Select Board Minutes

Minutes of the meeting of 3/6/19

Meeting Opened at: 9am

Select Board Members Present: Carol Edelman, Chairperson, Kenneth Basler and Donald Coburn

Also in attendance: Dennis Lynch, Peter Chait, Chris Goldfinger, Michael Banner, Nancy Marcus, Kevin Fitzpatrick, Shawn Tryon, George Cain

Miscellaneous Items Reviewed:

• The Board continued their review of the reclassifications of employees and finalized the memo to be sent to those affected.
• Dennis Lynch presented his proposal to refile and write the 319 nonpoint source pollution competitive grant.  He proposes to prepare the 2019 application at a cost not to exceed $1,125 which includes all expenses incurred to attend the necessary meetings.  There will be a required match from the town which we should be able to submit as in kind.  The Board accepted Dennis’ proposal.
• Dennis also provided a letter stating that we have received our state designation as an MVP community making us eligible to apply for MVP action grants administered by the EEA.
• The Board accepted the FY19 health insurance renewal.  Our rates will go down 2.38%.
• Each board member acknowledged receipt of the FY17 audit report.  This may be discussed further during the joint meeting with the Finance Committee tomorrow.
• Carol reviewed the documents received from the chair of the School Assessment Committee that she and George Cain are on.  This will be reviewed again with the Finance Committee tomorrow. The Assessment Committee will be meeting on Tuesday 3/12/19 to review as a group and vote on their recommendation to each town, to be voted on at town meeting.  M. Noe was asked to see if the School Business Administrator could attend tomorrow’s meeting.
• At 9:15am the Board opened bids received for our annual gravel bid:
  1. Northeast Paving: 1 ½” fractured process gravel: $29.70/yard delivered, $23.20/yard picked up, $21/ton delivered, $14.50/ton picked up.  6” minus bank run gravel: $28.82/yard delivered, $22.32/yard picked up, $20.45/ton delivered and $13.95/ton picked up and ¾”crushed gravel: $29.70/yard delivered, $23.20/yard picked up, $21/ton delivered and $14.50/ton picked up.
  2. Tryon Construction: 1 ½” fractured process gravel: $18.50/yard delivered, $13.50/yard picked up.  6” minus bank run gravel: $16.25/yard delivered, $11.25/yard picked up and ¾”crushed gravel: $18.50/yard delivered, $13.50/yard picked up.

A motion was made to accept the low bid from Tryon Construction.  The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.  Don requested copies of last year’s bids and this year’s.

• At 9:20am the Board opened the bids received for our heavy equipment bid:
  1. Tryon Construction: 7,500lb excavator w/operator $125/hr, 28,000lb excavator w/operator $160/hr, 50,000lb excavator w/operator $170/hr, hydraulic hammer $100/hr, 15 yard truck with driver $110/hr, 7 ton bulldozer w/operator $135/hr, 15 ton bulldozer w/operator $170/hr, 10 ton vibrating roller $450/day, $1500/week and $3500/month, with operator $140/hr, 3 yard loader w/operator $150/hr, w/o operator $450/day or $1500/week, skid steer w/operator $145/hr and 185cfm air compressor on wheels $75/hr.

A motion was made to accept the only bid, received from Tryon Construction.  The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.  Don requested copies of last year’s bids and this year’s.

• At 9:25am the Board opened the bids received for our tree pruning and removal bid:
  1. John Field Tree Service: aerial lift truck w/operator $800/day, tree removal crane w/operator and tree climber $3k/day, chip truck w/chipper and operator $800/day, log truck w/grapple and operator $800/day, stump grinder $1200/day, chip truck and chipper $800/day, 2 experienced operators $1600/day and excavator w/operator $800/day.

A motion was made to accept the only bid, received from John Field Tree Service.  The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.  Don requested copies of last year’s bids and this year’s.

• Mullin rule – Don provided copies of the state statute as well as the proposed wording for an article to be placed on the annual town meeting warrant.  A motion was made to place the article on the annual town meeting warrant.  The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
• Recreational marijuana ban – Don explained that the town voted to decriminalize marijuana and to allow it to be sold commercially.  Don felt that by accepting Question 4 the residents did not understand that this would mean that it could now be commercially grown and sold in Monterey.  Don proposes that the town vote on a ban for retail sales and manufacturing in Monterey at the next town meeting and election.  Nancy Marcus objected to a ban and proposed an amendment to Don’s suggestion to limit where it could be sold and grown.  Discussion ensued.   A motion was made to instruct town counsel to draft the necessary documents and wording to vote on a ban of commercial marijuana establishments at the May annual town meeting followed by the town elections (contrary to his opinion that the vote at the annual elections must come first).  The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
• Police Chief’s weekly report was reviewed.  The new cruiser will be picked up tomorrow.
• The Board discussed the following FY20 budget items:
  1. Grant writer position – this is one of the positions that requires a change from salary to hourly come July 1^st.  The history of this position and its creation was discussed.  A proposal was made which will be presented for approval tomorrow during the joint meeting with the Finance Committee.
  2. Town Clerk position – this is another position that is going to require a change from salary to hourly come July 1^st.  The Board discussed how many posted office hours are needed to effectively meet the town’s needs.  15 posted office hours seem to be adequate.  It was proposed to either add an additional 2 hours/week to the budget and/or not require that a Monday holiday be made up on another day which would allow for the Clerk to attend classes/workshops, continue work on the records management and work the elections and town meetings.  Planning and budgeting are required to keep this position within budgetary limits. Today’s proposal will be presented for approval tomorrow during the joint meeting with the Finance Committee.
• The Board reviewed and accepted Mark Little’s disclosure of financial interest and determination as required by MGL c. 268A §19 with regard to his position with Gould Farm and his appointment on the Conservation Commission.
• Mail was reviewed.
• The Board discussed the need to go into Executive Session as per MGL Chapter 30A Section 21 #1.  Roll call was taken by the Chair. All Select Board members were present. A motion was made by to go into executive session, seconded, and approved 2 to 1 with Don voting no. The Board will not return to open session.

A motion was made and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at: 11:30am

Submitted by:

Melissa Noe, Administrative Assistant

Approved by:

Monterey Select Board

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