MONSON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2004
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen convened at 6:04 p.m. Mr. Guertin made a motion to adjourn from open session to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing collective bargaining and pending litigation. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED. The Board of Selectmen returned to open session at 7:00 p.m.
In attendance were James R. Manning, Kathleen C. Norbut and Richard E. Guertin. Also present were the Town Administrator and the media. Town Counsel was not present.
Mr. Guertin made a motion to accept the meeting minutes of December 7, 2004 – open and executive sessions. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
A public hearing convened at 7:08 p.m. regarding a dog complaint of Donald Fuller against a dog owned by Jeremy Richards of 2 Gates Street. Mr. Fuller, Mr. Richards and Animal Control Officer Todd Mongeon approached the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Manning swore in all the parties involved.
Mr. Fuller stated he had complained several times to the Police Department about Mr. Richards’ dog barking, as it is very annoying. Mr. Fuller was informed that an officer went to Mr. Richards' house regarding the complaint against this dog and following that, the dog continued barking day in and day out. Mr. Fuller stated that he hasn’t heard the dog barking for a while now, and felt maybe it was due to the windows being closed.
Animal Control Officer Mongeon read the report he submitted to Chief McKenzie on September 24, 2004, regarding this incident, as attached, into the record.
Mrs. Fuller approached the Board of Selectmen. Mrs. Fuller had been sworn in as well at the beginning of this hearing. Mrs. Fuller stated most of the barking was during the day when most of the other neighbors were not at home, which is why there might not have been any other complaints. Mrs. Fuller also agreed they haven’t heard the dog barking lately.
Mr. Richards stated he was notified only once by the Police Department, who spoke with his sister Michelle. Mr. Richards said he was never approached personally by Mr. or Mrs. Fuller, making him aware of any existing problems. Mr. Richards stated the dog is kept inside most of the time and added the dog barks only when people or other animals are spotted, like most dogs do.
Mr. Manning said at this point in time, he doesn’t feel a determination needs to be made on the dog, as he doesn’t see where it will be a problem in the winter. Mr. Manning said he has heard other dogs in the neighborhood barking, but has not noticed this particular dog barking. Mr. Manning said the Town of Monson has one town by-law pertaining to dogs, but Monson mostly obeys the state laws pertaining to this. If there are any problems in the future with this dog, it was agreed Mr. and Mrs. Fuller should speak directly with Mr. Richards or to Mr. Manning, to try to resolve any problems before hand. Mr. Fuller agreed to speak with Mr. Richards first as he feels Mr. Richards is willing to work with him.
Ms. Norbut agreed with Mr. Manning when Mr. Manning said there currently doesn’t seem to be any problems here. Ms. Norbut also agreed if this becomes a problem when the weather changes, Mr. and Mrs. Fuller should speak with Mr. Richards first to try to work things out, as she feels there was a lack of communication between the neighbors. Mr. Manning closed this public hearing at 7:25 p.m.
Correspondence was read and completed.
Mr. Manning noted there weren’t any changes made in the license renewals effective January 1, 2005. Mr. Guertin read into the record and made a motion to approve the Common Victualer – All Alcoholic Liquor Licenses for Monson Café Inc, C J’s Restaurant, Orange Lantern Inc, Tee Jay’s Inc., Golf Two Enterprises Inc d/b/a Quaboag-Valhalla Restaurant and Fat Cat Capital Inc d/b/a Mustang Sally’s. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Guertin read into the record and made a motion to approve the Retail Discount Package Store Liquor Licenses for DeMaio Discount Package Store Inc. and Peter LePoer d/b/a Main Street Liquors. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Guertin read the list into the record and made a motion to approve liquor licenses for the following Clubs, the Quaboag Riders Inc. and the Polish American Citizens Club. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
A public hearing convened at 7:30 p.m. regarding a dog complaint of James Zollo against a dog owned by Daniel Chicoine of 37 Waid Road. Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Chicoine, James Zollo and Animal Control Officer Todd Mongeon approached the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Manning swore in all the parties involved.
Mr. Zollo said the last three weeks have been good, but feels the barking will start up again in the springtime. Mr. Zollo stated his wife works nights and therefore sleeps during the day. This is a large German Shepherd, which lives right next door, and the barking is bad. Mr. Zollo stated he has three small children who are kept up late at night due to the barking.
