BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2011
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen convened at 7:00 p.m. in the Conference Room at 29 Thompson Street. In attendance were Dr. Richard M. Smith, John F. Goodrich II and Edward A. Maia. 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 for October 25, 2011 – executive session and November 8, 2011 – open and executive sessions. Mr. Maia seconded and it was so VOTED.
Scholarship Fund Committee – Recognition of Outstanding Service:
Sara Szado, Deborah Mahar and Andrew Linkenhoker approached the Board of Selectmen.
Ms. Szado recognized and thanked the companies and individuals that have helped the Scholarship Committee over the past year.
Ms. Mahar and Mr. Linkenhoker presented the awards to this year’s recipients, the family of Phillip Jenkins and the family of Robert Tucker.
Department of Energy Resources:
Jim Barry approached the Board of Selectmen to remind residents about the Rebuild Western Mass. Program. Mr. Barry noted $8 million has been set aside to help individuals, businesses, and municipalities rebuild from the tornado damage, if they do it with an energy efficiency program.
Mr. Barry left information for the Building Inspectors Office that explains the multiple programs with more explicit information per program. There is a web site at www.mass.gov/energy/rebuildwesternmass for people to access for more information as well, or they may call the toll free telephone number at 877-524-1325.
Mr. Barry said there isn’t a minimum amount of damage to qualify and if people have already made the repairs, they should still contact the Department of Energy Resources and they will try to find a way to get them into the program.
Ms. Neggers felt this is a great program and encouraged residents to give it a try.
Monson Assessors – FY 2012 Tax Classification Hearing:
Principal Assessor Ann Murphy approached the Board of Selectmen and presented a slideshow on behalf of the Board of Assessors, explaining the three tax classification options.
Ms. Murphy provided the Board of Selectmen with two comparisons as the tornado impacted the scale and has influenced the data in a negative way. Therefore based on the differences it doesn’t allow for a true comparison.
Ms. Murphy explained the values are set based on the home sales that took place in town from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010. Based on the sales the values will essentially stay the same, except for condominiums which have been lowered. Also, any properties that were visited due to permits or sales may have changes due to those inspections.
Ms. Murphy stated the residential values have decreased by $11,923,780.00 from fiscal 2011; most of this is due to the tornado. If the tornado hadn’t happened the difference would have been $837,330.00. The average home price is $216,665.00, which is a decrease in value of $4,558.00. If the tornado hadn’t occurred, the average family home would be $220,903.00 which is a decrease in value of about $320 from last year. Given this information, the average tax bill would increase by $115.00. There are 3,622 residential properties in town.
The commercial values have decreased by $902,600.00, and once again this figure has been impacted by the tornado. Without the tornado the value would have had an increase of $39,000.00. The industrial values increased $107,400.00, and without the tornado this would have changed slightly to $149,200.00.
The proposed tax rate for FY2012 is $14.97, an increase of 54¢ from last year.
Ms. Murphy gave a break down explaining the increase: 27¢ is due to Prop. 2 ½, the override for the ambulance, and the fact the Quarry Hill Elementary School debt has been retired; 22¢ is due to the decrease in value from the tornado, and 5¢ is other adjustments that have been made to values this year.
Ms. Murphy noted the new growth figures for this year is 73,379 which is a decrease of 27, 317. There was a decrease in building this past year, but there should be an increase in new growth next year, mainly due to the rebuilding of tornado damaged properties.
Ms. Murphy presented a PowerPoint presentation explaining the three options.
Following the presentation there weren’t any questions by anyone in the audience or by the Board of Selectmen.
Mr. Goodrich made a motion to adopt a single tax rate for the Town of Monson for FY2012. Mr. Maia seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Goodrich made a motion to not adopt the residential exemption for FY2012. Mr. Maia seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Goodrich made a motion to not adopt the small commercial exemption for FY2012. Mr. Maia seconded and it was so VOTED.
The Board of Selectmen thanked Ms. Murphy.
Community Development Block Grant Public Hearing:
Pioneer Valley Planning Commission representative Erica Johnson approached the Board of Selectmen to provide updates on the progress of the Community Development Block Grant.
Ms. Johnson noted as of last Friday, 41 people were on the waiting list. If the funds come through, Ms. Johnson said they will try to accommodate as many people as possible.
Ms. Johnson also stated the program funding for residents who encountered damage to their homes from the tornado will be a grant program rather than a loan program.
Mr. Goodrich made a motion for the authorization to submit the proposed FY12 Monson Community Development Fund I grant application to the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development in an amount not to exceed $800,000 as detailed in the public hearing and to include Housing Rehabilitation and Housing Restoration for Tornado Affected Properties. Mr. Maia seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Goodrich made a motion for the authorization for the Chair of the Board of Select or Acting Chair to sign all required forms, documents and authorizations pertaining to the proposed FY12 Monson Community Development Fund I grant application. Mr. Maia seconded and it was so VOTED.
