BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 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 for August 26, 2008 – open and executive session and August 12, 2008 – executive session. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Appointment of Full-time EMT/Firefighter:
Fire Chief Robichaud approached the Board of Selectmen along with candidate Michael DuBois. Chief Robichaud explained Mr. DuBois has all the qualities and qualifications the Fire Department is looking for and feels he will be an asset to the Department; therefore he was requesting the Board of Selectmen appoint Mr. DuBois to the position of full-time EMT/Firefighter.
Mr. DuBois described the hours he is currently working between his two positions on the Palmer Ambulance and as a firefighter with the Bondsville Fire Department, and added he is looking forward to the full-time position in Monson working with Chief Robichaud and the department.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to appoint Michael DuBois as a full-time EMT/Firefighter effective immediately through June 30, 2009. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Monson Memorial Classic Road Race – Discussion of Venue:
Lee Williams and two of her colleagues approached the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Guertin stated he was unaware at the time, the Monson Memorial Classic Road Race is held on the second Sunday in November every year. Due to assumptions the day of the Road Race was a known fact, and not going through the proper procedures early enough, Memorial Hall was booked for another event on the day of the Road Race. Mr. Guertin suggested the use of the schools or offered Ms. Williams the possible use of the gymnasium in the Town Office building instead, with sensitivity to the Police Department and dispatchers underneath. Ms. Williams said she was thinking of utilizing the parking lot at the gazebo with canopies’ set up for the registration tables and the massage therapist.
Police Chief Kozloski approached the Board of Selectmen and stated if the gymnasium is used for the registration and massages of the runners, he would like to have everything pushed up as far as possible against the wall by the hallway to help reduce the noise. Chief Kozloski noted the main entrance to the lobby is the entrance also used to bring prisoners in and out.
Ms. Williams went on to state she was thinking of having people park behind Adams Supermarket as well as at Monson Saving Bank as the bank is closed on Sundays. Ms. Williams explained the gymnasium is too far away for them to utilize. The racing distances are all planned out using Memorial Hall as the starting and finishing points. Since it is a certified race, all the distances must be exact. Two port-a-potties will be provided. Ms. Williams further explained the largest group of runners consists of 207 people who will be right in the middle of Main Street. The traffic will be stopped as usual for the start of this race as well as for the start of the 5K race. It was noted all the races would start prior to the play with some runners getting back when attendees for the play are arriving. The start time for the half
marathon is 12:00 noon and a start time of 12:15 is set for the 5K.
Fire Chief Robichaud stated a lot of vehicles park in the Fire Department parking lot, creating an emergency situation for the firefighters responding to fires or emergencies. The apparatus can get out as the fire lanes are open, but there is no room for the responders to park. This situation also arises when plays are held, during the annual craft fair, auctions, etc. The responders have to essentially park in the emergency lanes trying to leave enough room for the apparatus. A gentleman with Ms. Williams stated they will advertise ahead of time where the runners should and should not park. They will try to keep all the parking off of Main Street and away from Memorial Hall. Ms. Norbut also suggested the parking lot by the Town Office Building and the schools as alternatives. Ms. Norbut further stated she supports the
race, but explained the town budgets are strained and the town can’t afford to supply the police officers needed for traffic control. Chief Kozloski noted the race gets larger and larger every year and it is very challenging for just two officers. Ms. Williams stated she felt two officers were good and she noted she would hire them. Ms. Norbut felt this year would require more that just two officers under the circumstances.
Chief Robichaud said he feels parking will need to be looked at in the near future between he, the Board of Selectmen, Chief Kozloski, the Water/Sewer Department and the Highway Department, as both the Water/Sewer and Highway Departments face the same obstacles as the Fire Department when having to get vehicles out of the garages during times of emergencies.
Mr. Guertin made a motion to approve the Monson Memorial Classic Road Race as just described with Ms. Williams getting back to the Board of Selectmen with the details. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Weekend Storm Event: Highway Surveyor, Status of Repairs and Financial Costs:
John Morrell approached the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Harrison noted six inches of rain fell within a mater of hours on Saturday evening from tropical storm Hanna and the Board of Selectmen declared a State of Emergency as roads were eroded and ditches and sinkholes were created. It was hoped MEMA funding would be available to assist with repairs, however it was later found out the State didn’t issue an emergency status and therefore Monson is not eligible for any funding.
Mr. Morrell read a statement he had prepared. The statement detailed 5.8 inches of rain fell in a 6 hour period, impacting 22 roads, closing them until the water receded. After the rain stopped, 8 roads were still impassable and the Highway Department worked until 5:30 p.m. on Sunday to make them passable, placing his over-time budget over by $1,000.00 due to the small over-time budget allocated for his department. A total of fifteen roads were passable but not safe and work began on them on Monday morning. Mr. Morrell added new issues with the roads are still being discovered. Mr. Morrell was asking the Board of Selectmen not to lift the emergency status due to the conditions of the roads, allowing him time to make the necessary emergency repairs. Without the State of Emergency in place, the process to repair the roads
would take longer as Mr. Morrell would have to work with engineers on road designs and wetland restrictions. Mr. Morrell explained a representative from MEMA came to Monson on Monday and spoke with Mr. Harrison, Ms. Mahar and Mr. Morrell. After viewing the roads, MEMA agreed the roads have to be repaired, but will not be providing assistance as not enough towns were impacted. Mr. Morrell showed the Board of Selectmen some of the pictures he took of trenches on Butler Road that were large enough for a man to stand in and a guardrail on Bradway Road that was standing on end. Mr. Harrison added Wales Road had a massive 40’ chasm straight down.
