BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2007
A special meeting of the Board of Selectmen convened at 7:00 p.m. in the conference room at 110 Main Street. In attendance were Edward S. Harrison, Kathleen C. Norbut and Richard E. Guertin. Also present were the Town Administrator and the media.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Acceptance of Meeting Minutes:
Mr. Guertin made a motion to accept the meeting minutes of October 23, 2007 – open session. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Monson P.D. K-9 Program – Discussion/Approval:
Police Chief Stephen Kozloski, Officer Christopher Arventos, Adams IGA Manager Michael O’Grady, Granby Police Officer Kurt Carpenter and his K-9 partner Ralph, approached the Board of Selectmen.
Chief Kozloski recapped the last meeting stating he had been approached by Adams IGA several weeks ago asking if the Monson Police Department would be interested in considering a K-9 program, as Adams IGA had expressed in intention of applying for a $5,000.00 grant to purchase a K-9. The Monson Police Department agreed, Adams IGA entered the contest and won. At the last meeting, all of this was discussed and the Board of Selectmen agreed to have Chief Kozloski return to tonight’s meeting allowing him the opportunity to work out the financial logistics of the program, which he has done. Chief Kozloski stated while the numbers are relatively capped in stone, there are a couple of options he is still examining in terms of cost for the initial start up of a K-9 program. Chief Kozloski reiterated he is proposing a scent
K-9, such as Ralph. A Black Labrador not trained in aggressiveness or apprehension abilities, but in search capabilities. There are two options he is considering. Option A is an $8,650.00 trained K-9 from a working kennel just outside Charlotte North Carolina where the trainer would need to be sent for three to four weeks to learn how to work with the dog. Option B is a local K-9 from Connecticut. This would be a green K-9 who doesn’t have any training or credentials and the handler would need to attend a full training course for ten to twelve weeks. Chief Kozloski said he is still examining which option would best fit the budget he has set for this program, and he feels he has identified the best estimate for a recurring program such as this. Based on the Federal Fair Labor Standard Act, he has learned an officer would have to be compensated for 3.5 hours per week. Chief Kozloski stated he has had meetings with the Local International Brotherhood of Police Officers Union
trying to come to some agreement as to how to best mitigate the cost of a program such as this, and said a copy of this has been given to the Board of Selectmen. With the assistance of the union, Chief Kozloski said they have identified ways to address the Federal Fair Labor Standard Act issues, overtime training issues and to include provisions where if it is decided down the road at any point that this program is not working for the town, or the funding is no longer in place, they have the ability to relinquish the program. Chief Kozloski explained the community has come out to support the K-9 program to the point he has actually had to refuse donations pending the outcome of tonight’s meeting.
Chief Kozloski explained there is some flexibility with the recurring costs as Adams IGA is willing to make donations, as well as some local veterinary clinics. In the income portion they have identified available grant money, plus the $5,000.00 grant so graciously offered by Adams IGA, as well as a number of Corporate and private donations, for a total sum of $19,800.00 to start up this program. Therefore, with either K-9 option chosen, either the $8,650.00 option A or the $5,750.00 option B, (depending on which option would work the best for the handler and the K-9), they are looking at approximately $12,000.00 in start up money after the purchase of the dog.
Chief Kozloski said he would like to set up a 53E1/2 Revolving Account so that everything could be lumped into one account. Ms. Mahar said in order to set up such an account it would need to be placed on the warrant tonight, for the Special Town Meeting.
Chief Kozloski also said he would be conducting interviews of Officers for the K-9 handler position. He would like the K-9 to be housed in town, with a commitment for eight to ten years.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to approve the Monson Police Department’s request to establish a K-9 program. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Harrison added the town is indebted to Mr. O’Grady and it should be an interesting adventure going forward and hopefully a wonderful asset to the town. Mr. O’Grady stated the representatives from Milk-Bone will be flying in from Texas on Friday to make the presentation at 11:00 a.m. in front of the mural at the side of the store facing Main Street. Refreshments will be served and everyone in the community is welcome to attend. Ralph the Granby K-9, will be back to demonstrate his abilities in the parking lot for everyone to see what is hoped to be accomplished with Monson’s program.
Officer Carpenter explained Ralph was imported from England and is used a lot with narcotics. Ralph was just certified this year for search and rescue, having been trained in the highest level of tracking. Officer Carpenter said he has 7 week old twins at home and Ralph is very gentle with them. Officer Carpenter is also Granby’s School Resource Officer at the Jr./Sr. High School three days a week, and Ralph is great with those children as well. He has had Ralph for just over two years.
