Monterey Select Board
Minutes of the meeting of 7/1/13
Meeting Opened at: 9am
Select Board Members Present: Muriel Lazzarini, Chairperson, Wayne Burkhart and Scott Jenssen
Also in attendance for parts of the meeting: Susan Gallant for the Monterey News, Pat Mielke, Murray Bodin and Maryellen Brown
The board met with Director of Operations, Maynard Forbes to review the following:
1. Yellow lines on Beartown Mtn Rd: Maynard and Chief Backhaus informed the Board that there are liability concerns if the lines are not there, the lines help emergency services determine who is at fault in an accident, if the lines aren’t there the town could be liable. Maynard stated that a lot of the information provided by the upset residents was incorrect. Letters were sent out about the paving project and there were residents on the road that had spoken with Maynard personally and were aware that lines were going to be painted. The road looks nice and is safe now and should be there for a long time. The Select Board did make a site visit and based on that and the information provided on safety from the Chief of Police and Maynard the Board agreed that the lines will remain for the
time being. Info on the yellow lines provided by Maynard can be found attached to the minutes (ATTACHEDbeartownyellowlines.pdf)
2. Weekly reports were submitted for the weeks ending: 6/8, 6/15, 6/22 & 6/29
The board met with Police Chief, Gareth Backhaus to review the following from May 21st to today:
1. FY14 contract was signed.
2. Assisted a citizen at Lake Garfield for a boat sinking.
3. False alarms at Beartown Mtn Rd, North Cove Rd, Stevens Lake (x4), Mt Hunger Estates, Hebert’s Cove,
4. Assisted someone on Blue Hill with continued harassment complaints.
5. Disabled MV on Chestnut Hill
6. MVA on Sandisfield Rd – vehicle was towed
7. Mutal Aid in Gt Barrington x 5
8. Lockout on Eaton Rd
9. Assisted the FD with traffic at the intersections of Tyringham and Main Rds.
10. Tree across the road on Fairview Rd.
11. Tree across the wires on Beartown Mtn Rd and Fox Hill Rd.
12. Assisted a citizen on Stevens Lake with a medical issue
13. Assisted a citizen on Main Rd regarding a theft.
14. Well-being check on Pixley Rd (x2)
15. Assisted a citizen with securing a home following a tenant eviction.
16. Assisted a citizen on Main Rd after a tree had fallen on their garage.
17. Loose dog reported on Gould Rd – found and returned to owner
18. Missing Alzheimer’s resident search – found on Tryon’s farm
19. Assisted with a dispute at the Post Office
20. MVA on Tyringham Rd – car towed
21. Complaint filed regarding an unwanted/uninvited person on Pixley Rd.
22. Abandoned 911 on Gould Rd
23. Caller complaining that puppies on Main Rd aren’t being properly cared for.
24. Compliant filed – harassing phone calls on Pixley Rd
25. Suspicious activity reported on Lake Ave
26. Sergeant Johnson has been working on a theft that occurred on West Rd and charges have been filed.
The board met with Building Commissioner, Donald Torrico to review the following items:
1. Muriel stated that she hoped she hadn’t upset Don with the whole tent conversation that occurred last week. Don spoke with Mahaiwe Tent and they stated that they do not charge Monterey any differently than other towns. Don stated that the problem is that the tent companies do not want to deal with the permitting process and this is why they may charge all towns more if they have to handle the permitting for the applicant. Tents are treated as temporary structures under the building and fire codes; there are size requirements that require a permit.
2. Muriel requested that the “by appointment only” be removed from his office hours on Monday. She felt that it puts an extra burden on residents yet Don stated that he does this because many people find this easier so that they aren’t waiting when multiple people show up at the same time looking for assistance. There weren’t any complaints that precipitated this request. Don always sees people when they come in but someone with an appointment will be taken first. It was agreed that the word “only” will be taken off the door sign.
3. Don noted that he keeps a daily log of calls and emails received and returned.
Miscellaneous Select Board Items Reviewed:
1. The Board reminded Maynard and Chief Backhaus that vacation requests need to be submitted to the Board for approval at least 14 days in advance of the time off being requested. Both the Chief and Maynard stated that there were staffing situations that did not allow for advance notice being so close to the end of the fiscal year to use the time.
