MONSON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 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 reorganize the Board of Selectmen as follows:
Richard E. Guertin – Chairman
James R. Manning – Vice Chairman
Kathleen C. Norbut – Clerk
Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Manning made a motion to accept the meeting minutes of March 25, 2005 open and executive sessions. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Bonnie Sbriscia approached the Board of Selectmen. Ms. Sbriscia asked the Board of Selectmen for permission to place bins in the hallway of the Town Administration Building to collect items in an effort to provide comfort of home to the members of the military and to the families and children left behind. The family support technicians and volunteers at Westover Air Force Base have provided a list of items needed. Items that are needed by the thousands are monetary donations, which head the list, is used for special projects for the families. Monetary donations are also used for support groups for the families and special nights for the children. Also needed are teddy bears, and pillow cases that are hand made with the military member of the family on it so children under the ages of ten will have a reminder their loved
one is near them. Bags can be put together enclosed in a large bath towel, which is also an item needed very badly. There is also a list of toiletries. The lists will be posted over the bins as well as in the Selectmen’s Office. Anyone wishing to make up a package is welcome to do so. Groups are also encouraged to make up the packages. No cards or letters are accepted, but nametags stating your name and/or organization are allowed on the packages which are made up. Dot Jenkins, in the Collector’s Office, will accept the checks and monetary donations for Ms. Sbriscia. Ms. Sbriscia stated she would make sure all donated items and money get to Westover, as the only people allowed on the base are individuals who are family members of persons of a retired military member, due to security reasons. Ms. Sbriscia said many town organizations are getting involved with this project such as Boy Scout and Cub Scout Troop 776, Girl Scouts, the Sunday School and Congregation of the
First Church, Cub Scout Troop 168, the Library as well as the Schools. The Board of Selectmen agreed unanimously to allow Ms. Sbriscia to place bins in the hallway of the Town Administration Building.
Gilbert Drouin, owner of Monson Café, Inc. d/b/a Hoagie Heaven approached the Board of Selectmen regarding an entertainment license application hearing. Mr. Albano read a portion of the law regarding the issuance of an entertainment license into the record, which stated the licensing authority shall grant a license under the section unless they find that the license taken alone or in combination with other licensed activities on the premises would adversely affect public health, safety or order in that concerts, dance exhibitions, cabaret or public show can not be conducted in a manor so as to a.) Protect employees, patrons and members of the public inside or outside the premises from disruptive conduct and criminal activity or from health, safety or fire hazards. b.) Prevent an unreasonable increase in the level of
noise in the area caused by the licensed activity or caused by patrons entering the premises or c.) Prevent an unreasonable increase in the level of pedestrian or vehicular traffic in the area of the premises or an unreasonable increase in the number of vehicles to be parked in the area of the premises. Mr. Guertin said his concerns were with the vocal music, the instruments, the disk jockey and the amplifiers. He felt the prior use of this establishment was a small town bar, which drew basically local people. Mr. Drouin’s plans are more apt to draw people from neighboring towns as well as the local people. Mr. Drouin stated he is trying to fix the establishment up so husbands and wives will want to come to listen to the music. Mr. Guertin stated his other concerns, besides the potential for sounds, were for the risk of underage drinking. Mr. Drouin stated he now uses wristbands and only two drinks are allowed per person, as this is the law. Mr. Guertin also said
sometimes people can get out of control and maybe crowd control would be needed. Mr. Drouin stated he has people who keep an eye on this. Mr. Albano stated anything the Board of Selectmen do approve tonight, they have the right to bring this back before the Commission if they feel in the future any of these issues need to be re-addressed to modify this license or to revoke this license. This also goes for the liquor license if there were constant problems or police issues. Mr. Drouin stated he is willing to talk about any problems there might be. Ms. Norbut stated her concern was with the outside of the premises as well as vehicular traffic, as this area is very tight. Ms. Norbut also had a concern for parking and if this would overflow into the street and wondered if Mr. Drouin would have a limitation. Mr. Drouin said he plans on clearing out some of the trees to expand the parking lot. Ms. Norbut was also concerned with tightening up the hours Mr. Drouin has listed on
his application as he had stated Monday through Friday from 7:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Mr. Drouin said he was more concerned with only having a band on Friday and Saturday night until about 11:00 p.m. He also would like to have a band or karaoke on Sunday afternoons from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mr. Drouin agreed to Friday and Saturday night bands from 8:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. with no underage admission. Also agreed upon were Sunday afternoon bands or karaoke from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Ms. Norbut asked Mr. Drouin what his response would be if a neighbor called the bar on a Friday night and said the band was too loud or something? Mr. Drouin stated he doesn’t think he will have any problems as everyone around there knows him and how quiet it is now compared to how it was before. Mr. Drouin stated Country Café has had bands before under the previous owner. Mr. Drouin also stated the composite of the establishment is 120 people but he said he doesn’t want any
more than 85 or 90 people max. Sargent Kozloski said the parking has never been an issue for Country Café. Mr. Manning said if it becomes an issue, Mr. Drouin could be invited to come back in and also stated he feels the application needed to be cleaned up. A brief discussion was held and everyone agreed unanimously to the following conditions.
