BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Tuesday, August 12, 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 and Kathleen C. Norbut. Richard E. Guertin was absent. 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 for July 22, 2008 – open and executive sessions. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Assistant Fire Chief Robichaud – Regarding Fire Chief Vacancy:
George Robichaud approached the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Harrison reiterated Chief Harris will be retiring effective September 1, 2008. An internal posting was conducted with Mr. Robichaud’s application being the only one received. Mr. Harrison stated Mr. Robichaud has been a member of the Monson Fire Department for forty years and is one of the longest certified E.M.T.’s in the Commonwealth. Ms. Norbut read Mr. Robichaud’s summary which was attached to his application into the record as attached. Ms. Norbut added she is very appreciative of his dedication to the town and his interest in the position, and noted members of the Fire Department supported his decision. Mr. Harrison said the surveys returned showed the department felt all the areas on the form were highly important to the department, and he
feels Mr. Robichaud’s knowledge has all the areas covered. It was also noted Mr. Guertin’s approval of appointing Mr. Robichaud as the new Fire Department Chief is already on the record within the minutes of the last meeting.
Several members of the Fire Department were in the audience to support Mr. Robichaud.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to appoint George Robichaud to the position of Fire Chief effective September 1, 2008, contingent upon reaching successful contract negotiations. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Harrison expressed his sadness on the recent passing of Gordon Doss, who was a member of the Monson Fire Department for a number of years and added he appreciated his service to our community and his dedication. Mr. Harrison and Ms. Norbut expressed their appreciation to all the Firefighters in town who sacrifice their time, for not much money, to keep us safe; as the work they do is very important.
Memorial Hall – Discussion of Winter Schedule, Capital Planning Responsibility:
This item was tabled due to Mr. Guertin’s absence.
Request for Gifts to the Town Expenditure – Police Department Technology:
Police Chief Stephen Kozloski approached the Board of Selectmen and explained over the last couple of years he has sought to include technology accounts within the Police Department budget, and each year they have been unsuccessful in their attempt. The department now has significant technology needs, without a line item budget to fund these needs, which is the reason for tonight’s’ meeting, to request funds from the Gifts to the Town Account or partial funding from the Gifts to the Town Account along with partial funding from a different source yet to be identified. Chief Kozloski explained the Police Department is approaching five years on the computer server, which is the heart of their computer system, managing all of their work stations and storing all their information. Over the years they have tried to
expand more on the use of technology allowing them to, catalog and readily find all of their reports, assist with crime tracking and processing court paperwork, management of all their personnel records and with imaging as photographs are now all done digitally, etc. Chief Kozloski noted the computer server is now beginning to have difficulty keeping up with the increased pace of their software programs.
Chief Kozloski stated he has received a single quote of approximately $8,000.00 for a new server, licensing, and appropriate power and data back-up services which the server would provide. Chief Kozloski added, when the time became appropriate, he would also look into additional quotes, therefore the cost could be slightly higher or slightly lower. The Police Department is on a battery back-up system until the point where the generator takes over. The quote does include a battery back-up system which is a little more robust than what they currently have, just in case of generator issues, as the Police Department is constantly running into power issues and consumption issues, as Chief Kozloski explained this building wasn’t designed to house a Police Station. The quote received includes a server back-up, as well as a
tape back-up, allowing an on site back-up with the server while the tape would allow for the back-up to be moved off-site.
Ms. Neggers said the Gifts to the Town Account is currently at about $27,000.00, and the Technology Revolving Fund is currently at about $17,000.00, and noted the town is currently about to commence a pretty significant project with an off site back-up system. Chief Kozloski said the Police Department does not qualify for any grant funding for updating the computer technology as it would need to have a regional theme to it where the record system would have to show a regional scope, however his department was successful in securing approximately a $35,000.00 grant for the mobile vehicle data terminals.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to approve a Gifts to the Town in the amount of $8,000.00 for the purchase of technology equipment for the Police Department. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Norbut informed the community that the town doesn’t have an IT Department or IT personnel, but rather relies on employees taking on those additional tasks and developing skills to meet the needs to do that. Ms. Norbut felt a discussion will need to take place in the near future about what we want for our community in terms of services, erosion of roads, etc.
In Other Business to Come Before the Board of Selectmen:
- Ms. Neggers said the Board of Health has requested information be shared regarding their concerns with the West Nile Virus being active in the Commonwealth. The funds to purchase mosquito briquettes were cut from the Board of Health budget this year due to budget restraints. Information on keeping safe has been posted on the Town’s web site at www.monson-ma.gov. People should avoid going out at dusk and dawn and look for standing water to try to control exposure to this disease. Ms. Norbut added residents should also think about pets, animals,
children and other people as there are other ways to reduce potential exposure to mosquitoes and other diseases that come from that.
- Ms. Norbut reminded the residents of the up-coming Town Wide Tag Sale scheduled for August 23rd.
At 7:45 p.m., Ms. Norbut 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. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
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Richard E. Guertin, Clerk
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