BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY – OCTOBER 27, 2009
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen convened at 6:00 p.m. In attendance were Richard E. Guertin, Edward S. Harrison and John F. Goodrich II. Also present was the Town Administrator. Mr. Harrison made a motion to go into executive session at 6:00 p.m. for a discussion of on-going litigation and collective bargaining. Mr. Goodrich seconded and it was so VOTED. At 7:00 p.m. Mr. Harrison made a motion to adjourn from executive session to return to open session. Mr. Goodrich seconded and it was so VOTED. The media was now present.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Acceptance of Meeting Minutes:
Mr. Harrison made a motion to accept the meeting minutes for September 22nd and October 13, 2009 – open sessions and September 8th, September 22nd and September 24th – executive sessions. Mr. Goodrich seconded and it was so VOTED.
Finalize November 16, 2009 Special Town Meeting Warrant:
Mr. Harrison made a motion to place an article on the November 16, 2009 Special Town Meeting warrant to see if the Town will vote to authorize a revolving fund under the M.G.L. Chapter 44, Section 53½ to pay expenses associated with the Monson Memorial Garden, with receipts to the fund being used to maintain the garden and its structure; which shall be expended only by the Council On Aging and such fund shall be limited to $10,000; and any funds remaining at the end of the fiscal year will be encumbered for future expenditure, or take any other action relative thereto. Mr. Goodrich seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to place an article on the November 16, 2009 Special Town Meeting warrant for the Board of Assessors to transfer a sum of money from the Assessors Stabilization Fund to the Assessors Re-evaluation Expense Account. Mr. Goodrich seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to place an article on the November 16, 2009 Special Town Meeting warrant for Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School to amendment the original agreement to include the Town of Oakham. Mr. Goodrich seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Guertin said a letter was received from Gerald Paist, Superintendent/Director for Pathfinder noting Gail Roberts is resigning from her position as Monson’s representative on the Pathfinder Regional School Committee and read the procedure into the record which states, “If a vacancy occurs among the elected members, the Selectmen and the local School Committee from the town concerned, acting jointly, shall appoint a member to serve until the next biennial state election, at which election a successor shall be elected to serve for the balance of the unexpired term, if any”, and added if anyone is interested in serving, they may submit their name to the Selectmen’s Office, who will then hold a joint meeting with the School Committee to appoint someone to this position. The position will be in
effect until November 2010, at which point they would hope whoever takes the position would run for re-election to continue in that role.
Water/Sewer Superintendent Craig Jalbert approached the Board of Selectmen and explained seven articles his department is requesting for placement on the Special Town Meeting warrant as follows:
Mr. Harrison made a motion to place on the November 16, 2009 Special Town Meeting warrant an article to see if the Town will vote to transfer and appropriate from the Sewer Enterprise Free Cash a sum of money to the Sewer Bills of Prior Years, or take any other action relative thereto. Mr. Goodrich seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to place on the November 16, 2009 Special Town Meeting warrant an article to see if the Town will vote to transfer and appropriate a sum of money from the Sewer Enterprise Free Cash to the Sewer Enterprise Budget for the fiscal period from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010 or take any action relative thereto. Mr. Goodrich seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to place on the November 16, 2009 Special Town Meeting warrant an article to see if the Town will vote to transfer and appropriate a sum of money from the Sewer Enterprise Free Cash to the Sewer Inflow & Infiltration and Repair Project Account or take any action relative thereto. Mr. Goodrich seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to place on the November 16, 2009 Special Town Meeting warrant an article to see if the Town will vote to transfer MTBE Award. Mr. Goodrich seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to place on the November 16, 2009 Special Town Meeting warrant an article to see if the Town will vote to transfer and appropriate a sum of money from the Water Enterprise Free Cash to the Water Capital Account or take any action relative thereto. Mr. Goodrich seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to place on the November 16, 2009 Special Town Meeting warrant an article to see if the Town will vote to transfer and appropriate a sum of money from the Water Enterprise Free Cash to the Water Operating Account or take any action relative thereto. Mr. Goodrich seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to place on the November 16, 2009 Special Town Meeting warrant an article to see if the Town will vote to increase the authorized borrowing amount to $1,850,000, the vote taken under Article 17 of the May 14, 2007 Special Town Meeting, said article voted unanimously to authorize the borrowing of $1,800,000 in conjunction with the Massachusetts Drinking Water State Revolving Fund in order to complete comprehensive water system improvements, including the construction of an additional water tank, upgrades at the Bethany Road Well, and a water main replacement in the vicinity of State Avenue, the vote taken under Article 12 of the November 27, 2008 Special Town Meeting, said article voted unanimously to include the rehabilitation, including scraping and painting of the existing water tower, or take
any other action relative thereto. Mr. Goodrich seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to close the November 16, 2009 Special Town Meeting warrant. Mr. Goodrich seconded and it was so VOTED.
