BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 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 February 17, 2009 – open session and February 3, 10 and 17, 2009 – executive sessions. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Diane Enochs, DMR, Assistant Commissioner for Facility Management, and Jane Arthur, Facility Director, Monson Developmental Center – Public Information Discussion Regarding Closing of Facility:
Diane Enochs, Jane Arthur and Rep. Brian Ashe approached the Board of Selectmen to discuss the closing of the Monson Developmental Center which was announced by the State on December 12, 2008 in a press release. There are currently six institutions in operation. By closing four of the six institutions due to the budget being cut deeply, the state will save $40 million per year. The two institutions that will remain open are in Wrentham and Danvers. Facilities in Monson, Waltham, Shrewsbury and Templeton will be closed. Ms. Enochs noted they are looking at a three year closure plan in Monson.
Ms. Enochs explained they looked at the expertise and longevity of the staff at Monson Developmental Center. They currently have 137 individuals living at the MDC and 400 employees. The state will be building five new homes either on the land or in the area for the individuals at the center to reside in, and maintain some of the staff for their care. Ms. Enochs said they will try to find jobs for the remaining staff who want to work in the state operated homes throughout the Commonwealth, as well as other opportunities. It was noted the average employee has worked twenty plus years at the MDC.
Ms. Enochs explained there are 688 acres of land at the Monson Developmental Center. They entered into an agreement in the 1990’s, allowing 400 acres of land to be preserved in Open Space and conservation land, leaving 288 acres to think about. They have asked an agency, which manages property throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts known as DCAM (Division of Capital Asset Management), to come in to oversee the reuse of the land and the buttoning of the buildings. Ms. Enochs said Dana Hartnell would be contacting the Selectmen to set up an informational meeting and to answer any questions within two months. Ms. Enochs added the actual decisions makers haven’t yet been decided, but the DMR will have a presence, as well as the Town of Monson.
Ms. Enochs explained the demand for institutional care has historically been in decline, and therefore fewer people are in the institutions. More than 8,000 mentally disabled people are currently living in group homes throughout the Commonwealth, where they receive the same care, if not better than, in the institutions. At one time there were 1,700 individuals residing at the MDC. In 1992 the numbers had reduced to just 500 people living there with 1,400 employees. Today there are really only 130 long term people living in just two buildings, seven other individuals are only temporary, and they are down to 400 employees. The average age of the individuals at the MDC is 62 years old. Ms. Enochs added the closing was inevitable; it was just a question of when, as the costs are just overwhelming for the number of people who
live there. Ms. Enochs explained each of the remaining 476 residents in the four institutions slated to close will have a choice, in consultation with their loved ones and care providers, of where they want to go and people won’t be put in situations that don’t work for them. Ms. Enochs added the state has a great capacity to offer services in community-based homes.
Jim White of Country Club Drive was in the audience and questioned how 400 acres could be turned into Open Space so soon without any discussions and wondered if it was a good thing for Monson to acquire all of this land, as Monson needs revenue and Open Space doesn’t generate revenue. Ms. Enochs explained this was discussed over several years during the 1990’s and the decision was made prior to any knowledge of the facility closing, they just knew they wanted to protect the land. Ms. Neggers clarified the land that is being preserved is on the west side going up Bald Peak. The frontage is being retained as potentially developable, but she didn’t feel as though it would be developed due to the slope. The main portion of the campus, all the buildings and all the frontage of the campus will be retained by
the state. The land is owned by the Commonwealth and therefore they are responsible for maintaining it. Ms. Enochs stated in Shrewsbury, some of the land was put on the market and sold, so the town does receive taxes on the property. Mr. Harrison said he was concerned if the property were sold and apartment complexes were built, the tax revenue generated might not cover the expenses of educating the children that might live in them. Ms. Enochs said there are a few options with one being the right-of-first- refusal.
Water/Sewer Superintendent Craig Jalbert, also in the audience asked Ms. Enochs why tax dollars, tens of millions of dollars over the last ten years, were spent on the facility when they knew it was closing and going to be mothballed. Mr. Jalbert explained his department has done so much work planning around the facility to make sure it was serviced properly only now to find it was a waste of infrastructure. Ms. Enochs said MDC was quite old and there was no firm plan to close Monson at that time, not until 2008, and they were very selective in what they did. Had they known it would be closing, it would have been different.
