Monterey Select Board
Minutes of the meeting of 6/14/10
Meeting Opened at: 4:10pm
Select Board Members Present: Jonathan Sylbert, Chairperson, Wayne Burkhart, and Scott Jenssen
Also in attendance for parts of the meeting: Sue Protheroe for the Monterey News, Joe Baker, Gige O’Connell, Josh Allentuck (Parks Department Chair), Shirley Olds, Tim O’Donnell of Infinity Engineering, Alan Salamon (Planning Board) and Deborah and Rick Mielke
The board met with Director of Operations, Maynard Forbes to review the following items:
1. The recent parks department bid opening was discussed.
2. The Historical Commission items that are coming to the Town Hall will be moved here tomorrow.
3. Weekly report was reviewed.
4. The salt storage shed is coming along nicely.
5. Art School Road bank is being worked on and it will be oil and stoned later this week and Fairview Rd will be sealed.
6. W. Burkhart asked about the gasoline bid: M. Forbes stated it will be opened next week.
7. Someone questioned what was going on up at New England Keswick: there is a forest cutting plan on file with the Conservation Commission but they have yet to apply for a permit with the Town as per our town bylaws.
8. W. Burkhart asked for a status update on RT 23: M. Forbes met with some District 1 employees and they are working on resolving some of their concerns.
9. S. Jenssen asked for the brush to be trimmed that is covering the signs at the Firehouse.
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 6.7.10 were approved as amended.
2. The Board informed Josh Allentuck of the history of the mowing of the parks areas. A bid was given several years ago from Maynard to have the Highway Department do the mowing instead of an independent contractor and would be cheaper in the long run, the Highway Department’s bid also included mowing the cemeteries. If the bid protest becomes an issue the Board can make this recommendation again.
3. Joe Baker, Gige O’Connell, Shirley Olds of the Friends of Wilson McLaughlin came in to discuss the proposed new driveway with the Board and Maynard:
a. Jon stated that last week the SBRSD came to the Board suggesting that perhaps the Monterey School was no longer viable and could the Board find alternative locations for a temporary structure. The Board needs to look over their options, one of which includes the WMH property. Joe stated that the FWMH lease the building and the immediate area around the building, not the entire land.
b. Jon stated that the Board walked the land and they are looking at a shorter, more direct, less expensive option for a driveway. M. Forbes gave the new option with a driveway 175 feet down New Marlboro Rd from the current driveway. The Board is very concerned about the safety and sight lines of the proposed driveway off of RT 23. Jon reminded the FWMH that putting in a driveway for a Community Center that doesn’t exist nor are there funds available to build and not knowing what the ultimate use of the property will be is putting the cart before the horse.
c. Joe asked if Maynard figured the costs of fixing up the existing driveway and lowering it to make it less steep. Maynard said it would certainly be cheaper but he has not worked up a price.
d. Jon stated he is disinclined to put in a driveway until there is a building or funds for a building. He stated he would rather improve the existing driveway for the time being. He noted that the town did approve spending the money but that the approval at town meeting was for the funds not the proposed location.
e. Joe suggested that the crew cut back trees and bushes on the existing driveway to make it more visible and hold off on any new driveway until the school issue has been resolved and the use of the house has been determined.
f. Wayne stated that he would like to go ahead with the RT 23 entrance as he feels it would best serve the present and foreseeable future of the property.
g. Since a majority of those involved could not agree on a location for the driveway, the Board asked the Committee and Maynard to come back to the Board with a number for the proposed tree cuttings, best location for a new driveway, etc.
h. Joe stated that the precise number of parking spots still needs to be determined.
i. Joe asked if there were any town policies on parking/driveways and property lines.
4. Tim O’Donnell of Infinity Engineering came in to update the Board on his company’s efforts to find suitable sites for cell towers. The Board let Mr. O’Donnell know that any changes to the current telecommunications bylaws will have to be made by the Planning Board and then but to a town meeting vote. Wayne also suggested that he talk to BRPC. Field testing has been completed (antennae testing) in the area.
5. Rick and Deborah Mielke came in to request an executive session with the Board. A motion was made to go into executive session at 5:43pm to consider the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real estate that if an open meeting were held could have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the public body. Roll call was taken and Scott Jenssen, Wayne Burkhart and Jonathan Sylbert were all present. The Board agreed that they would return to an open meeting.
The Board returned from Executive Session at 6:17pm and a motion was made and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at: 6:17pm
Submitted by:
Melissa Noe, Inter-Departmental Secretary
Approved by:
Monterey Select Board
Select Board Members
Minutes Book
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