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Select Board Meeting Minutes 4/7/21

Meeting date: 
Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Minutes of the meeting of 4/7/21

Meeting Opened at: 6:04pm

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

Select Board Members present remotely: John Weingold

Also present remotely: Attorney Glover, Attorney Pollard, Margo Drohan, Nancy Tomasovich, Kim Wetherell

Don noted for the record that 12 minutes ago Attorney Glover sent an 18 page document regarding the first item listed on tonight’s agenda.  Don argued that transparency was more important in this situation than handling this in secret in an executive session.  Attorney Glover argued that Mr. Coburn should excuse himself as he had reviewed the emails in question and came to a conclusion that there wasn’t any issue.  John asked if the Select Board should vote on whether Don should recuse himself; Jeremia stated no.  Ms. Tomasovich requests that under MGL Chapter 30A, Section 21.1 the meeting be held in executive session.  John W made a motion to go into Executive Session as per MGL Chapter 30A, Section 21.1.  The motion was seconded and approved unanimously.  The Board confirmed it will return to open session once finished.  Roll Call:  John yes, Steve, yes and Don, yes.  The Board entered executive session at 6:18pm.

The Board returned to open session at 6:55pm

Items discussed:

  1. Sign Annual Town Meeting Warrant
    1. Agreements have been reached with the Finance Committee on almost all items except the $19k for the transfer station estimated overage this year and the library loan.  Steve made a motion that in the spirit of understanding he proposes accepting the $99,254 that the Finance Committee recommended for payment on the library loan. Don, yes.  Steve, yes and John abstain.  Steve also noted that while it makes sense to transfer the $19k internally for the estimated overage for this year for the transfer station, Jon S made a good point about transparency and folks should understand the added costs and since it is coming from the same place. Therefore, Steve made a motion to use free cash to pay for this at town meeting.  Don, yes. Steve, yes and Jon abstain.  A motion was made to approve the entire budget as revised.  The motion passed 2 – 0 with John abstaining.  The Chair asked John if he had any comments to make on the budget to which John replied that he had no statutory requirement to comment on the budget.
  2. The Board reviewed the letter to be sent with the town meeting warrants.  Steve and Don both approved and signed the letter.  John refused stating it was not proper.
  3. Town meeting prep: The Board agreed to prepare for the annual town meeting at the next regularly scheduled meeting on the 21st.
  4. Town Administrator items
    1. Memorial Day: M. Noe informed the Board that the school is not allowing field trips currently so this would mean that the band would be unable to participate.  M. Noe asked if it would be okay to pursue a different sort of parade honoring those that served, with pictures on lawn signs of veterans similar to what Cairo, NY and Marlborough, MA have done.  The Board unanimously agreed.
    2. M. Noe informed the Board that at the bid opening for the Tree Pruning and Removal services the low bidder neglected to list a price for one item.  The next lowest bidder would be $1,200 more a day.  She inquired if the Board wanted to go with the next lowest bidder or to rebid; Shawn Tryon and Melissa are recommending to rebid.  The Board unanimously agreed to put it back out for a rebid.
    3. Clerk’s request for Thursday off.  The request was granted.
  5. A motion was made to approve the minutes of 3/31 with the edits M. Noe read aloud.  The motion was approved 2 – 0 with John abstaining as he stated he never receives the emails.
  6. Review mail and correspondence to be sent/signed
    1. Southern Berkshire Ambulance Management Change Letter was reviewed.
  7. John inquired about the $8,500 Monterey was awarded through the Department of Fire Services.  He wanted to know if this could be used toward the Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus.  Melissa informed him it could not as she wrote the grant for turnout gear as requested by the Fire Chief.  Steve and Don congratulated Melissa on writing another successful grant.
  8. Comments & questions from the public: none

A motion was made and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at: 7:19pm

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. SBVAS letter
  2. Draft ATM warrant
  3. Draft letter to mail with the warrants