BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2004
The regular meeting of the Monson 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 was not present.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to accept the minutes of March 9, 2004 – open and executive sessions after amending a typographical error in the executive session minutes. Mr. Manning seconded and it was so VOTED.
Richard Gheen and Earl Bonnett approached the Board of Selectmen to give a presentation on Employers’ Support for Guardsmen and Reservists as well as request in writing, support from the Town of Monson. Mr. Bonnett read a letter explaining the program into the record. Mr. Bonnett added, Employers in Support of the Guard/Reserve is a Federal organization that is made up of a group of volunteers of employers who want to work with other employers and with people who are in the Guard/Reserves to resolve issues relating to this. The group makes sure both sides know they have rights and responsibilities. By adopting this approach, it would improve the quality of life for all town employees by directly enhancing the success of the work place and providing an invaluable service to the nation. The program suggests learning
more about the role of the National Guard and Reserves, looking at personnel policies to see how they accommodate and support participating employees, promoting support and encouraging participation. Mr. Guertin signed the Statement of Employers’ Support for the National Guardsmen and Reservists on behalf of the Town of Monson.
Pioneer Valley Planning Commission Representatives James Mazik and Paul Bracciotti approached the Board of Selectmen with an update on the current status of the CDBG projects. Mr. Mazik said he would like to come before the Board of Selectmen on a regular basis to present up-dates. The Selectmen were handed financial statements explaining the projects for FY ’01, FY ’02 and FY ’03 and Mr. Mazik explained them. The FY ’01 program has only Housing Rehab remaining. Fourteen units have been done and two units are almost completed. The FY ’02 program is still on hold with the DHCD as to the extension request approval applied for back in December, and therefore, for the last three months, nothing could be done with this program. Also under the FY ’02 program, they have three completed
housing units, six are under construction and are anywhere from 60% to 90% complete, with five others all signed and ready to go. However, they can’t do anything until the extension is approved. The First-Time Homebuyer Program has one person still waiting with a closing date all ready. Mr. Mazik said a verbal approval that the extension has been granted has been received and now they are just awaiting written approval. The Child Abuse Prevention Planning Program also hasn’t been able to do anything for the last three months, as they too have been waiting, as the Sub-contractors Services needed to hire someone to work with the school. The Child Care Support Program and the Youth Enrichment Program are done. Completion of the Green Street Infrastructure Project, under the FY ’03 program, will be starting soon. Also, Mr. Mazik spoke about several changes being made in the project. In Childcare Subsidies, the figures shown are through the end of February and
another $3,000.00 to $4,000.00 have been paid out in the last two to three weeks. The Youth Enrichment Program is estimating twelve to fourteen youths for six to eight weeks. There is no money to work with and Monson is carrying over unexpended funds from FY ’03 for the FY ’04 program (this will be modified based on the funds available). In Housing Rehab, $61,000.00 plus remains in that account with $7,000.00 obligated to a housing rehab project. This leaves a balance of $54,000.00 plus. Some of this money could be used on eligible CDBG projects.
Ms. Neggers said she spoke with Jim Gray regarding the funds for the South Main Street School Clean-up project and said we should be hearing on this by the end of April.
Chief McKenzie added, the temporary “no parking” signs would be going back up very soon in regards to the Green Street infrastructure project. The specific date will be posted on the web site as well as in the newspaper once it has been decided. Mr. Mazik said the contractors have until September 30th to complete this project.
