Monterey Select Board
Minutes of the meeting of 2/1/10
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, Michael Storch (Finance Committee), Stanley Ross (Finance Committee), Robert Lazzarini (Zoning Board of Appeals) and Michael Johnson
The board met with Director of Operations, Maynard Forbes to review the following items:
1. Mass Highway Commissioner has agreed to meet with the Select Board regarding the denial of strap grant money to Monterey. The grant was approved for $10million and only $2million has been spent. M. Forbes was looking for the money to repair sections of RT 23 before it’s repaved.
2. On the FY11 budget, M. Forbes had questions regarding the Edith Wilson properties and the driveway and work they are looking to have done. M. Forbes wanted to know if a special article was going to be put on the warrant for this. M. Forbes estimates that at least $40k is needed for a parking lot and driveway to be installed as per the current plans. The Board recommended that M. Forbes inquire with the committee to see if they are ready and if they are to come to the Select Board with a number to put on the town meeting warrant as a special article. The Board reviewed the existing agreement regarding the property. M. Forbes stated that at his last site visit with Joe Baker, Joe stated that what is there right now is adequate for its current purpose.
3. Tree Warden: M. Forbes submitted his proposal again regarding his suggestions for the Tree Warden job description and how the highway department could be of assistance; this was given to the Employee Compensation Committee and Select Board last year but was not acted upon. The Finance Committee noted that they haven’t received a FY11 budget request yet from the Tree Warden and M. Forbes stated that he has not received any of the items he’s requested either with regards to inventory, what the future plans are, etc. M. Forbes stated that right now the highway department is handling all tree requests and M. Forbes feels it is really the responsibility of the tree warden but the highway crew would be available to assist him when heavy equipment and such are needed. W. Burkhart offered to
speak with Shaylan and express the urgency of the situation.
4. S. Jenssen asked about the lights on the side of the building and the lights under the entryway; he asked if they could be on all night vs on a timer. M. Forbes will make sure this gets fixed.
The board met with Donald Torrico, Building Commissioner and Zoning Enforcement Officer to review the following items:
1. Stencel property at 224 Hupi Rd. A variance was requested by the Stencel’s in October of 2009 and the request was unanimously denied by the Zoning Board of Appeals. Town Counsel has recommended that Donald Torrico come to the Select Board to have them vote on whether or not he should follow through on the enforcement to either remove the violation, move the entire building or purchase a piece of property to make the setback issue no longer an issue. The town was recently made aware that the owner has the property up for sale and unless this is taken care of prior to the sale the new owner’s will inherit this issue. R. Lazzarini noted that Mr. Stencel could do a land swap with his abutting neighbor that would solve an area problem for Bulua and a setback issue for Stencel and
the owner was made aware of this option at his hearing. R. Lazzarini noted that Mr. Stencel as of his hearing had not investigated the costs associated with removing the violation, no effort has been made by Mr. Stencel to rectify the problem other than putting the house up for sale. A motion was made to endorse the Zoning Enforcement Officer taking action against the outstanding violation of the Stencel’s non-conforming structure. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved by the Select Board.
2. FY11 department budget: level funded. D. Torrico did request that if COLA raises were given to other employees he would request the same consideration.
3. A written complaint was received regarding a smoke and co detector inspection necessary for the sale of a home. An inspection was scheduled but the Fire Inspector did not show nor call to reschedule. When the inspection was done, the owner sent in another written complaint stating that the Fire Inspector was rude and refused to put in writing the things that needed to be completed prior to him signing off. D. Torrico was asked to assist the homeowner and went to the home to explain what would be necessary under 527 CMR (fire code) for a sign off and gave the homeowner the numbers of local contractors that would be able to help get this done. Conversations ensued about the appointment procedure for the Fire Inspector and whether or not appointing an alternate inspector would be an option
like is done for the Building Department Inspectors. It was noted that the person has to be on the Fire Department and it can’t be done by anyone in the building department. The Board will request that R. Tryon come to their meeting next week to discuss this.
4. A complaint was received last week about a tent with a wood stove near town property. The Police Chief investigated and found no illegal activity but Don was asked to make an inspection regarding the wood stove and possibility of the tent actually falling into the category of a temporary structure. Don did make an inspection over the weekend and will inform the owners of the property of his safety concerns and that permits are necessary for the temporary structure and wood stove.
The board met with Police Chief, Gareth Backhaus to review the following items:
1. The Board and Chief interviewed Michael Johnson for the full time officer position.
2. The Board reviewed the applicants that applied for the position and the Chief recommended hiring Michael Johnson. The Board unanimously agreed and an offer will be made. A motion was made to appoint Michael Johnson as the full time police officer for a 6 month probationary period ending June 30, 2010.
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 1.25.10 were approved as written.
2. Warrants were signed.
3. Barbara Palmer, the new Executive Director of the Bidwell House Museum came in to introduce herself to the Board. She was looking for thoughts that the Board might have that the Bidwell House can do for the town. She asked about getting a sign on Tyringham Rd; the Board requested that she put the request in writing which would get the ball rolling. She stated that the museum will be opening on Memorial Day.
4. The Select Board reviewed and filled out their FY11 budget requests.
5. The Town Accountant asked that the Select Board be made aware that the Fire Inspector has not submitted fees for inspections for quite some time.
A motion was made and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at: 5:53pm
Submitted by:
Melissa Noe, Inter-Departmental Secretary
Approved by:
Monterey Select Board
Select Board Members
Minutes Book
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