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Select Board Meeting Minutes 10/30/19

Meeting date: 
Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Minutes of the meeting of 10/30/19

Meeting Opened at: 9am

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

Also in attendance: Eric Weiss, Eric Kinsherf, Sara Hunter, Lisa Kelley, Don Clawson, Terry Walker

Miscellaneous Items Reviewed:

  1. The Board reviewed the draft accountant and treasurer contracts discussed the list of items to clarify with both parties today for the transition.
  2. The Board reviewed the draft special town meeting warrant.  The Board will send a copy to counsel to review.  Dennis Lynch will be asked to attend the November 4th meeting to provide more details on his article for the MVP grant.
  3. The Board approved and signed the 2020 Medex retiree health insurance renewal at a 2.66% increase for 2020.
  4. A motion was made to give the full time, benefited employees the day after Thanksgiving off.  The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
  5. At 10am the Board held the classification hearing with the Principal Assessor, Don Clawson.  The Board of Assessors recommend one tax rate/class be accepted.  Don reported that our excess capacity is $495,344 and our levy limit is $4,415,000.  New growth was around $5million.  A motion was made that all classes of taxation be set at one rate.  The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
  6. The Board met with Eric Kinsherf, Eric Weiss and Lisa Kelly regarding the draft accounting services contract through Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC).    The Board inquired about a discount since the FY19 year-end items will be completed when Eric comes on, he explained that the amount of work to be done will still be the same and thus can be no discount.  The Board agreed to the terms of the contract.
  7. The Board met with Lisa Kelly, Eric Weiss, Eric Kinsherf and Sara Hunter to review the process and procedures for accounting and treasurer services.  A recap of everything discussed and agreed upon will be sent to everyone for acceptance.  Sara Hunter the new Treasurer will begin November 12 and Lisa Kelly the new accountant will begin on December 2.  There will be a meet and greet planned for all department heads.
  8. The Police Department requested that the detail rate be raised to $45/hr.  Don mad a motion to accept the Police Chief’s request and raise the detail rate to $45/hour effective today.  Steve seconded the motion.  The motion passed 2 to 1 with Kenn voting against.
  9. The Board was made aware of a private citizen’s email sent to the UMass Collins Center offering to be interviewed for the Management and Operational Review they are performing.  The Board stated that only department heads would be interviewed and expanding interviews to include private citizens would be outside the scope of the contract.
  10. M. Noe provided an update to the Board from the Director of Operations on Blue Hill Rd: paving was completed yesterday, line painting should be done today and the shoulder material will be done over the next two weeks.  All that will remain after that is driveway aprons.
  11. Don asked that the highway crew be commended for a job well done on Tyringham and Beartown Mtn Rd.
  12. M. Noe requested permission to sign up for the MMA-Suffolk Municipal Finance Management Seminar to be held in the spring of 2020.  The application is a competitive process.  The Board unanimously agreed.
  13. Kenn reported that he and M. Noe met with our MIIA health insurance rep last week for a review of new regulations and other misc items.  It was suggested that the meeting to discuss FY21 rates and plan options be pushed from December to February as numbers will not be available until late January/early February, all agreed.
  14. Shawn Tryon, Fire Chief is working on the Fire Company documents needed per the new lease agreement for the accountant to release the additional capital funds.
  15. The Board approved the edits made to the insurance claim policy.
  16. The Board accepted Stanley Ross’ immediate resignation from the Zoning Board of Appeals.
  17. The Board accepted and signed the contract with Huntley Associates, P.C. to perform the required yearly inspections of the transfer station.
  18. Minutes from 10/16/19 were approved.
  19. Mail was reviewed.

A motion was made and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at: 12pm

 

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.