MONTEREY SELECT BOARD
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 27, 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
At the request of Deputy Town Clerk Linda Thorpe, the Board set hours for Halloween trick or treat: Sunday, October 31, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Town Accountant Barbara Gauthier met with the Board to announce receipt of extra State lottery funds in the amount of $3100. In another matter, the Board certified the transfer of $20 from the Reserve Fund to the Library Account in order to qualify the Monterey Library for State aid.
The Board met with Chief Gareth Backhaus to review Police Department items.
The Board met with Director of Operations Maynard Forbes to review Highway Department items, as follows:
Fairview Road: Forbes submitted a written proposal for protecting the road from extreme washouts and preventing excessive siltation in the brook and wetlands (copy of proposal attached hereto). The Board reviewed the proposals, which include the installation of underground pipe and catch basins and the use of oil and stone to just below Montgomery’s middle driveway. The Board commended Forbes on the preparation of a comprehensive plan but asked that he obtain a second opinion from a qualified engineer with regard to maintaining the road as a dirt road.
Status of lead-paint removal at Bally Gally: Almost completed
Mowing behind Town Hall: Highway Department will mow the high grass next to the playground
Tree planting and removal: The Board is concerned that trees planted are not being properly cared for (fertilized, watered, etc.) and would like a plan in this regard; the Board will rewrite the Tree Warden job description to include these duties. Further, the Board discussed the possibility of consulting a qualified arborist.
Homeland Security Grant: Forbes announced approval by the Department of Homeland Security and the Office for Domestic Preparedness of the Town’s grant application submitted under the FY 2004 Assistance to Firefighters Grant. The approved project costs amount to $48,520; the federal share is 90%, or $43,668, and the Town’s share of the costs is 10%, or $4,852. The monies will be used for:
Diesel exhaust filters for three fire trucks
Alarm system for the Monterey Firehouse
Fill station for filling air-pack bottles
Emergency generator for the Monterey Firehouse
Parks Commission chair Leroy Thorpe advised the Board of the theft of two picnic benches from Bidwell Park.
Ed Denham of West Stockbridge was present at the Board’s request regarding use surveys that the Board would like done for two Town properties (the property behind the Monterey Firehouse and the Wilson-McLaughlin property on New Marlboro Road). The Board would like a survey that would include an assessment of possible uses, including forest management. Denham outlined the State stewardship funding program that might be available for these properties, and the Board responded favorably. The Board will first contact the Assessors and determine whether surveys have already been conducted of the two properties.
The Board consulted with Fire Chief Ray Tryon regarding the safe storage of Town documents, Town Hall basement storage, and clearing the main hallway area.
The Board met with Administrative Assistant Bonnie Tedder regarding the following items:
Town computer system:
Selection of an Internet service provider (ISP)
Automatic backup
Set up meeting with Network Administrator Del Rogers
Town website
Procurement: Memo to all departments that all procurement is to go through the Procurement Officer (Tedder)
Fairview Road: Review of engineering reports; review of contract by Town Counsel
The Board consulted with Town Clerk Barbara Swann regarding State requirements for the Compensating Balance Agreement; Selectmen Storch then consulted by telephone with Town Treasurer Pat Mielke in this regard
Highway and Treasury Warrants were signed.
The clerk was given instructions regarding correspondence.
The Minutes of September 20, 2004, were approved as written.
It was unanimously voted that the meeting be adjourned (12:20 p.m.).
Judith Kales, Clerk
Monterey Select Board
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