Disaster Recovery Status
a. Debris Pickup
b. Tornado – FEMA Reimbursement Status
C. Town Office Building – Status
Highway Surveyor John Morrell, Robert Ray Vice President from AshBritt Environmental and Brad from O’Brien Monitoring approached the Board of Selectmen.
Mr. Ray reiterated the Board of Selectmen previously set a cap of $600,000.00 for tree work on the hangers(hanging branches)and leaners (leaning trees). The work began on November 15th. To date, Mr. Ray stated they have hauled approximately 1,167 cubic yards away. Mr. Ray noted 2,246 hanger trees have been cut and 195 leaning trees have been removed and the tree work is estimated to be 35% to 40% complete. Mr. Ray said it doesn’t matter how many limbs are in the tree, the price is per tree for the hangers. The debris in the right-of-way is now 5% complete. The total amount to date for the hangers, leaners and debris removal throughout the town is $588,222.
Mr. Ray stated Monson has 25,000 to 35,000 cubic yards of hangers and leaners; the break down on the amount is 5,000 hangers and 400 to 475 leaners. The estimated bill is $2.2 million.
Mr. Ray explained to make sure everything is reimbursed, AshBritt is using the same guidelines as FEMA. Photos and GPS coordinates are being taken so it can be recreated for an audit. If any debris is not qualified by FEMA, AshBritt will bring it forward so everyone is aware of it. Piles determined not to be eligible for reimbursement are being labeled, as well as making a notation of it on a map to bring to Mr. Morrell’s attention.
Mr. Morrell stated there are still approximately 3,000 hangers to be removed.
It was previously believed the clean-up costs would be $1 million.
The Selectmen wondered how they will foot another expensive bill a mere five months after the tornado caused $6.4 million in damages to the town.
Dr. Smith asked Mr. Morrell what normally happens with the hangers and leaners during ordinary times. Mr. Morrell replied they are hazardous to the safety of the public and he normally hires a firm to remove them. Mr. Morrell said he has done this before with ice storms, having to come before the Board of Selectmen for the funding.
Mr. Morrell stated the town has to finish the cleanup, as there are limbs dangling that could present hazards to drivers and walkers. Mr. Morrell also noted the debris piled on the roadsides will interfere with snowplowing and it’s blocking the drains. Also, school buses will have a hard time maneuvering on the one lane roads.
Mr. Morrell explained that not cleaning up would jeopardize the FEMA reimbursement, as it could convince the agency there is no longer an emergency situation. Mr. Morrell said he didn’t think the Board of Selectmen had a lot of choices here and there is an urgency to get the stuff picked up before the snow comes.
Dr. Smith said the Board of Selectmen have to balance fiscal responsibility with safety concerns and wondered again how the town is going to pay for it.
Mr. Morrell replied the Selectmen need to call their legislators or go for a Proposition 2½ override and noted his crews are assisting with the cleanup.
Mr. Morrell was asked if his department could take over the work to save money. Mr. Morrell replied that it would probably take his crews ten years to clean it all up.
It was noted President Obama has not yet signed a disaster declaration for Western Massachusetts following the snowstorm, even though that has already happened in Connecticut. The declaration would provide Monson with a 75% reimbursement from FEMA on the cleanup costs.
Ms. Neggers noted FEMA is still calculating the public damages from the snowstorm. MEMA has appropriated $10 million to offset the costs of the tornado damage, but hasn’t developed a methodology of dispensing the funds and there is no discussion at the State level on the 25% compensation from the tornado. Any deficit from the tornado and any deficit from the October snowstorm would have to be paid off within two years.
Ms. Neggers said currently the 25% the town submitted to FEMA for the tornado, not including the NRCS, is $1.2 million outstanding and this snowstorm could potentially add in another $600,000.00 so the town would be looking very closely at $2 million that it would have to fund within two years.
Ms. Neggers said if we have $1 million between the two disasters, a two year debt override would cost the taxpayers an additional 70¢ on the tax rate or $140.00 more on the average property tax bill.
Mr. Maia said based on the scope of damage across the state he doesn’t see how the state will be able to come up with the 25% reimbursement.
Mr. Goodrich explained if there hasn’t been a declaration and the town makes a decision based on no reimbursement on the $2.2 million, it would be a reckless decision.
Mr. Morrell replied it’s a reckless decision to do nothing as there are multiple hazards and the town is responsible for taking care of them. Mr. Morrell went over a list he had of what would happen if the debris is not picked up, which contained the following:
- If everything isn’t picked up and monitored you will be jeopardizing reimbursement from FEMA.
- The hangers will remain and are serious hazards to vehicles and walkers.
- Once the roads are snow covered the large debris trucks will have greater difficulty moving around without a sander on them due to the hilly terrain in town.
