Monterey Select Board
Minutes of the meeting of 3/18/13
Meeting Opened at: 9am
Select Board Members Present: Scott Jenssen, Chairperson, Muriel Lazzarini and Wayne Burkhart
Also in attendance for parts of the meeting: Susan Gallant for the Monterey News, Chief Backhaus, Maynard Forbes, Stanley Ross and Steve Pullen
The board met with Police Chief, Gareth Backhaus to review the following:
1. The Chief reported that he and the Sergeant are both on board with presenting a proposed salary increase of $65,500 for the Chief and $45,500 for the Sergeant to bring them closer in line with surrounding towns instead of the ECAC proposed salary increases of $70,500 and $50,960 respectively.
2. Responded to an attempted suicide on Gould Rd.
3. Medical alarm on Stevens Lake
4. Loud music complaint on Cronk Rd.
5. Disabled MV on Main Rd, assisted with a tire change
6. Assisted the Fire Dept on Woodland Dr with a CO alarm
7. Assisted a resident on Gould Rd.
8. False alarms on Main Rd (x2), Mt Hunger Estates and Eaton
9. 2 separate complaints of shots fired/fireworks in the Hupi Rd vicinity
10. Disabled MV on Fairview
11. Assisted with a medical call on Tyringham Rd
12. Loose dog on Tyringham
13. Complaint on Main Rd with regards to electronic bullying
14. MV lockout at Camp Half Moon
15. Suspicious person reported in the vicinity of Sylvan Rd
16. “Suspicious activity” on Blue Hill Rd.
17. Muriel asked the Chief’s opinion on performing CORI checks on all new employees. The Chief stated that there are certain jobs that require it (such as Police Officers) and those positions that don’t would require the permission of the employee. The Chief stated that Town Counsel should be the one to ask regarding this.
The board met with Director of Operations, Maynard Forbes’ to review the following:
1. There is about 400 tons of salt left, Maynard is hoping to run this down and not order anymore this year.
2. Transfer station sticker fee: Maynard stated we take in approximately $30,000 in sticker fees and pay out about $100,000. We are one of the lowest sticker prices around and we do not charge for bulky waste items. Maynard suggested raising the yearly fee to around $75 ($6.25/month per household) to bring in another $15k. It has always been the goal to collect 40% of the costs to run the station from fees. If the fee is raised the Board will stress that bulky items will still be accepted at no cost. The Board discussed this and voted to raise the fee to $60 (up $10 per household for 2 stickers) for FY14.
3. Weekly reports for the last 4 weeks were turned in and reviewed.
4. Maynard recapped the meeting attended last week in Lenox with regards to the transportation budget.
5. As per one of the requirements of the permit to operate for the transfer station the water at the highway department is being tested, Maynard will keep the Board posted of the test results.
Miscellaneous Select Board Items Reviewed:
1. The minutes from 3.11.13 were approved as written.
2. Mail was reviewed which included:
a. Update from the Friends of WMH on the recent bid awarded for the lead removal and containment and their progress on renovations.
b. Request from Montereyfest 2013 for a special article in the amount of $5,200.
3. Warrants were signed.
4. With regards to the increased rental and utility fee for FY14 that the Town will be paying to the Fire Department, Scott and Muriel felt that the setup fees when the building is used should be waived. The Board will discuss this with Chief Tryon.
5. The informational meeting will be held on Friday, April 26th at 7pm at the Firehouse. M. Noe will post the meeting.
6. The Board discussed dates they were available to host the school committee meeting as the suggested April date did not work for 2 of the members. The Board agreed that May 9th works for them and they will provide refreshments.
7. Stanley stated that he received an email from Michael Storch informing him that he will be resigning from the Finance Committee; a written resignation will need to be filed with the Town Clerk. If this is done ASAP there may be time to get it on the ballot for someone to run to fill the remainder of the term.
8. Stan spoke with the Town Accountant about the septic loan program currently in place. There are 2 current loans through this program that payments are being made on. Stan suggested closing out the program and using the funds there to lower the tax rate. Years ago the state offered towns interest free loans to turn around and offer to citizens loans at 5% interest to upgrade their septic systems. There are currently 2 outstanding loans (one with a $1,800 balance and the other with a $4,000 balance). We currently put $5,000 towards the debt service on this bond each year. He stated that we no longer need to do this as there is about $50,000 available in special revenue money which he recommends transferring $45,000 to free cash. He suggested paying off our debt to the
state, keeping the fund “active” for monies owed on the 2 outstanding loans (kept by the Treasurer) would just come in as revenue. If we wanted to continue a program like this the town could come up with their own “loan program”. Create an article authorizing the Treasurer to transfer $45,000 from the Receipts Reserve Septic Loan Fund to Free Cash.
9. The Board inquired what Steve would recommend to be appropriated and transferred from free cash to lower the tax rate. It was suggested that we take $250,000 from free cash to lower the tax rate.
10. Retiree group health stabilization fund was discussed again. Steve stated that he feels the town was misinformed at the town meeting when the retiree health benefits article was unanimously approved (MGL Chapter 32B, sections 9A and 18) which allows health retiree benefits to any eligible employee that has met the Berkshire County Retirement requirements. He suggested that a warrant article repealing these benefits should be put on this year’s town meeting warrant.
11. Steve stated we currently have about $700k in stabilization and just over $450k in free cash.
12. The Board agreed to lower the requested amount to transfer into stabilization from $100k to $75k (up $25k from last year).
13. Scott inquired about the reserve fund, what it is used for and what the balance is currently. It was explained that it is essentially a “contingency fund”. The Accountant was asked to come in to answer these questions. Steve explained that overlay surplus is money set aside (not a cumulative account) to cover uncollected taxes/reduced assessments/abatements as required by the state to cover the budget. He stated that the overlay surplus has nothing to do with the budget however you need permission from the voters to make the transfer. Steve stated that the town reserve account and the overlay surplus are 2 different accounts. Steve stated we should remove the $15k from the overlay surplus special article and put $30,000 in line 132 instead and just put a simple
authorization article on the warrant with regards to transferring money from the overlay surplus.
14. Steve stated that there is about $10,000 left in the snow removal budget.
15. Wayne inquired about what happens when a foreclosed property is sold. Does the money from the sale go back to free cash? Steve confirmed that it does.
16. Inter-Departmental Secretary’s weekly report reviewed.
A motion was made and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at: 11:15am
Submitted by:
Melissa Noe, Inter-Departmental Secretary
Approved by:
Monterey Select Board
Select Board Members
Minutes Book
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