Monterey Select Board
Minutes of the meeting of 9/25/06
Meeting Opened at: 8:30am
Select Board Members Present: Michael Storch, Chairperson, Jonathan Sylbert, and Wayne Burkhart
Also in attendance for the meeting: Laurily Epstein for the Monterey News
The board met with the Director of Highways, Maynard Forbes and reviewed the following items:
1. M. Forbes presented the Chapter 90 scope of services program overview to the board.
2. Talked to Rotha Construction; there was problems digging holes, kept running into rocks on River Rd project.
3. Jamie Cahillane from CET inspected the transfer station and for the most part we pass, there needs to be an emergency number on the outside of the gate, one sign needs to be moved; a detailed report will be sent to the town.
4. 10/18/06, M. Forbes will be making a site visit to Williamstown to see a solar light installed through CET
5. Pump test on firetrucks; all passed. This will be done every year going forward.
6. National Grid underground on Sandisfield Rd; underground service has been requested to a house being renovated there
7. Orange fence has been placed at the dump where the drums previously had been
8. Highway department signing off on septic and well permits; this was instituted so that the highway department could make sure that all driveways and access roads have been presented and approved by the Highway Department.
9. D. Mielke Chair of the Finance Committee and B. Gauthier, Town Accountant came in to review the Highway Department’s request to use the excess Chapter 90 money towards a long needed excavator. The guidelines allow for the money to be used in this manner. M. Forbes stated that Chapter 90 money does not go to Town Meeting it is strictly a decision of the Select Board. All of the money would come from the surplus and there would actually be some leftover. The Finance Committee agrees with the purchase and thinks that it makes pure financial sense as long as the Select Board feels it is a sound decision.
10. Flags are coming down today or tomorrow
11. It appears that the slope of the driveway being put in on Main Rd may not meet our driveway regulations; M. Forbes will monitor.
12. Beartown Mtn Rd post and rail down at the dam; M. Forbes will go check it out and fix it
13. Gennari will be coming in to review the heat again once it is on regularly.
The board met with Building Inspector, Donald Torrico and reviewed the following items:
1. Robert Krupski, Plumbing and Gas Inspector came into meet with the board. He thanked the board/town for adding educational money and mileage reimbursement. The board asked that he submit mileage reimbursement sheets on a monthly basis.
2. Electrical Inspector could not make it today, will reschedule for a later date.
3. The board has not appointed an alternate plumbing inspector. Robert Krupski recommended Gennari. D. Torrico suggested using another as Gennari has been doing several jobs in Monterey and to prevent having a conflict of interest, appoint one more.
4. D. Torrico is working on a couple of non-conforming projects that have been submitted.
5. The board is going to speak with the planning board about their availability to discuss changes in the by right section of the special permit process for pre existing non conforming use, structures and lots.
6. A current FY07 issued building permit list was printed off for the board.
The board met with Police Chief, Gareth Backhaus to review the following items:
1. Call report back from 8/28/06 was reviewed:
a. 2 – 911 calls
b. Several misc calls; sick animals, well being checks; loose animals (horses & dogs)
c. 1 medical assistance to Fire Department
d. Several alarm calls
e. Trees/wires down – 5 calls
f. MVA on Main Rd
g. Assisted GB Police with 2 accidents
2. The board requested that the all members of the Police Department document all stops they make.
3. NIMS certification; several town officials still need to take the tests before 9/30/06
4. W. Burkhart requested a key and alarm code for the town hall from the Chief.
The board met with Town Secretary, Melissa Noe to review the following items:
1. Procurement Officer position; letter will be written to Town Counsel to advise how to handle the situation
2.
The board met with Town Accountant, Barbara Gauthier to review the following items:
1. DOR did call to give B. Gauthier an unofficial free cash amount.
2. Tax rate will be set in November.
3. Audit recommendations regarding paycheck withholding will be instituted once new software system is in place.
4. Town warrants were signed.
5.
Miscellaneous Select Board Items Reviewed:
1. The board asked M. Noe to call & reschedule the 2 appointments scheduled for next Monday.
2. Jerry Green, Monterey Resident came in about a post that has fallen down near the dam on Beartown Mtn Rd. M. Forbes will be notified.
3. Letter received from R. Boehm was discussed and R. Boehm came in to discuss the content of his letter with the board. R. Boehm requested that any conversations regarding the store go through him, as he owns the building/store.
4. M. Storch was registered for the 11/8 Salt Sand and Liquids: Snow & Ice Best Management Practices presentation in Pittsfield.
5. J. Sylbert reviewed the 4 classes of the Pension Classification System in Massachusetts. You get different benefits and different rates depending on which group you’re in. Unions or groups have been lobbying the legislature to change the group they are in. The panel is going to approach revamping the classification system. The contribution rate is also being changed.
6. T. Lovett of Brockman Real Estate came in to discuss the Bally Gally rental applications received that they have been handling pro bono for the town. The Town Accountant stated that the rent checks should be made payable to the Town of Monterey and directed to the Treasurer. A list of things that needs to be fixed before November 1st was provided to the board. The board suggested using the Bally Gally expense account to hire a caretaker to handle a lot of the rental issues instead of using the highway department.
7. S. Ross came in and was asked by the board for an update on the land swap. David Colt and Syd Smithers are working on it. All the paperwork has been turned over to S. Ross.
8. Cardan letter was reviewed and a response will be sent.
9. Minutes from 9.18.06 were approved as corrected.
11am Truck Equipment Bid Opening It was moved and seconded to not read the actual bid notice placed in the paper.
1st bid opened was received from Howard P Fairfield Inc of Worcester, MA - $45525.71
2nd bid opened was received of Liberty Chevrolet of Wakefield, MA – incorrect bid submitted – proposal was for the 2007 cab and chassis, which was awarded in June.
No other bids were received.
M. Forbes recommended that the Select Board award this bid to Howard P Fairfield of Worcester. A motion was made by J. Sylbert and seconded by W. Burkhart and unanimously approved.
The meeting adjourned at: 12:05pm
Melissa Noe, Inter-Departmental Secretary
Town of Monterey
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