BOARD OF SELECTMEN
August 27, 2013
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 Edward A. Maia, Edward S. Harrison and Dr. Richard M. Smith. 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 for the August 13, 2013 – open session. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was unanimously VOTED.
Jo and Laura Sauriol – Report on Natural Hazards Workshop Participation:
Jo and her daughter Laura Sauriol, approached the Board of Selectmen. Laura thanked the Board of Selectmen for the opportunity of allowing her to participate in the Natural Hazards Workshop in Colorado. Miss Sauriol, who is from town attends Holyoke Community College, stated this experience is unlike any other, and she found it very helpful and feels it really benefited her.
Mr. Maia thanked Miss Sauriol for being such a positive representative for Monson.
Ms. Neggers added it was an International Conference that she attended there last year, and it is very impressive.
Ms. Jo Sauriol said she noticed Monson has, how to react to emergency situations down pact, and added you really have to be on top of connectivity and social media when crunch time comes. She too said it was a great experience, as she accompanied her daughter.
Both women said they met Shirley Laska and what a wonderful person she is.
MCR Director Liz Manley – Request to Declare September “Preparedness Month”:
Ms. Manley approached the Board of Selectmen and explained the MRC will be participating in the Health Fair at the Senior Center on September 28th; it will coincide with the National Preparedness Month. Ms. Manley was asking the Board to declare September Preparedness Month in Monson.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to make September Monson’s Preparedness Month. Dr. Smith seconded and it was unanimously VOTED.
Town Planner Daniel Laroche – Update on Projects:
Dan Laroche approached the Board of Selectmen and presented an update on the projects he has been working on over the past few months, as attached.
Ms. Neggers noted slides explaining this, will be put on the town’s website.
Mr. Laroche explained the work being done is a result of the EOEA grant of $5,000. This work includes improvements to Veteran’s Field, with some of the work completed this fall and some of it next spring. All of the projects have been approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission.
Mr. Laroche said the senior fitness stations will be installed along the walkway this fall. The walkway itself is big money, and therefore the gravel or paved walkway will be put in at some point in the future, following the construction of the new Town Office/Police facility.
Mr. Laroche noted there will be scenic vistas along Chicopee Brook on the walkway. The Replanting Monson Tree Committee will be planting more trees in the next few months, with approval by the Parks and Recreation Department prior to planting.
A new prefab concrete structured skate park will be installed in the spring, fully funded by insurance money. A full size basketball court will also be installed, along with a spray park. Mr. Laroche noted the skate park will be located in Veterans field behind the cemetery, separating it from the play area.
Mr. Laroche noted on September 4th the bids will be opened for the construction of the new office building. The Park Road repairing and drainage project, for $120,000 is shovel ready, as it’s all designed, etc. There is a competitive $540,000 Housing and Property Rehab program that Monson has been approved for which includes the Towns of Wilbraham and Brimfield. The Omega Mill had three very large transformers and three smaller transformers removed from the site, and an application has been submitted to the Regional Brownsfields Committee for further assessment work.
Mr. Laroche explained they are hoping to start construction of the new Town Office/Police facility in mid-September. The goal is to start the foundation work this fall, and it’s written in the agreement they have one year to complete the work, so we would move into the new building next fall.
Mr. Laroche said he will be holding an informal meeting on September 12th from 5:30 to 6:30 in the Selectmen’s conference room to discuss low interest loans for economic recovery efforts due to the June 1st tornado with funding through the SBA (Small Business Association).
Ambulance Billing Services – Bid Results:
Ms. Neggers said bids were opened last week on the ambulance billing services. The low bidder was Comstar Ambulance Billing of Rowley Mass. with a per patient transport cost of $15.25. Currently, the costs per patient transport is $55.00. It was noted Comstar provides services to 113 communities in the Commonwealth, many of which share a similar community profile with Monson.
