BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2005
The regular meeting of the Monson Board of Selectmen convened at 7:00 p.m. in the Conference Room at 110 Main Street. In attendance were Kathleen C. Norbut and Edward S. Harrison. Richard E. Guertin was absent. Also present were the Town Administrator and the media. Town Counsel was not present.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Accept Meeting Minutes:
A few typographical errors were noted in the open session minutes of October 11th. Mr. Harrison made a motion to accept the meeting minutes for October 11, 2005 – open session as amended. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Discussion – Payment of Flood Expenses:
A) Request Deficit Spending Authorization. B) Request State Emergency Board Hearing – to authorize temporary borrowing to pay flood expenses. C) Cancel November 7, 2005 Special Town Meeting. D) Schedule November 21, 2005 Special Town Meeting. E) Set November 21, 2005 Special Town Meeting Warrant.
John Morrell approached the Board of Selectmen. Ms. Norbut thanked Mr. Morrell for the quick and efficient work done regarding the flooding and road damage which resulted from the rain storm on Friday, October 14th into Saturday October 15th. Ms. Norbut said the Highway Department was already out working on Saturday morning when she declared a State of Emergency for Monson at 2:15 a.m. Two bridges were washed out and seventeen roads were closed due to damage from the water, leaving many residents unable to exit their property. In all, 130 to 140 sections of roadway on twenty-nine roads sustained damage. Ms. Norbut added the town is still officially under a State of Emergency, which will remain in effect until all of the roads and bridges have been assessed and/or repaired. Mr.
Morrell said 90% of the road restoration is now completed. Ms. Norbut thanked the Fire Department and the Police Department for their work as well. The Army Corp. of Engineers kept an eye on Conant Brook Dam and the cooperation among everyone really aided in keeping the tasks at hand running smoothly and efficiently. The town worked with MEMA and FEMA during and following the storm and Mass. Highway has repaired the state highway going through town and assisted the residents on Lakeshore Drive, a private road that sustained damage.
Ms. Neggers said there aren’t any promises of funding for residents who sustained water damage to their basements. Damage to residents’ property and homes haven’t been tallied yet, and it’s unclear whether taxpayers will even qualify for state or federal relief programs. FEMA has gathered the information on individual assessments to forward to Washington, D.C.
Mr. Morrell thanked the Board of Selectmen, Ms. Neggers, the Water and Sewer Department, the Emergency Management Center, and the department heads, especially Chief Kozloski, who came together and worked very well as a team during this storm with excellent communication.
The estimated cost was just under $200,000.00 for the damage to the roads in Monson. With the overtime pay for the Highway Department, Fire Department and Police Department, it brings the total up to $250,000.00.
Mr. Morrell said he had FEMA assess two bridges in Monson following the storm. One bridge is on Bunyan Road, which is a dead end road but is the only access road to the town’s water supply. The bridge abutment has been moved slightly. The bridge’s structure is still hard to fully assess as the water level is still high.
The second bridge is by the chapel on Silver Street where the decking has moved a little. FEMA feels this damage was done prior to the storm. Mr. Morrell said Mass. State Highway is suppose to inspect every bridge in the state every two years, however he hasn’t seen any recent reports regarding either of these two bridges.
Mr. Morrell noted areas still dangerous to the public are marked with cones and barriers. If residents see anything not marked, they are urged to call the Highway Department at 267-4135 to report it.
Mr. Morrell said six trees were down due to the wind and rain storm today. The Cemetery Department helped remove one tree and said they were available to assist with the remaining five trees if their help was needed. The Police Department also responded and assisted with these incidents.
Deborah Mahar, the Town Accountant approached the Board of Selectmen. Ms. Neggers explained normally town officials would simply seek approval to deficit spend during a State of Emergency. However, if the town starts paying the bills too soon, they would have to pay them in full prior to setting the tax rate in December, leaving the town coffers in the red as the tax rate can’t be set with a budget deficit. If the tax bills aren’t issued by January 1st, homeowners wouldn’t have to pay their taxes until May, which would force the town to borrow regardless. Ms. Neggers said it’s safer to get authorization to borrow even if the town doesn’t need to immediately do so, and expect that state or federal storm reimbursements can either pay down the debt or replenish town
coffers. Ms. Mahar explained the timing of this storm is what posed the financial problem as the town must find a way to address the financial aspect of the storm prior to setting the tax rate. If the town receives 75% reimbursement from the government, it won’t come for several months.
