MONSON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 2005
The regular meeting of the Monson Board of Selectmen convened at 6:00 p.m. Mr. Guertin made a motion to adjourn from open session to go into executive session to discuss collective bargaining and non-union contractual issues. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED. The Board of Selectmen returned to open session at 7:00 p.m.
In attendance were Kathleen C. Norbut, Richard E. Guertin and Edward S. Harrison. Also present were the Town Administrator and the media. Town Counsel was not present at this meeting.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Pole Petition #8097 – Bennett Road – Install One J.O. Pole and Relocate One Pole:
Mr. Harrison 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 and relocation. Mr. Harrison made a motion to approve pole petition #8097 as presented. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Acceptance of Minutes:
The meeting minutes for April 12, 2005 – open session- were deferred until the next meeting.
Joint Meeting of the Water/Sewer Commission and the Board of Selectmen to Fill a Vacancy on the Commission:
Mr. Guertin made a motion to open the joint meeting, at 7:10 p.m., with the Water/Sewer Commissioners. Mr. Harrison seconded the motion. Craig Jalbert, Marshall Harris, Douglas North and Stephen Lobik approached the Board of Selectmen. It was explained that Jack Gustafson has moved out of town and is unable to fulfill his position on the Water/Sewer Commission, which lead to his recent resignation. Mr. Gustafson had served on the Water/Sewer Commission for about six years. The vacancy on the Commission was advertised in the newspapers. Mr. Lobik submitted a letter stating he was interested in serving on the board, a position he had previously held for two terms. Mr. Lobik said he enjoyed serving as a Commissioner, it’s just that life got busy for him and he wasn’t going to be able to attend the meetings.
Therefore, Mr. Lobik didn’t feel he could run for a third term at that time. His schedule has since changed over the years allowing him the time to serve as a Commissioner. The Water/Sewer Commissioners made the recommendation Mr. Lobik be appointed to the board. Mr. Harrison said he attended several Water/Sewer Commissioners meetings in the past and recognized the fact that Mr. Lobik had done an excellent job and is an excellent candidate for this position. Mr. Harris made a motion to appoint Stephen Lobik to the Water/Sewer Commission to replace Jack Gustafson, effective immediately. His term will run until the next Town election in April 2006. Mr. North seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Mr. Guertin – Aye
Ms. Norbut – Aye
Mr. Harrison – Aye
Mr. Harris - Aye
Mr. North – Aye
Mr. Harris recognized and thanked Mr. Gustafson for doing a great job the whole time he served as a Water/Sewer Commissioner and added Mr. Gustafson was always there and knew all the ins and outs, and added Mr. Gustafson’s knowledge in the field really helped the Commission out. The joint meeting was closed at 7:18 p.m.
Destination Imagination – Request for Donation:
Shellie Greene, Andrew Mill, Kasey Greene, Josiah Durham and Tom Greene approached the Board of Selectmen. Kasey Greene said the Destination Imagination team has won the regional and state competitions, coming in second in the skit, which placed the team in second place overall. The team will now compete in the Global Finals in Knoxville, Tennessee at the end of May. The team needs $8,000.00 to cover all of the traveling expenses. The Destination Imagination Team was requesting a donation from the Gifts to the Town Account in the amount of $1,000.00, as this is the amount traditionally donated in the past. Many fundraising events are also planned to help with raising the required funds. The team will be holding a car wash in the parking lot by the Police Station on Saturday, May 14th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00
p.m. A can and bottle drive will coincide with the town’s Bulky Day on Saturday, May 7th at Quarry Hill Elementary School from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and raffle tickets are being sold with some really great prizes, such as golf clubs and a computer just to name a few. Andrew Mill also said the seven team members are going door-to-door in an effort to raise $500.00 each. Mr. Greene said the people and businesses in Monson have also been very generous with their donations. Destination Imagination shirts may be purchased on line at either the states web site or at www.dini.org which is the national web site. Ms. Norbut wished the team luck and thanked them
for their effort and accomplishments. Mr. Guertin said the team should be proud of themselves, as there can’t be too many teams that have accomplished what this team has accomplished. Ms. Norbut and Mr. Harrison agreed. Kasey Greene said the success of the team is due to hard work and to the coaches who have kept the team on track. Andrew Mill added the team has pulled some 6 and 12-hour days of practice while practicing every day during vacation. Mr. Greene said it was particularly hard this year as this group is the youngest in age for their level of the competition, going from the Middle School competition level into the High School competition level and added their hard work is the key to their success. Mr. Guertin made a motion to approve the donation in the amount of $1,000.00 from the Gifts to the Town Account to help the Destination Imagination team defray the expenses of their trip. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
MetroGuard and MIIA – Presentation of Insurance Proposals:
