Monterey Select Board
Minutes of the meeting of 2/22/16
Meeting Opened at: 9:02am
Select Board Members Present: Scott Jenssen, Chairperson, Kenn Basler and Steve Weisz
Also in attendance for parts of the meeting: Stephen Moore for the Monterey News, Dustin Collins, Carol Edelman, George Cain, Shawn Tryon, Peter Chait, Adam Chait, Stan Ross, Donald Clawson, BJ Johnson, Ray Tryon, Vito Valentini, David Hastings, Maria Rundle and Bruce Turner
At 9am a hearing was held to hear Hume New England’s request for a permit to store up to 12,000 gallons of flammable and combustible liquids as is required under MGL Chapter 148 Sections 9 & 13. This permit is necessary as there will be more than 2000 gallons of propane on one lot (current total storage of 8500 gallons). Shawn Tryon has no issues with the permit being granted. A motion was made to grant the license through the Town Clerk’s Office which is renewable yearly unless revoked. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously.
At 9:30am Adam Chait of Fiber Connect came in to speak with the Board about how his company could provide services to build out our fiber. The Town is looking for a company that can provide fiber service to 100% of the Town (service would be run by any buildable lot). Adam stated that the main product would be internet, telephone wouldn’t be an issue but his company isn’t interested in providing tv. Fiber Connect is interested in building and operating but not to build without operating. Adam discussed the options available to the town that he could present a proposal on one of which required the Town loaning Fiber Connect money to build out the Town. It was agreed that once proposals are submitted that a committee should be formed to review and make recommendations. The
Board stated that the Town has committed to WiredWest however they are becoming frustrated with the time frame and other issues that have arisen and are now looking into other options that may be available. The Board is interested in Fiber Connect creating a proposal for Monterey. Adam can have a proposal where the Town does the make ready work within 2 – 3 weeks.
Miscellaneous Select Board Items Reviewed:
1. Stephen Moore requested an explanation on the difference between “Fire Department” and “Fire Company”. It was explained that the Fire Company owns the building and the Town operates/manages the Fire Department employees and the equipment.
2. Kenn reported that the Town of Leverett is willing to meet with us to discuss how they built out their own fiber network. Steve also had a conversation with the Town Manager while at the MMA Annual Meeting. It was agreed that a meeting with Leverett could be useful after meeting with Egremont who is currently in the middle of the proposal review process.
3. Ken reported that the Governor has just released funding and new guidelines for bridges under 20 feet long.
4. The Board met with the Finance Committee to discuss the following FY17 budget items:
a. The Committee met with Shawn on Friday and the following changes to the proposed budget were suggested:
i. Line 422, Highway Maintenance & Line 429, Highway Capital – The Committee is suggesting that these be combined into one line item as Shawn states they are used for the same types of projects and it be called Highway Maintenance for $265,000. M. Noe will check with the Town Accountant to see if there are any issues with doing this.
ii. Line 429 be changed to equipment maintenance for $20,000. The machinery and tools line item is just for purchasing tools not fixing equipment.
iii. M. Noe will confirm what kind of account would need to be created to build a savings for Bridges & Culverts.
iv. A new line item has been created for fuel which would cover the Police, Highway and Fire Department. The Finance Committee questioned why the Police Dept expenses were lowered by only $7,500 when his FY17 request was for $12,000 in fuel. The Board will check with the Chief on this.
v. Rename line 220 from Fire Department expenses to Fire Department equipment maintenance and lower it to $30,700.
vi. Fire Department Training and Education: The idea is that if the Town will be paying $30,000 for the next 15 years toward the mortgage then the Training and Education line item should be closed. This line item will be lowered to $0.
vii. The request for a new truck, the current truck is still in good shape structurally so this request will be pushed off until FY18.
b. The Committee met with the Building Commissioner: Line 240 – Don is requesting it be raised to $8,000 to cover new code books that need to be purchased.
c. The Committee also met with the Cemetery Committee: They are currently in the 2nd year of a 3 year mowing contract, she is level funding her budget request.
d. The request for new police cruisers will now go to a 5 year rotation instead of every 3 years.
e. Stabilization fund: The Committee recommends that $150,000 should be put in here this year.
5. The Board met with Superintendent Hastings, Business Administrator Bruce Turner, School Committee Chair Vito Valentini and School Committee Representative Maria Rundle to discuss the following:
a. Vito explained that if there hadn’t been an error made it would’ve been easier to compare the FY16 budget and the proposed budget from this year.
b. The Board stated they will no longer except that “it is too complicated for the towns to understand” the formula for calculating each town’s assessment. The Board wants all the numbers as well as the complete formula provided to them; Bruce will work on this. The assessment is not based per child it is based on the ability to pay per town.
c. Vito explained that the assessments for Monterey, Egremont and Alford are higher due to the large 2nd homeowner populations these towns have as we appear on paper to be a wealthy community.
d. Children that choice out of our district cost $5,000 per child in addition to the amount we are assessed per child.
e. The Board explained that being forced with a 9.82% increase from the school is presenting real issue for the Board and is affecting our ability to be able to give our employees a 1-2% increase. If an error hadn’t been made Monterey would’ve been looking at a 7.2% increase.
f. The Board inquired why the person assuming Bruce Turner’s position was offered more than the current one was making ($87,000 current salary and $95,000 offered to the new hire). The Board feels that a new person should’ve been hired at a lower salary since the opportunity was there. David felt we weren’t competitive enough and wanted to hire someone with experience.
g. Loss of revenue from food service: the total was $11,000; the new food service director is making progress on getting more subsidies from the state.
h. Scott inquired if there was another increase given to another position; Dave explained that there was some restructuring and there was one position given a salary increase for additional grant writing duties.
i. There will be a sign up for the Monterey School which would need a minimum of 6 students to offer a program there.
j. Kenn questioned the school’s calculation of 97 kids when we come up with a total 68. Kenn feels there is a real discrepancy and all things considered this number has a large impact on our assessment and he would like to challenge them as we do not feel they are correct.
k. Kenn has an issue with a few of the items that have substantially increased in this year’s budget request. There is a request for $20,000 which is for a Superintendent search as this will be Dave’s last year. There will be discussions with Farmington River to share a Superintendent.
l. The Board stated that we cannot continue to manage the increases put on Monterey with declining enrollment and the school stating they are currently bare bones.
6. George Cain came in stating he was very disappointed about the results of the special town meeting and wanted to know if it (changing positions from elected to appointed) was now a dead issue or if it would be on a future meeting warrant. The Board stated it isn’t a dead issue and will examine how to reapproach it going forward.
7. Steve reported that he met with the Accountant regarding the following:
a. Interactions with specific department heads.
b. The Treasurer has received a turnover from the Clerk for dog license fees collected and there is concern that the Clerk has kept her portion without turning over the full amount to be properly taxed through payroll. DOR will be contacted to find out the legal procedure.
8. Administrative Assistant’s weekly report was reviewed.
9. Police Chief’s weekly report was reviewed.
10. Warrants were signed.
A motion was made and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at: 12:53pm
Submitted by:
Melissa Noe, Administrative Assistant
Approved by:
Monterey Select Board
Select Board Members
Minutes Book
Town Clerk
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