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Meeting of 2003-05/13
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, MAY 13, 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. Manning made a motion to accept the meeting minutes of April 22, 2003 Open and Executive sessions as well as the Open meeting minutes of January 9, 2003 budget session. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.

A hearing commenced at 7:05 p.m. for pole petition #7769 – Thayer Road – for the installation of one new pole. Tony Sasur, of Massachusetts Electric, did not attend this hearing. Ms. Norbut read the petition into the record. There was no public comment or input. The Water/Sewer Department had expressed no objection to the pole location, however, the Highway Department did. Mr. Morrell stated the location is too close to a culvert and would like the pole located at least 6 feet from the proposed site. Mr. Manning made a motion to approve the petition contingent upon the approval of the Highway Surveyor. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.

A hearing commenced regarding a complaint from Sarah Hatch of 141 Peck Bros. Road, against a dog owned by Alex Roseweir of 100 Peck Bros. Road. Alex Roseweir and his daughter Katherine, Sarah and Russell Hatch and Chief McKenzie approached the Board of Selectmen. Town Counsel placed the witnesses under oath. Mr. Guertin explained the circumstances of this complaint and stated it appears as though Mr. Roseweir’s dog has been loose a couple of times.  Ms. Norbut read Sgt. Shuemakers’ report into the record. On October 7, 2002, an incident took place in which Ms. Hatch’s cat was attacked by this dog, which resulted in a $92.00 veterinarian bill. On March 16, 2003, Mr. Roseweir walked past the Hatch residence holding the same dog by the collar with no leash. Once they were past Ms. Hatch’s property he allowed the dog to run loose. On March 22, 2003, Ms. Hatch observed a neighborhood girl ride her bicycle past Ms. Hatch’s house with her dog loose behind her. Behind her were Mr. Roseweir and his dog “Sheba”. Ms. Hatch’s mother told Mr. Roseweir there is a leash law, which lead to a remark being made by Mr. Roseweir. Chief McKenzie stated there appears to be a history of discord between these two neighbors and he feels that the dog issue is perhaps not the primary motivation for Ms. Hatch’s complaint. The dog is licensed and up to date on his shots.

Mr. Roseweir stated many neighborhood dogs run free. On March 22, 2003 he went for a bicycle ride with his girlfriend, her daughter, his daughter and two neighbors. He had his dog and the neighbor’s dog with them at the time. Neither dog was leashed but were under control at all times. As they rode past Ms. Hatch’s house, Ms. Hatch’s mother because of the dogs being loose verbally assaulted them. That afternoon a police officer was at his home due to this incident and stated he was told at that time Ms. Hatch was going to file a complaint with the Selectmen’s Office. Mr. Roseweir stated no mention was made of the neighbor’ dog that was also with them and loose at the same time. Mr. Roseweir stated on October 7, 2002, his daughter went to Ms. Hatch’s house to play with her daughter. She took her dog along with her as she usually does to play with Ms. Hatch’s dog. While at her house, Mr. Roseweir’s dog saw a cat and chased it up a tree. The cat fell off the tree as it was climbing and Mr. Roseweir’s dog attacked it. Mr. Roseweir said his daughter wasn’t even aware the cat was injured. His dog is always tied when no one is at home and is only allow loose when supervised.

Mr. Manning stated the issue is the dog was not leashed. There may be other dogs in the neighborhood that roam, but there haven’t been any complaints against them.

Mr. Manning made a motion that Mr. Roseweir restrains his dog 100% of the time. This was amended after further discussion in which Mr. Roseweir stated he felt as though the dog should be allowed to run loose on his property to play ball and so on. Chief McKenzie stated his opinion of the law is, once a dog leaves his residence the dog must be restrained. If the dog were to show viciousness it should be restrained at all times. In this case there is no vicious history with this dog. Mr. Albano stated any Judge would look for a pattern. Mr. Guertin added this motion might be too severe in this case. The motion was amended to have Mr. Roseweir restrain his dog 100% of the time whenever the dog is taken off his property. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.

