MONTEREY SELECT BOARD
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF DECEMBER 20, 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: Laurily Epstein of the Monterey News
· Town Accountant Barbara Gauthier met with the Board regarding its request last week that she not discuss the Building Commissioner salary; Gauthier stated that since the discussion occurred at a public meeting, such request was improper. There was further discussion regarding the Special Town Meeting of December 16.
· The Board met with Building Commissioner Don Torrico to review building department items. Sylbert stated that the entire building process needs to be fully explained and publicized in the Monterey News.
· The Board met with Chief Gareth Backhaus to review Police Department items. Backhaus reported on a number of false alarms. There was discussion of the procedure to be followed in assigning fines for false alarms. The Board determined that effective immediately, all permits for alarm systems will be issued by the Police Department. Additionally, Backhaus was asked to write letters of warning to homeowners whose systems have produced false alarms. In another matter, there was further discussion of the crane accident on Mount Hunger Road and the procedure to be followed with contractors using overweight vehicles such as cranes on public ways. The Board will ask that the Building Commissioner add to the permit for modular builders a requirement that the Town be notified in advance of the set date
of homes and the anticipated presence on public ways of such overweight vehicles.
· At 10:30 a.m. the Board met with Wilson/McLaughlin House Committee members Shirley Olds (chair) and Cynthia Weber. Several items were discussed, as follows:
o Friends of Wilson McLaughlin House, Inc.: The committee submitted a copy of the Articles of Organization for the tax-exempt foundation established with Lew Scheffey as president
o Bally Gally House: Rental; classification for low-income housing
o Wilson/McLaughlin House: Possibility of leasing during upgrading
o Grant applications
o Meetings with Board of Assessors and Library Committee: Input on possible uses for the property
o Fund-raising: Work with Berkshire Taconic Foundation to raise funds for renovation of house
The Board commended the committee for all its work to date and expressed its support of the direction the committee is taking.
. The Board met with Town Clerk Barbara Swann regarding several items:
o Special Town Meeting: Sylbert requested that the Board be instructed regarding various procedural matters, such as public reading of the Warrant
o Taxation of farm animals: The Board will consider dropping such taxation
o Taxes under $10: The Board will consider dropping such taxation
· Fire Chief Ray Tryon met with the Board to discuss the Special Town Meeting Article regarding the transfer of funds from Free Cash to the Fire Department Account in anticipation of the receipt of grant money. The Board asked that it be informed of any Fire Department application for grants or any planned equipment expenditure. In another matter, there was discussion of the installation of a safety railing at the Monterey Firehouse.
· The Board noted that Operations Director Maynard Forbes was unable to meet with the Board this date because he was engaged in sanding Town roads.
· Highway and Treasury Warrants were signed.
· The clerk was given instructions regarding correspondence.
· The Minutes of December 13, 2004, were approved as written.
· It was unanimously voted that the meeting be adjourned (12:10 p.m.).
Judith Kales, Clerk
Monterey Select Board
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