HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS (SEMRECC) 04/10/2019Select Board Meeting Minutes
SEMRECC Update
April 10, 2019
Present: Mr. Michael Trowbridge, Chairman; Mr. Jess Aptowitz, Vice -Chairman; and Mr. Steve Schoonveld, Clerk.
Mr. Frank DelVecchio and Mr. Neil Rhein were not present.
Also Present: Mr. William Keegan, Foxboro Town Manager, Mr. Connor Reed, Easton Town Administrator, Mr. Mike
Yunits, Norton Town Manager, and Mr. Kevin Dumas, Mansfield Town Manager. The Selectmen/Select Boards of
Norton, Easton and Foxboro were also present.
1. Call To Order Select Board Meeting
Motion: To open the Select Board meeting at 5:55PM. (Schoonveld/Aptowitz) Passes 3:0
2. SEMRECC Update with the Towns of Foxboro, Norton and Easton
Mr. William Keegan introduced the SEMRECC Board and then he asked everyone present to introduce themselves.
Mr. Rob Verdone provided a presentation to update all four towns of the progress that has been made since the last
time that everyone met. He began by stating that the High Rock location was purchased for $10 and the design of
the site was underway and will be out for bid in a few months. The construction time will be eight to ten months. He
stated that there are two other towns that may be interested in joining SEMRECC, but they remain anonymous at
this time. He noted that the High Rock location will allow for expansion with little construction. The location is
already proven to be effective with direct line of site to Regional Homeland Security in Fall River as well as the
Prudential Center in Boston.
Mr. Verdone then introduced Erick Berg who was appointed as the Deputy Director by the SEMRECC Board. He also
stated that four operations supervisors have been hired and the phase one officers. The average length of service
was ten years amongst the group; many are from the member communities and are certified EMT's, paramedics,
firefighters and police officers. They have begun training to learn landmarks, the duplicate street names and have
started emergency medical dispatch recertification. Mr. Verdone stated the District's operation budget for FY20 iss
$1.7 million and $687,346 was from grants, leaving $1.2 million assessment that will be divided amongst Mansfield
and Foxboro. He noted that the grant money is from surcharges on phone bills. He then explained the traditional
grant process, in the past there has been approximately $15 million available and $65 million in requests.
Mr. Keegan thanked Mr. Verdone and his staff for the work that has been completed so far and noted that if more
communities join SEMRECC the less it will cost each community. Representative Barrows congratulated them on
breaking new ground and noted that the constituents will be well served by this state of the art technology. Senator
Feeney stated that this project was well under way before he started but was here to support in the grant process
at the State. Mr. Verdone also confirmed that on July V SEMRECC will be starting operations at a transitional site
for Foxboro and Mansfield and there will be no down time to either community during moves.
Lastly, Mr. Verdone discussed the need for each community to approve an IMA Amendment to remove the
references of 50 West Street and leave the location agnostic. The Mansfield Select Board did not take a vote as it
was not posted on the agenda to do so, but it would be considered as an agenda item at the April 17, 2019 meeting.
3. Any Items Not Anticipated 48 Hours in Advance
There were no items.
4. Adjourn
Motion: To adjourn the Seleef Board meeting at 6:4413M. (Aptowitz/Schoonveld) Passes 3:0
Signature Date
Minutes prepared by Carrie Champagne