Monterey Select Board
Minutes of the meeting of 10/4/10
Meeting Opened at: 7:00pm
Select Board Members Present: Jonathan Sylbert, Chairperson and Scott Jenssen
Also in attendance for parts of the meeting: Sue Protheroe for the Monterey News, Larry Klein, Maggie Leonard, Robert Lazzarini, Monica Webb,
The board reviewed Director of Operations, Maynard Forbes’ weekly report which included:
1. Checking beaver ponds and culverts on Fairview Rd.
2. Site work around the salt shed.
3. Servicing the leaf blowers, Oshkosh and lawn mowers.
4. Old sinks and cabinets were demolished from Bally Gally and the new cabinets and sink were installed.
The board reviewed Police Chief, Gareth Backhaus’ weekly report which included:
Calls:
1. Assisted with a medical call at the Town Hall.
2. Possible rabid raccoon at the Harvest Barn (Gould Farm)
3. Well being check on Pixley Rd.
4. Lifting assistance on Hupi Rd
False Alarms:
1. Main Rd
2. Bidwell Rd
Miscellaneous Select Board Items Reviewed:
1. The Board and Maynard had a site visit at Bally Gally from 7:00-7:50pm. A carpenter will be consulted to see if the source of leaking can be determined.
2. The minutes from 9.27.10 were approved as written.
3. Warrants were signed.
4. Mail was reviewed.
5. Inter-Departmental Secretary’s weekly report reviewed which included a reminder that the Town Hall will be closed for Columbus Day on Monday, October 11th and that she has jury duty on Tuesday, October 12th. The Board also approved a time off request.
6. The Board accepted Georgiana O’Connell’s resignation from the Wilson McLaughlin House Committee.
7. The Board approved the revised/updated version of the Inter-Departmental Secretary’s job description.
8. The Board spoke with Robert Lazzarini about where the $2,000 might be available to pay for a diagnostic review of the town zoning bylaws. The Board is going to ask the Tree Warden if he could spare this from his budget and then a special town meeting could be held prior to the town meeting to replenish it if he really needed it. If Shaylan agrees the Board will consult with the Town Accountant to be sure this can be done. The Board did not feel there was any issue that was pressing to hold a special town meeting now. Larry stated that there was with the suggested changes being proposed to the telecommunications bylaw. Robert Lazzarini felt that prior to making any changes to the Telecommunications bylaw we should really have them analyzed first to see what other items in it might be
improved.
9. A letter of interest to be on the Historical Commission was received from Linda. A motion was made and seconded to appoint Linda Hebert to the Historical Commission for a 3 year term.
10. Maggie Leonard was present to discuss the following with the Board:
- Update on cell towers. The Planning Board is working on the Telecommunications Bylaw which has a great flaw in the one overlay district. The Planning Board is working with Brian Domina of the BRPC. Last week the Planning Board met with a few cell tower representatives (Florida Tower Partners and AT&T). The Planning Board is currently trying to decide if they want to create site specific overlay districts or a town wide overlay district with a list of objective criteria so that they can’t be sited just anywhere.
Florida Tower Partners has a site and plans for a location on Main Rd; the application has been denied and will require a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals. The Planning Board has been informed that if the ZBA denies the variance the cell tower representatives will sue the town and the Planning Board doesn’t feel this would be good for the town because there is case law that states that towns can not deny cell phone towers. Jon stated that the town isn’t denying them as they can put a tower on Mt. Wilcox but don’t want to and therefore they can’t sue the town as they are being offered a spot (Larry stated the State denied them access there). There are also potential sites/contracts on Mt Hunger Rd and Chestnut Hill.
The 2 prospective sites right now would cover 80% of the town and Larry noted that as a Planning Board member he represents 100% of the town and would need a solution for 100% of the town. The Planning Board is planning to start with holding public hearings. The Board requested to see a map of Monterey and where the proposed towers would cover.
11. Monica Webb, WiredWest Spokesperson and Steering Committee Member came in to update the Board on WiredWest’s Project Milestone. WiredWest is proposing a Municipal Light Plant with a public co-operative which allows WiredWest to move forward legally, practically and financially. She provided the Board with a press release and FAQ packet which are available to view at the town hall. Two town meetings would be required for what Monica was presenting and as soon as she has the warrant article wording she will provide a copy to the Board. She is hoping to have a special town meeting this year for the 1st vote and then the 2nd vote at the annual town meeting with a 2/3 vote (the meetings must be at least 2 months apart). The Board agreed to consider a special
town meeting without any monetary articles on it. Please contact Monica Webb for more information on the WiredWest project. The Board informed Monica that public hearings might also be necessary and she should speak to Linda Thorpe with any questions.
A motion was made and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at: 9:15pm
Submitted by:
Melissa Noe, Inter-Departmental Secretary via audio recording
Approved by:
Monterey Select Board
Select Board Members
Minutes Book
| 
