Select Board Meeting Minutes 6/6/23

 

Minutes of the Select Board meeting 6/6/23

Meeting Date: Wednesday June 6, 2023

Meeting Opened at 9:01 am

Select Board members present: Justin Makuc, Frank Abbott, Susan Cooper

Also Present: Melissa Noe, Jim Hunt, Kevin West, Myrna Carson, Brian Fahey 

Also Present Remotely: Adam Chait

Call to Order 9:01 am

 

1. 9am: Fiber Connect: Milestone 3

Adam reported that Fiber Connect is now covering the entire Town from the original agreement with the Town, which excluded the lower part of River Rd, the lower part of Corashire Rd, one house on Tyringham Rd and one near Otis and Tyringham.  The rest of Monterey has coverage now.  Adam will send the paperwork to sign for Milestone 3.  

Justin asked, on behalf of a resident, if there is a cancellation fee after the initial term. Adam reported that there is a cancellation fee, which is 80-90 percent of the remaining term.  Justin said the Select Board will sign the paperwork once received.  

2. Appoint Chris Andrews as Town Clerk and Marie Ryan as Assistant Town Clerk effective 6/13/23

This item was continued until later in the meeting.  

3. Review Tree Warden applications and make an appointment

Justin reported that they received two appointment request forms, one from Kevin and one from Rick.  Kevin discussed the position of Tree Warden and outlined the qualifications described on the Massachusetts site, depending on the size of a Town.  Kevin shared his interest in obtaining further education regarding trees.  He expressed the importance of working with John Field as part of the role of Tree Warden as well as representing the interest of town residents.  The Board was grateful to have two good applicants for the position. 

Jim discussed how he found it helpful to have a Tree Warden who worked well with the Highway Department.  He said that moving forward it would be helpful to work on preventative measures in anticipation of weather events.  Frank made a motion to nominate Kevin West as Tree Warden.  Susan seconded.  Justin suggested putting the appointment on the agenda for next week since the open meeting law requires that the names of appointees are listed on the agenda, except in extreme circumstances.  This will be added to next week’s agenda for the official appointment.  The appointment will be through the next election.  

4. Fox Hill Rd parking

Justin discussed strategies with Myrna Carson regarding the parking.  He suggested putting up a sign stating that it was a Private Rd after the Pavilion parking lot.  Jim expressed concerns that the sign will be disregarded.  Susan discussed challenges with larger events such as the steak roast or the Town Meeting, and identified how overflow parking would be needed to prevent parking on the private road.  Jim suggested a no-parking sign on the left side of the road.  Justin suggested putting signs on the right and left side of the road notifying individuals that there is no parking beyond that point and police will take notice.  Jim also suggested creating a turnaround area prior to the Carson’s driveway.  Susan suggested adding that vehicles will be towed to the sign, which may further deter individuals from parking on the private road.  Justin said that individuals need to be stopped at the parking lot rather than starting down the road.  Justin said that the Select Board will start by adding two signs to either side of the road to see if this will help.  

 

5. Melissa reported that Mass General Law states that the Town Clerk position could be an appointment of one, two, or three years.  Justin made a motion to appoint Chris Andrews as Town Clerk for one year through June 30, 2024.  Susan seconded.  Call a vote.  Susan-yes, Frank-yes, Justin-yes.   Justin moved to appoint Marie Ryan as Assistant Town Clerk for one year through June 30, 2024.  Susan seconded.  Call a vote.  Susan-yes, Frank-yes, Justin-yes.   

 

6. The Select Board members signed the Fiber Connect Contract.  

 

7. Town Administrator items:

a. Internal transfers

There are no internal transfers this week.  

b. Vacation carry forward requests

There were no vacation carry forward requests.  

c. Pat Nourse: Swap Shack

Pat Nourse has requested to be reappointed to the Swap Shack.  Susan said that there needs to be some middle ground where items that are still useable can remain there vs cleaning up to the point where there are only sparse items remaining.  Justin moved to appoint Pat Nourse as a senior tax work off abatement Swap Shack staff of the Transfer Station.  Susan seconded.  Call a vote:  Susan-yes, Frank-yes, Justin-yes.   

8. Unanticipated business

Melissa reported that Officer Nelson resigned from her full time police officer position.  

9. Comments & questions from the public

There were no comments or questions from the public.  

10. Approve minutes of 5/23/23 and 5/30/23

The Select Board reviewed the minutes from 5/23/23.  Susan made a motion to approve the minutes from 5/23/23 as amended.  Justin seconded.  Call a vote: Susan-yes, Frank-yes, Justin-yes.   

The Select Board reviewed the minutes from 5/30/23.  Justin made a motion to approve the minutes from 5/30/23 as amended.  Frank seconded.  Call a vote: Susan-yes, Frank-yes, Justin-yes.   

Additional Unanticipated business

Justin reported that someone hit a phone pole on Tyringham Rd.  Justin said that the Select Board could further discuss this issue next week if anyone felt inclined to take action.  The Select Board discussed the option of signage prior to the corner or placement on the phone pole. 

Justin made a motion to adjourn the Select Board meeting.  Susan seconded.  Call a vote: Justin-yes, Susan-yes, Frank-yes.  Meeting adjourned at 10:06am.  

Documents used at the meeting

1. Fiber Connect milestone 3 paperwork