Mr. Manning made a motion to approve the following conditions to be placed on the entertainment license for Gilbert Drouin, Country Café, Inc. d/b/a Hoagie Heaven when he cleans up his entertainment license application to resubmit it to the Board of Selectmen. No bands will be allowed on Monday through Thursday. Bands will only be allowed on Friday’s and Saturday’s from 8:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Bands and karaoke will be allowed on Sunday’s from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Bands must not be any larger than three instruments and two vocalists. No more than three amplifiers are allowed. Every day entertainment may consist of radio, television, wide screen television, cable television, and dancing by the patrons. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Sargent Kozloski and Manon Dallaire approached the Board of Selectmen regarding the appointment of Ms. Dallaire as a reserve police officer. Sgt. Kozloski stated Ms. Dallaire’s background included the fact that Ms. Dallaire will graduate from the full-time Police Training Academy in Agawam on April 11th. She has twelve years experience as a non-sworn civilian clerk in the Springfield Police Department’s Detective and Records Bureau. She is also attending Western New England College in pursuit of a Bachelor’s Degree. Chief McKenzie, who was unable to attend this meeting, stated in a letter to the Board of Selectmen that he has known Ms. Dallaire for many years and feels that she will be an asset to the police department.
Mr. Manning made a motion to appoint Manon Dallaire as a reserve police officer effective April 12, 2003 through June 30th, 2003. Ms. Norbut seconded the motion and it was so VOTED.
The Parks and Recreation Commission submitted a request for an expenditure authorization from the “Gifts to the Town” account to the Board of Selectmen for the expansion of the playground at Veterans Field. Mr. Guertin read a letter to the Board of Selectmen from Timothy Pascale, the Director/Program Coordinator, dated March 24, 2003, into the record. The letter stated Parks and Recreation added a playground located in Veteran’s Field and have received many nice comments from townspeople on this facility. They are now looking to expand this project by including benches, picnic tables, swing set and climber. The benches and tables were purchased this past fall with a donation from the Monson Rotary Club. A $2,500.00 grant was received from the Norcross Foundation bringing the total funds
raised to $4,500.00. The Parks and Recreation Commission was now asking the Board of Selectmen to match this donation of $4,500.00. with funds from the Gifts to the Town Account to purchase the remaining items.
Mr. Manning made a motion to approve the sum of $4,500.00 from the Gifts to the Town Account for the expansion of the playground at Veteran’s Field. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Norbut thanked the Norcross Wildlife Foundation and the Monson Rotary Club for their generous donations as well.
