MONSON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2005
The regular meeting of the Monson Board of Selectmen convened at 7:00 p.m. in the Conference Room at 110 Main Street. 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.
Acceptance of Minutes:
Mr. Harrison made a motion to accept the meeting minutes of May 10, 2005 – open and executive sessions. Two corrections where noted. One correction was for a typo in the last sentence on page 2 of the minutes. The second correction was the inclusion in the correspondence response, number one, where it states “with 70% of Monson’s roads” to include “ with 76% (instead of 70%) of Monson’s roads being in fair or poor condition”. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Update – Lower Hampden Road Reconstruction Status:
John Morrell approached the Board of Selectmen to explain the funding for the Lower Hampden Road project and added this project was initiated back in 1996 with full depth reconstruction planned. The Lower Hampden Road project will be funded through the ISTEA (Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act) program, which is 80% federally funded and 20% state funded. The project will start at the intersections of Elm Street and Lower Hampden Road and continue to the Hampden town line, a total of 4.2 miles. The town has met all of its required responsibilities on its end towards making this ISTEA project a reality. The actual layout design of the road has been 100% completed. The environmental issues, such as the Conservation Commission filing the notice of intent and so on have been completed. The Conservation Commission
has issued an order of conditions, which will be in effect when it goes out to bid, so everyone will know exactly what they can and cannot do and what they must do. Mass. Highway recently issued the right of way certificate, meaning the town has acquired all necessary temporary and permanent easements and a clear definitive right of way to work in during the project. Mr. Morrell explained the Transportation Improvement Program contains a list that explains which projects will be done each year. For federal fiscal year 2006, which starts this fall (2005), the Lower Hampden Road project was on the list. A few months ago, the Joint Transportation Committee, which is comprised of one member from each town in an entire region and who meet at the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, bumped the Monson project up to federal fiscal year 2007, which is the fall of 2006 (a year later). Mr. Morrell explained the reason for this is there is only $14 million available for this entire region for
all the projects that had been put in for. Mass. Highway has added another 25% to the estimated cost of the Lower Hampden Road project, which was $6.2 million, bringing the estimated cost up to $8 million because they feel that by the time the project is done, there is a good chance the costs will increase by that amount. Mr. Morrell added only state and federal funds will be used for this project and no local funds would be used for the construction costs. Because there is only $14 million available and Monson’s project total is $8 million, Mr. Morrell explained there is a project in Northampton that is rated the same as Monson’s project for $8.6 million and something had to give as other projects will also have to be done as well. Due to this, Monson was bumped up to 2007. Mr. Morrell said he attended the last meeting of the Joint Transportation Committee, on May 11th. Mr. Morrell gave the Board of Selectmen a handout explaining the different projects in the area and
why Monson was bumped. At this meeting, the Joint Transportation Committee voted unanimously that Monson’s Lower Hampden Road project would not be bumped again and that it is a top priority for 2007. Mr. Morrell said Monson is 99.9% assured this project will go out to bid in the fall of 2006. This is the best Monson can do with the federal aid. Mr. Morrell said there is another scenario, which is possible and explained a petition is in the Selectmen’s Office for everyone to sign to try to get the state to use pure state dollars to fund the Lower Hampden Road project in order to have the repairs made sooner if money is available through Mass. Highway.
Mr. Morrell asked the Board of Selectmen to consider taking an official vote to accept all permanent easements as acquired and recorded by Town Counsel. Mr. Guertin made a motion the Board of Selectmen approve all the permanent easements that are associated with the Lower Hampden Road project. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Norbut thanked the newspapers that carried the information to the community and to M-PACT. Ms. Norbut reiterated there is a petition in the Selectmen’s Office and on her front door, and encouraged everyone to come down to sign. The petitions contain approximately 170 signatures so far. A petition will also be posted in the Library and Mr. Morrell said one is posted in the Highway Department. The petition may be signed by anyone who is concerned for his or her safety; therefore you do not have to be a resident in order to sign the petition. Hopefully, by signing the petition, it will help to move the projects starting date back to the fall of 2006. Once everyone has had ample time to sign, the petitions will be sent to the state. Ms. Norbut thanked everyone who has come in to sign so far. Mr.
Morrell added a project such as this, would take the town twenty-five years to fund at the current pace, if funded using Chapter 90 funds, and would require doing nothing to any of the other town roads during that time.
Mr. Morrell said Monson has applied for six ISTEA projects. Four projects have been completed. The fifth project is Hospital Road and Representative Rogeness has told Mr. Morrell that within 30 days, Palmer Paving who was awarded the bid will receive an order to proceed. Lower Hampden Road is the sixth project. Mr. Morrell said a little work would have to be done on Lower Hampden Road to get it though another winter. Mr. Morrell thanked the Board of Selectmen and Ms. Neggers for their patience.
