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BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, JUNE 13, 2006
Executive session for the purpose of discussing collective bargaining (AFSCME) adjourned, and the regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen convened at 7:00 p.m. in the conference room at 110 Main Street. In attendance were Richard E. Guertin, Edward S. Harrison and Kathleen C. Norbut. Also present were the Town Administrator and the media.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Acceptance of Meeting Minutes:
Ms. Norbut made a motion to accept the meeting minutes of May 23, 2006 – open session. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Appoint New Town Treasurer:
Town Accountant Deborah Mahar and Cristina Pedro approached the Board of Selectmen. Ms. Mahar explained the search committee interviewed three of the five applicants for the part-time, 20 hours per week position and recommended Ms. Pedro be appointed as the new Town Treasurer. Ms. Pedro spoke of her background to the listening audience and the Board of Selectmen, stating she is from Ludlow. Ms. Pedro graduated from Westfield State College with a bachelor’s degree in financial management. She has been an assistant branch manager at Woronoco Savings Bank (now known as Berkshire Bank). Ms. Pedro has also worked for Merrill Lynch & Company. Ms. Neggers added this position was advertised in the Springfield Sunday Republican for two weeks and posted on the MMA web site.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to appoint Cristina Pedro as the Town Treasurer effective June 19th through June 30, 2007. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Appoint Two New EMT’s:
Fire Chief Marshall Harris, Brian Harris and Anthony Arventos approached the Board of Selectmen. Chief Harris explained there is funding in his budget to hire two EMT/Firefighters from 5:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Monday through Friday. The openings for these positions were posted in the Fire Station for two weeks. Five applications were submitted and following interviews these two candidates were chosen. Chief Harris spoke of the qualifications for each candidate.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to appoint Brian Harris and Anthony Arventos to EMT/ Firefighter effective July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Discussion – Proposed Bicycle Race – Michael Norton:
Michael Norton approached the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Norton stated he had met with the Police Chief. Between four hundred and five hundred riders are expected to participate in this race, with groups ranging from the fastest down to the slowest. Each group will consist of approximately 70 to 80 riders. Each group will have their own support vehicles. Mr. Norton said this race will be no different then in past years. The race will be held on Saturday, July 29th beginning at 8:30 a.m. The race will consist of 56 miles which will take approximately three hours to complete.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to approve the proposed road race on Saturday July 29, 2006 as presented this evening by Mr. Norton. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Discussion – Board of Health Membership Criteria:
Mr. Guertin explained this discussion is a continuation from the previous Selectmen’s meeting held on May 23, 2006 trying to strengthen the Monson’s emergency management efforts in light of potential threats like a pandemic flu outbreak. Mr. Guertin said he became involved in this after he attended a pandemic flu meeting, followed by other meetings. Mr. Guertin feels the responsibilities of the Board of Health have changed since 9/11 and therefore wondered if there should be new requirements for being a member on the Board of Health. On June 21st at 6:00 p.m. there will be an hour and a half long session in the Palmer High School auditorium, put on in combination with Wing Memorial Hospital, about this type of concern. Mr. Guertin shared a few pages from Monson’s Comprehensive Emergency Plan
by reading a section entitled “Head of Government”, section 2.4, which states “the ultimate responsibility for all emergency management is vested in the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen”. Mr. Guertin said there is also a section pertaining to “Direction and Control” that states “the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen is responsible for actions performed on behalf of the community, etc. The Chairman of the Board of Selectmen is required by law to appoint an Emergency Management Director who is responsible for coordinating the emergency management program. The next section talks about the Emergency Management Director’s responsibilities, which states “ the Emergency Management Director, appointed by the Chairman Board of Selectmen, has responsibility for coordinating the entire emergency management program including advising the Board of Selectmen Chairman, etc.” Mr. Guertin showed a chart explaining the basic
organizational structure. Mr. Guertin said under section 2.14 is Health and Medical Services, which states “in most emergency disaster situations there is a potential for public health problems, and a need for medical response. When local health/medical capabilities to meet the demands of an emergency are exhausted, support may be requested from state and federal agencies. The Monson’s Chairman Board of Health is responsible for direction and control of health/medical services during an emergency/disaster situation. Mr. Guertin explained the Chairman for the Board of Selectmen plays a lead role, the Emergency Management Director (who is appointed by the Board of Selectmen) plays a role and in the case of the flu the Board of Health portion of the organizational chart at which point the Chairman of the Board of Health assumes a role in responsibility.
