BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MARCH 4, 2008
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 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 January 8th, and January 15, 2008 – executive sessions and January 22, 2008 – open and executive sessions. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Pole Petition #8341R – Old Reed Road – Install two New J.O. Poles:
Mr. Guertin read pole petition #8341R into the record. There was no one in the audience to speak for or against the petition. The Water/Sewer and Highway Departments expressed no objection to the pole locations.
Mr. Guertin made a motion to accept pole petition #8341R as presented. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Pole Petition #8342R – Old Reed Road – Replace Two Existing Poles:
Mr. Guertin read pole petition #8342R into the record. There was no one in the audience to speak for or against the petition. The Water/Sewer and Highway Departments expressed no objection to the pole locations.
Mr. Guertin made a motion to accept pole petition #8342R as presented. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Authorize Snow and Ice Deficit Spending:
Mr. Guertin read a memorandum received from the Finance Committee into the record, which stated at last nights Finance Committee meeting they voted to approve $100,000.00 deficit spending for Snow and Ice. The Finance Committee also asked the Board of Selectmen to review all department accounts and identify areas of non-essential spending to help defray the cost of Snow and Ice in this years budget to avoid placing this entire expense on next years budget.
Ms. Neggers explained the $100,000.00 approved last night will essentially pay the bills incurred to date, but leaves nothing left for the month of March. This will bring the total deficit this year to $225,000.00. Last year, which was mild, the total deficit was $36,000.00. Ms. Neggers said Mr. Morrell had given a letter to the Finance Committee for their meeting last night and asked that the Board of Selectmen also be presented with a copy. Ms. Neggers explained the costs listed in the letter stating last fiscal year, there were fifteen storm events with a total of 30½ inches of snow and ice accumulated. This year, as of yesterday, there have been thirty-one storm events with 55 inches of snow and ice. Last year the town was obtaining sand at a cost of $10.25 per yard. This year it has increased to $11.00 per yard.
Salt cost $48.00 a ton last year and this year the salt costs $63.00 primarily due to the trucking fuel costs. Last year there were 2,041 cubic yards of winter sand purchased with 1,112 tons of salt, for a total cost of $138,000.00. This year to date, there has been 4,000 cubic yards of sand purchased with over 2,216 tons of salt. The total to date is $225,000.00 more than last year plus the $125,000.00 which has been appropriated for a total of $350,000.00 expended on snow and ice removal this winter.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to approve the request for the deficit spending on the amount of $100,000.00. Mr. Guertin seconded the motion on the stipulation the amount be increased to $125,000.00. Ms. Norbut agreed as amended and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Norbut said on the second part, which was a reasonable request, couldn’t be answered tonight as she felt it requires thought and study and along with input from Ms. Mahar and Ms. Neggers prior to taking any action. Ms. Mahar will look over the account balances to identify any significant balances which might be non-essential and the department could get by without using, prior to discussing it with the department heads. Ms. Norbut added at the School Committee meeting scheduled for tomorrow night, the School Committee will be discussing specific cuts they need to make to staffing and personnel, and ultimately the bigger picture needing to be weighed is using the reserves to help on the School side of the budget. Ms. Neggers added she would not advocate using reserves for operational uses, but this is a unique
situation. Ms. Neggers added, last night at the Finance Committee meeting, Senator Brewer was in attendance and stated they would be discussing possibly assisting cities and towns with the snow and ice, but they too have a pretty significant deficit they need to fund themselves.
Ms. Neggers said there has also been a lot of discussion of the School Committee possibly seeking an override and explained the time frame for doing so.
Request for Town to Exercise Its Right-of-First-Refusal - Richard Cardano, Bumstead Road:
It was noted correspondence has been received from the Conservation Commission and the Planning Board regarding approximately 30 acres of Chapter 61B land owned by Richard Cardano located at 175 Bumstead Road that is to be conveyed to John Rahkonen.
Mr. Guertin made a motion to not exercise the right of first refusal on this property. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
In Other Business to Come Before the Board of Selectmen:
· Ms. Norbut congratulated the Monson High School Varsity Swim Team on another successful year, with Michael Switzer becoming the Western Mass. champion in the 53 and the 103.
· Mr. Guertin said Thomas Faulkner appeared before the Board of Selectmen a short time ago regarding filling the vacancy on the School Committee. At that time the Board of Selectmen agreed to check with the School Committee to see if they wanted to wait until the April elections, since they are so near, or to hold the joint meeting with the Board of Selectmen regarding the application and appointment. Mr. Guertin read a memorandum from John Goodrich which the office recently received stating he is the only candidate running for the School Committee, as Mr. Faulkner did not return his papers. Mr. Goodrich asked in the memo to be appointed to the School Committee as soon
as possible, and wanted Mr. Faulkner included in that decision. It was agreed to check to see if the School Committee could meet in a joint session with the Board of Selectmen at the Selectmen’s next meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, March 11th.
Correspondence was read and completed.
Ms. Norbut thanked everyone who has returned their Casino Survey so far and is looking forward to more surveys coming in. Ms. Norbut noted there has been a good response.
Mr. Guertin reminded the listening audience tomorrow night the School Committee will be meeting at 7:00 p.m. in Hillside School to discuss budget cuts within the schools. This meeting is open to the public.
At 8:00 p.m., Mr. Guertin made a motion to adjourn from open session to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing 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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