BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, JULY 24, 2012
The regular meeting for 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.
Acceptance of Meeting Minutes:
Mr. Harrison made a motion to accept the meeting minutes for July 10, 2012 – open session. Mr. Maia seconded and it was so VOTED.
Appointment of Interim Fire Chief:
Ms. Neggers reiterated Chief Robichaud had submitted for his immediate retirement. Previously the Board of Selectmen expressed a need to have someone in the department on a full-time interim basis, and it was their desire to appoint retired Fire Chief Marshall Harris; he has accepted this offer and has begun. Ms. Neggers said the appointment now has to be formalized.
Dr. Smith thanked Chief Harris for stepping up to fill the vacancy.
Mr. Maia made a motion effective July 1, 2012, to have former Fire Chief Marshall Harris fill in as interim Fire Chief while the search for a new Fire Chief is conducted for a period of up to 90 days. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Identify Process to Fill Fire Chief Vacancy:
Mr. Maia said in the best interest of clarity he felt it would be better to conduct a formal search for a Fire Chief to fill the vacancy. If an internal candidate wishes to apply, they will go through the same process as everyone else.
Dr. Smith and Mr. Harrison agreed with this as well.
Ms. Neggers said this opening will be advertised in the Springfield newspaper, on the MMA website, and on the Fire Chief Association website.
Mr. Maia said he would like to see Ms. Neggers do the initial screening and bring the top three candidates back to the Board of Selectmen for interviews.
Ms. Neggers said she would select a couple of people to assist her in the interviews in accordance with the hiring policy.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to advertise the position and to authorize Ms. Neggers, Chief Harris and someone of Ms. Neggers choosing to do the initial screening of the candidates, and to bring back to the Board three finalists. Mr. Maia seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Neggers said the applications will be due back by August 14, 2012 and the three finalists will be invited in to the Selectmen’s meeting on August 28th or the first meeting in September.
Request for Gifts to the Town Authorization ($1,500) – Dave Grieve Park Fence Repair and approve Volunteer Recognition Monument Placement:
Ms. Neggers explained there has been some damage done to the fence at Dave Grieve Park. The Rotary Club initially raised funds to have the fence installed. The estimate to repair the fence is about $1,500.00. Barriers will be placed near the fence so cars won’t be able to back into the fence as easily.
Mr. Maia made a motion to approve the expenditure of $1,500.00 from the Gifts to the Town Account to repair the fence at Dave Grieve Park. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Approve 3rd Amendment Sewer Contract:
Ms. Neggers explained the Water/Sewer Commission has been in conversations with the Town of Palmer regarding extending the contract for the joint treatment plant, and this agreement has been reached and approved by all of the Attorneys.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to approve the 3rd Amendment for the Sewer contract with the Town of Palmer for sewer services. Mr. Maia seconded and it was so VOTED.
Vote to Approve MIIA Settlement Offer:
Ms. Neggers said following the tornado last year, in March of this year the insurance company made an offer explaining three different settlement scenarios for the Town Office Building at 110 Main Street. This was presented in the form of a debt exclusion override vote at a town meeting where the people choose the option to demo the existing building and accept the $6.9 million from the insurance company, which was the estimate settlement offer to repair the building, and add $3.4 million of tax payer’s money to build a new building.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to accept the MIIA offer of $6.9 million, the cost value for the repair of the Town Administration Building. Mr. Maia seconded and it was so VOTED
Ms. Neggers explained the Building Committee is meeting tonight. They are in the process of finalizing the RFP to hire an Owner’s Project Manager, and within the next week or two, do the RFP to hire an Architect.
Ms. Neggers noted the Building Committee elected John Goodrich and Kurt Kaiser as Co-Chairs and Dorothy Whitaker as the Clerk.
In Other Business to Come Before the Board:
- Ms. Neggers noted the Disaster Recovery Manager Daniel Laroche, has begun. Mr. Laroche is currently working on the expenditure of the $500,000 grant the Town received from the State. Mr. Laroche is working closely with Parks and Rec. Director Tim Pascale trying to get the tennis courts out to bid. Parks and Rec. and the Keep Homestead Museum are working together on the forest management issues and have contracted a Forest Manager who is developing a cutting plan and a plan for the trails, and the integration of that.
Ms. Neggers said she attended a Natural Hazards Workshop at the University of Colorado recently and FEMA explained they have developed a new National Disaster Recovery Framework, and one of the things they said is absolutely mandatory is a local Disaster Recovery Manager.
- Ms. Neggers said she was contacted by someone from Western Mass. Rebuild, which is the State run program for energy incentives for people who have rebuilt. There is a deadline for the expenditures of those funds. They are offering a couple of suggestions; one is they are hoping to establish local hours for three or four weeks with possibly one evening a week and maybe a lunch time, to assist people who have gone through the construction process and didn’t file because they aren’t sure if they qualify. This money is in addition to any insurance money they may have received. Ms. Neggers said they are also going to request permission to set up a table at the August event the Rotary Club is sponsoring. This information will be posted on our website once everything is definite. Ms. Neggers noted for now, people can call
the Selectmen’s Office or email her and she will put them in touch with the right person for assistance.
- Ms. Neggers said she was contacted by Mary Roy who put her in touch with the Western Mass. Institute of Architect who is interested in possibly coming to Monson to do a community design meeting with participants as we move forward with the design of the Office Building/Police Facility and the parcel of open space located there, making it so people can come in to share ideas; particularly on how to integrate the new building and the space, tennis courts, senior fitness trail, skate park, playing fields, playground, etc.
- Mr. Harrison made a motion to appoint Vicky Prior to the Replanting Monson Tree Committee effective immediately through June 30, 2013. Mr. Maia seconded and it was so VOTED.
Correspondence was read and completed.
At 7:35 p.m., Mr. Maia made a motion to adjourn from open session to go into executive session to discuss non-union contractual strategy – MGL c. 30A, Sec. 21 (2), not to return to open session. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
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Edward S. Harrison, Clerk
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