Monterey Select Board
Minutes of the meeting of 1/28/13
Meeting Opened at: 9am
Select Board Members Present: Scott Jenssen, Chairperson, Muriel Lazzarini and Wayne Burkhart
Also in attendance for parts of the meeting: Jean Sonner, Michael Ernst, Lisamarie D’Orazio, Joanne Conti and Dan Moriarty
Miscellaneous Select Board Items Reviewed:
1. Upcoming Town Clerk Vacancy:
a. Town Counsel has advised that MGL Chapter 41 §14 allows the appointment of a temporary clerk by the Board of Selectmen and the statute allows for 2 procedures, one of which is the Selectmen’s authority to appoint a clerk for duties other than those required of a clerk at town meeting. A temporary clerk appointed under this section may be appointed for the remainder of the term and shall not be required to be a resident nor a registered voter of the town.
b. S. Jenssen talked with Linda about her role as Temporary Clerk after Debbie vacates the office. We are concerned about the upcoming annual town meeting and recording the votes, etc. Linda has stated she will vacate the office 7 days after the election. The Town is now looking for candidates to run for the position at the elections in May of this year. Scott was under the impression that the Assistant Town Clerk becomes the Town Clerk by default when there is a vacancy in the position; M. Noe was asked to check with Town Counsel on this.
c. Town Counsel has advised that should the Board decide to present it to town meeting to change the position from elected to appointed a majority vote of the annual or special town meeting and acceptance by voters of the town at the annual town elections bill be required.
2. Scott asked M. Noe to request that the Highway Department fix the flagpole in front of the town hall as soon as possible.
3. Scott had to leave at 9:15am as he was not feeling very well but asked that his intentions to run again for Select Board be put in the minutes. It was agreed by all that the meeting would run later than usual next week to take care of all the administrative issues that need to be discussed and handled.
4. Muriel asked that a 45 minute spot on the agenda be reserved for the Board to review the Employee Compensation Committee’s recommendations. This has been scheduled for February 11th.
5. The Board interviewed Jean Sonner for the position of Town Accountant. Jean has not worked with the Softright software nor has she had any experience with municipal accounting but her background is in non-profit accounting. She is semi-retired and is only looking for a part-time position.
6. The Board interviewed Michael Ernst for the position of Town Accountant. Michael is pretty involved with town government in the Town of Otis but not with municipal accounting or the Softright software. He is willing to take any classes that may be offered for municipal accounting. Michael stated that Wednesdays are the only day he is unavailable.
7. Muriel suggested that the Board make a list of those positions they feel should be recused from having to take the required Ethics test (such as library volunteers, lifeguards, etc.) – M. Noe was asked to check in with Town Counsel on the procedure/process to recuse certain positions from this requirement.
8. The Board reviewed the departments that have yet to submit their town report.
9. Muriel noted that going forward she’d like to have thank you letters sent to any volunteers that resign.
10. Muriel inquired about who was currently serving on our Historical Commission. The members are Barbara Tryon, Cynthia Weber and Linda Hebert but it was noted that the committee has not held any posted meetings in the last 7-8 years.
11. The Board interviewed Lisamarie D’Orazio for the position of Town Accountant. Lisa currently works for the Town of Otis’ Select Board and Planning Board. Lisa’s accounting experience is in business not municipal but she has worked with the Otis Accountant and is familiar with the Software program. Lisa is unavailable in person on Monday’s. Her schedule is open Thursday - Sunday.
12. The Board interviewed Joanne Conti for the position of Town Accountant. Joanne currently works for Berkshire South and has had past experience with business accounting but only minimal interactions/experience with municipal accounting.
13. The minutes from 1.14.13 were approved as written.
14. Dan Moriarty came in to provide his documentation, including an open letter to all interested parties regarding the flooding at Lake Buel. The Board thanked Dan for the information and agreed that the next steps will involve getting all the necessary parties on the same page with regards to the next steps to remedy the problem and create an action plan.
15. Town Accountant, Steve Pullen came in to inform the Board about payments requested by the Building Department for new software & equipment as he’s spending more than was budgeted. M. Noe noted that an $11k+ reimbursement check from BRPC was submitted to the Treasurer and the Accountant was cc’d on this deposit on January 7th that was to pay for these items and therefore shouldn’t affect the Building Departments expense budget. Steve stated he doesn’t read these documents and is unaware of monies turned over until the Treasurer advises him of where it was deposited. Steve will follow up with the Building Inspector.
16. Mail was reviewed which included:
a. Supplemental notice of available assistance – DLTA 2013 from the BRPC. Wayne gave an update on the grant requirements and deadlines being offered through BRPC.
b. Email communications with Town Counsel from the AG’s office that they will accept affidavits proving the annual town meeting warrant was posted from anyone, not just the Constable who has reportedly refused to sign an affidavit however, the AG’s office will not and cannot guarantee that this will demonstrate compliance with MGL Chapter 39 but they are willing to consider it. If we cannot prove this the entire 2012 annual town meeting warrant will be invalidated.
c. Letter from the Royalston Board of Selectmen claiming there was an OML violation by the WiredWest Board of Directors.
d. Letter from WiredWest responding to the above allegation from the Town of Royalston.
e. Member town apportionment for FY14 from the District Dept of Veteran’s Services.
17. Warrants were signed.
18. Inter-Departmental Secretary’s weekly report reviewed.
A motion was made and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at: 11:09am
Submitted by:
Melissa Noe, Inter-Departmental Secretary
Approved by:
Monterey Select Board
Select Board Members
Minutes Book
| 