During the reading of correspondence, Mr. Goodrich made a motion to re-open the warrant for the placement of an article to see if the Town will vote to transfer and appropriate a sum of money from available funds to the Planning Board Expense Account, or take any other action relative thereto. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so voted.
Mr. Goodrich made a motion to close the Special Town Meeting warrant. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Council On Aging – Finalize Process for Filling COA Director Vacancy:
Joan Simmons and Mary Ann Brazas approached the Board of Selectmen. Ms. Simmons read the job advertisement into the record as attached.
Mr. Harrison noted the hours and pay rate weren’t mentioned and questioned if this would be a full time position. Mr. Harrison added he feels the Council On Aging is looking for a full time position, and felt it deserves a full time position but didn’t know if the budget would allow for it, as budget cuts are planned for various departments in the next item on the agenda to cover the shortfall coming from the state. It was suggested possibly to provide a contact name and number for the Chairperson of the Committee for anyone who might have questions regarding the hours and pay for the position. Ms. Brazas said their thought was to look at the resumes first and when someone was invited in for an interview then give the additional information. Ms. Neggers agreed there should be contact information for a
designated person to answer any questions as she has had several people contact her about the position. Ms. Brazas said they were having a meeting tomorrow with the Board and they would bring this issue up.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to appoint the following people to the Search Committee for the Council On Aging: Mary Ann Brazas, Mary Beth Dowd, Joan Simmons, Annie Wuelfing, Bill Donovan, Dave Haley, John Goodrich and Roland Desrochers. Mr. Goodrich seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Guertin noted all the members will need to be sworn in at the Town Clerk’s Office prior to any voting.
Fiscal 2010 Budget Status – Discussion:
Ms. Neggers explained the town must to come up with $22,000 to cover the shortfall in funds from the state. It was noted Highway Surveyor John Morrell offered an additional $1,000 to go with the $5,000 he offered the town from his General Highways and Bridges Account to assist with the budget situation. Mr. Guertin added he is concerned the State could drop another surprise on the town. Ms. Neggers explained she hopes the 9C cuts will be known prior to the Special Town Meeting and added any cuts coming from the state would be detrimental. It was also noted the $22,000 figure does include the $6,000 given from the Highway Department budget.
Cemetery Superintendent Paul Lovell provided the same information.
Parks and Recreation Director Tim Pascale approached the Board of Selectmen regarding just what 15%, 20% and 30% cuts in his budget would do to his department. Mr. Pascale stated at some level he would try to maintain all of his services. With a 30% cut in his budget, his secretary’s position would be eliminated; however she would be eligible for unemployment and the Commission would have to decide how the daily office duties would get done. It would leave him, the Director, but he would have to be outside more and it would leave his one full-time 32 hour employee, however his part-time staff would be gone or have the hours affected. Mr. Pascale noted he met with his Commissioners last week and they are aware of the financial crisis and he feels any cuts in his budget would have to come from personnel. A 20%
reduction would mean no secretary and possibly shorter work days for the union employee, with approval from the union. Part of his salary and that of the part-time help come from the money he receives from the school through net school spending.
Library Director Hope Bodwell approached the Board of Selectmen along with Glen Peck, President of the Library Corporation. Mr. Peck stated he met as a Board about two weeks ago to discuss with Ms. Bodwell the potential cut of an additional $15,000.00 and what that would mean to their budget and documented just what it would mean to the Library to lose a total of $30,000.00 from their 2009 budget. It would mean the loss of certification and he feels very confident there would be no waiver from the state. With the loss of certification, Monson residents would no longer be able to use neighboring libraries to check out items and hours would be reduced in the Monson Library. There would be the loss of State aid which is approximately $14,500.00. There would be a reduction in new materials purchased. There would be a
reduction is staff and in services provided to the community, including the Monson School systems.