Mr. Guertin explained two members on the Board of Health were up for reappointment and said he feels a diverse Board is needed with certain Board members specializing in special areas. Mr. Guertin said Ms. Klick has done a great job with Bulky Day and Hazardous Waste Day, etc. and brings this expertise to the Board of Health. Dr. Smith who is up for reappointment has a medical background and certainly brings his expertise in this area to the Board of Health as well. Mr. Guertin said he feels leadership is needed to come up with a viable plan and trying to coordinate between the Emergency Management effort and the Board of Health on this. Mr. Guertin supports the reappointment of Ms. Klick on the premise they do bring something to the Board, however, new blood hasn’t been brought into the Board relative to some of
the other issues now facing the Board of Health. Mr. Guertin said he would recommend moving forward with the reappointment and at the same time have the Board of Selectmen play a larger role in this then they have in the past by providing some form of leadership towards putting this plan together. This would mean, whoever was the representative for the Board of Selectmen, would have to attend all of the meetings related to the flu pandemic, would have to work with Lori McCool, the Health Agent who supports the Board of Health, would have to bring the Director of Emergency Management and the Chairman of the Board of Health together and try to get something in motion, so that maybe in a year from now, the Board of Selectmen could be sitting here with something they really feel good about as moving forward. Mr. Harrison said he agreed, but felt the chart was misleading as the pandemic flu is bigger then just a health issue and would therefore have an affect on more departments and
people Therefore the leadership role is really important and he feels it would be the Selectmen or the Chairman who would have to manage it, or the Emergency Management Director in conjunction with the Chair of the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Guertin agreed with Mr. Harrison. Ms. Norbut added the problem is Monson is looking at additional threats, that no community anticipated just a half dozen years ago or even three or four years ago such as the terrorist issues, the natural disaster issues, the pandemic issues that are being highly and scientifically substantiated that this is just not scare tactics. Ms. Norbut said when she looks at the Board of Selectmen, the Board of Health and the Emergency Management Director, Monson is not tightly coordinated and this is the problem and this is no longer functional as it once was. The threats are real and the layers of planning and training need to be much more tightly communicated. Ms. Norbut said with the Board of Selectmen, the Chair
rotates in our community every year. Also it might be the Chair who is the resident affected by the pandemic and incapable of performing their functions. Therefore, she feels all three people on the Board need to be knowledgeable with training involved. This also pertains to the Board of Health. Ms. Norbut feels it is important the majority of these committees and boards attend the meeting on June 21st and as often as possible and the Board of Selectmen start to have some inter-board communications and perhaps start thinking about setting up combined meetings with a set agenda set by the Chair of the Board of Selectmen to address these concerns. Mr. Guertin said a plan needs to be written to address various issues and felt the Board of Selectmen needed to do just as Ms. Norbut suggested relative to the plan. Mr. Guertin said the Board of Selectmen need to be driving this. Ms. Norbut noted she hopes qualified community members will contact the Board of Selectmen to let
them know if they are a medical professional, or certain expertise or training in some area such as a point person of a company who has had training because Monson needs to have all the individuals that can be accessable be involved in this process to start to have a larger data bank of who the town can look for in assistance in this process willing to come in and maybe even provide some consultation to the Board in this way. Mr. Guertin said the Board of Health would love to welcome assistance with this process. With the Emergency Management Director leaving, a new director needs to be appointed. Then he would be willing try set up meetings between himself, Ms. McCool, the Board of Health and the Emergency Management director to try to get this ball rolling and report back to the Select Board.
Mr. Harrison and Ms. Norbut agreed to have Mr. Guertin be in charge of this issue.
Ms. Neggers suggested having the current Emergency Management Director and Assistant Emergency Management Director in for a conference. The Board of Selectmen agreed with this. Mr. Harrison said the Board of Selectmen need to aggressively move along with getting this issue planned for. Once the plan is in place, everyone will know who on the chart has to play what role along with the extent of need for leadership for each individual.
Discussion – Meeting Schedule:
Mr. Guertin said he will not be able to attend the next scheduled Selectmen’s meeting on June 27th; however he had no objection to the board meeting without him. It was agreed the Selectmen’s meeting scheduled for June 27th would be held as scheduled.