Eliza Squires approached the Board of Selectmen. Miss Squires had attended a previous Selectmen’s meeting regarding a Girl Scout Gold Award she was trying to achieve. At that time, the Board of Selectmen voted to match the funds she raised up to $500.00. Ms. Squires was here tonight to say she had reached her goal of $500.00 and is now ready for the match from the town. Ms. Squires also stated Hilary Price would be coming to the Monson Free Library as part of her Gold Award project. Ms. Price writes a cartoon, which is printed in the newspaper called “Rhymes with Orange”.

The Destination Imagination team approached the Board of Selectmen with a request for a donation from the town to help out with their trip to the World Finals in Knoxville, Tennessee. A total of $7,000.00 is needed. The team has held car washes, sold raffle tickets, held can and bottle drives and asked many businesses to sponsor them. They have just broken the $5,000.00 mark. They are giving back to the community by participating in the trash pickup day. Mr. Kaiser, whom was in the audience, stated this has been a program that has been ongoing for several years. He feels this is a great opportunity for these students and a tribute for the entire town to be represented so well. Mr. Greene added Statewide this team had to beat out 180 other teams in order to get to second place.  

Ms. Norbut made a motion to donate $1,000.00 from the Gifts to the Town Account to help with this endeavor. Mr. Manning seconded and it was so VOTED.

Tom Greene approached the Board of Selectmen for a discussion regarding the Teen Center status. Mr. Guertin stated he spoke with Mr. Greene prior to him coming in for this meeting. He mention to him there is an article that will come up at the Town Meeting on June 2nd, where town voters will be asked for permission to sell the existing Teen Center building. A number of businesses have expressed an interest in this building. Mr. Guertin stated he told Mr. Greene that he personally was supporting the sale of this building primarily because he doesn’t think it is the best location for a Teen Center, along with the fact that at this point the town could use some revenue. Mr. Guertin said he did have further discussion with Mr. Greene about some alternatives. What Mr. Guertin suggested was, he felt the Selectmen in general would welcome someone looking at starting a Teen Center and coming up with a proposal that they could ultimately present to the Selectmen. The success of the Teen Center approach to him would be geared more into the kinds of programs presented as opposed to the building itself.

Mr. Greene said he has gotten together with a group of interested people from Monson to discuss what they would like to try to do as far as getting a Teen Center started back up again. Their immediate concern is what remains are left over of the old Teen Center. One of the items they wanted to discuss was the disposition of the contents of the Teen Center as they have accumulated a lot of stuff over the years. Mr. Greene added some of the stuff would be really nice to have in a future Teen Center, such as the television, pool table, snack bar, photography equipment, chairs, furniture, band equipment, etc. Basically everything in it that is worth anything, all of which was donated. Mr. Guertin asked where this would be stored while they are working on this project. Mr. Greene said they, as a group, would be willing to put it in storage, but they don’t have any specific location as yet.