Hugh Campbell and David Labonte approached the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Campbell attended a Board of Selectmen’s meeting back in October. Mr. Labonte previously was employed by MIIA, and switched a few months ago to start working for MetroGuard in the Loss Prevention Services. Mr. Campbell recapped his visit last fall and said at that time, he had looked at Monson’s Property and Casualty Insurance, coverage, premiums, limits, etc. Monson decided not to take his proposal for the current fiscal year. However, Monson did decide in the fall to take another proposal from MetroGuard for the next fiscal year, effective July 1st, 2005. Mr. Campbell had the proposal with him tonight, which he handed to Ms. Neggers. MIIA has also submitted their proposal for next year as well. The numbers will be compared and
the decision will proceed from there. Mr. Campbell said his proposal is roughly the same as last years’ proposal. There haven’t been too many changes from one year to the next with the variables. Most of the changes that occurred were with the fleet schedules. One of the main differences between MetroGuard and MIIA, is MetroGuard is heavy into the service agenda, particularly with loss prevention. MetroGuard hopes to improve the service Monson is currently receiving or to at least maintain the current service, particularly from the loss prevention standpoint. MetroGuard is based in Greenfield, Mass. and specializes in Municipal and School district insurance. The distinguishing features MetroGuard has over MIIA are that structurally they are different. MIIA is a non-profit program, which doesn’t have the protection of the Guaranteed Fund by the State of Massachusetts. MetroGuard is subject to regulation by the state and they pay a fee to the state to make sure if
they have financial difficulties that their Guaranteed Fund is there to pay any outstanding claims. MetroGuard is subject to financial scrutiny by the Division of Insurance. Mr. Campbell believes MIIA is not regulated and/or scrutinized by anybody other then their membership. With MetroGuard, Monson’s premiums are determined by Monson’s losses and not by someone else’s losses. If a large loss occurs, MetroGuard can be in town within 60 minutes. MetroGuard employees 70, all out of the Greenfield office. Mr. Labonte said he switched from MIIA who he had worked for, for ten years, to work for MetroGuard. Mr. Labonte does the marketing and risk management for MetroGuard. Mr. Labonte feels the programs are very similar with a few advantages, which stand out from MIIA. On loss control, they have the same services to provide Risk Management Programs, the difference being, MetroGuard might not have as many regional seminars as MIIA presents, but they can come into the
town to tailor programs specifically for Monson’s departments. Instead of having to travel to different sites to attend workshops, MetroGuard will come into Monson to present programs. MetroGuard does not offer a Rewards Program, but takes this into consideration with the pricing to offset the Rewards Program offered by MIIA. Mr. Labonte said MetroGuard is very service oriented and would oversee Monson’s losses. If there were areas of trending developing they would work with the town to implement programs to keep those losses at a minimum. Mr. Campbell said he hasn’t noticed any problematic trends recently, but did notice there was some claim activity on the law enforcement going back four or five years. The loss runs that Mr. Campbell has seen since December are the typical automobile scratch and dent type of losses, nothing major. What they look for along the professional lines are lawsuits, pending law suits and large damage claims. Mr. Labonte said when he was
with MIIA and working with Monson, he remembers a few building issues, in the schools, with mold claims. The mold coverage with MetroGuard is at $50,000.00 and with MIIA it was at $25,000.00. MetroGuard has an optional terrorist coverage as they belong to the Federal Legislation Backstop Program, which MIIA does not belong to. MetroGuard feels a realistic terrorist act will not take place in Monson, but a more likely area would be in the eastern portion of the state.
Summerfest – Requests Regarding July 2005 Events:
Russell Bressette, Scott Walker and Steve Slozak approached the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Bressette spoke of having a second beer garden, which would be in Veteran’s Field for the people in the field listening to the band, so they wouldn’t have to walk so far. They were thinking along the lines of something small, such as a beer wagon or a barrel unit and thought of possibly selling food there as well. Ms. Neggers said the Summerfest Committee would need two separate licenses, one for each beer garden, and didn’t know if the law would allow it. Mr. Bressette said if they were only allowed one beer garden, they would leave it set up as it has always been. Mr. Bressette added that the insurance company will no longer insure anyone who has not attended the T.I.P.S. course. Mr. Bressette has attended this
course and if another beer garden were to open, someone from that garden would also have to attend this course.
Mr. Bressette said they are also looking for ways to raise funds for the fireworks display. One way they are going to raise funds is, a $30.00 donation will place names, or donations made in memory of someone, in the Summerfest booklet. With donations from fifty people, the Summerfest Committee could almost put on a firework display equal to that of last year. By holding the fireworks display during the weekend, the cost is $4,000.00 to $5,000.00 whereas if the fireworks display were held on the 4th of July, the cost would be $12,000.00, for the same display, due to supply and demand. This year, the fireworks will be held on Friday, July 1st.
Also this year, to help raise funds, the Summerfest Committee will be holding a golf tournament on May 20th at the Quaboag Country Club starting at noon. They are looking for individuals or teams to participate in the tournament. The cost is $90.00 per person or $360.00 per team. Scott Walker is the contact person. A steak dinner will be held along with a raffle and prizes for the closest to the pin, longest drive, etc. The golf tournament is limited to eighteen teams and is filling up fast.
