Monterey Select Board
Minutes of the meeting of 8/17/15
Meeting Opened at: 4:15pm
Select Board Members Present: Scott Jenssen (left at 5:45pm), Chairperson, Kenn Basler and Steve Weisz
Also in attendance for parts of the meeting: Jacob Edelman and Jill Pajka for the Monterey News, Bethany Mielke and Howard Leavy
Miscellaneous Select Board Items Reviewed:
1. Howard Leavy came in to complain about the speeding problem on Beartown Mtn Rd, he feels that this is due to the double yellow lines that were painted on last year. He noted that from Hupi down there aren’t any speed limit signs. Howard has spoken with the Chief and Shawn Tryon who recommended that Howard speak with the Board. He felt that when the speed trailer was there a few years ago it did seem to help. He feels that it happens more on the weekends, morning and evening hours during the week. Kenn stated that Shawn has ordered more speed signs for Beartown Mtn Rd and the Chief and Shawn are looking at all the roads in town and which roads it might be beneficial to have permanent speed trailers on like what is near the school. The Board will ask for more patrols on
Beartown.
2. The board suggested that the September select board article should be about Safety, due to the increase of speeding throughout the town and unsafe activity on the lakes.
3. Assistant Harbormaster: As per the request of our second-homeowners, Kenn spoke to the Chief and he has no issue with an Assistant Harbormaster being appointed. He will provide Kenn with a list of how other towns manage this. Steve did speak to Julio Rodriguez about his previous interest. He said he would be interested, but he doesn’t have access to a boat. Steve does think it would be worth investing in a town owned boat (possibly paid for, by selling the fan boat). This town boat could be permanently moored on Lake Garfield for the use of the Harbormaster/Assistant Harbormaster & emergency services. Scott agreed that a very basic Boston Whaler model would be worth considering and had no problem with the idea of selling the Fan Boat (The Fire Chief will be asked for his input on this
idea). Kenn was concerned with trying to justify a boat purchase this year with all the other budget items we have on the table and suggested that maybe 2 people on the lake with boats should be considered for splitting the job of Assistant Harbormaster. The Board did mention that they would be amenable to the idea of someone ‘donating’ a Boat for Town use. Items that would need to be discussed would be the Asst. Harbormasters responsibilities, access to a police radio and if there would be reimbursement for gas, etc.
4. The Board asked M. Noe to find out if the firing range on Hupi Rd was legal.
5. A tentative date of Sept 30th has been set to meet with the FLG and Lake Buel Committee members to discuss a long term management of both the lakes.
6. New Marlboro Rd bridge update: everything is moving along with the bid for the 2nd temporary bridge except DOT has expressed some concerns. Kenn will call them tomorrow. Kenn requested to be the lead on this and that any calls be directed to him; Steve and Scott agreed.
7. RT 23 culvert replacement at River Rd is also moving ahead, Shawn has submitted all the paperwork for Chapter 90 funds to the state and the Highway and Board are both working closely with the Monterey Conservation Commission. Work should begin in the beginning part of September.
8. The agenda item to schedule a visit to the Monterey School was discussed and Steve clarified that he personally wants to get in to walk around (it doesn’t need to be the Board as a whole) to assess the status. He also mentioned that he has someone interested that is part of the This old House tv program that may be interested in helping with the school building; Kenn has concerns about this and past projects they have been involved with. During the meeting an email was received from our School Committee representative with regards to the School Committee’s attorney’s response to the current arrangement.
9. The Board reviewed the invitation to bid package and advertisement for the construction of the transfer station which Kenn had concerns about; he wants to split out the construction and concrete work and have the town be the General Contractor which the AG has stated appears to be bid-splitting and would be illegal. Kenn will come in tomorrow to get the contact information for the AG to call himself.
10. Kenn noted that the Chief is concerned about an email that was sent to Scott and Steve by an officer. Kenn was concerned and annoyed that this email wasn’t sent to him as the liaison of the Police Department. Scott & Steve stated that they were not going to comment to the email because they feel that there is a “top-down” management process that should be followed where the head of the Department (namely the Chief) should answer complaints from individuals in their respective departments. The Board will monitor the situation.
11. DLS audit: Steve asked why we haven’t gone forward with requesting an audit from them similar to what was done in New Marlborough Kenn stated that we are in a queue but the audits they provide are not high on the DLS’ list right now as they are short staffed due to several early retirements. (A Department of Local Services (DLS) ‘audit’ is a free service that explores ways to improve the financial operations of small towns. It is solely informational and carries no legal ramifications).
12. The Board asked M. Noe to schedule the Treasurer and Accountant for next week’s meeting to discuss the status of the closing of the FY15 books.
13. Upcoming teambuilding event: Scott stated it is all set with the Brewery Restaurant. Kenn felt that we were still trying to push it and force people into some sort of relationship and it should be “advertised” as an end of the summer celebration rather than a teambuilding. After discussing this further, Steve agreed and offered to rewrite the invitation to focus on having a good time no matter how many town employees show up.
14. Kenn and Steve discussed the agenda items to continue the discussions about Saturday coverage and time off planning/policies. It was suggested that this discussion be tabled until after Joe Kellogg comes in and makes his assessment of the current operations of town hall.
15. Mail was reviewed which included:
a. Email complaint about speeding on Blue Hill Rd; the Board asked M .Noe to respond with the actions the Board is currently taking with regards to these complaints.
b. Permit approval notice from the DEP for the post-closure use of the Monterey-DSWM-Landfill/Transfer Station.
c. Simplified license documents for the construction and maintenance of a dock at 16 Point Rd.
d. Comments from National Grid with regards to D.P.U. 15-18, 15-61, 15-63; Petitions for Approval of Municipal Aggregation by the Town of Monterey, City of Haverhill and Town of Auburn.
16. Administrative Assistant’s weekly report was reviewed.
17. Warrants were signed.
18. A memo to the Building Commission stating that the Monterey Transfer Station is no longer an acceptable option for the disposal of construction/demolition debris when a building permit is applied for.
The board met with Town Treasurer, Bethany Mielke to review the following:
1. The books should be reconciled and closed with the Accountant by the end of the month.
2. Bethany updated the Board on the status of the IRS lein; a payment was made in the beginning of August for a correction that was received by them but has since been lost in their internal circulation, a new check will be sent with this week’s vendor warrant.
3. Bethany, Melissa and Brendan attended the training with the new payroll company today. The new payroll company will be start with the September 3rd payroll and Bethany will keep the current system active through the end of September. The Board drafted a memo to all current employees being paid monthly that they will now be paid weekly unless they would rather be paid bi-annually. Bethany will send a memo to all employees that checks will now be on Thursdays instead of Wednesdays.
4. Scott asked if there was any new information on the bonds necessary for WiredWest; Bethany stated that as of today there isn’t.
A motion was made and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at: 5:53pm
Submitted by:
Melissa Noe, Administrative Assistant
Approved by:
Monterey Select Board
Select Board Members
Minutes Book
Town Clerk
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