Mr. Greene said another issue would be, assuming the voters say yes to placing this building up for sale, due to the time and effort put into the building itself by the residents of Monson as well as the material donated by businesses in Monson, were wondering if they could get some kind of percentage from that sale to use in starting a new Teen Center. Mr. Guertin asked what kind of percentage they were looking for. Mr. Greene responded he wasn’t sure, they would have to discuss this. Ms. Neggers stated any proceeds gained from the sale of a town asset, such as property, can only be expended on a purpose that you can bond for five years or more, as this is held in a reserve account. This could be used on a capital expenditure. Ms. Neggers said this would have to be something the State would allow you to borrow on for five years or more. Typically, with a five-year bond the town would purchase fire equipment, highway equipment, make improvements and so on. Mr. Greene said this fits into what they were thinking, as they don’t want to use the money to maintain the Teen Center or to use it on programs. They would like to use the money on how it was originally used, to start a building or rehab a building for the new Teen Center.  Ms. Neggers said generally, this money is used for a town purpose and she would have to get a legal opinion as to whether or not Special Capital Funds could be given over to a private entity. Mr. Guertin asked Mr. Greene if he was thinking of the Teen Center as a private entity as opposed to a Town sponsored entity. Mr. Greene responded he would like to explore this, as he wasn’t sure how the town would be involved in the Teen Center. Mr. Greene said some of the advantages of being involved with the town are the insurance and so on. The group has been exploring some places to rent as an interim solution and don’t see the town being able to help out there. They have discussed some different places where they could set up again and in that situation, it would be a good fit. Mr. Greene also said he would like to see the Teen Center get back into a town department like they were when the Teen Center was originally started. Mr. Guertin said the contents of the Teen Center could be preserved in some fashion. In regards to the question of the percentage that might come from the sale of the building, perhaps it is too premature in a sense, that wouldn’t they really need to know what they had in mind and what their plan is. Mr. Guertin said he would love to see a plan that said here is what we are proposing, here is what we hope to accomplish over the next two, three, or four years with the Teen Center. Then find a way to actually measure the success in what they are doing. If they pursue this further by saying they were going to rent a place or purchase a place, maybe this would make a difference in the answer to the question he was posing to Ms. Neggers regarding use of the funds from the sale. Mr. Greene said he doesn’t feel as though they are ready to start this kind of project all over again if this building does go up for sale in the near future. Mr. Greene said he just doesn’t want to lose this opportunity to have some money available if and when the time arises. Mr. Guertin said the way the money is used for a capital purchase, the town could possibly use it towards the purchase of another building, but the question would be is the Teen Center going to be a private entity or a town entity? Mr. Guertin also said he spoke with Mr. Greene about the potential use of Hillside School as an alternative as a starting point and said it would also have to be looked at by the School Department. Mr. Greene said they could make out a plan. Ms. Norbut asked Mr. Greene if there were any reason why the group wouldn’t want to pursue Hillside School as it is a public building and paying rent would cover the issues of liabilities.  Mr. Greene said what he has been hearing about in using one of the schools as a prospective Teen Center site is that the kids spend all day in school. Mr. Guertin said Hillside is not theoretically a school at the moment. Mr. Greene said his vision for the Teen Center is more of a nightspot for the teens. For it to be successful you have to make it attractive to the kids, much like a place would be attractive to an adult. Mr. Guertin questioned afternoon programs for the teens and if they would offer any. Mr. Greene said there is already an afternoon program for teens and didn’t want to duplicate anything already going on. Shelly Greene, whom was in the audience, said they are trying to set up programs at Hillside now for the Middle School children. She believes the Teen Center would be a big success if it were away from the school. They are looking at a place for evening recreation. Mr. Guertin said he would welcome some kind of proposal if the team could put something together as to here is what we have in mind. He would also be curious as to the basic question of does the proposal see town involvement or a separate entity. Ms. Norbut said what would be helpful is to have scenario’s that would build out both how they would be able to proceed privately and how they would be able to proceed publicly if there were funding. Ms. Norbut added, after being on the Finance Committee Board and knowing what the needs of the town are, having public money being dedicated to teen entertainment is probably low on the priority list and this is one of the reasons the Teen Center was cut. What Ms. Norbut has heard at meetings, is that there is a very strong will to continue this program and people said they would do it privately. They just need a place to do it. She said she would also support the contents of the old Teen Center going to the group to start a new Teen Center. Mr. Guertin stated in regards to the entertainment aspect, when bands were brought in, sometimes more than one on a night, these bands had a following. Sometimes kids from other towns would come in because they liked that particular band. There were instances on more than one occasion where there were probably more teens from out of town than in town. Mr. Guertin’s own concern was are we really providing for the teens in Monson or are we providing for teens of other towns? Secondly, if you are bringing in that many teens from different towns, especially to this one area, what is the potential for having a problem that now the town gets involved in with by the Police Department going there.  Mr. Guertin also stated he received telephone calls from parents who would drive their teens down, assuming they were going to the Teen Center, and either the Teen Center wasn’t open or the kids never went in. This created another potential issue for the town. Ms. Greene said the Teen Center role should be more of a problem solver. If problems can’t be solved in the Teen Center, than that’s when they call the parents to come in to pick up the children. Mr. Greene said he has dealt with all of these issues before and it is just a matter of implementing procedures.

