Monterey Select Board
Minutes of the meeting of 8/13/12
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, Maynard Forbes, Josh Allentuck and Donald Torrico
9am: The Board read the legal notice for the bid opening to paint the town hall. No bids were received. Maynard will contact/solicit some painting contractors.
The board met with Director of Operations, Maynard Forbes’ to review the following:
1. The Board discussed with Maynard opening the transfer station on holiday Monday’s. Right now the contract would need to be renegotiated or wait until it expires next July. The additional costs of overtime and Holiday pay was also discussed. Maynard will speak to the Master Garbologist about how much more this would cost.
2. The current temporary sticker system for homeowner’s that rent their homes was discussed. It was agreed that the current system works well and no changes need to be made. M. Noe noted that she has put up a FAQ’s section on the transfer station page on our website if anyone needs more clarification.
3. Beartown Mtn Rd – Maynard will put some trap rock in the areas where attention was brought up regarding “dangerous” culverts.
4. Placing speed humps near the beach: Maynard was not in favor of this and felt it should be a last resort. He spoke to Chief Backhaus and the police are going to patrol and ticket more if necessary.
5. Tree Warden vacancy: Until the position is filled Maynard will handle contracting someone to perform any work needed. The Board still has not received any letters of interest. Changing it to an appointed position was discussed again as this would open the pool of eligible applicants and would not require then to be a resident of Monterey. Maynard recommends changing it to an appointed position. Maynard estimated that the position would take approximately 3-4 hours a week (managing trees on town property and in the town right of ways).
The board met with Josh Allentuck, Chair of the Parks Commission to review the following:
1. Residents at the 2nd homeowner’s meeting requested additional lifeguards (the state requires that 2 lifeguards need to be on duty at a time watching the water) and have one responsible for assisting with parking. Josh feels if the traffic were slowed down it wouldn’t be such an issue. There is an overflow parking area across the street as well as another state owned property near the Amidon’s property on Sylvan Rd. Using a senior under the Senior Tax work-off program could be an option for traffic control.
2. Muriel let Josh know that the young male lifeguard on duty during the week is terrific and did well with keeping things calm and under control.
The board met with Building Commissioner/Zoning Enforcement Officer, Donald Torrico to review the following:
1. The Board requested an update on the Monterey General Store. Don stated that since he provided the owner with the list of deficiencies was given on July 25th Don has heard nothing from the Engineer of Record and/or owner. Don has tried to clear up misperceptions as to why a lot of these issues have come up now and not in the past; because the building changed owners as well as the floor plan was changed. Don is hoping to receive a follow up report from the Engineer soon to review to make sure everything is being done correctly. Don did state that a temporary Certificate of Occupancy could be open for one section of the store but the life safety items need to be in place and inspected prior to that being done.
The board met with Town Accountant, Steven Pullen to review the following items:
1. Steve brought in a corrected warrant to be signed.
Miscellaneous Select Board Items Reviewed:
1. The minutes from 8.6.12 were approved as written.
2. M. Noe provided the Board with the requested information on the Senior Tax Work-off Abatement Program Guidelines that need to be set and what surrounding towns use for their guidelines. Scott will get in touch with Pat Mielke regarding her involvement and understanding of the program to date.
a. State guidelines require it be anyone over 60, “paid” at the current minimum wage and the maximum abatement is $1,000 however towns can make the age limit higher (Stockbridge is 65) and the maximum lower if they choose.
b. The Board can set a total cost program per FY, Richmond has a limit of $7,500 in abatements per FY.
c. The Board can set income eligibility requirements; Otis has theirs set at $25k for a single person and $35k for a married couple.
d. Some towns also require that if you are a part time resident that you must reside in town for xx months of the year and/or have owned your property for xx number of years.
e. No compensation or benefits are given, it is only an abatement on real estate taxes.
f. M. Noe could not find anywhere in the minutes since this was adopted at the 2007 Annual Town Meeting where the Board set any official guidelines.
g. M. Noe did ask what departments may have jobs available and so far there would be a need at the swap shack and possibly with the Parks Department.
3. Deborah Mielke came in with questions from the Town of Lee regarding dams and liability insurances. The Board referred Debbie to the Director of Operations and Treasurer.
4. Muriel thanked M. Noe for the link she put on the website that directs anyone interested to licensed Private Animal Control Trappers.
5. Muriel asked M. Noe about the status of putting the coverage maps on the website for the soon to be constructed cell towers. M. Noe stated that she felt that doing this may raise more questions as they are complex and refer to different frequencies and technical matter. Anyone interested in looking at the maps is more than welcome to come and view them at the town hall. The Board agreed.
6. The Board continued the discussion on the suggestion made to take the General Store off the tax rolls. The Board did not see the need for this at this moment as they were not clear on who this would benefit as the owners of the building are the Boehm’s through which Mr. Cole has a mortgage on the property. It was also thought that other businesses in town may feel slighted, how would one determine which business is more “deserving” of this break.
7. Muriel informed the Board what was discussed at the first ECAC meeting:
a. Updated salary surveys were reviewed.
b. The ECAC is acquiring job descriptions for any position in town that is paid.
c. It was discussed that legal assistance may be necessary in helping to update the employee handbook/personnel policies as this does not fall under town counsel’s area of expertise. The Committee also felt that there are areas of our bylaws that may be conflicting and should be clarified.
d. The Committee is going to also focus on part time positions, eligibility of benefits, etc.
e. The next meeting is on Friday, September 7th at 10am at the Town Hall.
8. Mail was reviewed which included:
a. Town Clerk’s schedule for this week.
b. Updated MMA directories.
9. Inter-Departmental Secretary’s weekly report reviewed.
a. Time off request was approved.
A motion was made and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at: 10:23am
Submitted by:
Melissa Noe, Inter-Departmental Secretary
Approved by:
Monterey Select Board
Select Board Members
Minutes Book
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