Select Board
Minutes of the meeting of 7/11/18
Meeting Opened at: 9am
Select Board Members Present: Carol Edelman, Chairperson, Kenneth Basler and Donald Coburn
Also in attendance: Linda Thorpe, Terry Walker, Shawn Tryon, Kate Ryan, Alice Boyd, Chris Blair, Richard Pargament, Chief Backhaus, BJ Johnson, Mark Cohen, Barbara Cohen, Adam Chait, C. Norrell, Michael Covell, Will Sikule, Janet Jensen
At 9am the Board held the MassWorks Grant Public Hearing for the proposed Blue Hill Rd project. Several residents of Blue Hill Rd came to express their concerns about the project creating an increase in traffic and speeding. The residents “would rather not see the road become more amenable for traffic and speeding” and would like their needs to be accommodated in the project. They also requested more signage, a 4 way stop at Brett Rd (rather than 2) and a larger police presence. The Board agreed that plans will be available for comment prior to anything being finalized. Residents were reminded that there may be some state requirements for things like guardrails, signs, etc. that may not be revisable.
At 9:30am the Board held a CDBG [Community Development Block Grant] public hearing. Alice Boyd gave an updated report on the FY17 grant we were awarded. Monterey received 37 pre-applicants, 4 projects are currently under construction and there are another 13 projects expected to move forward. There are still approximately 8 – 10 spots still open. There haven’t been any announcements yet on available funding for the next grant round.
At 9:45am Adam Chait of Fiber Connect came in to present a proposal for phone and internet to town buildings and to request permission to trench in various town rights of way. Carol recused herself from the discussion. The Board will review the internet and phone proposal for cost effectiveness compared to what we are currently paying and discuss further next week. Shawn will review the requested areas to trench and give his recommendations next week.
Miscellaneous Items Reviewed:
- The Board met with Shawn Tryon, Director of Operations to discuss the following:
a. Job applicants for the highway 3 position – we have received one application to date. Shawn and M. Noe will have an informal meeting with him prior to scheduling an interview.
b Tractor rental/purchase – Currently we are renting a tractor for roadside mowing; the owner has made an offer for us to purchase it. Shawn agrees that the machine is not “A” quality however we are going to spend the $20k to rent it and with this option we could own it at the end of renting; either way we need to mow and to date no contractors are coming forward. The Board agreed to purchase the tractor for $9,999.99 (we have already paid $10k in rentals).
c. The Board discussed the need for a shared mechanic with surrounding towns. Discussions will be ongoing.
d. Curtis Rd Bridge – The Contractor has been working with the Engineer. After review it has been discovered that the Contractor was correct in his assessment that the bridge does in fact have an arch which poses a problem for the proposed straight steel in the design. A meeting will be scheduled with all parties involved onsite.
e. Catch basins are being vacuumed this week.
f. The surfacing work on the dirt portion of Hupi Rd is 2/3 complete.
g. Rick Mielke is mowing around the guardrails.
h. The loader and boom mower has been ordered and should be delivered beginning of August.
- Community Center quarterly report was reviewed.
- The Board signed the Police Chief’s annual contract. They are requesting a meeting in the near future to review policing in Monterey, duties and responsibilities, visibility, supervision and time off.
- The following appointments/reappointments were made: Raymond Tryon, 1 year, Election Warden, Robert Krupski, 2 years Plumbing & Gas Inspector, Donald Hopkins, 2 years Plumbing Inspector Alternate. It was agreed to place an ad in the Monterey News looking for interested parties to fill vacant volunteer positions.
- Carol gave an update from Monday’s Lake Garfield Working Group Meeting. The group is seeking additional funding to continue remediation of milfoil. Discussion ensued and it was agreed that they should use the remaining $14k for clean up this year and make a proposal for additional monies for the FY20 budget during budget discussions over the winter.
- M. Noe informed the Board that an additional special town meeting will be necessary sometime in the fall to transfer additional funds from the retiree stabilization fund to cover the recent retirement of one of the highway crew.
- The Board approved Lyman Thomson’s request to pay his accrued vacation time in a lump sum.
- At Baystate’s request, the Board reiterated that their intent in December of 2017 when preparing the FY19 budget was to pay grant writer Terry Walker a salary of $7k for FY19.
- The Board discussed and agreed that the cost of a transfer station sticker for any businesses in Monterey would be the same as a residential fee ($70).
- Warrants were signed.
- Minutes from 6/27/18 were approved.
- Administrative Assistant’s weekly report was reviewed.
- Police Chief’s weekly report was reviewed.
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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