Ms. Norbut said she felt very comfortable with handing over the contents of the Teen Center. Her concern was with the percentage of the sale.  Ms. Norbut stated the Teen Center has roughly $5,000.00 in an account that was left and when the building is sold perhaps they could then visit the Selectmen for a donation from the Gifts to the Town account as opposed to attaching something to the building as that mechanism is complicated. The last issue of concern is with being privately operated verses publicly owned.

Mr. Guertin stated he also didn’t have a problem with preserving the contents of the building. His concern however was with turning over the contents when they didn’t yet have a proposal and doesn’t know what group would be doing this. He said he would feel comfortable with preserving the contents without losing control of the contents from the town until we know more about exactly how this would work and who would be running it.

Mr. Greene stated he is willing to come back before the Board of Selectmen with a proposal set up as to how they are going to get the Teen Center up and running and what their vision may be for three to four years down the road. He will also do some more work on where they can get set up again and would try to get a budget together. Mr. Guertin asked if he could also include some of the issues discussed here tonight. Mr. Greene agreed to do this. Ms. Neggers said she would like to do a little legal research as well. If the contents are to be given to another group, what are the legalities and what the mechanism would be, as it may require a town meeting vote? On the premise that this is town property, you can’t just give town property away.

Mr. Kaiser said a determination would have to be made as to is this town property, as he doesn’t feel as though it is, as the town never purchased it. It was donated gifts to the Teen Center itself.  Mr. Kaisers’ question regards the mechanism of the sale of the building. Mr. Kaiser stated he understands this must go to a town meeting for the approval to sell the building. But, generally there are two methods to sell a piece of town property. One is sealed bids and the other is open auction. Usually the Board of Selectmen makes a determination as to how much this piece of property is worth and it can not be sold unless this threshold is met. Mr. Kaiser wondered if this would be the case here. Ms. Neggers said as Chief Procurement Officer, much of that would fall under her jurisdiction. She has already thought about this and reviewed it with some of the people here. Before they put the building up for sale, they would have to have a professional appraisal completed on the property. They would use this appraisal to set a minimum bid price. This would then go out to bid at the minimum bid price. If the bids do not come is at that minimum bid price they would then revisit it and decide rather to re-bid it or look at other uses for the property. Their concern is going into next fiscal year as they have a vacant building with extremely high insurance costs. If it doesn’t sell, they can either try to sell it again at a lower price, look at using it for another purpose or they could just tear it down. The Selectmen’s Office has received at least half a dozen inquiries from interested parties on this property. Ms. Neggers believes it will be a viable sale if the voters at the Town meeting approve it and she doesn’t anticipate the building not being sold for a competitive market price.

Mr. Greene asked if funds could be set aside from the sale of the building. Ms. Neggers stated she didn’t understand who or what they would be giving the funds to. Massachusetts General Laws are pretty restrictive on allowing public funds to be given over to private entities or even non-profit entities and this just wouldn’t be legal to do. You can’t just give funds away as the law restricts it. This is why they would need a legal opinion and they would have to define who or what they are. You could pay for a service from this, such as the town does, for Valley Human Services. But, in this case it is not for services.

Shelly Greene said she doesn’t understand the Senior Citizens Center and wonders why the Teen Center can’t be set up like that. Ms. Neggers explained a private non-profit corporation owns the building, which is the Home for Aged People, Inc. It has been in existence since the early 1900’s when a woman died and created an endowment with the estate she left. The building was used for a home to people who would give their assets over and in exchange were allowed to live there to be cared for in their old age. The Home for Aged People have a set of by-laws that are incorporated and filed with the Secretary of the State. They are also certified by the IRS as a 501-C-3 non-profit corporation. When the last person residing in the home died, the Monson Home for Aged People entered into a lease agreement with the town. The town leases the property from the Home for the Aged. The Home for the Aged People pays for all of the maintenance and utilities. The town does not have to pay rent, as it is a non-profit corporation whose purpose is to benefit elderly people. It is a town department that leases the property with a formal lease drawn up by a lawyer where everything has been agreed to. This town department pays the telephone bills, salaries and office expenses. The town does not pay for electricity, heat or anything like that on this building. These are two distinct entities who are entered into a legal arrangement.

