BOARD OF SELECTMEN
DECEMBER 6, 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.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Accept Meeting Minutes:
Mr. Harrison made a motion to accept the meeting minutes of November 22, 2005 – open session. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
FY 2006 Tax Classification Hearing – Board of Assessors:
Ms. Norbut opened the public hearing at 7:05 p.m. Kelli Robbins approached the Board of Selectmen along with the Board of Assessors Russell Bressette, David Royce and Gary DePace. Ms. Norbut stated this is an annual event. Ms. Robbins explained the three votes required at this meeting by the Board of Selectmen. Ms. Robbins handed the Board of Selectmen a spreadsheet, which explained under the residential exemption, the actual average value of a single family home is over $200,000.00, so when you shift the burden of $14.06, you are saving the actual tax bill $68.00 per year. Ms. Norbut said Debi Mahar had put together a chart to compare tax bills from 2000 with tax bills for 2005 for residential properties and commercial values. In 2000, the average value of a single family home was $120,150.00 and the average tax bill was
$2,191.54 and without the debt exclusion was $1,863.98. In 2005, the average value increased to $184,953.00 and the tax bill increased to $2,406.24, without the debt exclusion it would have been $2,329.61. The difference in the tax bills from 2000 to 2005 is $465.62, with the percent increase in the average tax bill being 9.8%. The percentage of the tax bill without the debt exclusion included was 25%. Mr. Guertin stated Monson has a residential growth taking place where the property values of the residential homes are shooting upward with literally no growth on the commercial side. Ms. Norbut said Monson’s tax bills for the average homeowner, have only risen approximately 10% in the past five years, which is far less then the 32% to 37% increase in many nearby communities in that same time frame. The agreed upon tax rate of $12.18 is 83¢ lower than last year’s rate of $13.01, however, with the property values increasing, the lower rate doesn’t
necessarily mean lower taxes and the Board of Assessors said homeowners should see scant increases in this fiscal year’s tax bill. This year’s rate will bring the average homeowner’s tax bill to about $2,438.00, which is a $32.00 increase over last year. Ms. Robbins said the tax bill amounts are based on the town’s average single-family home value of $200,174.00. The Board of Selectmen agreed to a tax rate of $12.18 per $1,000.00 of value for all properties in town. Mr. Guertin said there aren’t enough business in town to allow for a substantial discount to homeowner’s taxes, and because of that, the town wouldn’t be able to establish separate rates for residential and commercial parcels. Mr. Bressette added some commercial properties have closed up, such as the former Academy gymnasium. The gymnasium has a leaky roof and is almost totally unusable, bringing down the property value. Another tax loss for the town is the property located
across the street, which at one time had several different individual values. This property is now encompassed into one, and therefore each particular business is now considered one large business instead of several smaller businesses. Mr. Royce mentioned Zero Manufacturing as another example, where the vacant building is depreciating and therefore lowering its property value. The town’s tax base is 4.4% commercial and industrial and almost 92% residential. Mr. Bressette said land in Monson, over the last five years, has gone from $30,000.00 or $40,000.00 per acre up to $90,000.00 for an average lot with road frontage.
Mr. Bressette said the town has been divided into five sections and every year they visit every house in one section to make sure their data is correct and to pick up any additions that may have occurred without following the proper channels.
There weren’t any comments from anyone in the audience.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to establish the tax burden amongst the residential to commercial, industrial, personal property to residential to maintain the single tax rate. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to approve to not do any residential exemptions. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to not do any small commercial exemptions. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
The public meeting was closed at 7:40 p.m.
FY 2007 Management Salary Grid – Determine Rate:
Ms. Norbut said last year at this time, the Board of Selectmen voted to freeze the salary grid for the department heads. Ms. Neggers said Debi Mahar made up a spreadsheet showing the costs of the management grid. The spreadsheet identifies the department heads who are still moving up the ten steps and it also shows every 1% increase. The cost of the steps would be $8,200.00 plus $6,776.00. A 2% increase it would be $8,200.00 plus $13,552.00. The total cost for a 2% increase would be $21,786.00. Six out of the ten department heads are at their maximum step. Ms. Neggers said an agreement has been reached with the AFSCME union, where they have agreed to a 0% increase for the current year and a 2% increase for the following year.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to alter the management salary grid by increasing the entire management grid 2% with the steps included. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Request for Support Letter – Quaboag Hills Hazardous Substance Assessment Grant:
Ms. Neggers said she attended a meeting with Quaboag Hills. The group is coordinating with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission to submit a regional grant application to the EPA for a brownfields assessment fund. $200,000.00 is the maximum amount that can be applied for in this grant. The Board of Selectmen deliberated on this issue and wanted to explore the fact that it would not prohibit the Town of Monson from persuing any related grants itself.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to write a letter of support. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Announce Community Development Strategy Forum – 12/08/05 at 5:00 p.m.:
Mr. Harrison said residents are invited to attend a community development strategy forum on Thursday, December 8th at 5:00 p.m. in the Selectmen’s meeting room at 110 Main Street. They are hoping to hear input from residents regarding the town’s upcoming Community Development Block Grant application and are looking to strengthen their grant strategy and incorporate more public participation allowing Monson to pre-qualify as applicants. The town is hoping to receive grant funds for infrastructure improvements on Lower Wales Road and therefore the residents of Lower Wales Road, residents who are interested in housing rehabilitation funding or child care subsidies are encouraged to attend this forum.
Accept Chapter 61B Withdrawal Request – 122 Cote Road:
Ms. Neggers said this request has just been received and she will now forward it to the Planning Board and also to the Conservation Commission for their approval prior to taking any further action.
In Other Business to Come Before the Board of Selectmen:
Ms. Norbut read an announcement from the Monson Free Library to all the students. The Library is looking for students interested in joining their Student Board. Any students interested can call the Library at 267-3866 and they will need two forms of written recommendation. Applications are also available in the school’s guidance office as well.
Correspondence was read and completed.
At 8:25 p.m., Mr. Harrison made a motion to adjourn from open session to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing collective bargaining, not to return to open session. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
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Edward S. Harrison, Clerk
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