MONTEREY SELECT BOARD
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF MAY 3, 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.
· Present for the meeting: George Emmons for the Monterey News
· By the Annual Town Election conducted on May 1, Michael Storch was elected to the Select Board for a three-year term. Town Clerk Barbara Swann was present to administer the oath of office.
· It was moved by Miller, seconded by Storch, and unanimously voted that Jonathan Sylbert serve as Select Board chair for the ensuing year, effective immediately.
· The Board discussed the schedule for the printing of the Annual Town Report. It was determined that the report for each fiscal year, ending June 30, should be printed by September 1 of that year.
· Miller suggested that the Board set an annual agenda for what it wishes to accomplish; there was discussion regarding various pending items that the Board wishes to address.
· Linda Thorpe requested that the Board select one of its member to serve on the Wilson/McLaughlin Scholarship Committee for a three-year term. It was moved by Sylbert, seconded by Miller, and unanimously voted that Michael Storch represent the Board in this capacity. In other business, Thorpe offered the use of a portion of the Town Clerk office space to the Building Inspector until such time as other office space has been made available for the Inspector.
· The Board met with Chief Gareth Backhaus to review Police Department items. As a result of one item in Backhaus’ report, Sylbert suggested a meeting with the director of Gould Farm to discuss potential problems posed by the Gould Farm community.
· The Board met with Director of Operations Maynard Forbes to review Highway Department items, as follows:
o resurfacing of Blue Hill Road and River Road
o different format for the weekly report of the Operations Director, e.g. spreadsheet
o securing a loan commitment for purchase of the new truck before a rise in interest rates; Forbes advised that the truck will not be delivered for several months
o cleanup of roadside ditches and culverts
· Leroy Thorpe, chair of the Parks Commission, complained to the Board that the construction debris behind the Town Hall, which poses a hazard to the abutting playground area, has still not been cleaned up by Cardan Construction. Storch subsequently contacted Cardan president Dan Francese by telephone and was told that the debris would be cleaned up immediately.
· The Board met with Don Torrico of Great Barrington to discuss his possible appointment as the Town’s Alternate Inspector of Buildings. It was moved by Miller, seconded by Sylbert, and voted that Torrico be appointed Alternate Inspector of Buildings for the remainder of the current fiscal year, ending June 30, 2004, with the understanding that he will be considered for appointment as Inspector of Buildings if the current Inspector is no longer serving in this position; the rate of compensation was set at $25 per hour. It was noted that Select Board member Michael Storch recused himself from the vote, citing a conflict of interest.
· Brian Puntin of Art School Road submitted a list of requested signage and locations for the installation of said signage on various Town roads to alert drivers to the presence of horses and/or horse-drawn vehicles (see Minutes of April 26, 2004).
· Sylbert reported to the Board that he has asked Del Rogers to conduct the following work with regard to Town computers:
o audit of all Town computers (how connected, who uses them, software used)
o installation of a security log to indicate login status
o implementation of correct procedures for installation of office networks
· The Board met further with Police Chief Gareth Backhaus to discuss the color selection of the new police cruiser.
· Tax Collector Mari Enoch was present to inquire about access to the new Tax Collector’s office; she was advised that the office is ready for occupancy. There was discussion regarding the purchase and siting of a secure safe.
· Sylbert expressed disappointment at the defeat of Article 27 (Treasurer/Tax Collector compensating balance agreement) at the Annual Town Meeting on May 1. Sylbert stated that by its rejection, the Town has removed the ability to outsource any Tax Collector duties. The Collector must now perform work that was formerly outsourced to the bank, but with no adjustment of Tax Collector compensation.
· The Board met further with Alternate Inspector of Buildings Don Torrico to discuss several individual building permit applications. Jim Edelman was present for the discussion and commented on one of the items. The Board established that the only duty of the Administrative Assistant with regard to the office of the Building Inspector will be to hand out the application forms. Torrico will conduct office hours on Mondays from 11 to 1 p.m. and by appointment. The Board requested that Torrico keep the Board updated with a monthly report or spreadsheet. Administrative Assistant Bonnie Tedder was present to join in a wide-ranging discussion of new
permit procedures. Torrico suggested a new fee schedule, charging a minimum of $35 for a Building Permit Application.
· It was moved by Sylbert, seconded by Storch, and unanimously voted to accept the resignation of Brent Getchell as Inspector of Buildings, effective May 10.
· It was moved by Storch, seconded by Sylbert, and unanimously voted that Operations Director Maynard Forbes be designated Transfer Station Manager, in which capacity he will be responsible for overseeing its operation and maintenance.
· Highway and Treasury Warrants were signed.
· The clerk was given instructions regarding correspondence.
· The Minutes of April 26, 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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