Ms. Norbut asked Mr. Greene if there have been any private members of the community that have come forward and said they have a building, a barn or any space the Teen Center could use. Mr. Greene stated no, but once this gets into the newspapers maybe someone will come forward.

Mr. Greene agreed to work on some proposals as a team and then agreed to come back with it.

Jose Ometeotl approached the Board of Selectmen to present an update on the Community Development Block Grant programs. Mr. Ometeotl stated under the fiscal 2002 program, there is an extension request pending. There are several items within that program that include the Housing Rehab program, the Teen Advisory Board and the Youth Enrichment project. The ’02 program is ending June 30, 2003, with an extension request to be sent to the DHCD. The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission will meet with department heads this Thursday to discuss the teen job program for the summer. This program will start with ’02 money and the ’03 money that is currently coming in from the state. Mr. Ometeotl also stated they are in dire need of applicants for the Housing Rehab money, which still has “02 funds. Anyone who needs assistance with housing projects such as windows, doors, painting, siding, roofing, plumbing etc. are encouraged to call the PVPC office or the Selectmen’s office which will direct them to the person they should speak with. The First Time Home Buyer program has had a lot of interest. They have had several trainings in Monson and also in Springfield.

Mr. Guertin asked Mr. Ometeotl, for anyone listening that might need windows, doors, etc., if he could give some kind of threshold of who would be eligible. Mr. Ometeotl said the dollar figures depend on the size of the family and are pretty generous.  For a single person living alone, the maximum threshold is $33,000.00 more or less. It varies from there up to six people in a household the threshold is somewhere around $50,000.00. Ms. Neggers added, there is a brochure available with all the guidelines listed on it that anyone can look at and gage whether or not they would be eligible.

Mr. Ometeotl said one person is qualified for the First Time Home Buyers program right now leaving five slots available. They are trying to get more people who attended the workshops qualified to get them involved in finding a home in Monson. An applicant would have to live in Monson.

Ms. Norbut asked about handicapped or elderly that need handicapped modifications. Mr. Ometeotl said if they don’t qualify or it doesn’t fall under rehab work there is another fund available that would be the Handicapped Modifications and Disability Loan Program. In this program they are able to assist residents with making modifications to their home, whether it be to their bathroom, a ramp way, widening doorways, etc.

The ’03 program has an infrastructure project that consists of Green Street, Lincoln Street and Squire Avenue that take up the bulk of the monies allotted to the town. Tata and Howard have been selected as the contractors for this project, which will be overseen by John Morrell, Craig Jalbert and Mr. Ometeotl. Fire Chief Harris has met with Tata and Howard for a project kick off meeting. Unfortunately with the way the state has set up the grants, Mr. Ometeotl stated they haven’t received the funding from Congress yet. The State is holding the Town contract; therefore the work Tata and Howard can do is only minimum. The PVPC is trying to put pressure on the State to get this contract back. Major work is planned at this site. Mr. Guertin asked Mr. Morrell if this project were to get delayed too long, would it cause more of a delay if they were apt to run into weather problems? Mr. Morell said not unless it is after November 15th for his portion of the work, but it would really depend on what kind of year we have. The water lines, drainage and underground installation work could still be done. Ms. Norbut questioned if this would be something to speak with Congressman Neal about or would we be better off talking with our State Representatives? Mr. Ometeotl said Congressman Neal would be the person to speak with as far as getting the money released to the DHCD.

The Job Training program has funds left over from the ’02 program, combined with the funds from the ’03 program, will allow for a bigger pool of teens, provided there are enough jobs in town for them to work and assist the town as needed. Last year there were over 100 thirteen year olds interested in the program. Now that they are fourteen years old this year, there might be a problem. That is why they are starting early (this Thursday) to try to identify potential jobs for teens that would be interested.

The Teen Advisory Board has an additional allocation for the continuation of that program. That program may be under going some structural changes in the near future.