The Summerfest Committee is also having a sign-up for a corporate sponsored billboard. The billboard will list all the activities for the day. A billboard will be displayed by the gazebo with another billboard displayed by the Town Office Building. Another billboard will be made listing the sponsors who donate $100.00 and will be displayed at the 1st tee during the gold tournament and brought downtown on the 4th of July for everyone to see.
Afghans are for sale for $45.00 each
Mr. Bressette said every year the Summerfest Committee dwindles down in membership. They are looking for people wishing to join the Committee, which meets every second Tuesday of the month at the Fire Station at 7:30 p.m. They are looking for new ideas and volunteers to work throughout the day during the Summerfest. Mr. Bressette thanked everyone for the little things as well as the large things people have provided and donated to the Summerfest Committee over the years, as well as all the people behind the scenes for their generosity and their help. This will be the Summerfest’s 26th year. Ms. Neggers added, this information would also be posted on the Town’s web site.
Appoint Zoning Enforcement Officer per Monson Zoning Bylaws:
Mr. Guertin made a motion to appoint Chip Lapointe Zoning Enforcement Officer effective April 1, 2005 through March 31, 2006. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Finalize Annual Town Meeting Warrant:
Ms. Neggers stated she hasn’t received any additional warrant article requests for the Annual Town meeting. Ms. Neggers approached the Board of Selectmen on a Capital Funding article regarding the recommendation that $57,000.00 put towards the Margaret Street Landfill. Work has commenced on this project. Since the Capital funding project was put together, a critical need was identified in the Town Office Building. The masonry around the roof of the building and the gymnasium windowsills needs to be tightened up. Ms. Neggers explained this is considered routine maintenance on an 80-year old building that the town operates the town government out of. Some of the concrete masonry did fall off the top of the building on one side, creating a liability for the town. Ms. Neggers explained a masonry intervention needs to be
done on this building to get things tightened up before it gets worse with water seeping in, freezing and thawing during the winter months. The Building Inspector, Chip Lapointe, solicited an estimate from a local contractor and additional quotes will be solicited as well. The cost will be approximately $12,000.00, which will include a $1.000.00 contingency just in case any other problems are discovered during the repair. Mr. Guertin made a motion to shift the $12,000.00 from the Margaret Street Landfill allocation over to the Town Office repair. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Guertin made a motion to close the warrants for the Annual Town meeting. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Neggers reiterated for the listening audience, that the Annual Town meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 9th at Granite Valley Middle School in the auditorium at 7:00 p.m. everyone is encouraged to attend.
Approve Additional Snow & Ice Deficit Spending ($5000) Authorization:
Ms. Neggers said approximately $32,000.00 in reimbursement was received today and this request is no longer needed.
Receipt of Request for Right-of-First Refusal Determination – Beebe Road:
Ms. Neggers explained this request was sent directly to the Planning Board and to the Conservation Commission and that the Board of Selectmen are awaiting a response from them. The Board of Selectmen agreed to forward this to their next meeting on May 10th.
Increase Spending Thresholds – Various 53 E ½ Revolving Funds:
Ms. Neggers explained these are standard cleanup and bookkeeping issues. The 53E1/2 Revolving Funds have certain spending thresholds established at the Town meetings. The Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee have received a memorandum from the Town Accountant. After doing the annual review, the Town Accountant is recommending the following increases to the spending limits:
Assessors’ Reports – increase it by $1,000.00 for a new limit of $2,000.00
Municipal Technology – increase it by $3,000.00 for a new limit of $22,000.00
Driveway Inspector – increase it by $1,000.00 for a new limit of $2,500.00
Gas inspector – increase it by $500.00 for a new limit of $5,500.00
Electrical Inspector – increase it by $5,000.00 for new limit of $30,000.00
Cross Alter Inspector – increase it by $1,000.00 for a new limit of $4,000.00
Title V Inspector – increase it by $2,000.00 for a new limit of $17,000.00
Summer Theatre – increase it by $1,000.00 for a new limit of $16,000.00
Anything left over in the funds would be reverted back to the General Fund. Mr. Harrison made a motion to approve the aforementioned increases in the 53E1/2 Revolving Fund Accounts as just read. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
In Other Business to Come Before the Board of Selectmen:
It was announced to the listening audience, that the Boston Red Sox World Series trophy will be at the Monson Free Library tomorrow from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Anyone with special needs was encouraged to telephone either the Selectmen’s Office or the Library. A police officer will be there to direct traffic as well.
Ms. Norbut said this Thursday at Memorial Hall, the production of “They’re Irish, They’re Catholic, They’re Guilty” will be held free of charge at 7:00 p.m. This is a collaboration with the Monson Arts Council, the Community Relations Committee and the Monson Free Library. The author will be on hand to speak on his work and how he was inspired to write this play. A speaker will also be coming in from Old Sturbridge Village to speak. Michael White will be here to speak on his book “ Garden of Martyrs,” which was chosen as this year’s book for the Community Read. Senator Brewer will attend to close the evening by reading the Proclamation of Pardon signed by Michael Dukakis in 1984.
Correspondence was read and completed.
At 8:20 p.m., Mr. Guertin made a motion to adjourn from open session. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
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Edward S. Harrison, Clerk
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