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Meeting of 2003-01/28
MONSON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2003


The regular meeting of the Monson Board of Selectmen convened at 7:00 p.m. in the conference room at 110 Main Street. In attendance were Edward S. Harrison, Richard E. Guertin and James R. Manning. Also present were the Town Administrator and the Media. Town Counsel did not attend this meeting.

Mr. Guertin made a motion to accept the meeting minutes of January 14, 2003. Mr. Manning seconded and it was so VOTED.

Laura Yarbrough, Director of the Monson Teen Center and Joel Crescentini, Manager of the Monson Teen Center approached the Board of Selectmen to discuss the closing of the Teen Center. The audience included a large group consisting of teens and several parents interested in this discussion as well.

Mr. Harrison stated his understanding of what has taken place. At the last Board of Selectmen’s meeting, Mr. Guertin made a motion that the Board of Selectmen ask all town departments, effective immediately, to put a spending freeze on all non-contractual and non-essential budget items and that he had seconded this motion. Mr. Harrison also reiterated the reason for this freeze was due to word from the State that there is a very good likelihood the town will not get all the revenues from the State that the town normally receives. This cut would be to the point where the town would have to cut its’ budget by 5% which comes out to $335,000.00 for the remainder of this year and that there is a potential shortfall for next year (Fiscal 2004) of $1.2 million. This is why all department heads were asked to freeze all non-essential spending. Mr. Harrison stated his understanding is that the Parks and Recreation Director, Timothy Pascale, was given the authority to look at his budget and make some decisions as to what he wanted to do to cut, reduce and/or eliminate in his budget regarding non-essential spending. Mr. Pascale made the decision to close the Teen Center. You are looking at revenues somewhere around $21,000.00 annually, which is the town’s portion of the Teen Center’s budget. His understanding is the Teen Center has revolving funds as well, which allow for the operation of certain functions. The Teen Center falls under the jurisdiction of the Parks and Recreation Commissioners and therefore the Parks and Recreation Director. Mr. Harrison stated he hasn’t any knowledge of what discussions have taken place within the Parks and Recreation Commission and said the Board of Selectmen don’t have a lot of direct input into what has taken place. Mr. Harrison said the Board of Selectmen might have been asked individually whether or not they had any objections to this particular cut.  He stated his reply was that he understood the gravity of the fiscal situation the town is facing, both this year and next year, and he had no objection with this particular budget cut.

Ms. Yarbrough read from a prepared statement she brought with her to address this situation which stated as follows:
      Their appearance here tonight is to discuss the Teen Center. Last Wednesday she was advised that effective this coming weekend the Monson Teen Center would be closed. The letter she received on the afternoon of January 22nd dated January 21st, indicated the Parks and Recreation Commission took this action with the full support of the Board of Selectmen. Conflicting statements about how this discussion was made were reported in the Springfield Union newspaper. One Parks and Recreation Commissioner indicated there was a three-way telephone conference call, a direct violation of the Massachusetts Open Meeting law. Another Commissioner indicated the Parks and Recreation Director was given the discretion to make any needed budget cuts during their last meeting. Nowhere in the minutes of both the Parks and Recreation Commission or the Board of Selectmen meetings does it state that the closing of the Teen Center was ever discussed. Her inquiry into this matter to the Parks and Recreation Commissioners (which she had with her) was never replied to. With the realization that financial times are hard and budget cuts must be made, it seems that an open discussion of possible solutions should have been the appropriate action. Shutting the doors to the Teen Center to balance a budget is taking the easy way out. Working together to overcome financial or any other challenges should be looked at as an opportunity for development and growth. It seems as though it would behoove town officials to receive feedback from those involved with the Teen Center and the community, rather than act on preconceived conclusions. Conclusions based on hearsay and personal agendas rather than fact. How can one individual be given the power, with the swipe of a pen, to eliminate a program that he or she never saw in operation? Ms. Yarbrough read on in her prepared statement to say here are some facts that the Board of Selectmen and the community should be aware of.  Utmost importance, the Parks and Recreation Director, nor the Parks and Recreation Commissioners nor two of the Selectmen have ever been inside the Monson Teen Center in the two years she has been director, while they were open. Not only is the center used by teens on weekends and the occasional weekday but also a Girl Scout troop holds both their weekly meetings and special events there. Town sports teams have used the Teen Center for end of the season pizza parties. The center has been rented out for birthday parties. The center was home to an open community jump circle for six months last year. Teens at the center raised approximately $500.00 to help offset expenses for a town use trip to Australia for the ambassador. Teens at the center raised over $500.00 for the Red Cross 9-11 fund. Teens at the center made 75 Christmas ornaments for the Senior Center that were distributed to the shut-ins in 2002. Teens at the center made treats for their neighboring Day Care for Christmas 2001. Teens at the center have brought in can goods for Monson’s Open Pantry. Teens at the center made cards and wrote letters of good wishes to a terminally ill person they did not even know. On a regular night the Teen Center sees an average of 40 teens. On the last day of operation, the Teen Center attendance was approximately 85. Ms. Yarbrough went on to read, there is over $5,000.00 in the Teen Center’s Gift Account and it has been indicated these funds will be redirected to another town group. Businesses and members of this community donated these funds for the Teen Center use and thought the Teen Center, at the very least should be able to operate until these funds are exhausted thus giving the Teen Center time to explore other funding sources.