Mr. Ometeotl said the teens could start to look for applications for the summer jobs program at the end of May or the first week of June. The coordinator, when hired, will be heading out to the school to speak in assemblies or to classes to discuss the program, take names and provide applications.

Police Chief McKenzie and Highway Surveyor, John Morrell, approached the Board of Selectmen to review responses regarding the Longview Drive subdivision traffic control proposals. The Board of Selectmen had received a letter from Mr. Kolowrat stating the Planning Board held a meeting to examine the proposed six-lot subdivision off Longview Drive on the property of the late Henry Kolowrat. Mr. Kolowrat was asked to request the approval and the assistance of the Board of Selectmen in implementing safety measures recommended by Fuss & O’Neill and Tighe & Bond. The Board of Selectmen had asked Chief McKenzie and Mr. Morrell for their assistance in formulating a response this correspondence.

Mr. Morrell suggested the installation of advance warning signs W2-2. He felt it would be appropriate to install one advance warning sign (W2-2) on High Street for westbound traffic on Wilbraham road. The signpost should be purchased and erected by the subdivision developer in accordance with the (MUTCD). Mr. Morrell also suggested a reduced speed sign. He would recommend leaving the current speed posting as it is. The actual speed limit at the intersection of Longview Drive is 30 mph, while the engineer’s recommendation is based on a 40-mph analysis. Any change to the current posting would not only require approval by the Board of Selectmen, but also require a review by Mass. Highway. Therefore, instead the Highway Department would install a “Reduced Speed Ahead” sign (R2-5A) for eastbound traffic on Wilbraham Road at a point westerly of Homer Drive.

Chief McKenzie stated he did a search of his IMC dispatch system beginning on January 01, 2001 and learned there have been very few vehicle accidents at or near that location. He went to this site and formed the opinion while sitting in an unmarked cruiser that a motorist attempting to observe oncoming traffic proceeding eastbound could have some field of vision obstruction caused by small trees and a group of four mailboxes located just west of Longview Drive.  He also stated the reality is people tend to drive ten to fifteen miles per hour over the speed limit. He stated the current speed limit is 35 mph going westbound, out of town, and 30 mph eastbound, coming into town. Chief McKenzie said his recommendation would be to place one of these W2-2 intersection indicator signs approximately 44 feet from Longview Drive on your approach as you go up the hill, just before the crest of the hill. In the other direction, instead of reducing the speed limit, he would leave the speed limit like it is and put a reduced speed ahead sign about 200 feet short of Homer Drive going westbound right after the cemetery entrance. This way when you get to the intersection, you are going 30 mph. Chief McKenzie suggested having Mass. Highway come out to see what they think, because even though there haven’t been a large amount of accidents here, just to be on the cautious side, he would hate to have a serious or fatal accident. Mr. Morrell agreed with Chief McKenzie about having Mass. Highway come in to check this, but wouldn’t want to see the waiting time of up to one-year hold up a sub-division, as the developer shouldn’t have to be penalized because of this issue. Mr. Morrell suggested and Chief McKenzie agreed, to put up the reduced speed signs and let the developer start his project while waiting to have Mass. Highway come in to check the signs as this will be a low priority and could take up to one year.

Ms. Norbut made a motion the Board of Selectmen notify the Planning Board of the intention to install the advanced warning sign W2-2 at the site per Mr. Morrell’s and Chief McKenzie’s recommendation and that the Board of Selectmen will investigate having the 30 mph speed limit sign moved eastbound through Mass. Highway. However, this should not impede any progress for the proposed development. Mr. Manning seconded and it was so VOTED.

This subdivision is still in the proposal stage, as it has not been approved yet.

The next item on the agenda was to increase the Forest Fire 53E1/2 Revolving Fund threshold. Ms. Neggers stated this is one of the items set at the Town meeting. During the course of the fiscal year, if the funds accumulate beyond the threshold that was established at the Town meeting, by vote of the Board of Selectmen, they can increase that. She has spoken with Chief Harris and he has requested this. It has gone over a little bit, but he has accumulated enough in the fund that he is using it for a matching fund on a grant. Ms. Neggers was asking the Board of Selectmen to vote tonight to increase the threshold from $7,500.00 to $9,000.00.

