MONTEREY SELECT BOARD
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF JUNE 12, 2006
The regular weekly meeting of the Monterey Select Board was opened at 8:30 a.m. with members Michael Storch (Chair), Jonathan Sylbert, and Wayne Burkhart all present.
In attendance for the meeting: Town Secretary Melissa Noe; Laurily Epstein of the Monterey News
· The Board met with Building Commissioner Don Torrico to review building items. Torrico questioned the Planning Board’s interpretation of the definition of a dwelling and complained about his exclusion from that Board’s deliberations. Burkhart, who recently resigned from the Planning Board, defended the Board’s actions, stating that Torrico’s exclusion had not been deliberate.
· The Board met with Tree Warden Roger Tryon to discuss the death of recently planted trees on Route 23. Tryon is in the process of securing expert advice to determine why the trees died but advised that the trees will be removed shortly. Tryon queried the Board about Workmen’s Compensation requirements for subcontractors.
· The Board met with Director of Operations Maynard Forbes to review Highway Department items, as follows:
o Public meeting re winter road maintenance: Forbes queried what information he should present at the public meeting, scheduled for Monday, July 17
o Ball field light: Discussion re installation
o Bally Gally: Meeting with a realtor
· Peter Murkett thanked the Highway Department for its work on Harmon Road. Murkett requested an onsite inspection to deal with a situation involving gravel spilling onto the road.
· The Board met with Chief Gareth Backhaus to review Police Department items. Backhaus requested that the Board set a policy regarding driveways that are not accessible by fire trucks; the Board will take the request under advisement. Backhaus submitted two bids received for the sale of the old police cruiser. It was moved by Sylbert, seconded by Burkhart, and unanimously voted that the old cruiser be sold to Drake’s Auto for $700.
· Joe Baker of the Cultural Council met with the Board to discuss a proposed photo contest for a Town calendar and asked the Board whether it supports such an undertaking; the Board will take the matter under advisement. Storch suggested that such photos be displayed on the Town’s website. Baker recommended that Catherine Roberts be appointed to the Cultural Council to replace Debra B. Mielke, whose term expires June 30. In another matter, Baker advised that the Wilson McLaughlin House Committee will issue its quarterly report on the proposed new community center by the end of June.
· Debra B. Mielke, chair of the Finance Committee, was present to discuss the Board’s request for a transfer of the balance of the FY 2006 Building Inspector Clerk Account to the FY 2006 Town Secretary Account (see Minutes of June 5). For FY 2007, the Building Commissioner should make a written request for such transfer.
SELECT BOARD MINUTES - 2 - JUNE 12, 2006
· The Board accepted with regret the resignation of Judith Kales as clerk to the Select Board, effective June 30. Kales has served the Town in this capacity since January 1973, a term of more than 33 years.
· The Board met with Town Secretary Melissa Noe to review Town Office items, as follow:
o Beach passes: Noe reported that she has had numerous requests for beach passes, even though such passes are no longer issued. Inasmuch as there is a sign posted at the Town Beach requiring such passes, the Board will ask the Park Commission to resolve the issue by next week’s meeting
o Alarm System permits: Noe asked the Board for direction in dealing with permit holders who do not renew the annual permit; the Board advised that Police Chief Gareth Backhaus is in charge of imposing fines for non-compliance with the regulations. Sylbert proposed that the Town’s bylaw regulating alarm systems be revised or eliminated
· School Committee representative Deborah D. Mielke was present to update the Board on school committee items. Mielke advised that the Monterey School is at the top of the school district’s list for an engineering safety inspection. There was discussion of the kindergarten enrollment for the 2006-07 school year. The Board will request a list from the Town Clerk of the names and addresses of families that have children between the ages of four (4) and six (6) as of September 1, 2006. Sylbert inquired about the cost of operating the Monterey School, which is approximately $136,000.
· Ken Bassler, manager of the Monterey General Store, met with the Board to discuss the parking situation in front of the store. Bassler stated that he is not interested in changing the configuration of the store’s front porch and steps, but he is amenable to markers restricting parking directly in front of the store to parallel spaces. Bassler commended the presence of a police officer and the police cruiser in the center of Town on weekends. There was discussion of the number of parking spaces used during meetings of the Monterey Coffee Club. Sylbert suggested a sign limiting Saturday morning parking in the center of Town to 30 minutes. The Board
will take the entire parking situation under advisement.
· Highway and Treasury Warrants were signed.
· The clerk was given instructions regarding correspondence.
· The Minutes of June 5, 2006, were approved as corrected.
· It was unanimously voted that the meeting be adjourned (11:35 a.m.).
Judith Kales, Clerk
Monterey Select Board
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