Monterey Select Board
Minutes of the meeting of 10/28/13
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, Brendan Fletcher, Chief Backhaus, Kenn Basler, Mark Makuc, Mickey Jervas and Richard Tryon
The board met with Police Chief, Gareth Backhaus to review the following:
1. Domestic call on Main Rd
2. Disabled MV’s on Art School Rd, Main Rd
3. Call to Deerwood Circle reporting an assault – the matter is still in the court system.
4. Smoke alarm on Mtn Laurel Way – the alarm was called in by a passerby.
5. Suspicious activity on Point Rd.
6. Site visit to Mt Hunger Rd with the Health Agent.
7. False alarms at North Cove Rd., Mt Hunger Rd, Town Hall,
8. Lockout on Gould Rd.
9. Dog reported missing on Swann Rd – returned before the police arrived.
10. Assisted with medical calls on Mt Hunger Rd., Gould Rd
11. Series of trees across the road on Sandisfield Rd, Mt Hunger Rd and Tyringham Rd.
12. Suspicious activity on Main Rd.
13. Sergeant Johnson responded to a call in Otis for a fight in progress with shots fired. State Police and Becket Police also responded. One party was arrested by the State Police.
14. Loose horse reported.
15. Call to assist the State Police to Hatchery Rd for a domestic.
16. Outside illegal burn reported on Dowd Rd.
17. Missing person from Gould Farm – this person is still missing. Any leads should be reported to the Monterey Police Department at 528-3211.
18. Scott has received more complaints that the cruiser should be parked out in front of the Town Hall when an officer is in Town Hall. Chief Backhaus said that they try to do it as much as possible but when the speed trailer is out they do it less. Chief Backhaus also noted that this is where the officers are dispatched from for emergency calls and it is sometimes faster and easier to respond when the cruiser is close by and not at the other end of the parking lot. He agreed to position the police car in front of the Town Hall whenever possible.
19. Muriel inquired if there are defibrillators in the cruisers. Chief Backhaus stated that there is an older model in the sedan (which was acquired through a grant) but the 4x4 doesn’t have one yet, they run about $3,000-4,000.
20. Muriel inquired as to which department pays for replacement of signs. Chief Backhaus stated that the Highway Department handles this.
The board met with Town Accountant, Brendan Fletcher to review the following items:
1. Maryellen Brown has declined the Assistant Accountant appointment as she feels the work that needs to be done will take more time than she can commit. Muriel will follow up with Maryellen on this.
2. Brendan stated that he won’t have any issues with the carryovers but he is waiting on the Treasurer’s Office to close the books and some items from Maryellen before he can close his side of the books.
Miscellaneous Select Board Items Reviewed:
1. Winston Wilson, the Tree Warden emailed that the problem “branch” on Beartown Mtn Rd as well as a few other trees were taken care of 2 weeks ago.
2. The Board met with Library Trustee members and the Library Director regarding a planning and design grant that the State is putting out. They anticipate awarding 20 grants at $50,000/each for a feasibility and design study to assist with bringing the building up to code and repairing items that need to be fixed. This will require a town meeting vote to proceed with applying for the grant; the Board gave the Trustees the option if they would like to have it on our special town meeting warrant.
3. Richard Tryon came in to complain about the cruiser being parked by the side of the Town Hall instead of in front of the building. The Board let Mr. Tryon know that they already passed along this concern to the Police Chief. Mr. Tryon suggested that the Board shouldn’t sign the Police Department’s payroll unless they park the cruiser in front as he used to do when he was a Select Board member. He also stated that he feels it is illegal to have a committee to discuss compensation & benefits with employee representation on it. The Board respectfully disagreed as it isn’t a decision making board, only advisory. He also wanted the Board to know that he is not in favor of the Town adding another position to the Highway Department, that we should just put all the jobs
that need to be done out to bid so the young kids in town can earn some money.
4. Special Town Meeting: The Board discussed the need for a special town meeting and possible dates. It was agreed that Friday, December 6th would be the best date at 7pm at the firehouse. Muriel will speak with Mark Makuc on his availability and M. Noe will let the Town Clerk, Fire Chief, Planning Board and Maynard know and she will also reserve the firehouse.
5. Scott will work with M. Noe to create a short survey to send to registered voters in Monterey to determine if there is support within town for a new Monterey Community School.
6. The Treasurer updated the Board on the status of the IRS audit. She stated that she is working with someone there to come up with a solution and recently faxed to them an abatement letter.
7. Muriel informed the Board that the ECAC manual sub-committee members have met and are working on updating a few minor sections within the handbook (probationary time period, mileage reimbursement, retiree health & life insurance benefits, health insurance options and the definition of harassment).
8. The Assessors notified the Board that they have been certified for their LA4 and LA13.
9. The minutes from 10.21.13 were approved as written.
10. The Board reviewed the appointments for Field Driver and Fence Viewer as well as their descriptions in Mass General Law and have determined that these appointments are no longer necessary in Monterey as they are outdated and defunct.
11. Mail was reviewed which included:
a. Selectmen’s dinner invitation.
b. Copies of AG approvals and denials from 2000 - today from the Clerk’s office were provided by Emily Johnson to have on file in the Select Board’s files.
12. Warrants were signed.
13. Executive Secretary’s weekly report reviewed.
A motion was made and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at: 11am
Submitted by:
Melissa Noe, Executive Secretary
Approved by:
Monterey Select Board
Select Board Members
Minutes Book
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