BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2006
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 Richard E. Guertin and Edward S. Harrison. Kathleen C. Norbut arrived at 7:18 p.m. Also present were the Town Administrator and the media.
The Pledge of allegiance was recited.
Acceptance of Meeting Minutes:
Mr. Harrison made a motion to accept the meeting minutes of July 25, 2006 – open and executive sessions. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Earth Tech – Discussion Regarding Procedure/Contract for Design Modifications – Lower Hampden Road:
Highway Surveyor John Morrell, along with Mary Monahan-Burgess and Andrew Ogilvie from Earth Tech, approached the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Guertin reiterated the Lower Hampden Road project and the meeting held on August 1st in West Springfield for the listening audience. Mr. Guertin further explained, the meeting tonight was to discuss the modifications to the project to fit the successfully obtained $7 million cap allocated as a result of that meeting due to a lot of hard work by a lot of people. Mr. Guertin said modifications are necessary to the Lower Hampden Road project as the $7 million in funding received was less then originally anticipated.
Mr. Morrell thanked the Board of Selectmen, Pioneer Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), Earth Tech, Senator Stephen Brewer, Representative Mary Rogeness, all the town officials, Police Chief, Fire Chief, School Department, Town Accountant and all the town department heads who submitted letters on behalf of the town to the MPO and for showing their support by attending the meeting in West Springfield; and especially Ms. Neggers for all of her time, vast amount of research, numerous discussions with himself, along with her excellent presentation to the MPO.
Ms. Norbut was now present.
Mr. Morrell said he has identified ten areas where modifications could be made to the Lower Hampden Road project without interfering with safety. He has gone over the proposed changes with the consultants from Earth Tech and they have agreed to change the entire road width from 28 feet to 26 feet, which will assist contractors from having to move some sections of stone wall. Also, plans have been changed from a full-depth road reconstruction to a reclamation, which requires less work, along with changing from reinforced concrete drainage pipe to N12 plastic pipe, which is now an acceptable item by Mass. Highway saving a substantial amount of money while lasting longer. Asphalt will be used for sidewalks in some locations instead of cement to help lower the project costs. Mr. Morrell explained he would like to complete
this project the best he can, on the budget presented to him, so the reconstruction work performed will hopefully last 20 to 25 years, and added he hopes the road work will go out to bid this fall before the prices have a chance to increase.
Appoint Finance Director: Deborah Mahar:
Ms. Mahar approached the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Guertin reiterated for the listening audience the change in the financial structure of the town approved at Town meeting and leading to this appointment.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to appoint Deborah Mahar as Financial Director effective July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2009. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Finance Director Presentation: Principal Assessor – Diane Hildreth:
Ms. Mahar and Ms. Hildreth approached the Board of Selectmen. Ms. Mahar explained interviews were conducted and Ms. Hildreth was the candidate chosen by the interviewing panel to fill the vacancy. Ms. Hildreth spoke of her background and qualifications.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to appoint Ms. Hildreth as the Principal Assessor effective today, August 8, 2006 through June 30, 2007. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Hildreth said she would actually be starting on Monday, August 14, 2006.
Appoint Local Emergency Planning Committee:
Ms. Neggers said this appointment was not completed in June and added this list has been reviewed by the new Emergency Management Director.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to appoint Jonathan Miller, Richard Guertin, Edward Harrison, Kathleen Norbut, Gretchen Neggers, Judy White, Marshall Harris, John Morrell, Steve Kozloski, Robert Bator, Lucy Shrenker, Jane Jacobs, Len Hooton, Barbara Hooton, Frances Bernier and Gregory Dill to the Local Emergency Planning Committee effective July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Appoint Dr. Richard Nabel to Long Range Financial Planning Committee:
Ms. Norbut made a motion to appoint Dr. Richard Nabel to the Long Range Financial Planning Committee effective August 8, 2006 through June 30, 2007. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Personnel Policy – Further Discussion/Acceptance:
Mr. Guertin explained copies of the Personnel policy were handed out to Ms. Norbut and Mr. Harrison at the last Board of Selectmen’s meeting. At that time it was agreed to revisit the discussion/acceptance of the policy at this meeting, allowing time for Ms. Norbut and Mr. Harrison to review the policy. Mr. Harrison said he felt the policy was quite thorough. Ms. Norbut had questions regarding several areas in the policy. Ms. Norbut also suggested including links to web sites pertaining to particular items to help make the policy user friendly for town employees. It was also suggested the links could be placed at the rear of the policy, so the policy won’t be filled with linking sites. Ms. Neggers and Mr. Guertin explained the Personnel Policy is more of a regulatory document pertaining to personnel
regulations. It was agreed to revisit the discussion/acceptance of the Personnel Policy at the next scheduled Board of Selectmen’s meeting, allowing the changes to be incorporated into the policy and for Ms. Neggers to check on the section pertaining to military leave.
Areas in question were the following:
· Regarding employees with military leave – page 67 – 68 section 7.2 – This was discussed as to the length of time allowed, etc. Ms. Norbut said she would like to see web links inserted pertaining to legal sites regarding this issue. Ms. Neggers added this was written in compliance with the law, and agreed to check it out further.
· On the bottom of page 32 and top of page 33 – the section pertaining to “after leaving public service”, Ms. Norbut was concerned because this section had no time frame listed. Ms. Neggers explained it would depend on the matter itself and not the period of time. Mr. Guertin added this item refers to the potential for a conflict of interest.
· On page 33 - regarding workplace violence and the possession of weapons. The Personnel Policy had no reference to the actual possession of weapons. The Selectmen agreed to change the wording from “possession of weapons” to “workplace violence” and thus covering the broad expanse of weapons.
In Other Business to Come Before the Board of Selectmen:
Ms. Neggers suggested the Board of Selectmen cancel their meeting scheduled for Tuesday, August 22nd, due to conflicts in scheduled vacations; and reschedule their meeting for the following week on Tuesday, August 29th. The Board of Selectmen agreed unanimously to change the scheduled meeting as suggested.
Correspondence was read and completed without any responses.
At 7:55 p.m., Mr. Harrison made a motion to adjourn. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
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Kathleen C. Norbut, Clerk
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