Ms. Norbut asked about the next step. Ms. Arthur replied they are in the process of planning and setting up meetings with various stakeholders and families. Another group is working on the development of the group homes that will be built for them. Another area is working with the town and any concerns the town might have regarding water issues, sewer operations and the kind of impact that will have with the town. Ms. Arthur said she would be happy to set up regular meetings with interested people in town regarding the planning taking place as well as the potential impact, and noted she has been doing this with the families and employees trying to support them in every way she can in terms of their future planning.
Ms. Norbut asked if she anticipated the Central Western Regional Administrative Offices to stay open, as Ms. Enochs had mentioned the possibility of having group homes on the facility or possibly in the region. Ms. Arthur said the two office buildings are beautiful buildings and in great shape, but that will need to be evaluated as they have the same problem the whole facility has, being hooked up to the central heating system, water system and sewage system. Ms. Norbut noted that leads back to the huge investment put into the facilities and would hate to see that lost. Ms. Enochs added they have had meetings with their Chief Engineer for the Department of Mental Retardation about installing a new boiler system as this is critical in maintaining the building.
Ms. Enochs said she could get a list of buildings scheduled for demolition to the Board of Selectmen including which buildings are vacant and which buildings are occupied. There are thirty buildings and less than half, approximately 10 are scheduled for demolition, leaving twenty buildings standing.
Ms. Neggers spoke to Rep. Ashe stating the Monson Planning Board sent a letter to the Selectmen about a month ago where he recommended Monson reach out to our Planning Commission. Ms. Neggers stated Monson doesn’t have a Town Planner or a Community Development Department, and that Monson is a town of very limited means in terms of economic development in being able to do a project of this magnitude and added Monson will require outside assistance and would expect the landowner, the Commonwealth, be a participant in paying for this. Ms. Norbut said Senator Brewer has been very involved in this and will assist in reaching the needs. Senator Brewer was unable to attend this meeting.
Ms. Neggers stated the Commonwealth has been maintaining the cemetery on the grounds and wanted to make sure they will continue this service. Ms. Arthur said that is one more thing that will need to be thought of.
Terry Adams, Pipe Major with the Quaboag Highlanders was in the audience and said Daly Hall is an awesome place. There are so many talented groups in Monson, arts groups, theater groups, who could really share a beautiful place such as Daly Hall. Ms. Arthur reiterated the shared heating, water and sewage are going to create a problem for any future use of the hall.
Ms Norbut encouraged everyone to contact the Selectmen with any suggestions and ideas. Rep. Brian Ashe said he can be contacted at Room 540 in the Municipalities and Regional Government Suite in the State House or at 617-722-2090.
Brief Presentation on Mass 2-1-1 – Kathleen Norbut:
Ms. Norbut informed residents of a resource available in the Commonwealth known as Mass 2-1-1, funded by the United Way and partnership with MEMA. Ms. Norbut explained Mass 2-1-1 is an enormous data base that provides immediate emergency information. Examples of some of the various types of information are on energy, clothing needs, any type of social services or human service agencies, information on Meals on Wheels, fuel assistance, unemployment benefits, during any disasters (large, small, weather related, etc.).
Information is posted on the web site at www.mass211.org or available by calling Mass 2-1-1. There are translators speaking approximately 37 languages. 2-1-1 was set up to provide immediate emergency information and to provide resources available to residents in their communities and operates in just about every state. Operators are there 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Mass 2-1-1 is a state program.
Approve Additional Snow and Ice Deficit Spending Authorization ($75,000):
Ms. Neggers stated the Finance Committee voted last Monday night at their meeting to approve an additional $75,000.00 in Snow and Ice Deficit spending. The Highway Department has already expended $50,125.00 of these funds, leaving a balance of $25,000.00 for use.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to approve an additional $75,000.00 in deficit spending for the Snow and Ice Account. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Fiscal 2010 – Non-Union/Non-Contractual Salaries – Vote No Increase:
Ms. Neggers explained by freezing the step raises for the department heads without contracts and the additional staff not in the union, the town would save $9,648.00 off the budget for FY2010. It would require meeting with union representatives to freeze any union step raises and approaching employees on their contracts to freeze the remaining step raises for the employees of the town. It was reiterated the step freezes are only for the employees under the Board of Selectmen not covered by the union or contracts.