Ms. Bodwell felt if the $22,000 were cut by the four departments, Library, Council On Aging, Parks and Recreation and the Cemetery Department, it would equal out to a $5,500 cut by each and felt everyone could work within that portion. Mr. Harrison stated each department has different amounts budgeted, no two departments are the same. Mr. Goodrich noted a uniform approach has been used in the past and it doesn’t work out very well as some of the departments are beginning to feel it more than other departments. Ms. Bodwell felt the problem isn’t being solved, it’s always just being talked about, combining duties, etc. and never acted upon. Mr. Guertin explained part of the problem is the organizational structure of the town as some departments are overseen by the Selectmen and some are overseen by elected
Commissioners, unions also have to be dealt with in making any changes, making it harder to do some of the things discussed in the past. Ms. Neggers said the problem is with the revenue, and the state is not providing the revenue. Monson is down close to $1 million less that we once had just three years ago, that is no longer available.
Mr. Lovell and Cemetery Commissioner Albert Wilcox approached the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Lovell explained what 15%, 20% and 30% budget cuts would do to the Cemetery Department. Mr. Lovell stated with a 15% cut he would have just two employees, himself and his full-time employee, but he wouldn’t be able to pay the electric bill, keep the telephone on or heat the building. It would also eliminate repair the equipment costing the town more money. It would also leave no money in the Hired Equipment Account to pay for a backhoe to dig graves when the Highway Department was unable to dig them. Mr. Lovell noted due to liability he needs one employee to work with himself as he has 35 acres to maintain plus the burials. Mr. Wilcox noted the planks used for funerals are too heavy for just one person to carry. A 20% cut would
mean a $17,000 loss which would completely wipe the Cemetery Department operating budget out and cut into the salary budget. A 30% cut would shut the department down. Mr. Lovell stated the Commissioners are discussing increasing the fees charged by the Cemetery Department, but noted it probably won’t happen until January or so. Mr. Lovell explained the Perpetual Care funds and the Gifts and Bequest Accounts, which are used for fence repairs and capital expenses. Mr. Lovell noted the fees charged by the Cemetery Department are even with those of Bethany Cemetery, and close to surrounding towns. The $500 opening fee does cover the cost of opening a grave. When the Highway Department can’t dig the graves, a local contractor is paid $150 per grave. Mr. Lovell noted approximately $10,000 to $15,000 is brought in every year from his department.
Ms. Neggers explained over the summer, the Highway Department shared an employee with the Cemetery Department to assist with mowing and so on one day per week and felt in the winter months this could shift back over to the Cemetery employee working to help the Highway Department with plowing and so on.
Mary Ann Brazas and Joan Simmons approached the Board of Selectmen and read a memo into the record as attached. Mr. Harrison noted $21,000 was approved at a Town meeting a while back to expand the hours of operation from 4 days to 5 days.
Ms. Neggers provided the Board of Selectmen with budgets sheets and information on the street lighting account and noted most of the streetlights currently on are on Main Street, Palmer Road and at intersections. Ms. Neggers added the most that would be saved by shutting off the streetlights would be $6,000; as the town would still have to pay a $25 a month fee to keep the assets in the field, if the assets are removed, it will cost more than the town would save. Ms. Neggers also explained in the past two years, administrative cuts have been made which include one police officer being laid off, one highway employee not being replaced and the elimination of the Cemetery clerical position. Ms. Neggers noted the state did appropriate some funds to cover the elections although she isn’t sure just how much Monson will
receive.
After a discussion Mr. Harrison made a motion to cut the Cemetery Department budget $6,300; $2,000 from the Council On Aging in addition to the hiring variance, $9,000 from Parks and Recreation and to accept the additional $5,500 offered from the Library to assist other departments. Mr. Goodrich seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to move the approved motion forward to the Finance Committee. Mr. Goodrich seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Guertin thanked everyone for attending and speaking on behalf of their departments.
Mr. Morrell noted it’s critical to try to protect every employee.
In Other Business to Come Before the Board of Selectmen:
- Mr. Morrell noted the Harrison Avenue Bridge has been repaired and will re-open sometime next week, after fencing work has been completed and he will start the process of reimbursement. Also, Mr. Morrell noted 87% of the Lower Hampden Road project is done. The asphalt work will be done on November 3rd and 4th, loam and seed will be done and the basins will be cleaned. This work will be completed by November 15th.
- Mr. Harrison noted a public hearing is scheduled with the Cable Advisory Committee and a representative from Comcast regarding the Monson’s Cable Television contract on November 4, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the Conference Room in the Town Office Building.
- Mr. Harrison said he will be traveling to the State House in Boston regarding the casino where each person will be allowed three minutes to testify on what they would like included
Correspondence was read and completed.
At 9:20 p.m., Mr. Harrison made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Goodrich seconded and it was so VOTED.
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John F. Goodrich II, Clerk
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