MONSON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2006
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 was the media. The Town Administrator was absent.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Accept Meeting Minutes:
Mr. Harrison made a motion to accept the meeting minutes of February 28, 2006 – open and executive sessions. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Execute Boulder Hill Conservation Restriction:
Leslie Duthie, a member of Monson’s Conservation Commission, Chris Rodstrom, the Conservation Restriction Program Manager for the Trustees of Reservations, Joe Dasco of Boulder Hill Development and David Altman also with the Trustees of Reservations who has been assisting on this project, approached the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Rodstrom said the trustees have been working with Mr. Dasco and his partner to help protect 163 acres of land located very close to his property and the town’s conservation land on Peaked Mountain. Part of the reason for this restriction act is due to the State’s Natural Heritage Program which required protection for some of the property as part of the permanent process for the development. Mr. Rodstrom pointed out this conservation restriction goes well beyond what the state
required, and protects an additional 77 acres of very valuable wildlife habitat, which is a gift on behalf of Mr. Dasco and his partner. Mr. Rodstrom said Boulder Hill Development, the Conservation Commission and the State Natural Heritage Program have put in a lot of hard work with many discussions to try to come up with a conservation restriction that protects the resources and does its best for the property, and at the same time insuring the Trustees of Reservations will be able to monitor and enforce the provisions of the conservation restriction to make sure it is upheld. Mr. Rodstrom said the Trustees of Reservation are very committed to continuing their work on conservation projects in the Town of Monson, and are very pleased to be the intended grantee of this restriction. Mr. Dasco said he feels this is the best plan for the property as it meets some of the items on the Master Plan.
Mr. Rodstrom explained the map he brought. Mr. Guertin said he noticed a natural wildlife path running right through the center of the property and added he felt this was good as it connects the neighboring land on both sides of the property allowing wildlife to flow through it. Mr. Dasco explained the portion of the map which includes nine lots being developed into residential lots, two of which are estate lots and a piece being carved out for future development. These lots are all coming off of Bradway Road. Mr. Dasco added, the reason he encourages the recommendation for the Master Plan to be implemented is, on Bradway Road where there are the nine lots, unfortunately there are nine curb cuts. Mr. Dasco said everyone asks him the same question, why they don’t have common access for these lots to keep the run off
to a minimum, etc. as it meets the conservation practices and it keeps the aestheticism of the town in a woodsy rural neighborhood. Mr. Dasco said it bothers him to have to do the nine curb cuts, but under the current bylaws that is all he can do, allowing him to be able to afford putting away such a large piece of property in conservation, and to be able to afford to purchase the property in the first place. Mr. Dasco said it would also have been nice to protect another area as well, keeping all of the development in one area, where it already exists and closer to existing roads.
Ms. Duthie explained one of the reasons so much land was put aside is due to the fact that much of the land covered in orange on Mr. Rodstom’s map is considered priority habitat by the State’s Endangered Species program. This is also a federally endangered species area as well. Ms. Duthie said Mr. Dasco has not given public access to this private property and it will solely be for wildlife. Mr. Rodstrom said this property is within the view shed so it will keep the view from Peaked Mountain in a more rural natural state. Mr. Rodstrom will meet each year with Mr. Dasco to find out what is new, what has been going on, and to make sure the terms of the restriction are being adhered to, as well as to keep an eye on the condition of the property. Ms. Duthie added another good feature is, the staff person who will
be in charge of monitoring the conservation restriction for the Trustees of Reservations is someone quite familiar with the area.
Mr. Guertin thanked Mr. Dasco and his partner for his part on behalf of the entire town, as this is a very generous gift that has been offered, especially with the additional acres. Ms. Duthie also thanked Mr. Dasco for wonderful thing he has done for the town. Ms. Norbut thanked Mr. Dasco enormously for his work and generosity. Mr. Rodstrom said he would bring the executed and notarized version of the agreement from both the Trustees of Reservations and Boulder Hill Development to the Board of Selectmen prior to signing next week.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to accept the proposed conservation restriction on property owned by Boulder Hill Development LLC as presented to the Monson Board of Selectmen this evening. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Request for “Gifts to the Town” Expenditure ($250) – Monson High School Environmental Service Team:
Leslie Duthie approached the Board of Selectmen. Ms. Duthie explained the Environmental Service Team is a new club that is being run through the High School. Ms. Duthie said she approached Mr. Peters and Science teachers at the High School this past fall with regard to starting an Envirothon team and received support from all of them. Ms. Duthie explained Envirothon is a continental program run throughout North America. It is broken down to academic competitions between high schools. Teams compete within their state on knowledge of forestry, water, soils and wildlife. Each year, there is a different current issue topic. This year, the current issue is local protection for climate change. At the state’s competition, each team presents a fifteen minute presentation. The winner of Massachusetts’ competition will
go to Manitoba for the continental competition. Ms. Duthie said she has a group of five very wonderful high school students, just enough to make up a team. This program is open to anyone in high school. In addition to the competition, there is a community service project. Ms. Duthie said her teams topic for the current issue problem is, protection of our federally endangered species in the Connecticut River Watershed. Ms. Duthie said the students have had to work hard, do a lot of research, prepare, attended conferences and have received the support from a number of organizations. The PTSA have paid for their registration fee for the Envirothon. The Conservation Commission was generous enough to provide them with environmental guide books. Ms. Duthie said she was coming to the Board of Selectmen on behalf of the team because they need transportation to get to the competition. Ms. Duthie explained the school generally requires school transportation for school functions and the cost
of taking a school vehicle and driver to the competition is approximately $250.00, she was requesting a donation from the Gifts to the Town account. There are up to 150 schools that compete within the state with usually a total of 400 to 500 students. This year the competition will be held in Uxbridge at the Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park. Ms. Norbut added sometimes when students are being taken away for a day such as this, or over night, a one day liability policy is a good idea and very minimal at approximately under $20.00.
