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Select Board Meeting Minutes 9/18/19

Meeting date: 
Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Minutes of the meeting of 9/18/19

Meeting Opened at: 9am

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

Also in attendance: Sarah Concannon, Mary Makuc, Dennis Lynch, Terry Walker, Rebecca Wolin, Jon Sylbert, George Cain, Peter Chait, Kay Purcell, Roy Carwile

 

Miscellaneous Items Reviewed:

  1. The Board met with Sarah Concannon of the UMass Collins Center to discuss the objectives, procedures and milestones for the upcoming management and operation review of the functions and services performed at town hall with the goal of providing an assessment of strengths and weaknesses and areas that may need improvement.  Interviews will take place in October and the goal is to have a final report in December before the end of the year.  A written explanation of the project will be sent to all employees by Collins Center before the interviews begin.
  2. Mary Makuc came in to discuss the following with regard to the Community Center:
    1. Senior tax abatement jobs at the Community Center – the goal is to get and retain volunteers to help at the Community Center for misc duties like clean up and set up, public relations, etc.  The Board was in favor of utilizing this program.
    2. There will be a meeting in October to determine the future of the Friends of Wilson McLaughlin House non-profit organization.  The Monterey Community Center Committee appointed earlier this year is in place to help with making decisions on the day to day operations of the Community Center.
  3. A motion was made to appoint Michael Banner to a 5 year term as a Zoning Board of Appeals Alternate, Roy Carwile to a 3 year term on the Conservation Commission and Janet Jensen for a 3 year term to the Cultural Council.  The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
  4. The Board met with Terry Walker and Dennis Lynch to discuss 4 grant proposals submitted as well as grant writing in general.
    1. Veteran’s Heritage Grant for the preservation of document, 50% match by the town up to $15k; Terry has not spoken with the Veteran’s Committee or Cemetery Committee to see if there are any applicable projects in Monterey.  She will follow up with the committees and amend her request.
    2. Sandisfield Rd culvert replacement up to $250,000.  Terry is also requesting to attend the grant information session for the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program.  A motion was made to allow Terry to proceed with the MVP grant for up to 40 hours of work for the Sandisfield Rd culvert.  The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
    3. The Board questioned the amount of time proposed to write the grants.  Discussion also ensued about the number of hours submitted since July to research grants (almost 40 hours).  It was decided that 1-2 hours a week maximum should be spent on research.
    4. Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program for the Old Stone Dam and the Main Rd Culvert Engineering Evaluation.  He is also requesting to attend the grant information webinar session.  Discussion ensued about submitting competing grants for one town.  A motion was made to allow Dennis to proceed with the MVP grant for up to 65 hours of work for the Old Stone Dam and Main Rd culvert.  The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
    5. MVP grant for tree trimming along town roads and development of a tree replacement plan to reduce risk to vulnerable populations in town up to $2,000,000 with a 25% match.  A motion was made to allow Dennis to proceed with this MVP grant for up to 37 hours of work.  The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
  5. Terry inquired about whose responsibility it should be to keep our SAM number for federal grants updated and active.  Permission was given for Terry to proceed with this.
  6. Dennis Lynch, representative of the Lake Garfield Working Group came in to discuss their recommendation to accept the quote received from New England Aquatic Services.  After discussion about the effectiveness of this method as well as other methods that can be employed, Don made a motion to accept the recommendation and sign the contract with his suggested amendments.  The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
  7. Kenn provided an update on an issue with the library deck/design issues.  There will be a meeting with counsel and a member of the library building committee tomorrow.  Kenn and Don will both attend.
  8. The Board was provided with a draft suggested Code of Ethics policy to review and comment which will be discussed at the next meeting.
  9. Melissa Noe provided an update on her progress with the Green Communities to do list for items necessary to proceed.
  10. Accountant and Treasurer: The Board discussed the proposals received.  M. Noe was asked to reach out to Eric Kinsherf for a formal proposal.
  11. The Board signed the new lease with the Monterey Fire Company.  The Board gave Kenn permission to speak with the Fire Company on their construction budget to date and what projects remain; it was granted.
  12. A motion was made to appoint Maggie Barkin to a 3 year term to the Cultural Council.  The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
  13. Warrants were signed.
  14. Minutes from 8/28 & 9/4/19 were approved.
  15. The Board congratulated and acknowledged that Melissa Noe has successfully received MCPPO (Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Official) Supplies & Services Certification.
  16. As requested M. Noe provided the Board with approximate rates on a comparable GIC employee health insurance plan.
  17. Mail was reviewed.

A motion was made and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at: 11:37am

 

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 referred to in the minutes are available by request at town hall.