Monterey Select Board
Minutes of the meeting of 2/18/15
Meeting Opened at: 4:30pm
Select Board Members Present: Wayne Burkhart, Chairperson, Scott Jenssen and Kenn Basler
Also in attendance for parts of the meeting: Donald Clawson, Stanley Ross, Daniel Moriarity, Julio Rodriguez, Maria Rundle, Pat Solomon and Barbara Gauthier
The board met with the Finance Committee to review the following regarding the FY16 budget and the special meeting scheduled for 2/26/15:
1. Maria Rundle, School Committee Representative was present to answer any questions regarding the special town meeting warrant article regarding the roof and boiler proposal at Mt Everett. Stanley didn’t feel that the article language was clear enough. Maria explained that the language was boiler plate and came from MSBA. The $7.7 million dollar proposal represents a worst case scenario and what is actually spent/borrowed will most likely be less. It was questioned what the liability would be if one town were to default or pull out; is it a joint and several bond? Maria understands that each town is responsible for their own portion and if one town denies the funding the project will not go forward. Stan questioned how we put $7million into a building that houses 250 kids
and what is the real value of the building? Wayne explained that the project is actually a $4 million dollar project because the state is covering the other $3 million. Maria explained that any revenues generated from the solar panels to be installed will be used toward paying down the loan for the above project. Maria also explained about the $300,000 grant we will be receiving from the DOER. It was agreed that if this article passes this should go on the ballot requesting a debt exclusion.
2. Julio inquired as to why the Finance Committee is not supporting the Lake Garfield article on this special town meeting’s warrant. Stanley explained that after speaking with Michael Germain of the Friends of Lake Garfield Association (FLG) and that the Finance Committee feels that the FLG and the homeowner’s on the lake should be supporting this project themselves just as the folks on Lake Buel support their own lake through a separate taxing authority seeing as the only portion the town has access to is the town beach area. Julio felt that the people that live on Lake Garfield already pay more taxes than other properties in Monterey and denied that Lake Garfield is an exclusive lake belonging to only the rich people. Pat argued that Lake Garfield is not used exclusively by residents
of Monterey. Dan explained that as a Finance Committee member he felt this request was inappropriate is because the other lake in town (Buel) have their own tax district which was created to specifically handle the same types of concerns that Lake Garfield has and wondered if the FLG has spoken to the Lake Buel Prudential Committee to discuss starting their own. Dan also felt that there needs to be more togetherness between the two lakes and stop making it appear as us and them. Dan was also concerned that this article was placed on a special warrant instead of an annual town meeting warrant. Barbara suggested that the conversations regarding this particular article should be discussed at the special not tonight so that all the voters can weigh in and decide. Kenn added that Lake Buel can request funds as well at any time.
3. The general government section of the budget was discussed:
a. It was questioned what the ECAC’s recommendation was for employee raises; they haven’t made a recommendation yet so employee compensation will be discussed at a later date.
b. Line 430 increasing by $5,000: Scott has an issue with this increase and will speak further with Shawn about this on Monday.
c. Line 433 will be decreasing by approximately $20,000 this year providing the additional highway person/transfer station attendant is approved as we will no longer need the Master Garbologist to supply an employee.
d. Barbara explained that free cash should not be used to purchase capital items only to lower the tax levy; you either borrow funds or use stabilization for capital items.
e. Shared mower proposal: It was decided that this was not the year to propose this to the town and we will consider revisiting this at a later date.
f. Discussion ensued about what the estimated levy limit would be with the budget as it is proposed right now.
g. There was discussion that there may be a request for funds from the church and whether or not this is legal or not.
h. It was questioned why the Finance Committee is supporting articles 5 & 6 on the special town meeting warrant when the town was never asked in the beginning of this project if it was something they wanted as it was supposed to be completely funded by donations.
i. It was suggested that the proposal for the audit be raised and that we look into other auditors that may be available as some people in town hall were not pleased with the firm we used last time.
j. It was suggested that if the purchase of the new truck is approved at this special town meeting then that should also be a debt exclusion on the election ballot.
A motion was made and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at: 6pm
Submitted by:
Melissa Noe, Administrative Assistant
Approved by:
Monterey Select Board
Select Board Members
Minutes Book
Town Clerk
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