MONSON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2003
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen convened at 7:00 p.m. in the Conference Room at 110 Main Street. In attendance were Richard E. Guertin, James R. Manning and Kathleen C. Norbut. Also present were Town Counsel, the Town Administrator and the Media.
Mr. Guertin noted the minutes of September 9, 2003 Open Session, were more than accurate in regards to the item on the last page referring to the three roads that are getting speed zones. What appears in the minutes is more detailed than Mr. Guertin actually stated at the meeting. His summary was basically the types of speeds that would be posted on each road. It was agreed to leave this in the minutes. Ms. Norbut made a motion to accept the meeting minutes of September 9, 2003, Open and Executive Sessions. Mr. Manning seconded and it was so VOTED.
Police Chief McKenzie, Animal Control Officer Rebecca Ziegler and William Swift approached the Board of Selectmen regarding a complaint by Mr. Swift against dogs owned by Thomas and Mary Boudreau. Mr. and Mrs. Boudreau were not present at this hearing. Ms. Neggers stated they did receive a certified notice regarding this hearing on September 11, 2003 as she had a receipt of that certified being signed for. Mr. Albano swore in all the parties involved.
Mr. Swift stated he lives on the end of Ely Road, which is kind of steep. His neighbor has two small dogs. One appears to be a Jack Russell Terrier and the other is a small brown dog. Mr. Swift said his neighbors repeatedly let these dogs out and they bark for hours on end during the daylight hours. Mr. Swift said they start barking anywhere from 7:00 a.m. up to 9:00 p.m. The majority of this time the owners are home. The dogs are very excitable and don’t stop barking for more than 10 to 15 seconds. Mr. Swift has called the Police Department many times and sent e-mails to Chief McKenzie. Mr. Swift said the Police Department have sent an Officer up to the house to suggest the owners of the dogs move them to the other side of their home as no one lives on the other side, it is just woods. This only lasted for a week
or two. The last time it lasted for a month. Mr. Swift said the problem is his house is lower due to the slopping landscape, so the dogs are level with his house. When the dogs bark, he has to turn up the volume on his television set to drown out the noise of the dogs. Mr. Swift stated two other neighbors have also called regarding the noise of the dogs.
Mr. Guertin questioned if Mr. Swift had approached the owners of the dogs regarding this problem. Mr. Swift responded the police have and he has corresponded by e-mail back and forth. One of the e-mails stated the owners would be willing to put the dogs on the other side of their yard, but Mr. Swift added this doesn’t last.
Mr. Guertin asked how long this has been going on. Mr. Swift replied a good year. This past spring the neighbors purchased the second dog, which is the little Jack Russell and this was “ the straw that broke the camels back.” Now he has two dogs next door to him that bark incisively. Mr. Swift said some of his neighbors were going to attend this hearing, as they are also aggravated, but were unable to as they are in Maine on vacation.
Chief McKenzie stated this is basically an accurate summary of what has been going on. Chief McKenzie also provided the Board of Selectmen with a copy of the dispatch logs to that address regarding the complaints on the dogs and the times the officers tried to mediate this. They officers also tried to explain to the lady of the house that if the dogs were placed on the other side of the yard, it would be much less of an issue, if any issue at all. Chief McKenzie did tell Mr. Swift that the owners appear to be receptive and he doesn’t know what broke down in the peace talks, but apparently this isn’t the case anymore. Chief McKenzie said Officer Allenburg was there twice on the evening of September 7th, once at 9:42 and again at 10:00. After the officer was there the first time, Mr. Swift informed
Chief McKenzie that the barking was more aggravating as retaliation on the neighbor’s part, and they tried to mediate this. Mrs. Boudreau claimed, at that time, that she had brought the dogs to a location closer to the house and Mr. Swift felt by doing so, made the dogs bark even more and louder.
Chief McKenzie said the Police Department has tried to mediate this the best they can and just haven’t had much luck, which is why this case is before the Board of Selectmen tonight.
Mr. Manning said he has read all the e-mails sent back and forth and all of the complaints and felt that since the owners aren’t here to defend the situation, it’s pretty easy.
Ms. Norbut questioned if the dogs are restrained on the side of the property that abuts him during this time. Mr. Swift said the majority of the time, yes. They have a dog run. The dogs are only a couple hundred feet from his house, but due to the incline of the property, the dogs are level with his window.
