Select Board Meeting Minutes 10/21/2020

Minutes of the meeting of 10/21/20

Meeting Opened at: 9am

Select Board Members Present: Donald Coburn, Chair, Steven Weisz

Select Board Members Present Remotely: John Weingold (left at 10:05am)

Also present remotely: Steve Hayward, National Grid, Emily Johnson, Peter Chait, Adam Chait, Janet Jensen, Mark Webber, Rebecca Wolin, Chief Backhaus

Housekeeping items addressed:  The public was informed that if they intend to record the meeting they must let the chair know.

Items discussed:

1. At 9am the Board held a pole hearing for National Grid. Steve Hayward of National Grid answered questions about the project.  No members of the public expressed any opposition or had any questions.  A motion was made to approve the project as submitted. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
2. Tree damage: M. Noe informed the Board of 3 healthy town owned trees that came down during the last storm damaging personal property.  The homeowners have been notified if they wish to file a claim they will need to submit a letter to the Board.  They were also made aware that insurers do not typically cover acts of god.
3. Select Board Corner: The Board reviewed a draft proposed by Don to suspend the corner for now.  Steve was not in favor of suspending the monthly article.  Steve was tasked with writing an article for the November issue.
4. After confirming with counsel that the Clerk is only allowed to have 4 registrars, Terry Walker, Town Clerk asked to keep Katrina Fitzpatrick, Scott Steibel, Gary Shaw and Mari Enoch and to remove the other Registrars previously appointed.  There was still confusion about if the clerk could be a registrar in addition to the 4 she requested to keep or if it is the clerk plus 3 totaling 4.  This was tabled until the next meeting so that counsel could once again be consulted.
5. Earth removal permit request from Tryon Construction.  A motion was made to approve the permit for one year.  The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
6. Elderly transportation update:  M. Noe reported that she and Kyle Pierce sat in on a remote meeting with the surrounding towns and Smitty Pignatelli to discuss the forward movement for elderly transportation.  The Board unanimously agreed that they are in favor of a model similar (equal participation from all communities involved) to the former elderly transportation model and to continue to use the grant monies we receive from the state to pay for the service.
7. Halloween ‘Trick or Treating’. The Board supports the opinion of the Board of Health in that those participating should follow the CDC guidelines.  John was not in support of any option that would put families or children at risk.  A motion was made to not cancel ‘Trick or Treat’ and that individuals may make their own decision on whether to participate.  The motion was seconded and passed 2 – 1 with John voting no.
8. Verizon tower update:  Steve reported that the Verizon representative has a permit in place and will begin adding Verizon service to the Main Rd tower. The buildout should be completed late in the first quarter of 2021.

1. A motion was made to approve the minutes of 10/7/20.  The motion was seconded.  Don, yes. Steve, yes.  John, no.  John was asked if there was something wrong with them and he replied that he will not waste his time correcting things that do not get considered.  A motion was made to approve the minutes of 10/15 minutes.  The motion was seconded.  Steve, yes. Don, yes, John, no.  Discussion again ensued about John’s resistance to approve the minutes.  Don explained that the process is a draft is written by M. Noe which is then sent to the Board for them to reply to her with any edits they may have using the track changes feature.  Any edits that are received are then compiled into one document for review and approval at the next meeting at which time additional edits may still be made. Steve mentioned that it was important for these Minutes to be approved, so that the y may be released to the public. John refused to approve the Minutes and John also did not agree with the fact that the recordings of the meetings are not provided in a link on the website.

1. Town meeting details:
   1. The Board reviewed the key points from an email received from the Town Moderator.  A motion was made to add temperature taking at check in.  The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.  Marks concern that it was moved from the pavilion to indoors was addressed by Don; he stated that “indoors” was an exaggeration as the pavilion has a roof and walls at 2 ends.  At the firehouse the 3 garage doors on one side would be open and the 2 doors along the other 2 walls were also going to be open. If we have rain as we did last time it becomes troublesome if held in the pavilion and there is no heat and the truth is it can be done as safely in the firehouse as it was in the pavilion.  M. Noe reported that unfortunately the CART provider was unavailable and she was unable to find a colleague interested.
   2. The Board unanimously approved the Medex renewal for our retirees which is a 0% increase for 2021.
   3. The Board unanimously approved accepting and sending in the final paperwork and reimbursement request for the completed chip seal Chapter 90 project which came in at $54,286.90.  The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
   4. CARES round 2 application:  M. Noe asked if the Board wanted her to continue with the original round 1 application pertaining to the FD duty shift program which is our response to safely responding to emergency calls during this pandemic and lessening the exposure.  Don and Steve supported continuing with this request.  John did not and stated that he felt it was not an appropriate expense as stated in attachment A and was not meant to be paying firefighters and this was ridiculous.
   5. M. Noe reported that the loan documents for the renewal of the library note must be signed on Wednesday morning. Steve reported that he will be out of town and unable to sign.  John was asked if he will show up to town hall to sign the documents. He stated that he will be here.  The meeting will be scheduled for 9am.
   6. M. Noe informed the Board that she and Shawn Tryon working together were able to secure the $15k for the rescue boat from another source.  At the special on Saturday the Board will need to amend article 3 to just requesting permission to sell the fan boat.  Don and Steve thanked Melissa and Shawn for their hard work on this.
2. Gunshots complaint, Mr. Aronskind, the complainant did not appear remotely at the meeting to further explain his concerns.  The Board and Mr. Aronskind were all provided with copies of Chapter 269 Section 12E and Chapter 214 Section 7B which applies to noise pollution, shooting ranges and discharge of firearms within 500 feet of a dwelling.  Mr. Aronskind was informed that any request for a bylaw to be created should be directed to the Planning Board.  This item was unanimously tabled.
3. Steve reminded the public of the upcoming election and it was their civic duty to vote. Don seconded that sentiment.
4. Mail: M .Noe inquired if the Board was going to respond to the email received from Emily Johnson complaining about the August 5^th meeting not being recorded and about non responsiveness from the Clerk’s office.  Don is still waiting on a response from the Clerk.
5. At will employment draft from Don: Don provided a copy of a draft of a new at will employment policy to be discussed at a later date.

A motion was made and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at: 10:15am

Submitted by:

Melissa Noe, Administrative Assistant

Approved by:

Monterey Select Board

cc: Website (www.montereyma.gov)

Select Board Members

Minutes Book

Town Clerk

Any documents used in the meeting are listed below and are available by request at town hall.

1. Draft proposal to suspend select board corner
2. Earth removal permit application
3. Email from town moderator
4. Chapter 269 Section 12E and Chapter 214 Section 7B
5. At will employment draft