BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 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.
Acceptance of Meeting Minutes:
Mr. Harrison made a motion to accept the meeting minutes for September 11, 2012 – open and executive sessions. Mr. Maia seconded and it was so VOTED.
Disaster Recovery Manager – Quarterly Report on Activities:
Monson’s Disaster Recovery Manager Dan Laroche approached the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Laroche handed the Board of Selectmen copies of his Quarterly Report, as attached, which explains the various tasks he has been working on as Monson’s Disaster Recovery Manager, covering the period from the time he started at the end of July up to now. Mr. Laroche went over the report explaining the various projects he has been involved with, where they are at and how much grant funding has been spent to date.
Mr. Laroche said a lot of the proposed changes the Planning Board made in the zoning bylaws pertain to parking and Mr. Laroche felt the lack of pubic downtown parking will need to be addressed by the town in the up-coming years; currently he feels the supply is meeting the demand, except for large events which don’t occur regularly.
Mr. Laroche noted he has been working with Mr. Harrison, and with land owners who own industrial property in town. Mr. Laroche said he will be attending a forum in Holyoke next week to gain a better understanding of Brownfields opportunities, what funding is available to help property owners move their projects along, and assessments in town.
Mr. Laroche explained he has been working with the Planning Board quite a bit lately and spoke of the zoning amendment the Planning Board would like the Board of Selectmen to forward tonight to start the initial process, allowing it to make the fall Special Town Meeting.
Mr. Laroche was thanked very much for his efforts on all of these projects.
Mr. Harrison read the memorandum from the Planning Board regarding the modification of Section 3.3.8 (1) Reconstruction after Catastrophe or Demolition, of the Monson Zoning Bylaw into the record, which will allow a special permit by the Planning Board to extend up to one year the timeframe to reconstruct nonconforming structures damaged by the June 1, 2011 tornado for a total of up to three years, not to extend beyond June 1, 2014.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to ask the Planning Board to start the process of constructing a bylaw that addresses this requirement as requested in the memo. Mr. Maia seconded and it was so VOTED.
Lee Williams – Monson Memorial Classic Discussion:
Lee Williams approached the Board of Selectmen and explained the 17th Annual Monson Memorial Classis Road Race with a tentative date of Sunday, November 11th. The route will be the same as in the past. This year electronic timing has been added. The proceeds will benefit the Melanoma Education Foundation Griffin’s Friends, as in the past, in memory of Kelly Waldron and her sister Kathy Waldron-Perry who both died from different forms of cancer eight months apart from each other, seventeen years ago.
Ms. Neggers noted Memorial Hall has already been booked and arrangements are in place for this use.
Ms. Williams said she has organized this with the Police Department.
Mr. Maia made a motion to approve the Monson Memorial Classic on Sunday, November 11, 2012. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Deb Williams – Request Regarding Proposed “Tornado Alley Relay 2013”:
Deb Williams, President of Back of the Pack Productions, approached the Board of Selectmen. Ms. Williams noted there were no problems with the 2012 race, and was seeking approval for the next race scheduled for June 1, 2013. The 2013 race will follow the same course as the 2012 race.
Ms. Williams presented the Board of Selectmen with a check in the amount of $1,300.00 which was raised from the 2012 race. It was agreed this money would be used for trees by the Replanting Monson Tree Committee.
Mr. Maia made a motion to allow Back of the Pack Productions to organize the June 1, 2013 Monson Tornado Alley Relay. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
The Board of Selectmen thanked Ms. Williams very much.
Announce Fire Chief Finalists:
Interim Fire Chief Marshall Harris approached the Board of Selectmen. It was noted thirty plus applicants applied for the Fire Chief’s position. Twelve candidates were interviewed for the position. The top four candidates being brought forward tonight for interviews with the Board of Selectmen, and who meet the requirements set forth by the Board of Selectmen are: Craig Bodamer Fire Department Captain in Belchertown, Brian Harris who is a full-time EMT and Fire Department Deputy Fire Chief in Monson, Laurent McDonald Certification Program Manager with the National Fire Protection Association; and Fred Mitchell, Jr. Deputy Fire Chief in Cumberland, Rhode Island.
Dr. Smith felt whoever is hired for the Fire Chief’s position should live relatively close to town and able to respond to emergencies.
Mr. Maia made a motion to move forward with the four finalists just mentioned to be interviewed at the next Board of Selectmen meeting scheduled for October 9th. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Fire Chief Harris was thanked for all of his help with the interviews. Mr. Maia thanked Ms. Neggers as well.