Ms. Yarbrough read exerts from two different letters she received. A parent of a Monson teen wrote the first letter that was read. The exert read stated she was shocked to learn this decision was made without any input from families that utilize this wonderful Teen Center. Hopefully our children will learn fairness and democracy from someone in the future as they have certainly not learned anything from the people who don’t consider this place important. They have only learned how little it means to be a teen in Monson. I hate the fact that my daughter now distrusts the adult decision-makers of this town.

Ms. Yarbrough next read a portion of a letter written by a teen which stated, consider one thing before the final decision is made, we are your children, grandchildren and the future leaders of America. It is important that we have as many opportunities to learn, grow as individuals and feel encouraged to develop talent. The Teen Center provides all of these and more.

Ms. Yarbrough continued reading from her own statement to state her feelings. As the Teen Center Director, by closing the Monson Teen Center, the Board is loosing site of the purpose of its existence and use in our community. What kind of message does it send to them? Ms. Yarbrough stated she also has quite a few letters written by teens, parents and people in the community in support of the Teen Center as well as petitions containing approximately 300 signatures.

Mr. Crescentini said they aren’t questioning the fact that the town has financial problems right now. They have issues with the way this was done. Mr. Crescentini also brought up the funds in the Gift Account, which were solicited from businesses under the pretenses that these funds would be used for the Teen Center. They were told these funds were now going to be diverted to other groups and they have issues with this as well. Mr. Crescentini said he feels, given the opportunity, their impact upon the town would be very minimal. If they were allowed to have their entertainment permit to have bands and hold dances they could turn a great deal of money back to the town where the impact upon the towns budget would be miniscule. Mr. Crescentini said the Teen Center is not being given any or these opportunities. They were axed without even knowing it was coming. He thinks there are some real ethical and moral issues here that they feel are wrong.  They were here tonight to appeal this decision. He added the youth in Monson are good kids and he wants to have a place in town for them to come to just be kids.

Mr. Harrison said he doesn’t know what the process was that led to how this decision was made. He has no idea what meetings did or didn’t take place or even whether Mr. Crescentini and/or Ms. Yarbrough were brought into any discussions, but he does feel this needs to take place. The Parks and Recreation Commissioners are an independently elected Board. The Board of Selectmen do not have jurisdiction over the Parks and Recreation Commission. The same as they do not have jurisdiction over the Highway Surveyor, the Town Collector, the Town Clerk, the Assessors, the School Committee, etc., as they are all elected positions. Mr. Harrison stated the Board of Selectmen may sympathize with them, however, the Selectmen are not in a position where they can order the Parks and Recreation Commission to reinstate the Teen Center. Ms. Yarbrough questioned who would be in a position to examine the fact that laws were clearly violated. Mr. Harrison responded if it is an allegation of violation of meeting laws that goes to the District Attorney. Mr. Harrison also added this is the improper forum for this discussion and what they need to do is to get the Parks and Recreation Commissioners to sit down with them and have the same kind of dialog.

