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Executive Session Minutes from 7/16/07
Review Police Resumes
9:52am – 11:03am
Present: Jonathan Sylbert, Chair of the Select Board, Scott Jenssen Select Board member, Wayne Burkhart, Select Board member, Police Chief, Gareth Backhaus and Melissa Noe secretary to the Board (presence requested by Gareth Backhaus).
Roll call was taken by the Chair. All Select Board members were present. A motion was made by J. Sylbert to go into executive session, seconded by S. Jenssen, and approved unanimously.
Items discussed:
- 4 applicants applied for the Full Time Police Officer position: Joseph Dondey, Jonathan Garson, Ryan Kresiak, and Delmont Keyes.
- The Board and Chief reviewed the resumes; three of the applicants have already completed the Full Time Police Academy. Attending the Full Time Academy is a 6-month period.
- Chief Backhaus met Jonathan Garson and reported his impressions. Mr. Garson was required to follow a 6-month ride along when working for the Pittsfield Police Department. Chief Backhaus spoke with the Police Chief in Pittsfield about Mr. Garson. The Pittsfield Police Chief had concerns about Mr. Garson’s ADD which he is being treated for. Mr. Garson’s physician as well as a fellow officer and a Sargeant he worked with wrote letters of recommendation. Mr. Garson stated he would be amenable to moving to Lee or Gt. Barrington.
- Ryan Kresiak: Chief Backhaus stated that he is the officer that recently resigned from the Egremont Police Department and explained the reason for the requested resignation. Chief Backhaus has not had any conversations or meetings with Ryan Kresiak since the position was posted.
- Sargeant Keyes: Chief Backhaus wasn’t able to find out much information about Sargeant Keyes. He was let go from the Pittsfield Police Department but the reason why is unknown at this time, the dismissal was challenged through the Civil Service and he was reinstated. Chief Backhaus thought he might be over-qualified for the position.
- The Board asked if there have been any problems with Officer Dondey in his two years with the Town of Monterey; there has been one complaint/concern that was reviewed. Chief Backhaus stated that the Board would have to decide what they would need to do if Joe were to be hired while he was attending the Full Time Academy. Chief Backhaus suggested using Officer Dondey to cover the shifts that would need to be filled once Walter Nourse retires (up to 32 hours). Town Counsel would need to be contacted regarding benefits that would be available to an employee working over 20 hrs.
- Chief Backhaus mentioned Chris Balestro as a candidate. He currently works for Gt. Barrington, lives in Monterey and is interested in the position but he is concerned about the salary, a resume was not received but he informally spoke with Chief Backhaus. He has 16 years experience as an officer. Chief Backhaus liked him as a candidate if a salary could be agreed upon.
- $37600.00 is the current budget allocated for a full time officer plus $1700.00 for OT.
- The Board would like to interview all the applicants preliminarily to meet the applicants and narrow the field. 15 minute interviews will be set up over a one hour block during an executive session on Monday, July 30th from 10:30-11:30am, Chief Backhaus will set up the interviews.
At 11:03pm J. Sylbert called this meeting to a close and it was seconded by S. Jenssen and unanimously approved by the board.
Submitted by,
Melissa Noe
Inter-Departmental Secretary
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