- Storm drain facilities would be inaccessible to maintain due to the brush, and the drains currently contain fall leaves that need to be cleaned up.
- Secondary roads could be reduces to one lane of travel depending on the amounts of snow we get during the winter.
- Site restrictions now exist from the tree debris and will increase once the snow gets into it.
- Removal of debris will be more difficult with the snow in it and more costly.
- Once it snows making it harder to see what’s on the ground, fire hydrants and other objects could be picked up by the heavy equipment used to pick up the piles of debris.
- Tree parts are now protruding out into the roadways, which is a hazard and anyone sliding or skidding off the roadways could become injured by tree parts that shouldn’t be there.
Mr. Morrell said all of this creates a tremendous liability for the town.
Mr. Ray broke down the $2.2 million by stating the town has around $1, 092,000.00 in hangers and approximately $280,000.00 in leaners. The town is paying $195.00 for each tree that requires the removal of hangers and then also paying the number of cubic yards for whatever is cut to be hauled away. The total amount includes the $600,000.00 already expended.
Mr. Ray said AshBritt is working in seventeen other cities and towns across the state, and what they are seeing for damage in Monson is the typical damage everywhere.
Mr. Morrell stated National Grid said they would cut and chip all the hangers over wires.
Mr. Goodrich stated if the town is left with another $2.2 million bill, he didn’t know how the town will find the money to pay it, and cautioned a worse-case scenario of a government shutdown for two years if no federal or state assistance comes through, and added you would be talking about having no Senior Center, no Library, significant impacts to the School Transportation budget, possibly eliminating a full-time Police Department and full-time Fire Department, cuts to the EMT service, and no grass would get mowed largely because it’s the only State contract out there and it needs to be done right away.
Mr. Goodrich explained what the Select Board is asking for is Mr. Morrell’s help in finding some middle ground, to possibly explore a combination of alternatives and maybe utilize the State contract with AshBritt and O’Brien to get the most difficult areas and most crucial areas done, and then look at coming up with a different way to handle some of the debris either on our own or in a different fashion.
Ms. Neggers agreed there would be a dramatic impact on the quality of life if the town doesn’t receive some type of long term relief.
Mr. Maia agreed it’s just a bad situation no matter how you slice it.
Finance Director Deborah Mahar was in the audience and asked if hangers could be left in the woods, where there are woods along the roadsides. Mr. Ray said yes, they could do that and Mr. Morrell said he could pick it up later over time.
Dr. Smith suggested going forward with just the hangers and leaners and tossing what they can leave on town property wherever possible, allowing the Board of Selectmen time to figure out other possibilities.
Mr. Goodrich asked Mr. Morrell to take another look around town and try to turn some of the blues to yellows and reds to blues on his map to try to lessen the impact somehow. Mr. Morrell said he couldn’t do that in good conscience.
Mr. Ray stated all the work will be completed, with everything gone, by December 15th.
Mr. Maia made a motion to authorize Mr. Morrell to continue working closely with AshBritt Environmental and O’Brien Monitoring, keeping it closely monitored and to re-prioritize the streets, making sure the most critical streets are completed. Mr. Goodrich seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Goodrich asked Mr. Morrell to try to look at minimizing the impact.
Mr. Goodrich thanked Mr. Morrell for all of his hard work, as well as AshBritt and O’Brien, as the town does appreciate it.
- In the latest with the tornado disaster, Ms. Neggers said Ms. Mahar submitted a total of ten public worksheets (pw’s) seeking reimbursement to FEMA for a variety of categories.
- Mr. Goodrich gave an update on the Town Office Building at 110 Main Street stating a contractor came out a few weeks ago, who released a preliminary estimate that was a tad over $9 million. This estimate would bring the building back to current code, previous status historically accurate, and with the proper code upgrades and changes that would be required. Mr. Goodrich felt these numbers are much more in line with the damage to that building.
Mr. Goodrich said he suspected there was going to be a shortfall in the funds allocated with the repair/or new and said this would have to be covered by a 2½ override which can only be done on a ballot. Getting to that point, Mr. Goodrich felt there should be a meeting in an open forum in an auditorium where the public could express any concerns, approval, or disapproval, and what would be appropriate, so the town would know how to draft the override question.
Ms. Neggers added we could have a town meeting authorizing it contingent upon an override and if that succeeded then go forward with the vote.
Announce Winter Parking Ban:
Mr. Maia read the winter parking ban, which is the same as in the past, into the record.
Correspondence was read and completed.
At 9:10 p.m., Mr. Goodrich made a motion to adjourn from open session to go into executive session to conduct contract negotiations with non-union personnel – MGL c. 30A, Sec. 21 (2) and to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation – MGL c. 30A Sec. 21 (3), not to return to open session. Mr. Maia seconded and it was so VOTED.
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Edward A. Maia, Clerk
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