Print
Share page with AddThis

Select Board Meeting Minutes 4/21/21

Meeting date: 
Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Minutes of the meeting of 4/21/21

Meeting Opened at: 9am

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

Select Board Members present remotely: John Weingold

Also present: Peter Chait, Adam Chait

Also present remotely: Nancy Tomasovich, Mary McGurn, Michael Zisser, Alexandra Glover, Michael Johnson, Jeremy Rawitz, Mary Stucklen

Items discussed:

  1. The Broadband Fiber Network Construction and Operation Agreement by and between the Town of Monterey and Fiber Connect, LLC was signed.
  2. Fiber Connect/MBI/Monterey update, the path forward: Don discussed the need for an administrative contact moving forward.  Don suggested that Melissa Noe, Town Administrator be charged with that. Don also offered his continued support.  Steve made a motion to make Melissa Noe, Town Administrator the point person for administrative tasks to keep the project moving.  The motion was seconded.  John felt that the decision should wait until the new select board and voted no. Steve, yes. Don, yes.  The motion passed 2 – 1.
  3. Don reminded the Board that he is a member on the committee studying the consolidation of schools.  Each town is allowed 3 members, one Selectman, the school committee rep and one other.  Our school committee representative resigned from this position so there is still one vacant seat and Don would like to remain after his select board term has ended.
  4. Conservation Commission appointment; Leslie Lichter:  The Conservation Commission is recommending appointment of Leslie Lichter.  A motion was made to appoint Leslie Lichter to a 3 year term on the Conservation Commission.  The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
  5. Temporary Conservation Commission Agent appointment; Mary Stucklen: Nancy was asked to explain why they are appointing a temporary agent not to exceed 90 days.  Nancy explained that this was so they could continue to operate unfettered.  The Commission will be posting for the regular position in May.  A motion was made to appoint Mary Stucklen on a temporary basis as requested.  The motion was seconded.  Steve noted that he would have liked more than a day to review the resume.  The motion passed unanimously.
  6. Town Administrator items
    1. Memorial Day update: M. Noe is working on gathering photos and information of Monterey veteran’s for our photo parade.
    2. Playground safety assessment update: Our insurer, MIIA performed a safety assessment as we requested and found the equipment to be in overall good condition.  He said that the wood chips need to be a depth of 9” which the Parks Commission has been made aware of.  He also suggested that to absolve the town of any liability we hang a sign stating that the playground closes at dusk and to play at your own risk.  Don stated that “Play at own risk” is not accurate as MA has a tort claims act and there are certain circumstances where a town may still be sued.  John felt that if the insurance company is recommending this then we should do what they request.  Steve agrees with John.  A motion was made to hang a sign with the insurance company’s recommendations.  Steve, yes. John, yes. Don, no.  The motion passed 2 – 1.
    3. Council on Aging Outreach Worker Appointments; Laura Knoepler and Pauline Banducci.  A motion was made to appoint both Laura Knoepler and Pauline Banducci thru June 30, 2021.  The motion passed unanimously.
    4. M. Noe informed the Board that we have received our FY22 renewal proposal from MIIA for our Property, Liability and Workers’ Compensation coverages.  The increase is 10.1% largely due to the lawsuit filed by a former town employee.  John questioned why he hasn’t seen a copy of the declarations page and he was reminded that all of these documents are available in town hall where all of the other Board members view such items. Steve mentioned that he has come to town hall and has reviewed the policy. A motion was made to accept the renewal which passed unanimously.
    5. Green Comm Fuel Efficient Vehicle Policy – Adopt: The Board was asked to adopt the draft policy sent to them on the 7th, one of the final steps we need to take to be designated as a Green Community.  John questioned why the Board was being bothered with such items when we have a town administrator.  John was reminded that the Select Board sets policy, not the Administrator.  Steve also reminded John that the job of an actual selectperson is to understand what is going on in town, who makes policy, the evolution of the programs, not to just attend the meetings.  Steve said that items such as this should not be done just at the administrative level, they should be addressed at meetings for transparency.  The motion to adopt the policy passed unanimously.
  7. A motion was made to approve the 4/7/21 minutes with the stated edits. John voted no because he states that the Board hasn’t accepted prior amendments he offered.  M. Noe reminded John that the last 2 edits he suggested were in fact accepted and inserted by the other Board members. Steve, yes, Don yes.  The motion passed 2 – 1.
  8. Review mail and correspondence to be sent/signed
    1. Kim Wetherell, Conservation Commission Agent resignation letter
  9. Grant proposal submitted by Dennis Lynch:  Dennis explained the purpose of the 319 grant to reduce pollutants going into Lake Garfield which the state has strongly recommended we apply for.  This will require a town match of approximately $65k which may include the $30k to be voted in for milfoil control which may be able to be offset with in-kind services and prior funds.  A motion was made to approve the request to write the 319 grant up to a maximum of 55 hours.  The motion passed unanimously.
  10. Town meeting preparation: Volunteers coming up short
    1. M. Noe stated that she is not having any luck finding volunteers to fulfill Mark Makuc’s request to have the microphones passed instead of stationary.  The Board asked M. Noe to keep trying and enlist Mark’s help as well.  If we cannot find volunteers then the microphones will have to be stationary.
    2. The Board discussed which articles each would take the lead on. Articles 2 – 19, 23-24, 28, 34, and 36 Don would like to be the one to initially address the town.  Articles 2 – 19 he intends to ask town meeting to table.
    3. Articles 30, 33 and 39 Steve will take the lead.
  11. Comments & questions from the public: None
  12. As this was the last meeting before town meeting Steve thanked Don for his 3 years of service and especially for this last year as chair.  M. Noe concurred and stated that these last few years were a pleasure.

 

A motion was made and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at: 10:02am

 

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. K. Wetherell resignation letter
  2. MIIA Renewal proposal
  3. Fuel Efficient Vehicle Policy