Monterey Select Board
Minutes of the meeting of 8/24/09
Meeting Opened at: 4:12pm
Select Board Members Present: Scott Jenssen, Chairperson, Jon Sylbert and Wayne Burkhart
Also in attendance for parts of the meeting: Will Marsh for the Monterey News, Michael Storch and Lisa Jasinski of National Grid
The board met with Director of Operations, Maynard Forbes to review the following items:
1. Maynard has submitted all the forms to Mass Highway for the Rt 23 paving project; they have approved the project that is available for ARRA funding with the Governor’s approval. Mass Highway considers this a book job since only the existing road is being repaved (7.14 miles). It has been passed to the Governor’s office for approval. Mass Highway is requiring and engineered study (at approx. $69k) which still does not guarantee State approval. If the study is done and it’s not approved to be paid for through ARRA it will move the project up on the TIPP list to be done sooner. The Board agreed that they’d like Maynard to continue moving forward with the project and put out to bid the engineering study needed.
2. Fairview Rd: work is scheduled to begin on Monday, August 31st, Maynard has spoken with the Montgomery’s and they are aware of the schedule so they can coordinate the work they will need to on their driveway and culvert at the same time.
3. The storms this weekend produced 3 ¼ inches of rain which caused some road damage which is being worked on this week.
4. DSL has been installed at the highway garage after one year of asking for it from Verizon.
5. Wilson House driveway and parking lot and the involvement of the highway department. Joe Baker will be supplying a copy of the plans they have and the lease agreement for M. Forbes to review before their joint meeting with the Board on September 14th.
6. Basement; M. Forbes spoke with Don Torrico this morning about the mold, damp and unhealthy conditions there. Don would like to see it excavated around the foundation where the water is coming in and have a shield installed (D. Torrico is going to get more info on the product he’s recommending). The cleaning crew came today and gave it a good scrubbing but this will not eliminate the stains or future water problems. The Board gave M. Forbes permission to pursue the excavation and remediation of water getting in.
7. S. Jenssen mentioned that the ad-hoc beautification committee (currently made up of himself and Mickey Jervas) has requested that the weeds/grass be mowed behind the guardrails. M. Forbes stated that about 20-25 years ago the weeds used to be sprayed and it’s difficult for the mowers to get behind them. S. Jenssen asked M. Forbes to bring an estimate of how much it would cost to weed wack these areas.
8. 2nd Homeowner’s meeting requests/commendations:
a. Maynard and his crew were applauded for a good job on the plowing this past winter
b. Residents requested an update on River Rd and when it will reopen
c. Residents commented on the frequency of washouts on Fairview Rd and arguments ensued on whether or not it should be paved.
d. Residents of Sylvan Rd questioned when the Town was going to pave the short section owned by the Town as had been agreed upon about 2 years ago; M. Forbes had agreed to this 2 years ago and had been working with Ronnie Leonard but has never heard back on the project since last year. M. Forbes stated that at this point in time doing anything on Sylvan Rd isn’t a strong possibility this fall because of an already full project schedule.
e. Gould Rd and Lover’s Lane; a resident stated that the dropoff on the last section has become too narrow from the rain; M. Forbes has been up there recently and didn’t feel it was a major issue.
9. Chestnut Hill; R. McAlister has complained that after each storm her driveway suffers from the runoff. M. Forbes stated that the resident’s driveway needs a culvert to catch the runoff. M. Forbes can provide them with a culvert but the homeowner needs to install and maintain it themselves. M. Forbes will contact the owner.
10. Hand rail on the front porch: M.D. Amstead is supposed to fix this, M. Forbes will check in with him again.
11. The Board and Maynard discussed the possibility of changing transfer station services to Eco Waste at the request of a Finance Committee member (several months ago); M. Forbes has looked into this and it would not be a cost effective move for several reasons which he laid out for the Board.
National Grid Pole Hearing #8454 dated 7/28/09:
A hearing was held for permission to install one pole on Blue Hill Rd approximately 2,455’ west of the centerline of the intersection of Brett Rd. Lisa Jasinski of National Grid was present to explain the project. National Grid has spoken with the neighbor’s to ensure them that National Grid will make all attempts to minimize any impact on their property. M. Forbes asked about the stakes currently there showing where the poles are to go, he has requested that they be 8 feet from the road if it’s within the town right of way (it started off at 7 but has since moved to 5). Lisa needs to get some town records of the roads from the Planning Board (whose hours are not convenient) and wants to meet with M. Forbes on site for further information. National Grid agreed to the 8 feet
distance and the board approved the request with the condition that M. Forbe’s requirements are met.
The Board and M. Forbes asked Lisa to look at the distance of the poles from the road on Curtis Rd. Lisa will look into it.
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. Warrants were signed.
2. The minutes from 8.17.09 were approved as written.
3. The Board reviewed a letter from Chief Backhaus to a resident using the transfer station that lives in Sandisfield but whose father lives in Monterey. This person is also registered to vote in Monterey even though it appears that their primary residence is in Sandisfield; the Town Clerk has been notified that there may be an issue here.
4. M. Storch reported that the SBTC has hit a roadblock; M. Storch gave the Board an update and will let them know if additional letters are needed.
5. The Board read the letter of resignation from Cynthia Hoogs from the Planning Board effective 8/22/09. The Board instructed M. Noe to contact Town Counsel with questions they had on this matter.
6. The Board approved a request for a one day liquor license for an October 3rd event at Gould Farm.
7. The Board asked M. Noe to confirm with the Parks Department on who they have chosen to pick up the trash at the beach and Greene Park. The options were to continue with the person they are currently using at $200-350/month depending on number of pickups according to sheets submitted to the Town Accountant, use a senior through the senior tax work off program or use Roger Trucking ($48/week pickup at Greene Park, $48/week at the Town Beach and during the summer 3x a week at the Town Beach for $144/week).
8. The Board asked M. Noe to check with Town Counsel to find out if construction projects/work done at the Wilson McLaughlin House while owned by the Town but leased to a 501c3 (Friends of Wilson McLaughlin) would be the same as the proposed basketball court and be required to go through the 30B bidding process.
A motion was made and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at: 6:00pm
Submitted by:
Melissa Noe, Inter-Departmental Secretary
Approved by:
Monterey Select Board
Select Board Members
Minutes Book
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