2. Pat Mielke came in to discuss the following:
a. Emails over the weekend regarding year end payroll balances. There was a double posting that zeroed out the balances which is going to be fixed so that the last checks of the year can be issued. There are 2 accounts that will be overdrawn by pennies (Tax Collector and Treasurer) which will be corrected as well.
b. Payroll not hitting the general ledger issues are being fixed.
c. Muriel was concerned if too much was being placed on Bethany with adding the payroll. Pat felt that this isn’t the case and that it is much easier to do payroll from start to finish.
d. Town Clerk retirement issue – Elected Officials making more than $5,000 can choose Berkshire County Retirement or OBRA. Elected Officials making less than $5,000 and part timers (such as the lifeguards) are required to join OBRA. Pat will follow up with Emily and straighten out the issue to move her to Berkshire County Retirement from OBRA.
e. Bethany is on vacation for the next two weeks so Pat will be handling payroll while she is away.
f. Insurance: Muriel had asked M. Noe to email Bethany to confirm that all of our policies have been renewed effective July 1 (Pat said this is done automatically), the response we had gotten was not clear that this has been handled. Muriel stated that this responsibility is not officially on our desk yet; Muriel is working with MIIA to get 2 new dedicated reps for our policies as well as a meeting to go over all of our policies.
3. Maryellen stated that she will be away on the 15th and the 22nd she has jury duty but she will make sure that the warrants are done in time. The next three Monday’s will be the last three for final FY13 payments to be made. Maryellen also stated that there is an issue with the date the warrants are issued and when the Select Board is signing them as checks are going out without “official” approval (the warrants being signed). The Board is hoping to have someone permanent in the Accountant’s Office no later than August 1st. Maryellen stated that all departments should be using the corresponding account numbers when submitting bills – she will send out a memo requesting this.
4. Muriel has requested any information that former Accountant, Barbara Gauthier can provide regarding the septic loan program article on the special town meeting warrant.
5. Special Town Meeting Warrant:
a. Town Bylaws, Article 1 Section 3 states that any request to borrow money must be done by secret ballot (which is why the grader is on the warrant again) but the Board wanted confirmation from Counsel that the vote has to be a 2/3 vote in order to pass. M. Noe will check.
6. ECAC meeting update:
a. Contracts – it came to the Committee’s attention that contracts are allowed for anyone even if it isn’t specifically noted in MGL and that there are surrounding towns that offer contracts to non-union employees. A motion was made to have Muriel call Attorney Collins with contract questions. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved. The employees feel that contracts will give them stability with regards to benefits and salaries and changes could not be made on a whim if we offer contracts. Scott felt that we should never go backwards and that giving employees a sense of protection is a positive.
b. It was the consensus of the committee that exit interviews are not necessary at this time.
c. The Committee is going to begin working on all the job descriptions making certain that they are accurate and complete.
d. The Committee will be reviewing the current grievance and disciplinary procedures and determine whether or not they need to be modified or expanded.
e. The ECAC is going to begin researching part time salaries with surrounding towns.
f. Final copies of the handbook will be distributed for review and adoption at next week’s meeting of the Select Board.
g. The Committee set a regular meeting schedule: the first Thursday of each month at 4pm beginning in August.
7. Muriel reported on the school meeting last week which discussed the community schools and how to deal with the needed maintenance.
8. Muriel requested that the Finance Committee come to next week’s meeting to review current levy limits and the estimated increase to the tax rate with all the articles on the special town meeting warrant.
9. The Board discussed the Auditor’s recommendation to list out the salaries for each position and whether it is hourly, salary, or a stipend and the pay frequency. The Select Board would then sign off on this and distribute a copy to the Accountant and Treasurer.
10. The minutes from 6.30.13 were approved as written.
11. Wayne will attend the rescheduled Monterey Water Company meeting.
12. Scott will follow up with David Quissenberry for basic specifications and measurements for the proposed new school.
13. Mail was reviewed which included:
a. Copies of the exchanges with Jim Edelman (provided by Muriel) and the Parks Commission regarding the recent mowing bid were distributed to be filed.
b. Letter from Anne Marie Enoch informing the Board that she does not wish to be reappointed to the Monterey School Building Study Committee.
