Monterey Select Board
Minutes of the meeting of 8/15/11
Meeting Opened at: 5:00pm
Select Board Members Present: Scott Jenssen and Jonathan Sylbert
Also in attendance for parts of the meeting: Maggie Leonard for the Monterey News, Mike Johnson (Council on Aging) and Christopher Blair (Conservation Commission)
The board reviewed Director of Operations, Maynard Forbes’ weekly report for the week ending 8/13/11 which included:
1. Checking roads & beaver ponds. Clean out Sandisfield Rd three times.
2. Fill in cut on Main Rd with gravel.
3. Oshkosh picked up in NY; brakes and service
4. Mow intersections.
5. Clean out ditches & replace hay bales on Fairview Rd.
6. Repair damaged section of pavement on Sandisfield Rd; repave
7. Retrieve lost keys in basin in front of church.
8. Clean off basin tops
9. Install new basin on Main Rd near Jenssen residence.
10. Put up “Construction Ahead” signs
11. Patch pot hole on Main Rd
12. Chapter 90 project request delivered to Lenox MASSDOT
13. Meet with Allstates Asphalt, Maxymillion and Lane Construction re: reclamation & paving projects
14. Review cell tower applications and comment to the ZBA
15. Inspect driveway on Beartown Mtn; redo
The board reviewed Police Chief, Gareth Backhaus’ weekly report for 8/8-8/14/11 which included:
Calls:
1. Assisted a citizen on Blue Hill Rd with 3 loose horses.
2. House check on Beartown Mtn Rd.
3. Assisted with a medical call at Gould Farm.
4. Suspicious activity reported on Blue Hill Rd; police investigate and nothing out of the ordinary was found.
5. Vehicle stop that ended in an arrest for unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
6. Ongoing investigation on Worth Lane.
7. Possible mountain lion sighting reported on Stevens Lake Way; police investigate but did not locate the cat.
8. The new cruiser is up and running.
9. The Board discussed with the Chief the joint letter written by the Chief and Chief Tryon to the ZBA requesting that if the special permits are approved for the cell towers that the emergency services in Monterey would like to place a repeater and radio equipment on the tower to improve emergency communication by increasing radio “dead spots”.
False Alarms:
Mt Hunger Rd.
Miscellaneous Select Board Items Reviewed:
1. The minutes from 8.8.11 were approved as written with one minor word correction.
2. Mike Johnson, the newest member of the Council on Aging came in to discuss some ideas he has to increase activities in Monterey for the elderly:
a. Starting a senior Wii bowling league which would compete in national competitions. Starting this would require the purchase of a Wii system, a TV or a projector/screen. We have $6,925 in a special revenue account from the state and $200 in town approved funds. Mike showed the Board some of the options. Mike explained that at his last job he was part of a program similar to the one he would like to start here and it was well received. The Board asked M. Noe to confirm that the $6k available isn’t already allocated to go to the transportation and that the $5,000 Cynthia requested a few months ago for SBETC was already paid to them. Mike has left messages with the Sheffield and Gt. Barrington Seniors to co-ordinate something with them and their existing
senior bowling leagues.
b. The location to hold events was discussed and the church basement and the town hall meeting room were both mentioned.
c. Mike had other ideas like a mini-Monterey jazz festival on the green similar to the music nights that used to be held at the store but have them on the Greene and sponsored by the COA. He also suggested having a senior luncheon at which might be a good time to give a demo of the Wii.
d. A COA extension has been set up at the town hall; the number is 528-1443 x247.
e. The Board thanked Mike for his interest in joining the COA and energizing interest in increasing activities and events. They think this is a great idea of getting back in touch with our community.
3. Mail was reviewed which included:
a. New MMA directory.
4. Chris, Maggie and the Board discussed the balloon float for the 31 Main Rd special permit request. All felt that the tower would obstruct the view from Blue Hill Farm in Gt. Barrington. All agreed that the visibility of the towers will increase when the leaves aren’t on the trees as they are now.
5. M. Noe informed the Board that as of today the Treasurer still has not responded to the 8/8 email sent requesting that she clarify if she is or is not handling the liability portion of the town’s insurance (in January she gave this over to the Select Board but she recently handled some items).
6. Chris Blair came in to talk about the deposition subpoena received by himself, David Dempsey and Melissa Noe (they are all fact witnesses being subpoena to give a deposition on behalf of Pamela Sandler). The Board asked for Chris to explain what this is all about and Chris explained that the plaintiff (the Levkoff’s and their insurance company) are taking several defendants and their insurance companies to court. He was requesting the nature of support he could expect from the Board. Jon stated that we are indemnified. The Board stated that they support all involved and stand behind them.
7. M. Noe provided the Board with updated benefits information from surrounding towns and comments from employees but the Board held off on discussing this until the 29th when the entire Board would be present.
8. The Annual Select Board 2nd Homeowner’s meeting is this Saturday at the Town Hall at 9:30am.
9. Maggie commended M. Noe on her talent and efficiency as the town’s secretary. All agreed that she was very professional and that sometimes when she points out and tries to correct inadequacies in processes and procedures some people take it as a personal attack and shouldn’t as she’s just trying to make things more efficient. Maggie also commended M. Forbes on the speed on which he answers any questions she has of him.
10. Inter-Departmental Secretary’s weekly report reviewed. The following items were noted by M. Noe:
a. Her check appears to be back to “normal” but she did want it noted that while she is thankful for this, neither the Accountant or the Treasurer has let her know what the problem was, why it happened and how it was fixed.
b. She updated the Board on her conversations with the AG’s office and the telecommunications bylaws approved at town meeting. As of today the AG’s office is still not in receipt of the certified copy from the Town Clerk and therefore is unable to comment yet. Town Counsel has stated that the ZBA can still hold the upcoming special permit hearings but that the applicants should be advised of the situation and proceed accordingly. The Board also discussed the Town Clerk not speaking with the Board about this and felt that it might be time for a conversation with her.
A motion was made and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at: 6:35pm
Submitted by:
Melissa Noe, Inter-Departmental Secretary via audio recording
Approved by:
Monterey Select Board
Select Board Members
Minutes Book
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