TOWN OF WHATELY 2020 ANNUAL REPORT Two Hundred and Fifty ANNUAL REPORTS of the OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES of the TOWN OF WHATELY For the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2020 2020 WHATELY ANNUAL REPORT DEDICATION James Ross This year the Whately Annual Town Report is dedicated to James Ross for his longtime dedicated service to the Town of Whately. Jim has been a resident of Whately since 1978 after graduating from Northampton High School and UMASS School of Business. Jim is married to Katherine Ross (Farrell) and has two sons, James (JD) and Alex who live in Whately, and two daughters, Jodi and Maggie who live in West Medford and Greenfield. He is the grandfather of five children, Bailey, John, Jack, Tucker, and Henry. Jim is a military veteran serving in the U.S. Air Force stationed in Korea during the Vietnam War working with communications radios. He was a salesman and owner of the Whately General Store before pursuing his career as a building contractor as a partner in JDR Builders until his retirement in 2006. He has been very active in several town committees which have benefitted greatly from his construction experience. Some of these include Library Trustee, Franklin County Cooperative Inspection Program Representative for almost 20 years, chairman of the Conservation Commission for 20 years, a Voter Registrar, and Veterans Memorial activities. As a Library Trustee for over ten years, he has been instrumental in managing and helping to maintain the physical condition of the Library and promoting the usage and availability of Library resources. This has included upgrades to the ventilation system, exterior maintenance, and most recently handicap accessibility improvements. He has been eager to volunteer and seek outside help in developing improvements with architects and local contractors in efforts to maintain and implement the improvement plan for the Library. Jim has been very active in town veteran’s activities, especially the annual Memorial Day Celebration and the development of an updated and aesthetically pleasing Veterans Memorial in the center of town. He participates annually in these activities and has been working with area veterans to continue maintaining a veteran’s organization and presence in the town. He has worked with local designers, landscapers, and contractors to develop various options for updating and improving the Veterans Memorial site to make it a showcase for future years and to foster a continued presence of veteran’s activities in Whately. Jim has been active in many other town activities and participates frequently in town meetings and town functions. He continues to be active in the annual lighting of the Library Christmas Tree and active in the Hale-Clapp Veterans Post. His major hobby is restoring his 1956 Thunderbird vehicle. He is eager to offer construction experience to anyone and is very pleasant to converse with. A fine, respectful, and much appreciated dedicated Whately resident It is with great honor and appreciation that this Town Report is dedicated to James Ross. Frederick P. Orloski, Chairman Selectboard 2020 WHATELY ANNUAL REPORT INDEX SELECTBOARD REPORT ......................................................................................................................................... 1 WHATELY TOWN OFFICIALS – ELECTED OFFICIALS ............................................................................................... 3 SELECTBOARD APPOINTMENTS ........................................................................................................................... 4 ADMINISTRATIVE ............................................................................................................................................ 4 PUBLIC SERVICE ................................................................................................................................................ 4 PUBLIC SAFETY ................................................................................................................................................. 5 INSPECTORS AND INSPECTION SERVICES ......................................................................................................... 5 VETERANS SERVICES ......................................................................................................................................... 6 GENERAL GOVERNMENTS .................................................................................................................................... 6 MODERATOR’S APPOINTMENTS ...................................................................................................................... 9 OTHER OFFICIALS ............................................................................................................................................10 TOWN CLERK .......................................................................................................................................................12 2020 DOG LICENSES .........................................................................................................................................14 OTHER FEES COLLECTED BY TOWN CLERK ............................................................................................................14 BOARD OF ASSESSORS .........................................................................................................................................15 REPORT OF THE TREASURER ................................................................................................................................16 REPORT OF THE TOWN COLLECTOR .....................................................................................................................18 REVENUE REPORT ................................................................................................................................................21 EXPENSE REPORT .................................................................................................................................................25 SPECIAL REVENUE REPORT...................................................................................................................................38 WHATELY TOWN HALL .........................................................................................................................................44 ANIMAL CONTROL ...............................................................................................................................................45 ANIMAL INSPECTOR .............................................................................................................................................46 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REPORT ..................................................................................................................47 FIRE DEPARTMENT ..............................................................................................................................................49 SOUTH COUNTY EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ................................................................................................51 FOOTHILLS HEALTH AGENT ..................................................................................................................................54 HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT......................................................................................................................................55 POLICE DEPARTMENT ..........................................................................................................................................56 TREE DEPARTMENT .............................................................................................................................................59 SMITH CHARITIES’ FISCAL YEAR DISTRIBUTIONS ...................................................................................................60 WHATELY WATER DEPARTMENT ..........................................................................................................................62 AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION .............................................................................................................................64 CEMETERY COMMISSION .....................................................................................................................................65 CONSERVATION COMMISSION ............................................................................................................................66 HISTORICAL COMMISSION ...................................................................................................................................67 CULTURAL COUNCIL.............................................................................................................................................69 SOUTH COUNTY SENIOR CENTER .........................................................................................................................70 S. WHITE DICKINSON MEMORIAL LIBRARY ...........................................................................................................72 RECREATION COMMISSION .................................................................................................................................73 FRONTIER REGIONAL SCHOOL REPORT – SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT ................................................................74 FRONTIER SCHOOL REPORT .................................................................................................................................78