BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014
The regular meeting for the Board of Selectmen convened at 7:00 p.m. in the conference room at 29 Thompson Street in the Hillside Building. In attendance were Edward A. Maia, Edward S. Harrison and Dr. Richard M. Smith. Also present were Town Administrator Evan Brassard and the media.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Mr. Maia thanked those who participated in the unveiling of the Art Wall around the construction site of the new Town Office/Police Station facility, and noted it was a very nice event that was well attended. Mr. Maia also thanked Reed Coles who organized the event for doing a great job with it.
Acceptance of Meeting Minutes:
Mr. Harrison made a motion to accept the meeting minutes of March 11, 2014 – open and executive sessions. Dr. Smith seconded and it was unanimously VOTED.
Joan Simmons – Town Wide Cleanup:
Joan Simmons with Boy Scout Troop 168 approached the Board of Selectmen to request the Town Wide Cleanup on Saturday, April 26th. Ms. Simmons said an announcement in the Palmer Journal will have the telephone number and email address for residents who wish to reserve a road or area to clean ahead of time. The sign up and map crew will be at the gazebo on April 26th from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to approve the Town Wide Cleanup on Saturday, April 26, 2014 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Dr. Smith seconded and it was unanimously VOTED.
Regional Dispatch Update – Chief Kozloski:
Mr. Brassard noted there wasn’t enough information regarding the Regional Dispatch yet from the other participants and consulting group overseeing this.
It was unanimously agreed to table this until the next agenda, and to keep it on the agenda as long as needed.
Pathfinder Roof Project:
Mr. Brassard provided the Board of Selectmen with a copy of the Proposed Pathfinder Roof Project Fact Sheet from Pathfinder, as attached, and explained it.
Mr. Brassard noted the total estimate of the re-roofing cost is $3,273,620.00.
Mr. Maia noted the Massachusetts School Building Authority has approved the proposed Pathfinder Re-Roofing Project under the State’s Accelerated Building Program and has committed to reimbursing Pathfinder Regional School District for 62.04% of the total estimate which comes to $2,003,781.00. Pathfinder will be bonded for a 10 year period, the sum of $1,269,839.00, with each member town being assessed annually for its portion of the cost based on its Total K-12 town enrollments. Monson’s K-12 enrollment as compared to that of the total district is presently 13.57%.
Mr. Brassard noted this won’t actually affect our budget until 2016, therefore it will show up in the next Fiscal Year.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to approve the support for the new roof for Pathfinder. Dr. Smith seconded and it was unanimously VOTED.
Sound Equipment for Town Meeting:
Mr. Brassard reiterated awhile back Town Moderator Richard Guertin came in requesting new microphones and so on for Town Meetings, to improve the sound quality. At that time there was some concern over the integrity of the over-all system as well.
Upon our request, the School Department looked into this for us, and after running tests, they said the sound clarity was great. Mr. Brassard said everyone involved feels comfortable moving forward with just purchasing microphones, cables, and stands instead of diving into the system.
Mr. Brassard said we will make sure the microphones we purchase are the same exact frequency as those used by the school, and added they will be tested prior to the Town Meeting. Mr. Brassard stated we will hold onto our equipment and the school can hold onto theirs.
The total amount for the microphones, cables, and stands is $727.80.
Dr. Smith made a motion to approve purchasing microphones, cables and stands for the Town Meetings in the amount of $727.80 from the Gifts to the Town Account. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was unanimously VOTED.
Appointment of Temporary Clerical Assistant for Clerk’s Office:
Mr. Brassard explained a few weeks ago, it became evident the Town had someone working in the Clerk’s Office afternoons as a part-time municipal employee who also works part-time in the mornings in the Parks and Recreation office as a municipal employee, creating a Conflict of Interest, unbeknownst to everyone. Town Counsel has checked into this and noted there are three steps that have to be followed to make the position legal.
The first step is to have a written certification posted with the Town Clerk, which was just done.
Second is to vote to exempt the position from M.G.L. c. 286A §20B.