Wendy Deshais, a resident in the audience who is a leader for a Monson Girl Scout troop and a Day Care provider asked Mr. Harrison if he could help set this meeting up for them as they just can’t seem to do this as the Parks and Recreation Commissioners don’t seem to be willing to talk about this, Mr. Harrison stated the Parks and Recreation Commission do have a meeting schedule posted and their meetings are open to the public.

Mr. Manning reiterated the Parks and Recreation commissioners are elected officials and they don’t have to do what the Board of Selectmen recommend. Just like if Parks and Recreation were to come to the Board of Selectmen and tell them what to do, this isn’t their decision. Mr. Manning said he did agree to take the steps for all the departments regarding the budget and the freeze and that it isn’t just the Parks and Recreation Department making budget cuts. The Selectmen’s Office as well has taken their 5% cut in the budget, as did the Highway, School and so on.  Mr. Manning reiterated all the departments will have to make cuts. Everyone needs to ask where are our priorities and where are we going to be effected the least. Mr. Manning also added, this is nothing compared to the cuts coming next year.

Mr. Guertin said he agreed with closing the Teen Center. He didn’t have any objections to this cut because the Board of Selectmen were told by the State for Fiscal 2004 that there is probably going to be a 10%, 15% or a 20% cut in State aide. This year the town received $6.7 million from the State. If the State cuts the town 10% the town is going to get $670,000.00 less. If the cut is 15%, the town will get a little over $1 million less. If the cut is 20% the town would get $1.4 million less. No one knows what is going to happen. Mr. Guertin added, if that wasn’t bad enough, the State comes along and says we still owe you $335,000.00 which was approved at the Town Meeting, and say they might not pay it. The town has already spent $100,000.00 more on Snow and Ice removal than was budgeted and the winter still isn’t over. The town could end up spending $150,000.00 to $200,000.00. Added to the $335,000.00 that the town might not get, that’s $500,000.00 and there are still other things out there the town is going to need money for. Mr. Guertin explained this is what prompted the freeze. The Board of Selectmen minimized the expenditures, if they can, so the town won’t go into the 2004 Fiscal Year with any bigger deficit. If the town goes in with a deficit of $500,000.00, and the State comes along and says you’re not going to get $1 million of what we normally give you, what are the Board of Selectmen going to do with the town. Mr. Guertin stated he’s not saying this is going to happen, but the town could be looking at no Parks and Recreation Department period, never mind the Teen Center. The town could be looking at laying off policemen, or looking at closing down some of the town offices during the week. This is pretty big. Mr. Guertin said this is being misconstrued, that someone thinks the Teen Center isn’t important. This is not the issue here. The issue is the money.

Ms. Deshais asked about the $5,000.00 and why the Teen Center can’t spend this to stay open until they can seek other funding sources. Mr. Harrison stated he is aware there is the $5,000.00 but he has no jurisdiction over these funds.

Mr. Manning read the letter that was sent to Ms. Yarbrough and Mr. Crescentini into the record as Ms. Yarbrough and a person in the audience stated they had a problem with the way the letter was worded as it made it sound as though the Board of Selectmen and the Parks and Recreation Commissioners met and decided to close the Teen Center. Mr. Manning read the pertinent parts which stated, the terrorism attacks on 9-11 continue to effect the economy to this day. The most recent is a spending freeze voted by the Board of Selectmen on January 14, 2003. Unfortunately I have to make you aware the Teen Center will be closed. The Parks and Recreation Commission took this action with the full support by the Board of Selectmen. Please curtail all unnecessary spending from now until the last day of operation, which will be January 31, 2003. Mr. Harrison added there was neither formal vote by the Board of Selectmen nor any discussion relative to this by the Board of Selectmen. There has only been an individual discussion with the Town Administrator. Ms. Neggers said she polled each Selectmen individually and she explained this to the reporter for the Union News when they spoke last week when she was asked what transpired with the Selectmen. When a circumstance occasionally arises between meetings, as they sometimes do, she polls each of the Selectmen. They speak with her and not to each other, which was the case here. It was an informal poll and not a binding poll nor a vote. Each Selectmen provided a personal individual opinion. This is not the Board of Selectmen’s decision. Mr. Guertin said the question that was asked was did he have an objection. Mr. Harrison said his answer, as to his opinion, would have been the same even if Mr. Pascale or the Parks and Recreation Commissioners had asked it.  Mr. Guertin added the Board of Selectmen asked all the Department heads to find ways to save money, so if someone comes back with a way to save money, why would the Selectmen object when all they are doing is what they were asked to do. Mr. Guertin also added the year coming is going to be far worse. Mr. Manning stated this isn’t the forum to hold this discussion.

