BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MARCH 8, 2011
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 E. 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 February 15, 2011 – open session. Dr. Smith seconded and it was so VOTED.
Home for Aged People, Inc. – Discussion Regarding Lease Renewal:
Doug North current president and David Haley a past president for many years for the Home for Aged People, Inc. approached the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Harrison reiterated what had transpired at the Selectmen’s meeting held on February 8th when Council on the Aging Director Lori Stacy approached the Board to discuss a number of repair issues that arose and were a concern, as well as the lease for the Senior Center regarding responsibilities.
Mr. Goodrich stated he would like to hear from the Home for Aged People, Inc. on how these general repair issues were brought to their attention and how they were resolved.
Mr. North stated he was notified regarding the electrical panel and it was repaired. Mr. North explained this occurred during the heat of the summer when five room-size air conditioners were running and the breakers started to overheat due to an imbalance. It was contracted out to have the panel replaced, but so far only the breakers have been replaced due to it being too late in the season to shut the building down for the panel replacement. Mr. North stated the electrical panel will be replaced.
Mr. North said when the incident occurred with the smell of gas, the building was evacuated. Building Inspector Harold Leaming, Fire Chief George Robichaud and the Gas Company could find nothing wrong. Mr. North was told a regulator on the gas meter outside must have opened up from some type of bounce in the street or street pressure. Since nothing was ever found and there was no issue inside the building, nothing was ever done about this, and there haven’t been any reoccurrences.
The incident with no heat in the dining room, Mr. North stated the problem was, the heat exchanger tank in the basement was leaking causing the heater in the back dining room to catch air. He drained it several times himself and the tank has since been replaced. Everything seems to be fine and there hasn’t been a problem with it all winter. Mr. North feels the problem has been solved.
Mr. North stated with the ice build-up on the stairs on the north entrance side, caution tape was put up and the stairs are currently out of service. Mr. North explained the problem arose from an unusual winter, roof ice, and icicles dripping onto the stairs and freezing. Mr. North said he didn’t see the point to keep chiseling the ice and possibly having to replace the stairs in the spring, as there is no way to keep the water off. Mr. Haley noted it has been like this for years and at one time he even put up a piece of gutter himself to try to keep the water off this area.
Dr. Smith said he would like clarification as to who is responsible for overseeing the different types of issues, allowing for less confusion.
Mr. Goodrich asked Mr. North about communication and how he is notified about issues at the Senior Center. Mr. North stated Ms. Stacy either calls him or emails him, and he responds as quickly as he can. The maintenance of the building has always been up to the Home and the cleaning has been up to the Town. He is unaware of issues that have gone unaddressed. The same person has been contracted for several years now to remove the snow and Mr. Haley noted he does a very good job. This person also clears the sidewalks and sands the sidewalks by hand, but felt it just isn’t practical to try to keep this particular set of stairs clear of ice. Mr. Haley stated Ms. Stacy calls the man directly whenever snow needs to be removed or the sidewalk needs sanding.
Ms. Neggers noted the Highway Dept. has been doing all of the sanding of the parking lot and the driveway and felt this should be incorporated into the new lease for clarification, as this is a legal document.
Mr. Goodrich explained he is not questioning anyone’s performance or the job being done, he was questioning more the process and the paperwork side of things.
Mr. Harrison read a list of questions and answers Town Counsel provided, as attached, and felt the issue of insurance should be looked at. Mr. Goodrich provided Mr. North with a copy of the list as well.
Mr. Goodrich made a motion to create a subcommittee comprised of a member of the Board of Selectmen, a member from the Council On Aging, a member from the Senior Center and a member of the Home for the Aged; and for the committee to get together as needed to come up with recommendations by May 1st; and for Town Counsel to review the proposed lease prior to a vote of acceptance by the Board of Selectmen. Dr. Smith seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Neggers said by having Town Counsel review the proposed lease; it will ensure both parties are protected.
It was agreed each of the aforementioned groups would submit names as soon as possible, for appointment at the next Selectmen’s meeting.
Budget Development Status:
Ms. Neggers explained the budget is a juggling act with some balls still in the air.
Ms. Neggers presented and explained to the Selectmen the Fiscal 2012 projections, which the Finance Committee has been working from, as attached.
