MONTEREY SELECT BOARD
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF MAY 16, 2005
The regular weekly meeting of the Monterey Select Board was opened at 8:30 a.m. with members Michael Storch and Jonathan Sylbert present. In the absence of Michèle Miller, Michael Storch was Acting Chair.
In attendance for the meeting: Laurily Epstein of the Monterey News
· The Board met with Chief Gareth Backhaus to review Police Department items.
· The Board met with Director of Operations Maynard Forbes to review Highway Department items, as follows:
o Gravel and stone bid: The Board authorized the bid, scheduled for June 13
o Bally Gally rental: The Board instructed Forbes to continue with minor repairs, including the installation of smoke detectors
o Road inspection: Storch outlined a problem area on Route 23 west of Roadside Store; Forbes will prepare a report in this regard
· The Board met with Building Commissioner Don Torrico to review building items, as follows:
o Town Hall downstairs sink: Requires venting; Board will ask the Operations Director to corroborate the venting of waste pipes for the downstairs sink and bathroom
o Building Commissioner Internet access: Board will instruct the Network Administrator to provide access
o Town Hall renovation: Board will ask Cardan to complete the outstanding items
· Memorial Day Coordinator Linda Thorpe updated the Board on plans and preparations for the annual Memorial Day observance on May 30. There was discussion of the reluctance of Town veterans to participate in this year’s observance because of the controversial petition on the war in Iraq.
· Chris Blair, chair of the Conservation Commission, updated the Board on the status of the Open Space Plan; a review of the plan will be completed within a few days. In another matter, there was discussion regarding the proposed 36-inch drawdown of Lake Garfield for the purpose of flood control; also discussed was dam safety.
· Fire Chief Ray Tryon met with the Board regarding the participation of veterans in the Memorial Day observance; Sylbert will confer with veterans representatives in this regard.
· Larry Klein of 67 Fairview Road was present to thank the Board for its active involvement in the maintenance of Fairview Road, and specifically for the recent “rolling” of the road. Dick Tryon commented on drainage problems at several sites on various Town roads.
SELECT BOARD MINUTES - 2 - MAY 16, 2005
· Stephen Rose of Prescott Lane introduced himself as a recent newcomer to Monterey and expressed his interest in participating in Town government.
· Dick Tryon was present to comment on the roadside tree cutting and mowing that he has conducted on his New Marlborough Road property. There was also discussion of the responsibilities of the Tree Warden; the Board will meet with the Tree Warden on May 23 and will further clarify the procedures for tree cutting at that time.
· Fred Chapman was present to report on a recent meeting of the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission to establish a county-wide community land trust, whose purpose will be to assist in the creation of affordable housing. Chapman reported that although there were representatives from several land trusts, there were no town officials present; Chapman asked the Board to send a representative to the next meeting. Administrative Assistant Bonnie Tedder advised that there is a state provision, the Local Initiative Program under Executive Order 319, that would establish Bally Gally as affordable housing; such filing would require a deed restriction. The Board
is prepared to act on this option and instructed Tedder to move forward with the application. The Board noted that Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40B enables a developer to bypass local zoning bylaws, including the Wetlands Protection Act, if certain affordable-housing requirements are met; however, it is possible for the Town to block development if it demonstrates that it is working toward establishing 10% of residential housing stock as affordable.
· Leroy Thorpe addressed the Board regarding the presence of dogs in Town parks, which is prohibited by Town bylaw. The Board will instruct the Highway Department to erect signs in this regard at Greene Park, Bidwell Park and the Town Beach.
· Building Commissioner Don Torrico and Bob McMahon met with the Board to discuss the infrequency of certain board meetings and the impact on building permit applications that require board approval.
· Highway and Treasury Warrants were signed.
· The clerk was given instructions regarding correspondence.
· The Minutes of May 9, 2005, were approved as written.
· It was unanimously voted that the meeting be adjourned (12:05 p.m.).
Judith Kales, Clerk
Monterey Select Board
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