BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 2004
The regular meeting of the Monson Board of Selectmen convened at 7:00 p.m. In attendance were Richard E. Guertin and James R. Manning. Kathleen C. Norbut was absent. Also present were the Town Administrator and the media. Town Counsel was not present at this meeting.
Mr. Guertin made a motion to reorganize the Board of Selectmen as follows:
Chairman – James R. Manning
Vice Chairman – Kathleen C. Norbut
Clerk – Richard E. Guertin
Mr. Manning seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Guertin made a motion to accept the meeting minutes of March 23, 2004 – open and executive sessions. Mr. Manning seconded and it was so VOTED.
The Destination Imagination Teams were in the audience and introduced themselves. They were in attendance regarding a request for a donation from the “Gifts to the Town Account” to help defray expenses in going to Knoxville, Tennessee to participate in the Global Finals. $6,500.00 is needed per team and there are two teams competing this year. Mr. Manning read a letter from Patricia Clem, Principal of Granite Valley Middle School, and Jim Peters, Principal of Monson High School, into the record. Mr. Manning added donations would be accepted from anyone who wished to call Granite Valley Middle School or the High School. Tom Greene, coach of the High School team, approached the Board of Selectmen and added he is particularly proud of these two teams. Mr. Guertin made a motion to award each of the two teams a
$1,000.00 donation from the Gifts to the Town Account. Mr. Manning seconded and it was so VOTED.
The next item on the agenda was to finalize the Annual Town Meeting warrant. Most of these articles were discussed at the last meeting. The Cemetery Department has requested the withdrawal of their article seeking the creation of a 53 E ½ Revolving Fund for overtime expenses. Ms. Neggers said she spoke with Carol Woodbury regarding the School Departments request for an article for funding for Capital repairs to Quarry Hill School. Ms. Neggers said this was left that if a stabilization fund was to be created, it was doubtful money would be available for it. If the two stabilization funds were created, the School Department would not need their article. The two stabilization funds, one for the School Department Capital Repair and the second for the Town Building Capital Fund, will be created even if there are no funds.
Mr. Guertin made a motion to approve the inclusion of the twenty-four articles presented on the Annual Town Meeting warrant, contingent upon Town Counsel review. Mr. Manning seconded and it was so VOTED.
The next item on the agenda was to finalize the Special Town Meeting warrant. There were the twelve articles discussed at the previous meeting of the Selectmen on March 23rd, along with a modification from the Planning Board to the Zoning Bylaws sec. 6.6.7, which is the earth filling bylaw in relation to the installation of septic systems. Also received was a request from the Town Accountant for an article to transfer and appropriate a sum of money to the Fund Balance Reserve for Debt Service – High School Construction Account. The Planning Board and the Conservation Commission both need an article to transfer a sum of money for a sign language interpreter for upcoming hearings, as requested by a local resident. The Planning Board submitted the withdrawal of their request for a zone change of property on
Bethany Road, as the applicant has withdrawn this request. The Veterans’ Service has requested an article to transfer a sum of money from the Veterans Benefits Account to the Eastern Hampden County Veterans Services Account, to address an approximate $1,000.00 shortfall. The maintenance of Public Buildings Account needs a transfer as heating costs have risen. The Chapter 74 Vocational Tuition Account, approximately $900.00, to pay for the student attending Tantasqua, which the town pays for. Mr. Guertin made a motion to approve the inclusion of the twelve articles proposed at the last meeting, plus the seven new articles discussed tonight, on the Special Town Meeting warrant, subject to Town Counsel review. Mr. Manning seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Guertin made a motion to close both, the Annual and Special Town Meeting warrants. Mr. Manning seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Neggers said the next item on the agenda is in accordance with Mass. General Law Chapter 44, Section 53 E ½ Revolving funds. Ms. Neggers explained the law and the request to increase spending limits for the various 53 E ½ Revolving Funds. Mr. Guertin made a motion to approve the increase on the Collector’s Reports Account on the 53 E ½ Revolving Funds from $1,500.00 to $2,500.00. Also, to increase the Municipal Technology Revolving Fund from $12,000.00 to $19,000.00. Mr. Manning seconded and it was so VOTED.
In other business to come before the Board of Selectmen, Ms. Neggers reiterated about the program being sponsored by the Monson Free Library, “One Book, One Town, One Goal”. The title of the book is “Snow In August” by Pete Hamill. Mr. Hamill will be at the Library on April 30th at 7:00 p.m. to hold a lecture and book signing. Congressman Richard Neal spoke at the kick off of this program last week. Ms. Neggers added this is a wonderful book and everyone should participate in this program. On May 5th, the Director of the American Civil Liberties Union will be speaking at the Library to relate his personal experiences of growing up in this religious prejudice era.
Chief McKenzie wanted to bring it to the attention of Monson residents that the Highway Department has installed the speed limit signs on Reimers Road, Stebbins Road and Silver Street. The Police Department will be setting up the radar trailer and visible police enforcement. Chief McKenzie asked residents to obey the signs.
Correspondence was read and completed.
At 8:00 p.m., Mr. Guertin made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Manning seconded and it was so VOTED.
Respectfully submitted,
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Richard E. Guertin, Clerk
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