to sign up for a two year contract and deposit $500.00. If someone doesn't want a two year contract then the installation will be $1,500.00. If they can't get 470 Egremont residents to sign up and put down a deposit Matrix will shut the project down. If you think it was hard to get people to put a $49.00 deposit for Wired West what do you think the chances are of 470 signing up for this? If the BoS chooses this option it will probably delay the build out at least six months.<br />
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Another private for profit company being considered is Fiber Connect. Fiber connect is being considered because they are offering a unique service, buried cable. Fiber connect is asking the town to loan them the money to do the build out and they will allow us to hold a lien on their company until the loan is paid off. One drawback to this option is that by using a private company to build the network we loose our portion of 19 million of state funding. <br />
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I took the liberty of checking out Fiber connect. There wasn't much information using the usual internet searches so I went to the state records. According to the State of Massachusetts Fiber Connect was incorporated 12/12/2013 and has only 1 employee, Adam Chait who is the named manager. The listed address is 12 Buckingham Lane Monterey Ma 01245 which is a residence owned by Peter Chait, Adam's father I assume. There is a PO Box listed 764 also in Monterey. Are we seriously considering a one man company to build and run our $3,000,000.00 network? <br />
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Now lets look at the cost if we choose Fiber Connect. First we have a $500.00 installation charge, then a $99.99 or $149.99 monthly subscriber charge depending on which package you choose. Bear in mind that this is for internet only and before taxes and other fees. VoIP was not even an option according to Adam.<br />
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Wired west, unlike the private for profit companies, is a cooperative of many towns who have decided to join together and fill a common need that private for profit companies have refused to address. Now that these state funds are available you have private companies tripping over each other trying to snatch up the money to bolster their company's profits. <br />
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Wired West will keep our subscriber rates as low as possible, starting at $49.00 per month for unlimited internet service. If you have signed up and paid your $49.00 deposit the installation is included. Rather than going into a companies profit margin your subscriber fees will go back into a co-op that you are a shareholder in. To me it's a no brainer, Wired West will provide better service at a lower price and in the end may actually create a revenue stream for the participating towns.<br />
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We need to tell our elected officials what we want since we will pay for any choice they make. I've talked to a lot of people and the majority of them not only want Wired West but thought that they voted for Wired West. Tell your selectmen to choose Wired West.</span> </span> </span>KevinZurrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10514093726232316855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875585579505237851.post-24573227473758933842015-08-11T10:55:00.000-04:002015-08-11T11:29:47.742-04:00WiredWest Ironclad Promise<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">In keeping with their duty of due diligence our selectmen interviewed yet another potential candidate to build out and run "OUR" future wireless network, "Fiber Connect". Like me you have probably never heard of Fiber Connect but in the interest of fairness the BoS has to give every company a fair hearing. Fiber Connect sent their best representative to pitch the town on their plan for "OUR" fiber network. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">To sum it up Fiber Connect, a private sector company, wants the town to lend them as much money as is required.to build out their network. In return they will build the network and run it as their private company. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The only difference between Fiber Connect and AXIA, another private company interviewed, is that Fiber Connect wants us to lend them "OUR" money to build their network rather than just give it to them. You may recall in the previous post that AXIA suggested that we fund their company with no chance of any payback to the town. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">What both of these plans lack is the town having any ownership interest in "OUR" network. Compare this to Wired West which is a cooperative owned by all participating towns. Take a look at Fiber Connects plan for yourself and you decide if this is the best plan for "OUR" fiber network.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">There was a meeting awhile back of the dedicated volunteers who have sheparded WiredWest from its inception to what it has now evolved into. The most important benefit of choosing Wired West is their ironclad promise so I'll let you listen for yourselves and you decide who would be best to oversee the building out and running of our network.</span><br />
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KevinZurrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10514093726232316855noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875585579505237851.post-53411528366352414632015-05-19T10:09:00.001-04:002015-05-19T10:47:53.185-04:00THE BIG BAIT AND SWITCH<span style="font-size: medium;"> Now that the town has approved funding for a "high-speed broadband network" the wolves are coming in for the kill and we have to be on the alert. Because wolves can now dress up as people they're harder to recognize so we have to be extra vigilant. Last night the selectmen opened the floor, and the door to A<i>X</i>IA. a company that wants to build out and operate our "high-speed broadband network". Watch the video and you decide if this is what we were led to believe when we voted to authorize a $2.9 million dollar bond for a "high-speed broadband network".<br />
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We were given the impression that we were voting to authorize funds for Wired West to build out, operate and maintain our "high-speed broadband network"; this doesn't have to be the case. We were also led to believe that all of the monies bonded were loans to WiredWest and would be repaid with the revenues; this doesn't have to be the case. WiredWest told us that after the bonds were repaid any excess revenues above cost of operations would be given back to the towns and create a revenue stream for the towns. This doesn't have to be the case either, if we don't stay the course with WiredWest. In fact, the way the article was written on the warrant this could turn into one big bait and switch and we'll be on the losing end.<br />
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The very fact that the selectmen are entertaining the idea of someone other than WiredWest makes me suspicious, I'm not saying that we were lied to and I hope the selectmen do the right thing. However, the way the article was worded the selectmen can do whatever they want with the $2.9 million dollars that we voted on. There was never any mention in the article about who the selectmen must hire to build out and run the network, nor was there any mention of the bond having to be repaid with the revenues. This was a pledge made by WiredWest and if we stay the course with WiredWest and allow them to build out and run <strong><u>OUR</u></strong> network we will get everything that was promised.<br />
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A<i>X</i>IA is a company that makes its money by building and operating high-speed broadband networks. That's fine, it's the American way, provide a service and profit. Every company has the right to grow and that is what A<i>X</i>IA is trying to do. However, AXIA's plan does not include using their revenues to pay back our bonds. A<i>X</i>IA's plan does not include providing a revenue stream to the towns after our bonds are paid off. In fact, A<i>X</i>IA's plan is to take <b><u>ALL</u></b> of our bonded funds to build their network; and because this money doesn't have to be paid back they make a huge profit on the build out. Then A<i>X</i>IA will charge us, the users, monthly fees to make even bigger profits from what was supposed to be <b><u>OUR</u></b> network. <br />
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Essentially A<i>X</i>IA's plan is to take all of our money to build their company and then charge us for the service. I don't know about you but I think we should ax A<i>X</i>IA.<br />
Kevin Zurrin<br />
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<br />KevinZurrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10514093726232316855noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875585579505237851.post-46467338916640239182015-03-17T15:22:00.000-04:002015-05-27T08:29:01.607-04:00WiredWest <span style="background-color: transparent;"> Just because I humorously refer to it as Wild West and ask questions that any investor should ask does not mean that I am against the town adopting this WiredWest bond issue. Knowing correct information makes it easy to make correct decisions. And although I have questions about how the bonds are going to be used and repaid I haven't let this stop me from putting a good faith deposit down to assure WW that I am willing to subscribe when it goes online. <br />
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My main questions were concerning what WW is going to do with the money that the towns are going to bond and how are they going to pay it back? How WW can spend money is spelled out pretty clearly in article 8 of the WW bylaws (which are posted below). Specifically how WW will be using these bonded monies has been laid out in previous informational meetings. The way I understand it is that these bonded funds will be used like a line of credit to be drawn off of only as needed; which means that much of the bonded money may not have to be used. Two of the main factors determining how much of the bond money will be needed are grants and revenues. 40% of the funds will be given in grants and the rest will be borrowed and eventually be paid back with the revenues raised from subscribers. <br />
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Lets look at how revenues will be raised from the subscribers as each town is wired up; we'll use Egremont as an example. Each subscriber will pay a minimum of $49. for unlimited 25mbps internet service per month. If Egremont has the minimum 40% subscriber rate there would be 378 paying customers, This would produce a Monthly revenue stream of $18,522.00 at $49/customer. If the 67% of Egremonters who signed the initial statement of interest became paying customers it would generate a monthly revenue stream of over $30,000.00 from Egremont alone. When you run the numbers for all of the participating towns there is no doubt that WW will be able to support the operating costs and debt. <br />
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I may still have a few questions but now that I have read and understand the bylaws. I'm pretty comfortable that WW has a good business plan and will be able to pay the bonds that the member towns approve. So if you are someone who would subscribe to this service if it were available already then you should feel confident putting a good faith deposit down to help make this happen.<br />
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<a href="https://register.wiredwest.net/" target="_blank">REGISTER HERE</a></span><br />
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As revised and adopted 10-05-2013 1 of 10 <br />
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WiredWest Bylaws <br />
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As revised and adopted by the Board of Directors, October 5, 2013 <br />
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Article 1. Organization <br />
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1.1 Name The name of the organization is WiredWest Communications Cooperative Corporation (hereinafter "WiredWest" or the "Cooperative"). <br />
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1.2 Authority WiredWest is organized as a municipal lighting plant cooperative under Massachusetts General <br />
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Laws Chapter 164, §47C. <br />
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1.3. Purpose The purposes for which WiredWest is organized are for the transaction of any lawful business associated with municipal lighting plants under Massachusetts law including, without limitation, planning, building and operating a fiber-optic network that enables the provision of comprehensive, affordable, reliable and high-quality Internet, telephone, and television services as well as any new and enhanced services to all the residents, businesses and institutions of WiredWest towns who are interested in participating. <br />
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WiredWest’s charter area includes 47 towns in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden Counties. To ensure financial viability, WiredWest may, at its discretion and subject to the provisions of these Bylaws, expand membership in WiredWest beyond the original charter area and may provide service to non-member towns. <br />
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1.4 Principles WiredWest will adhere to the following principles: <br />
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<b> Universal Access</b>: Every home and business that requests and can afford it should have access to 21st century telecommunications. <br />
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<b>Community-Operated</b>: Participating towns must have a role in governance and oversight of the organization to ensure that its policies and practices represent the best interests of its member communities and region. <br />
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<b>Financially Sustainable</b>: Its business model will be <b>realistic in its assumptions</b>, and be built on the premise that <b>revenues will cover operational costs, debt service and repayment of capital investment within a reasonable timeframe.</b> <br />
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<b>Affordable</b>: WiredWest will strive to enable the provision of comprehensive, high-quality services, with secure, reliable connections at affordable rates. <br />
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<b>Future-proof</b>: Building a high capacity network for the WiredWest region is essential, but the upfront costs are high. Thus, the network must last a long time and be capable of highly scalable, economic upgrades as needs increase. <br />
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1.5 Fiscal Year The fiscal year of WiredWest will be July 1 through June 30. <br />
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Article 2. Membership <br />
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2.1 The founding Members of the WiredWest Cooperative shall be Municipal Lighting Plants established in accordance with M.G.L. Ch. 164, §34 and §47E by towns in Franklin, Hampshire, Hampden, and Berkshire Counties. Any of the forty-seven charter towns listed in Appendix A may become founding members (also referred to as the "charter area"). As revised and adopted 10-05-2013 2 of 10 <br />
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2.2 Any Municipal Lighting Plant, as qualified by Article 2.1, may become a founding Member by executing a WiredWest Cooperative Agreement by August 30, 2011. <br />
