MONTEREY SELECT BOARD
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF AUGUST 30, 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 Director of Operations, Maynard Forbes, to review Highway Department items. There was discussion that speed limit signs be posted on Fairview Road, as well as other dirt roads where speeding is a potential problem. The Board indicated a limit of 25 mph would be appropriate for all the dirt roads. It was agreed that signs would be posted only on those roads that posed problems. The extreme close proximity of the telephone poles on New Marlborough Road was discussed, and it was indicated Mr. Storch would approach the electric company about the potential problems they could pose. Bridge replacement of River Road was
discussed. Maynard indicated the bidding process would be performed via state contract.
· The Board met with Chief Gareth Backhaus to review Police Department items. Backhaus gave his assessment of LakeFest: 1) the fireworks display was not well timed; 2) the number of attendees was not as numerous as last year.
· The Board met with Chris Blair, chair of the Conservation Commission, regarding the letter received from the Select Board requesting that the Commission verify the “mean water line” to the homeowners’ proposed project site through field measurements. Erosion, and the change in property lines as a result was discussed, and it was ascertained that the definition of mean high water line be more clearly verified in the Town’s By-Laws. Mr. Blair indicated he would provide the Planning Board and Building Commissioner with the proper wording. It was agreed that applicants filing with the Conservation Commission would be
required to take measures to control erosion as a part of the Conditions for those projects within the shorelines of all bodies of water in Monterey.
· Discussion continued as to the best solutions for reducing erosion on Fairview Road. While the contract with the engineering firm is geared to paving, it does not preclude maintaining a gravel road once drainage issues have been resolved. The Board agreed to seek further information through the Operations Director.
· The Board met with Ray Tryon, Fire Chief, about the required width of the hallway outside the Police Chief’s door and the removal of those items in violation per his earlier request. Relocation of certain items to the Select Board’s Office/meeting room was discussed. The Board asked the Town Admin. Asst. to have Del Rogers move the server, the public Assessor’s terminal, and plotter into their designated
SELECT BOARD MINUTES - 2 - AUGUST 30, 2004
locations in order to conform to fire code. The Board indicated they would require the work be performed no later than September 4, 2004. The Board indicated the flat files from the Record Storage Room would be removed and located in the previous stage area in the Select Board’s Office. The Board inquired about the success of the Lake Fest in the Fire Department’s view. Mr. Tryon indicated individuals sneaking in to view the fireworks was an on-going problem.
· The Board met with Barbara Swann, Town Clerk. Ms. Swann obtained signatures for Town borrowing to help meet the upcoming school payment and new F550 truck payment for the Highway Department. Ms. Swann discussed the rewording of the Town’s by-law to increase the number of Planning Board members from 5 to 7. Ms. Swann indicated that an Article should be placed on the warrant for the upcoming Special Town Meeting to read: “…amend the Town’s by-law to name a seven-member Planning Board.”
· The Board met with Barbara Gauthier, Town Accountant, to discuss whose budget was responsible for the extra two hours of lifeguard duty during the Lake Fest activities after the regular 8-hour schedule. Leroy Thorpe, Chairperson for the Park Commission was present, and indicated the extra hours were performed during Lake Fest. The Board approved only the 1-1/2 additional hour for each of the 2 lifeguards to be paid from the Lake Garfield budget only, and that the normal 8 hours of lifeguard duty come from the Park Commission budget as usual.
· The Board met with Building Commissioner Don Torrico concerning the Mark Cash project and inquired as to why he did not advise the applicant to file with the Zoning Board of Appeals before he could go ahead with the proposed project. Mr. Torrico indicated the application did not contain any setbacks to warrant that decision. The Select Board sited the Zoning By-Law to Mr. Torrico that would require an applicant to file with the ZBA in such instance. The Board discussed placing Mr. Torrico’s office in the Records Storage Room in lieu of the existing basement. Mr. Torrico indicated his desire was to occupy the previous
Assessors’ office space in the basement. The Admin. Asst. will research the issue to ascertain the legality of this process. The Board will ask that the Assessors’ remove all their items from their prior location in the basement. Mr. Torrico discussed placing an article in the Monterey News regarding the requirement of an enclosure around those homeowners with pools or structures that hold over 24” of water, in order to conform to State Building Code.
· The Board will ask that other boards be present in their offices during the Select Board’s open house to kick off their new evening hours that will take place the 1st Monday of each month. Open House will take place September 20 with refreshments served. The other regularly scheduled evening meetings will take place the first Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. During these sessions the Select Board will act
SELECT BOARD MINUTES - 3 - AUGUST 30, 2004
on a consultative basis only, with no actual decisions made due to the absence of the Select Board Chair during these meetings.
· Highway and Treasury Warrants were signed.
· The acting clerk was given instructions regarding correspondence.
· The Minutes of August 23, 2004, were approved as written.
· It was unanimously voted that the meeting be adjourned
Bonnie Tedder, Acting Clerk
Monterey Select Board
| 