Ms. Norbut asked Mr. Swift what has happened when he has spoken directly to the neighbors. Mr. Swift responded, complete defiance. He isn’t really on speaking terms with the neighbors. The rest of the neighborhood is great and he gets along fine with them. However, Mr. and Mrs. Boudreau just don’t seem to be too receptive to anyone’s complaints, including his. Mr. Swift added, when the dogs are on the other side of the property, it seems to work for a period of time, and then Mr. and Mrs. Boudreau go back to their old ways.
Mr. Guertin questioned the options of the Board of Selectmen and wondered if the Selectmen have the right to take the dogs for failure to comply if the dogs aren’t kept on the other side of the yard as ordered. Mr. Albano said at that point, he would recommend going to court to seek some kind of court order to have the dogs permanently restrained or moved. Mr. Albano added this is clearly a nuisance and falls under the umbrella as the same type of case as a vicious dog. Mr. Albano said it was unfortunate that the dog owners didn’t attend this meeting to present something in their defense and added the Board of Selectmen have every right to deem these dogs as a nuisance and order them restrained.
Mr. Guertin asked if the Board of Selectmen could order the dogs to be muzzled making it more difficult for them to bark. Mr. Albano responded he would have to review that, but he suspects not.
Mr. Albano read the Massachusetts General Law covering this which is the same as a vicious dog, into the record. Mr. Albano said after reading this, the Board of Selectmen do have the right to order the dogs to be disposed of. Mr. Guertin said he was thinking more of just having the dog picked up and brought to the dog pound if the dogs were found to be on the wrong side of the house again. Mr. Albano said the Board of Selectmen would have to send a written notice of the decision to the dog owners. If the Board of Selectmen ordered the dogs to be disposed of, the owners would have ten days to appeal that decision in court. The initial step tonight, if the Board of Selectmen deem the dogs a nuisance and ordered them restrained, that is step number one. The dog owner would have the right to appeal this decision as well.
Mr. Guertin said he would like the dog officer to be able to take some action here if the barking continues as Mr. Swift has been listening to it for a long time now.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to order Thomas and Mary Boudreau to restrain their dogs at their residence to the southerly/up-hill side of their house to prevent the nuisance created by the barking. Failure to do so will result in the removal of the dogs by the Animal Control Officer. Mr. Manning seconded and it was so VOTED.
The next item on the agenda was to award the bid of the Teen Center to Reed Coles. Mr. Coles approached the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Guertin said he read the article in the newspaper and that it sounded like Monson had a win-win situation here with his bid and what he plans to do with the building. Ms. Neggers said by way of background, the Board of Selectmen have voted to deem the Teen Center property, surplus and to put it our to competitive bid process, establishing a minimum bid of $110,000.00. A request for proposals was drafted with the requirements included. It was advertised in the Central Register on August 13th and advertised in the Springfield Republican on August 21st and on August 28th. A walk through, with limited interest shown, was done with a few people. A bid opening was
done on September 17th. One bid was received, which was from Reed Coles Custom Remodeling and Restoration. It met the minimum bid criteria of $110,000.00. It included the 10% deposit by certified check and included the other documents, which needed to be submitted as well. As Procurement Officer, Ms. Neggers recommended the Board of Selectmen vote to award the bid to Reed Coles Custom Remodeling and Restoration for the bid price of $110,000.00.
Ms. Norbut read the statement from Reed Coles to the Board of Selectmen into the record for the benefit of the people listening. Mr. Coles added he just wants to beautify the town.
Mr. Manning made a motion to award the bid of the former Teen Center to Reed Coles Custom Remodeling and Restoration at the bid price of $110,000.00. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
The next item on the agenda was to appoint full-time Firefighter/EMT Kevin Brown. Fire Chief Marshall Harris and Mr. Brown approached the Board of Selectmen. Chief Harris said Nancy Kida, who has been a full-time EMT/Firefighter for 14 years, has decided to retire. October 8th will be her last day. In staying with the town hiring policy, Chief Harris said he is hiring from within. He posted the position and three candidates applied for the position. After a lot of consideration, he felt Kevin Brown would be the best person for the position. Therefore, he is recommending Mr. Brown be appointed a full-time EMT/FIGHTER. Chief Harris stated Mr. Brown is presently an EMT and has just completed the Fire Academy. He is presently in the EMTI program. Mr. Brown has been on the Monson Fire Department for four years and
is very dedicated.
