BOARD OF SELECTMEN
JULY 22, 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 previously scheduled meeting for the Board of Selectmen, scheduled for July 8, 2008 had been canceled.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Acceptance of Meeting Minutes:
Mr. Guertin made a motion to accept the meeting minutes of June 24, 2008 – open and executive session and June 10, 2008 – executive session. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Chris Rodstrom – Trustees of Reservations – Discussion of Conservation Restriction – Butler Road:
Mr. Rodstrom approached the Board of Selectmen along with Glenn Colburn and Donald Lambert, both of whom were representing the Conservation Commission. Mr. Rodstrom displayed a map and explained he was here to discuss an addition to the conservation land protected by the Trustees of Reservation, Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary and the Town of Monson. Mr. Rodsrom explained there are thirty-seven acres of land owned by Dick Elliott, who was one of the members who helped put together the original division of Peaked Mountain and the conservation area around it in 1999 along with the Conservation Commission. Sadly, Mr. Elliott passed away before all of this planning had a chance to come together, but it was his wish to add this parcel of land to the complex of conservation land, as well as the desire of the Trustees of Reservation
and the town.
The cost of the project is roughly $200,000.00; $60,000.00 will be provided through a grant from the State of Massachusetts Conservation Partnership Program; $30,000.00 will come from the town through the Monson Conservation Commission Land Acquisition fund; Mr. Elliott put in $50,000.00 through the original sale of the property and the remaining funds are in the process of being raised by the members of Trustees of Reservations who are still working on the last $20,000.00. Anyone wishing to make a donation may contact Chris Rodstrom at 978-840-4446 ext.1915 or visit the web site at: thetrustees.org.
Mr. Colburn noted Mr. Elliott would really appreciate this gesture by the town, in supporting the acquisition and in preserving the land known as Elliott Woods. Mr. Colburn further explained the $30,000.00 from the Conservation Commission, is coming from the Land Acquisition Fund which is a fund where $1,000.00 to $2,000.00 is added every year over the course of many, many years for the purchase of land such as this, without having to wait for a Town Meeting. They are hoping they will be able to replenish these funds.
Ms. Norbut added this is such a lovely area and having something like this in town is very special. Mr. Guertin thought this was terrific as walking the trails is a great way to exercise, it’s refreshing and has a calming effect. Mr. Harrison reiterated $275,000.00 was raised during the fundraisers for the purchase of Peaked Mountain and thought it was really great how this original project has mushroomed.
Ms. Norbut made a motion the Monson Board of Selectmen support the town acquiring a permanent CR (Conservation Restriction) on the thirty-seven acre Elliott Woods parcel on Butler Road owned by the Trustees of Reservation. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
This article will be endorsed at the next annual Town Meeting and the CR will be held in escrow until that time.
Appoint Part-time Police Officers:
Police Chief Stephen Kozloski approached the Board of Selectmen along with the three candidates David Rondeau, Daniel Ryan and Thomas Clark, all of whom he is recommending be appointed as part-time Special Reserve police officers.
Chief Kozloski explained back in June he requested the Board of Selectmen appoint the same three officers as Auxiliary police officers for the purpose of training them, with the intension of replacing three part-time officers who had sought full-time positions with other agencies and leaving his department down to three part-time officers. Historically, the department has been recruiting officers they feel are the best fit for the department, appointing them as Auxiliary police officers and training them through the departments training program and then recommending the Board of Selectmen appoint those who have successfully completed that program as part-time Special Reserve police officers, which is what he is requesting for these three officers tonight.
Each of the officers told a little about themselves.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to appoint David Rondeau, Daniel Ryan and Thomas Clark as part-time Special Reserve police officers effective immediately through December 31, 2008. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Fire Chief Harris – Retirement Announcement – Process to Fill Vacancy Discussion:
Marshall Harris approached the Board of Selectmen.
Mr. Harrison read Chief Harris’ letter of retirement as attached, into the record, and stated Chief Harris has done a marvelous job.
Chief Harris said he loves his job and stated he has great officers working under him. There are eight officers on the department; four Lieutenants, a Captain, Deputy Chief, Assistant Chief and himself. Chief Harris added the last time a new chief was chosen, the Selectmen passed out a survey that worked out very well and felt it might not be a bad idea to do that again. Chief Harris noted Assistant Fire Chief George Robichaud is more than qualified to hold the position of Chief and would certainly have his recommendation. Mr. Robichaud has applied for this position in the past and has been with the department for 40 years, serving as Assistant Chief for 30 years. Chief Harris noted Mr. Robichaud and knows the ins and outs of the Fire Department. However, Chief Harris is still in favor of going through the survey process,
allowing everyone in the Fire Department a say in what is going on.
Ms. Neggers added the Fire Department is a unique organization and noted Monson is very fortunate to have these great employees within the Fire Department. The Fire Department has six full-time employees and 43 call/part-time employees.
Ms. Norbut said she would support conducting the survey within the Fire Department to receive feedback and to have some communication with the department. Ms. Norbut added she has had the opportunity to personally watch the Fire Department in action during a brush fire and experiencing everyone working together. The teamwork, physical work, technical expertise in getting water to the site, etc., was extraordinary. She has professionally worked with Mr. Robichaud, and feels his expertise with the EMS and emergency response is very clear. Chief Harris stated he would like to keep the applications in-house as there are a lot of good candidates, the Board of Selectmen agreed with him. Chief Harris said the sooner someone is chosen to fill his position the better, allowing him to start training them, explaining the grants and
everything he has been working on.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to distribute surveys, as amended, throughout the Monson Fire Department, with the information to be returned prior to the next Board of Selectmen’s meeting scheduled for August 12, 2008. Mr. Harrison seconded. Ms. Norbut – Aye, Mr. Harrison Aye, Mr. Guertin Nay.
Mr. Guertin noted he feels Mr. Robichaud is fully qualified for the position having served on the Fire Department for over forty years and feels it is a misuse of time to conduct the survey and not to offer him the position right away, allowing as much time as possible for training, considering he applies for the position and added if they are just looking for feedback from the Fire Department, the survey could be conducted at anytime.
Ms. Neggers noted there is a serious budget issue to keep in mind as well, having to compensate the Chief for his contractual severance pay upon retirement, with a significant budget shortfall for the town.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to approve the internal posting for the Fire Chief position. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Miscellaneous Reappointments – Effective July 1st:
Mr. Guertin made a motion to appoint:
· Judith Anderson to the Monson Tourism Committee effective immediately through June 30, 2009.
· John R. Morrell and Gretchen E. Neggers (Alt.) to the Pioneer Valley Joint Transportation Committee effective immediately through June 30, 2009.
· Craig Jalbert Superintendent and Thomas Murphy Assistant Superintendent, for the Water/Sewer Department effective immediately through June 30, 2009.
Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Correspondence was read and completed.
At 8:00 p.m., Mr. Guertin made a motion to adjourn from open session to go into executive session for the purpose of collective bargaining and pending litigation discussions, 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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