Monterey Select Board
Minutes of the meeting of 1/25/16
Meeting Opened at: 4pm
Select Board Members Present: Scott Jenssen, Chairperson, Kenn Basler and Steve Weisz (arrived at 4:45pm)
Also in attendance for parts of the meeting: Jill Pajka for the Monterey News, Gareth Backhaus, Kelly Tryon, Jennifer Engelson, Sue Funk and Paul Lisi
The board met with Chief of Police, Gareth Backhaus to review the following:
1. Weekly report was reviewed.
2. Old cruiser (sedan): the Board would like it parked at town hall and around town as a speed deterrant when not in use and suggested that if the firearm in it is an issue that the firearm be stored elsewhere when being used as a traffic deterrent. The Board stressed that using it as a deterrent was the main reason the Board agreed to keep it.
3. The Chief is still working on his FY17 budget request. He has suggested that fuel should be listed as just fuel on the budget covering the FD, PD and Highway instead of how it’s currently being done. It was agreed to lower line item 212 to $1 as we haven’t been billed for these services for over 2 years; if we should be billed again we could transfer from the reserve fund.
The board met with Kelly Tryon, Chair of the Parks Commission to review the following:
1. FY17 budget:
a. The Parks Dept is working with Berkshire South on a contract for managing the lifeguard services in its entirety (trainings, payroll, HR, scheduling, etc.). Kenn requested that someone from Berkshire South also make a presentation to the Board.
b. Currently we pay approx $17k in payroll for the season. Kelly recommends creating a separate line item for $26,272 which would cover payroll and Berkshire South’s administrative and insurance fees. Kelly had been putting in 12 hours a week unpaid to cover this which was affecting her personal business and cannot continue to do.
c. $5,459 will be needed to cover March – June of this FY which they do not have in their current budget; this will be requested at the Feb special town meeting.
2. The skating party will be held in February. There will not be a chili cook off this year.
The board met with Town Treasurer, Sue Funk to review the following:
1. New truck loan – the Board signed the loan paperwork which was witnessed and also signed by the Town Clerk.
The board met with Town Accountant, Paul Lisi to review the following:
1. Paul informed the Board that he is spending too much time explaining accounting procedures to departments. The Board agrees that the policy is that each department is responsible for its own budget and that any projected overages need to go through the proper channels. The Board also agrees that there needs to be clarity on the use of the reserve fund and will speak with the Finance Committee about that
2. A mandatory meeting will be scheduled with all the department heads, Treasurer and Accountant to inform everyone of the proper procedures.
3. Paul also has concerns about the transfer station going out to bid in February which will require a loan and a payment due in FY17 and he’s not sure we’ll have the money to do so and would feel much more comfortable if the Board would hold off on this until the cash audit is performed. The Select Board will take this under advisement with the Finance Committee
4. The Board confirmed that they had previously approved using monies from the computer line item to purchase the necessary software add on.
5. Paul and Sue are requesting that 2 file cabinets be moved out of their office and that another L-shaped desk be purchased. The Board approved this request.
6. Paul also requested that the printer in their office be made network compatible. M. Noe will follow up with our IT person on this.
Miscellaneous Select Board Items Reviewed:
1. Jennifer Engelson from the Hampshire Council of Governments came in to discuss the following:
a. Their mission is to save taxpayer dollars through different programs. One of which is a new program – Hampshire Solar; you can subscribe to a remote solar farm allocated at a discount on a first come first serve basis. Each resident, business or municipal building that wanted to participate would need to do so individually and sign their own contracts.
b. The Board unanimously agreed to sign up the municipal accounts; copies of the bills will be scanned to Jen.
c. Jen will send an article to the Monterey News informing how Monterey residents can sign up if they are interested.
2. The Library Trustees have requested that John Higgins be appointed until the next election to fulfill the vacancy created by Susan Gallant’s resignation. A motion was made to appoint John Higgins until the May 2016 election which was seconded and unanimously approved.
3. The Board reviewed and approved the February Select Board Corner article.
4. Each Board member has received several calls regarding the Monterey School; the Board will schedule a future meeting to discuss the issue with any interested residents.
5. Administrative Assistant’s weekly report was reviewed.
6. Warrants were signed.
A motion was made and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at: 5:55pm
Submitted by:
Melissa Noe, Administrative Assistant
Approved by:
Monterey Select Board
Select Board Members
Minutes Book
Town Clerk
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