Animal Control Officer Mongeon read the complaint of Mr. Zollo as well as his report submitted to Chief McKenzie dated October 28, 2004, as attached, into the record. Animal Control Officer Mongeon said he suggested Mr. Chicoine move the dog to the opposite side of the yard and to purchase a bark collar if necessary. Animal Control Officer Mongeon stated another neighbor also complained about Mr. Chicoine’s dog barking.
Mr. Chicoines said they have been keeping their dog inside, but feel when the dog is outside the dog can sense the hostility Mr. Zollo feels toward the dog, as he has never like the dog, causing the dog to bark at him. Mrs. Chicoines said she also works nights and therefore tries to keep the dog quiet during the day when she and Mrs. Zollo are trying to sleep and added there are other dogs in the neighborhood that also bark, two of which live next door to Mr. Zollo as well. They are trying to cooperate and feel the dog is doing better.
Mr. Zollo said he is so stressed by the barking that he is willing to pay half of the cost of the $100.00 bark collar Animal Control Officer Mongeon recommended. Mr. and Mrs. Chicoine said they will take Mr. Zollo up on the offer and will try to keep the dog inside as much as possible as they feel the bark collar is cruel.
Ms. Norbut noted it sounds as though steps are being taken to try to work out this problem, but feels, due to the work hours it is difficult to care for the dog. Ms. Norbut made the recommendation that Mr. and Mrs. Chicoine purchase the bark collar, taking Mr. Zollo up on his offer to pay for half the cost if they wish, and continue with the confinement routine that they have adopted in the past few weeks. This routine seems to have made some progress and if that works, which she feels will given what they know in this space of time, take it from there. Animal Control Officer Mongeon suggested placing a tarp on the side of the kennel facing Mr. Zollo’s property as he felt maybe if the dog could not see Mr. Zollo he would not bark at him.
Mr. Manning suggested seeing how things go for the next few months. Mr. Manning also said he is not going to end this hearing. If this problem continues, the hearing will be reconvened for the Board of Selectmen to take further action. Mr. Guertin made a motion to pursue the path just described and to continue this hearing for six months. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED. This hearing was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
Paul Bracciotti of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission approached the Board of Selectmen regarding the public discussion of the FY 2005 CDBG application, Judy White of the Council on Aging, Hope Bodwell of the Monson Free Library and Sue Hamlitt of the Pre-school Enrichment Team, also approached the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Bracciotti said this application is due March 1st. Monson is in a category that has a lot less money and is stricter, due to the progress in Monson. The maximum grant is $800,000.00. Mr. Bracciotti explained the handouts he gave to the Board of Selectmen and said this is a chance to take the $800,000.00 to see what it might look like if all the activities spoken about get something. There are three units at $30,000.00 each scheduled for the Housing Rehabilitation. Ms. Neggers said she
spoke with John Morrell and Craig Jalbert regarding the infrastructure. The area spoken of on Lower Wales Road has been surveyed and meets the income requirements. They are planning to clean and reline or replace the waterlines, storm drainage, sidewalks and street paving. Mr. Jalbert had indicated the very preliminary estimate would be $470,000.00 and this would only do an overlay. This wouldn’t address any of the drainage issues on the road. Ms. Neggers asked Mr. Bracciotti if it would be possible to shift any of the funds from anywhere else into that category, such as from the Housing Rehab. Mr. Bracciotti said it could all be spent on infrastructure if the town wished to do so. Mr. Jalbert had indicated to Ms. Neggers that the Water/Sewer Commissioners are intent on making some type of local match out of available funds. They are also discussing the possibility with Mr. Morrell of possibly making a match using the Chapter 90 funds as well. Mr. Bracciotti said he has asked
for a more precise cost of the construction.
Ms. White said in regard to the Elder Care Program, $70,000.00 plus would provide the same services for six more months. If the funds for this program weren’t there, some of the people who could afford it would receive private care. Ms. White feels that most of the people wouldn’t be able to afford the private care and would end up in nursing homes, as this is used to help the low to moderate-income families. This program also allows caregivers the chance to have a well-deserved break by allowing some time for themselves.
Ms. Hamlitt spoke of the Childcare subsidies. Three families with three children each were helped this past year. Normally this program provides 50% for the care of the first child, 75% for the second and 100% for the third. When the funds are split up this way, they can’t help as many families. Ms. Hamlitt explained Mr. Bracciotti tells her how much money they have for the time period and she figures out how many children they can help out in that time period. The funding for this program ended in August and currently it is being provided for privately until more funds can be put into place for it. The funds provide benefits for paying clients for home and not-home center day care, training, and helps families find good quality day care. Mr. Guertin said it sounds as though with the childcare, when the subsidies
aren’t there the children are being cared for somehow, it’s just that the parents or guardians have to pay for it. In the Respite Care Program, when the funds aren’t there it just isn’t happening. Ms. White said that was correct. Therefore, Mr. Guertin feels the elder care would be a higher priority. Ms. Hamlitt said there is one case where a grandparent has custody of three school-aged grandchildren and she would not be able to afford $230.00 a week out of her pocket. In cases like this, the family sacrifices other things and it is detrimental to the overall of the family to meet the bare necessities.
