Select Board
Minutes of the meeting of 7/19/17
Meeting Opened at: 9am
Select Board Members Present: Steve Weisz, Chairperson, Carol Edelman and Kenneth Basler
Also in attendance: Chief Backhaus, Julio Rodriguez, Kate Ryan, Stephanie Fredsall, Nick Fredsall, Mark Amstead, Kim Jeffries, Shawn Tryon, Kevin Fitpatrick, Chief Backhaus, Hillel Maximon, Ray Tryon
Miscellaneous Items Reviewed:
- The Board discussed the new cycle of FEMA mitigation grants. Dennis Lynch, grant writer reported to Steve that this will dovetail nicely with the current grants we are applying for.
- Library construction grant: We didn’t make the first round but in 6 months we may be moved into the first round if the towns set to receive the funds do not appropriate the necessary matching monies.
- Curtis Rd: We should receive the design for the repair from Gill Engineering this week and Shawn is researching a lead paint professional.
- Composting: Kenn met with Gould Farm staff, they are working on the permitting issues that prevented starting the composting program last month.
- Mattress program: This is going very well. We have collected approximately 45 mattresses so far (a savings to Monterey of approximately $1,000 by instituting this program).
- The Board discussed the letter to be sent to the school committee; everyone was in agreement to send it.
- We still haven’t heard back from the school with regards to our inquiries on lead paint in the Monterey School building. M. Noe will follow up with the school secretary.
- Carol reminded her colleagues about the informal discussion this Saturday at town hall regarding the Monterey School.
- Julio reported that the cruiser parked at the beach is helping to slow traffic down.
- At 9:30am the Board had their weekly conference call with our Accountant and Treasurer.
a. A meeting will be scheduled with the payroll service to clean up the software and use all of the functions it has to offer to make the payroll process much quicker and smoother.
b. The Board requested that BMA send a list of employees that they are still waiting on employee update forms from to M. Noe.
c. FY17 bills are still coming in; once that has finished end of year reports will be issued.
d. Monthly reports will go out within 3 business days after the last warrants of the previous month.
e. Productive conversations have been had with most all of the department heads and things are heading in the right direction.
- Steve gave information to Julio Rodriguez (Council on Aging) regarding an upcoming listening session about elder issues.
- Warrants were signed.
- Minutes from 7/12/17 were approved with amendments.
- The HVA survey the hospital is requesting; the Board confirmed that this will be filled out by the Chief.
- The Board approved the following end of year transfers:
a. A total of $8,397.93 from 015122.701 to 015151.700 ($421.45), 015158.000 ($90.03), 015220.100 ($1125.00), 015220.703 ($4.00), 015296.700 ($1896.83), 015424.700 ($947.25), 015433.000 ($3866.41) and 015433.001 ($9.52).
- The Board discussed the current procedure for applying for a special event/theatrical event/one day alcohol permit. Our insurance provider has confirmed that alcohol on town property is not covered under our insurance policies. Individuals renting out town properties can apply for an insurance rider listing the Town of Monterey as an additional insured and must state “alcohol liability” on it. Carol and Kenn feel that a discussion needs to be had with all the departments to see if this process can be made simpler and what kind of restrictions there are with regards to the town’s insurance. This discussion resumed later in the meeting and it was then determined that the first step should be a meeting with the Community Center and the Board to review the current policies/procedure.
- Mail was reviewed which included:
a. Email from NuGen Capital regarding a net metering program available to us. The Board discussed it and declined to participate at this time.
b. Email from Colonial Power Group regarding the contract renewal for our current aggregation.
- The Board approved the August Select Board Corner.
- Quarterly all board meetings: Section 18 of our bylaws state that the Town voted to authorize and direct the Select Board to establish a Quarterly Meeting, announce in advance and open to the public, consisting of at least one representative from each Town Committee or Board to coordinate current and future Town needs and activities. It was suggested to hold meetings on 11/15, 2/21 and 5/16 at 5-6pm.
- Steve reported on his conversation with the Chief regarding the current part timers working over 40 hours. Berkshire County Retirement was consulted; if they see a consistent 20 or more hours for a part timer they will call the department head after 3 months’ time and after 6 months by law the employee has to become part of the retirement system.
- Transfer station: Kenn reported that Shawn is working on the signage requested regarding checking with the attendant prior to dumping items.
- Library MOU: The Board of Trustees still needs to review and accept it at a public meeting.
- Administrative Assistant’s weekly report was reviewed.
- Police Chief’s weekly report was reviewed.
- The Board discussed and approved the Building Inspectors request to move into the new office upstairs. Steve is also going to speak with Don about posting more in office hours.
At 10am the Board met with Stephanie Fredsall and Chief Backhaus to discuss the Chief’s decision to not recommend her for reappointment. Discussion ensued about whether to hold it in Executive Session. It was agreed to begin in open session. Steve reminded everyone to please be as respectful as possible. Stephanie thanked everyone for coming in and asked the Chief why he didn’t recommend her for reappointment. The Chief stated, “My recommendations for all reappointments were based on those officers that met the expectations of the Monterey Police Department, and these decisions are based on the safety of the community and the continuity of the police department.” All Select Board members concurred that there may have been other factors that may have made her time
with the department difficult. They commended her work as an officer however, could not reappoint her without the Chief’s recommendation. At this point (10:15am) Stephanie requested to finish the meeting in Executive Session, present were Steve Weisz, Kenn Basler, Carol Edelman, Chief Backhaus, Stephanie Fredsall and her representative Nick Fredsall. The Board returned to an open meeting at 10:30am.
A motion was made and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at: 11:30am
Submitted by:
Melissa Noe, Administrative Assistant
Approved by:
Monterey Select Board
Select Board Members
Minutes Book
Town Clerk
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