Monterey Select Board
Minutes of the meeting of 8/25/14
Meeting Opened at: 9am
Select Board Members Present: Wayne Burkhart, Chairperson, Scott Jenssen and Kenn Basler
Also in attendance for parts of the meeting: Dave Riland for the Monterey News, Shawn Tryon, Parker Brown, Stanley Ross and Ray Tryon
At 9am the Board had a bid opening for the truck equipment for the new 550 that was purchased. Only one bid was received from H.P. Fairfield LLC for $58,621.00. MHQ is providing the cab and chassis which was bid out earlier. The Board was surprised that we only had one bid but Shawn was satisfied with the bid we received. The Board voted to accept the bid providing the specs meet Shawn’s approval. The vote was unanimously approved.
Shawn is looking into options for what to do with the 2005 – 550. He will keep the Board updated.
The board met with Director of Operations, Shawn Tryon to review the following:
1. Shawn updated the Board on the work done so far on RT 57. Paving is scheduled for the 3rd & 4th of September weather permitting, this will have to set for approximately 2 weeks before the project is completed in its entirety. A notice will be put on the website and Facebook page about the continued construction.
2. The maple tree leaning over the Sawyer property on Main Rd is going to be taken down by the town as it is located in the town right of way. Shawn is also working with the Tree Warden to locate other trees in town on town property that need to be taken care of.
3. The Board asked Shawn how it is decided when a police detail is necessary. Shawn stated that this is usually something that is discussed with the Police Chief and is determined by where the project is located. Shawn noted that when the Police are used the detail rate is only $40 compared to the prevailing wage rate which is currently $44 for a flagger (which is what must be paid if it is a town job); any issues with this prevailing wage rate would need to be taken up with the Governor.
4. Update on replacing the Transfer Station Attendant’s booth: $550 to remove electric and rewire after a new building has been set. A new booth will cost $2,800 (this is an un-insulated shed). The highway crew would demo the old building. If the Board decides that this is what they would like to do it was talked about where the money would come from to pay for this. Scott suggested that the Select Board could pay for some of it out of their expenses. Scott also volunteered his services for any carpentry work that would be needed as long as the supplies were provided. Wayne was not in favor of using Select Board expenses for this purchase. Stan Ross, Finance Committee member suggested that the Transfer Station line item be used and if it causes this line to go over
then we could ask for the overage at a future special town meeting. A motion was made to purchase the new shed and necessary work needed up to $4,000 to replace the existing Transfer Station Booth. The expense will be taken from line #433. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
5. West Rd: The Board asked if Shawn could drive up in the West Rd development and go on record if an emergency vehicle can access it or not. Shawn will check it out and will send something in writing to the Board with the official response with regards to safety.
6. Kenn asked if the Town provides street signs for private roads. The Town will order it and install it but the private road must pay for the sign and sign post.
7. Shawn requested that the Board provided something in writing officially notifying DelSignore Paving that they won the bid. A letter will be sent out today.
8. Kenn commented that the level of communication from Shawn to date has been very refreshing.
Miscellaneous Select Board Items Reviewed:
1. Peter Chait came in to donate a hand carved wood plaque of the town seal. The Board was very appreciative.
2. The Board continued their discussion with regards to the Executive Secretary’s title. It was agreed since the MGL hasn’t been accepted to officially appoint an Executive Secretary and/or Town Manager that M. Noe’s title will be changed to Administrative Assistant. A motion was made to change it to Administrative Assistant. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously. This new title better reflects the duties that M. Noe performs for the Town than the previous title of Inter-Departmental Secretary did.
3. The Board also agreed unanimously to add an addendum to the Executive Secretary’s job description that will address the items submitted in a proposal by M. Noe last week. The addendum will be added to the job description along with signature spots for the Board and M. Noe and it will be signed by the Board at the next meeting.
4. Kenn felt that a future discussion should be had about how to better notify the public when any offices in Town Hall are going to be closed as well as having either the Town Clerk’s office or the Administrative Assistant’s office open on Saturday’s for the 2nd homeowner’s at least 6 months out of the year. It was noted that since M. Noe has taken the position she has actually taken over the job load of 2 positions into only 1; also noted was that the Clerk’s office used to be open on Saturday’s but we now have a new Clerk that is open for different hours. M. Noe suggested that the Select Board should consider having a “Select Board’s Corner” that would regularly be in the Monterey News that addresses issues like offices that will be
closed, policy changes, highway projects, etc. The Board thought this was an excellent idea.
5. Kenn reported that the booth at Summerfest was a huge success.
6. The Police Chief came in and updated the Board on his conversation with the Director of Camp Hume regarding the noise complaints the Town has been receiving. The Director has concluded that the noise emanating from the camp is too loud and he is working on a resolution. He will be coming in to meet with the Board on 9/29. The neighbors that were at last week’s meeting have been notified about the meeting.
7. The Board reviewed the examples of noise ordinances/bylaws from other towns that M. Noe provided and started a discussion with the Chief regarding this. The Chief stated that a certified decibel meter would need to be purchased and regularly calibrated to have a bylaw of this nature enforced. Someone would also need to be trained on the proper use of this meter for the readings to be valid in court. Discussion ensued about the complaints received about the shooting range noise on Hupi Rd. There isn’t anything in the state laws that would allow the town to prohibit certain types of noise disturbances unless the Town adopts a bylaw/ordinance. It was noted that in the examples from the other town’s noise from shooting guns is not addressed. The Chief said that the
complaints regarding the shooting are usually during the middle of the day. The Board asked M. Noe to see if there is any more information out there on this matter and agreed to continue this discussion to a future meeting.
8. The Board will not be meeting next week due to the holiday.
9. The Board agreed that there should be a future discussion about the policies at the Transfer Station and what is allowed to be dumped for free, who is considered a business versus resident and enforcement of dumping at the Transfer Station. The discussion should include reevaluating whether or not the transfer station should be treated more like a business and have the fees support the operation or keep it as is. The Board reviewed an article in the New Marlborough newsletter regarding similar problems they are having. It was suggested that the Town should consider having a town employee present at the dump when it’s open to check stickers and possibly collect fees should the Board decide to move in that direction.
10. Mail was reviewed which included:
a. An email from David Hastings letting the Board’s know that there are 4 choice students in the Egremont School and 0 in the Monterey School.
b. An email from David Hastings announcing that Dr. Matt Malone will address the SBRSD staff on Wednesday, August 27th at 12:30.
11. Police Chief’s weekly report was reviewed.
12. Executive Secretary’s weekly report was reviewed.
A motion was made and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at: 10:49am
Submitted by:
Melissa Noe, Administrative Assistant
Approved by:
Monterey Select Board
Select Board Members
Minutes Book
Town Clerk
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