Monterey Select Board
Minutes of the meeting of 4/30/07
Meeting Opened at: 8:30am
Select Board Members Present: Michael Storch, Chairperson, Wayne Burkhart and Jonathan Sylbert
Also in attendance: Maggie Leonard for the Monterey News, Scott Jenssen
The board met with the Director of Highways, Maynard Forbes and reviewed the following items:
1. M. Storch asked if M. Forbes could provide any pictures and/or presentation boards regarding the salt shed for the town meeting. M. Forbes dropped off a presentation board later in the day.
2. The list of roads damaged during the storm was reviewed. MEMA was in town to review the damage last week.
3. Most of the highway crew’s time last week was spent on road damage from the storm.
4. M. Storch discussed with the board and M. Forbes the public boat access dilemma and the urgency to remedy this before the summer season. M. Storch recommends installing to the left of the boat ramp at the beach, 4ft aluminum docks that would go out 36 feet that would prevent boats taking off and coming in from entering the swimming area. M. Storch also proposes that boats should not be allowed to turn their engines on until after they are beyond the swimming area. J. Sylbert voiced his concern that this would not be a safe option with children and families swimming so close to these motorized vehicles.
5. The letter from Town Counsel regarding the common driveway bylaw was reviewed. M. Leonard explained to the board what Town Counsel recommended to the Planning Board. M. Leonard stated that as it’s written it will get passed over at the town meeting, as it’s not written correctly with regards to the permits that would be necessary.
6. W. Burkhart asked about the River Rd. bridge project progress. The bridge itself is for the most part done, the approaches and drainage is still in progress. M. Forbes will ask if someone from the state can come in and update the town on its progress.
The board met with Building Inspector, Donald Torrico and reviewed the following items:
1. D. Torrico provided pictures of the fallen retaining wall on Mt Hunger Rd for the board to review. D. Torrico has a meeting with the engineer that designed the wall today.
The board met with Police Chief, Gareth Backhaus to review the following items:
1. 3 domestic issues this past week from the same residence. G. Backhaus is going to follow up on this further this week and work on a permanent solution.
2. Lockout assistance.
3. The board reviewed with the Chief what transpired regarding the police budget at the Informational Meeting and confirmed the accuracy of some items/issues that were mentioned.
4. Parking signs are being ordered for in front of the Monterey General Store and the board mentioned that there are additional signs they’d like to order to help with the parking issues in town such as, “Additional Parking at Town Hall”.
The board met with Town Accountant, Barbara Gauthier to review the following items:
1. B. Gauthier came in to discuss with the board the Informational Meeting that was held on Friday. After speaking with several residents this weekend, B. Gauthier requests that the Select Board take back the meeting and make it a Select Board meeting and not a Finance Committee meeting. People at the meeting had concerns about the warrant being read verbatim to them and non-money articles being discussed by the Finance Committee.
2. B. Gauthier spoke with the elevator company and they informed her that there aren’t any laws that they are aware of that exempt municipalities from paying the inspection fee because it’s mandated by the state. The board is waiting on a response from town counsel.
11am – 11:06am: Hearing for a joint pole installation on Beartown Mtn Rd. The board read the petition and a motion was made to approve the installation that was seconded and unanimously approved.
Miscellaneous Select Board Items Reviewed:
1. The Select Board reviewed the email response to the Town Clerk from the Bob Ritchie at the Attorney General’s office regarding the bylaw change on the town meeting warrant to have a majority of the Select Board and the Moderator approve the minutes at town meeting. The email states that there is nothing wrong with this. M. Storch is going to contact the Town Clerk, Bob Ritchie, and Town Counsel and request a written response before the town meeting.
2. The Select Board reviewed the projects still to be completed by the Select Board (list provided by M. Storch).
3. J. Sylbert discussed with the board turning over the affordable housing issue and planning process to the Planning Board to pursue. M. Leonard agreed that it makes more sense and she would bring it to the Planning Board to discuss.
4. M. Storch suggested having a public meeting on Friday with the key department heads to discuss possible scenarios and responses at the town meeting and the board felt that the informational meeting held last Friday was sufficient.
5. Richard Tryon came in to discuss the salt shed as he heard that there were going to be pictures on display today. The board gave him the packet that they had and informed Mr. Tryon that there would be a display at the town meeting.
6. The board was asked by the Conservation Commission to review 310 CMR 9 and make a decision on floating rafts and whether or not the town is going to allow them and if they are who the issuing authority in town will be and the process they will follow. The board is going to discuss this at a later date with members from the Conservation Commission present.
7. The board approved the minutes from 4.23.07 as written.
8. S. Jenssen stated that he heard from several people in town that attended the informational meeting (he was not present) that they felt it was boring and long due to the fact that the warrant was read word for word to the audience.
The meeting adjourned at: 11:30pm
Submitted by:
Melissa Noe, Inter-Departmental Secretary
Town of Monterey
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