Monterey Select Board
Minutes of the meeting of 12/10/12
Meeting Opened at: 9:10am
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, Pat Mielke, Chief Backhaus, Daniel Moriarity and Monica Webb
The board met with Treasurer, Pat Mielke to discuss the following:
1. Pat informed the Board that she is retiring from the Town of Egremont and with that the Berkshire County Retirement requires that she take a break in service of at least one pay period. She has to resign from her position as Treasurer in Monterey and then the Board can reappoint her from January 7th until elections.
2. The Board inquired if Bethany has been bonded so that she can perform the Treasurer duties while Pat is gone; not yet but Pat will follow up on this.
3. Muriel asked for a review of all of our insurance policies, what they are and what they cover (buildings, cars, health, etc.) She also would like to know the renewal time frames of all the policies. Our MIIA representative is scheduled to meet with the Board on January 7th.
4. Muriel followed up on the request for a Treasurer job description. Pat is working in it.
5. Muriel inquired about the cost of Medex and what the town’s portion is (it varies for single or family). It has come up that the former Highway Superintendent was not offered retiree benefits that were passed at Annual Town Meeting in 2006. Pat recommended that if the Board is going to allow him on, it should be going forward and not retroactive. 6. Muriel Lazzarini made a motion that Donald Amstead should be offered Medex through the Town with the Town paying 50% of the cost. Wayne seconded the motion. Pat noted that it would have to be a family plan as that is what he had when he left. The motion passed unanimously. A letter will be sent to Don informing him of this option.
The board met with Police Chief, Gareth Backhaus to review the following:
1. Several loose dogs on: Mt Hunger Rd, Main Rd, Blue Hill/Brett and Pixley Rd. The Police Department is encouraging everyone that owns a dog to get your dog tags through the Town Clerk so that the Police can quickly locate the owners.
2. Assisted with medical calls on Laurel Banks, Lake Ave, Art School Rd, Pine St
3. “Suspicious Activity/Continued Harassment” on Blue Hill Rd x 5
4. Responded to a threat of violence; criminal charges were filed and a restraining order was issued
5. Assisted the fire dept on Tyringham Rd
6. False alarms on: Beartown Mtn, Tyringham Rd, Stevens Lake and Art School Rd
7. MVA on River Rd
8. MVA on Main Rd – a criminal complaint has been issued.
9. Assisted a disabled party on Lime Rock Lane
10. Call for a buck stuck in the ice, the presence of the cruiser frightened it enough that it was able to pull itself out.
11. Lockout on Wellman
12. The Chief provided the Select Board with a copy of Monterey’s emergency plan as was requested. Simon’s Rock would most likely be the 1st facility to open should there be an emergency. The Monterey Town Hall is not capable of performing all of the items necessary to be considered a shelter but it could be used as an informal warming station. If there is an emergency inquiries of open shelters, etc should be made to the local police and or fire department phone numbers. Residents should always have on hand items (food, bottled water, batteries, blankets, etc) to “shelter in place” if possible. Emergency kit lists can be found on websites like FEMA and MEMA. Dialing “211” is a new resource that will provide information in emergency
situations.
The board met with Town Accountant, Steven Pullen to review the following items:
1. Steve provided his resignation effective April 30, 2013 to the Board. In between now and then there will be an audit (last week of Jan, first week of Feb). He suggested a minimum of 6 weeks to train his replacement unless the person hired has experience with our current accounting software and municipal accounting. M. Noe will update the help wanted ad for the part time position and place it in the Shopper’s Guide, Monterey News and on the website.
Miscellaneous Select Board Items Reviewed:
1. The minutes from 12.3.12 were approved as amended.
2. Following up on the Lake Buel issue: Dan Moriarity was asked to come in and fill the Board in on the availability of the study that Monterey contributed $10,000 toward. Dan explained that the $8,000 Monterey paid for the water control device has been erected. Dan is going to get as much supporting documentation regarding the study that was paid for to M. Noe and she will then forward it along to those involved on the conference call earlier this month. Wayne will follow up with BRPC on Monterey’s eligibility to receive funds for this continuing project through the DLTA grant.
3. Monica Webb, representative for WiredWest came in to ask Monterey to allow BRPC to draft contracts on behalf of WiredWest which will enable financing and the ability to offer services. Monterey will be a partner municipality on the grant, Peru is the lead. A motion was made to sign the application as a partner municipality. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved. The application was signed.
4. Mail was reviewed which included:
a. An email from Smitty Pignatelli’s office with a request for feedback on the impact any reduction in aid would have on our community and if Monterey is concerned about a 1% decrease in funding.
b. Census Bureau voluntary survey letter
c. Information from the Town Clerk’s meeting with King Information Systems which Debbie will be coming in on January 7th to discuss
5. Warrants were signed.
6. Inter-Departmental Secretary’s weekly report reviewed.
a. M. Noe reported that she informed the Town Clerk that there are addition mistakes on the certified annual town meeting minutes as well as one line item was missing. She has asked for a corrected copy from Linda and has informed the Treasurer and Accountant of the errors.
b. The Board asked M. Noe to inquire of Town Counsel if contractor positions within the town hall require written contracts.
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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