Extend Interim Fire Chief Appointment:
Mr. Harrison made a motion to extend Interim Fire Chief Marshall Harris’ appointment through December 31, 2012, or until a new Fire Chief is appointed. Mr. Maia seconded and it was so VOTED.
Chief Harris was thanked for filling in.
Set Trick or Treat Hours for Halloween/Approve Rotary-Sponsored Parade and Party:
Mr. Maia made a motion to approve Trick or Treat in Monson on Wednesday, October 31st from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with the Rotary sponsored parade at 6:15 p.m. from 110 Main Street proceeding to Memorial Hall for the costume party. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Approve Police Chief’s Contract:
Mr. Maia made a motion to approve the memorandum of agreement on the Police Chief’s contract from July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Maia made a motion to approve the agreed upon Chief of Police contract effective July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2015. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Chief Kozloski noted recent arrests involving three separate groups operating in town; two of the groups were targeting homes, while the third group focused on unlocked cars. One of the break-in suspects plotted his strategy in a journal targeting the elderly, who tend to have more jewelry. The police believe some of the crimes are driven by the high price of precious metals and the low price of heroin.
Chief Kozloski said if anyone hears or sees anything, they should report it. Everyone should lock their windows, doors and vehicles; keep shrubs trimmed, invest in alarm systems or place valuables in safety deposit boxes.
Chief Kozloski introduced Police Officer Matthew French and explained Officer French is currently an auxiliary officer for the town. Chief Kozloski noted Officer French has completed his training and is recommending Officer French be promoted to a special part-time officer.
Chief Kozloski noted there are three types of officers in his department; a full-time officer, a special part-time officer and an auxiliary officer.
Officer French explained his background.
Mr. Maia made a motion to promote Matthew French from an auxiliary officer to a special part-time police officer effective immediately through December 31, 2012. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Approve Owner’s Project Manager for 110 Main Street Building Committee:
Ms. Neggers explained the Building Committee issued a request for OPM proposals. Six Owner’s Project Manager proposals were received, with the top three being interviewed. Following the interviews, the Building Committee unanimously voted to recommend Daedalus Projects, Inc. out of Boston.
Mr. Maia made a motion to approve hiring Daedalus Projects, Inc. of Boston as the Owner’s Project Manager for the new Town Office Building/Police facility for a total contract price not to exceed $200,000, contingent upon Town Counsel’s approval of the final contract language. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
It was noted Daedalus will take the project from start to finish and oversee each stage of the design, bidding and construction. Ms. Neggers said Daedalus will have someone on the construction site five days a week, every week, and all day long; they will be the eyes and ears for the town, as Daedalus is working for us.
Correspondence was read and completed.
In Other Business to Come Before the Board of Selectmen:
- Ms. Neggers said the Board of Health submitted a request for the placement of their Health Fair banner across Main Street from October 8th to October 22nd, and found the Monson Arts Council had already received permission to hang their banner up from October 8th (when the Bulky Day banner comes down) to November 5th for their fall play. It was noted the language in the banner regulations state municipal purposes shall take precedence over all other requests.
Mr. Maia made a motion to amend the approval for the Monson Arts Council’s banner to October 22nd through November 5th allowing the Board of Health to hang the Health Fair banner from October 8th through October 20th. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
- Mr. Harrison made a motion to appoint Tamara Cabey to the Monson Developmental Center Reuse Committee effective immediately through June 30, 2013. Mr. Maia seconded and it was so VOTED.
- Ms. Neggers mentioned to any property or business owners whose property was damaged by the June 1, 2011 tornado; the deadline to register for any funds from the Rebuild Western Mass. program, which are energy incentives, is October 1, 2012. Everyone should call, even if they are in doubt. The information is on the town’s website and the telephone number to call is 877-524-1325.
- Robin Auld of Bridge Street approached the Board of Selectmen to voice a complaint against the Monson Police Department about an incident that took place on September 23rd on Main Street at 12:37 in the afternoon.
Chief Kozloski approached the Board of Selectmen and noted he did accept a written complaint from Ms. Auld and pursuant to the rules and regulations and collective bargaining agreement between the town and the officers, this has been assigned to a supervisor who will be investigating the allegations and they will have a finding once this is complete.
Mr. Maia asked for a copy of the summary of findings once it is completed. Chief Koslozki said he would provide the Board with a copy.
At 8:20 p.m., Mr. Harrison made a motion to adjourn from open session. Mr. Maia seconded and it was so VOTED.
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Edward S. Harrison, Clerk
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