MONTEREY SELECT BOARD
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF MARCH 21, 2005
The regular weekly meeting of the Monterey Select Board was opened at 8:30 a.m. with members Jonathan Sylbert (Chair) and Michèle Miller present. Selectman Michael Storch was absent from the meeting.
In attendance for the meeting: Laurily Epstein of the Monterey News
· The Board met with Building Commissioner Don Torrico to review building items, as follows:
o Gould Farm: Meeting with director; minimum permit fee for replacement windows (only applies to residential)
o Town Hall renovation: Meeting with David Bixby for final punch list
· The Board met with Chuck Mielke regarding the School Committee’s unanimous vote on the school budget. It was noted that Monterey’s representative had been asked to abstain from the vote but instead voted for the budget. There was discussion of scheduling an evening meeting to address various community concerns about the school district.
· The Board met with Director of Operations Maynard Forbes to review Highway Department items as follows:
o Salt shed: EPA mandate for construction of salt shed; Forbes applied to EPA for “permit to pollute” one year ago; once the permit is issued, the Town has five years to cease pollution
o Executive session meeting: The Board scheduled an executive session meeting with Forbes for Monday, March 28, at 8:45 a.m. to discuss personnel issues
o Fairview Road: Public meeting scheduled for Monday, April 11, at 7:30 p.m. for presentation of the engineer’s report; the Board asked Forbes to be present to answer questions
o The Board met with Chief Gareth Backhaus to review Police Department items there was an explanation of police officer work schedules
· Town Clerk Barbara Swann submitted her report for publication in the Annual Town Report. At the request of Swann, it was unanimously voted that Linda Thorpe be appointed a temporary Registrar of Voters in the absence of two other Registrars.
· Fire Chief Ray Tryon met with the Board to ask that an account be added to the budget for forest fires in the amount of $2,500 so that in the case of a problem, there is a funded account available. Tryon will also make this request to the Finance Committee. Tryon confirmed that the Town is responsible for controlling any forest fires at Beartown State Forest. It was noted that the last forest fire occurred in 1931.
SELECT BOARD MINUTES - 2 - MARCH 21, 2005
· Town Accountant Barbara Gauthier conferred with the Board regarding the heating bill for Bally Gally and the need to switch from electric to oil heat.
· Leroy Thorpe asked the Select Board to instruct the Police Department to provide coverage in the center of town on Easter Sunday, March 27, from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. In other business, Thorpe stated that the Park Commission does not wish to take on more responsibility for LakeFest.
· The Board met with Building Commissioner Don Torrico and contractor Rick Mielke to discuss construction work being conducted at the Jaffe property on Hupi Road. The Board has received a complaint about loud music, barking dogs, and trucks parked on the road. Mielke said he would ask the construction crew to lower the noise level but stated that there is nothing illegal in the parking; Mielke also spoke to the issue of barking dogs and stated that he would ask the crew to keep their dogs under more restraint.
· The Board unanimously passed a Resolution supporting legislation (House Docket 1740) that would close the telecommunications property tax loophole and eliminate the unfair exemption in outdated property tax statutes [see full text of Resolution attached hereto] .
· At 11 a.m. the Board met with School Superintendent Valerie Spriggs to discuss various concerns regarding the Town’s membership in the school district. Also in attendance: School District Business Manager Maryellen Brown; School Board Representative Rick Mielke; Finance Committee members Stanley Ross, Daniel Moriarty, and Debra Mielke; Chuck Mielke.
o The Board noted that the Town’s School Representative had been asked to abstain from voting on the school budget but in fact cast his vote in favor. Rick Mielke stated that since he had made his feelings known to the committee regarding the lack of public input on the budget process, his decision to vote in favor was made on the basis of providing a united front in support of the superintendent; Mielke stated further that many of his specific concerns had been resolved before the vote. Mielke stated that because of declining enrollment, the district will not receive any additional state funding.
o Jon Sylbert asked that information about what is being proposed be brought to the attention of townspeople from the very beginning of the budget process; otherwise, there is futility in opposing the budget at the end of that process. The Board therefore proposes formation of an Education Committee to promote public participation. Sylbert also asked that public access be accommodated through the entire budget process from beginning to end.
o Valerie Spriggs addressed the issue of local advisory committees and public input; she agreed that communication is an important issue and stated her commitment to making improvements in that area. Spriggs will review the entire budget process to determine where improvements can be made.
SELECT BOARD MINUTES - 3 - MARCH 21, 2005
o There was discussion of school transportation costs, including the non-use of the “late” bus by Monterey students. Rick Mielke stated that Monterey’s needs in this regard might be different than the other district towns; Spriggs agreed that the Town’s specific needs should be revisited.
o Rick Mielke commented on the future direction and financing of the school district
o Chuck Mielke questioned the Town’s continuing membership in the district, stating his dissatisfaction with the budget process and the lack of responsiveness to the Town’s and the parents’ specific needs. Spriggs invited Mielke to meet with her at the campus for an onsite inspection of school facilities
o Dan Moriarty asked Spriggs to review what is available to the Town, to meet regularly (monthly or quarterly) with the Town’s Education Committee, and to address the Annual Town Meeting regarding the school budget
o Maryellen Brown addressed the issue of communication, outlining the numerous budget meetings that have been conducted since December 2004. Brown also corrected several errors in printed public statements relating to the district
· Highway and Treasury Warrants were signed.
· The clerk was given instructions regarding correspondence.
· The Minutes of March 14, 2005, were approved as written.
· It was unanimously voted that the meeting be adjourned (12:55 p.m.).
Judith Kales, Clerk
Monterey Select Board
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