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2.3 The Members shall have such powers and rights as are vested in them by law, the WiredWest Cooperative Agreement, and the Articles of Organization. The authority of a Member to vote, and all of the Member's rights, title, and interest in or to the Cooperative shall cease on the termination of its membership as provided for in these Bylaws. <br />
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2.4 After the formation of the Cooperative, each Municipal Lighting Plant Member shall be represented on the WiredWest Board of Directors by one Delegate in all matters including, without limitation, all votes at meetings and resolutions in written consent actions. The Delegateis to be appointed by the governing body of the Municipal Lighting Plant Member, which shall also appoint an Alternate to represent the Member when its primary Delegate is unable to do so. The process for appointing and terminating an Alternate will be the same as the one used for a Delegate as specified in these Bylaws in Article 4.2. <br />
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2.5 The Members shall vote on the basis of one Member, one vote. <br />
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2.6 A Municipal Lighting Plant wishing to join the cooperative after its initial formation may do so providing it has satisfied all of the following conditions: (i) the entity is a Municipal Lighting Plant described in Chapter 164 as an eligible participant in a municipal lighting plant cooperative formed pursuant to M.G.L. Ch.164, §47C and has submitted evidence of such status reasonably acceptable to the Board of Directors or a ruling from state authorities; (ii) the entity is a party with the Cooperative to the Cooperative Agreement; (iii) For a prospective Member which is not one of the towns listed in Appendix A, existing Members shall consent in writing by a simple majority to the admission of the Municipal Lighting Plant as a Member. Municipal Lighting Plants formed by towns listed in Appendix A may join WiredWest within a year of the initial formation of the WiredWest Communications Cooperative Corporation without needing approval by existing members. Upon completion of all of the conditions to participation as set forth above, the Board immediately shall admit the entity as a Member of the Cooperative. An entity that has been admitted to the Cooperative pursuant to this Article 2.6 shall be deemed to be a Member effective as of the date when the last of the documents referred to in (i) through (iii) of this subsection 2.6 is received or deemed received by the Board, and shall be entitled to full benefits, rights and privileges of membership. <br />
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2.6.1 A municipality without a Municipal Lighting Plant may apply to become an Affiliate of the Cooperative. A simple majority vote at a meeting of the Board of Directors is required to approve the application. Affiliate status is subject to the following requirements and restrictions: a. The Affiliate shall have approved and executed an Agreement with the Cooperative recognizing the right of the Cooperative to construct, acquire, equip and operate the network within the Affiliate’s jurisdiction. b. The Affiliate must pay a one-time affiliate fee and annual fees to the Cooperative of amounts to be determined, which amounts are to be set by and subject to amendment by resolution approved by a simple majority of the Board. If within two years of becoming an Affiliate, a As revised and adopted 10-05-2013 3 of 10 municipality becomes a Member of the Cooperative as per Paragraph 2.6, it will not be subject to an additional membership fee under Paragraph 2.7.1. c. The Affiliate shall not be entitled to any net revenues or other profits of the Cooperative. d. The Affiliate shall be entitled to appoint a representative to attend regular and special meetings of the Board, but shall not be represented on the Board of Directors nor have any authority to vote on any matters before the Board. e. The Affiliate’s representative shall not be entitled to be elected to the Executive Committee but may serve on advisory Working Groups of the Executive Committee under Article 4.1.5, and on such other committees as the Board deems appropriate. <br />
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2.7 Membership and Annual Fees <br />
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2.7.1 The Board shall determine and impose upon the Members a one-time membership fee. The membership fee shall be used to pay for initial operating expenses, including, but not limited to, business planning, research, legal, and administrative costs. Such one-time membership fee shall be not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) per Member and must be paid within sixty (60) days of receipt of written notice from the Cooperative as to the amount of such fee. <br />
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2.7.2 The Cooperative may for a specific fiscal year also impose upon all Members and Affiliates an annual fee not to exceed $1,000, which fee will apply to that year only. The Board of Directors will approve such an annual fee, if any, by a two-thirds vote at a meeting of the Board, and provide notice to Members about the amount of such a fee by February 28 prior to the fiscal year to which such fee applies. Payment of the fee shall be due in full by the following July 31. <br />
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2.7.3 Failure of a Member or Affiliate to remit the fees set forth in this Section 2.7 and Section 2.6.1(b) shall be interpreted as a default of its obligations and make it subject to the remedies described in Article 3.1. <br />
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Article 3. Termination of Membership <br />
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3.1 Default in Obligations. A Member in default of any of its obligations to the Cooperative shall be terminated as Member of the Cooperative if such default is not cured within sixty (60) days of the giving of notice of the default by the Cooperative, provided that liabilities under contracts in effect at the time of such termination shall not be affected except to the extent provided in such contracts. <br />
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3.2 Transfer or Termination of Membership. No Member of the Cooperative may transfer its membership in the Cooperative to another municipal lighting plant. Membership may be terminated by any Member giving written notice of such termination two months prior to its effective date, provided that WiredWest has not entered into financial obligations (bonds, loans or other financial vehicles) based on or requiring the participation of said member. Liabilities under contracts in force at the time of any such termination shall not be affected, except to the extent provided in such contracts. If a member withdraws from the Cooperative, any membership or annual fees which have been paid are not refundable. <br />
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Article 4. Board of Directors and Voting <br />
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4.1 Board of Directors The legislative power and authority of the WiredWest Cooperative and the administration and the general supervision of all fiscal, prudential, and governmental affairs thereof shall be vested in a governing body known as the Board of Directors except as specifically provided otherwise by the Agreement. <br />
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4.1.1 Composition of Board of Directors The WiredWest Board of Directors shall be composed of one Delegate from each Member Municipal Lighting Plant as set forth in the WiredWest Cooperative As revised and adopted 10-05-2013 4 of 10 Agreement. Each Member Municipal Lighting Plant may also appoint an Alternate. The Alternate will assume all the rights and responsibilities of that member’s Delegate in the absence of said Delegate. <br />
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4.1.2 Powers of the Board of Directors The Board of Directors shall be directly responsible for setting policy for the Cooperative, for approving the annual budget to be presented to the Members, for electing officers, for establishing an Executive Committee, and, in the absence of an Executive Committee for the general oversight of the day-to-day affairs of the Cooperative. <br />
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4.1.3 Meetings Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at least quarterly at such times and places within Massachusetts that shall from time to time be fixed by the Board of Directors. All meetings of the Board of Directors, whether regular or special, shall comply with the requirements of the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law and Public Records Law, as applicable, and notices shall be sent to all participants. <br />
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4.1.4 Special Meetings Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by and at the discretion of the Chairman of the Board of Directors. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may also be called by any Member, provided that at least twenty percent (20%) of the Members consent to such special meeting. Notice of any special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be given to each Director in person, on the telephone, by first class postage pre-paid, by electronic mail, or by overnight messenger, or in any other manner provided for by law. <br />
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4.1.5 Executive Committee The Executive Committee shall be composed of at least six but no more than nine Delegates selected from among the membership of the Board of Directors by majority vote of the Board of Directors. Officers of the Executive Committee will include: Chairman of the Board, Vice-Chairman of the Board, Secretary, Treasurer and Vice-Treasurer. The Executive Committee will be responsible for managing the day-to-day affairs of the Cooperative, for hiring a manager or administrator, and for calling and recording meetings of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee. These meetings shall be duly noticed in accordance with M.G.L. Ch. 39, §23B and shall comply with all the applicable Massachusetts Open Meeting and Public Records Laws. To assist it in the performance of its duties, the Executive Committee may establish Working Groups which are advisory in nature only and participation in which is not limited to Delegates or Alternates. <br />
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4.1.6 Executive Committee Terms Of the original Executive Committee elected by the Board of Directors, two of the six committee members shall serve for a term of one year, two shall serve for a term of two years and two shall serve for a term of three years. Thereafter, as their respective terms expire, they may be re-elected to serve for a term of three years each. The Board may elect up to three additional members of the Executive Committee as provided in Section 4.1.5, and the length of their terms shall be established by the Board such that no more than three members’ terms shall expire at the same time. Thereafter, as the terms of such additional members expire, they may be re-elected to serve for a term of three years each. Nothing shall prohibit a member of the Executive Committee from serving consecutive terms. <br />
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4.1.7 Executive Committee Member Resignation Any Executive Committee member, at any time, may resign from the Executive Committee in writing to the Cooperative at its principal office. Such resignation shall be effective upon receipt, and acceptance thereof shall not be necessary to make it effective. Resignation from the Executive Committee will be handled separately from resignation from the Board of Directors as described in section 4.2.2. <br />
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4.1.8 Removal of Executive Committee Members Members of the Executive Committee serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors, and may be removed for any reason whatsoever by a majority of the Board present and voting at a meeting of the Board. Intention to conduct such a vote and notice thereof As revised and adopted 10-05-2013 5 of 10 must be provided at the meeting of the Board prior to such vote, or four weeks prior to such vote, whichever is sooner. <br />
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4.1.9 Filling of Executive Committee Vacancies A vacancy on the Executive Committee due to resignation, removal or any other reason shall be filled expeditiously for the balance of the vacant term by a majority vote at a meeting of the Board of Directors. <br />
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4.1.10 Director and Executive Committee Compensation The Directors, including members of the Executive Committee, shall not be entitled to compensation for their services as such, but may be reimbursed for actual expenses necessarily incurred in the performance of their duties. <br />
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4.2 Delegates and Alternates <br />
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4.2.1 Appointment: Members of the Board of Directors shall be appointed as specified in paragraph 2.4 above. Delegates and Alternates shall serve a two-year term. All appointments shall be in writing signed by the respective Municipal Lighting Plant governing body, or its chair, and presented to the Clerk of WiredWest. <br />
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4.2.2 Resignation: Any Delegate or Alternate of the Board of Directors may resign by delivering his or her written resignation to the governing body of the Municipal Lighting Plant Member which appointed him or her at its principal office and to the Chairperson of the Board of Directors. <br />
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4.2.3 Removal: Except as expressly provided for herein, a Delegate or Alternate to the Board of Directors may be removed only by the governing body of the Municipal Lighting Plant which appointed him or her. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Directors may remove a Delegate or Alternate to the Board for the following: <br />
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a. Gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of his or her duties as a member of the Board of Directors; <br />
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b. Malfeasance as a member of the Board of Directors; <br />
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c. Conviction of a felony offense; <br />
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d. Failure to attend at least three (3) consecutive regular and/or special meetings of the Board without in the case of a Delegate the Alternate being present, or in the case of an Alternate the Delegate being present. Before deciding whether to remove a Delegate or Alternate, the Board shall provide that person and the governing body of the Municipal Light Plant he or she represents at least four weeks notice in writing of its intention to vote on the matter. In the event the Board determines by a two-thirds vote to remove a Delegate or Alternate as provided for herein, the Board shall provide written notice of such determination and the reasons for the same to the governing body of the Municipal Light Plant. If that person cures the matter prior to the next Board meeting but no longer than thirty (30) days following such notice, the Board shall forbear any actions with respect to its removal determination. The cure shall be effected by a demonstration to the Board that the matter has been resolved, or by the Member’s appointment of aDelegate or Alternate who is unaffected by the matter giving rise to the determination to remove. <br />
