BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 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 made a motion to appoint Edward A. Maia Chair, Dr. Richard M. Smith Vice Chair, and Edward S. Harrison to remain the Clerk, until the next election. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Acceptance of Meeting Minutes:
Mr. Harrison made a motion to accept the meeting minutes for September 25, 2012 – open session. Dr. Smith seconded and it was so VOTED.
Interview Fire Chief Finalists:
Ms. Neggers reiterated from the last meeting, that she and Interim Fire Chief Marshall Harris interviewed twelve candidates, and last week brought forth the names of the top four finalists. It was agreed at that time the Board of Selectmen would interview these candidates at tonight’s meeting.
Interviewed at tonight’s meeting were Craig Bodamer, a Captain with the Belchertown Fire Department; Brian Harris, a Deputy Fire Chief in Monson; Laurent McDonald, a certified Program Manager with the National Fire Protection Association; and Fred Mitchell Jr., a Deputy Fire Chief with the North Cumberland, R.I. Fire District.
The candidates were each individually asked the same series of questions by the Board of Selectmen, while the remaining candidates where sequestered in the hallway.
Mr. Bodamer described himself as second in command and said he has worked for the Belchertown Fire Department since 2003 and has twenty-five years’ experience working in the fire service. Mr. Bodamer stressed the importance of good communication and said working with the Selectmen is a crucial part of the job. When asked if he would relocate, Mr. Bodamer said he would consider it, but noted he lives in Belchertown near the border of Three Rivers and said it only took him approximately 15 to 20 minutes to get to this meeting.
Mr. Harris said he was born and raised in Monson and joined the Fire Department nineteen years ago, when he was in High School, raising through the ranks to become full-time in 2006. Mr. Harris stated as he moved up, he gained more responsibility and recently became the Ambulance Director. Mr. Harris said the Fire Department needs a morale boost and added; you don’t get any respect you don’t earn and believes in just leading by example.
Mr. McDonald, of Southbridge noted he was an auxiliary firefighter back in 1980 for the Town of Southbridge. Since 2007, Mr. McDonald said he has worked for the National Fire Protection Association in Quincy, and is also a firefighter in the Town of Holland. Mr. McDonald was the Fire Chief in Dudley from 2004 to 2006 and was a Training Director for the State Department of Fire Services from 2006 to 2007. Mr. McDonald retired from the U.S. Air Force Fire and Emergency Services in 2004, after 21 years. Mr. McDonald added he became interested in the Monson Fire Chief position because he was familiar with the tornado devastation in the town and was impressed with the way the officials responded and worked through the disaster. Mr. McDonald noted he really misses being a small town Fire Chief as that is where his heart’s desire is. When
asked how long it took him to get to Monson, Mr. McDonald replied the drive tonight was hard to gauge as he came directly from work in Quincy, but noted it should only be about a 15 to 20 minute drive when the Brimfield Flea Market isn’t going on.
Mr. Mitchell, of Cumberland, R.I. said he has spent 29 years in the Cumberland Fire District, working his way through the ranks. Mr. Mitchell noted Cumberland is a community of 34,000 people and the North Cumberland District has approximately 6,000 residents. Mr. Mitchell explained he feels being a good communicator is key to being a good Chief, and noted his greatest challenge would be getting to know the community and the layout of the town. Mr. Mitchell stated he would address morale issues by sitting down with the firefighters and finding out what concerns them. Mr. Mitchell said he would relocate to the area and would plan on staying in the position of Monson’s Fire Chief, if elected, until it’s time to hang up his helmet.
Mr. Maia stated they have a great group of finalists, and choosing one for the Fire Chief’s position is not going to be an easy decision. Dr. Smith agreed.
It was agreed to have Ms. Neggers check on the references prior to the next meeting in two weeks, at which time the Board of Selectmen expect to announce their decision for the position.
Special Town Meeting – Discussion of Need, Scheduling:
Ms. Neggers explained there is usually a fall Town Meeting and noted there are currently several issues that require a Town Meeting.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to set a Special Town Meeting on Monday, November 26, 2012, and to set the warrants on Tuesday, October 23, 2012. Dr. Smith seconded and it was so VOTED.
In Other Business to Come Before the Board of Selectmen:
- Ms. Neggers noted the clean-up at Flynt Park and Keep Museum has commenced. Ms. Neggers explained due to the trucks and equipment operating in that area, everyone up that way hiking and walking with dogs should be very careful.
- Ms. Neggers noted Memorial Hall is a memorial to our war veterans, and explained the bricks in the sidewalk at Memorial Hall are sinking again due to people driving and parking on it after being asked not to. Ms. Neggers said this is a chronic problem which is causing a serious hazard. It was noted this is a pedestrian walkway and it cannot support the weight of vehicles. Ms. Neggers said the insurance company co-paid $28,000 to repair the walkway and now it’s being ruined. It was noted the Monson Arts Council has a play coming up plus the craft fair.
Dr. Smith suggested putting in posts to block vehicle access.
Ms. Neggers replied it’s been suggested to install two posts with a chain between them.
Dr. Smith felt that set up would limit pedestrian traffic and felt one post in the middle would still allow foot traffic.
Ms. Neggers noted we will still need vehicle access for certain reasons and also noted we no longer have access to the House of Art, which is a town owned building. The locks have been changed and an alarm system has been installed.
It was agreed to invite the Monson Arts Council in to the next meeting and Ms. Neggers said she will speak with John Morrell about setting up saw horses and tape for now.
Correspondence was read and completed.
At 8:25 p.m., Dr. Smith made a motion to adjourn from open session (there wasn’t any executive session). Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
______________________
Edward S. Harrison, Clerk
| 
