Select Board Meeting Minutes 8/29/23

Minutes of the meeting of 8/29/23

Meeting Opened at: 6:00pm

Select Board Members Present: Justin Makuc, Chair, Susan Cooper and Frank Abbott

Also present: Mickey Jervas, Mark Makuc, Linda Thorpe, Courteny Morehouse, Dennis Lynch, Don Coburn, Ellen Coburn

Also present remotely: Jeff Zimmerman, Tom Sawyer and Lauren Behrman

1.  Meet with Courteny Morehouse from Berkshire Regional Planning Commission for an update on the RT23 culvert in the village : Courteny Morehouse of Berkshire Regional Planning Commission provided a presentation on the RT23 culvert and the Hupi Rd project which can be found here (  https://www.montereyma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif3496/f/uploads/preliminary_culvert_replacement_designs_7.31.23.pdf and https://www.montereyma.gov/climate-resiliency/files/hupi-road-stormwater-designs ).  If you were unable to attend tonight’s meeting you can attend the remote presentation on September 6^th at 7pm, the zoom link is available on the climate resiliency page of the town. The design phase in nearing completion.  One important matter that remains to be decided is whether the pedestrian walkway should be on the north or south side of Rt. 23.  The Water Company water pipe, which currently runs straight along the north side of the culvert, will run underneath the pedestrian way.  If the pedestrian way goes on the north side, the pipe will run straight which should be simpler to implement.  However, this will likely also require both an easement from the adjacent property owner and an additional crosswalk.  If the pedestrian way is moved to the south side, the piping must be routed around and then back, which may be both more costly and more difficult to implement

There was discussion of the proposed detour should Main Road need to be closed during all or part of the project. Concerns were raised about sending a high volume of car and truck traffic over Fairview Road and Beartown Mountain Road. Courteny was asked to relay to the engineers that it would be far preferable and possibly necessary to keep one lane open at a time during the construction project.

2. Sign agreement with Southern Berkshire Ambulance: A motion was made to sign the contract with Southern Berkshire Ambulance.  The motion was seconded and carried unanimously.

3. Approve capital plan policy: A motion was made to approve the capital plan policy.  The motion was seconded and carried unanimously.

4. Draft Computer and Equipment Acceptable Use Policy: All members agreed to the edits made.Justin suggested sending it to counsel for a final review before approving.All agreed.

5. Town Administrator position: Frank requested that the Board begin a process of reviewing the current job description, and then he wants to open up the position and accept applicants as it’s the most important position in town to advise the select board. Susan noted that the TA wears many additional hats, as is the case in many small towns, and that she would like to make sure all of those pieces of the job are assessed and clearly included.Justin suggested that leaving the job description flexible was one way to deal with the issue Susan raised. Justin asked Frank for more clarity on the timeline that he is suggesting.Don Coburn spoke against opening up the Town Administrator position to outside applicants due to Melissa’s long tenure with the Town and recommendations made to the Town by consultants that led to Melissa’s initial promotion to Town Administrator.

The meeting adjourned at 7:05PM due to a medical emergency.

Submitted by:

Melissa Noe, Town Administrator

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. Signed Ambulance Contract
2. Approved Capital plan policy
3. Acceptable use policy