Monterey Select Board
Minutes of the meeting of 4/27/09
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: Sue Protheroe for the Monterey News, Deborah Mielke (School Committee Representative) and Sarah Hudson
The board met with Police Chief, Gareth Backhaus to review the following items:
1. Report reviewed:
a. Assisted Fire Department with several medical calls.
b. MVA on Pixley Rd.
c. Well being check on Bidwell Rd.
d. Abandoned 911 calls on Main Rd and Gould Rd (3).
e. A tip came in about marijuana plants found at a vacated house in Monterey. Investigations have proven it to be a large operation which prompted the drug task force to be called in.
f. False alarm at Town Hall
g. Mutual aid call to Gt. Barrington.
h. Two more complaints received from the same residents on Art School Rd wishing to file a complaint against National Grid and Verizon; the residents have been informed that this is not a police matter but continue to call the police.
i. A resident on Lime Rock Lane reported a submerged dock belonging to her neighbor. A letter will be written to the owner.
The board met with Inter-Departmental Secretary, Melissa Noe to review the following items:
1. Weekly report for 2 weeks reviewed.
The board met with Town Accountant, Barbara Gauthier to review the following items:
1. Warrants were signed.
2. Updated budget comparisons were distributed.
3. Salt and sand usage was discussed and how the Board intends to approach this subject at the upcoming annual town meeting.
4. The Board reviewed the quotes received from National Grid to make the Town Garage ($1496.00) and Town Hall ($172.00) more energy efficient. B. Gauthier can pay for this out of the housing money that was returned to the town if the Board approves. A motion was made to approve the modifications and pay for the changes from the returned housing money. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously.
Miscellaneous Select Board Items Reviewed:
1. The Select Board accepted the following: The Town of Monterey, through its undersigned Board of Selectmen hereby accepts G. L. c. 166, § 32A, to allow a licensed electrician who is appointed as an inspector of wires to practice for hire or engage in the business for which he or she is licensed under the applicable provisions of chapter one hundred and forty-one while serving as such inspector; provided, however, that within the area over which he or she has jurisdiction as wiring inspector he or she shall not exercise any of his powers and duties as such inspector, including those of enforcement officer of the state electrical code, over wiring or electrical work done by the inspector, the inspector’s employer, employee or one employed with him or her. [If we have an assistant inspector]- The
inspection of such work shall be performed by the assistant inspector, who may act in absence or disability of the local inspector and for his or her services shall receive like compensation as the city, town or district shall determine. This section shall take effect upon its acceptance by vote of the board of selectmen.
2. The minutes from 4.13.09 were approved as written.
3. D. Mielke was asked to approach the Board to see if they’d be willing to write a letter to the editor in support of the alternative to the alternative school agreement. J. Sylbert felt that it would be approved at the town meeting on Saturday and that would show the town’s support. J. Sylbert also felt it would be a better option if the letter were to come from all five towns vs. just Monterey. The Board pointed out to Debbie that the amendment to the alternate warrant article needs to be done by ballot; she will make sure that the powers that be are aware of this for the other 4 towns.
4. J. Sylbert stated that he heard that the Monterey School is going to be a Pre-Kindergarten/Kindergarten for the upcoming school year which should increase the number of students to attend.
5. Robert and Muriel Lazzarini came in to continue their conversation with Board about the proposed food pantry they’d like to establish to distribute food free to families in need. 150 square feet of secure space, dedicated to the pantry is needed. In addition they’ll need the use of approximately 400 square feet in a common area where the food could be distributed. They looked at 10 locations and they feel that the basement of the Town Hall is the best since it is handicap accessible, has good parking, is centrally located, secure and under-utilized. The proposed plan involves redistribution of space; the police department, administration and building department would lose storage space that they currently have and could need in the future. S. Jenssen asked about the pantry’s electrical needs to run the freezer/refrigerator. J. Sylbert suggested that when you buy an energy efficient freezer it states on it the estimated monthly costs. They hope to be in operation by the
end of the summer. It was asked how the people would qualify; B. Lazzarini stated there would be no qualifications; the food would go to anyone who presents themselves. They expect to see people from Sandisfield, Otis, New Marlborough and maybe even Egremont as they don’t have food pantries. They plan to run under the church’s 501c3 status until the need is determined and if it’s substantial they would then apply for their own. Supply and demand questions were asked. The Board stated they first wanted to check with Town Counsel on the legality of hosting this in a municipal building. The Board also needs to make sure everyone is on board as there is some internal “competition” for the space. The work to be done is mostly demolition and minimal construction and some electrical wiring. They suggested that the highway crew perform the work and a licensed electrician should perform the wiring work. The
Board will speak with Town Counsel, D. Torrico, M. Noe and M. Forbes.
6. The Board discussed a recent request that came in to put a grill out at Greene Park; this is a Parks Department issue but the Board is in support of it.
7. The Board also reviewed the emails that were circulating regarding a request for a dog park. W. Burkhart is going to speak more with Charles Ferris who made the request.
A motion was made and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at: 5:56pm
Submitted by:
Melissa Noe, Inter-Departmental Secretary
Approved by:
Monterey Select Board
Select Board Members
Minutes Book
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