There are two ways the financial aspect can be addressed. One plan would be to seek authorization from the state to deficit spend and begin to pay the incurred bills, which would fall under Chapter 44 § 31. If the town choose this plan, because it is prior to setting the tax rate, it would have to be funded completely at the town meeting. If the $250,000.00 flood expenses were appropriated at the town meeting through the stabilization account and reimbursement were received, the Department of Revenue said any reimbursement received could not go back in to the stabilization account. It would have to go into the general fund’s free cash. Ms. Neggers said the Department of Revenue is following the Massachusetts General Law.
The other provision is to seek under Chapter 44 § 8 Clause 9, a requested hearing before the State Emergency Board. The board could authorize temporary borrowing to pay the flood expenses. This request must be made within 20 days of the emergency. Following the hearing, it would have to go to a town meeting and be approved by a 2/3’s vote. Once it is approved by the town’s people, the bills could then be processed. If this is the chosen method, once reimbursement is received, it could be used to reduce the deficit. Either way, it requires a town meeting quickly. It was suggested both methods be placed on the warrant, one will be a passover and the other would be acted upon.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to request a Emergency Board hearing hoping they will authorize temporary borrowing to pay flood expenses under Chapter 44 § 8 (9). Ms Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to request postponement of the November 7th Special Town meeting. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to schedule a second Special Town meeting on November 21, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium at Granite Valley Middle School. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to open the warrant for the Special Town meeting set for November 21, 2005. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to place the following article on the warrant for the
Special Town meeting of November 21, 2005 to read as follows: To see if the town will vote to transfer and appropriate a sum of money from the stabilization account fund to pay expenses incurred by the town as a result of the flood of 2005 or take any other action relative thereto. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to place an article on the warrant for the Special Town meeting of November 21, 2005 to read as follows: To see if the town will vote to authorize an emergency loan for a sum of money under Chapter 44 § 8 (9) as approved by the Emergency Finance Board for costs incurred by the town as a result of the flood of 2005 or take any other action relative thereto. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to close the warrant for the Special Town meeting of November 21, 2005. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Appoint Part-time Police Officers:
Chief Koxloski, William Jacques and Adam Szymanski approached the Board of Selectmen, Chief Kozloski thanked the Board of Selectmen, Ms. Neggers, John Morrell and all of the town’s employees for their services and skill recently during the flood of 2005.
Chief Kozloski explained Mr. Jacques and Mr. Szymanski were appointed auxiliary officers in August and since then, have been training with other Monson officers. Both men have had prior experience as auxiliary or special police officers in other municipalities and are now interested in becoming part-time officers in Monson. Mr. Jacques and Mr. Szymanski gave brief statements of their backgrounds. Chief Kozloski was recommending both men be appointed as part-time officers in Monson.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to appoint William Jacques and Adam Szymanski as part-time officers for the Town of Monson effective immediately through June 30, 2006. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Receipt of Request to Exercise Right of First Refusal – Waletkus Property:
It was acknowledged a request to exercise the right of first refusal for the Waletkus property had been received and would now be forwarded to the Conservation Commission and to the Planning Board for any comments prior to the Board of Selectmen acting upon it.
In Other Business to Come Before the Board of Selectmen:
Ms. Neggers said a petition was received from the residents of Pine View and Sunny Brook Roads (private ways) seeking temporary repairs to their roads in accordance with the town by-laws. Mr. Harrison made a motion to forward to John Morrell the petitions seeking temporary repairs for Pineview and Sunnybrook Roads. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Norbut noted the Quaboag Riders Motorcycle Club will hold a benefit party on Friday, November 18th for Diana and Peter (Butch) Walsh, whose Stafford Road home was completely devastated by the flood on October 15th. The benefit will begin at 6:00 p.m. in the Polish American Citizens Club on Bliss Street. A $15.00 donation is suggested. This benefit will include music, food and raffles.
Ms. Norbut announced the Monson school will be collecting food for the Open Pantry. Wing Memorial Hospital’s Social Work Department will also hold a food drive sponsoring Monson’s Open Pantry. Ms. Norbut said the Monson Open Pantry distributes food to more then 80 families in town. The Open Pantry distributes both perishable and non-perishable food items once each month with additional distributions for the Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter holidays.
Correspondence was read and completed.
At 8:15 p.m., Mr. Harrison made a motion to adjourn from open session to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing collective bargaining (AFSCME), not to return to open session. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
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Edward S. Harrison, Clerk
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