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Meeting of 2006-04/11
MONSON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 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 and Richard E. Guertin. Edward S. Harrison was absent. Also present were the Town Administrator and the media.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Mr. Guertin made a motion to reorganize the Board as follows:
                        Chair – Richard E. Guertin
                        Vice Chair – Edward S. Harrison
                        Clerk – Kathleen C. Norbut
Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.

Acceptance of Meeting Minutes:
Ms. Norbut made a motion to accept the meeting minutes of March 28, 2006 – open session. Mr. Guertin seconded. Ms. Norbut noted a few spelling errors, and it was so VOTED.

Carole Bressette – Recognition of “Unsung Heroine” Award:
Ms. Norbut said there were Girl Scouts and troop leaders in the audience who were here to help recognize Carole Bressette. Ms. Norbut explained Mrs. Bressettes’s recent nomination and award from the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women was recently brought to her attention by Russell Bressette, Carole’s husband. Denise Falk, a troop leader, was the individual responsible for Mrs. Bressette’s nomination. Carole Bressette and Denise Falk approached the Board of Selectmen. Ms. Falk explained why she took the time to recognize Mrs. Bressette and read the letter she submitted to the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, into the record. One woman is chosen in each of the 351 communities across the state who submits nominations. This year 240 women were recognized at a reception held on March 3, 2006, at the State House in Boston, by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women. Mrs. Bressette showed the Board of Selectmen and listening audience the proclamations she has received from the Governor,  Senator Stephen Brewer and State Representative Mary Rogeness along with the certificates from the Senate and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women. Ms. Norbut presented Mrs. Bressette with a proclamation after reading it into the record. Mrs. Bressette received a standing ovation from the Board of Selectmen and everyone in the audience. Mrs. Bressette was presented with flowers from Ms. Norbut for her selfless contribution and commitment of many years to our community.

Ms. Norbut announced and welcomed, Boy Scouts Benjamin Estabrooks and Dennis Vacon, who were in the audience tonight working on their badges and viewing the Board of Selectmen as a Town government.



Barbara Moran – Flag Pole Request:
Barbara Moran and Phyllis Klick approached the Board of Selectmen on behalf of the Monson Tourism Committee, requesting permission to place a flag pole in Dave Grieve Park. The pole will be 20 to 25 feet tall, and will be installed in front of the pole that is there with the light and in back of the stones for Andrew Piwcio and Michael Bolaske. The Tourism Committee will take care of the flag replacements and Ms. Moran said there will be no cost to the town.

Ms. Norbut made a motion to approve the flag pole request as just described by Ms. Moran and Ms. Klick. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.

Ms. Norbut congratulated Ms. Moran for being chosen as Democrat of the Year by the Democratic Town Committee, for her many years of service.

Appoint Student Police Officer:
Chief Kozloski approached the Board of Selectmen regarding a request to appoint Timothy McMahon as a Student Police Officer. Mr. McMahon is a nineteen year old college student, who is finishing up his Associates Degree in Criminal Justice at Springfield Technical Community College. Mr. McMahon would like future employment with the town as either a dispatcher, or a full or part time Police Officer. Currently, Mr. McMahon is lacking proper training for an auxiliary officer position. Chief Kozloski explained the state has a basic reserve intermediate class scheduled for April 18th; however, the state has a new ruling which requires sponsorship and some kind of status in the town in order to attend this class. The position of Student Police Officer is only for the period of Mr. McMahon’s training and is a non-union, unpaid position with a waiver so the town will not be held responsible for any financial and/or medical liability.

Ms. Norbut made a motion to appoint Timothy McMahon as Student Police Officer effective immediately through June 30, 2006. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.


Public Hearing – Creation of Municipal Finance Department:
The public hearing was opened at 7:25 p.m. regarding the creation of a Municipal Finance Department. Ms. Neggers said this had been discussed several times previously, and feels by having a Municipal Finance Director, it would add structure to the town. This information is posted on the town’s web site at www.monson-ma.gov. Ms. Neggers reiterated the information regarding this position for the listening audience.

There was no one in the audience to speak for or against the creation of a Municipal Finance Department.

Ms. Norbut thanked Ms. Neggers, Ms. Mahar, Ms. Jenkins and everyone who worked on this for their time and effort.

Mr. Guertin added the town structure needs this change as the town isn’t the same as it was twenty to thirty years ago and said if anyone watching has any questions, they may call him and he will gladly get together with them in person to explain it, or they may call the office or Ms. Mahar. Ms. Norbut reiterated the information is on the web site for residents to look at and get familiar with.

Ms. Norbut closed the public hearing at 7:37 p.m. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.

Special Town Meeting – Discuss/Approve Requested Warrant Articles:
Fire Chief Harris approached the Board of Selectmen to explain the requested articles from the Fire Department.

Ms. Norbut made a motion to place on the Special Town meeting warrant an article to transfer and appropriate a sum of money to the Forest Fire Salary Account. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.

Ms. Norbut made a motion to place on the Special Town meeting warrant an article to transfer and appropriate a sum of money from the Fire Truck Operating Account to the Special Services Training Account. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED. Chief Harris said this will allow sixteen firefighters the opportunity to go for training.

Ms. Norbut made a motion to place on the Special Town meeting warrant an article to transfer and appropriate a sum of money from the Cemetery Salary Account to the Cemetery Expense Account. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED. The Cemetery Superintendent had left a verbal message and said this will no longer be needed and will be passed over at the meeting.

Craig Jalbert and Deborah Mahar approached the Board of Selectmen regarding articles requested from the Water/Sewer Department.