Ms. Neggers explained currently $200,000 has been appropriated for the Snow and Ice deficit, with $170,000 of it being spent. This leaves an unspent balance of $30,000.00. The town might also be eligible for a refund of up to $50,000 from FEMA for the snow storm in January.
Ms. Neggers explained Pathfinder has not released their assessment yet. However, Monson’s enrollment is down and it’s felt this may decrease our numbers.
New growth is 72,000; down 28,696 from last year and the numbers could decrease further.
Ms. Neggers explained fuel costs for the town vehicles and heating oil are a variable and have been increased, but wondered if it has been increased enough.
Ms. Neggers also explained State aid is a very big variable and might go down as it’s highly unlikely it will go up. The town is looking at a 40% reduction over past years.
Health insurance has increased 16½% this year, which is an increase of $283,000.
Ms. Neggers explained cuts will need to be made and the town needs to look at doing things differently.
Mr. Goodrich added any big changes would have to go to a town meeting, ballot questions, etc., and this could possibly take a couple of years.
Ms. Neggers noted the Selectmen have talked about consolidating departments, etc. in the past and now there is a need to push further.
Dr. Smith felt if services are cut, it might discourage people who might be moving into town who are looking for those services. It was also felt people moving into town would probably be looking at the school system and activities as well.
Mr. Goodrich felt the town needs to maintain public safety, EMT service and fire protection. It was noted the Highway Dept. is part of public safety. Mr. Goodrich also felt the town needs to maintain the financial departments. Education is already at bare essentials; however Mr. Goodrich said a question mark could be put next to transportation. This leaves human services, Board of Health, library and recreation. Mr. Goodrich added the Cemetery is under public works and they work under their own elected board. The Cemetery helps out the Highway Dept. and the Highway Dept. in turn helps out the Cemetery, it needs management structure.
Mr. Harrison felt these are services the towns’ people enjoy.
Mr. Goodrich replied if people know the library for instance, is only going to be open on Tuesday; he feels they would schedule their time around that.
Mr. Harrison noted the Friends of the Library and Friends of the Senior Center have helped out greatly by raising money.
It was noted the Finance Committee can’t meet with the Board of Selectmen until March 29th and it was agreed the meeting on March 15th wouldn’t be needed. The Board of Selectmen will meet on March 22nd for their regularly scheduled meeting and meet again on March 29th for a joint meeting with the Finance Committee.
Ms. Neggers added she and Finance Director Deborah Mahar are aggressively working on the health insurance and felt there is a need to change the way things are being done, to gain greater efficiency and greater accountability.
Mr. Goodrich encouraged any residents who have any suggestions on the budget to email him and he would be open to their opinions. Mr. Goodrich also suggested sending out formal invites to all of the departments to attend the meeting on March 29th.
Health Insurance Renewal – Update as to Status and Upcoming IAC Meeting:
This was discussed in the above item “Budget Development Status”.
Appoint Mary Watson to General Bylaw Review Committee:
Mr. Goodrich made a motion to appoint Mary Watson to the General Bylaw Review Committee effective immediately through June 30, 2011. Dr. Smith seconded and it was so VOTED.
Request for “Gifts to the Town” Donation – Diversity Awareness Week Program – Monson High School:
It was noted a memo was received regarding this request, and Ms. Neggers said she had a lengthy discussion with Kim Evans. No one from the school was able to attend tonight’s meeting due to a conflict in schedule. This is part of the “No Place for Hate®” campaign.
The memo explained every year the Monson High School holds a Diversity Awareness Week. This year they are hoping to secure a $500 donation from the Town to sponsor the photo exhibit “The Road to Freedom: Portraits of People with Disabilities”. This exhibit will be on display at the High School during the week of April 4th to April 8th, and they are looking into the possibility of having the display in the community the following week.
Mr. Goodrich made a motion to sponsor $500 from the Gifts to the Town account for the photo exhibit “The Road to Freedom: Portraits of People with Disabilities”. Dr. Smith seconded and it was so VOTED.
In Other Business to Come Before the Board of Selectmen:
Mr. Goodrich reiterated once again, if anyone has any suggestions regarding the budget to send him an email.
Correspondence was read and completed.
At 8:30 p.m., Mr. Goodrich made a motion to adjourn from open session to go into executive session to discuss M.G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 21, #2 non-union personnel contractual strategy and negotiations, not to return to open session. Dr. Smith seconded and it was so VOTED.
___________________________
Dr. Richard M. Smith, Clerk
| 
