MONSON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2004
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen convened at 7:00 p.m. In attendance were Richard E. Guertin, James R. Manning and Kathleen C. Norbut. Also present were the Town Administrator and the media. Town Counsel did not attend this meeting.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to accept the meeting minutes of January 6, 2004 - open session. Mr. Manning seconded and it was so VOTED.
A hearing convened at 7:05 p.m. for pole petition #7916 – Crow Hill Road – for the installation of one new pole. Ms. Norbut read the petition into the record. There was no public comment or input. The Water/Sewer and Highway Departments expressed no objection to the pole location. Mr. Manning made a motion to accept pole petition #7916 as presented. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Quaboag Valley Community Development Corporation Representative Susan Rutherford and Quaboag Valley Business Assistance Corporation Representative Kevin Manghan approached the Board of Selectmen to give an informational presentation to help familiarize the residents of Monson on the programs they have to offer. The Business Assistance Corporation is basically a loan program that was started in 1994. Every community is represented on this board and Mr. Manghan has been Monson’s representative since the beginning. Key people on the Business Assistance Corporation formed the Quaboag Valley Community Development Corporation in 1997. The CDC provides many programs and services that support that program. Mr. Edward Harrison is on the Board of the CDC and was in attendance in the audience for this meeting. Ms. Rutherford
explained the Loan Program, consisting of Small Business Loans, Peer Lending Groups and Micro-enterprise Loans. In addition to the loans, the CDC provides training programs. The training programs consist of Computer Skills Training, Business Planning Training and Workforce Preparedness Training. The third area is the Commercial Development, Brownsfields and Tourism Development. All this information is available on their web site at QVCDC.com or anyone interested may call Ms. Rutherford at 283-3003.
Mark Thrasher approached the Board of Selectmen regarding a change of hours in the liquor license for Mug’n’Muffin. This is to cover any special gatherings or to open at night for business to off set down trend of business sales to the economy, etc. Mr. Manning made a motion to approve Mug’n’Muffins’ request to change their hours from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
William Kitch approached the Board of Selectmen regarding a change in Manager at the Quaboag Riders Club from Ronald J. Guertin to himself and also to change the hours of operation. Mr. Manning made a motion to approve the hours of operation change to weekdays and Saturdays 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. and Sundays 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED. Ms. Neggers suggested Mr. Kitch might want to discuss with the officers of the Club, that there are liquor licenses available, the concept is getting a non-club license. Ms. Neggers recommended they examine the law, talk with someone familiar with the law and whether they comply with it or not, as protection for himself and for the club. Ms. Norbut made a motion to approve the change in manager to William Kitch. Mr. Manning seconded and it was so VOTED.
Gahart Huff approached the Board of Selectmen regarding a change in Manager at the Polish American Citizens Club, Inc. from Walter Hull to himself. Mr. Huff said he currently handles all the money, cleans the place, orders the beer and alcohol and makes sure there is a bartender working there. He is not a bartender, but does step in if he is needed. Ms. Neggers explained the law to him and that he is legally responsible for the service of alcohol and the compliance of the law. Mr. Huff has not taken any of the alcohol bartending courses. Ms. Norbut said he might want to check into this for his own knowledge. Mr. Guertin agreed Mr. Huff would be held responsible for what the bartenders and everyone else are doing if he assumes this roll. Also, in order for Mr. Huff to supervise that the bartenders are doing the right
thing, he has to know what the right thing is. This course defines what the right thing is and how to recognize when someone has had enough to drink. Ms. Norbut added by taking this course, Mr. Huff will be consistent with other managers in town and she would like to see him attend a class within the next six months. Mr. Manning agreed, as Mr. Huff has no prior experience in the liquor industry. Ms. Norbut made a motion to approve the change in management at the Polish American Citizens Club to Gahart Huff with the condition he attend one of the alcohol training courses, T.I.P.’s or equivalent, within the next six months. Mr. Manning seconded and it was so VOTED.
The Senior Center Director, Judy White, approached the Board of Selectmen to discuss grant-funded positions. Ms. White said the Council on Aging receives federal grants called Senior Aid Grants, which are intended to help put seniors from low to moderate income levels into the work force. One senior aid working at the Senior Center has been working there for fourteen years. There are three aids all together at this time, two clerical and one in the kitchen. Ms. White said she will be losing these three employees in June due to changes in the administration of this grant, which pays their salaries. Ms. White explained the program has been redesigned as a training program instead of a long-term employment option. Under the new grant stipulations, the three employees will no longer be eligible for these
positions. The new structure of the program requires any host agency, such as the Senior Center, to employ and train a new elderly employee each year. Once one year is up, the employee can no longer work at that host agency and must search for a new host. Ms. White said the perpetual training would be extremely hard on her department. Ms. White added she was here tonight to explain this situation to the Board of Selectmen and to request consideration to pay for an additional employee at the Senior Center with town funds to offset the loss of the three grant funded employees. All three grant-funded employees are part-time, working at minimum wage. The cost to retain or hire one employee part-time for 20 hours per week at the $6.75 minimum wage, would be $7,020.00 per year. Ms. White said she has spoken with the Finance Committee regarding this issue several months ago and they weren’t too receptive. There are no other grants to apply for that would cover salaries. The Board of
Selectmen agreed something needs to be done, so as not to short-change the department or the seniors themselves.
Ms. White also stated about nine months ago she spoke with someone at the Falon Community Health Plan about the Elder Sensitivity Training. The woman called yesterday, January 12th, and said Monson is now number one on the list. The Elder Sensitivity Training is training other people to be more sensitive to the needs of elders and what they are going through being seniors. Ms. White handed the Board of Selectmen a list showing the objectives of the program. Ms. White said her staff will be going through the training and felt it might be beneficial for other town employees to go through as well. Maybe some of the Police Officers, EMT’s, Tax Office and anyone who is dealing with seniors. They need a minimum of ten and a maximum of fifty people for this class. Ms. Neggers suggested mentioning this at a
Department Heads meeting.
In other Business to come before the Board of Selectmen Ms. Neggers said the Board of Selectmen received a letter from Dian and James Reed of Bogan Road regarding a dangerous intersection at Oak and Bliss Streets. Ms. Neggers read the letter into the record. Mr. and Mrs. Reed are requesting the Board of Selectmen, Highway Surveyor and the Police Chief to review this intersection and suggest the yield sign be replaced with a stop sign. The Board of Selectmen asked Ms. Neggers to pass this on to the Police Chief and Highway Surveyor and for them to pass a recommendation back to the Selectmen.
Ms. Norbut mentioned, last Friday night she attended the dedication of the new timing system. This is a new electronic timing system for swimming races, which has been installed at Quarry Hill School. The Colling family of Monson, have dedicated this timing system to the grandparent of their two daughters, who are now seniors and have been Western Mass. Champions. Ms. Norbut added this is a very generous gift to the community.
Mr. Guertin reminded the listening audience the Special Town Meeting would be held on Monday January 26, 2004. There are nine articles, all of which are non-financial and includes the recodification of the Town Bylaws.
Correspondence was read and completed.
At 8:10 p.m. Ms. Norbut made a motion to adjourn from open session to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing collective bargaining, not to return to open session. Mr. Manning seconded and it was so VOTED.
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Kathleen C. Norbut, Clerk
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