Monterey Select Board
Minutes of the meeting of 3/21/11
Meeting Opened at: 6:57pm
Select Board Members Present: Wayne Burkhart, acting Chairperson and Scott Jenssen
Also in attendance for parts of the meeting: Sue Protheroe for the Monterey News, Stanley Ross (Finance Committee) and Dan Moriarity (Finance Committee)
The board reviewed Director of Operations, Maynard Forbes’ weekly report for the week ending 3/19/11 which included:
1. Checking roads.
2. Burning brush pile.
3. Hauling stone to Sandisfield Rd and Mt Hunger Rd to fill in washouts.
4. Salting paved roads on Wednesday.
5. Picked up the 550 (was being repaired).
6. Removed wing from grader.
7. Cleaning the shop and trucks.
8. Attended the REPC meeting at Fairview hospital.
9. Beartown Mtn Rd project planning.
10. Met with Chief Backhaus regarding emergency management grants.
The board reviewed Police Chief, Gareth Backhaus’ weekly report for 3/14 – 3/20/11 which included:
Calls:
1. Report of prescription pills being stolen on Main Rd.
2. Assisted Medford PD with a person of interest with an incident in their town.
Traffic stops: 10
Miscellaneous Select Board Items Reviewed:
1. The minutes from 3.14.11 were approved as written with one correction.
2. Dan Moriarity and Stanley Ross came in to speak with the Board on the following:
a. Line #310, School Operating was increased from $1,058,764.00 to $1,083,252.00.
b. The Finance Committee met about insurance today and decided that it is in the town’s best interest to stay with MIIA for our health insurance policy. Wheeler & Taylor stated that there wasn’t any way he could meet or beat what we have. A renewal number will be faxed over to M. Noe tomorrow.
c. The Finance Committee felt that Wheeler & Taylor’s quote on liability and worker’s comp was a fair quote and less than MIIA’s current rate (we have not received a renewal number from MIIA on the liability and worker’s comp to date).
d. Scott inquired as to if there was any room in the budget for a $350,000.00 purchase of the General Store. No one was real crazy about this idea because of the logistics that would be involved in managing it, etc. Dan suggested making the store into a co-op market with organic foods and crop share.
e. Dan stated he’s been looking at the budget and stated we are pretty close to being level funded to last year. He originally was one of the two votes that voted against giving raises at the Finance Committee meeting. He now feels it should be revisited because he feels it wouldn’t be fair to not give the employees some kind of raise. Stanley stated that the Finance Committee can hold another meeting to re-vote and if it’s approved then advise the Select Board that the vote changed. The Finance Committee will meet this Friday at 10am to vote again and discuss the matter further. Stan felt that showing your employees you appreciate them will make them want to stay and make it a “career” instead of a “revolving door”.
Wayne asked what the reason was originally for not approving raises and if that had changed (he stated it did not). He felt it was too late in the game to change that decision now and that there were a lot of people in Monterey and around the country that aren’t getting raises. Stan stated from his research most of the towns in South County are giving some kind of increase. Dan felt that if he worked for the town and saw money going into things like capital items, etc. you should also spend some money on the major commodities: your employees. Scott stated he will not be here next week to vote on the matter but Wayne and Jon will be. Wayne felt that we were still in a bad recession.
3. Warrants were signed.
4. Inter-Departmental Secretary’s weekly report reviewed.
5. Mail was reviewed which included:
a. A letter from Gail & Bob Heath, abutters to the WMH property which expressed their concerns over a proposed dog park. A copy will be provided to the ZBA for their hearing today.
b. A letter from Attorney Alexander Glover who is representing the Lindsay’s, abutters to the WMH property and their concerns with the proposed dog park and special permit #10-01. Scott and Wayne stated they will both be at the hearing tomorrow.
c. A letter from Berkshire Communications regarding our FY12 increase for services.
A motion was made and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at: 8:18pm
Submitted by:
Melissa Noe, Inter-Departmental Secretary via audio recording
Approved by:
Monterey Select Board
Select Board Members
Minutes Book
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