Select Board Meeting Minutes 11/12/20

Minutes of the meeting of 11/12/20

Meeting Opened at: 5pm

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

Also present remotely: Rebecca Wolin, Jon Sylbert, Mary McGurn, Michael Johnson

The Board explained that the meeting start time was delayed due to technical difficulties with the internet and gotomeeting.

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

Roll call was taken.  Don present.  Steve present.  John absent.

Items discussed:

1. A motion was made to approve the minutes of 11/4/20 with edits.  The motion was seconded and approved 2 – 0.  M. Noe asked the Board to please approve the all boards meeting minutes of 10/29/20 even though decisions were not made at that meeting.  A motion was made to approve the meeting minutes of 10/29/20.  The motion was seconded and approved 2 – 0.
2. Due to a scheduling conflict and personal situation Steve reported he is unable to make the meeting on the 18^th and requested, if possible to move it to the same time on the 23^rd.  The request was so adopted.
3. The Board reviewed the Fiber Connect contract for the installation of equipment at our rental Bally Gally.  It was agreed to sign the contract to allow installation of equipment on the rental property.
4. Shared human resources: Melissa noted that a shared human resources person may be available to the Town of Monterey through a shared agreement with the Towns of Sheffield and Gt. Barrington.  Steve believes this is important to the town and asked that it be explored further.   A motion was made to explore this opportunity further.  The motion was seconded and passed 2 – 0.
5. The board approved the general inclusive community affirmation request made by Dominic Stucker.
6. The Board approved signing a letter of support for 1Berkshire for a REDO grant they are applying for.
7. Webber report:  Don summarized the report of Mark’s final observations, findings and professional opinion on the current state of town operations and how best to proceed.  Don stated that when he first started he did not appreciate the skills of M. Noe but as time passed it became increasingly apparent that her skillset has often been overlooked.  It is now clear beyond question that M. Noe is the best suited for the position, is dedicated and has the experience, knowledge and skillset to do the job, which to a very large extent she’s already doing.  Steve thinks the goal right now is to continue to make the town better and agrees that M. Noe is doing an excellent job in her capacity and feels that a concrete step to take is to get HR settled and not get mired into this decision until after the 1^st of the year.  It was noted that John Weingold should also have an opportunity to weigh in so this will be tabled to the next meeting.  Rebecca wants to know why the Board thinks the Mark Webber report is such a great report and not the Collins Center report which states the exact opposite.  Don stated that the Collins report had several issues with which he disagreed.  Rebecca Wolin asked that it be on the record that her question was not answered. Don Coburn stated for the record that it had been.

At 6pm the Board met with the Finance Committee to discuss the following:

Roll call taken: Steve Weisz present, Rebecca Wolin present, Jon Sylbert present, Michele Miller absent.  John Weingold absent.  Don present.

1. FY22 budget planning memo: Rebecca would like to see departments hold down their costs because (in her opinion) we are going to go into a shutdown.  Rebecca thinks there needs to be one budget and the master budget should be held by the Finance Committee.  She wants all the meetings to be public, nothing should be private.  Steve reminded everyone that back in 2016 and 2017 while he was on the Board the budget process went the smoothest when the initial meetings were informal and included one member of the select board, one member of the finance committee and the administrative assistant. Don and Steve explained that after the initial informal meetings the next meetings would be public with all members of both boards and the public. Steve feels this process will work the best in really trying to hold the line.  Everyone agreed that there will be one set of documents and any changes (even a comma) will be sent out immediately to all parties.  All agreed that communication between the 2 boards needs to be fluid and open.  Rebecca feels that salaries need to be kept under control.  Rebecca admitted that last year’s scheduling had some problems; Steve agreed and that the best way to avoid what happened last year is to have someone who is actually in town hall and in regular communication with the departments to arrange the meetings (that person being Melissa Noe).  The memo had a few minor adjustments made.  All agreed that no final budget numbers will be changed unless it’s at a public meeting and that the Finance Committee present the budget at the annual town meeting.  It was suggested to have a preliminary budget hearing in March for public comments; all agreed.

A motion was made and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at: 6:50pm

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. Inclusive Community Request
2. REDO grant letter of support
3. FY22 budget planning memos (one from SB and one from FC)