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BRPC - Executive Committee Meeting - Dec. 5th, 2023

When:
Thu December 5th 2024 at 04:00 PM
Where:
Virtual/Teleconference only

This will be a virtual meeting as allowed by Ch. 2 of the Acts of 2023 extending certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c.30 sec.20 until March 31, 2025.
To participate virtually join the Zoom meeting at

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3926128831?omn=85157356648
Meeting id: 392 612 8831, Phone: 646.558.8656, 646 931 3860, 312.626.6799, 301 715 8592

Meeting materials are on BRPC’s website: www.berkshireplanning.org. Click the calendar of events, then the meeting name, and follow the link to materials.

Agenda

  1. Call to Order & Open Meeting Law Statement (4:00)
  2. Roll Call of Executive Committee Members Attending the Meeting
  3. Vote to Approve the Minutes of the Executive Committee Meeting of November 7, 2024*
  4. Financial Reports (4:05)
    1. Vote to Approve the November 2 – November 27, 2024, Expenditures Report*
    2. Report on the Aged Receivables – November 2024
    3. Report on the Line of Credit – November 2024
  5. Open Comments from Berkshire Regional Planning Commission Delegates and Alternate
    Delegates, not to be further discussed at this meeting by the Executive Committee (4:10)
  6. Items Requiring Action* (4:15)
    1. Vote to Approve the BRPC Use of AI (Artificial Intelligence) Policy*
    2. Vote to Approve BRPC Entering into the North Berkshire Inter-municipal Agreement
      Regarding Use and Expenditure of Opioid Abatement Funds*
    3. Vote to Approve the Submission of a Grant Application to the Massachusetts Executive
      Office of Technology Services and Security’s Office of Municipal & School Technology’s
      Cybersecurity Awareness Grant Program*
    4. Vote to Enter into an Agreement with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council on behalf
      of the Western Region Homeland Security Council*
    5. Vote to Approve the Submission of a Grant Application to the National Association of
      County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) Reimagining Health and Public Safety
      Overdose Initiatives Project (RHAPSODI)*
    6. Vote to Conditionally Approve Berkshire Regional Planning Commission’s Fiscal Year 26
      Assessment Subject to Ratification at the Next Commission Meeting. Options Include
      No Increase from FY25, a 1% Increase from FY25 or a 2.5% Increase from FY25.
  7. Committee Reports and Discussion (4:25)
    1. Berkshire Municipal Planning Organization
    2. BRPC Finance Committee
  8. Executive Director’s Report and Discussion (4:30)
    1. Report on New Contracts / Agreements
    2. Berkshires Tomorrow Inc. (BTI) Update
    3. Staff Updates
    4. Rural Policy Advisory Commission (RPAC) Update
    5. Seasonal Communities Advisory Council Update
    6. Passenger Rail
    7. Citizen Planner Training Collaborative (CPTC) Fall / Winter Training Sessions
  9. Old Business (4:35)
    1. None
  10. New Business (4:50)
    1. Discussion about Planning for the Incoming Federal Administration
    2. Discussion of Topics for the January Commission Meeting
  11. Adjournment* (5:00)

BRPC has adopted the BRPC website www.berkshireplanning.org as its official posting
method as allowed by 940 CMR29.00 section 29.03 (3) (b) since November 2010. The
Meeting Notice, Agenda and meeting materials are on BRPC’s website:
www.berkshireplanning.org. Click the calendar of events, then the meeting name, and
follow the link to materials.
* Items Requiring Action

Minutes

ATTENDEES

Bob Norcross, Select Board
Lauren Norcross, Council on Aging
Jim Brandon, Geologist
Susan Brandon, Historical Commission
Emily Rosselli, Clarksburg Elementary School
Britney Danials, Berkshire Regional Planning Commission

Notes

The meeting started at 3:34 pm.  The committee reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting. B.Norcross motioned to approve the minutes, and L.Norcross seconded it. All were in favor.

Carson Ave Bank Erosion project update:

  1. Danials reported that Courteny (BRPC) met with the Condominium president (Jack) and a small group of residents on Sat. Nov 16th to review the John Field recommendations. There was positive feedback about the designs to reconnect the floodplain and install the crib wall. Additionally, the property was walked to determine how comfortable residents were pulling the property back. Committee members in attendance, S. Brandon and B. Norcross, agreed that the discussion was productive and well-received. B. Danials also confirmed that DER has found funding to cover the H+H Study and will be working on the RFP shortly. The next steps will be that Courtney will ask John Field for a quote to work with an engineer to finalize the design plans (dependent on H+H).

    Briggsville Water District project update:

BRPC is working on federal procurement for an engineer to do the system study. B. Norcross reported that the town declined to renew Carl McKinney's contract as town administrator, who was also the main contact and project lead for the BWD. B. Norcoss commented that in a past meeting, Courteny (BRPC) offered to temporarily step in as project manager until a replacement is found.

Four Corners

Committee members reported November’s match. The committee shared feedback on the the Nov 13 listening session and felt it was overall, well attended with good engagement. Logistics, outreach, and delegation of roles on Dec 11th (listening session #2) were discussed. The group agreed to meet at 5 pm for setup. The committee also agreed that a hybrid feature would be helpful even if the consultants remained fully online. B. Danials reported that in a Jan or Feb meeting,  Courtney (BRPC) will provide everyone an update on the budget, which will help determine feasibility.

Other: B. Norcross commented that the envisioned “driveway” for school buses should be halted until further notice due to its feasibility and cost, allowing other elements of the project to continue forward. He suggested a January meeting with RDG and Safe Routes to School to review draft design plans, as their input might alter the final designs.

Next Meeting: The next meeting was set for January 2nd at 3:30 pm.  
Meeting minutes recorded by Britney Danials