Review Requested Articles – Special Town Meeting:
Ms. Norbut made a motion to open the warrant for the Special Town Meeting. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to place on the Special Town Meeting warrant an article to raise/transfer and appropriate a sum of money to the Selectman’s Salary Account. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to place on the Special Town Meeting warrant an article to accept MGL Chapter 59 Section 21A Assessors – appropriate a sum of money to the Assessors Salary Account. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to place on the Special Town Meeting warrant an article to raise/transfer and appropriate a sum of money to the EMT wages. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to place on the Special Town Meeting warrant an article to rescind the vote authorizing Hospital Road loan authorization. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to place on the Special Town Meeting warrant an article to transfer a sum of money from Lower Hampden Road Design encumbered account to the Legal Department. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to place on the Special Town Meeting warrant an article to transfer a sum of money from free cash to balance the budget. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to place on the Special Town Meeting warrant an article for the Water Department – transfer/appropriate a sum of money from the Water Enterprise Fund to go towards the SRF project. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so BOTED.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to place on the Special Town Meeting warrant an article for the Water Department – transfer and appropriate a sum of money from the Water Enterprise Fund to the Well Improvements Account. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to place on the Special Town Meeting warrant an article for the Sewer Department – transfer and appropriate a sum of money from the Sewer Enterprise Fund a sum of money to the Sewer Inflow & Infiltration Account. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to place on the Special Town Meeting warrant an article for the Sewer Department – transfer/appropriate a sum of money from the Sewer Enterprise Fund a sum of money to the Sewer Easement Clearing Account. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to place on the Special Town Meeting warrant an article for the Sewer Department – transfer/appropriate a sum of money from the Sewer Enterprise Fund Free Cash to pay sewer bills of prior years. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to place on the Special Town Meeting warrant an article for the Sewer Department – to transfer and appropriate from the Sewer Enterprise Free Cash to Sewer Department Maintenance of Joint Treatment Account. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to place on the Special Town Meeting warrant an article to create a revolving fund for the Senior and Disabled Tax Assistance Committee. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to place on the Special Town Meeting warrant an article for the Planning Board regarding a Bed & Breakfast Bylaw. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to place on the Special Town Meeting warrant an article for the Building Commissioner – Acceptance of MGL Chapter 143, Section 3Y pertaining to appointment and removal of building commissioner. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to place on the Special Town Meeting warrant an article for the Highway Surveyor – general bylaw regarding plowing of snow into roads. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to place on the Special Town Meeting warrant an article to amend eminent domain bylaw approved as article 22 of 05/07 ATM to reflect correct spelling of “Kelo v. City of New London” instead of “Kilo v. City of New London”. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to place on the Special Town Meeting warrant an article for the Police Department to establish a 53E1/2 Revolving Fund for purposes of K-9 incoming expenses. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to close the warrant for the Special Town Meeting. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Mahar approached the Board of Selectmen regarding the towns heating fuel. Ms. Mahar noted the town is not locked into a price at this time, as the cost is currently too high to lock into. The School however, is locked into their price. Ms. Mahar explained last year at this time, we purchased 15,000 gallons of heating fuel for the Town Office Building and Memorial Hall and we were paying $2.26 a gallon. The last delivery was $2.44 per gallon and this price will fluctuate with each delivery. Ms. Neggers explained some repairs have been made to the heating system in order to try to conserve energy. Ms. Norbut added she heard about a story on the electricity “vampire” where 5% of the electric bill is going to photocopiers being left on, cell phones plugged into their chargers, computers left on, etc. In
households, it was being used up by items such as small appliances, microwaves, DVD players, etc. being plugged in while not in use and felt it might be something to consider town wide. Ms. Mahar added our two main copiers have sleepers, so once they are inactive for a period of time they shut down on their own.
Announce Winter Parking Ban:
Mr. Harrison read the winter parking ban into the record as follows: During the winter season, there will be no parking on streets between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. starting with the first snowfall or December 1, 2007 through March 31, 2008.
Parking permits for overnight parking at Dave Grieve Park are available in the Town Collector’s office at a cost of $5.00.
Correspondence was read and completed.
In Other Business to Come Before the Board of Selectmen:
Mr. Guertin said he has a concern about what he has been hearing and reading in the newspapers relative to the School Committee. Mr. Guertin explained it is a concern because a second School Committee member has just resigned and that member made a statement a few days later making allegations of improprieties which he doesn’t know are true or not. Mr. Guertin further explained the School Committee itself has had discussions where there seems to be some question regarding certain accounting transactions and how they were handled. Mr. Guertin said he feels the Board of Selectmen are the overseers of the town and he asked Ms. Neggers to do a little research to see if legally the Select board had any authority in this area. Ms. Neggers was able to locate Part 1 Title 7 Chapter 41 “Officers and Employees of Cities
and Town Districts” including Selectmen; Chapter 41 Section 23B “Town Departments – Investigations and Reports”. Mr. Guertin read a portion of this into the record and suggested having an independent person look at these particular transactions that have come into question so everyone can move on one way or another, as there seems to be a lot of emotion involved.
Mr. Guertin made a motion to request the Finance Director Deborah Mahar, to engage the services of the Town Auditors to complete an investigation of policies and practices pertaining to certain School Department expense reimbursements that have been publicly questioned. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Neggers recapped what had just transpired stating some very public allegations have been made at both public meetings and in the press regarding alleged improprieties. Her impression of what the Board of Selectmen are talking about is an intent to address that to offer the public some reassurance, to alleviate the concerns and to bring everyone together to move forward from that point. Ms. Neggers stated following a very brief discussion with Dick Sullivan while trying to research this, they are talking about a very minor amount of money. It’s not the whole $10 million School Department budget that has been brought forward, and they are not anticipating it to be a large sum of money following the review of one very minor account.
Mr. Guertin said he just felt if they didn’t act on this it would fester and mushroom where you could have a bigger issue then there already is, therefore he doesn’t want to let this go any further and wants to find out just what is going on if anything.
Also in other business to come before the Board of Selectmen, Mr. Harrison said he just wanted to remind everyone that Sunday, November 11th is Veteran’s Day and we owe a debt of gratitude to those who have served our country in so many wars, including the current war and their sacrifice so that we might be free. Mr. Harrison felt we should not forget that on the 11th of November, and noted unfortunately there is no formal ceremony which Monson does for Veteran’s Day, and that perhaps in the future there should be some thought into that.
Ms. Norbut said tomorrow at the Council on Aging, there will be a Veteran’s Day luncheon. At 10:30 there will be a discussion with the Veteran’s group with the luncheon around 11:30.
At 8:20 p.m., Mr. Guertin made a motion to adjourn from open session to go into executive session to discuss collective bargaining, not to return to open session. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
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Richard E. Guertin, Clerk
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