Shelly Green of Silver Street said a few years back the Board of Selectmen handed the Teen Center over to the Parks and Recreation Department. She said at that time she asked what was going to happen if this didn’t pan out as the Parks and Recreation Department didn’t really show any interest in the Teen Center. She said Mr. Harrison told her at that time that the Board of Selectmen could make changes. She feels if the Board of Selectmen could turn the Teen Center over to the Parks and Recreation Department that the Board of Selectmen must have some power over them. She also feels if the Selectmen don’t have any power over them that they do have the authority to take the Teen Center back away from them and allow the Teen Center to generate the funds needed, since they know they can get them. Mr. Harrison responded by stating Tim Pascale reports to the Parks and Recreation Commissioners. As far as taking the Teen Center back, the shift of jurisdiction of the Teen Center from the Board of Selectmen to the Parks and Recreation Department was made by a joint decision of the Board of Selectmen and the Parks and Recreation Commissioners as it made sense a recreational activity should be run by a recreational department.

Maureen Walker of Fenton Road spoke next. She said she was a Park and Recreation Commissioner for eight years prior to them taking over the Teen Center and she was in the Teen Center. She stated every department head and every elected official, it is their responsibility to make budget cuts while trying to keep as many programs running as possible and she thinks this is all the people are asking here. It’s far too easy to drop the ax and cut a program completely. She feels if people were approached and asked how they could help to keep the program up and running and still save some money, that some answers would have been found. At this point, she knows the Board of Selectmen have no power over what the Parks and Recreation Commissioners or the Director do, but as they did when Parks and Recreation took over the Teen Center, a suggestion from the Selectmen would certainly be helpful at this point. Just as the Selectmen made the suggestion that they felt at the time it would be in the best interest of the Teen Center to be taken over by them. Mr. Manning responded by saying all Ms. Walker needs to do is go to the Parks and Recreation Commissioners and ask for her and/or this whole group to be placed on the agenda for their next meeting. Ms. Walker said she was a little disappointed there wasn’t anyone there to represent the Parks and Recreation Department or Commission. Mr. Manning asked if anyone asked them to attend this meeting. Ms. Walker responded no. Ms. Walker stated she is aware there is going to be a bad situation financially, a crisis, but said everyone has to work together to try to save as much as they can and not do away with, not to step back, but maybe stay where they are. Mr. Harrison said it was not their objective to dismantle the Teen Center. The idea was to recover the $21,000.00 a year that is budgeted by the town to support this activity. Mr. Harrison added all the individuals who want to see the Teen Center continue need to get together and determine how they can continue to function the Teen Center without the $21,000.00 of the town’s support. He said he would have no problem with asking the Parks and Recreation Commissioners to sit down and have a dialog with this group of folks. Mr. Harrison also said they need the proper dialog with the proper body and that body has to be Parks and Recreation. Mr. Guertin added Mr. Pascale is accountable to the Parks and Recreation Commissioners and the Commissioners are accountable to the voters. Ms. Deshais said her problem is that the Board of Selectmen never asked Parks and Recreation if they held a forum on this or if the public had been notified or if the Teen Center was aware of this.