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4.2.4 Vacancies If a Member’s Delegate or Alternate position is vacant for any reason, that Member’s governing body shall appoint a person to fill the vacancy at any time, following the procedure specified in Section <br />
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4.2.1, for the balance of the vacant term. <br />
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4.2.5 Attendance Delegates are expected to attend all of the meetings of the Board of Directors of the Cooperative in each calendar year. If a Delegate fails to attend three consecutive meetings without prior notice As revised and adopted 10-05-2013 6 of 10 and without an Alternate in attendance, the WiredWest Secretary may inform the governing body of the Member which appointed the Delegate of his or her absences. <br />
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4.3 Voting <br />
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4.3.1 Admissible votes Only duly appointed Delegates who are present and in the room in which the WiredWest Board of Directors meeting is taking place can vote on a motion. A Delegate has only one vote. A duly appointed Alternate may replace a Delegate in voting at a Board of Directors meeting in the absence of that Delegate. <br />
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4.3.2 Parliamentary Procedure The rules contained in Robert's Rules of Order, Revised shall govern this organization in all cases in which they are applicable, and not inconsistent with these Bylaws, the WiredWest Cooperative Agreement, or Massachusetts General Laws. <br />
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4.3.3 Quorum A quorum at any meeting shall be a majority of the Members. <br />
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4.3.4 Election of Officers Officers of the WiredWest Board of Directors must receive an affirmative vote from a majority of the Members present. <br />
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4.3.5 Officer's Votes No voting Delegate can be denied voting power by reason of office. <br />
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4.3.6 Voting Procedure If a voice vote is not unanimous, then a roll call vote will be taken if the Chairman determines that it is necessary, or if two Delegates, or in their absence their Alternates, so request it. When a roll call vote is not taken, the Secretary will, if requested by a Delegate or in his or her absence an Alternate, record the names of those who were in the minority on the vote taken or who abstained. All duly appointed Delegates, or in their absence their Alternates, who are present and in the room in which the meeting is taking place can make a motion, second a motion, or amend a motion. <br />
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4.3.7 Committees The Board of Directors may, at its discretion, establish ad-hoc and standing committees to further the objectives of the Cooperative. <br />
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4.3.7.1 Voting at Committee Meetings Delegates and Alternates who have been appointed to a committee may make a motion, second a motion, amend a motion or vote on any matter at meetings of that committee. The Chair of the Executive Committee is an ex-officio member of all committees. <br />
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4.3.8 Minutes Minutes shall be taken of all meetings of the Board and its committees in full compliance with Massachusetts Open Meeting and Public Records Laws. The minutes shall be kept in the official records of the Cooperative by the Secretary of the Cooperative. <br />
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Article 5. Procedure for Amending Bylaws: <br />
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The Board of Directors has the authority to amend the Bylaws with the approval of two-thirds (2/3) of the Members present and voting at a meeting of the Board. Bylaws and any amendments to Bylaws must be delivered to each Member of record and read at one meeting before being voted on at the following meeting. <br />
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Article 6. Indemnification Of Directors: <br />
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Any person or entity made a party to any action, suit or proceeding by reason of being a director, officer, employee, agent or member of the Cooperative, shall be indemnified by the Cooperative against the reasonable expenses, including attorneys' fees, actually and necessarily incurred by him or her in connection with said action, suit or proceeding, including any appeal therein, except in relation to matters as to which it shall be adjudged in As revised and adopted 10-05-2013 7 of 10 any such action, suit or proceeding that such director, officer employee, agent, or member was not acting in good faith. <br />
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Article 7. Statutory Provisions:<br />
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The provisions of M.G.L. Ch. 164, §47C and §47E, as amended from time to time, and as in force, are incorporated and made a part of these Bylaws by this reference as if the same were set forth herein. In the event of any conflict between these Bylaws and such provisions, such provisions shall prevail. <br />
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Article 8. Powers of Cooperative:<br />
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8.1 The business of the Cooperative shall be managed by the Board of Directors; <br />
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8.2 The powers of the Cooperative shall include the power: <br />
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8.2.1 To sue and be sued, complain, and defend its corporate name; <br />
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8.2.2 To have and use a corporate seal; <br />
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8.2.3 To purchase, take, receive, lease, or otherwise acquire, own, hold, improve, use, and deal in and with real or personal property or any interest therein, wherever situated; <br />
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8.2.4 To sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, transfer, or otherwise dispose of all or any part of its property and assets; <br />
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8.2.5 To purchase, take, receive, subscribe for, or otherwise acquire, own, hold, vote, use, employ, sell, mortgage, lend, pledge, or otherwise dispose of, use, and deal in and with shares or other interest in, or obligations of, other domestic or foreign corporations, associations, partnerships, or individuals, or direct or indirect obligations of the United States or any other government, state, territory, governmental district, or municipality, or any instrumentality thereof; <br />
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8.2.6 To make contracts and incur liabilities, borrow money at rates of interest the cooperative may determine, issue notes, bonds, certificates of indebtedness, and other obligations, receive funds from members and pay interest thereon, issue capital stock and certificates representing equity interests in assets, allocate earnings and losses at the times and in the manner the articles of incorporation or bylaws or other contract specify, create book credits, capital funds, and reserves, and secure obligations by mortgage or pledge of any of its property, franchises, and income; <br />
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8.2.7 To lend money for corporate purposes, invest and reinvest funds, and take and hold real and personal property as security for the payment of funds loaned or invested; <br />
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8.2.8 To conduct business, carry on operations, have offices, and exercise the powers granted by this subsection, within or without this commonwealth; <br />
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8.2.9 To elect or appoint officers and agents of the corporation, define their duties, and fix their compensation; <br />
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8.2.10 To make and alter bylaws, not inconsistent with its articles of incorporation or with the laws of this commonwealth, for the administration and regulation of the affairs of the cooperative; <br />
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8.2.11 To make donations for the public welfare or for charitable, scientific, or educational purposes; As revised and adopted 10-05-2013 8 of 10 <br />
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8.2.12 To pay pensions and establish pension plans, pension trusts, profit-sharing plans, stock bonus plans, stock option plans, and other incentive plans for any or all of its directors, officers, and employees; <br />
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8.2.13 To be a partner, member, associate, or manager of any partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise; <br />
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8.2.14 To cease corporate activities and surrender its corporate franchise; <br />
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8.2.15 To construct, acquire, equip, own, lease and/or operate a telecommunications system (M.G.L. Ch. 164, §47E). <br />
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8.2.16 To furnish energy related services (M.G.L. Ch. 164, §47C), but not to include the construction or operation of commercial wind turbines; <br />
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8.2.17 To charge and collect fees from users of the systems and services offered by the Cooperative; <br />
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8.2.18 To contract with natural persons, firms, corporations, business trusts, partnerships, public and private agencies, non-profit organizations and corporations, other cooperatives, and local municipalities to accomplish any purposes of the cooperative; <br />
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8.2.19 To have and exercise all powers necessary or convenient to effect its purposes; <br />
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8.2.20 To exercise and perform all or part of its power and functions through one or more wholly-owned or partly-owned corporations or other business entities; and <br />
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8.2.21 To exercise all other powers not inconsistent with the state constitution or the United States Constitution, which may be reasonably necessary or appropriate for or incidental to the effectuation of its authorized purposes or to the exercise of any of the foregoing powers, and generally to exercise in connection with its property and affairs, and in connection with property within its control, any and all powers which might be exercised by a natural person or a private corporation in connection with similar property and affairs. <br />
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8.2.22 To exercise its power of eminent domain under M.G.L. Ch. 164, but only with the concurrence of two-thirds of all Members of its Board of Directors, as determined in a vote at a meeting of the Board for which notice shall be provided to the Members at the previous meeting of the Board. <br />
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8.2.23 Notwithstanding the above, nothing in these Bylaws shall be construed so as to empower the Cooperative to impose any financial obligations whatsoever on a Member Municipal Lighting Plant or its town without the express consent of the Member or its town, with the exception of requiring Cooperative Membership Fees under Article 2.7 of these Bylaws. <br />
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8.3 The Executive Committee shall prepare a general administrative budget for each year and submit the budget to the Members for their approval at the last Board of Directors meeting prior to the start of a new fiscal year; <br />
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8.4 At the end of any fiscal year in which the Cooperative has gross receipts of more than $200,000, the Board of Directors shall cause the books, accounts and records of the Cooperative to be reviewed by an independent, certified public accountant in a manner consistent with the provisions of the second paragraph of M.G.L. Chapter 12, Section 8F; As revised and adopted 10-05-2013 9 of 10 <br />
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8.5 Upon termination or dissolution of the Cooperative, the title to all funds and other properties owned by it which remain after payment or the making of provision for payment of all obligations of the Cooperative shall vest in the Members in a manner determined by the Board so as to approximate as closely as possible the pro rata membership in the Cooperative. As revised and adopted 10-05-2013 10 of 10 <br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;">Appendix A </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">– List of WiredWest charter towns </span></span><br />
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Alford Monterey <br />
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Ashfield Montgomery <br />
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Becket Mount Washington <br />
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Blandford New Marlborough <br />
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Buckland New Ashford <br />
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Charlemont New Salem <br />
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Chester Northfield <br />
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Chesterfield Otis <br />
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Colrain Peru <br />
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Conway Plainfield <br />
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Cummington Rowe <br />
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Egremont Sandisfield <br />
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Florida Savoy <br />
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Goshen Sheffield <br />
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Great Barrington Shelburne <br />
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Hancock Shutesbury <br />
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Hawley Tyringham <br />
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Heath Warwick <br />
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Hinsdale Washington <br />
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Huntington Wendell <br />
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Lanesborough West Stockbridge <br />
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Leverett Windsor <br />
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Leyden Worthington <br />
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Middlefield <br />
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</span></span>KevinZurrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10514093726232316855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875585579505237851.post-189457796735695582015-03-03T16:35:00.001-05:002015-03-03T16:41:35.835-05:00WHEN IS ENOUGH ENOUGH???This was an anonymous post that I thought should be used as a post so that all could see the ramifications of last nights special town meeting.<br />
