Select Board Meeting Minutes 6/3/2020

Minutes of the meeting of 6/3/20

Meeting Opened at: 9am

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

Also in attendance: Dennis Lynch, Shawn Tryon, Peter Chait, Scott Jenssen

In attendance remotely: Dennis Downing, Roy Carwile, George Cain

The meeting took place at the Monterey Pavilion as well as remotely.  The following items were discussed:

1. COVID-19 updates:
   1. Beach parking signs are up marking the spots for cars and spots for trailers and trucks.
   2. Reopening Community Center: Kenn and Melissa met with Community Center representatives to discuss reopening.  Right now the Community Center Committee is discussing offering only outside classes limited to whatever the group gathering numbers are from the state.  Bathroom facilities would be unavailable but hand sanitizing stations would be.  M. Noe will look into the cost of a tent.
   3. Reopening town hall:  Shawn and Melissa met with a local contractor to discuss options for plexiglass barriers and office modifications.  Discussion ensued about still keeping the doors locked and working by appointment only.  Hopes are to have something in place by the end of June/beginning of July.
   4. Library: The library’s remote pickup program is working well.
   5. Swap shack: The transfer station attendants are inquiring about when the swap shack can be opening back up with modifications.  Roy Carwile, Board of Health member was online and recommended that this not be opened until the very last phase.
   6. Roy Carwile provided an update from the Board of Health on the phase 2 reopening guidance from the Governor’s office.
2. Roy Carwile expressed his displeasure with the remote meeting and the ability to see and hear everyone. The Board acknowledged it wasn’t perfect but that it is a work in progress.
3. A motion was made to approve for submittal to the Department of Revenue the 1/12 budget that Melissa Noe prepared a total of $1,277,426 for the months of July ($380,116), August ($283,129) and September ($614,181).  The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
4. The Fire Chief confirmed that the installation of the Handrails at the Fire House was the last thing needed to get the Certificate of Occupancy, per the Building Inspector and that the cost of such is $ 32,000. Don Coburn made a motion to approve the use of $32,000 of stabilization funds for the firehouse capital to pay for the required handicap railings.  The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
5. The Board discussed the draft Broadband contract with MBI, Fiber Connect and the town.  Discussion ensued and it was agreed to have the broadband committee review it prior to agreeing to sign.  One consideration the Board would like is whether further outside expertise is necessary.
6. A motion was made to allow Melissa to send the annual town meeting warrants to the printer using the Select Board expenses to pay for printing and collating. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
7. Letter to go with the warrants: The Board reviewed the draft and edits that had been made.  This will be looked at more this week and voted on next week.  An opening statement will be added to address that this is a two tier project this year due to COVID-19.
8. A motion was made to approve the revised aggregation plan which was available for comment on the town website for the legal amount of time.  The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.  The net result is that this program is less expensive than National Grid’s rates.  This is an automatic enrollment program, where town residents are automatically enrolled unless they choose to OPT OUT.  If you are unsure if you are part of the program you can go online to www.colonialpowergroup.com/monterey/, fill out and submit the OPT-IN/OPT-OUT form; or call Public Power toll-free at (800) 830-2944.
9. It was noted that our insurer MIIA is giving back 50% or the health insurance premium to the town and employees for the month of July 2020.
10. Dennis Lynch reminded the Select Board that Adam Chait has not yet moved the Electric Shed that he promised to move in 2 or 3 weeks. Kenn noted that the end of the 3^rd week would consider with next Wednesday’s meeting. The Select Board expressed confidence that the Shed would be moved by next Wednesday.
11. The Board approved the transfer of $1,000 from library maintenance to library wages and $2,141 from library general to library wages at the request of Mark Makuc.  This will also need to be approved by the Finance Committee.
12. The Board discussed the possibility that the Clerk may be feeling overwhelmed with the extra work from COVID-19.  It was agreed that Don Coburn will speak with Terry tonight and see if she would like some extra help.
13. Scott Jenssen came in to announce that he will be running as a write in candidate for Selectman.
14. Minutes of 5/13, 5/20 & 5/27 were approved.
15. Mail was reviewed which included:
    1. Letter from the New Marlborough Fire and Rescue thanking the Monterey Fire Company for their timely response to a structure fire in May (letter attached).

A motion was made and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at: 10:30am

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 used in the meeting are listed below and are available by request at town hall.

1. Letter from New Marlborough Fire and Rescue