MONTEREY SELECT BOARD
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF MAY 10, 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. Backhaus advised that the new police cruiser will be blue.
· The Board met with Director of Operations Maynard Forbes to review Highway Department items. There was discussion regarding the secure storage space required for the Town’s archival records.
· The Board met with Building Inspector Brent Getchell to discuss several items, as follows. Also present for the discussion: Alternate Inspector of Buildings Don Torrico and Carol Edelman (an abutter to the Jaffe property).
o Getchell expressed displeasure at being replaced as the Town’s Building Inspector effective May 10 instead of June 30, as per his letter of resignation. Sylbert stated that Getchell’s salary would continue until June 30 but that it was in the interest both of the Town and the office of the Building Inspector to appoint the new inspector sooner in order to address the restructuring of the office. This solution was unacceptable to Getchell, who asked for a public hearing on the matter. Additionally, Getchell claimed that only the Inspector of Buildings can designate an Alternate Building Inspector, not the Select Board. The Board rescinded its decision
to accept Getchell’s resignation effective May 10 and will issue a letter advising that the resignation will be accepted effective May 17.
o Review of permits issued by Getchell which, in the Board’s opinion, should not have been issued.
o Sylbert asked that Getchell and Torrico work on a resolution of building permit violations at three properties (Jaffe, Rose, Chuck Mielke).
o Jaffe property: The Board stated that any amendment in the building permit application requires approval of all Boards; since there has not been a sign-off by all boards on the Jaffe permit, it was determined that the ongoing work is now in violation of the permit. Sylbert asked that
1) a new stop-work order be issued
2) new plans be submitted
3) a determination be made as to whether the structure’s replacement qualifies under the “catastrophe” clause and whether, in this case, it is the Building Inspector’s right to issue a building permit
4) determination of the building’s height
it was noted that any change in use, such as a designation of “office space,” requires a Special Permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals. Getchell gave his authorization for Torrico to handle the Jaffe problem; Torrico stated that he will consult Town Counsel with regard to the Board’s requests.
o Chuck Mielke property: There was discussion of the barn’s use as a business. Getchell said he had already ordered that a determination be made by the Zoning Board of Appeals but there has been no response. Torrico will send a certified letter advising of the violation. Present for the discussion of this item was ZBA member Fred Chapman.
o Brent Getchell authorized Don Torrico to act as Inspector of Buildings for the remainder of the fiscal year, until June 30.
· Jules Kaufman of 166 Beartown Mountain Road was present as an observer and to request a building permit application. He was referred to the Building Inspector in this regard.
· Select Board Chair Jonathan Sylbert left the meeting at 11:40 a.m.
· Fred Chapman of the Monterey Land Trust submitted a Conservation Restriction for property of David McAllester located off Route 23 (approx. 43 acres). The Board signed said Restriction.
· The Board noted that the Fire Department has been instructed to submit more detailed backup information on any bills submitted for payment.
· The Board met with Administrative Assistant Bonnie Tedder to review Town Office items. The Board asked that Tedder submit all requests for time off, whether vacation or personal time, in writing.
· The Board received a Petition for Joint Pole Locations from Massachusetts Electric Company and Verizon New England for the placement of one jointly owned pole on Cronk Road. The Board set a Public Hearing in this regard for Monday, May 24, 2004, at 10 a.m.
· Highway and Treasury Warrants were signed.
· The clerk was given instructions regarding correspondence.
· The Minutes of May 3, 2004, were approved as amended.
· It was unanimously voted that the meeting be adjourned (12:20 p.m.).
Judith Kales, Clerk
Monterey Select Board
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