Mr. Morrell explained “passable” means one lane of the road can be traveled on driving safely at a reasonable speed, without going into a ditch. “Safe” means two vehicles can pass on the roadway safely. Carpenter Road, Cedar Swamp Road and Bradway Road should be completed by Friday with the remaining roads being worked on over the next three weeks. All the roadways will be in safe condition by Friday night. The rain created deep holes on Bunyan and Butler Roads and washed out parts of Aldrich, Ayers, Beebe, Bethany, Blanchard, Bradway, Carpenter, Cedar Swamp, Hancock, Lower Hampden, Maxwell, Nieske, Old Reed, Reimers, Wales, Woodhill and Wilbraham Roads along with Chestnut, Bliss and Silver Streets and Lakeshore and Stagecoach Drives.
Mr. Morrell said on the financial end, he had originally thought the repairs were going to cost the town about $100,000.00. With the invoices and estimates he has received, Mr. Morrell said he now feels the cost of the road repairs will be about $46,134.64, with most of the roads being repaired by the Highway Department crew within three weeks time. Contractors are working on five other roads as well, due to the Highway not having the necessary equipment for the job as they require tri-axles and excavators. Mr. Morrell stated Butler Road is pretty bad, but it is passable and Carpenter Road is almost finished. Mr. Morrell stated he plans on making the repairs out of his General Highways and Bridges Account which has approximately $97,000.00 in it right now. By placing the Upper Palmer Road paving project and environmental
and survey work on Cote Road on hold, Mr. Morrell felt he should save a lot of money to put towards the repairs for the damaged roads over the weekend. Mr. Morrell added by returning the brush mower he could save another $1,000.00 in rental fees. The sidewalk project scheduled for Spring and Harrison Streets could save approximately another $7,000.00 to $8,000.00, covering the cost of the damage done over the weekend. The remaining funds in his budget will total about $40,000.00 to $45,000.00 after all of this. Mr. Morrell added he can possibly make it through the winter on $40,000.00 if nothing major occurs.
Mr. Guertin made a motion to lift the State of Emergency at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Harrison added he feels there is a need to sit down and figure out a strategy for future emergencies. Ms. Norbut explained with the resources the town has, residents have to know things are not going to be able to stay the same as they are used to. Mr. Morrell suggested the Board of Selectmen sit down with himself, the Fire Department and the Police Department to try to figure out where funds could come from as these departments could all run into unexpected emergencies. Mr. Harrison also felt once a month, the budget should be reviewed reflecting changes, good or bad, that affect the budget, giving the public a good understanding of where the budget stands on a month by month basis.
Review “STOP” Sign Request:
Mr. Morrell approached the Board of Selectmen regarding his request for a “STOP” sign be placed at the intersection of Thayer Road and Silver Street, as this intersection is very dangerous. Mr. Guertin said he is familiar with the intersection and agreed if a vehicle is traveling in one direction there is a clear view, however when traveling in the opposite direction you aren’t able to see, therefore he strongly supports this request. Chief Kozloski added he agrees as well, a “STOP” sign is needed at this intersection.
Mr. Guertin made a motion to place a “STOP” sign on Thayer Road where it intersects with Silver Street. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Various Appointments for Chief Robichaud – Forest Fire Warden, Hazardous Material Coordinator, Local Emergency Management Committee, Local Casino Task Force:
Chief Robichaud approached the Board of Selectmen.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to appoint Chief Robichaud to the position of Forest Fire Warden, Hazardous Material Coordinator, to take the Fire Chief position on the Local Emergency Management Committee and the Local Casino Task Force effective immediately through June 30, 2009. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Chief Robichaud explained the following appointments are due to everyone moving up a position, due to his promotion to Fire Chief.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to appoint Jonathan Miller as the Assistant Fire Chief; Brian Harris as the Deputy Fire Chief; David Martin as the Captain and Jeffrey Chaffee, Anthony Arventos, Jonathan Bousquet and Kevin Brown as Lieutenants effective immediately through June 30, 2009. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
October Meeting Schedule – Discussion:
Mr. Harrison explained the Board of Selectmen are scheduled to meet on October 14th and October 28th. The Rotary Citizen of the Year Banquet is scheduled for October 14th . In order to attend this event, the Selectmen agreed to change their meeting to October 7th .
Mr. Guertin made a motion to change the meeting date from October 14th to October 7th. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
In Other Business to Come Before the Board of Selectmen:
- Mr. Harrison announced the Palmer Business Partnership will be hosting a Nostalgia Day on Main Street in Depot Village on Saturday, September 13, 2008, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. with live bands and classic cars on display, along with other festivities. Main Street in Palmer will be closed from 8:00 a.m. to approximately 9:00 p.m. from just north of Central Street to Thorndike Street.
- It was announced the Rotary Club will host the Halloween parade on October 31st at 6:00 p.m. Chief Kozloski said the date and time works with the Police Department.
- Mr. Guertin made a motion to set the Trick or Treat hours in Monson on October 31st from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and to approve the Halloween parade at 6:00 p.m. ending the night. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
- Mr. Harrison reminded the public to vote on Tuesday, September 16th, to decide who will run for State Senator and the U.S. Senate, as well as to see who you would be voting for in the November 4th Presidential election. Mr. Guertin encouraged everyone to come out and vote.
Correspondence was read and completed.
At 8:50 p.m., Mr. Guertin made a motion to go into executive session for the purpose of collective and non-union bargaining 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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