Select Board Minutes

Minutes of the meeting of 3/27/19

Meeting Opened at: 4pm

Select Board Members Present: Kenneth Basler and Donald Coburn

Also in attendance: Mary McGurn, Peter Chait, Doug & Joann McTavish, Jon Sylbert, Rebecca Wolin

Miscellaneous Items Reviewed:

• The proposed cover letter to send to MBI was reviewed which will be sent with a package of all the documents MBI is requesting.  A few minor edits were made and the letter was signed.  A resident from Sandisfield commended us on the progress we are making.  Discussion ensued with members of the audience about next steps and the challenges our small communities face.
• Don inquired whether Kenn had received a response from the Ethics Commission regarding his concerns about what he thinks is a conflict of interest.  Kenn said that he had provided Don with a copy a few meetings back; Don said he had not received it; another copy was provided today.  The ethics commission determined that there is no conflict and Don was satisfied with the response.
• The Board reviewed the draft annual town meeting warrant, this will be finalized and signed next Wed.
• The Board met with the Finance Committee to discuss the following:
  1. Town Counsel: Don questioned counsel’s request for additional monies in anticipation of an increase of inquiries and conflicts.  Don stated that counsel has no data to back this request (number of hours worked to date)  Don made a motion that Town Counsel only receive 2%.  The Select Board motion was not seconded.  Don advised that there should be a written contract for services moving forward.  Rebecca made a motion to keep Counsel’s increase at 2%.  This Finance Committee motion was not seconded.  Jon made a motion to increase counsel’s salary by the $1k the alternate counsel line was lowered plus 2%.  The motion was seconded and passed by the Finance Committee members present.  It was agreed that going forward the terms of employment need to be in a contract and at least one member believed a tally of hours should be be kept.  Questions arose on if this position should be paid as an employee or contractor; we will check with Baystate Municipal Accounting as a part of our ongoing reclassification work.
  2. Both the Board and Finance Committee reviewed the opinions from counsel and the accountant on the fire company line items.  Don asked that the record note he abstained from voting on any of these items until he could study if further before the next meeting.  Jon made a motion to put the following temporary numbers and line items in the budget until an additional legal opinion can be received; Fire Department Training $10k, Fire Department Lease $17k and Fire Department Capital Improvements & Expenses $20k.  The motion was seconded and passed by the Finance Committee members present.
  3. Jon expressed concern over the Fire Company’s 990-ez filings and that they may not be in compliance.  He is requesting that the Fire Company acknowledge that they will be correcting this so that Jon can feel comfortable in recommending the town approve monies to be paid to the Fire Company.
  4. Unemployment insurance: Jon recommended but no vote was taken to address the overage we are likely to have for the current fiscal year at town meeting rather than use reserve funds.
  5. Kenn provided an update on the Amidon property for sale next to the beach.

A motion was made and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at: 6:30pm

Submitted by:

Melissa Noe, Administrative Assistant

Approved by:

Monterey Select Board

cc: Website (www.montereyma.gov)

Select Board Members

Minutes Book

Town Clerk