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On Neighbors they are now talking about the Wired West Bond, on top of the eight million dollar bond for the school repairs. There is no end to what they want us to pay. I am on a fixed income, if we had turned down the School Bond I might have said Yes to Wired West but not now. I need a little wiggle room for the next thing Town Hall can't live without. I was horrified to read Nancy Duvall's thoughts of an 8 Million Dollar Bond debt placed on five aging towns as getting one up on Great Barrington. Whoopee...... how very sad. Thank God the CPA didn't pass. KevinZurrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10514093726232316855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875585579505237851.post-22737772782723163232015-03-03T10:08:00.000-05:002015-03-03T10:08:41.367-05:00THE FEW HAVE SPOKENWell the people have spoken, at least the few that decided to brave the weather and come to the special town meeting. There was a very low turnout, less than 100, for such a large bond issue but such is democracy in action. If New Marlborough and Alford go the way of the other three towns the school is going to get a new 8 million dollar roof and heating system. For those of you who stayed at home, don't gripe when this bill is added to your taxes for the next twenty years.<br />
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Article 1 passed with one amendment. We have now taken the power to elect our water commissioners out of the hands of the people and ceded it to the selectmen. This article was amended to add the provision that at least one of the commissioners will have to be a water user but the selectmen now get to choose who runs the water company. There was also an attempt to amend the article to make the selectmen act as commissioners rather than appoint them but this amendment failed. So from now on the BoS will be appointing the water commissioners. <br />
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Article 2 passed as well. This was the Medical Marijuana Overlay district. This article gives the town the ability to regulate the medical marijuana trade if a state licensed grower or provider wants to locate in Egremont. There was a lot of confusion over this issue because some of the people wanted to ban the industry altogether. The town counsel, Mr. Pollard explained that because the state legalized the use of medical Marijuana that there could not be an all out ban and for that reason it's best to allow the town to regulate it at the local level. We can now rest easy that in the unlikely event that someone wants to set up a shop to grow or distribute marijuana in our town they have to jump through several hoops to do so.KevinZurrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10514093726232316855noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875585579505237851.post-35128887571921715222015-03-01T15:00:00.000-05:002015-03-01T15:00:18.181-05:00TIME TO LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARDIt's time again to get out of our easy chair and do our civic duty, time to put our legislator hat on and make a very important decision. Do we want five towns to take on a 20 year debt of almost 8 million dollars to pay for a project that should only cost about 1/10 of what they're asking? So please, have an early dinner and make time to come out to the special town meeting and let your voice be heard. The special town meeting will be held tomorrow, March 2, 2015 at 7:00 pm in the undermountain elementary school cafeteria in Sheffield.<br />
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I know we spent a lot of money to get "professional" people to tell us what needs to be done. However, what do all of these "professional" people have in common? These "professional" people all stand to make a lot of money if we go along with this plan. All we have to do is take out a 20 year loan to pay for it. If you ask a used car salesman what's the best car to buy they will point you to the car that gives them the best commission. There seems to be a glaring conflict of interest here.<br />
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Am I saying that these "professional" people are acting in their own best interest? You bet I am and I'm not afraid to say so. After all I'm acting in my own best interest; and I hope a lot of the citizens of Egremont come to the special town meeting and act in their own best interest. It is in the best interest of the five towns of the SBRSD to reject this 8 million dollar boondoggle. <br />
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The "professionals" have told us that our roof has passed it's useful life expectancy; this is just not true. The ten year warrantee that they cite to give us the impression that the roof needs to be replaced is the warrantee that was given by the company that installed the roof not the company that designed the roof. The Sarnafil roof that was installed in 1992 was designed to last for at least for 30 years if properly maintained. Sarnafil has roofs that were installed the 1960s that are still working today. So the useful life expectancy of this roof is about 40 years not ten. <br />
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I've said it before and I'll say it again, <strong>WE DO NOT NEED TO SPEND EIGHT MILLION DOLLARS TO FIX THE SCHOOL!</strong> I'm so sure that the roof could be fixed for less than the "professionals" suggest that I would guarantee that I could seal all of the leaks for 2 1/2% of what they recommend and guarantee the work for ten years. This may seem a bold statement but I've looked into the roof and the company that designed it. It's a no brainer.<br />
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Lets look at the furnace replacement. I heard an interesting fact about the MSBA. One of the requirements of getting a grant from the MSBA to replace the furnaces is that the roof needs to be replaced. Not repaired, <strong>REPLACED!</strong> Perhaps this is why the SBRSD never seriously explored the option of repairing the roof instead of replacing it. It would disqualify them from being considered for the grant. <br />
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Common sense tells us that 2 million dollars to replace 3 boilers is outrageous. If we do only what is required to replace the existing boilers with comparable units we could probably do the job for under 250 thousand dollars which is a far cry from the two million that we're being asked to spend. I wonder where the extra 1.75 million is going? Replacing the boilers with comparable units would give us a heating system that would last another 25 years if we maintain them properly. We have to ask ourselves if these so called professionals have any common sense. <br />
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We have the power to stop this 8 million dollar boondoggle but we have to do our duty and get out the vote. So call your friends and neighbors and get them out to the special town meeting. It should be a short meeting but it will be one of the most important meetings of the year. Democracy only works if the people get involved so please get involved.KevinZurrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10514093726232316855noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875585579505237851.post-70796407576602058692015-02-08T14:15:00.000-05:002015-02-08T15:05:49.879-05:00EIGHT MILLION DOLLAR SPECIAL TOWN MEETING<div style="color: black; font-family: arial,helvetica; font-size: 10pt;">
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">People of Egremont<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It's time to do our legislative duty again. We have a Special town meeting called for on Monday March 2, 2015 at 7:00pm in the Undermountain Elementary School cafeteria. There are three articles on the warrant but because article three is by far the most important and involves spending $8,000,000.00 I think we should focus on that. This issue highlights the importance of every citizen showing up at the town meetings. I'm asking everyone who can come out to be there otherwise we will be stuck with an eight million dollar debacle. We the people have the power and responsibility to tell the town officials what money to spend and how to spend it. I am adamantly opposed to the repair plan that this school committee, SC, has proposed. I think this proposal is too much buck for very little bang. We're talking about repairing a roof and replacing a furnace for eight million dollars. <b>ARE YOU KIDDING ME? </b> This is the kind of misguided plan that is hatched by a small group of people isolated in a bubble.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">While I am opposed to the 8 million dollar roof and boiler "repair"; I am not opposed to fixing the problems that exist at the School. The fact is that the roof leaks and the furnaces have been neglected for years. These issues do need to be addressed and they will be, but there are more economical solutions outside of the bubble speak that the SC is trying to shove down our throat. I have to ask why the SC never budgeted for funds to replace the boiler when it first broke. Did they ask for funds when the second boiler started to leak? These simple maintenance issues could have been resolved as they came up if the SC acted properly; and they can still be addressed in a more prudent manner than is being proposed by the SC. The question is how and how much?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I recall a story about a firehouse door in a local town that was hard to open and made a wretched noise when it did. Now we can't have the firemen unable to get into or out of the firehouse can we? The finance committee was debating the issue because the estimates were in the thousands of dollars to replace the door. Then one elderly member asked if he could take a look before they decide. This gentleman looked at the door, squirted some oil on the hinges and went back to the committee and reported that the door was fixed. After ten years and a few coats of paint that door is still in service. <b>We don't need to spend 8 million dollars to fix the roof and furnace!<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Let’s talk furnaces. If the SC budgeted to repair and maintain the boilers as needed this heating system would still be in good working order. Now this SC wants us to believe that if we don't spend two million dollars on the heating system the children will freeze to death with water dripping on their heads. This heating system is simple; it’s a water heater (boiler), pipes and radiators to disperse the heat and pumps to circulate the hot water through the pipes. I looked online to see what it would cost to replace the existing boilers with compatible units. Each of the boilers would cost about $18k. Multiply this by 3 and were at 54 thousand dollars. Does this SC expect us to believe that it costs over $1.9 million to install 54 thousand dollars worth of equipment? Even if we had to replace all of the circulating pumps the material cost would barely reach $100,000.00. This is a simple maintenance issue and the SC is trying to kill a fly with an elephant gun.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Now let’s talk about the roof. The roof is a PVC membrane roof system manufactured by Sika-Sarnafil of Switzerland and was installed by Titan Roofing Inc. of Springfield Ma. According to the manufacturer this roof membrane was designed to last over 40 years and Sarnafil roofs installed in the 60s are still effective after more than 40 years in a brutal Swiss climate. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SotjhffZpGo" target="_blank">{Watch this Sarnafil roof video}</a> Choosing this roof in 1992 made a lot of sense because it promised to be cheaper and easier to maintain over the years. This has proven to be the case as there has been little maintenance cost since its installation. The SC cites the report that claims to have found two out of seven test holes to be moist. I'm sure the seven sites tested were presumed to be leak sources. I think it's a bit of an overreaction to replace an entire 187,000 square foot roof at a cost of over 5 million dollars because of two leaks. I've made a business out of saving roofs rather than replacing them; and I have many satisfied customers to prove it. This roof can be repaired it doesn't need to be replaced. To repair all of the small leaks may cost 10 to 25 thousand dollars, which is a far cry from over 5 million. The SC claims that this project will earn 40 to 50 thousand dollars per year selling energy credits. At this rate it will take over 100 years to see a return on the investment. Do the math; this roof proposal just doesn't make economic sense.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I don't blame the SC for these bloated costs, I blame the state. I think that the SC is playing into the hands of the state grant system. For the sake of receiving "state grants" the district is proposing that we spend nearly 5 million dollars to receive 3 million in grants when we could fix the problems for under a million. Just because money is available doesn't mean we have to waste it; especially if we have to spend more than it would cost without the grants. Personally I believe that the combined projects should cost the district under a million dollars and that's without any grants at all. If a project costs 800% more than it should in order to receive grant money then we are not saving money. I know roofs and am certain that I could deal with the roof problems for less than what the district is proposing. I think the towns should reject this plan and go forward without seeking grant monies.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Take a look at the state grant system. The state grant system is ripe for corruption and cronyism. The SC has already spent over $100k just for two feasibility studies. We could have fixed the furnaces with that money. Since there are only a few engineering firms on the state list those firms divvy up all the grant application business amongst themselves. When a finance committee member asked if the town could hire an independent engineer firm to give us an objective look he was told by another member that we needn't use an independent firm as they may not be on the "state list". He said we already have a study done by one of the firms on the list and was confident that the firm was trustworthy. Forgive me for being suspicious but these firms depend on the grant system. We've already wasted over $100,000.00 for feasibility studies, we don't have to throw good money after bad by spending 8 million dollars on simple repairs and maintenance.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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KevinZurrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10514093726232316855noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875585579505237851.post-61446819605927937222014-12-16T18:48:00.000-05:002014-12-16T19:49:50.995-05:00CHARLIE FLYNN AT IT AGAIN<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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THIS IS THE EGREMONT BoS IN ACTION</div>
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ONE VERBALLY ABUSES A CITIZEN</div>
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THE OTHER TWO SIT IN SILENT AGREEMENT</div>