14. Warrants were signed.
15. Inter-Departmental Secretary’s weekly report reviewed.
16. Murray Bodin came in to discuss the colors of the crosswalks.
17. The following appointments for the following terms were made:
ADA Co-ordinator |
1 year |
Mary |
Makuc |
Berkshire Regional Planning Commission Alternate Delegate |
1 year |
Wayne |
Burkhart |
Berkshire Regional Transit Authority (BRTA) Advisory Board Representative |
1 year |
Wayne |
Burkhart |
Conservation Commission |
3 years |
Betty |
Pixley |
Director of Operations for Highways Buildings and Town Property |
1 year |
Maynard |
Forbes |
Emergency Manager, Deputy |
3 years |
Maynard |
Forbes |
Fence Viewer |
3 years |
Peter |
Brown |
Fire Department |
1 year |
Shawn |
Tryon, Chief |
Fire Department |
1 year |
Maynard |
Forbes, Asst Chief |
Fire Department |
1 year |
Mark |
Makuc, Captain |
Fire Department |
1 year |
Del |
Martin, Captain; EMT |
Fire Department |
1 year |
Patrick |
Sheridan, Firefighter |
Fire Department |
1 year |
Warren |
Thomson, Firefighter |
Fire Department |
1 year |
John |
Makuc, Firefighter |
Fire Department |
1 year |
Rick |
Andrus, Firefighter |
Fire Department |
1 year |
Scott |
Amstead, Firefighter |
Fire Department |
1 year |
Robert |
Rodgers, Firefighter |
Fire Department |
1 year |
Carly |
Detterman, EMT |
Fire Department |
1 year |
Chris |
Tryon, Firefighter |
Fire Department |
1 year |
David |
Hamill, Firefighter |
Fire Department |
1 year |
Felix |
Carroll, Firefighter |
Fire Department |
1 year |
Scot |
Sheridan, Firefighter |
Fire Department |
1 year |
Roy |
Carwile, Firefighter |
Fire Department |
1 year |
Jason |
Duryea, Firefighter |
Fire Department |
1 year |
Cody |
Funk, Firefighter |
Fire Department |
1 year |
Justin |
Bona, Firefighter |
Fire Department |
1 year |
William |
Baumann, Probationary Firefighter |
Fire Department |
1 year |
Paul |
Rapp, Probationary Firefighter |
Fire Department |
1 year |
Jeffrey |
Spratt, Junior Firefighter |
Fire Department |
1 year |
Claudia |
Martin, Junior Firefighter |
Fire Department |
1 year |
Justin |
Makuc, Junior Firefighter |
Fire Department |
1 year |
Keegan |
Wellauer, Junior Firefighter |
Fire Inspector |
1 year |
Maynard |
Forbes |
Hearings Officer |
1 year |
Mr. |
Burdick |
Historical Commission |
3 years |
Linda |
Hebert |
Historical Commission |
3 years |
Cynthia |
Weber |
Inspector of Wires |
2 years |
Nick |
Fredsall |
Inspector of Wires, Alternate |
2 years |
Jim |
Kern |
Executive Secretary |
1 year |
Melissa |
Noe |
Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) |
3 years |
Gareth |
Backhaus |
Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) |
3 years |
Maynard |
Forbes |
Materials Recycling Facilty (MRF) Advisory Board Representative |
1 year |
Rudolph |
Gero |
Monterey School Study Committee |
1 year |
Scott |
Jenssen |
Monterey School Study Committee |
1 year |
Tika |
Snyder |
Monterey School Study Committee |
1 year |
Maryellen |
Brown |
Monterey School Study Committee |
1 year |
Cheryl |
Zellman |
Network Administrator |
1 year |
Tom |
Roy |
911 Coordinator |
3 years |
Maynard |
Forbes |
Plumbing Inspector, Alternate |
2 years |
Donald |
S. Hopkins III |
Police Department, Police Chief |
1 year |
Gareth |
Backhaus |
Police Department, Sergeant |
1 year |
Michael |
Johnson |
Police Department, Part Time Officer |
1 year |
Rudolph |
Gero |
Police Department, Part Time Officer |
6 Months |
Adam |
Gonska |
Police Department, Part Time Officer |
4 months |
Stephanie |
Fredsall |
Records Liason Officer for Select Board |
1 year |
Melissa |
Noe |
Regional Hazard Mitigation Team |
2 years |
Gareth |
Backhaus |
Regional Hazard Mitigation Team |
2 years |
Maynard |
Forbes |
Sanitary Inspector |
2 years |
Peter |
Kolodziej |
Southern Berkshire Solid Waste Mgmt District |
1 year |
Wayne |
Burkhart |
Telecommunications Department Delegate |
1 year |
Monica |
Webb |
Telecommunications Department Delegate, Alternate |
1 year |
Larry |
Klein |
Transfer Station Manager |
3 years |
Maynard |
Forbes |
Transportation Advisory Committee (Berkshire MPO) |
1 year |
Wayne |
Burkhart |
Veteran's Agent |
1 year |
Laurie |
Hils |
Veterans Memorial Committee |
2 years |
Arnold |
Hayes |
Veterans Memorial Committee |
2 years |
Frank |
D'amato |
Veterans Memorial Committee |
2 years |
Georgiana |
O'Connell |
Wilson McLaughlin House Committee |
1 year |
Joe |
Baker |
Wilson McLaughlin House Committee |
1 year |
Christine |
Goldfinger |
Wilson McLaughlin House Committee |
1 year |
Laurie |
Shaw |
Wilson McLaughlin House Committee |
1 year |
Evelyn |
Vallianos |
Wilson McLaughlin House Committee |
1 year |
Mary |
Makuc |
Wilson McLaughlin House Committee |
1 year |
Cynthia |
Weber |
WiredWest Organizing Committee Representative |
1 year |
Monica |
Webb |
WiredWest Organizing Committee Alternate |
1 year |
Larry |
Klein |
A motion was made and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at: 11:09am
Submitted by:
Melissa Noe, Executive Secretary
Approved by:
Monterey Select Board
Select Board Members
Minutes Book
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