Ms. Norbut made a motion to place an article on the Special Town meeting warrant for an article to see if the Town will vote to transfer and appropriate a sum of money from the Water Enterprise Free Cash to the Hospital Road Water Main Replacement Project, or take any other action relative thereto. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.

Ms. Norbut made a motion to place on the Special Town meeting warrant an article to see if the Town will vote to transfer and appropriate a sum of money from the Sewer Enterprise Fund to the Sewer Operating Account for maintenance and repairs. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED. Craig said this article would be stricken at the meeting.

Ms. Norbut made a motion to place on the Special Town meeting warrant an article to transfer and appropriate a sum of money to the General Highways and Bridges Account to pay for costs incurred as the result of design flaws on the Hospital Road construction project. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.

Ms. Norbut made a motion to place on the Special Town meeting warrant an article to transfer and appropriate a sum of money to print town reports for 2005. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED. Mr. Guertin explained this requested article stating a lot of residents have approached him requesting town reports as they don’t have access to computers to view it on-line.

Ms. Norbut made a motion to place on the Special Town meeting warrant an article to transfer and appropriate a sum of money from the School Construction Preliminary Design Account to the stabilization fund. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.

Ms. Norbut made a motion to place on the Special Town meeting warrant an article to transfer and appropriate a sum of money from the Overlay Surplus Account to the High School Construction Fund Balance Account. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.

Ms. Norbut made a motion to place on the Special Town meeting warrant an article to transfer and appropriate a sum of money to the Legal Account. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.

Ms. Norbut made a motion to place on the Special Town meeting warrant an article for appropriation and authorization to temporarily borrow Chapter 90 expenditures. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.

Ms. Norbut made a motion to close the Special Town meeting warrant. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.

Annual Town Meeting – Discuss/Approve Requested Warrant Articles:
Ms. Norbut made a motion to place on the Annual Town meeting warrant an article for admission of Warren into the Pathfinder Regional School District. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED. Ms. Neggers said someone from Pathfinder would be at the Town meeting to explain this.

Ms. Norbut made a motion to place on the Annual Town meeting warrant an article to allow the School Department to enter into a contract for more than 3 years for school transportation. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.

Ms. Norbut made a motion to place on the Annual Town meeting warrant an article to allow the School Department to enter into purchase agreement for more than 3 years for used buses. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.

Craig Jalbert and Deborah Mahar approached the Board of Selectmen to explain the next three requested articles from the Water/Sewer Department.

Ms. Norbut made a motion to place on the Annual Town meeting warrant an article to see if the Town will vote to transfer and appropriate a sum of money from the Water Enterprise Free Cash to the Palmer Road Well Cleaning and Redevelopment Project, or take any other action relative thereto. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.

Ms. Norbut made a motion to place on the Annual Town meeting warrant an article to see if the Town will vote to transfer and appropriate a sum of money from the Water Enterprise Free Cash to the proposed Infrastructure Improvement Project on Wales Road (2006 Community Development Block Grant) pending a successful determination of the grant application, or take any other action relative thereto. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.

Ms. Norbut made a motion to place on the Annual Town meeting warrant an article to see if the Town will vote to transfer and appropriate a sum of money from the Water Enterprise Free Cash to the Water Capital Account for the State Avenue Bridge Project, or take any other action relative thereto. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.

Ms. Norbut made a motion to place on the Annual Town meeting warrant an article to see if the town will vote to amend the dog licensing fee schedule by adding the following: upon proper documentation, the fees will be waived for service dogs. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.

Ms. Norbut made a motion to place on the Annual Town meeting warrant each of the fifteen standard articles she read into the record, as attached. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.

Ms. Norbut made a motion to close the Annual Town meeting warrant. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.

Adopt Principles of National Incident Management System (NIMS):
Ms. Neggers said the Executive Office of Public Safety, Homeland Security Division is requiring cities and towns to adopt the principles of NIMS (National Incident Management System). Ms. Neggers read part of the letter received into the record. Ms. Neggers said this needs to be voted and signed by the Board of Selectmen prior to being sent to MEMA, or Monson won’t receive anymore Homeland Security grants.

Ms. Norbut made a motion the Town of Monson adopt the principles and policies of the National Incident Management Systems (NIMS). Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.

Appoint Long Range Financial Planning Committee:
Ms. Norbut made a motion to appoint Deborah Mahar Co-Chair, Gretchen E. Neggers,
J. Kurt Kaiser, Daniel Tassinari, Peter Ross and Joel Keller to the Long Range Financial Planning Committee. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED. It was noted these meetings are open to the public for anyone wishing to attend.



Other Business to Come Before the Board of Selectmen:
Ms. Norbut said the numbers were released yesterday for the House of Representatives’ budget, and they were very disappointing for Monson with a decrease in the Chapter 70 monies. Ms. Norbut urges everyone to call the Legislatures and State Senators. The budget will move to the State Senate where a joint committee will put the combined budget together prior to going to the Governor. Ms. Norbut added Monson needs some very strong advocacy for the town to try to get these numbers increased.

Ms. Neggers said a banner request was received from the Tourism Committee requesting to have the “Support Our Troops” banner hung across Main Street. Ms. Norbut made a motion to approve the banner request from the Tourism Committee from May 22nd through June 12th. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED. Ms. Neggers said this coincides with the new flag dedication and Memorial Day.

Ms. Norbut said there will be an Easter Luncheon tomorrow at noon at the Council on Aging. Anyone interested in attending must call ahead to let them know.

Correspondence was read and completed.

At 8:40 p.m., Ms. Norbut made a motion to adjourn from open session to go into executive session for collective bargaining discussion (IBPO; AFSCME), not to return to open session. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.


___________________________
Kathleen C. Norbut, Clerk