Ms. Neggers asked how lone the EMTI program runs. Mr. Brown responded about a years between classroom time, ambulance and emergency room time. Ms. Neggers asked if there was adequate coverage between all the towns’ legal requirements and Chief Harris responded, yes.
Ms. Norbut asked Mr. Brown what was moving him toward this position. Mr. Brown said he feels this is a really great opportunity for him. He has been very dedicated and really enjoys helping people and this line of work. Ms. Norbut added she could very confidently speak for Mr. Brown as she had him as a student some years back and more recently he was present for a brush fire on her property in April. Ms. Norbut added it is good to see someone from town and who really cares about the town, receive this type of position.
Mr. Manning made a motion to appoint Kevin Brown as a full-time EMT/Firefighter effective October 2, 2003 through June 30, 2004. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
John Morrell approached the Board of Selectmen to discuss the possibility of creating a Capital Account for the Highway Department for different needs. Mr. Morrell said what is stirring this is his concern for the current condition of the equipment in the Highway Department and a rapidly deteriorating Highway infrastructure in our town. Mr. Morrell felt he wouldn’t be doing his duty if he didn’t publicly make everyone aware of this situation which is occurring. Mr. Morrell said he is not destitute, but is suggesting the town institute some kind of plan to address these needs before the town gets into a crisis situation. He gave a brief presentation stating he is asking for the Board of Selectmen’s support in creating and funding this account. He feels a plan should be in place to act rather than to
re-act every time the Highway Department needs to purchase a large piece of equipment that no one planned on and therefore, no funds are in line for. Mr. Morrell said the Board of Selectmen have taken some action on the Fire Departments’ needs by doing bonding and so on. Also, years ago the Police Department was given annual funding that was used to purchase at least one new cruiser every year. Also, the town built three brand new schools, moved the Municipal Offices into a newly renovated building. Mr. Morrell stated the Highway Department is the last major department left that he thinks is not forgotten, but its needs also must be addressed, and it is coming up on them fast. The uses he is proposing, if this account could be created, would be for the purchase of equipment on a yearly basis, with road repairs and resurfacing combined into it. He would also like to see monies spent on a designed for grant programs. By designs for grant programs, Mr. Morrell said he
doesn’t mean hundreds of thousands of dollars, but rather two, three, four or five thousand dollars. Whatever is needed at that particular time to do some preliminary work on designs for town owned bridges, which the state would end up funding the actual design and replacement or restoration of. This is called a “foot print” program. Mr. Morrell said he feels this would be money well spent, which could be set aside so they could be tapped for a resource such as the aforementioned. If the Highway Department were to have a separate Capital account, it would make it easier for the smaller departments to compete against each other rather than against a big department like the Highway Department for funds.
Mr. Morrell handed the Selectmen a list of equipment currently owned by the Highway Department, showing the age, mileage and hours. Mr. Morrell explained the first section included twenty pieces of rolling stock. The next section is the winter equipment, which includes sanders, snowplows, etc. Some of the snowplows date back to the 1950’s and 1960’s. Mr. Morrell said there are twenty-five pieces of snow removal equipment here. The next section is miscellaneous equipment which is under $5,000.00 a year, with some pieces being several hundred dollars up to $5,000.00 to replace, which are really not Capital items. Mr. Morrell explained he tries to fund these items through his annual budget. The prior forty-five items are Capital items, which cost $5,000.00, or more to replace. This list also included an
evaluation report on the conditions of the roads and Mr. Morrell said he would like to include road repairs and resurfacing work in this account. Mr. Morrell stated on June 4, 2002, the town was given a graph as part of the information received form the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission survey, which was done on the town roads. According to the graph, 68% of the roads in Monson are in poor condition. 21% are in fair condition and 11% are in good to excellent condition, of the 31 miles of roadway surveyed. Therefore, Mr. Morrell feels work really must be done on our roads as we are falling behind. The other report which Mr. Morrell gave the Board of Selectmen a little over a year ago, in July of 2002, revealed that out of the other remaining 77 miles of road, a little over 53% are in poor condition. The actual proposal Mr. Morrell has is a five-year Capital plan that he feels this should be up-dated every year. Going beyond five years, you are really starting to do a lot of
guesswork and it isn’t that accurate on prices or needs. The five-year plan involves not only replacing the equipment, but includes doing a little roadwork each year as well. In 2005, the first year, just to replace equipment that is in bad shape is $210,000.00. After that, the roadwork and replacement of equipment is $110,000.00 on a yearly basis. Depending on the equipment that needs replacement will determine how much roadwork can be done for that year. Mr. Morrell said our roads are the backbone of our economy, quality of life and public safety in this town. Mr. Morrell said there is 112 ½ miles of public way in Monson. Six and one half miles are State Highway, the remaining 106 miles are town highway.