Mr. Guertin gave a presentation regarding the preliminary outlook for the fiscal ’04 budget and expressed to the listening audience that the Town of Monson is in a financial crisis and showed charts explaining this. He said all the town departments were asked to submit a level funded budget and a minus 10% budget. All the town departments complied except the School Department. He begged the School Committee members to lower their $9.56 million budget request by $400,000.00 to $500,000.00. Mr. Guertin said, the town is anticipating a budget shortfall of anywhere from $300,000.00 to about $1.7 million, depending on the state aid figures and how local officials distribute the spending. The School Committee members agreed on March 27th to present a$9.56 million budget for fiscal year 2004 to the Finance
Committee this month. This is a $560,000.00 increase from this year’s $9 million budget. Mr. Guertin stated it wasn’t fair for the schools to ask for extra cash considering the dire financial situation the town is facing. He added, if school officials cut back, the burden on other town departments would be lifted a bit. Mr. Guertin added the School Committee is just not being a team player, relative to the town. Mr. Guertin showed a chart of assumptions such as, that the town gets 15% cut is state aid, uses 90% of it’s free cash and reduces town budgets by 10% for example. Mr. Guertin predicted the town would still face a $300,000.00 deficit. Mr. Guertin said if the School Department ends up getting $400,000.00 or $500,000.00 over the net school spending, the towns deficit goes from $300,000.00 to $800,000.00, and said the town might as well shut down, because we are not going to have the money to keep it open. Ms. Norbut, who was a member of the Finance Committee
before she won the Selectman seat in Monday’s Election said, the fiscal crisis is sure to spill over into fiscal year 2005. Ms. Norbut explained just what the free cash is and stated the town would be unwise to spend all of its reserves in the upcoming budget year and should budget prudently. Mr. Guertin appealed to residents to educate themselves on the town’s finances and attend the May 12th annual town meeting, which is when the budgets will be set.
The articles were reviewed for the Special Town meeting within the Annual Town meeting. There were fourteen articles of which thirteen were transfers. Ms. Neggers read the articles into the record as follows:
Ms. Neggers said there is a request for an article from the Cemetery Department Salary.
The Police Department has requested an article to transfer from an existing account to the Firearms Records Account. This is the portion of the fee collected, which goes to the state.
Ms. Neggers said there is an article request for Highway salaries with a transfer from General Highways and Bridges.
The Tree Warden is requesting an article to transfer from its’ Tree Warden Expense to its’ Tree Warden salaries.
There is a request for an article to transfer from available funds to the Building Department salaries, the sum of approximately $400.00.
There is a request for an article from the Water Department to transfer funds from their Water Available Surplus Account to their Expense Account.
There is a request for an article from the Fire Chief to transfer funds from Fire Special Services to the House Operating Account. And a request for an article for a transfer from the Fire Truck Operating Account to the House Operating Account.
A requested article from the Town Treasurer to transfer from interest on borrowed money the sum of $9,000.00 to the FICA Town Share Account.
A request for an article to transfer money to the Health Insurance Town Share Account.
An article to see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of $534.00 from the Town Clerk’s Expense Account to the Town Clerk’s Salary Account or take any other action relative thereto.
An article to see if the Town will vote to transfer $12,000.00 of the current year’s Medicaid reimbursement funds to the Monson School Committee budget for fiscal year 2003 to meet necessary expenses or take any action related thereto.
An article to see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of $6,600.00 for Emergency Dispatcher overtime salaries to compensate for the long-term sick time used by a full time dispatcher.
An article to see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of $1,560.00 from the police salaries account to the part-time Emergency Dispatcher account for the training of three new on-call emergency dispatchers.
An article to see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $411.68 to the Salaries Account of the Building Department.
An article request from the Planning Board to amend the zoning maps to extend the commercial recreation zone to encompass the existing campground at Sunsetview Campground.
Mr. Manning made a motion to approve the warrant articles and to leave the warrant open for an additional two weeks, until the next scheduled Board of Selectmen’s meeting scheduled for April 22nd. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
The articles were reviewed for the Annual Town meeting as follows:
Nancy Morrel, the Town Clerk, approached the Board of Selectmen regarding the placement of three articles on the Annual Town meeting warrant. Ms. Morrell stated she surveyed surrounding towns on their fees and is now trying to become consistent with those towns. She feels with the current budget crisis, Monson should also increase their fees, as these rates have not been adjusted since 1991. Ms. Morrell attached a list of the fee increases to her request.
