Board of Selectmen
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
The regularly scheduled 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 S. Harrison, Dr. Richard M. Smith and John R. Morrell. Also present were Town Administrator Evan Brassard and the media.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Acceptance of Meeting Minutes:
Dr. Smith made a motion to accept the meeting minutes of October 14, 2014 – open and executive sessions. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED. Mr. Morrell abstained from voting as he was not present at that meeting.
Present Proclamation to Lorri McCool:
Lorri McCool approached the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Harrison read the Proclamation commending Ms. McCool on her work, above and beyond what is expected with the care and treatment of an elderly Monson resident; and presented it to Ms. McCool.
Chairman of the Board of Health John “Bo” Schneider, approached the Board of Selectmen and also presented Ms. McCool with an award for her achievement.
Appointment of Constable:
Joseph Messina Jr. approached the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Harrison explained a request was received from Mr. Messina seeking an appointment as a Constable in the Town of Monson.
Mr. Messina explained his request and said he will be a back-up Constable for Joe Loglisci.
Mr. Brassard noted Police Chief Stephen Kozloski is also a Constable. Mr. Brassard said he spoke with Town Clerk Mary Watson and she told him the town can have more than two Constables.
It was noted there is no pay for this position unless the Constable posts a warrant for an election, a Town Meeting or a Special Town Meeting.
Dr. Smith made a motion to appoint Joseph Messina Jr. as a Constable for the Town of Monson effective immediately through June 30, 2015. Mr. Morrell seconded and it was unanimously VOTED.
Reminder of Trick or Treat Parade:
Mr. Harrison reminded the residents, Monson’s official Trick or Treat hours will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Halloween. The Monson Rotary will sponsor a parade beginning at 6:15 p.m. in front of 110 Main Street and go down to the Fire Station where there will be treats and costume judging by age groups.
Parks and Recreation Administrative Assistant Discussion:
Parks and Recreation Commissioners Sara Szado and Michael Arbour approached the Board of Selectmen.
Mr. Arbour said they are looking at reinstating the union position of the Administrative Assistant. Ms. Szado explained it’s difficult for the person in this position to maintain the growing work load in the current 19 hours, and they would like to bump this up to 30 hours per week. Mr. Arbour noted the Parks and Rec. Department will pick up the salary for this position, but the town would need to cover insurance and the union.
Dr. Smith asked if fees would be raised to cover the increase in salary, or if they have the money already.
Mr. Arbour said the Parks and Recreation Department doesn’t receive a budget from the town. The little bit of funds approved by the Finance Committee every year covers the salaries of Mr. Pascale and Mr. Gordon, and the maintenance of the school property. Mr. Arbour noted their budget has pretty much been eliminated and all of their budget money comes from fees the town’s people pay for their children to participate in the programs.
Dr. Smith rephrased the question and asked if they would be raising fees or if the fees currently being collected would be sufficient to pay for this.
Mr. Arbour said the fees were raised but not to cover the salary of this positon. They were raised to cover the expenses for umpires, equipment and things of that nature. Mr. Arbour said they have a revolving budget which will sustain what the Administrative Assistant does.
Ms. Szado responded the goal is to not raise the fees. The money to cover the salary will come from increased programs and not from increased fees on the existing programs.
Mr. Brassard stated the town does pay a portion of the Administrative Assistant’s salary in the line item budget; it’s either $5,000 or $7,000 with the rest coming from the Parks & Rec. Revolving Account. Increasing the hours from 19 to 30 per week will be an additional $10,000 per year to fund the health insurance benefits and other benefits that go along with that package.
Dr. Smith questioned if it would be more prudent to increase the seasonal help to free up Mr. Pascale allowing him more time to do this work, rather than increase hours creating a union position, and with the added costs of the health insurance, etc.
Mr. Morrell said he felt it was important to have Mr. Pascale out in the field working.
Mr. Arbour explained the seasonal help can only work sixteen weeks, and then they have to hire someone else for another sixteen weeks and the equipment they use can be tricky to work with.
Mr. Arbour responded the increase in hours would also allow the Administrative Assistant to work some nights, since most people work during the day and can’t get in to the office.
Mr. Brassard said he spoke with Finance Director Deborah Mahar and they are comfortable with approving this funding wise.
Mr. Morrell made a motion to approve the increase in hours for the Administrative Assistant from 19 hours to 30 hours. Mr. Harrison seconded. A VOTE was taken: Mr. Harrison – aye, Mr. Morrell – aye, Dr. Smith nay
Dr. Smith explained he didn’t want to approve it without more information, actual numbers and the feasibility of it.
It was noted Parks and Rec. Superintendent Tim Pascale couldn’t attend tonight’s meeting due to a coaching obligation.
M.G.L. c. 138 10:00 A.M. Sunday Opening Time Change Request:
Dr. Smith made a motion to approve the change in hours to allow Adams Discount Liquors and A-1 Package & Market Store to open at 10:00 a.m. on Sundays instead of the current opening time of 12:00 noon. Mr. Morrell seconded and it was unanimously VOTED.
Memorial Hall Asbestos Removal:
Mr. Brassard explained this removal of asbestos in Memorial Hall is outside the scope of the original work. When some of the electrical upgrades began, it was discovered that the asbestos came into conflict in the areas they were going to be working on, therefore this needs to be cleaned up before the electrical work can continue into the basement area and over by the boiler. This expense has been approved by the Finance Committee from the reserve for appropriation fund at a request of $11,400.00 to complete the clean-up. Three bids were received, with the lowest bid coming in at $8,700.00. Mr. Brassard explained there are certain legal stipulations the bidders have to meet in order to do this work, and this company is a qualified company to perform the work.
Dr. Smith made a motion to approve the contract with Baystate Contracting Services as written, for the removal of asbestos at Memorial Hall in the amount of $8,700.00. Mr. Morrell seconded and it was unanimously VOTED.
In New Business to Come Before the Board:
- Mr. Brassard reminded everyone the Special Town Meeting will be held on Monday, November 10th.
- Mr. Brassard said the next scheduled meeting for the Board of Selectmen falls on November 11th which is Veteran’s Day. The Board agreed unanimously to cancel that meeting and reschedule it for the following Tuesday, November 18th. It was agreed to keep the scheduled meeting for November 25th with the option of cancelling that meeting if there isn’t anything pressing.
- Mr. Brassard said the dispatch, and hopefully the Police Department, will be moving into the new facility on November 5th. The Town Offices will be moving on November 13th and 14th.
- Mr. Morrell noted he is in agreement with the decision of the Board at the previous meeting to not increase the fees charged by the Selectmen’s Office.
Correspondence was read and completed.
At 7:55 p.m., Dr. Smith made a motion to adjourn from open session to go into executive session to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation – pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, Section 21 (3), not to return to open session. Mr. Morrell seconded and it was unanimously VOTED.
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John R. Morrell, Clerk
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