Mr. Morrell state the town, over the years, has been as fair as it possibly could be with the Highway Department with replacing the equipment with the limited funding the town has had every year. He added, the Finance committee as well, has some of these reports and he has had many talks regarding this with Ms. Neggers.
Mr. Guertin said the numbers on the equipment speak for themselves and some of the questions he has are related to the roadwork itself. Mr. Guertin questioned if there is 106 miles of road and just using the made up figure of 75% for roadwork in a given year, if he takes 75% of 106 miles of road, he has 60 or 70 miles of road that is not in great shape. In the year 2006, Mr. Morrell has allocated $70,000.00 for roadwork and Mr. Guertin wondered how many miles of that 60 or 70 miles of bad road could be redone with $70,000.00. Mr. Morrell responded if you are just resurfacing it, you could probably do about 2 miles. Mr. Manning said Mr. Morrell would still have his Chapter 90 funds and this would just be in addition to what he is already doing. Mr. Morrell added there are years when a truck, backhoe or bucket loader are
going to knock the heck out of $150,000.00 fast and he doesn’t want to go over that. Mr. Morrell said he is confident that if something like this could be instituted at this price level and kept at this level for several years, some headway will be made. At the same time, at the same time, allowing the Highway Department to get away from the dependence of using some of the Chapter 90 funds to purchase equipment. He has spent almost $500,000.00 over the last approximately twelve years on purchasing equipment. Mr. Guertin questioned if the Selectmen agree to do this, five years from now, how many miles of the roads that desperately need work will be accomplished within those five years. Mr. Morrell responded, out of this, you won’t get a lot, but you have freed up all of the chapter 90 money. Mr. Guertin asked how long it would take to catch up. Mr. Morrell said you would never catch up, no town ever catches up. It is impossible. Ms. Neggers said a little over a year ago,
Mr. Morrell came in and had this discussion with the Board of Selectmen giving a very similar presentation. Ms. Neggers said if you do all the roads at once, then they are all going to fail at the same time. It is really a pavement management issue. Mr. Morrell said the idea of this is the money for roadwork would go toward resurfacing work and some minor repairs related to resurfacing that must be done. This would include the replacement of existing drainage and so on. The Chapter 90 money would go toward this type of work and reconstruction. Mr. Morrell said for example, the Highway Department is currently working on Cote Road. A bid went out for doing eleven hundred feet of road and the bid was $204,000.00. This includes drainage and reconstruction of the road. Mr. Morrell said he would like to spend a dime now to save a dollar later. Ms. Neggers stated right now, the town has no money. In about 1992 the town had a $100,000.00 Capital Account. This account has been maintained
util this fiscal year. Now, it has been absorbed. Trying to get this back into the budget Ms. Neggers said will be extremely challenging. The town has a $600,000.00 structural deficit that the town is working on. Ms. Neggers also added that she doesn’t think anyone doesn’t understand the need here, but it is just that the town just doesn’t have the money right now.
Ms. Norbut said this past weekend she attended the Annual Selectmen’s Conference. One of the very top priorities was the MMA urged the Governor to release the Chapter 90 funds. At an earlier meeting this past spring, the Lieutenant Governor was there and they say they recognize the infrastructure of the roads and the highways as an enormous issue. After sitting on the Finance Committee for a few years and seeing this, Ms. Norbut said she knows this is not a function Capital plan and feels it is important for Mr. Morrell to come forward to educate the community on the needs. Ms. Norbut stated she feels there needs to be a Capital plan in place for the equipment if not for anything else. She feels that anything the Board of Selectmen do, needs to be done in tandem with the Finance Committee and to have that plan
coming together. Ms. Norbut added she doesn’t see the structures in the policies in the community as being any competition between departments, she sees it as trying to figure out how to have it blend and use the resources we have, so our voters are educated and aware of the need. Ms. Norbut said it is going to be a long step by step process.