Ms. Neggers read a portion of Fire Chief McDonald’s letter into the record which stated: “Based on the business case and analysis of how we currently bill for ambulance services it is in the Town’s best interest to contract with Comstar. Our annual costs for ambulance billing services under the current configuration are approximately $41,250 based on an average transport rate of 750 patients per year. By contracting with Comstar our annual costs are projected to be approximately $11,438, a savings of $29,812. Additionally, we expect to see in increase in our collection rate to at least 80% over our current collection rate.”
Mr. Harrison made a motion to approve the contract with Comstar of Rowley, Mass. for the ambulance billing services. Dr. Smith seconded and it was unanimously VOTED.
It was noted this would go into effect this October.
Mohegan Sun Palmer Casino Proposal – Status and Next Steps:
Ms. Neggers told the Board of Selectmen Monson is running out of time, and informed them the town hasn’t received any correspondence from Mohegan Sun regarding our status as a surrounding community. Ms. Neggers stated the Town of Ware has already received correspondence from the casino.
The Selectmen agreed the clock is ticking.
It was agreed to have Town Counsel send a letter to Mohegan Sun stating we are an abutting community, so Monson can be designated as a surrounding community, allowing negotiation to begin regarding impacts to roads and other infrastructure.
It was mentioned the Monson Water/Sewer Department has been involved in a separate agreement with the Palmer Water Department regarding an inter-connection between the two towns allowing Mohegan Sun to use Monson’s water as a backup resource for its project. Dr. Smith wondered why the Water/Sewer Commission hasn’t met with the Board of Selectmen since the Board of Selectmen will have to approve any agreements.
It was agreed to request Jeffrey Fialky of Bacon Wilson and the Monson Water/Sewer Commissioners to attend a Selectmen’s meeting, to meet with all the parties at the same time.
Ms. Neggers noted the Massachusetts Gaming Commission is urging applicants and communities to engage in a dialogue as soon as it is practical, about the positive and negative impacts involving a casino. Ms. Neggers added our department heads don’t have the expertise to get the data on the impacts for their departments; therefore we have a need for a consultant to help assess the effects a casino would have on the town, but wondered who would pay for it in the end. Mr. Harrison suggested possibly going ahead now and paying for a consultant, and get reimbursed later.
Mr. Maia further stated it makes him nervous that the host community agreement between Mohegan Sun and Palmer has taken longer than the competitors MGM Resorts in Springfield and Hard Rock in West Springfield.
Dr. Smith made a motion to have Bacon Wilson send out a letter to Mohegan Sun stating we are a surrounding community, and have Mr. Fialky and the Water/Sewer Commission attend a meeting with the Board of Selectmen on the same night. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was unanimously VOTED.
“Gifts to the Town” – H&L Tassinari Gift for Fire Department Grant Match:
Dr. Smith made a motion to authorize the use of the $3,200 match for the Fire Air handler grant. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was unanimously VOTED.
In Other Business to Come Before the Board:
- Ms. Neggers announced she will be retiring on November 25, 2013, after 24 years of service with the Town. Ms. Neggers explained she started in 1989 as the Assistant Town Accountant, and became the Town Administrator in 1992. Ms. Neggers said she is proud of the way she is leaving the town, and looks forward to returning to a private life in the community.
The Board of Selectmen thanked Ms. Neggers for her years of service. Mr. Maia said it is with a heavy heart that he accepts her letter of resignation.
Mr. Maia added he thinks most of the people in town won’t realize how much Ms. Neggers gave of herself until she’s gone, and feels Ms. Neggers was successful in her position as the Town Administrator because she rarely told people what they wanted to hear, and instead told them what they needed to hear.
Mr. Harrison noted Ms. Neggers has tackled much during her tenure, and added her shoes are going to be pretty hard to fill.
It was agreed the Board will discuss the process for replacing Ms. Neggers at their next meeting.
Correspondence was read and completed.
At 8:30 p.m., Dr. Smith made a motion to adjourn from open session to go into executive session to discuss non-union bargaining pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 30A § 21 (2) and a discussion of collective bargaining pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 30A § 21 (2), not to return to open session. Mr. Harrison seconded, and it was unanimously VOTED.
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Dr. Richard M. Smith, Clerk
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