Third is to appoint Jeannie Guertin to that position.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to approve the exemption from M.G.L. c. 286A §20B. Dr. Smith seconded and it was unanimously VOTED.
Dr. Smith made a motion to appoint Jeannie Guertin as the temporary clerical assistant for the Town Clerk’s Office on a part-time basis through the next election. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was unanimously VOTED.
Update on Town Assessor’s Position:
Mr. Brassard explained five applications were received for Monson’s Principal Assessor’s position due to the resignation of Ann Murphy. Initial interviews will be held this Thursday and Friday by Mr. Brassard, Finance Director Deborah Mahar, and Town Treasurer/Human Resource Director Cristina Pedro, who will narrow the candidates down to the top two. The second round of interviews with the top two candidates will be conducted by the Board of Assessors with Ms. Mahar, Mr. Brassard and Ms. Pedro weighing in with them, to choose the one candidate who will be offered the position of Principal Assessor for the Town of Monson.
Ms. Mahar approached the Board of Selectmen upon being asked if this is the typical procedure by not having the Board of Selectmen involved in the interview process. Ms. Mahar stated this is the third time this position has been filled in the last several years, and this was the practice in the past.
Mr. Brassard noted they have a pool of some really good candidates with a few of them being local residents.
Mr. Brassard noted previous Principal Assessor Ann Murphy provided them with eight really good questions to ask specific to what an Assessor would need to know. Ms. Mahar said Ms. Murphy is willing to come back for a few hours in the evening when the position is filled, to help transition the new Principal Assessor.
Update on the Memorial Hall Project:
Maintenance Director Paul DeMaio provided the Board of Selectmen with a list, updating the Board on the Memorial Hall project, as attached.
Mr. Brassard went over the list, noting quotes are out to four insulation contractors, with two returned so far. The fabric curtains have been removed and stored, and the asbestos curtain has also been removed. Specifications for the refurbishing of fire escapes have been done and are now seeking quotes; the acoustical panels have been removed from the balcony; some fire hoses have been cut off from water sources and drained; the ceiling assembly has been removed in the basement exposing the wiring and other necessary mechanical areas; and the penetrations concerning the mechanical room for the furnace have been addressed by the architect and the Building Inspector, and they are currently waiting on a U.L. rate on an archaic ceiling assembly.
Mr. Brassard said we continue to move forward, and are really trying to make the Summerfest deadline; and as of right now we will be really close. Mr. Brassard noted we are trying to stay on budget, as well as explore other avenues for additional funds that might be available that are not town funding.
Mr. Brassard said Mr. DeMaio has been tackling the M-PACT Office in the basement and that we are in pretty good shape there too.
Parks and Recreation Storage Shed:
This was tabled until the next meeting.
In Other Business to Come Before the Board:
- Mr. Brassard noted a letter was received late last week from the State asking us to appoint/or reappoint, our Animal Control Officer. The State’s appointment dates for this position are: effective May 1, 2014 through April 30, 2015.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to reappoint Wendy LeSage as Monson Animal Control Officer effective May 1, 2014 through April 30, 2015. Dr. Smith seconded and it was unanimously VOTED.
- Mr. Harrison noted he received a complaint from a citizen regarding litter, and explained the litter is from the Springfield Newspaper and the plastic wrapped flyer they throw on the ground every week that residents don’t pick up. Mr. Harrison said he believes individuals have contacted the newspaper regarding this issue, but the town hasn’t acted upon this yet. The Board asked Mr. Brassard if he would check with Police Chief Stephen Kozloski to see if this is officially considered littering, and then take it from there discussing it at the next meeting.
Correspondence was read and completed.
At 7:40 p.m. , Mr. Harrison made a motion to adjourn from open session to go into executive session to discuss strategy with respect to non-union personnel – pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, § 21 (2) and collective bargaining or litigation – pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A § 21 (3), not to return to open session. Dr. Smith seconded and it was unanimously VOTED.
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Dr. Richard M. Smith, Clerk
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