Mr. Guertin said he felt this freeze would be asking people to do more for less. Mr. Harrison agreed he also wasn’t inclined to make a motion to disapprove the step raises and added he feels the town tries to treat the non-union employees the same as the union employees. Ms. Norbut said there has been discussion about separating the two entities. Ms. Neggers added this is not a normal time and the goal is to try to save jobs for employees actively working, and it is this Boards decision.
Ms. Norbut stated she had a different perspective and felt if cutting the step raises from some of the employees would save the jobs of others, that it was worth it, and felt the employees were lucky to have jobs in this economy, and said she supports a freeze.
After the discussion, Mr. Harrison added if the situation isn’t as dire as they think it is going to be, it can always be revisited.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to vote not to increase the pays of the non-union/non-contractual salaries by the normal step procedures they have taken in the past. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Announce Opening of Annual Town Meeting Warrant – Special Town Meeting Within the Annual Town Meeting:
Ms. Neggers explained the Annual Town Meeting will be held on May 11, 2009 and added a Special Town Meeting will need to be held within the Annual Town Meeting. Ms. Neggers suggested the warrants be opened on March 24th with the anticipated closing date for the warrants on April 14th.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to open the Annual Town Meeting warrant today, March 10, 2009 and to close it on April 14th. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to hold a Special Town Meeting within the Annual Town Meeting on May 11, 2009 and to open the warrants for the Special Town Meeting effective today, March 10th. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Banner Policy – Discussion Regarding Scheduling Conflicts:
It was explained there is a conflict with organizations and town departments wishing to place banners at the same time every year, and that is has become a battle to see who can get their applications in first, sometimes months in advance. The Monson Arts Council had requested dates of a banner in April announcing their Art Show. The Board of Health has recently requested the same dates for the Spring Bulky Day.
Mr. Harrison felt the Board of Health should have a week to fly the Bulky Day banners prior to the events, since they hold the Spring Bulky Day on the first Saturday in May and the Fall Bulky Day on the first Saturday in October every year.
It was also agreed that it was too late to change the policy regarding the April dates and to see if the Board of Health and the Monson Arts Council could resolve it.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to modify the Banner Policy to block out the dates for town departments one week prior to permanent events. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Fire Chief George Robichaud was in the audience and said he would like to see the specifications on banners to be placed prior to the date of putting the banner up to make sure they have wind relief, the number of eyelets, and if ropes are attached, etc. Ms. Neggers said she would give Chief Robichaud the current specifications and if it needs to be modified we could do so.
In Other Business to Come Before the Board of Selectmen:
Ms. Norbut announced the Monson Free Library will be holding a series of seven programs entitled “When Times Get Tough” sponsored by Monson Savings Bank.
- On Wednesday, March 11th at 6 P.M. they will present “Planning for Retirement”.
- On Wednesday March 18th from 6 P.M. – 9 P.M. - “Intro to Home Energy Savings”
- On Thursday, March 19th at 6:30 P.M. – “What You Need to Know About On-line Job Applications and More”.
- On Wednesday, March 25th at 6 P.M. “Estate Planning Made Simple”.
- On Wednesday, April 1 at 6 P.M. “Buying, Selling or Trying to Keep Your Home”.
- And on Wednesday, April 22nd at 6 P.M. “Planning for College”.
Also in other business to come before the Board of Selectmen, Mr. Guertin encouraged all the voters in the community to watch the M-PACT tape of tonight’s interview with the three candidates running for the Board of Selectmen to assist them with their decision.
For more information on the series of programs or to register you may contact the Library at 267-3866.
Correspondence was read and completed.
At 9:05 p.m., Mr. Harrison made a motion to adjourn from open session to go into executive session for the purpose of non-union contractual bargaining and collective bargaining discussions, not to return to open session. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
__________________________
Edward S. Harrison, Clerk
| 
