Monterey Select Board
Minutes of the meeting of 2/8/16
Meeting Opened at: 8:35am
Select Board Members Present: Scott Jenssen, Chairperson, Kenn Basler and Steve Weisz
Also in attendance for parts of the meeting: Don Torrico, Shawn Tryon, Stanley Ross, BJ Johnson, Donald Clawson, Michael Banner, Joe Baker and Barbara Gauthier
The board met with Building Commissioner, Don Torrico, Fire Inspector, Shawn Tryon and the Finance Committee to review the following:
1. Inspection/permit fees:
a. An analysis of surrounding towns (Lee, Lenox, Stockbridge) was performed and a new average permit fee schedule was provided to the Board for review (attached). Our fees have not been raised since 2003. The Board unanimously supported the fee increase effective April 1, 2016.
b. The Town doesn’t currently charge for fire inspections but under MGL Chapter 148 section 10A the Town has the right to charge up to $50 which is the going rate. The Board inquired whether or not this should be set up as a revolving account such as the Plumbing, Gas and Electrical. The Board unanimously agreed to adopt this new inspection fee effective April 1, 2016. It was proposed to zero out the stipend for the Fire Inspector and pay him $40 of the $50 fee as is done with the other inspectors. The Board will continue to research whether it will be a revolving account or not.
c. Building Department FY17 budget request: Don needs a new computer, it was noted that the Town has a separate line item to update 1/3 of the computers in town hall every year but this year’s money has already been used. He is requesting $600 more to cover materials for code changes and the cost of his cell phone.
d. The Board requested a report showing the permitting fees collected for the last calendar year.
The board met with Fire Chief, Shawn Tryon and the Finance Committee to review the following:
1. Facility use agreement: A copy of the agreement for this year was provided which still needs to be signed (attached). Shawn is working on a more thorough operating agreement for FY17 and should have a draft for review in the next few weeks. The Board agreed to sign the building use agreement for FY16 with the understanding that Shawn will return in a few weeks with the draft and that there is enough in the current budget to cover the expense.
2. Shawn is hoping to have a quote by the end of the week on the cost of the new fire truck needed.
The board met with Director of Operations, Shawn Tryon and the Finance Committee to review the following:
1. The Osh Kosh may need to be towed to Cheshire to repair some damage caused during an accident last week.
2. Gas usage reporting and billing was discussed. The computer program is now up and running properly, new cards are being ordered. Shawn would like to see all the gas expense accounts be combined into 1 as fuel for the town versus having the highway, fire and police all submit requests and shift money internally to cover the costs. The Board concurred.
3. John Fields will be doing brush work on RT23 from Steven’s Lake Rd to around 155 Main Rd. Thursday – Monday.
4. Shawn is still waiting on a figure for work that needs to be done to the dam behind the Monterey Library.
5. The Board would like to have a future discussion on any TIPS proposals, the Curtis Rd bridge and 2-3 years worth of projected road projects/maintenance that needs to be done.
6. Chapter 90 monies: most of this if not all of it will go to blacktopping roads (not RT 23). The Board requested a list of projects slated for the next few years.
7. There is a weights and measures scale in the highway garage (missing some of the parts) and Shawn inquired if there is somewhere in town that would like to showcase it.
8. Steve noted that the WMH is ready for their water line to be installed; this can’t be done until spring and it was suggested that Steve speak directly to Tryon Construction about their availability.
The board met with the Finance Committee to review the following:
1. The Finance Committee still needs more information/meetings with several departments. The Finance Committee has met with the police Department and the Parks Dept with regards to the lifeguards and they are 100% in support of this. Steve noted that at the last Parks meeting it was agreed to cut the lifeguard hours down from 8 hours/day to 6 cutting the amount necessary for Berkshire South down by approximately $6,000. M. Noe will follow up with Kelly and update the budget with the new numbers.
2. The Board would like to start reviewing the budget requests that the Finance Committee has already reviewed to keep the process moving.
3. Stabilization fund: Stan feels that we have been using more than we are putting in and we need to build up this account.
4. Stan and BJ both feel that a proposition 2 ½ override should be requested at this years town meeting. Kenn feels that if this is the direction we are going in serious discussions should start now and the public should be kept in the loop between now and town meeting so no one is surprised.
Miscellaneous Select Board Items Reviewed:
1. The Board reviewed the articles for the Special Town Meeting on Feb. 18th. It was noted that there are 2 typos which will need to be amended on the floor in article 9 which is the informational article regarding the votes necessary at the annual elections. Town Counsel was called during the meeting and confirmed that it was an editorial/Scrivener’s error and that since it will be republished on the annual town meeting warrant and falls within the required notifications under MGL there isn’t an issue and he will explain that at the special if necessary. It was decided that in addition a notice will be mailed to the registered voter households letting them know about the error and how it will be corrected.
2. Michael Banner and Joe Baker came in to discuss the following:
a. They requested a meeting with the Board to look at the building and discuss its future needs which includes but isn’t limited to creating a parking area and hooking up the water supply. The town will take over operations in the 2nd year.
3. Barbara Gauthier came in to see when the Board would like her to come in to assist with the budget. They requested that she be here every week until it’s complete; she can start coming in February 29th.
4. Administrative Assistant’s weekly report was reviewed.
5. Police Chief’s weekly report was reviewed.
6. Warrants were signed.
A motion was made and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at: 11:04am
Submitted by:
Melissa Noe, Administrative Assistant
Approved by:
Monterey Select Board
Select Board Members
Minutes Book
Town Clerk
Documents received at this meeting:
These are attached to the hard copy of the minutes located at town hall.
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