BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 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.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Accept Meeting Minutes:
Mr. Guertin made a motion to accept the meeting minutes of August 10, 2005 – open session and August 23, 2005 – executive session and September 13, 2005 – open and executive sessions. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Set Date for Special Town Meeting:
Mr. Harrison made a motion to set November 7, 2005 as the date for the Special Town Meeting at Granite Valley Middle School at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Monson Housing Authority State Audit Report – Discuss Further Action:
Ms. Norbut said information has been sent to the Board of Selectmen by the State regarding an audit on the Monson Housing Authority. Ms. Norbut said she has reviewed the report independently. It was noted a cover letter was not with the audit at the time the audit was received. Prior to this meeting, the Board of Selectmen had asked Ms. Neggers to contact the actual investigator to obtain more information. Ms. Neggers said she has the name of the gentlemen that was the lead investigator on this audit, however she was unable to speak with him as he is on vacation for the next two weeks. The Board of Selectmen agreed this item would be revisited in October to discuss if any further action is needed.
Respond to Request for Determination – Removal of Land from Chapter 61A – John and James Arooth – Macomber and Upper Palmer Roads:
Ms. Neggers said she has received a memo from both the Conservation Commission and the Planning Board. Both Boards have recommended the Town not exercise its’ right of first refusal for the property and release the lien on the land. Both Boards noted the correspondence received from Attorney Johnson did not include the purchase price. The statute states they are suppose to include the price at which the town has the option to meet. However, both Boards did state given the financial crisis the town is in, purchasing this land is out of the question.
Mr. Guertin made a motion to pass on the right of first refusal on this particular property. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Request to Approve Expenditure from “Gifts to the Town” – Flags for Municipal Buildings:
Ms. Neggers said spare replacement flags are kept for Memorial Hall and the Town Office Building, in case one gets damaged. The spare flags have been used and replacement flags are needed.
Mr. Guertin made a motion to authorize the expenditure of up to $300.00 for the purpose of purchasing two flags with the funds to be taken from the “Gifts to the Town Account”. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Up-coming Calendar Events for the Town:
Mr. Harrison stated Jane Jacobs, Chair of the Board of Health, reminded him recently of the upcoming “Bulky Day” scheduled for this Saturday, October 1, 2005 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Quarry Hill School. Ms. Jacobs was requesting the placement of a banner announcing “Bulky Day” on the poles over Main Street, however, this time slot is already taken. An alternative venue for use to display the banner was discussed and it was suggested placing the banner on the fence in front of Quarry Hill School on Margaret Street. It was noted the Board of Health would have to contact the School Superintendent regarding permission for placement of the banner on the fence.
An event sponsored by the Community Relations Committee/No Place for Hate Campaign® will take place on Wednesday, October 5, 2005, at 7:00 p.m. This event will host John and Maggie Bish from Warren. Mr. and Mrs. Bish will be speaking at the Monson Free Library about their experiences following the tragedy of their daughter Molly Bish, having been abducted and murdered and the steps they have taken to bring forward an international movement regarding child safety. They also work in the area of elder safety as well through the Bish Center at one of the colleges. Ms. Norbut stated Mr. and Mrs. Bish have a very powerful story. This is part of the fall forum series and is open to all the members of the community and beyond.
It was announced the Arts Council has a play coming up.
The Tourism Committee has scheduled an Open House for October 15th, and the Arts Council will hold an Art Show in the House of Art, which will coincide with the Open House.
Ms. Norbut said the Girls Scouts will be holding their Halloween Night soon, and feels more information will be available as the event date gets closer.
Ms. Norbut responded to a very searing written comment made by out-going budget chief, Eric Kriss. Mr. Kriss stated the fiscal crisis is of the cities and towns own doing. Ms. Norbut added that she notes from personal experience, being on Monson’s Finance Committee and serving on the Board of Selectmen, the Town of Monson has been prudent, conservative, has agonized over different budget processes and procedures and has been accountable every step of the way, even clever at times. Ms. Norbut feels Monson has really been a model for doing more with less. However, due to the rise in fuel costs and health care costs that are not of the town’s doing or fault, the town is in a very difficult financial situation. Ms. Norbut added, it is discouraging to hear someone who is in such an important position of leadership
come out with such negative and slanderous accounts of municipal government, and she states it is not in fact true. Ms. Norbut added despite the town being prudent and very careful, the town is going through some very difficult financial times. Recently, the salaries of employees have been revisited. The outcome is that most of the positions are about par or below. There are also costs that are consuming the municipal budget that are beyond what the town can control. Mr. Guertin added Mr. Kriss’ comments demonstrate his lack of knowledge in municipal government at the town level, as anyone who truly understood it would never have made these statements.
Correspondence was read and completed.
At 7:30 p.m., Mr. Guertin made a motion to adjourn from open session to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing collective bargaining (AFSCME; IBPO), 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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