Mr. Guertin made a motion to approve the awarding of $250.00 for the payment of the school transportation from the Gifts to the Town account. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Guertin made a motion to cover the cost for liability. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Duthie added the competition will be held on May 11th. She will research the liability and its costs and keep the Board of Selectmen informed. Ms. Duthie said she is looking forward to this being an on-going club, where they will be able to build on their knowledge from this year. Ms. Duthie said she sees this as a Destination Imagination for the environmental students as it encourages open thinking, problem solving, using creative methods of presenting a topic, plus it has the community service component. Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary has agreed to back this project as well, so it isn’t completely run by volunteers.
Glen Colburn approached the Board of Selectmen and Ms. Norbut presented Ms. Duthie with a Proclamation, proclaiming March 4, 2006 as “Leslie A. Duthie Day”. Ms. Norbut explained Ms. Duthie was chosen to receive a statewide award on March 4th. Ms. Duthie said it was very nice to receive acknowledgement from the Boston area, but said she doesn’t do this work alone. Mr. Colburn has been a great mentor and very instrumental and important in all of the land acquisitions that the Conservation Commission has done. Mr. Harrison read the Proclamation into the record. Ms. Duthie thanked the Board of Selectmen and everyone in the town for all the nice things said recently and added she loves Monson and wants it to be a beautiful place for everyone for many generations, and it has been her
pleasure.
Execute Lease – Robbins in the Nest, Inc. and Monson Public Schools/Town of Monson:
Ms. Norbut said this is a lease renewal agreement the Board of Selectmen have previously approved and signed. After reviewing this agreement, there weren’t any comments or questions by the Board, and there wasn’t anyone in the audience to speak for or against this.
Mr. Guertin made a motion to approve the lease renewal agreement between the Monson Public Schools/Town of Monson and Robbins in the Nest, Inc. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Designate Affirmative Marketing Construction Officer (AMCO):
Ms. Norbut explained this is a mandate through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Business and Technology State Office of Women and Minority Business Assistance, who would oversee construction of projects. Ms. Norbut said it would be prudent to designate the Town Administrator, Gretchen E. Neggers for the position and reassess this when it comes to the June 30th renewals and maybe at that time look at the town’s new finance director to assume the responsibilities.
Mr. Guertin made a motion to appoint Town Administrator, Gretchen E. Neggers as the Affirmative Marketing Construction Officer for the Town of Monson. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
In Other Business to Come Before the Board of Selectmen:
Ms. Norbut said the Palmer/Monson Family Network, which is a very active organization, will be holding a kids’ fair on Saturday, April 1st from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. This fair is free, open to all families, and will be held at Quarry Hill Community School in Monson. This event will offer a fun filled morning full of various people and activities. The Molly Bish Foundation will be there and child ID kits will be available. A magician will perform tricks, Trevor the Game Man will be there to entertain. The Honeycomb Theater will present short puppet shows. Local organizations will provide a wide variety of hands on activities. Forest Park Zoo On the Go will be brining some animal friends. Smoky Bear, and the Monson Police and Fire Departments will provide important safety information for families. Ms.
Norbut said this will be a fun community event. Ms. Norbut added she will have a table here as well, as part of the Family Violence Intervention Coalition.
There will be an open meeting at the Palmer Public Library on April 10th, 6:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. Community members interested in developing greater resources to prevent and address issues of relationships and family abuse are encouraged to attend this informational meeting.
The annual Town Wide Clean-up will be held on Saturday, April 29th. Bags and gloves can be picked up at the gazebo. Residents may also sign up for designated streets or be a Street Captain for their street or any other particular road in town. Mr. Harrison said this event gets bigger and better every year with more streets being cleaned up. The Highway Department employees will once again be picking up the bags collected following the event.
Ms. Norbut reminded the listening audience of the up-coming Health Fair on May 20th here in the Town Officer building.
Mr. Harrison reminded the listening audience of the up-coming Bulky Day on May 6th at Quarry Hill Community School.
Correspondence was read and completed.
At 8:00 p.m., Mr. Harrison made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
_________________________
Edward S. Harrison, Clerk
| 
