Select Board Meeting Minutes 12/15/21

Minutes of the meeting of 12/15/21

Meeting Opened at Town Hall: 6pm

Select Board Members Present: Steve Weisz, Chair, Justin Makuc

Select Board Members present remotely: John Weingold

Also present: Don Coburn, Peter Murkett, Gerry Clarin, Hillel Maximon

Also present remotely: Paula Hartstein, Jon Levin, Frank Upton, Janet Jensen, Susan Cooper, Nancy Tomasovich

Old Business

1. Posting YouTube videos prior to September 22; review & sign agreement; this will be tabled to the 29^th because Steve is waiting on the paperwork to allow for his appearance in the videos.

New Business

1. Peter Murkett updated the Board on the Renewable Energy Committee meeting held last night.  The group plans to meet a few more times prior to requesting any appointments to the committee while they determine everyone’s availability and strengths.
2. Town Administrator Items:
   1. Jim Hunt Director of Operations is requesting that Cody Funk be appointed as a temporary, seasonal employee through April of 2022 at $25/hour.  This is an unbenefited position.  A motion was made to appoint Cody Funk as a temporary, seasonal employee through April of 2022.  The motion was seconded and approved unanimously.  Hillel Maximon commented on the highway department and that they have done a great job keeping Beartown Mtn Road passable considering the mud issues.
   2. Highway 4 position:  Jim Hunt, Director of Operation is recommending a $0.50/hr raise (instead of the initially agreed upon $0.25/hour raise after 3 months) as Tyler has received a satisfactory 3 month review.  Justin wanted clarification that any necessary ethics disclosures had been made as Jim previously made the Board aware that he is related Tyler.  Steve stated that Jim filed the paperwork recommended by the Ethics Commission when he was hired.  A motion was made to approve the increase of $0.50/hr for Tyler Collins.  The motion was seconded and approved unanimously.
   3. A motion was made to accept the $200 donation made to the police department.  The motion was seconded and approved unanimously.
   4. Select Board overpayment: The Board reviewed the email from the Treasurer letting them know of an overpayment to a previous selectperson made during the tenure of the previous treasurer.  The current treasurer has attempted to work this out with the former selectperson with no success.  The current options are to take the former selectperson to small claims court which will cost more than the overpayment or put this on the annual town meeting warrant as a prior year bill.  A motion was made to put this on the town meeting warrant as a prior year bill.  The motion was seconded and approved 2 – 1 with John Weingold voting no because he did not think the taxpayer should have to pay for a mistake of the previous treasurer.
   5. The board reviewed a list of highway surplus equipment provided by the Director of Operations.  Jim is looking for approval to sell all of this as per our disposal of surplus property under $10k.  A motion was made to allow Jim Hunt to sell all of the items on the list provided.  The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
3. A motion was made to approve the edited minutes of 12/9/21.  The motion was seconded and approved 2 – 0 as John was not present for that meeting.
4. Appointment form on website: Justin thanked Melissa for making a fillable form on the website as requested by the Select Board.  Justin would like to add to or edit the question “are you a registered voter?” After discussing several ways to get across the point Justin wanted made it was agreed to add the disclaimer, “Residents who are not registered to vote in Monterey are considered for seats on boards, committees and commissions”.  A motion was made to add, “Residents who are not registered to vote in Monterey are considered for seats on appointed boards, committees, and commissions”. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously.  Justin asked if we should put the pdf back up in addition to the fillable form; it was agreed that this is a question that could be asked directly of the Town Administrator, Melissa will put printed forms out at town hall.
5. Review mail and any correspondence to be sent/signed:
   1. Letter from Hinds/Pignatelli: The letter was read into record as was counsel’s opinion on the matter.  Discussion ensued about whether or not there was an active investigation and who that responsibility would fall to. Hillel Maximon stated that the Eagle reported that the District Attorney commented in the recent article that they do not investigate matters such as this unless the local authorities have determined there to be criminal activity which has not happened.  The Board reviewed the draft letter that Melissa wrote and Justin revised.  After several edits, a motion was made to send the letter as amended.  The motion was seconded and approved 2 – 1 with John Weingold voting no.
6. Comments & questions from the public:
   1. Hillel inquired about the status of the investigation.  Melissa Noe did as well as she stated she has yet to be contacted for an interview.  Steve explained that the engagement letter was signed and contact information was sent.  Steve informed Hillel that an investigation is underway and during such time, the Selectboard would not be discussing any parts of the Investigation

A motion was made and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at: 7:44pm

Submitted by:

Melissa Noe, Town Administrator

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. Selectman overpayment email
2. Surplus property summary
3. Letter from Smitty Pignatelli and Adam Hinds
4. Counsel’s opinion/response to Smitty Pignatelli and Adam Hinds’ letter
5. Draft response to Smitty Pignatelli and Adam Hinds