Select Board Meeting Minutes 4/29/2020

Minutes of the meeting of 4/29/20

Meeting Opened at: 10am

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

Also in attendance: George Cain, Rebecca Wolin, Jon Sylbert, Jim Wilusz, John Makuc, Roy Carwile,

The following items were discussed:

1. The Board met with the Finance Committee to have one final conversation about the proposed FY21 budget to date.  There was discussion about how article 4 should appear on the warrant.  Everyone agreed to the proposed format of 3 columns rather than the 5 used for discussion purposes since all operating expenses the both unanimously agree on.  Discussion then ensued on the special articles, use of free cash and stabilization.  The Finance Committee will work on a proposal of how they would like to see the special articles appear on the warrant.
2. COVID-19 updates:
   1. Jim Wilusz, Monterey’s Health Agent provided an update.  Monterey still has 0 confirmed cases.  Jim reviewed the essential services and the Governor’s orders.  The Governor has put together a task force to address how communities and businesses can properly address reopening.
   2. Porta potty: There isn’t any current guidance on these.  The one at town hall has been roped off temporarily.  If we choose to keep it open it should be stocked with sanitizer and cleaning supplies.  It was agreed to leave the one at the town hall for now (but taped off) until we have further guidance.
   3. Beach: This is a non-essential service under the governor’s emergency order and all Monterey needs to do at the moment is follow the Governor’s order.  A closed sign will be placed at the beach.  Jim will also file up with the command center on the public boat ramp and the canoe rack area.  A motion was made to have a sign placed at the beach within 3 days stating that per the Governor’s order the beach and boat ramp are closed until further notice”.  The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
   4. Library: Our library staff has expressed concerns about how they will address reopening and managing safety of books coming in and going out.  Jim will have it added to the queue for the command center calls he attends regularly.
   5. The Board asked if Jim had any guidance on what to do about public events such as our annual Memorial Day parade.  Jim will get back to the Board on this.
   6. Don asked who’s responsibility and authority it was to address the beach since Monterey’s Parks, Board of Health and Select Board are all elected boards.  Jim explained that the Board of Health is the permit issuing authority for any public beaches which also requires weekly sampling which is done by the Parks Commission.
   7. Short term rentals: Roy mentioned that he is aware of several homes that are still renting despite the advisory issued and whether the town should be addressing this.
   8. Signage for closed areas:  Kenn made a motion that all the signage should be professional from a local shop rather than the homemade signs we have at the moment.  The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
   9. Notice of election date and annual town meeting date changes:  Don requested to see what paperwork if any has been filed with the state.  M. Noe is still waiting on guidance from counsel on whether something needs to be done with regard to changing town meeting.  M. Noe will ask the Clerk to provide whatever she has filed for the election change.
   10. Access to town hall and whether the public should be allowed in for services like notary and such.   The Board unanimously agreed at the moment that the only people in town hall should be staff.
3. Don noted that all agendas must be posted in a timely fashion and made a motion that M. Noe be responsible for putting the hard copy agendas on the bulletin board outside town hall when the Clerk is not in the office and that she confirm the two postings on the town home page before the time limit passes.  The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
4. The Board approved the final draft of the alternate budget memo to be sent to all departments.
5. Kenn asked that the Board hold a meeting next Wednesday and make the Town Administrator discussion a top priority.  Everyone agreed.
6. Minutes of 4/22/20 were approved.
7. Administrative Assistant Items:

A motion was made and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at: 11:30am

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.