Commence Fiscal 2007/July 1, 2006 Reappointments:
Mr. Harrison made a motion to reappoint Donald R. Lambert and James Zieger to the Conservation Commission; Tara Hengeveld to the Planning Board; David Beaudoin and Kevin Biermann to the Zoning Board of Appeals and Building Code Appeal Board; and Richard M. Smith and Phyllis Klick to the Board of Health - for three year terms, effective July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2009. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to reappoint Barbara Keffer, Edward Harrison and Nancy Morrell to the Cable Advisory Committee for a one year term - effective July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to reappoint Neal Schermerhorn and Tina Moriarty to three year terms effective July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2009 to the Council on Aging and thanked Albert Wilcox for his services; and David Mathews, Clara Dvorchak and Verdi-Ann Vadnais to the Cultural Council, also for three year terms - effective July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2009. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to reappoint Laurier Letendre, Cynthia Demerski, Mary Emerson, William Emerson, JoAnne Fortier, Jane Jacobs, Esther Ryder, Phyllis Klick, Patricia McCarron, Margaret Paine, Christine Moriarty, Diane Oppel, Barbara St. Martin, Brenda Wallace, Albert Wilcox, Robert Presho, Carol Strum, James Moran, Beverly King, Sandra Letendre, Florence Fenton, Rita Davis, MaryJane Russell, Joan Donahue-Moran and Elaine Carlin as Election Officers for one year terms - effective July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to reappoint William Dominick to the Historical Commission for a three year term - effective July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2009. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to reappoint Nancy Klisiewicz, Sharon Rondeau, Phil Murray and Ronald Lemanski to the Insurance Advisory Committee; Dennis Swierad, Jacqueline Hatton, Robert Carpenter, Mary Ann Meacham, Elizabeth Colleton, EmmaLadd Shepherd, Robert Meacham, Douglas Young, Carol Strum, Dorothy Whitaker, Barbara Keffer, Cece Colling and Virginia Midyette to the Keep Homestead Museum Steering Committee; Edward Harrison, Roland Desrochers, Jean Bailey, Denis Duquette, Elizabeth Faichney, Frank Kapsia, Gretchen Neggers and Ellen Pollock to the Local Partnership for Economic Development Committee; Richard Guertin, Deborah Mahar, Gretchen E. Neggers, J. Kurt Kaiser, Daniel Tassinari, Peter Ross and Joel Keller to the Long Range Financial Planning Committee; Jean Bailey, Jane Jacobs, Elizabeth Faichney, Barbara
Moran, Denise Morgan, Robert Presho, Nancy Morrell, Edward Harrison, Dorothy Jenkins, Phyllis Klick and Nancy Bryant to the Monson Tourism Committee; for one year terms - effective July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
It was announced the Personnel Policy Committee is no longer in existence.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to reappoint John R. Morrell and Gretchen E. Neggers to the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission; Michael Kane, Deborah Mahar, James C. Peters, Robert Tucker, Sara Malo, Michael Walker, Michael Rouette, Sean Gouvin and Rebecca Hull Chrzan to the Scholarship Fund Committee; Russell Bressette, Jr., Cathleen M. Mushenko, Judith White, Cristina Pedro and Elizabeth Stanton to the Tax Assistance For Seniors Committee for one year terms - effective July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to reappoint the attached list to the Fire Department and read the names into the record, for one year terms effective - July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to reappoint the attached list, as highlighted, to various town positions and read the list into the record, for one year terms – effective July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to reappoint Elizabeth J. Weldon as Registrar of Voters and JoAnne Fortier as Assistant Registrar of Voters for three year terms - effective July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2009. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Neggers noted the reappointments for the Police Department will be forthcoming.
New Business to Come Before the Board of Selectmen:
Ms. Norbut announced International National Elders Abuse Awareness Day will be recognized on Thursday, June 15, 2006. This will be the first annual event of this kind. People are asked to wear purple to raise awareness and to support issues related to elder abuse. The web site www.aarp.org has links to more information including fact sheets and resources for anyone who might be interested or concerned about an elder.
Correspondence was read and completed.
At 8:10 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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Kathleen C. Norbut, Clerk
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