BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, AUGUST 10, 2010
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, John F. Goodrich II and Dr. Richard M. Smith. Also present were Town Administrator Gretchen Neggers and the media.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Acceptance of Meeting Minutes:
Mr. Goodrich made a motion to accept the meeting minutes of July 27, 2010 – open session. Dr. Smith seconded and it was so VOTED.
Siemens Energy – Report on Preliminary Energy Audits of Town Buildings:
Managing Director for Beacon Integrated Solutions Beth Greenblatt approached the Board of Selectmen. Ms. Neggers explained the town received funding from the DOER for technical assistance. Monson entered into a regional contract with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission to research energy improvement options. Beacon Integrated Solutions was hired through the grant to look out for the town’s interests in this initiative, and Siemens Building Technologies, Inc. was selected as the company to perform them, through a competitive process.
Ms. Greenblatt explained Beacon Integrated Solutions was selected by the Department of Energy Resources, on behalf of the town, for leadership in where the town wants to go and how the town wants to get there; and working with Siemens in developing a project that meets the towns’ goals, expectations and needs.
Ms. Greenblatt gave a presentation, as attached. It was explained Siemens will provide a fixed price contract for the construction work, which will be paid in “progress payments” for work completed while they are building the project. The energy savings the town will see on an annual basis will pay for all costs to finance the projects. Siemens will stand behind the project for up to twenty years. If the equipment is maintained as required and the energy savings are not there, Siemens will write the town a check for the difference.
Energy Solutions Sales Team Leader for Siemens Building Technologies, Inc., Jerry Drummond approached the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Drummond gave the attached presentation explaining where the town is spending money and how the town could reallocate funding to gain some assets into its buildings, as opposed to just paying utility bills. The presentation explained where Siemens has been, what performance contracting is, benchmarking and where Monson compares to other towns like ours, as well as having a positive impact with the Green Community’s Act, and what the next step is.
Mr. Drummond noted there are three key components; a technical component, a financial component, and a contractual component. They have been collecting building data, utility data and visiting all of the town’s facilities; and as a result, have delivered a preliminary energy audit on them. Siemens conducted a preliminary walk-through of the town’s three schools and five municipal buildings in April.
Lighting improvements were suggested at all eight buildings, as well as boiler replacement for the Town Office Building and Memorial Hall. It was noted the boilers in both of these buildings have reached the end of their useful life. Solar photovoltaic panels were recommended for the three schools, which would provide a small amount of environmentally friendly power for the schools, along with other energy related improvements. Mr. Drummond stated he wants Monson to be motivated to save as much money as it can.
Mr. Drummond explained the energy efficient improvements have no up front costs; everything is paid for out of the guaranteed energy savings from the towns’ existing operating budget, as dollars that would have been paid to utilities are now invested in new equipment, and ongoing costs are included in the program.
Mr. Drummond stated Monson could save $162,000 annually if it makes approximately $3 million in facility infrastructure improvements. This would create a 22% reduction in greenhouse gases, which exceeds the 20% needed for a community to win a “green community” designation from the state and opening it up to grant possibilities. The town could opt to use a twenty year bond to fund the projected $3 million cost to improve the buildings, and all of the costs the town pays to make the buildings more energy efficient will be paid for through the eventual energy savings. The savings are based on the current price of energy.
It was noted if the town and Siemens agree on the contract details, Siemens will design the improvements and hire the contractors needed for the renovations, which is where Siemens makes their money.
Mr. Drummond said they like to get inside the school buildings while the students are on vacation. It was noted that can’t happen as school in Monson begins on August 26th. Also the audit would have to be completed by the end of September in order to be ready for the Town Meeting on October 18th. The energy audit will take 90 to 100 days to complete. Mr. Drummond noted he would like the contract completed by April so he could order the boilers, etc. for installation.
Mr. Goodrich added he was struggling to find a downside.
It was agreed unanimously not to make a decision at tonight’s meeting, allowing residents in the community a chance to attend the next meeting if they have any concerns, and/or allowing them time to send their questions to the Selectmen’s Office. This will be placed on the agenda for the August 24th meeting.
The Board of Selectmen thanked Mr. Drummond and Ms. Greenblatt for coming in and giving their presentations.
Monson 250th Anniversary Committee – Update on Activities:
James Duggan approached the Board of Selectmen and explained the most recent function held in celebration of the towns’ 250th Anniversary was an Old Time Picnic, held on August 8, 2010 at Flynt Park.
Mr. Duggan noted the banners announcing sponsors have been put up along Main Street and added ten more banners will be going up soon.
The next scheduled event planned is the Scavenger Hunt on September 25th. Each team will be comprised of four members, with a registration fee of $25 per participant or $100 per team. Each team will receive a disposable digital camera and each member will receive a t-shirt. Finish Line refreshments will be served in Memorial Hall. The deadline for registration is August 21, 2010.
A quilt exhibit will be held on March 19th and 20th in the gymnasium in the Town Office Building, where a 93 inch X 93 inch quilt will be raffled. The “quilt challenge” is open to any quilter from Monson who would like to make a wall-hanging entitled “My Monson Quilt”. The finished wall-hanging perimeter must be no larger than 160 inches.
Mr. Duggan also explained commemorative plates are for sale at $35 each. Each plate is numbered, from 1 to 250. Anyone wishing to order a plate may contact Mr. Duggan.
Other items available in celebration of the town’s 250th Anniversary are shirts, hats, tote bags, mugs, etc. and are available at the Library and the Historic Society is selling books of Monson on DVD.
Mr. Duggan noted a gala ball is planned for the spring.
Mr. Duggan said a list of items for sale and the events are posted on the 250th Anniversary website, which is linked to the Town’s website.
The Board of Selectmen and Ms. Neggers thanked Mr. Duggan and congratulated him on the great job he is doing, as this is a unique event.
Margaret Street Landfill – Proposal for Restricting Access:
Ms. Neggers said at the last meeting, the Board received a letter from someone expressing concern over illegal dumping and cars being driven on the property at the former landfill on Margaret Street. Ms. Neggers noted the Department of Environmental Protection has also issued a request to restrict access on the property to protect the cap on the landfill.
Ms. Neggers said Highway Supervisor John Morrell submitted a letter stating there are several options for restricting access to the former landfill property. The scope of work would be to install approximately 450 feet of used guardrail, which they have in their inventory, and place approximately 150 feet of boulders on the remaining ledge where they are unable to dig. The guardrail and the stones would be placed approximately 25 feet off the roadway. The total cost is estimated at $6,500 which covers hiring of a firm to come in and place the guardrail, as the Highway Department doesn’t have the equipment to do this. A gate will also be installed for access.
Mr. Goodrich made a motion to authorize John Morrell to proceed with the project to block access to the property. Dr. Smith seconded and it was so VOTED.
In Other Business to Come Before the Board:
- Mr. Harrison noted the Monson Tourism Committee is looking for new members with new ideas. Anyone interested is urged to submit a letter of interest. Mr. Harrison explained the Monson Tourism Committee sponsors the Town Wide Clean-up and the Town Wide Tag Sale.
Correspondence was read and completed.
At 9:00 p.m., Mr. Goodrich made a motion to adjourn from open session to go into executive session for a discussion of collective bargaining (AFSCME grievance) and a discussion of successor agreement strategy (IBPO), not to return to open session. Dr. Smith seconded and it was so VOTED.
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Dr. Richard M. Smith, Clerk
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