The next item on the agenda was to open the Special and Annual Town Meeting warrants. Ms. Neggers read the departmental requests into the record. The warrant contained standard articles which are on every Annual Town Meeting warrant, such as the Pathfinder Program, the Trash Enterprise Program, Chapter 53 ½ Revolving funds, budged articles, committee reports, etc. Ms. Neggers said there was one change which is the proposal of the deletion of the vote to furnish water without charge for the watering of public streets, as the Water Department has proposed the creation of an enterprise fund in the annual articles and this would document those costs. The Board agreed to delete this article which is referred to as Article “8”. The School Department submitted two requested articles. The Police Department
submitted one requested article. The Water/Sewer Department requested six articles. The Highway Department submitted one requested article. The Cemetery Department submitted one requested article and the Selectmen agreed more information was needed regarding the Cemetery’s request to set up a Revolving Fund for incurred overtime expenses. The Fire Department submitted two requested articles. Ms. Neggers said she and Ms. Mahar don’t have the specific language as yet for two stabilization funds, one being for the School Building Capital Improvements and the other fund for the Municipal Building Capital Improvement, as it is critical to set them up properly. In summarizing, the Board of Selectmen agreed more information was needed on the two stabilization funds along with clarity on the Cemetery Department’s request and the School’s request. The Water/Sewer Department, Highway Department and Fire Department’s requests were all set.
The articles for the Special Town meeting are for the most part just housekeeping. Ms. Neggers read these into the record as well. The School Department has two requested articles, Water/Sewer Department has two requested articles, Fire Department has two requested articles, the Highway department has one requested article, Police Department has one requested article, Street Lighting Account, the Board of Health, Health Insurance Town Share Account and FICA.
The Selectmen did not vote to place any of the articles presented on the warrant at this meeting.
The next item on the agenda was to approve the Memorial Hall Use Policy, which was presented to the Board of Selectmen on March 9, 2004 at their meeting. Mr. Guertin questioned the use of the word “nexus” on page one and the word “contravention” on page two, and maybe changing them to something a little more easily understood. Mr. Guertin also wondered about parking lot attendants and if they should be included in this policy on page three. Ms. Neggers stated she isn’t aware of any parking issues in the past and it was agreed this didn’t need to be included, as long as the fire lanes remain open. Mr. Guertin said he would like to see the type of activities listed on the application, along with the events. Ms. Neggers said anyone new wishing to use Memorial Hall would have to come before
the Board of Selectmen to explain their event and any intended activities. On page five it was agreed to increase the fees charged, as the costs for heating and electricity have gone up considerably. And this hasn’t increased in ten years. Ms. Norbut made a motion to approve the Memorial Hall Use Policy as presented, with the changes to the fee structure by increasing the fees to $50.00, $100.00 and $250.00 and to add wording “and activities” on page four of the application, and to also add the language regarding leases per event, as discussed. Mr. Manning seconded and it was so VOTED.
The last item on the agenda was to appoint the Zoning Enforcement Officer as per the Monson Zoning
Bylaws. Ms. Norbut made a motion to appoint Chip Lapointe as the Zoning Enforcement Officer effective April 1, 2004 through March 31, 2005. Mr. Manning seconded and it was so VOTED.
In other business to come before the Board of Selectmen, Hope Bodwell, Director of the Monson Free Library has requested permission to hang a banner across Main Street announcing the Community Read Program “One Book, One Town, One Goal” in April. Ms. Neggers read the request into the record. Ms. Norbut said she would like to limit the time a banner can be hung to three weeks per event, which would allow the library to hang a banner for the three weeks from April 12th through May 3rd. The Board of Health would be allowed to hang a banner for three weeks prior to the Health Fair on June 12th and the Summerfest would be allowed to hang a banner through July 4th. Ms. Norbut made a motion to approve the Library’s request to hang a banner across Main Street from April 12th through May 3rd. Mr. Manning seconded and it was so VOTED.
Also in other business to come before the Board of Selectmen, Ms. Norbut mentioned reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of the Selectmen’s meetings and suggested maybe inviting different scouting troops to come in to lead the pledge. Mr. Guertin and Mr. Manning agreed this is something to think about.
Mr. Manning mentioned the Town’s Hiring Policy which was implemented in 1996 and the need to adhere to the policy. Ms. Neggers said she would remind the Department Heads at the meeting tomorrow, as there are many new Department Heads, and agreed this policy is something the town needs to be following.
Mr. Guertin reminded the residents to vote in the town election on April 5th.
Correspondence was read and completed.
At 9:10 p.m., Ms. Norbut made a motion to adjourn from open session to go into executive session for the purpose of contractual discussion, 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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