BOARD OF SELECTMEN
JANUARY 13, 2009
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 Richard E. Guertin, Kathleen C. Norbut and Edward S. Harrison. Also present were the Town Administrator and the media.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Acceptance of Meeting Minutes:
Mr. Harrison made a motion to accept the meeting minutes of December 9, 2008 – open and executive sessions. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
EMT Vacancies – Discussion:
Fire Chief George Robichaud approached the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Guertin explained some of Monson’s EMT’s and firefighters have given up their positions with the Monson Fire Department to obtain work in other towns for significantly higher rates of pay. Chief Robichaud was here tonight to request unfreezing $21,000.00 from his budget to hire an EMT to cover the second shift due to a resignation.
Chief Robichaud presented the Board of Selectmen with four different scenarios as attached. It was noted three years ago a night shift was added to the ambulance service, and Mr. Robichard is now trying to maintain this service. It was explained in 2006, the second shift was started with $50,000.00 in general fund subsidies, and it is now in excess of $150,000.00 in subsidies. Chief Robichard explained having coverage at the station allows for quicker response times due to not having to wait for the on-call EMT’s to arrive at the station first. The Police are the first responders, but are limited in what they can do.
Mr. Guertin noted the message received from Boston recently is the Governor might severely cut the budgets of cities and towns across the state. Ms. Norbut added since the town still isn’t sure what Monson’s cuts will be from the state she would feel more comfortable waiting to hear what the Governor’s decision is prior to making any decisions on the issue of maintaining the second sift for ambulance coverage.
Chief Robichaud explained he feels 9-1-1 calls need to be done in a timely manner because in order for a person to survive a cardiac arrest, medical attention must arrive within 4 to 5 minutes. It was agreed this is an important service, but if the cuts come through the money to hire won’t be in the budget meaning the employees would be laid off resulting in additional costs for the town in the unemployment expenses.
Chief Robichaud questioned if this might be placed on a ballot for an override. It was noted materials must be received by March 2nd for placement on the April elections ballot.
The Board of Selectmen agreed to wait to hear from Governor Patrick prior to making any decisions on this issue.
Approve Snow and Ice Deficit Spending Authorization:
Highway Surveyor John Morrell approached the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Morrell said he has been trying to keep the cost of materials down and presented the Board of Selectmen with a chart comparing the amount of salt, sand and ice-ban used in 2008 with the 2009 season so far, along with the snow amounts, as attached. Instead of using straight salt on the roads as was done in the past, he is now using a 50/50 mix of sand with the salt.
It was noted the Snow and Ice budget started out with $125,000.00; $117,000.00 is built into deficit spending and anything over that will have to come out of next year’s budget. Mr. Morrell added he feels an override is needed regarding this issue as it is only going to get worse.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to approve an additional $100,000.00 in deficit spending for the Snow and Ice Account. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Neggers noted this request will now be passed onto the Finance Committee for their approval.
Approve Sunsetview Farm Camping Area Entertainment License:
It was explained the entertainment license allows Sunsetview Farm Camping Area to provide music and dancing for their campers.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to approve the entertainment license for Sunsetview Farm Camping area. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Approve Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan:
Mr. Guertin explained the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan was discussed at a previous meeting. Ms. Norbut has gone over the plan with Emergency Management Director Jeremy Bedson, and the corrections have been made.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to approve the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Request for Expenditure Authorization from “Gifts to the Town” – Town Office Building Refrigerator – ($474.93):
Ms. Neggers explained a number of years ago, the employees purchased a refrigerator for their use in the Town Office Building. The refrigerator is also used for/and by the election workers. The refrigerator has recently stopped working and Finance Director Deborah Mahar located a new one at a scratch and dent store for $474.93. The request tonight was for reimbursement to Ms. Mahar from the Gifts to the Town Account.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to take the expenditure of $474.93 for a new refrigerator from the Gifts to the Town Account. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Correspondence was read and completed.
In Other Business to Come Before the Board of Selectmen:
- Mr. Guertin reminded everyone the Town Elections will be held in April, and announced Ms. Norbut will not be seeking a third term. Mr. Guertin explained anyone interested in running for any of the positions up for re-election should go to the Town Clerk’s Office to take out nomination papers, get 30 to 35 required signatures and return the form to the Town Clerk for verification of the signatures and placement of their name on the ballot. It was noted there are numerous positions up for re-election.
Ms. Norbut thanked everyone and said she looks at not seeking a third term as
Selectwoman as a pause to address other areas of her life and that she will still be
around town and serving on various committees. Ms. Norbut noted it is a great
experience to serve the community, which requires time, patience and
willingness.
Mr. Guertin encouraged everyone to step up to serve a term on any of the
committees, as the town is always looking for some fresh new ideas.
- Ms. Neggers said a letter of resignation was received from a full-time Firefighter/EMT (who will stay on as an on-call Firefighter/EMT), as well as a letter requesting for a few appointments.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to accept the resignation of Anthony Arventos as a full-time firefighter/EMT-I with the Monson Fire Department effective January 18, 2009 with regret. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to appoint Kristie Merrigan and Rosemarie Kowalik as EMT’s and Robert Willard as a firefighter with the Monson Fire Department effective immediately through June 30, 2009. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
At 8:35 p.m., Mr. Harrison made a motion to adjourn from open session to go into executive session for the purpose of a non-union contract bargaining strategy session and a collective bargaining strategy session, not to return to open session. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
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Edward S. Harrison, Clerk
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