MONTEREY SELECT BOARD
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF AUGUST 2, 2004
The regular weekly meeting of the Monterey Select Board was opened at 8:30 a.m. with members Jonathan Sylbert (Chair), Michèle Miller, and Michael Storch all present.
In attendance for the meeting: George Emmons of the Monterey News
· The Board met with Chief Gareth Backhaus to review Police Department items. There was discussion of the procedure to be followed with grant applications. The Board’s clerk will maintain a master list of all applications received. There was discussion of the parking problem on summer weekends in the center of Town.
· The Board met with Director of Operations Maynard Forbes to review Highway Department items. There was discussion of line markings for parking spots outside Town Hall. The Board reviewed details of the completion of the Town Hall renovation.
· Janet Cathcart of the Lake Garfield Association was present to discuss insurance questions with regard to LakeFest on August 28. Cathcart asked that 1) the Board sign the contract with Berkshire Fireworks, in the amount of $5800 (it was noted that the contract is being rewritten to name the Town as the insured party); and 2) the Board write a letter to lakeside homeowner Howard Levy naming a “spotter” for the event. The LGA has secured event insurance, but there are still questions regarding the sponsorship of specific events, such as the canoe ride. The Board asked Cathcart to prepare a list of all scheduled LakeFest events for submission to the Town’s insurer in order to determine which events can be covered under the Town’s insurance. In another matter, Cathcart advised that the Town Accountant will establish a separate LakeFest account so that the LGA can deposit monies from fund raising.
· The Board met with Building Commissioner Don Torrico to review current building items, including the following:
o Jaffe building violation: Peter Murkett, chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals, was present to answer the Board’s questions with regard to the ZBA hearing results. There was discussion regarding the language requiring a Special Permit and the varying opinions among Town officials in this regard.
o Andrus property, Main Road: Torrico will notify the business owner regarding the requirements for a Special Permit
o Building Commissioner office: Torrico asked to move his office to the Town Hall basement; the Board granted permission for the move
o Building Commissioner vacation: Torrico will arrange for a substitute while he is on vacation the week of August 13
· The Board discussed the following items with Administrative Assistant Bonnie Tedder:
o Town Office purchases:
1. dehumidifier for the Assessors’ new office
2. typewriter
SELECT BOARD MINUTES - 2 - AUGUST 2, 2004
o Town Hall keys: In the event of Tedder’s absence, access to keys must be available at all times
o LakeFest: Liability insurance rider
o Telephone system: Tedder will make arrangements with Superior to meet with the Board to discuss implementation of the Town Hall phone system
o Town mail: Tedder stated that the Edelman letter regarding the Jaffe matter [see Minutes of July 26] was received after the public portion for comments at the July 21 ZBA hearing was closed; a note of confirmation from ZBA chair Peter Murkett has been filed in this regard
· The Board has received a report that Tom Scheffey has allegedly been spraying a pesticide (Roundup) on a pond; the matter was referred to the Conservation Commission.
· The Board voted unanimously to appoint Jerome J. Scully as Town Counsel for a term ending June 30, 2005. Scully is a partner in the legal practice Hannon, Lerner, Cowhig, Scully & Bell of Lee. Scully will be paid a flat fee of $5,500 per annum, which includes salary and all legal services except out-of-pocket expenses.
· Janet Cathcart met again with the Board (see above) to submit a list of all proposed activities for LakeFest 2004, with some detail as to what is offered and/or how each would be managed. Because the Friends of Lake Garfield is an unincorporated group of volunteers, it has been unable to obtain adequate event insurance to cover these activities; henceforth, the Town will assume responsibility for sponsorship and management of the event, and the Friends of Lake Garfield will contribute funds sufficient to cover the cost of the event. All events will be managed by Town departments and volunteers.
· Mark Amstead met with the Board regarding access to Town Office records when the Administrative Assistant is absent. In other business, the Board discussed with Amstead the cost of sanding the floor in the new Select Board room at Town Hall; Amstead will make inquiries in this regard.
· Highway and Treasury Warrants were signed.
· The clerk was given instructions regarding correspondence.
· The Minutes of July 26, 2004, were approved as written.
· It was unanimously voted that the meeting be adjourned (11:50 p.m.).
Judith Kales, Clerk
Monterey Select Board
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