Monterey Select Board
Minutes of the meeting of 12/3/12
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, Chris Blair (Con Comm), Robert Lazzarini, Don Clawson (Assistant Assessor), Stanley Ross (Finance Committee), Michael Storch (Finance Committee), Emily Kramer of the Berkshire Record and Deborah Mielke (Town Clerk)
Miscellaneous Select Board Items Reviewed:
1. At 9am the Board had a conference call with Mark Stinson and Jeremia Mew of DEP, Smitty Pignatelli and his assistant Kerry Sullivan, Tara White and Nat Yohalem, New Marlborough Select Board members, Mike Skorput, New Marlborough Administrative Assistant, Melissa Provencer of BRPC, Bob Barry and Bonnie Roy, MEMA Region III. Smitty stated that the Army Core of Engineers has confirmed that there isn’t any funding for any projects right now. New Marlborough representatives stated that this whole issue is a surprise to them and this is the first they are hearing of any of it. Scott Jenssen provided a summary of what the problem has been for at least the last 6 years and the solution that our Board feels would help the most. No one seemed to know where the study is or if it was even done
back when New Marlborough and Monterey both contributed $10,000 toward the study. Everyone agreed that both towns need to find out where the $10,000 they each contributed was spent. The Town Accountant confirmed that in 2010 $8,000 was approved at town meeting and given to the Lake Buel Watershed Committee and on the 2008 warrant $10,000 was approved and given to the Lake Buel Watershed Committee. The Accountant provided copies of the schedule of bills payable submitted for the monies but invoices showings what the money was spent on were not provided to the Town. New Marlborough confirmed that a check was also written for $10,000 to the same entity in 2008. Chris is going to see if he can get his hands on a study done in the 1950’s on this same issue. The Board asked M. Noe to contact Dan Moriarity for a copy of the study the Lake Buel Watershed Committee had done. Once everyone on the phone call today has a copy of this study
another phone conference will be set up.
2. Donald Clawson produced the LA5 (the excess capacity for the tax rate to be approved) for the Select Board to sign. This was signed once before but changes were made and updated copies are necessary to have on file. $483million is the approximate total taxable value of Monterey.
3. The Board asked M. Noe to request that the Highway crew remove the legs from the historical cases in the main room and hang them on the wall so they are no longer in the way and in danger of being knocked over.
4. The Board met with members of the Finance Committee to discuss the following:
a. Stan confirmed that the levy limit is currently at $180,000.
b. The Committee has spoken with the highway and fire departments regarding their requested large purchases. Stan first explained that the 20 year replacement timeframe for fire equipment comes from the insurance companies, the older an engine is the more insuring it will cost and the more homeowners in Monterey will pay on their home insurance. With regards to Engine 1 which went into service in 1996, Shawn has stated that it is in very good shape, primarily used as a backup and replacement of it could be delayed for up to 2 years. The #7 tanker purchased in 2003 is the one primarily used. The Fire Dept feels it would be much more advantageous to sell the airboat and purchase a Zodiac instead. The Fire Department spoke of an increase in medical calls which may require
increasing the compensation line item. The Highway Department stated that there isn’t a mandate (as was previously thought) on updating the Transfer Station so this project if we go forward with it does not need to be done in FY14. Regarding the grader replacement – Maynard told the Finance Committee that it is in reasonably good condition however major parts are no longer available for it should something go on it. Replacing it this year would put the first loan payments in FY15 at about $80,000 per year for 5 years. For now it was agreed to keep it in the FY14 warrant but have it go out to bid for a smaller machine than we currently have.
c. The Finance Committee will be recommending raising the amount put into stabilization from $50,000 to $100,000.
d. The tax rate will be going up this year (from 5.27 to 5.59 for FY13; it is projected to cost a homeowner with a $200,000 home $16 more per quarter.
e. The Select Board has expressed their desire to Michael Singleton and Bruce Turner (at last week’s meeting) to build their own school in Monterey provided that SBRSD will still provide a program here either Pre K/K or K/1. This would now need to be sold to the new school committee as well as waiting to see how New Marlborough and Egremont will proceed. Scott stated that the Monterey School Study Committee is hoping to hold hearings and make presentations for a new building around February and to vote on the expenditure at town meeting if the hearings show support for the project.
f. Muriel updated the Board and Finance Committee on the progress made to date by the ECAC. The Employee Handbook is very close to being done and will then be given to the Select Board to approve and put into effect. The Attorney hired by the Committee has confirmed that with regards to salary and benefits Monterey could stay as is (not likely), start a union (also not likely), offer contracts to most employees or offer a memorandum of understanding (which is legally binding). The future work of the committee will include the following general areas: part time employees (whether to pay hourly or salary), contractors, new employees, some uniformity in the job descriptions, employee evaluations, insurance coverage for the town and personnel/retiree information. It was noted
that a lot of the current policies were put into place without any legal consultation to determine if they are ethical or legal and the response when questioned has been “this is how it’s always been done”.
g. The capital expense of finishing the basement was discussed. The Board and Fin Comm inquired what the estimated $30,000 would cover. M. Noe explained that after speaking with the Building Commissioner and Police Chief this would cover bringing the basement up to code so that a Certificate of Occupancy could be issued as well as excavating around the building to address the moisture issues, removing the current non-functioning kitchenette and replacing it with just a fridge/freezer and more suitable microwave oven thus allowing for more filing cabinet space. Adding a shower to the existing bathroom is also an idea to give emergency personnel a place to clean up after accidents and or disasters that may occur.
h. The Finance Committee brought up the request to replace the 4WD cruiser that was donated which is a 2002. The Committee still needs to speak with the Chief about his needs and requests.
i. Wayne recommended reexamining how the salary increases are determined. He personally is not in favor of a continuing percentage increase as it just “exacerbates the higher wages and just goes on and on”. Percentage increases in his opinion are not fair across the board when there is such a difference in salaries.
j. Adding stipends/salaries for all committees and boards that currently volunteer a lot of their time was also discussed and no was present was in disapproval of paying. It was thought that adding this might also help in the future to keep the boards and committee seats full.
5. The minutes from 11/26/12 were approved as written.
6. Mail was reviewed which included:
a. The Beacon Newsletter
b. An anonymous letter was received stating that money spent on fireworks should’ve gone to a food bank. The Board clarified that public monies were never spent on fireworks, private donations through the Friends of Lake Garfield did. The Board noted that it is very hard to respond and/or address letters received that are not signed.
7. Warrants were signed.
8. Inter-Departmental Secretary’s weekly report reviewed.
a. The Board asked if the Town Clerk responded to their request for certified meeting minutes. M. Noe reported that the Town Clerk has requested that Linda Thorpe provide the copies to the Accountant, Treasurer and I as was requested. At the end of the meeting a certified copy of this year’s annual town meeting minutes were brought in.
b. The Board asked if the Town Clerk responded to the request for her weekly posted hours to be provided. M. Noe confirmed that she has not acknowledged the request.
9. Deborah Mielke asked M. Noe to let the Board know of a 10am meeting this Thursday with a company making a proposal to organize/manage the various town records (specifically the records room). She also asked M. Noe to let them know that she will be cancelling the 528-5175 town clerk number and using only the town hall’s phone lines saving approximately $142/month. The number will notify people of the change when called and we will announce it on the website and through other means.
A motion was made and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at: 11:14am
Submitted by:
Melissa Noe, Inter-Departmental Secretary
Approved by:
Monterey Select Board
Select Board Members
Minutes Book
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