Ms. Bodwell said the at Risk Youth Program is targeted toward the teens in the community. With the past community Block Grants, they have has the Teen Advisory Board and the Youth Enrichment Program. Ms. Bodwell would like to take these two programs and combine them into one. There is a need within the town for community services, as there have been a lot of youthful offenders. It is very hard right now for the different departments to provide the different community services to the teens as it catches them off guard. What Ms. Bodwell is proposing is a program taken out of the library and brought to the downtown community, have a coordinator to work with the teens, more community based rather then library based, work with all the other departments to coordinate a more community service program giving the teens a sense of
the community and a purpose, sponsor different events for the teens, different seminars and activities. Other teens would also be involved in this program.
Ms. Norbut spoke about the Family Violence Intervention Program saying she has been working to develop a core group in Monson. This is a project that would be looking at issues in family violence from birth to elders. Ms. Norbut said she would be looking for $36,000.00 to run this program on a shoestring over eighteen months. With $25,000.00 Ms. Norbut is quite confident they can get off to a good start and she will pursue other funding sources and matches. There currently aren’t any other resources for this between Springfield and Worcester and the need for this is huge. The types of outcomes are very tangible, such as developing a community hot line, developing magnets that could be placed on refrigerators and pamphlets. Ms. Norbut said after the eighteen months, they want to be ready to spring to the next level
and to look for legislative support for some of this funding and to have a regional task force to work with the tri-town task force of Brimfield, Holland and Wales. Ms. White and Ms. Bodwell added all these programs are really tied in together. Ms. Neggers said in the Respite Program, there are twenty-six families who were caregivers to elders and thirty-seven frail elders live alone in Monson. The Child Care Subsidies have twenty-two families including thirty chi8ldren who are on the waiting list without advertising. The Housing Rehab Program has a double-digit waiting list, not to mention the number of youths through the justice systems.
Mr. Manning said with all the infrastructure projects that have been done, he would like to see more funds put into this area. Mr. Bracciotti explained the $160,000.00 could not go any higher. $123,000.00, or 20% of the $800,000.00, is all that can be put into the social services. Additional funds cannot be added to this. The public discussion of the proposed CDBG application ended.
Mr. Guertin read the license renewal list and made a motion to approve the Common Victualer, wines and malts licenses for Monson Italian Pizzeria, Best Bet, Inc. d/b/a Mug’n’Muffin and Cook’s Cornerstone. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Guertin read the list and made a motion to approve the Automatic Amusement & Pool Table licenses for Tee Jay’s Inc, Polish American Citizens Club, Monson Bowling Alleys, Monson Café Inc., and Fat Cat Capital Inc. d/b/a Mustang Sally’s. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Guertin read the list and made a motion to approve the Entertainment Licenses for Tee-Jay’s Inc., Quaboag-Valhalla Restaurant, Polish American Citizens Club Inc., Orange Lantern Inc., Monson Café Inc., Fat Cat Capital Inc. d/b/a Mustang Sally’s and Donald Bean d/b/a Partridge Hollow Camping Area. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Guertin read the list and made a motion to approve the Motor Vehicle Class I Licenses for Ray’s Mobile Home Park and Trailers of New England Inc. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Guertin read the list and made a motion to approve the Motor Vehicle Class II Licenses for John Bee Auto Body, P & F Auto Parts, Liz Motor Sales, Raymond LaBonte d/b/a LaBonte’s, Trailers of New England Inc., Northeastern Commercial Development Corp. d/b/a Lou Rivers Used Cars, Ernie’s Service Station and Paul R. Racine d/b/a Paul’s Auto Sales. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Guertin read the list and made a motion to approve the Motor Vehicle Class III Licenses for Scantic Auto Sales, P & F Auto Sales and LaBonte’s. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Norbut suggested in going forward in 2005, taking a look at increasing the fees for the above licenses, as this hasn’t been done recently.
At 8:40 p.m., Mr. Guertin made a motion to adjourn from open session. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so voted.
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Richard E. Guertin, Clerk
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