Mr. Morrell said he was thinking of proposing an override vote, if possible, to raise the $150,000.00 per year needed. This would cost each taxpayer $35.00 per $100,000.00 evaluation per house. This is one way to do it outside the budget. Mr. Morrell said he doesn’t know if this would have a lot of support, but believes it would as everyone uses the roads every single day of their lives. Ms. Norbut added it is a town of Monson issue, but it is also a state issue. Ms. Neggers said the concern now is, Monson is falling further behind after we had made great progress during the 1990’s with the lose of the Capital account with no belief that we will be able to restore it anytime soon. Ms. Neggers added the town doesn’t anticipate a great fiscal year next year, anymore than it is this current year. She said
we have been piecing things together, carefully monitoring our debt services and trying to roll over the two bonds that we do have. Ms. Neggers said one option would be to poll the other departments of their Capital needs.
Mr. Morrell said four of his six sanders, in about a week and a half, are going to undergo substantial renovations.
Ms. Norbut said she supports a Capital plan for the Highway Department and also to poll the other departments and to bring that issue forward to the Finance Committee as this issue needs to be seriously considered. She also said we need to continue with this information, or the education campaign, to the community and to our legislatures.
Mr. Morrell said when a large item goes; it drains your reserves. You need the backhoe and grader and so on to maintain the town roads.
Ms. Neggers said there are other critical needs as well, such as radio equipment, vehicles for other town departments, buildings, etc.
The next item on the agenda was to review and approve the part-time Treasurer’s clerical position job description. Ms. Neggers said this has been developed in conjunction with the Treasurer, Betty Sloope. Ms. Sloope provided the original input. This is a modification of the Assistant Treasurers job, eliminating some of the more responsible components of it and making it more of a support position and was put into the format of the entire town standard job descriptions. It includes the ADA requirement and all of the appropriate disclaimers including all other work related, as required, which is in every job description for the Town of Monson.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to accept the job description of the part-time Treasurer’s Clerk as submitted. Mr. Manning seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Neggers said the only other component was they would like to advertise this position immediately as working alone is getting a little bit challenging for Ms. Sloope. Ms. Neggers said after reviewing this with Ms. Sloope and the Town Accountant, they are proposing to keep the pay rate within the union scale at a Step 1 grade 1, which is the lowest paid union position. This will be within the union scale even though it is not a union position, at $9.91 per hour.
Ms. Norbut questioned if someone would have some flexibility over the hours, if for instance they had young children in school. Ms. Neggers said Ms. Sloope would work pretty closely with that and the town certainly has established a practice of accommodating and being a flexible employer. Ms. Neggers said she would proceed with the advertising as agreed.
A discussion took place regarding the needs and scheduling for a special Town Meeting. Ms. Neggers stated traditionally there has been a Town Meeting in the fall in order to complete the budget process. There are a number of items requiring funding, most specifically the needs to finish funding Pathfinder. The Finance Committee is aware that this would probably be a requirement at the Annual Town Meeting. Ms. Neggers said she received a telephone call from Dr. Pace and Monson’s assessment was reduced by a little over $17,000.00. We had anticipated funding an additional $62,000.00 and this amount has been reduced by the $17,000.00. Ms Neggers added this is good news and we appreciate that action by the Pathfinder School Committee. Ms. Neggers said the town also needs to appropriate $5,000.00 to the Fire and Reference
Account. This is the money sent to the state because the state raised all of the fees. $25,000.00 for out-of-district student placement, and also anticipated is about $30,000.00 in additional funding for the Health Insurance Account due to the shifting of employees. These are the only known items the Selectmen have so far. Ms. Neggers said the Planning Board has scheduled public hearings in October for a number of proposed bylaw changes. She thinks there are three of them. Mr. Guertin said there are three bylaw changes and they also want to present the recotafication package at this same meeting. Ms. Neggers said she didn’t know how this could be done as it requires a public hearing prior to the Special Town Meeting and must be advertised for two weeks. Mr. Guertin said he feels fairly strongly that this has to happen. Ms. Neggers said the Town Meeting must he held before December 1st as this is when the Assessors will be having their public hearing with the Board
of Selectmen on the classification of rates for the taxes. Ms. Neggers stated a Town Meeting could either be held on Monday November 17th or November 24th.
Mr. Guertin said he would like to pick a date that would allow the Planning board as much time as possible.
Mr. Manning made a motion to set the date for the Special Town Meeting for Monday, November 24, 2003, at Granite Valley Middle School at 7:00 p.m. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
A memo will be sent out notifying the departments that the Board of Selectmen, at their meeting of October 14th, will open the warrants and that articles will be reviewed on October 14th and October 28th.
