BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013
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 Edward A. Maia, Dr. Richard M. Smith 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:
Dr. Smith made a motion to accept the meeting minutes of December 11, 2012 – open and executive sessions. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Monson Rotary – Discussion Regarding Security at Gazebo:
Jean Bailey, Dorothy Jenkins and Mike O’Grady approached the Board of Selectmen on behalf of the Monson Rotary Club.
Ms. Neggers noted she did share the information from the Selectmen’s previous meeting regarding security at the gazebo with the Rotary Club.
Ms. Jenkins explained the Monson Rotary Club’s annual functions held at Dave Grieve Park and gazebo, various other community functions, and Park projects funded and coordinated by the Monson Tourism and Monson Rotary, as attached.
Ms. Bailey explained the security at Dave Grieve Park and gazebo, as attached.
The Board of Selectmen thanked the Monson Rotary for everything they do. Mr. Maia stated Dave Grieve Park is the jewel in the center of town.
Mr. Maia said the Board of Selectmen are in agreement something needs to be done as far as security at the gazebo.
Police Chief Stephen Kozloski approached the Board of Selectmen and thanked the Rotary Club for doing such a thorough job on their research of monitoring equipment and providers.
Chief Kozloski noted he also consulted with Bob Wood of Vicon Security Systems, as well as two other firms, and added he is in agreement with the security measures.
Chief Kozloski said after speaking with the other vendors, he would like to incorporate the ability to monitor other properties in town as well, such as the town office building/police station, and especially the offices that deal with the public that can sometimes have disorderly patrons.
Chief Kozloski said he would like to have a little more dialog to see what resources are available and noted he feels this project should be a town venture and not a Rotary Club funded project, although Chief Kozloski said the Rotary Club could contribute funds toward this if they wished to.
Mr. Maia agreed he too was in favor of using the town resources, instead of the private sector for funding and assistance in monitoring the system.
Mr. Harrison agreed he would not want private companies or organizations monitoring the security measures, but said he would welcome any donations toward the funding of it.
Mr. Maia said he felt the security system should allow the ability to build off of it, to eventually get into the schools down the road.
Bob Wood of Vicon Security System approached the Board of Selectmen and explained the product lines. Mr. Wood noted he works with architects and engineers and added 75% of the security systems installed are not monitored live, they are for retrieval afterwards.
Mr. Wood said the cost of the system would depend on the type of recording system desired, but noted it could start at a couple of thousand dollars for a single camera.
Mr. Maia said he would like to see Chief Kozloski get a security camera set up at the gazebo, and then move onto the town office building/police station to monitor the construction period so they could make sure nothing happens to any of the building materials, etc.
Mr. Wood noted he is scouting out the area around the gazebo for the best location to mount a security camera that would provide the best surveillance.
Ms. Neggers added it makes sense to coordinate projects as the town voters recently approved security measures at the school that could tie into this project as well.
Mr. Wood said the security camera could also be used to monitor vehicles filling up gas at the town gas pumps to make sure it’s not being used in private vehicles.
Mr. Maia agreed they should put numbers together for the initial phase, and then the expanded phases.
Ms. Neggers said if vandals can’t go to the gazebo, they will go elsewhere and possibly to businesses and felt installing security cameras will not eliminate the problem and added perhaps the town needs to bring the skate park back.
Chief Kozloski said his department is doing the best they can to monitor and act upon the troubled areas. Chief Kozloski added even when the skate park was open, businesses were complaining of skateboarders on their properties.
Mr. Maia said he would like the Police Chief to get together with the Monson Rotary Club and Mr. Wood and report back to the Board of Selectmen with their recommendation for a starting point, in 30 days at the Selectmen’s meeting on February 12th.
Memorial Hall – Update on MAC and Parks and Recreation Storage Concerns:
Tod Beall and Mark Webber, on behalf of the Monson Arts Council, approached the Board of Selectmen.
Ms. Neggers said the town’s custodian Paul DeMaio, has provided an up-dated report on the clean-up process at Memorial Hall, and noted the dumpster was delivered on Friday.
Ms. Neggers encouraged the Board of Selectmen to use funds from the Gifts to the Town Account to purchase padded folding chairs that can be folded, stacked and rolled out of the way, as currently the stackable chairs that are used are blocking an exit. Approximately 125-150 chairs will be needed. Ms. Neggers felt this would cost approximately $3,000.
It was agreed to table this until an actual price is known.
Mr. Beall said the Monson Arts Council will put pieces of plywood down on the auditorium floor prior to constructing any sets to prevent any damage to the hard wood floors.
Mr. Maia suggested, prior to the start of any functions taking place in Memorial Hall, to have Custodian Paul DeMaio take pictures to document the before and after for everyone using the facility.
Mr. Maia noted an agreement will be drawn up by the Selectmen’s office and said the Arts Council should appoint one person to assist Ms. Neggers with it.
Mr. Maia also suggested having the Fire Chief walk through Memorial Hall to make sure all the fire hazard issues have been addressed.
Disaster Recovery Manager Quarterly Report:
Disaster Recovery Manager Dan Laroche, and Scott Gerrish who has been working on the forestry project, approached the Board of Selectmen.
Mr. Laroche explained his quarterly report, as attached, and Mr. Gerrish explained the clean-up of Flynt Park and Keep Homestead Museum where the woods were heavily damaged by the June 2011 tornado and provided the Board of Selectmen with a map of the clean-up areas.
Mr. Laroche noted a kick-off event will be planned for the tennis courts once they are painted and Palmer Paving has installed the nets, and next month they will move forward with the selection of a designer for the Veteran’s Field improvements project.
Next week, Mr. Laroche said he will be working with the Monson Planning Board on parking by putting in some additional zoning for parking.
Mr. Laroche said the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission is working on drafts regarding the mills in town for use and re-use.
Mr. Gerrish said Rocky Mountain Wood Company out of Wilbraham Mass. is putting in extra efforts on Mt. Ella, where a field was graded and rocks were removed in hopes a picnic area would be created, as there are beautiful 180 degree views to the north, south and east.
Mr. Maia suggested placing the map provided by Mr. Gerrish on the town’s website under the tornado area, showing the clean-up effort.
It was noted Parks and Recreation Director Tim Pascale and his Commissioners are looking for ways to restrict ATV use from the road created to gain access to Mt. Ella for mowing, etc.
Mr. Gerrish said he has contracted with Rocky Mountain Wood Company to clean-up some of the trails when the weather breaks.
Ms. Neggers added the clean-up, improvements, and mitigating any potential for future fire hazards, is a great project to encompass all of the components of recovery.
Mr. Maia thanked Mr. Laroche and Mr. Gerrish for all they have done. Ms. Neggers added Mr. Laroche has been a big part of keeping everyone abreast and included in the on-going process.
In Other Business to Come Before the Board:
Ms. Neggers informed the listening audience the CodeRED emergency system will be initiated this week with test calls by the Emergency Management Director. Residents who did not receive a test call and are interested in signing up may do so by visiting the town’s website and clicking on the icon on the bottom left. Ms. Neggers said anyone who has an unlisted telephone number, cell phone, voice over internet or moved in the past year will also need to sign up if they wish to receive these notifications.
Correspondence was read and completed.
At 8:40 p.m. Mr. Harrison made a motion to adjourn from open session. Dr. Smith seconded and it was so VOTED. An executive session was not held.
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Edward S. Harrison, Clerk
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