The audience questioned the two appointed Parks and Recreation Commissioners and if whether or not the Board of Selectmen had authority over them as they are appointed. Mr. Harrison replied no, as they were appointed at a joint meeting with the Board of Selectmen and the Parks and Recreation Commissioners.

Tom Greene of 6 Silver Street asked the Board of Selectmen if they would have an objection to the Teen Center remaining open and taking their 5% cut like all the other departments are being allowed to do. Mr. Guertin said that is not the call of the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Harrison said some departments are going to give more that 5% and some are going to give less, it is hard to say. It doesn’t work where everyone will forfeit 5%; you don’t just take 5% across the board.

Erin Greene stated she didn’t see why the Teen Center was cut 100% as she felt it goes along with the Senior Center and is an important aspect of the town as well as a big attraction for the town. She questioned if the Senior Center was run independently or underneath the Board of Selectmen. Ms. Neggers said the Senior Center is run under the Council on Aging whom the Selectmen appoints. Mr. Harrison said it comes under the Board of Selectmen’s jurisdiction. Ms. Greene asked if it was possible that since they are really similar with what they do for the community, if it isn’t possible that they could be lumped together so they could share funds. Ms. Neggers responded they Senior Center and the Teen Center are not similar. The Senior Center provides a lot of different services. They provide Meals on Wheels, medical referrals, counseling and do a lot more social services. Also the Senior Center is open five days per week. They are housed on property that is owned by the Monson Home for Aged, Inc., a non-profit organization whose by-laws prohibit it from doing anything except that that benefits the senior citizens.  Ms. Greene asked if the Teen Center could be set up like that. Mr. Harrison said anything is possible with money and organizations. This just isn’t practical within the next two weeks.

Mr. Yarbrough asked if everything goes well with the Parks and Recreation Commission, would an entertainment permit be available to them as that is a money generating thing for the Teen Center. Mr. Guertin said last April or May, Ms. Yarbrough and Mr. Crescentini came in looking for entertainment licenses. During that meeting Mr. Guertin shared and discussed the concerns he had. He isn’t sure they resolved what these issues were. During that meeting Mr. Guertin said he would be willing to go along with that entertainment license if Ms. Yarbrough would agree to come back in the fall and give a little presentation. The presentation would state when Ms. Yarbrough took over the Teen Center, what were the issues she inherited. What are the kinds of changes she has made and what problems has she solved. Also, what is the current status that is going on and what is her vision for the future? If Ms. Yarbrough was willing to do this, Mr. Guertin stated he would have supported the entertainment licenses, and he believed Ms. Yarbrough agreed to do fulfill this request. The Board of Selectmen expected to see Ms. Yarbrough in September, however, Mr. Guertin stated things occurred where Ms. Yarbrough wasn’t able to come in. It is almost February and Mr. Guertin stated he has not heard back from Ms. Yarbrough. Ms. Yarbrough said it should be noted those questions never reached her until November 22nd. Mr. Guertin stated those questions were given to her at a meeting in which she sat right where she is now. Ms. Yarbrough disagreed. Mr. Guertin said his support of the entertainment license would be subject to hearing the up-date he requested.

Mr. Harrison said he didn’t think the Board of Selectmen have denied any specific requests for band nights, dance nights or those kinds of things. The Board of Selectmen just haven’t given their permission for an open ended entertainment license for seven days a week, 365 days a year. But when asked for permission to hold various events, the Board of Selectmen have generally given them approval. This has usually been on an event by event basis. Mr. Harrison stated he would contact the Parks and Recreation Commissioners personally to ask them to discuss this. Ms. Yarbrough said there was an entire group behind them as well. Mr. Harrison said for them to give him the list of names and he would also forward this on to the Parks and Recreation Commission telling them these folks would really like to sit down with them to discuss the closing of the Teen Center or to discuss alternatives on how it can be kept open without the $21,000.00 support from the town.