Ms. Morrell’s first request is to see if the Town will vote to establish the fees of the Town Clerk in accordance with a schedule she had attached to the warrant for filing fees, recording fees issuance fees, etc.
Ms. Morrell’s second request was to see if the Town would amend the fee schedule for the crude petroleum storage permit as listed on Ms. Morrell attachment to her request.
Ms. Morrell’s third request is to see if the Town would vote to delete Section III of the Town’s by-law’s on dog regulations and insert the following instead. Section III: Town dog officer is hereby authorized to issue a temporary dog license valid for a period of one week from the time of issuance, only during non-business hours of the Town Clerk’s office, only to allow release of the dog from the custodian of said officer, only if proof of ownership and rabies vaccination within the prior thirty-six (36) months is submitted to said officer and only payment of a fee pursuant to the following schedule: Male/Female - $15.00; Neutered/Spayed - $5.00; or take any other action relative thereto. Mr. Manning made a motion to approve these three articles be placed on the warrant for the Annual Town
meeting. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Manning made a motion to include these three articles on the warrant for the Annual Town meeting. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Morrell said one other thing she would like the Board of Selectmen to think about is, surrounding towns, and many towns throughout the Commonwealth, have a late fee for dogs if they are not licensed by June 1st. Monson doesn’t have anything like this now, and Ms. Morrell wondered if the Board of Selectmen thought this might be something they would like to see started in Monson. This would be up to the Board of Selectmen, but Palmer has a $5.00 charge for this late fee.
The Collector submitted a request for an article for a new 53 E ½ Revolving Fund to replace supplies used and to cover any necessary expenses related to operating the department. Mr. Manning made a motion to place this article on the warrant for the Annual Town meeting. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
The School Department also submitted a request to create a new Revolving Fund. The source of department receipts to be credited to the Revolving Fund will be transportation fees. The programs and purposes for which the Revolving fund may be expended are transportation department expenses for maintaining busses and for staff wages. It would be authorized for expenditure by the School Committee and would be in the amount up to $50,000.00.
The Board of Selectmen agreed to have Ms. Neggers invite Ms. Woodbury to a meeting with the Selectmen to discuss this request, as they would like to know more about it.
Mr. Manning read page one of the standard articles, as attached, into the record.
Mr. Manning made a motion to approve page one, which includes articles 1 through 5. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Guertin read pages two and three of the standard articles, as attached, into the record.
Mr. Manning made a motion to approve pages two and three, which includes articles 6 through 15. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Neggers said an article to consider would be the status of the Teen Center building, which was the former Police Station. This building is currently surplus and is costing the town a lot of money. Ms. Neggers thought the Board of Selectmen would like to consider an article to allow the town’s people to determine whether they would like to sell this building or not. Mr. Guertin said the potential sale of this building is not necessarily being against the Teen Center per say, which is his personal opinion. He feels a Teen Center future is something the town needs to think about when economic times are better. After giving this a lot of careful thought, he feels this particular location is not an ideal location for a Teen Center. He would therefore like to see offers on that building, especially at a time when the
town could use that money. This item was tabled until the next Board of Selectmen’s meeting.
The last item on the agenda was to approve a request to the Assessors to release overlay surplus funds. Ms. Neggers stated this is in an effort to clean up the books.
Mr. Manning made a motion to authorize Ms. Neggers, on behalf of the Board of Selectmen, to write a letter to the Board of Assessors to release these funds. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
In other business to come before the Board, Mr. Manning made a motion to appoint Edward Harrison to act as the Board of Selectmen representative to the Veterans Agent Search or Appointment Committee. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Neggers stated Jean Bailey spoke with her regarding a request to put up yellow ribbons on the trees in front of the Town Administration Building in support of our military during the Iraqi War. The ribbon used is weatherproof. The Board of Selectmen agreed unanimously that they saw no problem with this request.
Correspondence was read and completed.
At 9:05 p.m., Mr. Manning made a motion to adjourn the meeting from open session to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing collective bargaining, not to return to open session. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
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Kathleen C. Norbut, Clerk
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