BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012
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, Edward A. Maia and Edward S. Harrison. Also present were Town Administrator Gretchen E. Neggers and the media.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Reorganization of the Board of Selectmen:
Dr. Smith welcomed Mr. Harrison back. Mr. Harrison thanked the citizens of the town who voted for him and told his opponents there are a lot of opportunities to volunteer for committees, etc. to get involved with the town government, if they were inclined to serve the community and to wait until the next election.
Dr. Smith explained because Mr. Goodrich felt he was unable to devote the time needed in being the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, Mr. Goodrich stepped down to be Vice Chair and Dr. Smith became Chairman. It is now time for Dr. Smith to Chair for his term and he explained instead of doing a double term, suggested being the Chair for another six months, until October 1st. At that time Mr. Maia will take over for a year and a half (18 months). At the end of the 18 months the terms will be on their normal cycle.
Mr. Harrison made a motion for Dr. Smith to continue serving as Chairman and Mr. Maia serve as Vice Chair until October 1, 2012. On October 1, 2012 Mr. Maia will become Chairman and Dr. Smith will become Vice Chairman. Mr. Maia will remain the Chairman until the elections in 2014. Dr. Smith’s term expires in 2013 at which time Mr. Harrison will become Vice Chairman. Mr. Maia seconded and it was so VOTED.
Acceptance of Meeting Minutes:
Mr. Maia made a motion to accept the meeting minutes for March 27, 2012 – open and executive sessions. Dr. Smith seconded and it was so VOTED.
MRC Coordinator Liz Manley – “Lets Move” Community Fitness Program:
Liz Manley approached the Board of Selectmen and explained what the MRC is and what they do. Ms. Manley noted most of the funding for the local MRC is through grants from the National Association of County and City Health officials.
Ms. Manley said now that the emergencies are over, the MRC is focusing on getting involved in fitness and health, and she is here to request signing the town up for the “Let’s Move” Campaign. There is no cost for this program, which is about putting children on the path to a healthy future; the town just needs to set four goals for one year and Ms. Manley noted she would be willing to work with the town on that.
Mr. Maia made a motion to make Monson a “Let’s Move” community. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Manley said the MRC has set up an office in our Board of Health office and noted they will start having regular office hours beginning next week. Anyone who wishes to join the MRC may, a medical background is not required.
Sean Dimitripolis – Request for 5K Road Race – Rebuild Monson:
Mr. Dimitripolis, one of the Directors for the Run to Rebuild Monson 5K, approached the Board of Selectmen and explained he is seeking approval for his 2nd 5K Road Race scheduled for Saturday, August 4, 2012 starting at 10:00 a.m. and ending at 1:00 p.m. The race will use the same route as last year, from the High School lower parking lot to Macomber Road, back to here, and then back to the High School, for 3.1 miles. There will be EMT’s and RN’s at each mile marker, and they do have insurance.
Mr. Dimitripolis said a little over $7,000 was raised last year for the Tornado Relief account, which will be closing. This year 80% of the proceeds will go to the Replanting of Monson’s trees, 10% will go to the clean-up of Monson’s trees and the remaining 10% will go to the Street Angels.
Mr. Maia suggested Mr. Dimitripolis check into the date to see if it is the same weekend as the PMS Challenge as that might limit participation and the ability to raise money.
Mr. Maia made a motion to approve the 5K Road Race for Rebuilding Monson as requested by Sean Dimitripolis, pending approval from the Police Chief. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
The Board thanked Mr. Dimitripolis for all of his hard work.
Annual Town Meeting Warrant – Standard Articles:
Ms. Neggers noted these are articles that appear on every Annual Town Meeting warrant.
Mr. Harrison read the list of articles into the record as attached.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to place the aforementioned articles on the May 14, 2012 Annual Town Meeting warrant. Mr. Maia seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Neggers reminded the listening audience the Town Meeting will be held on Monday, May 14th at Granite Valley Middle School.
Disaster Recovery Status
a. Update on Town Office Building Project
b. Update on Federal Highway Reimbursement – Tornado
c. Visioning Process – Next Meeting
d. Update on October Storm FEMA Reimbursement Status
a. Ms. Neggers said she was in the 110 Main Street Building a couple of weeks ago and noted the conditions there are not good.
b. Ms. Neggers gave an update on the Federal Highway Reimbursement and noted Monson has $519,000 outstanding. Ms. Neggers spoke with Highway Surveyor John Morrell who spoke with Senator Brewer’s office and it appears we are on track to receive a contract within thirty days. Ms. Neggers noted the full amount should be returned to us.
c. The next Visioning Session is scheduled for April 14, 2012 in the Selectmen’s Conference Room at 6:30 p.m. At this session the parks, open spaces and walking ability as a community, will be discussed. This is being funded by the Commonwealth through a June 1, 2011 Tornado Assistance Grant.
d. Ms. Neggers gave an update on the October snowstorm FEMA reimbursement status, and noted Ms. Mahar did receive the tickets and a 1500 page spreadsheet which she is beginning to audit, analyze and sort in many different ways to begin compiling for the FEMA reimbursement. Ms. Neggers noted someone from FEMA will be coming out to assist in this task.
Correspondence was read and completed.
At 7:40 p.m., Mr. Harrison made a motion to adjourn from open session to go into executive session to discuss collective bargaining and litigation strategy – 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 S. Harrison, Clerk
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