Monterey Select Board
Minutes of the meeting of 5/4/15
Meeting Opened at: 8:30am
Select Board Members Present: Wayne Burkhart, Chairperson, Scott Jenssen and Kenn Basler
Also in attendance for parts of the meeting: David Irland for the Monterey News, Barbara Gauthier, Michael Banner, Julio Rodriguez, Shawn Tryon and Ray Tryon
Miscellaneous Select Board Items Reviewed:
1. Mail was reviewed which included:
a. Letter from DEP announcing the 2015 Sustainable Materials Recovery Program (SMRP) Municipal Grant Application.
b. Letter from White Engineering announcing they are prequalified by the MA Dept of Transportation in basic roadway design; hydraulics and hydrology; wetlands – delineation and assessment, mitigation and water quality assessment and migration.
c. Bidwell House Spring/Summer 2015 newsletter.
d. Letter certifying Monterey’s Chapter 90 apportionment for FY16 is $197, 822.
2. The final version of the job description of lifeguard was approved.
3. The Board reviewed the annual town meeting which took place on Saturday.
4. The Board discussed the upcoming special town meeting to be held this Friday where the WiredWest article/bond issue will be discussed and voted on.
5. Barbara Gauthier came in to report on her meeting with the Treasurer and Accountant last week. She stated that the meeting was very productive and that the some of the issues that had been found have been investigated and will be fixed (one of which was a software issue). Barbara did recommend that the town should consider using a payroll company to do payroll. It was also suggested that Bethany might want to consider creating a standard payroll form for all departments to use.
6. Julio Rodriguez came in to inquire if the program for the remembrance and parade could be combined. M. Noe and Julio will work on this.
7. Kenn is going to work with Shawn and Jamie Cahillane of CET to start the ball rolling on the new transfer station and what the first steps are.
8. Kenn reported that the RT 23 construction project start date has been delayed while the culverts are reevaluated. Construction should start toward the end of July and may end of being a 2 year project instead of 1.
9. Julio Rodriguez inquired about the process for changing an elected position to an appointed position and suggested that we should start the process now since it needs town meeting approval.
10. Michael Banner came in to discuss the following:
a. Mowing at the Community Center. Michael stated that he has been doing it once a week for about 5 ½ months for the last year and a half. Brush hogging is no longer necessary as the lawn is down to grass. Michael stated that he will continue to do this gratis for this year, Julio also offered his assistance if needed.
b. List of external summer activities that will be hosted at the Community Center.
c. Estimated costs to run the Community Center once the building has been issued a certificate of occupancy and the town becomes responsible for these expenses.
d. Michael inquired about the town assisting in getting a loan to finish all of the items that need to be completed but it was explained that this would require town meeting approval for the funds. It was suggested that the fundraising efforts be ramped up.
11. The transfer station fees/operations for FY16 were discussed:
a. The fees charged for bulky waste in Monterey in the past were reviewed and it was suggested that these fees should be instituted after the new transfer station is constructed. It was suggested that if we don’t reinstate the fees this year that a limit be set on construction debris/bulky waste that can be dumped.
b. Kenn suggested that the sticker price be raised to $75 unless you are over the age of 65 then the sticker price would be $60. After discussing this further is was Scott suggested to keep the sticker prices the same for FY16 since the town just approved a large sum of money to construct a new facility however a notice that there would be fees for construction debris/bulky waste to help control the tipping fees incurred by the town (this will be voted on next week).
c. Better control is necessary by the transfer station attendant. Our current contract states that the attendant is supposed to be monitoring the traffic and what is coming in. The attendant will need to be more visible this year (outside of the shed) with a safety vest directing traffic and what is allowed or not allowed to be dumped.
d. It was suggested that a town employee be hired as soon as possible for 18 hours to run the dump and pay for this employee out of the transfer station line item.
e. Kenn and Shawn have also spoken about adding to the currently vacant Highway 3 position that he would be a back up coverage for the transfer station attendant when sick or unable to come in. Wayne stated that this line item may not be eligible to pay a salary out of there but this should be clarified with the Treasurer and Accountant as the current wages that are coming out of this line item are part of a contract (that currently has not been renewed). Scott suggested that an ad for this position should be put out immediately.
f. The need for a solid waste committee to be formed to come up with the procedures and policies for the new transfer station was discussed.
g. Discussion ensued about using a senior thru the senior tax work off abatement program to help check stickers at the dump.
12. Administrative Assistant’s weekly report was reviewed.
13. Police Chief’s weekly report was reviewed.
14. Warrants were signed.
15. FY14 individual town reports; the Board suggested that the school district be called again about their report, Wayne will speak to Maria Rundle about the report from the School Committee and M. Noe will speak to the Finance Committee again.
16. Wayne thanked Kenn and Scott for their contributions and teamwork while he was on the Board and wished them well. He also stated that he hopes the new Board will continue to realize the asset they have in M. Noe as their Administrative Assistant.
The board met with Director of Operations, Shawn Tryon to review the following:
1. Shawn requested a letter from the Board giving him permission to order the truck that was approved at the special town meeting on Saturday.
2. Discussion ensued about whether or not detour signs should be put out for the Memorial Day parade. According to the Chief signs are not usually placed out.
A motion was made and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at: 10:50am
Submitted by:
Melissa Noe, Administrative Assistant
Approved by:
Monterey Select Board
Select Board Members
Minutes Book
Town Clerk
Documents received at this meeting:
1. DEPSMPRltr
2. WhiteEngltr
3. Chap90Certltr
These are attached to the hard copy of the minutes located at town hall.
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