Select Board Meeting Minutes 01/27/26
Location: Town Hall and remote
Select Board members present: Justin Makuc (Chair), Susan Cooper, Frank Abbott (Remote)
Finance Committee members present: Jeff Zimmerman, Steve Pullen, Roger Tryon
Others present: Roger MacDonald (Town Administrator),
The meeting was called to order at 5:32pm.
Joint meeting with Finance Committee
Finance Committee called their meeting to order
Collins Center update on Regional Emergency Medical Services (EMS) study
Stephanie Lessing of the Collins Center provided an update on the Southern Berkshire EMS Task Force regionalization feasibility study. She explained that the region faces increasing demand for EMS services while volunteer numbers continue to decline, making long-term sustainability difficult for individual towns.
Two governance models are being analyzed:
- Special District Model – A separate governmental entity with taxing authority, requiring legislative approval and shifting costs directly to taxpayers.
- Expansion of Southern Berkshire Ambulance Service (SBAS) – A nonprofit structure in which each participating town would have representation on the board and services would expand to include ALS and BLS coverage of more towns.
Lessing emphasized that participation in the analysis has no financial impact and the earliest budget effect would be FY2028. The Board must indicate by January 31 whether Monterey wishes to be included in the modeling. Board members discussed transparency of methodology, long-term flexibility, cost apportionment formulas, and response times. Justin Makuc recused himself from deliberation due to a conflict-of-interest involving family employment with Southern Berkshire Ambulance.
After discussion, the Board agreed it would be beneficial for Monterey to be included in both analyses to understand costs, facility siting, and service impacts before making any commitment.
Discuss FY26 budget including Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), capital plan
The Board and Finance Committee discussed establishing a preliminary COLA figure early in the budget process. After reviewing inflation data and Social Security COLA trends, members agreed tying the adjustment to a national standard would provide consistency and remove local politics from the annual decision. The Board reached consensus to use a 2.8% Social Security COLA as a provisional planning figure for FY27, subject to revision if financial conditions change.
The Board briefly reviewed capital planning items including potential police lake enforcement equipment and highway equipment replacement timing. Discussion focused on planning and future evaluation.
Highway Superintendent/Director of Operations pay structure, overtime pay
The Board discussed the unusual workload experienced by Highway Superintendent Alan Havill following the start of his employment, noting the position was advertised and hired as a primarily managerial salaried role without overtime eligibility. Due to multiple significant winter storms and a largely inexperienced winter road crew, the Superintendent was required to perform extensive hands-on plowing, salting, and sanding operations, often working far beyond normal hours. Members acknowledged that while the position is typically overtime-exempt, the circumstances effectively required him to perform non-managerial operational duties during snow emergencies.
The Board considered providing compensation from the snow and ice overtime budget for the initial winter period rather than establishing a permanent overtime practice. Discussion included limiting payment to the first portion of the winter season, distributing payment across pay periods to avoid tax impacts, and ensuring the action would not set a long-term precedent. It was noted that other highway staff were earning storm overtime while the Superintendent received no additional compensation despite working similar hours.
Consensus formed around providing additional pay specifically for the early winter months when staffing shortages and training needs required significant plowing work by the Superintendent, with the expectation that the position would return to a standard salaried managerial role in future seasons.
The Board did express concern about setting precedent, legal structure, and accurately characterizing the payment, noting Town Counsel had indicated straight-time overtime could be permissible but the circumstances were unusual. It was agreed the workload exceeded the expectations of the managerial role due to staffing shortages and severe storms, and that some form of compensation was appropriate. The Board reached general consensus to compensate the employee for this specific situation as a one-time action, and directed the Town Administrator to consult counsel and determine the appropriate method and documentation before finalizing payment.
The Town Administrator stated they would talk to Town Counsel and work with the Highway Superintendent on how to address the extra pay and that a letter would be produced acknowledging the extra work and how the extra compensation was a one-time event.
Police Chief request to work in Sandisfield
Police Chief Brian Fahey informed the Board he has applied to perform limited administrative police chief duties for the Town of Sandisfield (approximately eight hours per week, outside Monterey working hours). Duties would include administrative functions such as payroll and vehicle scheduling. Town Counsel recommended an Intermunicipal Agreement (IMA) clarifying expectations and preventing conflicts between municipalities. The Board expressed support for the opportunity but emphasized the need for written clarity to protect both towns and future boards. The Town Administrator will work with counsel and Sandisfield officials to draft the agreement.
Chief Fahey stated Monterey would remain his priority and operational responses would continue as normal.
Police Officer resignation
It was noted that Officer Melanie Serrao has given her notice and her last day will be January 26, 2026.
Part-Time Officer Appointments; Graham Frank; Ryan Kresiak
Because of the recent resignation, Chief Fahey has had to locate part-time officers for scheduling. Chief Fahey request that Chief Graham Frank and Officer Ryan Krasniak be appointed as part-time police officer in Monterey.
Chief Fahey also reported an officer will attend the police academy in March and temporary coverage will be managed through scheduling adjustments.
A motion was made, seconded, and unanimously carried to accept the appointment of Officer Graham Frank and Officer Ryan Krasniak as Monterey Part-time Officers effective for one year.
Sign Collins Center contract for employee handbook
The Select Board signed the Collins Center contract to assist in creating an employee handbook of adopted personnel policies
Review employee handbook policies
None
Town Administrator updates
Curtis Road Bridge Detour
The Town Administrators mentioned that a meeting was to be held on 01/28/26 between the Police Chief, Fire Chief, Highway Superintendent, Tree Warden and himself to discuss the detour for the Curtis Road Bridge replacement project
Unanticipated business
Lombardo Committee Update
Frank Abbott provided an update from the Lombardo Committee regarding the Lombardo property. Frank reported that some committee members had met with the Tax Assessor to better understand possible easement options, though the committee had not yet reviewed the drawings or legal language. Frank stated the committee intends to consult Town Counsel and inform the abutter that she should seek her own legal guidance, as available options may be limited. The Board emphasized the sensitivity of the matter and agreed Town officials should not provide legal advice to abutters, noting that determinations regarding feasible right-of-way locations should come from attorneys and engineers. The Select Board also discussed the possibility of requesting funds in the FY27 budget for professional review of the property, potentially including environmental or site planning work, and stressed obtaining a clear legal understanding before proceeding further.
Approve minutes of 01/13/26
None.
Comments & questions from the public
None
Adjournment
A motion to adjourn the meeting was made, seconded, and carried by a unanimous vote.
Meeting adjourned at 8:25pm.
Documents used at the meeting:
- Collins Center Contract
- Appointment request for part-time police officers
Minutes drafted by: Roger MacDonald
Minutes approved by: Select Board