MONSON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2005
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen convened at 7:00 p.m. in the Conference Room at 110 Main Street. 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 at this meeting.
Acceptance of Meeting Minutes –
Mr. Guertin made a motion to accept the meeting minutes of March 15, 2005 – open session. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Destination Imagination Team – request for use of Town Office gymnasium
A student from the Destination Imagination team approached the Board of Selectmen. The student explained the team is requesting permission to use the gymnasium in the Town Office Building, which would provide the space needed to practice their 8-minute skit for the upcoming State competition. The team would like to be able to practice in the gymnasium now through March 29th or March 30th. Denise Morgan, who was in the audience, stated she has spoken with Nancy Morrell and has agreed to be out of the gymnasium prior to the time required for Ms. Morrell to set up for the annual Town elections. If the team is successful in winning the State competition, they would then go on to the Global Competition held in Tennessee. Mr. Manning said overall, Monson’s Destination Imagination teams have done very
well. Mr. Manning said Memorial Hall would also be empty during the days requested if that space provided a better fit. Ms. Neggers confirmed the gymnasium in the Town Office Building would also be available. The student explained the 8-minute or less skit the team will be presenting this year, which is to put on a live radio show with all the sound effects. The team must also implement into the skit a commercial featuring a unique outrageous product. The team will have one minute to implement a news bulletin into their skit as well, which they won’t know what it is beforehand. Mr. Guertin said he is really impressed with the team’s creativity. Ms. Norbut made a motion to approve the Destination Imagination team’s request for use of the gymnasium in the Town Office Building. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Hope Bodwell – Monson Free Library’s “Community Read” Program
Ms. Bodwell approached the Board of Selectmen and said she was here to inform the community that the Community Read Program would be starting the first week of April. The Community Read Program held last year was very successful. This year, Ms. Bodwell is working with the Community Relations Committee and has obtained a grant through the A. D. L. (Anti-Defamation League) for the No Place for Hate incentive. The grant is split into two parts. One part is with the library taking the incentive to do another community read. The Community Read program really brings a community together by having the town read the same book, getting the participants talking and sharing their experiences and ideas and to get the participants to go to different events surrounding the theme of the book. With the Community Relations Committee, they
are doing this as a No Place for Hate theme associated with tolerance and diversity and to speak about it as a town. The title of the book is “Garden of Martyrs” by Michael C. White, who lives in Wilbraham. The story is historical fiction based on an actual event that happened in the early 1800’s, where two Irishmen were accused of a murder on Boston Post Road. There was a mockery of a trial and the two men were hung. The book deals with religious persecution, what happened then, and how it could still happen today and how others can be mistreated and misjudged. The second half of the grant is going towards a performance/panel discussion on April 28th at Memorial Hall. Ms. Norbut said the book talks about our region, mentioning Boston Post Road, the Old Post Road, Northampton, Wilbraham, Beacon Hill, etc. Mr. White will be coming to the Library on May 4th at 7p.m., to speak about his book and for a book signing.
Review Town Meeting Schedule/Warrant Process
Ms. Norbut made a motion to open the Annual Town meeting warrant. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED. Mr. Guertin read a summarized version of some of the standard articles into the record as follows:
To hear reports from town offices and committees.
To see if the Town will vote to fix the salary or compensation of all elected officials.
To see if the Town will vote to re-authorize the existing Revolving Funds under M.G.L. Chapter 44 Section 53 E ½.
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate any sum of money as may be necessary to defray the expenses of the Town for the ensuing year.
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer and appropriate from available funds a sum of money to the Stabilization Account.
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer and appropriate from available funds a sum of money to pay the Town’s apportioned share of the Operating and Maintenance and Capital Budget of the Pathfinder Regional Vocational/Technical High School District.
To see if the Town will vote to transfer and appropriate the Comcast. Inc. Franchise Fee to Municipal Public Access Cable Television, Inc.
To see if the Town will vote to accept any funds which have been offered to the Town’s Perpetual Care Cemetery Fund since the last Annual Town Meeting.
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer and appropriate from available funds a sum of money with which to meet bill of previous years.
To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer and Town Collector to enter into written agreements with banking institutions.
To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to sell at public or private sale, property taken by the Town under tax title procedure.
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer and appropriate from available funds a sum of money to operate the Enterprise Trash/Recycling Program.
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate and/or transfer and appropriate from available funds a sum of money to operate the Water Enterprise Fund.
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or borrow and appropriate a sum of money up to four hundred thousand dollars ($400,000.00) to be used for construction projects authorized through the Chapter 90 Bond Issue.
Ms. Neggers said the Finance Committee meeting minutes are posted on the town’s web site at www.monson-ma.gov and added it is a good way for people to keep in touch with the budget process as it unfolds.
Community Relations Committee Banner Request –
Ms. Norbut said the Community Relations Committee is requesting permission to display the “No Place for Hate” banner across Main Street. The proposed dates are from April 21st through May 7th to let the community know activities will be taking place such as the Book Read Ms. Bodwell spoke of and the theatrical production that will take place at Memorial Hall. .Mr. Guertin made a motion to approve the request made by Ms. Norbut for the dates specified. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
In other Business to Come Before the Board of Selectmen –
Ms. Neggers reminded residents of the public hearing tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. presented by the Open Space and Recreation Plan Up-date Committee at the Monson High School to gain input from the citizens of the town about what they think is important in the community. Everyone is encouraged to attend.
Ms. Norbut also reminded residents of the town elections coming up on April 4th.
Mr. Guertin said he wanted to take the time to thank Mr. Manning for nine years of service as a Selectman. Mr. Guertin explained Mr. Manning elected not to run again this year making this his last scheduled Board of Selectmen meeting. Mr. Manning thanked the town and the town’s people for allowing him to serve as a Selectman over the nine years. Mr. Manning said he has enjoyed himself and tried to do the best job he could. Personal plans will partake the next three years and Mr. Manning explained if he were to run again, might not have been around for part of the year, which he felt wouldn’t have been fair to the town or to the Board.
Correspondence was read and completed.
Ms. Norbut presented Mr. Manning with a “Monson” plaque and said she echoed Mr. Guertin's words, and expressed her appreciation to Mr. Manning and his wife Margo. Ms. Norbut said Mr. Manning has taught her a lot and she appreciates his leadership and his commitment. Ms. Neggers said she also will miss Mr. Manning and wishes him the best, but also expects to see him around.
At 7:35 p.m., Mr. Guertin made a motion to adjourn from open session to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing collective bargaining, pending litigation and non-union contractual matters, not to return to open session. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
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Richard E. Guertin, Clerk
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