Monterey Select Board
Minutes of the meeting of 7/29/13
Meeting Opened at: 9:10am
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 and Josh Allentuck
Miscellaneous Select Board Items Reviewed:
1. Josh Allentuck, Chair of the Parks Commission came in to discuss the access issue/confusion that has recently come up regarding the beach at Lake Garfield and whether or not it is public or only for town residents. Josh stated that this has become an issue this year because we’ve had some camps show up with a bus and it adds to an already full beach. Josh is going to draft a letter to the camps with the options available to them for utilizing Lake Garfield and the town beach which will be sent to Counsel to review first. Josh has stated that residents have expressed to him that they feel it is a Monterey resident only beach when in fact that is not the case. Josh stated that Laurel Lake is also a great pond as is the one in Lenox and they do not let anyone who is not a resident use
their beaches. It was also noted that the town has a bylaw, Article VII Section 6 which states: The Town voted to authorize the Select Board and/or other town board in charge of the land of the Town of Monterey to permit the Public Access Board of the Massachusetts Department of Natural Resources to construct (on town land) a Boat Ramp and related parking facilities which will provide public access to the waters of Lake Garfield at the site of the present Town Beach. The town accepts the law enforcement and the routine clean-up responsibilities and the ramp area shall be open to the general public on equal terms. Any fee or other limitation on hours, season or manner of operation shall be subject to Public Access Board approval. 320 CMR 2.03 (regulations for state boat ramps) states that it is unlawful for any person to conduct the following uses or activities within a public access facility: (1) camp, swim, sleep overnight, picnic, loiter, gamble or
drink alcoholic beverages. Josh stated that the town owns the parking and feels that because of that we could limit who can park there. Minutes from a 2002 meeting with the Access Board, Parks Dept and Select Board were reviewed and there were items that the Access Board was supposed to take care of that has not been upheld. It was suggested to limit the number of people that can attend based on the number of lifeguards on duty. Josh suggested clearing in the area down to Brewer Pond and install some storage for the kayaks and canoes that are being left and chained to the split rail fence which is not allowed. This would also allow for more parking. Josh suggested moving the launching ramp to Brewer Pond and clearing out the causeway, Scott noted that there are also a few other spots that could be utilized. The Highway Department will be asked to clear as much as they can across at Brewer Pond. Town Counsel will be asked to advise
the Board on the matter.
2. Firemen’s Compensation: Article 14 of 2004 ATM minutes was when the change was made from a property tax exemption to being paid. There is a question on whether or not there needs to be an administrative action to delete the property tax exemption article. Muriel asked if there are any retired firemen that meet the criteria to still receive the property tax exemption (no one knew).
3. The minutes from 7.22.13 were approved as written.
4. The Town Clerk provided the Select Board with receipts she found in the Clerk’s office for the marriage licensing software which was paid for by Barbara Swann back in 2008 as she stated but was reimbursed for the purchase by the Town (attached omnisoftremclerk.pdf). The Board feels that since the Town did indeed pay for this software it needs to be returned to the Town along with any associated files/permits created by the software. The Board will ask Emily to send another email
to Barbara Swann and Linda Thorpe requesting the software be returned as well as any other items that belong to the town.
5. Mail was reviewed which included:
a. Grant paperwork for a flood mitigation program sent from FEMA. Wayne took copies and will look into this.
b. The Chair signed the Contractor Authorized Signatory Listing for FEMA for the Feb. snowstorm reimbursement.
c. Press release email from the Pioneer Institute on the proposal to Consolidate Public Employee Pension Administrations to save $25 million annually. Muriel inquired if the employees would be interested in the Board sending correspondence to have this claim looked into.
6. The Annual 2nd Homeowner’s Meeting will be this Saturday.
7. Muriel will follow up with the Treasurer on the septic loan program.
8. Warrants were signed.
9. Inter-Departmental Secretary’s weekly report reviewed.
a. M. Noe informed the Board that she has spoken with our new MIIA rep and he is working with her on our policies and contacts.
A motion was made and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at: 10:26am
Submitted by:
Melissa Noe, Executive Secretary
Approved by:
Monterey Select Board
Select Board Members
Minutes Book
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