MONTEREY SELECT BOARD
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF OCTOBER 24, 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, Storch was Acting Chair.
In attendance for the meeting: Laurily Epstein of the Monterey News
· The Board met with Director of Operations Maynard Forbes to review Highway Department items, including an update on flood damage. Forbes reported that all Town roads are now open except Wallace Hall Road. Additionally, a FEMA official has visited Town to assess damage.
· The Board met with Town Secretary Melissa Noe to discuss Town Office items, as follows:
o Bally Gally rental
o High-speed Internet: Verizon will install the circuit for a T1 line on November 17
o Streams and ponds map
o Town records examination
· The Board met with Chief Gareth Backhaus to review Police Department items, as follows:
o Speed control on Beartown Mountain Road
o Animal Control Officer: Questions of insurance and liability; determination of state qualifications for appointment to this position; Board of Health will be instructed to resolve questions of liability
· At 9:30 a.m. the Board met with Building Commissioner Don Torrico, Conservation Commissioner Chris Blair, and Janet Cathcart of Friends of Lake Garfield to discuss dock rebuilding, as follows:
o Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) amnesty: Blair provided a list of DEP requirements
o Building Permit: No building permit required if dock is less than 120 sq. ft.; cannot build within 40 ft. of lake, except deck and stairs
· The Board met with Building Commissioner Don Torrico to review building items, as follows:
o Gould Farm: Torrico outlined various violations; Board will contact executive director
o Building Commissioner workload: Town Secretary Melissa Noe is available to help with building department clerical work
· The Board met with Dale Duryea regarding appointment as Animal Control Officer and advised that the appointment is made by the Board of Health; additionally, the Board must consult with MIIA regarding insurance coverage for the officer. Bob Annelli of the Board of Health was asked to check on the department’s role in appointing or nominating.
· It was moved by Storch, seconded by Sylbert, and unanimously voted to appoint the following members to the Monterey Education Committee for a term ending June 30, 2007:
1. Denise E. Andrus
2. David Brown
3. Susan Cooper
4. Frances Huberman
5. Mary Makuc
6. Charles R. Mielke
7. Debra B. Mielke
8. Lynda Mulvey
9. David Myers
· Chuck Mielke of the Education Committee met with the Board to discuss a schedule for the committee’s work. There was discussion of placing the committee’s survey on the Town’s website. Deputy Town Clerk Linda Thorpe described the procedure for committee members to be sworn into office.
· At 10:30 a.m. the Board met with Town Accountant Barbara Gauthier and Library Trustees William Marsh, Linda Thorpe and Lois Storch to discuss questions of trustee liability with regard to the dam behind the Monterey Library. Thorpe explained that elected officers are covered by Town insurance but appointed officers must secure their own liability insurance. The Trustees would like to be involved in planning for the dam repair but do not want the responsibility of initiating those repairs. There was discussion of erecting fencing around the site. Fire Chief Ray Tryon noted that the dam is needed to provide a water source for the Fire Department.
· The Board discussed the organization, disposition and storage of Town records with Deputy Town Clerk Linda Thorpe. Additional records must still be moved from the Town Garage. All departments have been advised of the records retention schedule and responsibilities in disposing of records. The Board asked Thorpe to notify all departments by letter that the process must be initiated as soon as possible.
· Dick Tryon of New Marlboro Road met with the Board to discuss the repair of the dam behind the Monterey Library. Tryon suggested that the walkway be removed. In another matter, there was discussion of a fallen tree on New Marlboro Road.
· The Board interviewed Kathleen Wasiuk as a potential candidate for appointment as an Alternate Member of the Board of Appeals.
· The clerk was given instructions regarding correspondence. The Minutes of October 17, 2005, were approved as corrected.
· It was unanimously voted that the meeting be adjourned (12:15 p.m.).
Judith Kales, Clerk
Monterey Select Board
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