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<br />KevinZurrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10514093726232316855noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875585579505237851.post-61809129849008911992014-11-20T09:32:00.000-05:002014-11-20T09:32:17.837-05:00BoH Response to Blog PostKevin - <br /> The Egremont Board of Health is discussing upgrading the town's local tobacco regulations which haven't been upgraded since 2002. Please see the BoH article in the current Egremont newsletter for more information on that.<br /> The article you posted regarding what the Town of Westminster is doing has nothing to do with what is in the discussion stage here in Egremont. Westminster is proposing to ban the sale of tobacco products in their town. Even though we only issue two tobacco permits in town this has never even been considered by the EBoH for discussion, never mind action. <br /> What the EBoH is considering regulating is the sale of e-cigarettes, which is an inhaled device that contains nicotine. Currently with no local regulation in place a 12 year old could purchase the product. And product manufacturers cleverly flavor e-cigarettes in flavors like bubble gum and root beer with the intent to appeal to the youth market. So what the EBoH is considering is prohibiting the sale of e-cigarettes and all other nicotine delivery products to a minor. REPEAT: not a total ban, just a ban to minors similar to the ban to minors for cigarettes. <br /> The EBoH is also contemplating raising the age to purchase both tobacco products and nicotine delivery products to the age of 21. They are also discussing whether to prohibit smoking on town owned property (French Park, Transfer Station, etc) or having designated smoking areas on those properties. These and other items are in the discussion stage. If the EBoH proceeds they will hold an informational meeting and then a public hearing. <br /> The board invites you or anyone else to come to a regularly scheduled meeting or to contact me by phone or email with questions or comments. My work email address is: <a href="mailto:jhaas@egremont-ma.gov">jhaas@egremont-ma.gov</a>. I would very much appreciate it if you would forward this message to your email group. <br />
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<br />Most respectfully, <br />Juliette Haas<br />
Director<br />Egremont Board of Health <br />(413) 528-0182 x 22 <br />
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My Response<br />
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Juliette<br /> Thank you for your kind response and I do understand that there is a difference between what the BoH is proposing and this article which is why I prefaced the article with the statement "because of its similarity". I also provided a link to the minutes of the BoH meeting on October 9th 2014 so people could read it for themselves. I did read the article in the town newsletter which is what alerted me to the fact that the BoH was discussing changes in the tobacco regulation. <br /> I do have to disagree with a couple of inaccurate statements that were made. One is that e-cigs could be sold to a twelve year old. Any products that contain nicotine are banned from sale to anyone under the age of 18 in this state. Also the statement that Tanglewood has entirely banned smoking on the property seemed misleading. Tanglewood does have designated smoking areas which I use whenever I attend an event. I only point this out to suggest that the smoking ban on town property would be more palatable if isolated smoking areas were provided for those who do smoke. <br /> I respect that non smokers have the right to not be subjected to second hand smoke and I have always respected that right. However, I feel that smokers have rights as well. The right to do what one chooses with their own body is indisputable. However that choice cannot violate another persons rights. For instance any adult has the right to smoke as long as they don't affect another persons right to be smoke free. <br /> This brings me to another point. Restricting an adults right to purchase nicotine products until they are 21 is a violation of their right. The law is clear that when a person turns 18 they are adults in the eyes of the law. This does not mean they are suddenly endowed with wisdom but they should be free to experience life on their own terms. To set the age to purchase nicotine products to 21 tells a young adult that they don't really have rights. This act also interferes with a store owners right to sell a legal product to a legal adult. This restricts the storeowners ability to make the profit that pays the bills and supports their lifestyle.<br /> Your desire to protect young adults from the harmful effects of smoking is noble; however the regulation you propose will not have the desired result. This will only chase business out of Egremont into surrounding towns. Not only will this take away cigarette sales but other products that these smokers would have purchased. I don't have a problem with reasonable regulations; but I do have to speak up when I see an act as unreasonable as this would be. <br /> In regard to passing this message on to my readers you may post this as a comment on the blog. I have lifted all restrictions on the comment section, however I reserve the option of deleting any comments I find objectionable. If anyone is disrespectful toward you or your comments I assure you the comment will be removed. Contrary to what people may think or have been told I do respect honest discussion of ideas however lively they may be. <br />
Kevin<br />
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<br />KevinZurrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10514093726232316855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875585579505237851.post-59694995326361532292014-11-19T12:24:00.001-05:002014-11-19T12:26:58.246-05:00COMING SOON TO EGREMONT<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Egremont Board of Health is preparing to issue an edict in regard to the towns tobacco and nicotine dispensing device regulation. Because of its similarity I've reposted an article from NY Times.com.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/18/us/disgusted-by-smoking-outraged-by-a-plan-to-ban-tobacco.html?_r=0"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/18/us/disgusted-by-smoking-outraged-by-a-plan-to-ban-tobacco.html?_r=0</span></a><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Click on the following link to see the Egremont BoH proposed policy.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://egremont-ma.gov/BOH%20min%202014%201009.pdf"><span style="color: blue; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">http://egremont-ma.gov/BOH%20min%202014%201009.pdf</span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Firestorm
Erupts in Anti-Smoking Massachusetts Town</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/s/katharine_q_seelye/index.html"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">KATHARINE Q. SEELYE</span></a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> NOV. 17, 2014 </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A hearing on Wednesday
with the Westminster Board of Health became so unruly that the board chairwoman
could not maintain order; she shut down the hearing 20 minutes after it began.
Credit Gretchen Ertl for The New York Times </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">WESTMINSTER, Mass. — The
fury — and make no mistake, it is white-hot fury — went way beyond the ordinary
wrath of offended citizenry. A plan here to ban the sale of tobacco has ignited
a call to arms.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The outrage is aimed at
a proposal by the local Board of Health that could make Westminster the first
town in the country where no one could buy cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars and
chewing tobacco.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The uproar stems not
from a desire by people here to smoke — only 17 percent do (a smidge higher
than the statewide average). Many say they have never touched tobacco and find
the habit disgusting. Rather, they perceive the ban as a frontal assault on
their individual liberties. And they say it would cripple the eight retailers
in town who sell tobacco products.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The ban is the major
topic at Vincent’s Country Store, where a petition against it sits on the front
counter and attracts more signatures every day; at last count, 1,200 people had
signed, in a town of 7,400.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As shoppers come and go,
they feed one another’s fury.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"The issue for me
is freedom. Whether you are a smoker or not, you have a right to go and buy
tobacco products in Westminster; it is a legal product," said Keith
Harding, who carried this sign to one of Westminster's main intersections.
Credit Gretchen Ertl for The New York Times </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"They’re just
taking away everyday freedoms, little by little," said Nate Johnson, 32,
an egg farmer who also works in an auto body shop, as he stood outside the
store last week. "This isn’t about tobacco, it’s about control," he
said.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"It’s
un-American," put in Rick Sparrow, 48, a house painter.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As Wayne and Deborah
Hancock grabbed a shopping cart, they joined in. All quickly agreed that the
next freedoms at risk would be guns and religion, prompting Mrs. Hancock, 52, a
homemaker, to say that she was afraid to wear her cross.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"I’m thinking, ‘Am
I going to be beheaded?’ " she said, not entirely joking.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nearly 500 people packed
a hearing at a local elementary school on Wednesday night held by the three
members of the Board of Health. Passions ran high, and the hearing became so
unruly that the board chairwoman could not maintain order; she shut down the
hearing 20 minutes after it began.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The crowd started
singing "God Bless America" in protest as the board members left
under police protection. Angry residents circulated petitions demanding a
recall election for the board members.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Few can fathom how
Westminster became the latest setting for the nation’s decades-old tobacco
wars. The pre-Revolutionary settlement emerged as a stagecoach stop in the late
1700s between Boston, 50 miles away, and points west. It remains largely rural
and votes heavily Republican. There is no industry here, not even a mall.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Andrea Crete, center,
was escorted from the public hearing afterward. Credit Gretchen Ertl for The
New York Times </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Opponents of the ban
blame "outside groups" that want to make the town a test case,
conjecturing that because it is so small, no one would care.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In fact, the Board of
Health has been discussing the ban since the spring. But no one noticed until
the board notified merchants last month that they could lose their permits to
sell tobacco. David B. Sutton, a spokesman for Altria, the parent company of
Philip Morris, the nation’s biggest tobacco company, said the company was
monitoring the situation but had not been involved or stoked the rebellion.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tobacco accounts for
only a fraction of total revenue at the stores here that sell it. But people
who buy cigarettes and cigars also buy other things, and studies say that
losing those customers can cost stores a third of their revenue.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"The name of the
game is one-stop shopping," said Joe Serio, the owner and pharmacist at
the brown-shingled Westminster Pharmacy, where tobacco sales are 2 percent of
revenues, and where wine and beer are stocked next to the cramped aisles of
Band-Aids and antacids.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Over the years,
Massachusetts has banned smoking in workplaces, as well as in restaurants and
bars. And most of the state’s 351 cities and towns have enacted their own
restrictions. For example, 105 towns have banned tobacco sales in health care
institutions, including pharmacies; 34 have raised the legal age for buying
cigarettes to 21 from 18; eight have banned the sale of flavored tobacco
products and e-cigarettes.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But Westminster would be
the first in the state and nation with a full-blown ban on selling all tobacco
and </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/poison/nicotine/overview.html?inline=nyt-classifier"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">nicotine</span></a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
products. The idea originated with the Board of Health, which says it has a
moral obligation to try to stop young people from smoking. The board found it
hard to keep up with all the new products, like bubblegum-flavored cigars and
strawberry-margarita-flavored tobacco, many of them aimed at hooking young
people.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"We have a whack-a-</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/birthmarks-pigmented/overview.html?inline=nyt-classifier"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">mole</span></a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">-effect,"
Joan Hamlett, the town’s tobacco control agent, said at the hearing Wednesday
night before it was cut short. "Every 18 months since 1994, this
Westminster Board of Health has been looking at different regulations because
every time we work together to find a way to reduce youth access to tobacco,
the tobacco industry comes out with a new product that we have to look at and
address and figure out how to regulate."</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Brian Vincent, left, was
concerned a tobacco ban would hurt his business. Credit Gretchen Ertl for The
New York Times </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://mail.aol.com/38848-916/aol-6/en-us/l"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Continue reading the
main story</span></a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Andrea Crete, chairwoman
of the Board of Health, quoting a report from the surgeon general, said that
youth who shop at least twice a week in stores that sell tobacco are 64 percent
more likely to start smoking than those who do not.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"The Board of
Health permitting these establishments to sell these dangerous products that,
when used as directed, kill 50 percent of its users, ethically goes against our
public health mission," Ms. Crete said.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The crowd listened, but
once the hearing was opened for public comment, people began to hoot and
holler.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"You people make me
sick," one man growled at the board as the audience cheered.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Wayne R. Walker, a town
selectman, said that the selectmen had voted unanimously to oppose the ban.
"I detest smoking and tobacco in all its forms," he told the health
board, but such a "unilateral and radical approach" as banning all
sales would "create a significant economic hardship."</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A resident named Kevin
West said that smoking was "one of the most disgusting habits anybody
could possibly do," but added: "I find this proposal to be even more
of a disgusting thing." The shouts after his statement prompted Ms. Crete,
who had issued several warnings, to declare the hearing over.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She said that people
could submit their views in writing until Dec. 1. The board, which has final say
on the ban, will schedule another meeting and vote on the proposal, but she did
not know when.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As angry citizens milled
about after the aborted hearing, Brian Vincent, who owns Vincent’s Country
Store, said he was disappointed he did not have a chance to tell the board that
none of the merchants in town sell the kind of cheap, sweet tobacco products
that the board is worried about. And none have been found in the last two years
with underage sales violations.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Among the hundreds of
protesters at the hearing, at least two people — doctors — supported the ban.
