Select Board Meeting Minutes 5/27/2020

Minutes of the meeting of 5/27/20

Meeting Opened at: 9am

Select Board Members Present: Kenneth Basler, Chair, Donald Coburn, Steven Weisz (arrived at 10am)

Also in attendance: Roy Carwile, Mickey Gervas, Peter Chait, George Cain, Rebecca Wolin, Adam Chait, Dennis Lynch

The following items were discussed:

1. COVID-19 updates:
   1. Library is open offering curbside delivery only; the public still cannot go inside.
   2. Discussion about reopening town hall and the community center will be on the agenda for next week.
   3. Beach: The parking needs to be reevaluated as the trucks with boat trailers are taking all the spaces that would be used for beachgoers.  Kenn and Melissa will meet with Shawn to discuss signage and logistics.
2. The Board and Fiber Connect are still waiting on a press release and draft contract from MBI as well as a draft copy of the agreement between Egremont and Fiber Connect.
3. At the request of the Town Clerk a motion was made to appoint Kevin Fitzpatrick, Gareth Backhaus and Shawn Tryon as Registrars through June 30, 2020.  The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
4. Conservation Commission: Kenn offered to speak with members of the Commission and the agent to address some minor issues that have arisen.
5. Adam, Kenn and Shawn will meet to discuss potential locations at the highway property for the proposed shelter; the hearing will be continued to a later date, and Don will speak to Jeremia about the nature of the legal terms available to the SB for it to give Fiber Connect a long term use of town premises for the storage of property needed to maintain the broadband system.
6. The Board agreed to try to hold all SB meetings going forward outside at the pavilion.  They will try to continue to have them online as well for those who want to participate in that way.
7. FY21 Budget:
   1. The Select Board reviewed the proposed changes from the Finance Committee which were received this morning.  Discussion ensued.  Kenn and Don put off the discussion until Steve arrived Steve arrived at 10am
   2. The Finance Committee is initially recommending adding back in the $30k for the fire department capital paying for it with stabilization monies.  Don made motion to not include the $30k as was voted last week.  The motion was seconded.  Discussion ensued.  Jon argued that we would be breaking a deal made with the fire company if we do not give them these funds and if it’s removed from the warrant the town will be unable to discuss it at town meeting.  All parties then discussed this and all (including Jon) agreed that if the monies are approved now or at a later date, no monies should be released until a detailed list of items that have been completed, items to be completed, their cost and copies of bids sought have been received by the Select Board.  A compromise was suggested to put the article on in November at a special town meeting providing the Board receives the information requested from the Fire Company.  The motion passed unanimously.  The Finance Committee made motion to not include the $30k on the annual town meeting warrant.  The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
   3. The Finance Committee is recommending giving the full amount requested to the ambulance service ($9,885 instead of the $5k voted last week).  A motion was made by Don to stick to the vote taken last week and put $5k on the warrant for the ambulance service, request a copy of their financials and reevaluate once those items are received.  The motion was seconded.  Discussion ensued.  Kenn is going to reach out again and request a copy of their financials.  The Board agreed they would reconsider the full amount if their financials are received.  The motion passed unanimously.  Rebecca offered to pull up their financials off the state website.  George acknowledged that the Board’s point was well taken and $5k was reasonable until financials are received.
   4. Fire Dept training and call pay: It has been suggested to combine training and call pay into one line item “fire dept compensation” and to level fund for the meeting on June 27^th with the understanding that the grant monies available will pay for the new duty shift program.  A motion was made to level fund the fire company and combine the fire department training and calls into one line item called “fire department compensation”.  The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
   5. The FY19 audit has been completed and it shows that dramatic changes have been made and the town’s financial position is excellent..
   6. A motion was made to modify the vote from last week and keep $25k in free cash rather than the $75k voted on last week.  The motion was seconded and passed 2 – 0, Steve abstained from voting.
   7. Kenn explained the need to submit a proposed 1/12 budget to the Department of Revenue for approval should we be unable to have a town meeting on June 27^th.  All departments have been consulted on their projected numbers for July – Sept and no one present had any objections.

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

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.

• None