The next item on the agenda was the heat pump for the Town vault. Ms. Neggers said she and Nancy Morrell have been working for a couple of years on the conditions in Memorial Town Hall. This is where the most valuable and historical records are kept. There are original records dating back to the 1700’s. There has been a real issue with the climate control unit there. The state mandates certain levels of humidity, heat, etc., in order to protect the records. The current unit was installed many decades ago. No one knows for sure just how old it is, but it is obsolete. Parts can no longer be purchased for it, it leaks and really is not working. In Ms. Morrell’s letter, she states she is having problems with mold, mildew and webs throughout the vault. Ms. Neggers said she spoke with T. J. Conway, who is under
contract with the town for all the heating and air conditioning in the Town Administration Building as well as in Memorial Hall. She asked if they could put together a proposal for an alternative that would solve the problem at the Town vault and the Board of Selectmen had a copy of this. The proposal is to install a 9,000 BTU Mitsubishi heat pump for heating, cooling and dehumidifying only. This unit will not humidify. The total cost will be $2,500.00 Ms. Neggers said she has spoken with the Town Accountant about this and Ms. Mahar felt it would be extremely appropriate to take these funds out of the Gifts to the Town Account. It is a one-time use for a long term and it is something that would benefit the whole town, as all the records are kept there.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to authorize the expenditure of $2,500.00 from the Gifts to the Town Account to furnish and install one 9,000 BTU Mitsubishi heat pump to the Monson Town Hall Records vault. Mr. manning seconded and it was so VOTED.
The last item on the agenda was the right of first refusal on a parcel of land. Ms. Neggers said the Board of Selectmen have a copy of a letter that was received from Attorney Paul Barry on be half of Christopher McGill. Mr. McGill purchased the land owned by the estate of Henry Kolowrat. The town thought this was released, but now that Mr. McGill is selling the land, a title search revealed that the town is still holding a lien on this.
Ms. Norbut made a motion the Board of Selectmen release the right of first refusal, 61 A tax lien on deed and reference book 2103 page 129 on the estate of Henry Kolowrat to Christopher McGill. Land that is now known as Lot 11 Longview Drive in Monson, Massachusetts. Mr. Manning seconded and it was so VOTED.
In other business to come before the Board of Selectmen, Ms. Neggers announced on Saturday, October 4th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. the Board of Health will be sponsoring the semi-annual Disposal Day at Quarry Hill Community School on Margaret Street. The Board of Health has issued a lengthy press release regarding this and residents are encouraged to participate.
Also in other business, Ms. Neggers said she had a request from the Monson Tourism Committee asking for permission to do a face-lift to Dave Grieve Park and to the gazebo. Boy Scout Troop 168 have volunteered to scrape and paint the gazebo. The Tourism group would like permission to remove old overgrown shrubs and replace them with more appropriate bushes and provide various decorative plantings and fencing around the gazebo with donations provided by the Monson Rotary club.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to approve the request made by the Monson Tourism Committee Association to make the improvements to Dave Grieve Park. Mr. Manning seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Norbut said she had a request as well. In June the Quaboag Valley Community development Corporation extended an invitation to two members of a community to take advantage of a computer class and she would like to be able to do this. Mr. Guertin said it was okay with him.
Ms. Norbut gave a re-cap of the Annual Selectmen’s Conference she attended this past Saturday at U-MASS Amherst. Ms. Norbut said she found this conference very valuable with the information and sharing the experience with the group that was there. A presentation by the Director of the MMA brought up two issues of concern regarding the State budget and how it effects municipal government. One is, there will be a ballot question coming up in the future to repeal the excise tax. People should become educated on the impact it would have and how it will affect services if we lose it. The second issue they suggested everyone becomes informed upon is a ballot question having to do with binding arbitration, which is a motion for Police and Fire unions. This would be an unfunded mandate. The MMA has been working very hard
with the Legislature to take a look at how unfunded mandates affect municipalities. Purchasing was discussed as a way towns could start to save money, as well as impact bargaining, unfunded mandates, consolidation of services, and Health Insurance and drastic increases in it.
Ms. Neggers added the binding arbitration takes away the right of the people to make that decision on behalf of the community. It is a local control by the voters.
Correspondence was read and completed.
At 8:40 p.m., Ms. Norbut made a motion to adjourn the meeting from Open Session to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing collective bargaining/AFSCME, not to return to Open Session. Mr. Manning seconded and it was so VOTED.
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Kathleen C. Norbut, Clerk
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