Monterey Select Board
Minutes of the meeting of 8/6/12
Meeting Opened at: 9am
Select Board Members Present: Scott Jenssen, Chairperson, Muriel Lazzarini and Wayne Burkhart
Also in attendance for parts of the meeting: Susan Gallant for the Monterey News, Rob Hoogs, Chief Backhaus, Daniel Moriarity, Stanley Ross, Michael Storch, Scott Cole, Deborah Mielke and Monica Webb
The board met with Police Chief, Gareth Backhaus to review the following:
1. Call from a gentleman on Pixley Rd commending Officer Mullen on a job well done.
2. Abandoned 911 call at KSA: misdial
3. Medical call on Lake Ave. – party was driven to the hospital before police arrived.
4. Call on Main Rd regarding a bear in their yard – police scared it off.
5. Lost dog on Hupi Rd – found and returned.
6. Medical call on Tyringham Rd – assisted Fire Dept.
7. “Suspicious Activity” reported on Blue Hill Rd (multiple calls) – unfounded.
8. Family disturbance on Pine St.
9. Lockout on Tyringham Rd.
10. Trees in the road on New Marlboro – removed.
11. False alarms on Main Rd, Hupi Rd and Brett Rd.
12. Assisted GBPD locating a party involved in a hit and run fender bender.
13. Call received from a party on Point Rd – they heard someone calling for help on the other side of the lake. The Fire Department responded to the call for help on Lime Rock, party had fallen.
14. Report of an uncovered storm drain on Sylvan Rd – highway department took care of it.
15. It was noted how many people have thanked the Board regarding the “crack down” letter on speeders. All comments to date have been very appreciative of this.
The board met with Town Accountant, Steven Pullen and the Finance Committee to review the following items:
1. The Board requested the Finance Committee and Town Accountant to come in to discuss the $18k additional that will be needed to cover the town’s portion of the health insurance benefit. Stan stated that the Finance Committee at Michael’s request reviewed all of the minutes of the Select Board to date on the matter as well as the letter from Deborah’s attorney and they were not clear on whether or not the job of the Town Clerk for Monterey would regularly require 20hours a week once she learns the job as she is still doing. They felt the job was new to Deborah and Deborah was new to the job and no one really knows if the job requires 1000 hours a year after she familiarizes herself with all the duties. He also noted that the Finance Committee provided the opportunity for an
assistant and any other help necessary that would not require the Clerk to be here 20 hours regularly, thus not requiring that the town offer insurance to this position. They requested that this decision/process be tabled. The Finance Committee felt that this decision should be looked at again in May when Deborah will have a better idea of what the job requires and it could then be discussed and the additional funds needed could be requested at town meeting. The Finance Committee strongly suggested that it be tabled for at least a year. Michael and Stan concurred.
2. Muriel stated that a strong factor in her coming to the conclusion that it was a 20 hour a week job was that a previous Select Board had determined it to be a 20 hour a week job and therefore if this Board didn’t agree they would have to prove a negative.
3. Deborah felt that there wasn’t a difference from the job done by Barbara Swann and her except maybe technology. She wasn’t clear where the Finance Committee’s recommendation left her: with insurance or without.
4. Scott felt that Deborah has been more than willing to be posted open for 20 hours regularly and he didn’t feel qualified to determine whether or not it does require 20 hours. He felt that by opening for 20 hours regularly she was making the concession that it does require 20 hours regularly. The Board all agreed that tabling it for a year would be unfair.
5. Stan felt that the technology available now would eliminate a lot of the hours that may have been necessary when Barbara Swann was doing the job and probably doing a lot more by hand. Dan noted that there was an established committee (ECAC) that is going to require all paid departments and employees to provide detailed job descriptions that justify the amount of hours they work.
6. Wayne stated that we have to appreciate the opinions and suggestions of the Finance Committee even if the Board is choosing not to follow or honor the request. He also felt that Deborah would inform the Board if the job does not require the same amount of hours in the future.
7. It was also noted that this is all about the position not the person in the position.
8. Steve Pullen stated that the funds could come from the reserve fund, a special town meeting transfer or possibly from overlay funds.
Miscellaneous Select Board Items Reviewed:
1. Rob Hoogs dropped off invitations to the upcoming Bidwell House event as well as the parking plans for the event. He was referred to the Police Chief and Director of Operations to discuss with them any concerns or requirements they may have regarding parking.
2. Muriel commended Scott on a wonderful job at the 2nd Homeowner’s Meeting on Saturday. The event was well attended (standing room only). Scott gave an overview of the topics discussed:
a. He suggested changing the name of the meeting from 2nd Homeowner’s to something else to tear down the “wall” it implies.
b. Speeding by the beach: it was requested that speed bumps be placed seasonally on the road near the beach. The Board will speak with the Police Chief and Director of Operations on the legalities. It was also requested that the parking regulations for the beach and trucks with trailers, etc. be posted on the web (head in only and that trailers be parked across the street or near Sylvan Rd.) The Police Chief was not if favor of putting speed bumps on a hill and also noted that this was the first he was hearing of any speeding complaints at the beach. Patrols will be more frequent near the Beach.
c. Contact the state about adequate forms being available regarding zebra mussels.
d. It was requested to have an additional lifeguard/parking assistant, especially on the weekends. M. Noe will ask Josh Allentuck, Chair of the Parks Department to come to a future Select Board meeting.
e. The homeowner of 166 Beartown Mtn Rd requested the placement of a culvert so he can have access to use his field. This will be brought up with Maynard next week.
f. Transfer Station: There were complaints about the “unswappable” items being left in there and the lack of organization. There were also requests to not require a license plate number to receive your transfer station sticker. It was also requested that the Transfer Station be open on Monday’s especially after a holiday. All of this will be discussed with Maynard next week.
g. General Store: Someone suggested taking the Store of the tax rolls to alleviate any burdens.
h. A speed limit sign was requested on Stratford Lane.
i. Cell tower overlay map: can it be put on the website? M. Noe will look into this.
j. Beavers: it was requested to contact LAPA West to help with eradication near the beach. The Board asked M. Noe to put a list of certified beaver trappers online.
k. Senior Tax Abatement program: it was requested that this offer be extended to 2nd homeowners and for volunteering at the swap shack. M. Noe looked up the state requirements for the program and will check with Pat Mielke on any local requirements.
l. Everyone was encouraged to email any comments, suggestions or questions to the Board at townmont@verizon.net and they would review them at their Monday morning meetings.