Dr. Corey Saltin and Dr. Payam Aghassi, lung specialists who have a private
practice nearby, said that they understood concerns about free choice but that
people who are subjected to secondhand smoke have rights, too.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">"This ban is going
to happen somewhere, sometime," Dr. Saltin predicted. "But probably
not in Westminster."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span>KevinZurrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10514093726232316855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875585579505237851.post-71614452711486140502014-11-14T11:25:00.000-05:002014-11-14T12:23:12.098-05:00WE THE PEOPLE DID IT<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Well
the people of Egremont made a very important decision on November 4th. We
said that we are going to take back control of our town. We are not going to leave
our town’s affairs to be decided by a small group of people with their own
agenda. Town government works best when more people participate. This can only
happen when a majority of the town’s people get together and decide what is
best for the town as a whole. They do this at regular elections and when they
meet together as fellow legislators at a town meeting to discuss the issues
that affect the town and vote on those issues. Then the town officials are
directed to implement these mandates.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There
are many who say the CPA was a very divisive issue and it was; but then every
issue is divisive or it’s not an issue. However, we can’t use divisiveness as a
reason to not talk about controversial issues. Rather we must discuss these
issues with mutual respect, understanding that we are divided on the issue.
Personally I think this brought more people together than it divided; otherwise
this high of a turnout would have been impossible. People discussed the issue
amongst one another and decided not to adopt the CPA. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">To the surprise of many 632
of the 934 registered voters came out to cast their vote in regard to the CPA
and other state issues. That’s almost 70 % of all registered voters. 52% of
these voters rejected the CPA while passing many of the state initiatives and
overwhelmingly electing a democratic ticket. So don’t think the CPA failed
because of a few outspoken opponents. It failed because a majority of voters
felt it wasn’t for this town. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The pro CPA people
didn’t expect this issue would bring out as many as it did and no one expected
nearly 70% of the registered voters to show up at the polls; but they did. In
fact one of our oldest and most respected citizens said that in his entire
lifetime he had never seen such a turnout.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have a lot of people to thank for such a
large turnout and the defeat of the CPA tax. I would like to thank the people
who came out to vote, those who allowed signs to be posted in their yard, many
who called and asked people to spread the word and last but not least those who
financially supported this cause. I didn’t even have to ask people to volunteer;
several people came to me and asked if they could call people to get out the
vote. Others asked me for signs to pass out to their neighbors, friends and
family. Most people simply discussed the CPA issue with everyone they knew and
common sense told them to come out against it. We have everyone to thank and I
thank you all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This
turnout was no accident either, it was a town wide effort of many people from
every area of our town getting together and taking their rightful place in our
town’s governance. I’m not one to say I told you so but I told you so. I said
that we the people have the power to stop the CPA and we did. My only hope is
that this is the beginning of a new era where the people start taking an
interest in how their town is run. I hope this is a foresight of a well
attended town meeting whereby the people give a clear dictate to our elected
officials. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Town officials will do what
they were elected to do or what they are allowed to get away with; we have to
remind them that they were put in office to exercise the will of the people as
expressed at the town meeting. They each have their voice as a citizen but
their job as selectmen is to follow the directive of the people. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
KevinZurrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10514093726232316855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875585579505237851.post-54221155563940458612014-11-02T09:51:00.000-05:002014-11-02T09:51:43.877-05:00WE HAVE THE POWER LETS USE IT<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> We
the people of Egremont have a very important decision to make this November 4th.
Are we going to allow ourselves to be taxed into oblivion for every little
thing that some special interest group wants or will we make a stand against
this blatant grab for our hard earned money? It seems that the more we give the
more they want to take. It’s an endless cycle. Government can’t make money they
can only take it from the people who earn it. I understand the need for
taxation. Taxes are necessary for common necessities but not for luxuries. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> A
neighboring town passed a new property tax under the guise of community
preservation. How does taking money from people who work several jobs just to
make ends meet preserve a community? It doesn’t! This does more to destroy a
community than preserve it. The more money taken from people who can’t afford
to pay the less they are able to spend on preserving their own property. Then
property values go down thus destroying the community. This so a small group of
people can fund a few “worthy” projects. Let’s look at a couple of these so
called “worthy” projects that are being considered for funding with these
monies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Someone purchased an old
building and spent several million dollars developing it. This property is now
going to be used for their business. The
business owners are asking that 150 thousand dollars from this preservation
fund be given to them for “historical restoration”. Ironically this building
was never planned to be used as a private business. So much for historicity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Another “worthy” project
being considered is a large property that had been vacant and overgrown for
decades. Someone purchased this property for a very low price and has plans to
turn it into a profitable multi use business. The owners are asking for about a
half million dollars from this fund for approved preservation purposes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Do these people really
need the money? Of course not; if they can afford to put several million into
purchasing and developing these properties then they certainly don’t need our
money. They’re asking for the money because it’s free to them and it is there
for the taking. The question is, who are they taking the money from? This is
taxing the poor to fund the rich.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">There
is a small group of people in Egremont who have their own special agenda. They
see other towns getting a lot of money under the pretext of community
preservation. They see a big pot of money and they want a piece of it. This
agenda is not in the best interest of our town as a whole; it benefits a few at
the expense of many. These people are trying to advance their agenda at the
expense of the entire town and we the people will have to pay for it if we
allow them to get away with it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Now I have a
reputation for being a bit outspoken and I am. But when you look at my commentary
I simply say aloud what people are thinking but won’t say. Now </span><span style="background: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">I hear voices of
dissent coming from many people who disagree with the CPA but feel powerless to
do anything about it. They feel that the election process is stacked against
them and there’s nothing they can do about it. I can only say that we the
people have the power to stop this. But we not only have to get ourselves out
to vote; we need to get our friends and neighbors out to the polls. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">WE
THE PEOPLE HAVE THE POWER.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">We are a true democracy
where every vote is equal and no vote is more equal than any other. Please come
out and vote no for the CPA because the only vote that doesn’t count is the
vote that isn’t cast. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
KevinZurrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10514093726232316855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875585579505237851.post-9796170152673795382014-10-31T11:55:00.001-04:002014-10-31T14:33:14.491-04:00The Consummate Cynic<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Call me a consummate cynic and you’d probably be right; but in my own defense, my
cynicism has a hard time keeping up with reality. I don’t trust our government
to do things right or in the best interest of the people. Somehow when the government
gets involved the cost always increases in direct correlation with a decrease
in value of service. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
If you look at the little red voter
information book that the state printed up and distributed at your expense you
will see what I mean. Study it carefully and read between the lines and tell me
if you agree. I’ll give you my cynical view of the ballot questions we must
vote on in the upcoming election but remember this is only my viewpoint; you
have to make up your own mind. <a href="http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/ele14/pip14idx.htm">http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/ele14/pip14idx.htm</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<b><u>Question1 THE GAS TAX INDEXING (GTI):</u></b> Those who support
eliminating GTI want you to think that they want to make the legislators vote
on a gas tax increase so it makes them more accountable to the people. <b>REALLY?</b> When has a legislator ever
worried about passing or increasing our taxes? What they don’t tell you is that
the GTI being attached to the consumer price index actually limits the gas tax
increases to inflation. What they also don't tell you is that if the CPi goes down the tax may be reduced to no less than 21 1/2 cents per gallon. this is why our gas tax has only risen about 3 cents in 20 years. This takes the ability to increase your gas tax out of
the hands of the politicians. If you vote to eliminate gas tax indexing you
actually free the politicians to increase your gas tax at will. What do you
think these politicians will do if they have the ability to increase the gas
tax as high as they want with a simple vote? I think we need to not only limit
the gas tax but limit the politicians ability to increase taxes at their whim.
Therefore I will <b>VOTE NO TO QUESTION 1</b>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<b><u>Question 2 THE BEVERAGE CONTAINER LAW</u></b>: Those in favor of
this law want you to think that this is about the environment. They say it will
keep the parks and playgrounds clean. Maybe I’m confused but aren’t there laws
against littering? Most people don’t litter just out of principle. Others obey
the law rather than having to pay a fine. If this law were truly about littering then
it punishes law abiding citizens for the few people who don’t have enough
respect for their community to keep it clean. If it were about littering we would
enforce the littering laws a little more aggressively; perhaps even increase
the fine for littering. No, this law is about collecting more tax revenue. They
said it in the information handout. The state collects over 30 million dollars
in unclaimed deposits. Now they want to tax the water bottles under the guise
of environmental protection because they see another endless revenue stream. I’ll
<b>VOTE NO ON QUESTION 2</b> as well.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<b><u>Question 3 EXPANDING PROHIBITIONS ON GAMING</u></b>: Any time I hear
the word prohibition I think of the 18<sup>th</sup> amendment to the
constitution. It didn’t work then and it doesn’t work now. Personally I don’t
gamble; I don’t like risking my money with such a small chance of maybe winning
more. However, I do respect another person’s right to do whatever they want with
their own money. If this were about the carnage that gambling addiction can
cause to an individual or family then it would be a different story. But then
if the government is so concerned about this then we would eliminate the state
lottery and any other state or charitable gambling as well. Personally I think
the state wants to prohibit gaming because they can’t pilfer enough revenue
from it. They point to the dwindling casino industry as a reason to stop gaming
but if someone wants to spend millions of dollars to build and operate a casino
then let them. It creates a lot of temporary jobs as well as many permanent jobs.
