MONTEREY SELECT BOARD
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF MARCH 7, 2005
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
· The Board met in executive session from 8:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. to discuss the proper procedure for making annual Select Board appointments. Town Clerk Barbara Swann was contacted by telephone; she recommended the use of the Selectman’s handbook in this regard. Additionally, Swann advised the Board not to conduct an executive session on this matter but rather only when a specific individual is being discussed; the Board thereupon ended the executive session.
· Richard Piepho of 84 Beartown Mountain Road met with the Board to discuss the condition of Fairview Road. Piepho addressed the poor condition of the road and various safety issues, recommending that the road be paved. Miller responded that paving is not always the best solution, even when the way is heavily traveled. Storch advised that the Board is waiting for the engineer’s report and has not yet made any decision regarding the road. Sylbert stated that he would like to see recommendations from two engineers. For the time being, the Highway Department has been asked to erect speed signs and signs prohibiting through traffic by trucks.
· In the absence of Police Chief Gareth Backhaus, Police Officer Kyle Whalley met briefly with the Board to report on Police Department actions.
· The Board met with Building Commissioner Don Torrico to review building items. There was discussion of Torrico’s budget request. Storch stated that although the Board is very pleased with Torrico’s work, he is unwilling to support any budget increase because of financial restraints. Miller also stated her support of Torrico’s job performance and pointed out that the commissioner’s salary is supported by the building fees collected. Sylbert stated that his primary concern is maintaining service for the Town.
· Operations Director Maynard Forbes met with the Board to review Highway Department items, as follows:
Equipment repair: Forbes reported that the transmission in the Ford 550 truck is being replaced; temporary repairs have been made on the Mack truck pending receipt of an equipment part that has been or
o dered
o Reimbursement for January 22-23 snowstorm: Forbes attended a meeting in this regard
o New Marlboro Road Bridge: The bridge is almost ready for painting
o River Road Bridge: There is no update on replacement of the bridge by the State
SELECT BOARD MINUTES - 2 - MARCH 7, 2005
· Debra B. Mielke met with the Board to state her objections to the suppression of public input at the recent school committee public meeting regarding the proposed $13 million budget. Mielke supports the creation by the Town of an education committee. Sylbert confirmed that the public was denied a role in changing the school budget at the recent meeting. There was discussion of the procedure available for withdrawing from the school district; the Board will consult in this regard with Rick Mielke, its school committee representative. There was discussion of whether to “recall” its representative as a protest to the committee’s actions. Sylbert
also suggested that the Town abstain from its vote on the budget. The Board will consult with Mielke regarding how to deal with the situation.
· Stanley Ross, chair of the Finance Committee, met with the Board regarding outstanding budget-recommendation sheets.
· Janet Cathcart of Friends of Lake Garfield met with the Board regarding the following items:
o Purple Loosestrife Project for Brewer Pond: Carthcart asked the Town to continue its funding of the project in the amount of $500; she was instructed to submit an Article for inclusion on the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting on May 7
o Lakefest: As coordinator of Lakefest, Cathcart outlined the reasons for partial Town funding of this event and suggested that there could be additional lake-related events throughout the summer. There was discussion of whether to include this item as a separate line item or as part of the Park Commission budget. Cathcart was advised to submit a budget request to the Finance Committee for Lakefest. Cathcart was also encouraged to meet with Park Commission in this regard.
o Public awareness of watershed issues affecting Lake Garfield: The Friends of Lake Garfield is working on a watershed map and suggests road signage in this regard. Storch suggested a similar approach for Lake Buel.
o Zoning changes: Cathcart inquired about the status of zoning law changes and what she characterized as Planning Board inaction in this regard. Cathcart inquired about alleged statements of the Building Commissioner regarding “illegal” zoning bylaws that must be changed.
· Joe Baker and Shirley Olds of the Wilson/McLaughlin House Committee met with the Board on the following items:
o Warrant Article: Baker submitted the proposed wording for an Article that will allow the lease of the Wilson-McLaughlin house to the Friends of Wilson McLaughlin House, Inc., a private, non-profit corporation, for the purpose of restoring and maintaining the building for municipal uses in accordance with Edith L. Wilson’s will
o Wilson-McLaughlin House work list: Baker submitted a detailed list of work to be done on the house, including the basement, exterior and frame, interior and roof
o Fund raising: The committee plans to begin fund raising on May 8 and hopes to complete Phase 1 of the work list by the end of the year
o Parking facility: The Select Board assumes responsibility for developing the parking area and the entrance road
SELECT BOARD MINUTES - 3 - MARCH 7, 2005
· The Board worked on budget sheets requested by the Finance Committee for several employee positions.
· Tree Warden Roger Tryon was present to query the Board regarding the receipt by the Fire Company of tornado reimbursement money that was allegedly given to the Highway Department for tree planting. The Board has no information on this item.
In another matter, Tryon asked about the engineer’s report on Fairview Road; the Board responded that the report has not yet been received. Tryon also questioned the origin of the restriction not to cut trees that Forbes is working under.
The following motion was made by Sylbert, seconded by Storch, and voted by a 2-to-1 margin (Miller abstained from the vote):
1. Since the current engineer’s report is being submitted on the basis of using a minimum amount of oil and stone, a second proposal should be obtained from a different engineer that will outline how the Town can maintain Fairview Road as a gravel road
2. When both engineering reports have been obtained, a public hearing will be scheduled in this regard and the issue will be voted on at Town Meeting
Miller expressed the concern that a hearing for abutters and interested parties should have been held before the awarding of the $14,000 engineering contract and questioned the wisdom of engaging another firm at additional cost when the drainage solutions are comparable. Storch stated that inasmuch as the Town does not have an engineer in its employ, there is need to consult an outside firm for the appropriate report.
· Highway and Treasury Warrants were signed.
· The clerk was given instructions regarding correspondence.
· The Minutes of February 14 and February 28, 2005, were approved as corrected.
· It was unanimously voted that the meeting be adjourned (12:30 p.m.).
Judith Kales, Clerk
Monterey Select Board
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