Monterey Select Board
Minutes of the meeting of 5/18/09
Meeting Opened at: 4:00pm
Select Board Members Present: Scott Jenssen, Chairperson, Jon Sylbert and Wayne Burkhart
Also in attendance for parts of the meeting: Sue Protheroe for the Monterey News, Joe Baker (EWH), Gige O’Connell (EWH), Shirley Olds (EWH) and Gerry Shapiro (EWH)
The board met with the Director of Highways, Maynard Forbes and reviewed the following items:
1. Yesterday’s storm caused a tree to fall on the power lines on Beartown Mtn Rd. National Grid shut the power off but stated they couldn’t cut it that they would need to get a tree crew, since that would’ve taken at least 3 hours the highway crew was called in to cut it for them. The storm also caused the culvert to wash out on Swann Rd which caused some road damage. The storm produced about 2 inches of rain.
2. The Board reviewed their discussions with Eric Montgomery regarding his driveway on Fairview Rd. as well as the discussions with Hillel Maximon on Beartown Mtn Rd. M. Forbes stated that they are nearing completion on cleaning the roads and should be able to get to Beartown in the next week or two.
3. M. Forbes informed the Board that someone cut down a bunch of trees near #221 Beartown Mtn Rd and pushed them into the clearing near the turnaround. Someone noted that this area might be located in the Scenic Mountain Area, Scott is going to check with the contractor that is doing work up there.
4. Gould Farm recycling: M. Forbes stated they get 4 stickers for recyclables each year; any large appliances will need to be paid for separately if large quantities to cover the town’s costs.
5. The Board asked if any of the highway guys would be interested in walking in the Memorial Day Parade; M. Forbes said he would ask.
The board met with Police Chief, Gareth Backhaus to review the following items:
1. Report reviewed back to April 28th:
a. 3am call for an OUI mutual aid that started in Gt. Barrington and ended in Monterey.
b. Complaint of an intruder; intruder was seen in the evening but not called in until the following morning.
c. 4 complaints from residents on Art School Rd (between May 2 -10) wanting to file a complaint against National Grid and Verizon. The resident has been told this is not a police matter.
d. Mutual aid call for an out of control brush fire.
e. Disabled motor vehicle; removed.
f. Criminal complaint filed against an unlicensed person.
g. Complaint from someone on Sandisfield Rd that left a ramp due to not having enough room in their truck, when they returned to pick it up it was gone.
h. Call regarding a sudden death on Mt Laurel Way. It appeared to be natural causes.
i. Pole fire called into National Grid.
j. Criminal complaints for someone with an expired license and one for an unlicensed individual. Chief Backhaus noted that they are starting to see a lot more of these since the Mass. registry is no longer sending out renewal notices. It leaves the police department with no recourse as they are not allowed to let an unlicensed driver drive.
k. Assisted with a medical call at Gould Farm.
l. False alarms on Main Rd (2) and Mt Hunger.
m. Lockout on Gould Rd.
The board met with Inter-Departmental Secretary, Melissa Noe to review the following items:
1. Weekly report was reviewed.
Miscellaneous Select Board Items Reviewed:
1. The minutes from 5.11.09 were approved as written.
2. Members of the Edith Wilson House Committee were present to discuss the following with the Board:
a. Need for a special permit to change the use of the Wilson McLaughlin House from residential to municipal: The Committee thought the Board was going to be checking in on the need for this. The Board feels that if it isn’t a burden to go through the process then they feel it should be done. The roofing project can be started without the special permit. The Board agreed to waive the fees for the ZBA application.
b. The Committee worked on some proposed draft wording to amend the current agreement with the Town. The Committee is working on an expense list to run the Monterey Community Center.
c. Dog park: they approve the idea of a dog park at the Wilson McLaughlin House but would not want to run it. They have suggestions for policies such as; dogs can not be left alone there, excretement must be picked up and the area kept neat and how to handle any loud or problem/nuisance dogs.
3. Mail was reviewed.
4. The Board will not meet on Monday, May 25th and the Town Hall will be closed in observance of Memorial Day.
5. The Board reviewed another complaint regarding West Rd. The person is requesting that the Board/Town take several actions that the Board/Town can’t do since it’s on private property.
6. The Board reviewed a complaint regarding the new transfer station sticker prices and they are going to send a response thanking her for her comments which we will forward to the Transfer Station Manager. The Board feels this is the most equitable procedure they could come up with for this year.
7. Memorial Day Parade; Scott inquired as to where the PA system was so he could pick it up.
8. The Board discussed this year’s employee reviews:
a. The Board will review last year’s reviews.
b. Scott suggested that the ECC members should be present for this to formulate the procedures and purpose of reviews.
9. W. Burkhart stated that there aren’t any actual “Select Board Regulations” however it is under their purview to make regulations.
10. S. Jenssen asked about the town creating a beautification committee. Mickey Jervas had inquired about this with about 6 months ago. S. Jenssen will contact her to discuss this further.
11. The Board would like to have Shaylan Burkhart come in to welcome him as the new tree warden and go over some things with him.
12. J. Sylbert gave a Total Compensation Statement that’s used at AIER that he’d like to have the Employee Compensation Committee review and determine the numbers for with regards to the Town of Monterey employees. M. Noe will co-ordinate with P. Mielke and B. Gauthier to get the information.
A motion was made and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at: 5:30pm
Submitted by:
Melissa Noe, Inter-Departmental Secretary
Approved by:
Monterey Select Board
Select Board Members
Minutes Book
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