It pumps a lot of money into the local economies of communities who are open to
gaming. I think I’ll <b>VOTE NO ON QUESTION
3</b>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<b><u>Question 4 EARNED SICK TIME FOR EMPLOYEES:</u></b> You can’t earn
time to be sick. That’s like saying that I’m planning to get sick because I’ve
earned it. Although many employees who do receive paid sick time use it like
that. They take a sick day even though they’re not really sick. Others use
their paid sick days as extra income or vacation days. People do get sick and
that’s a part of life. Some get sick because they don’t take care of themselves
and others get sick because they’re victims of chance. The question is, do we
want to force every employer who has over 10 employees to pay every one of their
employees a full weeks pay for not working? Imagine how much the cost of their
goods will go up for the consumer. Many employers have a paid sick day policy
but there are many companies that just can’t afford it. It may price their
goods out of the market. This law may cause some companies to downsize to under
10 employees. Imagine being laid off for this reason. While the idea of forcing
employers to pay sick employees to not work seems noble, the reality will be devastating for
many. I guess I have to <b>VOTE NO ON
QUESTION 4</b> too. <b><u><o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u>Question 5 THE CPA TAX: </u></b>I guess you already know
I’m going to <b>VOTE NO ON QUESTION 5.</b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
KevinZurrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10514093726232316855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875585579505237851.post-43083041114447784942014-10-22T19:06:00.000-04:002014-10-22T19:06:18.137-04:00IN THIS INFORMATION AGE ONE HAS TO CHOOSE TO BE IGNORANT<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><strong>ANOTHER GOOD REASON TO DEFEAT THE CPA</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">As you may know I am NOT a supporter of the Community Preservation Act, (CPA). The following article copied from<span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">PPJgazette</span><span style="color: black;"> </span>is a good example of why I am not a CPA fan and why we should do everything in our power to defeat this in November. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I think it's absurd that the people would tax their friends and neighbors to allow land to be purchased by a so called non profit under these terms and conditions. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Conservation Easements (CEs)*:Read the fine print before you sign </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></strong>
December 18, 2010 <br />
<br />
<a href="http://ppjg.wordpress.com/"><u><span style="color: blue;">Marti Oakley</span></u></a> <a href="http://ppjg.me/category/government/corruption-government/"><u><span style="color: blue;">corruption</span></u></a>, <a href="http://ppjg.me/category/government/"><u><span style="color: blue;">Government</span></u></a> <a href="http://ppjg.me/tag/agricultural-property/"><u><span style="color: blue;">agricultural property</span></u></a>, <a href="http://ppjg.me/tag/conservation-easements/"><u><span style="color: blue;">conservation easements</span></u></a>, <a href="http://ppjg.me/tag/gao/"><u><span style="color: blue;">GAO</span></u></a>, <a href="http://ppjg.me/tag/land-agents/"><u><span style="color: blue;">land agents</span></u></a>, <a href="http://ppjg.me/tag/land-trusts/"><u><span style="color: blue;">land trusts</span></u></a>, <a href="http://ppjg.me/tag/private-land/"><u><span style="color: blue;">private land</span></u></a>, <a href="http://ppjg.me/tag/property/"><u><span style="color: blue;">Property</span></u></a>, <a href="http://ppjg.me/tag/property-easements/"><u><span style="color: blue;">property easements</span></u></a>, <a href="http://ppjg.me/tag/trust-for-public-lands/"><u><span style="color: blue;">Trust for Public Lands</span></u></a> <a href="http://ppjg.me/2010/12/18/conservation-easements-cesread-the-fine-print-before-you-sign/"><u><span style="color: blue;">5 Comments</span></u></a> <br />
<br />
<a href="http://ppjg.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/ppjg-4810.jpghttp://ppjg.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/ppjg-4810.jpgby">http://ppjg.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/ppjg-4810.jpghttp://ppjg.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/ppjg-4810.jpgby</a> W.R. McAfee, Sr. (c)copyright 2010 All Rights Reserved<br />
<br />
________________________________________________<br />
<br />
<dir>
<i>"A normal easement by a landowner usually grants a right to someone to do something on the landowner’s property; but a conservation easement gives away the landowner’s rights to do something on his or her own property. <br />
Land trusts and environmental groups regularly use conservation easements to take control of private property."<br />
_________________________________________________ </i></dir><br />
<i>
<br />
Read the fine print before you sign<br />
</i><a href="http://ppjg.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/mapa.jpg&http://ppjg.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/mapa.jpgA">http://ppjg.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/mapa.jpg&http://ppjg.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/mapa.jpgA</a> basic Constitutional tenet of private property ownership in America is the landowner’s right to determine the use and disposition of his or her land. This ownership gives the property owner the right to occupy, use, lease, sell, develop, and deny public access to his or her land. <br />
<br />
Today, landowners can lose these rights simply by signing a ‘standard’ or ‘model’ conservation easement (CE) offered by ‘nonprofit-environmental-friendly’ land trusts, NGO environmental organizations, or government agencies <i>unless the easement has been worded to protect the landowner’s rights.</i><br />
<i>
</i>
<b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
The growing number of land trusts<br />
</span></b>In the early 1950s, there were some 50 land trusts in the U.S. Today, there are more than 1,700. Among the largest are the:<br />
<br />
<dir>
<dir>
Nature Conservancy (TNC), <br />
American Farmland Trust (AFT), <br />
Conservation Fund, and <br />
Trust for Public Land. </dir>
</dir>
<br />
<b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
Land trusts exist to remove private property from production <br />
</span></b>They do this by acquiring ranch, farm, forest, or other private land either through donation, purchase, or by acquiring CEs to property as well as water. They act as unofficial arms of government agencies<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">—</span>third party intermediaries or ‘land agents’<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">—</span>and routinely flip (sell) donated as well as purchased land and CEs to these government agencies. When they do, they’re paid with tax dollars which, in turn, are used to purchase more private property. <br />
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In 1994, the Government Accounting Office reported approximately 61 percent of the Trust for Public Land’s operating revenue was gained from the sale of<i> donated</i> land.<br />
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In 2001, the U.S. Forest Service and TNC signed a five-year ‘memorandum of understanding’ to ‘protect the land’ from things like ‘invasive species’ which, according to some eastern congressmen, includes cattle that graze federal land even though their owners pay the government a per unit (head) fee to graze it. <br />
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That same year, government officials at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, made available to the TNC several million dollars to acquire water rights from private property owners around the base<i> through the use of conservation easements.</i><br />
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Primary recipients of land trust acquisitions are the Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, and the U.S. Forest Service. <br />
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Government already owns almost half the land in America. <br />
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<b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
Why land trusts are used to acquire land for the government <br />
</span></b>Government agencies are prohibited by the Constitution from buying land within a state unless the sale is approved by that state’s legislature<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">—</span>a pesky, time-consuming process that usually has to withstand legislative scrutiny and public debate as the Founders intended. Article I, §8, 01.07 of the Constitution states that:<br />
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[<i>Congress</i> is authorized] "…To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, <i>by Cession of Particular States </i>(emphasis added)<i>, </i>and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places <i>purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be</i> (emphasis added)<i>,</i> for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards and other needful Buildings…"<br />
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Once fed agencies gain control of private property, they have difficulty maintaining it. The reason being the money to purchase the land comes to them unearned in the form of tax dollars. In April 2002, the Department of the Interior’s Inspector General estimated the agency had an $8-11 billion dollar maintenance backlog affecting land and facilities it already owned.<br />
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Lester Thurow gave a good explanation why this happens in 1986 when he wrote: <br />
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"… government ownership of production fails because it cannot answer the question: Who should stay up all night with a sick cow? <br />
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"In America, it’s the owner. In a socialist country, the answer isn’t clear and is often<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">—</span>no one." <br />
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<b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
Land trusts operate with few restrictions <br />
</span></b>Land trusts are under few restrictions when it comes to landowner transactions. They: <br />
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Buy targeted land (a ranch, farm, or private property location) for federal agencies when it becomes available; then hold the land until the agency that wants it has the tax dollars to buy it. <br />
Provide what appears to sellers an alternative to having to deal directly with government agencies. <br />
Are not required to buy a real estate license or provide full disclosure of their transactions. <br />
Can be less than forthcoming about their agenda when signing up ‘willing sellers’; often conducting their ‘real estate transactions’ in a manner that best suits <i>their</i> causes and goals. <br />
Are generally accountable only to their boards. <br />
Mostly are immune from civil and criminal litigation <i>due to hold harmless clauses in their ‘standard’ or ‘model’ CE agreements.</i> </dir>
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<b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
Congress won’t check these land trusts. <br />
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Conservation Easements take private property rights away from landowners<br />
</span></b>A normal easement by a landowner usually grants a right to someone to do something on the landowner’s property; but <i>a conservation easement gives away the landowner’s rights to do something on his or her own property.</i> <br />
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Land trusts and environmental groups regularly use conservation easements to take control of private property. <br />
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<b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
Read the fine print before you sign a CE <br />
</span></b>If a landowner is seeking a CE to reduce taxes on a part of his or her property, <i>then he or she</i> <i>must make sure the easement agreement meets the required IRS codes.</i> <br />
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To meet IRS requirements for a tax deduction, the CE must include the following:<br />
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Be granted in perpetuity (forever) to a government agency or ‘nonprofit’ land trust or organization, <br />
Prohibit all surface mining on the easement, including oil and gas exploration, and <br />
Allow public access onto the easement if the leaseholder<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">—</span>the party with whom the landowner signs the easement agreement<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">—</span>so specifies. </dir>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
Beware the ‘standard’ or ‘model’ CE<br />
</span></b>‘Standard’ or ‘model’ CEs offered by government agencies, land trusts, and environmental organizations to landowners as a means to reduce taxes <i>can later lead to problems if landowners sign the agreement without fully understanding its contents. </i>For example:<br />
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Their children and their heirs are bound forever by what’s written into the CE. <br />
They can’t build, drill, or put a road on the CE without the leaseholder’s permission. <br />
They can’t lease or sell the CE to another party. <br />
They can’t develop the CE. <br />
They’re still responsible for taxes on the CE. <br />
They’re still responsible for the upkeep, maintenance, improvement, and financial support for the CE. </dir>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
Leaseholders can enforce CE requirements <br />
</span></b>Many landowners don’t realize the recipient of their CE<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">—</span>their leaseholder<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">—</span>becomes the fulltime landlord and dominant partner over their easement land after a ‘standard’ or ‘model’ CE is signed. Plus, the leaseholder can enforce the requirements of the CE on the landowner and has the authority to: <br />
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Review and approve the landowner’s activities on the CE, <br />
Monitor the landowner’s ongoing use of the CE and visit the property any time to ensure all CE restrictions are being met, and <br />
Legally enforce the CE’s restrictions on the landowner if the leaseholder feels they aren’t being met. </dir>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
CEs affect the value of private land<br />
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</b></span>The value of CE land<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">—</span>other than that realized through a reduced tax rate on the CE property<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">—</span>drops dramatically once the CE is signed. <br />
It becomes difficult<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">—</span>if not impossible<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">—</span>to borrow against CE land because avenues for foreclosure are extremely limited for the lender if there’s a default on the loan. <br />
Title insurance on CE land becomes difficult to obtain. <br />
Developers are hesitant to buy land attached or adjacent to a CE </dir>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
A landowner’s CE can be conveyed<br />
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</b></span>The easement holder<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">—</span>the party or organization with whom a ‘standard’ or ‘model’ CE is signed<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">—</span><i>can convey a landowner’s easement to a third party without the landowner’s permission.</i> <br />
The landowner has no control over the boards that govern either the actions of his or her easement holder, <i>or the third party group to whom the CE is conveyed by the assignee.</i> </dir>
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<b><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
Vague terms in a CE can be costly<br />