Kathleen Norbut said the forum should be with the Parks and Recreation Commission as they have the jurisdiction. Ms. Norbut offered to all the young people in the audience, on the first Thursday of every month in this conference room at 4:00 p.m. there is a meeting of a group called the Community Relations Committee. They meet to talk about these kinds of issues. Ms. Norbut said this program and any other programs that might possibly be cut should be discussed. They need the input from parents and the young people on where they are going to go. There are groups working together to try to figure this out. Ms. Norbut said the next meeting would be held on February 6th at 4:00 p.m. to figure out what the next steps are going to be. Mr. Harrison said he thought this was a very good suggestion. Ms. Norbut added, they have the time, energy and a lot of talent there and she feels they can get through all the tough budget times if everyone works together.

Robert Margerison came after the discussion had ended and stated he was speaking on behalf of the Teen Center. He said the Teens need a place to go to speak to someone when they have problems at home. Mr. Harrison said he hopes he will bring this point up to the Parks and Recreation Commissioners. Mr. Margerison said he would. Ms. Neggers added the Teen Centers hours of operation are 8 ½ hours a week and it is very limited as far as a resource for teens in trouble. Mr. Margerison stated most of the domestic violence happens on weekends and he wants the Teen Center viewed as a public safety issue.

Daniel Donahue, who works for the Norcross Wildlife Foundation, Paul Lyons, who is with the Chicopee River Watershed Team Leader for the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, Kristin Foord, the Land Project Coordinator with the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs and Bob O’Connor with the Land Acquisition and Forest Preservation also with the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs approached the Board of Selectmen.

Mr. Donahue gave an introduction of himself stating he is the Director of land protection for the Norcross Wildlife Foundation. Recently they have developed a relationship with the Commonwealth with an interest toward using a different set of tools for local land conservation. Generally in recent years, land was acquired by purchasing it at fair market value. What they would like to do now is to find ways to work with people who don’t want to sell their land, who want to continue to hold onto their land and continue farming it, practicing forestry and so on it. The best way to do that is with a legal instrument called a conservation restriction. They are developing a relationship with the folks at the Environmental Office of Affairs, DEM and Fish and Wildlife. Essentially they are going to be inviting certain landowners with their priority parcels to participate in a program where they can conceivably, if they are willing, sell the development rights to their property. The Commonwealth would hold the conservation restriction. It would open up these lands to recreation, hunting, fishing and things of that sort. Norcross is serving as the local representative of the project. Mr. Donahue is currently corresponding with some private landowners in town. They wanted the Board of Selectmen to be aware of the program and to have an opportunity to ask any questions or to provide any input as the case might be. Mr. O’Connor spoke next stating this is a partnership between the Norcross Foundation and the State. They have just finished a project north of the Quabbin Reservoir that was similar to this where it was totally voluntary, mostly conservation easements and not acquiring peoples land. They had quite a number of people up there who were interested in this and they did buy conservation restrictions on their land. Because this is state money, they need the land to be open for reasonable activity, mostly non-motorized for walking and so on. Mr. Harrison stated he read the list, which sounded good to him, mostly quiet. Mr. O’ Connor continued, stating it is a good match with landowners because they can continue normally with the land. They encourage them with good forestry work and if agriculture is happening on the land, this is also encouraged. All this is allowed under the easement and encouraged. They feel this is a good situation for the landowners that are conservation minded and want to keep their land the way it is and to get some benefit from it right now. It is also good for the towns because it helps them reach their goals of protecting some of the land in town. It also links a lot of the land in this region. For example, Brimfield State Forest and the Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary are almost touching, but there are several hundred acres of parcels that are separating them in there. This is one area they would probably mail to people. They get good responses from people when they are told they can still continue to hunt, fish, and do forestry while continuing to live on their land and get money in the short term.