3. Monica Webb our WiredWest representative came in to update the Board on the progress of getting high speed internet for Monterey. The one year formal incorporation anniversary is coming up this month. There is a map with the participating towns available on WiredWest’s website. On Wednesday the first major RFP was awarded and the contract is being signed today. WiredWest will be doing a mailer to all of the residents to determine the need (a sample was shown to the Board). The mailing will cost approximately $500 and it was requested of the Town for them to cover the expense. The expense was approved and will be paid for out of the Select Board’s expense budget.
4. Scott Cole, owner of the Monterey General Store came in to speak with the Board about the following:
a. Addressing the additional items required by each of the departments in order to receive his Certificate of Occupancy. He was hoping to receive at least a temporary Certificate of Occupancy until all of the additional items could be addressed.
b. He addressed the comments that were made on the Monterey General Store’s Facebook page and to express his concern over the letter that the Board had submitted to the paper. He apologized for inadvertently creating a conflict. Scott did admit that the timeline noted in the Board’s letter was correct but that he ran into several unexpected additional items that were required to be completed in this whole process that frustrated him. It was noted that the first “list” given to him by the inspectors was general and that until the Engineer’s plans were received to set the new occupancy load a definitive list of deficiencies would not be given. The Inspectors have to have plans to review in order to give thorough lists of items to be completed and/or
added/modified, etc.
c. The Board explained to Scott Cole that the letter was written to clarify that the Town was not holding up the opening of the store and to alleviate a lot of the negativity that was being directed at the town’s inspectors. It was not written to make Scott feel inadequate. The Board apologized if the letter caused Scott any ill will but they felt the letter and explanation was necessary to address the large number of rumors and comments that were blaming the town and it’s inspectors for the delay in the opening of the store. Scott Jenssen stated that there is an overwhelming amount of support in town for the store and he’s made it quite clear to everyone that when it does open everyone will need to shop there and support it to keep it operating.
d. Scott Cole stated that his intention from the very beginning is to open a general store with a café element and to eventually open a 2nd kitchen in the building. He stated that he has been given permission by the Board of Health and Fire Inspector to open on a limited basis for services that didn’t require an ansul system providing that a Certificate of Occupancy was issued by the Building Department.
e. The Board emphasized that they support Scott Cole and the opening of the store and they want to be as helpful as they can but the inspections and requirements are out of their control.
5. The minutes from 7.30.12 were approved as written.
6. Dan inquired if there was any new news on the flooding of Lake Buel and the mitigation of the issue. The Board stated that there have been some recent conversations with the assistant to Representative Pignatelli who stated that Dan was the one given all the information on the available grants and the correct person to contact at the DCR. Dan stated this was incorrect and stated that the only information he received was information on grants available for private citizens. M. Noe stated that she spoke with DCR last week (at Muriel’s request) and that there may be another grant available in a month or so and there will be a series of briefings held prior to where questions of eligibility could be asked. He did state that activities not covered by the grant are things like dredging,
clean up and channel maintenance. He also stated that New Marlborough will need to accept the Hazard Mitigation Plan from BRPC if they haven’t already. It was suggested that a person specializing in finding grants that are applicable may be necessary. Wayne stated that BRPC can help us with the grants when the time comes. M. Noe will find out if New Marlborough has signed and accepted the Hazard Mitigation Plan. M. Noe was also asked to contact Brian Domina at BRPC to find out what the next interactions should be with BRPC and New Marlborough to follow up on the problem.
7. Muriel stated that the next ECAC meeting will be in early September.
8. Scott updated the Board on the most recent Monterey School Study Committee meeting. They are looking at who can provide an air quality analysis of the building as well as clean the ducts. The SBRSD is panning to clean the building but there are not intentions of painting it. The discussed the current water supply, septic system and other broad issues that will need to be looked at.
9. Scott also updated the Board on a meeting attended regarding emergency shelters and whether or not the current systems in place will work. It was requested to raise the $500 allocation on our warrant to raise it to at least $1000 for next year. It was also suggested to have an additional $4000 available to each individual town should it be individually necessary. All of this is being done through Fairview Hospital.
10. Mail was reviewed which included:
a. Email from Chuck Pierce thanking the Board for a valuable forum at the 2nd Homeowner’s Meeting on Saturday. He also shared a few observations on the transfer station, general store and senior tax abatement program.
b. Letter from the BCREB on their accomplishments. A copy of their annual report was enclosed with the letter.
c. Letter from MassDOT advising the Board that Gov. Patrick signed the bill, H4235 which sets the terms for funding the FY13 Chapter 90 apportionment of $200 million.
d. Town Clerk’s posted schedule for 8/6 – 8/11.
e. Letter from ISO on their responsibility to evaluate all jurisdictions that have a building code enforcement department.
11. Warrants were signed.
12. Inter-Departmental Secretary’s weekly report reviewed.
A motion was made and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at: 11:04am
Submitted by:
Melissa Noe, Inter-Departmental Secretary
Approved by:
Monterey Select Board
Select Board Members
Minutes Book
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