</span></b>Lease holder boards can and often do interpret vague, general terms and wording in ‘standard’ or ‘model’ CE agreements in ways that help their (environmental) organizations meet goals and agendas; thus putting the landowner at the mercy of the officials who govern his or her CE.<br />
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An example of a vague, general term is the phrase <i>"…no use inconsistent with the conservation purpose of this easement…"</i><br />
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This harmless-sounding statement purposely leaves the door open for leaseholder boards to change the interpretation of what’s allowable on a landowner’s CE, and can put his or her heirs in court with the leaseholder.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
Litigation can be expensive<br />
</span></b>Litigation resulting from ‘standard’ or ‘model’ CEs can be costly for landowners in face-offs with organizations like the Trust for Public Land or TNC who stay flush with tax dollars from:<br />
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Land sold to government agencies,<br />
Tax deductible donations from multi-national and Fortune 500 corporations, and<br />
Donations from wealthy individuals and endowed charitable trusts friendly to environmentalists.</dir>
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Extensive litigation usually follows, but <i>if the CE wasn’t worded to protect the landowner to begin with<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">—</span>and it has been signed<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">—</span>then he or she usually is out of luck.</i><br />
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Other situations can arise after a ‘standard’ or ‘model’ CE is signed.<br />
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For example, a state highway department may want to condemn a portion of the CE for a new road right-of-way. When they do, they normally pay the lower value of the land that resulted <i>after</i> the CE was signed.<br />
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Then, once the road is in, the landowner cannot<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">—</span>unless it’s written into his or her CE<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">—</span>put in a business, franchise, or gas station alongside the new road because the standard easement rules will still apply to the remaining land.<br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
Advice for landowners considering CEs<br />
</span></b><span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<dir><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>
</b></span><dir><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>
</b></span>Get good, solid legal advice from an experienced real estate transaction lawyer. <br />
Draft the CE in specific, limited terms that will protect your rights. <br />
List the terms and length of the easement. <br />
Draft the easement so that <i>you</i> are the dominant estate partner in the agreement. <br />
Write into your CE a no assignment provision. In other words, the organization with which you’re signing the CE must have <i>your </i>permission before they assign your easement to a third party. <br />
Strike <i>any</i> hold harmless language or clauses in the CE that the organization wanting the CE seeks. For example, The Nature Conservancy and other land trusts often want you to indemnify them in the CE with language or clauses.</dir>
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<b><br />
<i><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
Don’t<br />
</span></i><span style="font-size: medium;">Get good accounting advice as well. <br />
</span>If a landowner feels it is in his or her best interest to sign land over to an organization, then the landowner should: </b><br />
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</b><dir><b>
</b><i></i><i>Get</i> <i>good accounting advice</i> and make sure the CE meets the required IRS codes and regulations for a tax deduction <i>before</i> the agreement is signed. <i>The landowner</i><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">—</span><i>not the recipient of the CE</i><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">—</span><i>is responsible for this.</i> <br />
Pick a good organization with whom to sign a CE. Environmental groups and land trusts are not landowner friendly. </dir>
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There are other ways to reduce your property and estate taxes. Find a good, experienced, estate tax attorney, sit down with him or her, and explore your alternatives. <br />
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Finally, a landowner needs to look at two layers within his or her CE. <br />
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Will your CE partner accept your terms for the easement?<br />
Will the IRS accept your CE and allow you the deductions if reduced taxes on your property is one of your goals?</dir>
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If the answer to either of these questions is no, then a landowner needs to re-examine the CE he or she is about to sign. <br />
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<b><br />
References <br />
</b>* Information compiled from notes taken at a 2004 presentation on Conservation Easements by attorney Paul M. Terrill, III, of Hazen & Terrill, P.C., Austin, Texas, at the Stewards of the Range annual conference and meeting, Reno, Nevada, and from GAO reports.<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span lang=""></span></span></span>KevinZurrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10514093726232316855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875585579505237851.post-668535626941938842014-06-17T12:35:00.000-04:002014-06-17T12:42:52.917-04:00WHO'S ZOOMING WHO<span style="font-size: large;"> Although I couldn't be at the BoS meeting last night I did hear from Mr. W. that the subject of the insurance coverage for the Bucknell case came up. I guess the BoS is in full damage control mode after the latest Berkshire Record Article. For your convenience I have attached a copy of the letter that Mr. Spaulding referred to in his article for the record. This letter is a matter of public record and is available at the town hall although I received a copy attached to an email dated today. If you read the 5th paragraph you will see that the town will not receive one thin dime of coverage for any issues raised in the complaint. I have also attached a copy of the complaint so you can determine for yourself the issues that will not be covered. I know the BoS claimed to have a letter dated 04/04/2014 that supposedly contradicts this latest letter and I haven't seen the letter but it is pretty clear that the town is not covered. Perhaps the BoS is creating a plausible explanation as to why they misled the people at the town meeting. I would challenge the BoS to publish the April 4th letter so we all may see the truth of the claim; or lack thereof. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The letter and complaint referred to above was attached to the email sent to those on my email list. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">To receive an email with copies of the letter and complaint attached send your request to <a href="mailto:KevinZurrin@aol.com">KevinZurrin@aol.com</a> . If you wish to be included in future mailings please ask to be added to the email list.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />KevinZurrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10514093726232316855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875585579505237851.post-64023967964863694842014-06-14T07:48:00.000-04:002014-06-14T09:31:51.732-04:00Sarah Schneider's thoughts <div>
Since I changed the comment policy comments have to be filtered. Sarah asked me to post this in the comment section of the previous post. After reading her comments I asked her if I may post it as an article. Sarah's thoughts express the viewpoint of many people who for whatever reason have tuned out of town politics. In light of recent events I think many of these people are starting to wake up and get involved. These are some of Sarah's thoughts; which according to her are for the most part facts.</div>
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Stanley Farnum is a well known and knowledgeable man! Everything he says in the articles he wrote were right on the money! There are too many things in this town that the voters are just throwing away their rights on and letting things pass that shouldn't even be put out there let alone passed to raise our taxes! </div>
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The water department was owned for as long as I can remember and maintained as well by Robert Parrish! When his health was failing he sold it to a man I can't recall his name but he knew before he sold it to the town it was failing and needed a great deal of repair! Well who steps in the "Mighty Select People"? They twisted and turned and got the room packed with the yes of course we need to take it over, not having a clue what was about to happen to their tax dollars! </div>
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Egremont's water is suppose to be the best water I guess ever on this earth! Well if that is the case then it should be as clean and pure from the beginning to the end of the line! Well it's not and so many are getting fooled by this! There is less than half of Egremont's population on town water while the rest of us have our own wells! Tell me why I should pay for my water twice when I only get it once? </div>
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I know, it's our civic duty to take care of our neighbors! BULL! If something happened to my well do you think the town would vote to drill me a new one? Who are you kidding? Look where the water department is now! There are people in this town getting it free and others not even hooked to a meter! All the blame was put on one person and sorry that is not how it works! Enough on the water it got voted down and hopefully the select-board won't be stupid enough to ever try slipping it in anywhere again! Enough is enough! </div>
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The same goes with the schools!! Charlie Flynn also said at our doorstep that he was going to see that the extra schools be closed! Considering if anyone has ever looked into the fact that when the NEW Mt Everett was built all outlying schools were to be closed that was part of the vote! Check it out don't just let the select-board suck you into lie after lie! The only school that did close was Alford! As I recall the North Egremont school had already been sold though South Egremont remained oh yes and Sheffield Center closed! Why would any tax payer want to put so much of their hard earned money into repairing these old decrepit buildings? Onward and upward! </div>
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My husband and I were interviewed recently by a very nice young man from the record! He didn't mix any words at all! He told the story the same as if we had written it ourselves! Of course Charlie Flynn isn't going to agree and he and whom ever may think we were set up! Well they are wrong on both accounts! </div>
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People may think we were wrong by opening our mouths but sorry the truth is the truth and so help me God we told the truth! We are so sick of the lies being told in this town from select board members to police officers! Yes you heard me right! I could tell you a few incidents but it doesn't matter because my saying is , it always comes back to bite you right in the a_ _!! In fact I was at a meeting awhile back to let the select board know of some lies and instead got more told to me! Again a subject for another time! </div>
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Now on to this CPA! If anyone thinks this is the best thing for our town, I suggest you look into it a little closer! You may NEVER see any of your money back in this town and certainly if did it wouldn't even come close to what you will be paying in your taxes! All I can say is I hope come November that everyone who has questioned if it is right or wrong to do sway more to the wrong than the right because us as a whole Town of Egremont will once again take a screwing if you vote yes! Please consider doing research certainly there were a select few at the Town Meeting who did but of course because maybe they can afford to give money away to other towns! Well I can't and I'm not afraid to admit that every penny I have goes to better my husband and I, not to support other towns projects! </div>
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After what they want for these schools with a handful of kids in them and most not even from this five town district to the water department that you may not even be on the system to now this CPA and upping our taxes to better other communities and leaving ours to deteriorate! This is only the beginning on the CPA. There will be much more out there before November vote! So research people and educate yourself! It is far from being a clean cut addition to our Town and taxes as we were really led to believe! </div>
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Ok well can't end without making a comment on one very BIG lie that appeared in the record this week! We all know at least the ones in attendance, that our fine select board said they wanted to only vote the $5000 in for the Bucknell law suit because the insurance the town has already said they were covering it! Wrong again!! Can't understand why our select-board as smart as they think they are can't seem to do their homework correctly! We may as well have three 4 year olds running the town of Egremont! </div>
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I am so totally disgusted with the management of this town as I said before in ALL departments! Everyone needs to suck it up and stop spending money, lying about everything and anything, doing half ass work, and making the tax payers look like the bad guys because they have the nerve to question why things are the way they are!!!!! I hope this town starts stepping up to the plate and start taking our town back!! BIG changes need to take place and I'm sorry to say that unless we get some fresh faces in control it is never going to happen!! Think people!! Do we want to take our town back or do we want to let it go to hell?? </div>
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Sarah T. Schneider </div>
KevinZurrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10514093726232316855noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875585579505237851.post-39300016754308006692014-06-08T11:45:00.000-04:002014-06-10T08:20:28.478-04:00déjà vu all over again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> We all remember the big to do about the town spending over 2 million to put in a waste water treatment plant for the 20 properties along the river. Fortunately the people didn't fall for the pitch; they rose up and defeated it at a well attended town meeting. We also remember the the water company fiasco where we were promised it wouldn't cost the taxpayers one thin dime. Unfortunately we did fall for this pitch and we're still suffering the consequences for this choice. <span style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="st">Well folks it looks like it's déjà vu all over again.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="st" style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="st"> This CPA tax is another one of these harebrained "progressive" schemes that needs to be defeated at the ballot box. Since this is another well intentioned but misguided attempt to tell the people the best way to spend their hard earned money, because obviously the government is the only one who knows how to spend your money, I'll use the wise words of one of the pillars of our community. A man who has been here for nearly a century. A true native who has seen many of these schemes come and go and has witnessed the cost to the town when we fell for a slick sales pitch. When I asked Stan what he thought of the CPA tax he gave me these two letters T</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="st">hese are the sagacious words I found in his letter's to the editor from over a decade ago appropriately titled <strong>A 'Waste' of time and Egremont's Water Fiasco</strong>. These are Stan's words of wisdom, lets learn from them. </span></span></span><br />
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