Mr. Manning made a motion to approve this request regarding the Forest Fire 53E1/2 Revolving Fund threshold. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.

Mr. Manning made a motion to approve the renewal of the Auctioneer license for Frank Kapsia d/b/a Wintergarden Auction Services. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.

Mr. Manning made a motion to approve the renewal of certification for the Monson Bowling Alleys. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.

Chief McKenzie requested the appointment of three present town employees as part-time emergency dispatchers in an effort to avoid overtime costs for filling dispatcher shifts. After discussing this with Fire Chief Harris, they recommended the appointments of Officer Daryl Buley, Officer Manon Dallaire and EMT Diane Hastings.

Mr. Manning made a motion to appoint Officer Daryl Buley, Officer Manon Dallaire and EMT Diane Hastings to the position of part-time emergency dispatchers effective immediately through June 30, 2003.

Chief McKenzie congratulated Patricia Emerson on being chosen by the Western Mass. Emergency Medical Services Committee as the Western Mass. Emergency Dispatcher of the year. The Board of Selectmen also congratulated Ms. Emerson, as this is a great honor. Ms. Neggers added Ms. Emerson is a great dispatcher.

In other business, Ms. Neggers reminded the residents of town that Bulky Day will be held on Saturday, May 17th, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Quarry Hill School. Residents can bring one bulk item and one white item for disposal if they are paying customers of the towns’ trash program. Televisions, VCR’s and computers will be taken at a cost of $5.00 each. Refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners will be taken at a cost of $15.00 each. For the very first time, the Board of Health has created a “Klicky Swap Day” in honor of Richard Klick. Mr. Klick was a member of the Board of Health who passed away last fall and who was an avid supporter of reusing and recycling things that still have value to them. This swap area will run from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. If anyone has anything they no longer want, but it is still usable, they may place it in the swap area. Everything that is left there at noon, (the end of the swap time), will be disposed of. Ms. Neggers added this is a new and exciting way to get good stuff free.

Also in other business to come before the Board of Selectmen, Ms. Neggers said on rectification as a “No place for Hate” community, she just wanted to extend the towns’ thanks and appreciation to the Monson Free Library and Theresa Percy in particular. Also to Ed Harrison, formally of the Board of Selectmen and to Kathleen Norbut for their work on this, as it is certainly instrumental. This is the third consecutive year.  Monson is one of the charter members of the “No Place for Hate” communities in Massachusetts and it is a very rewarding experience. Ms. Norbut thanked Chief McKenzie, the Police Department and the School Department who have all helped with this program as well very actively through the Community Relations Committee. Ms. Norbut said they have also applied for a grant and are looking at possibly $500.00 from the Anti-Defamation League. They are currently awaiting word on this. The Library will match this grant.

Also in other business to come before the Board of Selectmen, Mr. Guertin stated the utility company has approached Monson recently and expressed a concern about Christmas lights and banners going across Main Street located on poles that also contain the utility companies wires. Within the next year or so, the Christmas lights will be limited to lights only on the poles as opposed to the lights going across Main Street. The town was also not going to be allowed to put up the occasional banner announcing the Summerfest, craft fairs, art shows, etc. Mass. Electric has approached the town and said they would be willing to install two separate poles that would become the property of the town and would not contain any utility lines. The sole purpose of these two poles would be for displaying banners across Main Street. The cost would be $500.00 per pole. Mr. Guertin said he has placed some telephone calls to various organizations in town who place banners across Main Street annually for donations, as we are in the process of raising the $1,000.00 for the two poles. The utility company has gone up and down Main Street seeking a location for these poles and the site they have chosen is between State Street and the Senior Center. This spot will not affect existing lines or create any problems. These poles will be installed in the near future.

Correspondence was read and completed.

At 8:50 p.m., Mr. Manning made a motion to adjourn the meeting from Open session to go into Executive session for the purpose of discussing pending litigation and collective bargaining, not to return to Open session. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.




_______________________________
Kathleen C. Norbut, Clerk