Execute Lease – Bus Garage, Monson School Department:
Ms. Norbut explained this is an annual action taken by the Board of Selectmen regarding the leasing of the school bus garage. Ms. Neggers explained correspondence was received from Mr. Tassinari indicating there is a change in the amount changing it to $950.00 per month including heat. Last years payments were $800.00 per month without heat. This lease has been previously reviewed and approved by Town Counsel. Mr. Harrison made a motion to approve the lease for the bus garage changing the amount to $950.00 including heat. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Execute Right-of-First-Refusal – Lots 48, 50, 51 et al Heritage Lane, Monson:
Ms. Neggers gave an overview of this right-of-first-refusal, stating it is the sub-division on the former McCray property. Mr. Harrison made a motion the town does not exercise its right-of-first-refusal on lots 48, 50, 51 et al Heritage Lane. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Update on No Place for Hate® Campaign:
Ms. Norbut said Mr. Harrison had the opportunity to go to Boston on May 17th to receive an award for Monson’s re-certification in the No Place for Hate® Campaign, representing five successful years here in town. Mr. Harrison added this campaigns endeavor has been undertaken by the Community Relations Committee, and through the strength and power of that Committee, including the Selectmen, Library School Department, Police Department, Parks and Recreation, and outside organizations such as the Monson Rotary Club and the Clergy, they have been able to sustain this effort. This is an educational effort to promote diversity and to try to prevent hate crimes through a variety of programs. The latest was a play entitled “They’re Irish, They’re Catholic, They’re Guilty”. The
play before that was the Laramie Project. The No Place for Hate® effort is sponsored by the Anti-Defamation League, the Mass. Municipal Association and their chief sponsor is Blue Cross, Blue Shield. Three events are required per year. Monson is one of twenty-two communities who have been re-certified in this program throughout the state of Massachusetts. This program is still growing with new towns continuously being added. Mr. Harrison presented the certificate of re-certification to the Chair of the Community Relations Committee, Ms. Norbut. Mr. Guertin added, as a result of the latest program, a woman from Springfield who was in attendance was effected so much, she wanted to start an effort in the City of Springfield. This woman has spoken with Ms. Norbut regarding the procedures. Mr. Guertin added these programs effect everyone in some way. Ms. Norbut said everyone is welcome to attend any of the presentations and to participate, and added it has been a good thing for our
community.
In Other Business to Come Before the Board of Selectmen:
Ms. Norbut mentioned Monson has members of the Emergency Medical Technicians that have received Life Save awards and read the memo to Ms. Neggers from Fire Chief Harris into the record. The following members of the Fire Department have received Life Save awards from the Western Massachusetts Emergency Medical Services Committee, Inc. This award was given out for an ambulance call, which occurred on December 19, 2004 in Monson. The patient suffered a heart attack. The rescuers involved helped to save this patient's life. Assistant Fire Chief George Robichaud also received the Hampden County Emergency Medical Services EMT Basic Award for the year. Ms. Norbut congratulated Mr. Robichaud. The recipients of the Life Save award are: the Assistant Fire Chief George Robichaud, Lt. Brian Harris, James Royce, Kevin Brown, Patricia
Emerson, Police Officer Douglas Beachell and Dispatcher David Squire. Ms. Norbut thanked these people for the work that they do, and added it is greatly appreciated.
In Other Business to Come Before the Board of Selectmen:
Ms. Norbut thanked everyone who helped out during the Memorial Day parade, stating there was a nice turnout and a terrific parade very well put together.
Ms. Norbut reminded the town committees or those interested in becoming a member of a town committee, next month (in June) the Board of Selectmen will go through the process of re-appointing members to the committees. Those interested in becoming a member on a committee are urged to contact the Board of Selectmen or to speak with someone on the committee to find out if there is a vacancy, as the committees are always looking for new energy and new people to help serve.
The Board of Health will be holding a Hazardous Waste Day at the Highway Department on Saturday, June 4th, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Ms. Neggers said this information would be posted on the town’s web site.
Ms. Norbut said M-PACT would be picking up with the School Committee meeting, already in session, and noted it would be shown in its entirety tomorrow afternoon at approximately 2:00 following the broadcast of the Selectmen’s meeting.
At 8:00 p.m., Mr. Guertin made a motion to adjourn from open session to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing collective bargaining strategy and for the discussion of non-union contractual strategy, not to return to open session. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
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Edward S. Harrison, Clerk
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