Select Board Meeting Minutes 9/29/21

Minutes of the meeting of 9/29/21

Meeting Opened at: 6pm

Select Board Members Present: Steve Weisz, Chair, Justin Makuc

Select Board Members absent: John Weingold

Also present: James & Julie Johnston, Gary Shaw, Hillel Maximon, Gary Shaw, Terry Walker

Also present remotely: Don Coburn, Adam Chait, Susan Cooper, Nancy Tomasovich, Mickey Jervas, Frank Upton, James Scales, Jenna Johnson, Karin Jackson

Items discussed:

1. Steve acknowledged the passing of Roy Carwile who provided service to Monterey in many aspects including the Board of Health and Fire Company.  Justin added that he was a good mentor and friend and will be missed.
2. Fiber Connect pole hearing request for 6 sole owned poles and/or conduit on Cronk Rd:  Adam Chait explained that Fiber Connect is looking to extend fiber to the Sandisfield border, and that he would prefer to run conduit underground, but if he runs into problems he will install poles.  Mr. Johnston, abutter stated he would prefer it go on the north side so as not to affect his driveway.  Adam is agreeable to crossing sooner and going up the north side.  Barring any obstacles a motion was made to allow Fiber Connect to run the poles to the end of town making every attempt to run it on the north side of the street.  The motion was seconded and approved unanimously
3. Melissa Noe requested permission to once again apply for the MIIA employee wellness grant.  It was agreed that this was a good grant. Justin remembers that he still has the water bottle from last year’s program. A motion was made to allow Melissa to apply once again for the MIIA employee wellness grant.  The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
4. A motion was made at the request of the Lake Garfield Working Group to accept the only bid received from New England Aquatic and to enter in the contract for services.  The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
5. Both the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals have expressed unanimously that they would like previous counsel Jeremia Pollard to remain as counsel for each of their current cases.  Current counsel concurred on the Steinberg case and said they could handle an appeal on the Hume case if the town so desired.  A motion was made to continue to use the services of Jeremia Pollard for these two cases going forward.  The motion was seconded and approved unanimously.
6. Steve stated that two resignation letters have been received since yesterday and read them in their entirety.  One being from the Election Warden who cited it was due to the turmoil being created by the Town Clerk’s office and the other was from the Director of Operations.  Steve commented that Shawn’s resignation is a real shame, he has done an excellent job, saving the town hundreds of thousands of dollars with his dedication to the job and Monterey.  Steve recommended that the job opening be posted immediately as November 12 (Shawn’s last day) is not that far away in reality.  A motion was made to post the position in all the usual publications (print and online) to allow time to receive resumes, interview and transition.  The motion was seconded.  Justin questioned how the salary will be advertised. Melissa stated that it will be up to the current amount approved by town meeting commensurate with experience.  The motion passed unanimously.  Nancy Tomasovich asked who would be receiving the resumes; Steve reported that as per usual they will be vetted and interviewed by the Town Administrator and Director of Operations.
7. Terry Walker brought in one additional page to be signed with regard to the re-precinting.  A motion was made to approve and sign.  The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
8. Terry Walker also provided the approval for article 10 from the AG’s office.

A motion was made and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at: 6:24pm

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. Pole hearing documents
2. Director of Operations resignation letter
3. Election Warden resignation letter
4. Letters from ZBA and Planning Board with regard to open cases