Monterey Select Board
Minutes of the meeting of 12/14/15
Meeting Opened at: 4:20pm
Select Board Members Present: Scott Jenssen, Chairperson, Kenn Basler and Steve Weisz
Also in attendance for parts of the meeting: Jill Pajka for the Monterey News, Larry Klein, Barbara Gauthier and Adam Chait
Miscellaneous Select Board Items Reviewed:
1. Larry Klein came in to remind the Board about the WiredWest/MBI meeting on Wednesday from 2 – 4 in Worthington. He also brought to their attention an email he received which he provided a copy of to the Board regarding the WiredWest business plan and MBI’s involvement with WiredWest. Larry requested that the Board attend Wednesday’s meeting and reassure that the town will be signing the agreement (Steve will be attending). Scott let Larry know that the Board right now has decided not to sign the agreement until WiredWest and MBI have resolved their differences. Adam Chait inquired (as a resident) why the town wasn’t exploring other options such as private contractors or doing it on their own; Scott explained that WiredWest’s plan is to wire 100% of the town
and we’ve made a commitment to their plan over the last 7 years.
2. Barbara Gauthier inquired about the special town meeting topic on the agenda; the Board was divided on when this meeting would be held but the items proposed were briefly discussed.
3. Barbara also noted (from reading previous minutes) that while the current Treasurer and Accountant deserve additional compensation for the work they have been doing to clean up the books this would require special town meeting approval. Discussion ensued about “holdbacks” and whether or not the fees collected by the Clerk and Tax Collector that are paid back to them should be abolished and their salaries raised accordingly instead.
4. M. Noe was asked to find out what the deadlines are for getting something on the election ballot and when the caucuses will be held.
5. Steve reported on Saturday’s Lake Garfield informational tax district information.
6. Steve reported that the roofer that is supposed to do the town hall roof is unable to do the job. It was suggested to ask the Highway Department to see if there is an interim fix they can make with silicone over the leak in the police station until spring when we can get another roofer in. The next lowest bidder will be contacted.
7. Metals bin collection: It has been determined that the Master Garbologist has not been turning over the monies from these collections to the town (unknown for how long); the police will be asked to open a formal investigation. M. Noe was commended for the initial investigative work she did on this.
8. M. Noe informed the Board that there will be 2 old highway trucks to be sold by sealed bid (a 05 Ford F550 and a 07 Chevy Kodiak); M. Noe was asked to confirm with the Select Board what the starting bids should be. $2,500 and $5,000 will be the starting bids respectively.
9. The Board discussed an email from the Assistant Fire Chief, Chris Tryon inquiring where the turkey gift cards were for the firemen; the Board noted that the firemen are volunteers and have never been a part of the small group of employees that receive this gift. After much discussion the Board voted to give each of the firemen a gift card this year and the tradition of giving turkey gift cards as well as the amount (if any) will be reevaluated for next year.
10. Adam Chait was asked how he can legally tap into the hub that is located at the firehouse; Adam stated that he is a licensed provider and he can request permission to tap into the hub from the state. The Board stated that it is uncomfortable with the idea that anyone is tapping into the municipal hub while negotiations are in process with broadband service providers. Steve asked Adam who is currently tapped the Firehouse hub. Adam stated that he is and the Fire Company. Steve asked if anyone else is accessing it. Adam stated “No”. Adam was asked to come into a future meeting to educate the Board on the items he felt the Board needed to do more research on as well as his ability to access the strand.
11. Barbara stated that the Board shouldn’t be scared of asking for an override; level funding the budget year after year just delays the inevitable.
12. Kenn reported that the DOT meeting scheduled for last week has been put off as Shawn doesn’t have all the information he needs yet from the Accountant.
13. Flags: Discussion ensued about who should be in charge of lowering and raising the flags. It was suggested that someone from the Veteran’s Group be asked to handle this.
14. A rumor was discussed that the highway crew may have been given comp time for the long hours in repairing the bridge; Shawn will need to be contacted but if this was the case Scott was concerned that the highway department may not have been directed properly. Discussion endues about who set the date that the bridge had to be done by Thanksgiving; it was noted that it wasn’t a decision made by the Board as a whole. Scott was concerned that Kenn has been making decisions on his own without consulting the whole Board. Kenn became upset and left the meeting at this time. Scott and Steve continued the discussion about their concerns that Kenn may have acted improperly and on his own with regards to certain projects and administrative items in town that have affected certain departments.
15. M. Noe updated the Board on the paycheck situation with the Principal Assessor and that per the Accountant effective January 1st the Principal Assessor can no longer be paid as a vendor and will need to be paid as an employee.
16. Mail was reviewed which included:
a. Copy of a letter sent to Mildred Church from the Board of Health
b. Copy of a letter sent to Kutsher’s Sports Academy from the Board of Health.
c. Letter from Christine Lynch to Smitty Pignatelli with regards to the SBRSD assessment issue.
17. Administrative Assistant’s weekly report was reviewed and time off request was approved.
18. Police Chief’s weekly report was reviewed.
19. Warrants were signed.
A motion was made and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at: 6:33pm
Submitted by:
Melissa Noe, Administrative Assistant
Approved by:
Monterey Select Board
Select Board Members
Minutes Book
Town Clerk
Documents received at this meeting:
- WiredWestexeccommemail
- Churchltr
- KSAltr
- Lynchltr
These are attached to the hard copy of the minutes located at town hall.
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