Select Board Meeting Minutes 10/2/19

Minutes of the meeting of 10/2/19

Meeting Opened at: 6:30pm

Select Board Members Present: Kenneth Basler, Chairperson, Donald Coburn and Steven Weisz

Also in attendance: George Cain, Jon Sylbert, Mickey Jervas, Don Torrico

The Board discussed the need to go into Executive Session to consider the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real estate.  Roll call was taken by the Chair. Chair, Kenn Basler, Donald Coburn, Steve Weisz, Jon Sylbert and George Cain were all present. A motion was made by to go into executive session by Kenn Basler at 6:36pm, seconded by Don Coburn, and unanimously approved. The Board agreed they will return to open session.  The Board returned to open session at 6:54pm.

The Board discussed the need to go into Executive Session to discuss potential litigation.  Roll call was taken by the Chair. Chair, Kenn Basler, Donald Coburn, Steve Weisz, and Mickey Jervas were all present. A motion was made by to go into executive session by Kenn Basler at 7:37pm, seconded by Don Coburn, and unanimously approved. The Board agreed they will return to open session.  The Board returned to open session at 8pm.

Miscellaneous Items Reviewed:

1. Jon gave an update on the 8 town school meeting.
2. The Board and Finance Committee discussed the request from the Director of Operations to hire a temporary employee to assist with road grading while one of the full time staff is out on medical leave.  The Finance Committee unanimously agreed to transfer $1,000 from the Reserve Fund to the temporary highway employee line item.
3. The Board and Finance Committee discussed the letter received from Baystate Municipal Accounting Services informing the town that they are closing their doors effective December 29, 2019.
4. Don Coburn gave the Finance Committee the GIC insurance comparison information to review for future discussion.
5. The Board met with Don Torrico to discuss the following:
   1. If a holiday falls on a Monday, Don T. requested that rather than having the alternate make up the hours on the preceding Wed (as the Building Inspector is in on Tuesday) he would instead make inspections on another day.  The Board agreed.
   2. Gould Farm – Don T. inquired if their permit fees should be waived.  The Board confirmed that they should not be waived.
   3. Rental property tax: Don T. referred the Board to check out the FAQ’s on mass.gov and provided a hard copy.  Don T. said the state is still working on the code and the grey areas when properties are rented and not owner occupied, he will forward along information as he gets it.
6. The Board reviewed the procurement officer, M. Noe’s recommendation to accept the one proposal received from Baily Boyd and Associates for the FY19 Community Development Block Grant Administration Services.   A motion was made to accept the proposal received from Bailey Boyd and Associates.  The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
7. The Board discussed Town Counsel’s concern regarding attorney client privilege if he were to be interviewed by the Collins Center for the study being performed. Don made a motion to waive the attorney client privilege for the sole purpose of communicating with the Collins Center for the study.  The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
8. The updated Chapter 90 project request forms for the Tyringham Rd culvert project were signed.
9. The Board was given a copy of the proposed deed restriction for Gould Farm to allow them to receive monies from the Community Development Block Grant.  This will be sent to counsel for review and discussed further at the next meeting.
10. The Board approved the Town Clerk’s requests for time off and will schedule a future meeting to discuss in more detail the request to make up hours and what that consists of.
11. The Board discussed a possible issue with a resident being left unattended while searching through public records.  Kenn was asked to speak to the Town Clerk about this.
12. The Board discussed creating a policy to allow the Chair to independently approve small administrative items without waiting for a meeting.  Don will send a proposed draft policy for review at a future meeting.
13. Warrants were signed.
14. Minutes from 9/26/19 were approved.
15. Mail was reviewed.

A motion was made and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at: 9pm

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 referred to in the minutes are available by request at town hall.