Select Board Meeting Minutes 2/24/21

Minutes of the meeting of 2/24/21

Meeting Opened at: 5:01pm

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

Select Board Members present remotely: John Weingold

Also present: Peter Chait, Victor Denaro, Michael Zisser, Adam Chait, Jeremy Rawitz, Nancy Tomasovich, Rebecca Wolin, Mickey Jervas

Roll call was taken.  Steve and Don present at town hall.  John present remotely.

Items discussed:

1. A motion was made to approve the amended Town Administrator contract and promote Melissa Noe.  Steve had concerns about the 1976 indemnification town bylaw and would like to add “any subsequent updates to that bylaw” in that section of the contract.  There weren’t any objections.  John had a point of order question and wanted to know where the document was listed on the agenda and when the Board gave Don authority to draft a contract.  Steve and Don reminded John that Don was given the authority in a previous meeting (2/8/21).  Counsel was consulted on the contract.  Don, yes, Steve, yes and John no.
2. A motion was made to approve the MBI/Fiber Connect Approval of Coverage Contract. The motion was approved unanimously.  Steve commended Don on the persistence and hard work he put into bringing this to the final stage.
3. John Weingold’s email to the Town Accountant: John was reminded that all communications to the Accountant and Treasurer are to go through M .Noe and that he did not have the authority to send the rude email he did.  John was also reminded that review of warrants is done at town hall and that what he was requesting isn’t done for any other town.  John expressed that he felt the Finance Committee should be reviewing the warrants; it was pointed out that reviewing and signing the warrants is not the responsibility of the Finance Committee. The Board agreed to allow the new portal to be set up with the understanding that warrants must be physically signed at town hall there is no electronic signing.
4. Town Clerk request to change office hours:  Terry was not present to discuss this with the Board so Don suggested moving it to the next meeting.  Steve stated that her email was clear and he had no issues voting tonight.  A motion was made to allow the town clerk office hours to change through June 30, 2021 to Wed, Thur & Fri 3:30 – 9:30pm.  The motion passed unanimously.
5. Roll call was taken for the Finance Committee.  Michele and Jon present remotely.  Rebecca absent.  The Board met with the Finance Committee to discuss the following:
   1. Bill Hathaway of Southern Berkshire Volunteer Ambulance presented their FY22 request for $37,985.78.  Many questions were raised in how the formula was determine for assessing the 6 towns.  All present felt the request was not ready for a vote and that more conversations would need to be had.  For now the Board will continue with a $5k placeholder for FY22.
   2. The two boards continued their review of the proposed special articles.  The Community Center lighting request was lowered to $6,500 while we await an amended, scaled down proposal.  It was suggested to pay for the police cruiser from stabilization and add $11k to stabilization from free cash to keep the balance at $500k.
   3. It was suggested to next review the operating line items.  Don informed the Finance Committee that based on the decision tonight to promote M. Noe as Town Administrator and the changes that would make to the budget.  Jon Sylbert became irate stating that he would not approve this change (Rebecca concurred) and if the Select Board continued the finance committee would no longer work with the Select Board on the budget and they would adjourn their meeting.  Ultimately Jon Sylbert and Rebecca Wolin made the decision to adjourn their meeting and signed off at 6:40pm.  John Weingold also disconnected from the meeting at this time.  All other members stayed present.
   4. Library loan: Mickey inquired the amount the Board would pay extra toward principal.  This has not been decided yet but tentatively agreed to continue with a 1 year note and explore the bond market next year.
6. Administrative Assistant items
7. A motion was made to approve the minutes of 2/8, 2/10 & 2/17 (x2) minutes. The motion passed 2 – 0.
8. Review mail and correspondence to be sent/signed: none
9. Comments & questions from the public: none

A motion was made and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at: 6:55pm

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 amended Town Administrator Contract
2. Draft MBI/Fiber Connect Approval of Coverage Contract
3. John Weingold’s email to accountant
4. SBVAS documents