Mr. Harrison asked what the implications were tax wise to the town as far as tax revenues. Mr. O’Connor stated one thing you need to consider is probably a lot of the people they are going to be in touch with might be under Chapter 61 already because they are going to be mainly large forests and parcels. If this is the case there really won’t be any difference. If they got out of Chapter 61 with one of these easements, it would probably increase the tax revenues. If they were not under Chapter 61, with the restrictions they would have the ability to go to the Board of Assessors and request a reclassification of the land. They still own the land and pay taxes on it, it’s just they are not able to put a housing development there. Mr. O’Connor said it could lift a big burden off the town’s conservation acquisition program, but it is up to the landowners. Either the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Law Enforcement or the Department of Environmental Management will purchase the actual easement. These are the two land buying agencies within the Environmental Affairs. If it is the Department of Environmental Management who purchases the land, they have a 120-day notice period to the Board of Selectmen before they acquire the land. With the Board of Selectmen’s approval, they can reduce this waiting period down to 60 days. This will be the only paperwork involving the Board of Selectmen. Land that is in Chapter 61 will still continue to be in Chapter 61.

Mr. O’Connor said another program that Monson has been lucky enough to be selected for is they have some funding paying for forest management plans. They picked 30 towns across the state, which have a lot of forest in conjunction with three or four towns and Wales, Holland, Brimfield and Monson have a big block of forest. They are going to be mailing a lot of larger forest land owners within those towns offering them a free forest management plan which is basically the ability of hiring a private professional forester and be reimbursed. There is a federal scale for how much they can get paid, but generally it is 100% of what the cost is. Also if anyone in the listening audience is watching and doesn’t get a mailing they were told they could contact the Board of Selectmen’s Office.

The next item on the agenda was the request for special employee exemption per MGL Chapter 268 Section 20 for Michael Arbour and Timothy Pascale. Ms. Neggers stated the Selectmen have letters from Mr. Arbour and Mr. Pascale for this request and that this was in accordance with Mass. General Laws Chapter 268 Section 20, which is the Conflict of Interest law. Ms. Neggers said she spoke with Town Counsel regarding this. This is a condition necessary for them to work for two different departments. There are certain criteria and thresholds they have to meet and the town must meet, as well such as, the population must be less than 10,000. Both Mr. Pascale and Mr. Arbour hold positions at the School Department as coaches. The Board of Selectmen need to vote to give them the special employee exemption. The attached for would them be filed with the Town Clerks' Office and set to the State Ethnic'’ Commission as well. This is not a part of Parks and Recreation. Ms. Neggers explained in this case Mr. Pascale would be working for the School Department. Ms. Neggers said an inventory will be done and another list will come back before the Board of Selectmen as there are a number of other town employees that this needs to be in place for due to Monson being a small community. Ms. Neggers stated she spoke with Town Counsel, Mr. Albano, who is very familiar with the Ethic’s Law, which is a very complicated law. Mr. Albano is very comfortable with this request. Ms. Neggers read the law into the record.

Mr. Guertin made a motion to approve the exemption under Mass. General Laws Chapter 268 Section 20 on both the behalf of Timothy Pascale and Michael Arbour as designated special employees. Mr. Manning seconded it and it was so VOTED.

Ms. Neggers said the Board of Selectmen needed to certify an additional $50,000.00 in the Snow and Ice deficit spending which the Finance Committee approved last night. This brings the total deficit authorized up to $150,000.00.

Mr. Guertin made a motion to approve an additional $50,000.00 to be allocated to the Snow and Ice deficit spending. Mr. Manning seconded and it was so VOTED.

Mr. Guertin said Police Chief McKenzie asked the Board of Selectmen to bring something up as a reminder. There was an article in the Palmer Journal relative to a program that Chief McKenzie has an interest in starting. Mr. Guertin said, as most people know, it is important for police officers to go through the Police Academy to be trained in the proper techniques, methodology, etc., relative to being an effective police officer. Chief McKenzie is considering offering a Citizens Police Academy where interested citizens could attend a ten week twenty hour program. This program might be held on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. starting possibly in late February or early March. Through this course, private citizens can learn a great deal about the police process and everything involved in it. If anyone is interested in this program, it was suggested they call the Police Department.

Correspondence was read and completed.





At 8:35 p.m., Mr. Guertin made a motion to adjourn the meeting from open session to go into executive session to discuss litigation and collective bargaining, not to return to open session. Mr. Manning seconded and it was so VOTED.



______________________________
James R. Manning, Clerk