Monterey Select Board
Minutes of the meeting of 4/13/09
Meeting Opened at: 4:00pm
Select Board Members Present: Wayne Burkhart, Chairperson, Scott Jenssen and Jon Sylbert
Also in attendance for parts of the meeting: Jeremia Pollard (Town Counsel), Robert and Muriel Lazzarini, Stanley Ross and Sue Protheroe for the Monterey News
The board met with the Director of Highways, Maynard Forbes and reviewed the following items:
1. Weekly report reviewed.
2. Questions were clarified regarding the salt and sand usage reports given from Maynard last week. M. Forbes stated that he took the data from the State of Massachusetts website and that the numbers he used were what the state uses to determine each town’s Chapter 90 money.
3. The Board thanked M. Forbes for putting up the “no thru trucks” signs requested at an earlier meeting.
4. Fairview Rd: The Board stated that the Montgomery’s are ready to put in their culvert under their driveway; they’d like to know M. Forbes’ timeframe to begin work in front of their driveway. The possible solutions that were discussed in the fall were reviewed but all agreed that nothing was decided. The Board agreed to take as much off of the “hump” in front of the Montgomery’s driveway within the next 3-4 weeks provided that driveway permits are submitted for both the Montgomery’s driveways. The Board will lower the hump in exchange for them installing a longer culvert in the upper driveway, a culvert in the lower driveway and taking the water at the bottom driveway. The Board will write a letter to the Montgomery’s.
5. The Board informed M. Forbes that the Finance Committee is convinced that Monterey is paying too much for our transfer station services and that we could get the services cheaper through Eco-Waste which is used in West Stockbridge. M. Forbes stated that Eco-Waste bid several years ago and didn’t come in the lowest. M. Forbes asked if M. Brown could provide a detailed report of what they pay in W. Stockbridge before we open this up to bid. Does W. Stockbridge pay for the attendant or does Eco-Waste should be asked.
The board met with Inter-Departmental Secretary, Melissa Noe to review the following items:
1. Weekly report was reviewed.
At 5:01pm the Board discussed the need to go into Executive Session to discuss a potential litigation and the value of real estate with Town Counsel. Roll call was taken by the Chair. All Select Board members were present. A motion was made by S. Jenssen to go into executive session, seconded by J. Sylbert, and approved unanimously. The Board agreed that they would return to an open session. Open session was resumed at 5:50.
Miscellaneous Select Board Items Reviewed:
1. The minutes from 4.6.09 were approved as written.
2. Robert and Muriel Lazzarini were present to discuss opening a food pantry in the basement of the Town Hall. They are looking for the Board’s support and permission to use the Town Hall basement. Their mission would be to distribute food to those that are in need of these services. They have conducted a needs and feasibility study over the last few months (copies were provided to the Board members). In Summary, Monterey has 364 primary residences (800 total minus the second homeowner), we have a workforce of 564. The unemployment in Monterey has been between 2-3 and 3.2% and last year it hit 5% (28 people collecting unemployment in Monterey). Of the 32 students from Monterey that go to SBRSD, 5 get meal assistance. There are 10 families in Monterey that receive food
stamps. R. Lazzarini reviewed administrative issues with the Board. Money for the pantry would be acquired through donations and grants. They found that the best public space for this would be in the Town Hall basement. Plans to modify the basement which included removing the kitchen and moving the handicap ramps were shown to the Board. The pantry would need approximately 200 square feet. Due to time constraints this conversation will be continued at the next Select Board meeting (April 27th at 5pm).
3. J. Sylbert stated that Stephen Rose has offered to take over Brian Puntin’s spot on the Boat Ramp Committee.
4. Town Counsel recommended a few changes to the warrants, which were made. The Board signed the warrants and the Town Clerk stamped them. L. Thorpe agreed to take them to the printer to be distributed to the registered voters in Monterey via our bulk mail account in Monterey. M. Noe gave L. Thorpe the permit # and informed her that there is $162.06 in the account which should cover the cost of the mailing.
5. The Select Board agreed to renew their membership with the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce; the invoice will be given to the Town Accountant to pay.
A motion was made and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at: 6:02pm
Submitted by:
Melissa Noe, Inter-Departmental Secretary
Approved by:
Monterey Select Board
Select Board Members
Minutes Book
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