BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, MAY 9, 2006
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen convened at 7:00 p.m. in the conference room at 110 Main Street. In attendance were Richard E. Guertin, Edward S. Harrison and Kathleen C. Norbut. Also present were the Town Administrator and the media.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Acceptance of Meeting Minutes:
Ms. Norbut made a motion to accept the meeting minutes of March 28, 2006 and April 11, 2006 – executive sessions; and April 25, 2006 – open and executive sessions. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Norbut noted in the correspondence for April 25th, Robert Kaddy had notified the Board of Selectmen in writing how he felt about unregistered cars/trucks becoming an eyesore in the community. Ms. Norbut said she had a conversation with Mr. Kaddy prior to him submitting this letter. Ms. Norbut was approached twice following that at the town-wide clean-up and discussed this further with him. Mr. Kaddy also brought this issue to Ms. Norbut’s attention again last night at the Town meeting. Ms. Norbut said at the end of the Board of Selectmen’s meeting on May 9th, she had encouraged Mr. Kaddy to write a letter to the editor to express his opinion and felt this should be added in the correspondence response for that meeting.
Monson Summerfest – Discussion of 2006 Festivities:
Russell Bressette, Scott Walker and Steve Slozak approached the Board of Selectmen to discuss plans for Summerfest 2006. Basically everything will remain the same as in past years.
The Summerfest Committee is requesting the use of power for the inflatable slide, as was done last year.
On Friday, May 19th, a golf tournament will be held with the proceeds going toward the fireworks display. The cost is $360.00 per team and will be held at the Quaboag Country Club here in Monson. Anyone interested in participating may call Mr. Walker at 267-9118.
The parade will be the same as in the past and will be held on Tuesday July 4th, as will all the other festivities; with the exception of the fireworks which will be held on Friday, June 30th at 9:15 p.m. (rain date for the fireworks will be July 7th).
Mr. Bressette explained the Summerfest Committee is soliciting “In Memory Of” ads. A donation of $30.00 will get a name and the name of the sponsor placed on the list inside the Summerfest booklet. Anyone interested may contact Mr. Bressette at 267-3645 to set up arrangements for that. Checks may be made out to the Summerfest Committee and mailed to P.O. Box 113.
This year, three different color mugs displaying scenes of Monson will be sold at the Summerfest for $10.99 each. Mr. Bressette explained the first mug is a 1907 mug depicting the Quarry (this is the same picture as on the Monson mural). The second mug depicting Ellis Mills Number 3 and the Horseshoe Falls, also shows a two story house in the background which was lost in the 1955 flood along with the loss of the falls. The third mug is the Home for Aged People mug, which was started in 1919. In 1947 the name was changed to the Senior Center. Ms. Neggers added the Home for the Aged People is a Corporation which still owns and maintains the building. Ms. Neggers noted these mugs would make great gifts.
The Beer Garden will be the same as in past years.
Mr. Bressette said the Summerfest Committee is also requesting a donation from the Gifts to the Town Account. Mr. Bressette added having a booth set up during Summerfest is a great way for non-profit groups and organizations in town to raise money for whatever they need, such as trips for Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, etc.
A new web site has been created this year, monsonsummerfestinc.com, which will be up and running by the end of the month. It will list all the events, times, places and bands which will be playing. Ms. Neggers added we would be able to link the Summerfest’s web site to the town’s web site, as often people will hit Monson’s web site looking for information regarding the fireworks.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to approve the Summerfest Committee’s request for use of power for the inflatable slide at the Summerfest, and to approve the Beer Garden upon receipt of the insurance certificate, as previously designed. Ms. Norbut also made a motion to support the request for a donation in the amount of $2,200.00 from the Gifts to the Town Account. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Guertin thanked the Summerfest Committee for the many countless hours they put into the Summerfest, on behalf of everyone who enjoys the Summerfest. Mr. Walker stated they are always looking for new members if anyone is interested.
Pathfinder Mentor Students – Report on Project:
Samantha Robbins approached the Board of Selectmen to give an up-date on the Habitat for Humanity Project, which twenty students from Pathfinder worked on in Florida during their spring break. Ms. Robbins stated the students did sheet rocking, roofing, tarring, etc. and managed to enjoy a few hours at the beach as well. Ms. Robbins stated everyone involved agreed they would do it again if they had the opportunity. The house the students worked on should be completed in approximately four months, as now it is ready for the electricians and plumbers. A total of ninety homes in Florida are being worked on due to damage from storms. The home Ms. Robbins spoke of had to be completely rebuilt. This project involved students from the Cosmetology, Health, Culinary, Horticulture, Electrical and Carpentry shops, with more females
venturing to Florida then males. Ms. Robbins showed the Board of Selectman a slideshow of photos taken during this experience and stated the most rewarding moment was when she actually met the single mother and her daughter whose house they were working on stating the woman was moved to tears as she has waited three years to get back into her home. Ms. Robbins explained, to allow the twenty students and chaperones to travel to Florida to take part in this project, $13,000.00 was raised in five months, something that has never been done before at Pathfinder. Ms. Robbins read a thank you note to the Board of Selectmen from the students at Pathfinder thanking them for their wonderful contribution and added it was just an amazing experience for everyone involved and something they will never forget. Mr. Guertin thanked Ms. Robbins for coming in to provide the up-date regarding their experience.
Orange Lantern Inc. d/b/a Magic Lantern – Determine License Suspension Dates:
Mr. Guertin read the letter the Board of Selectmen received from Attorney Thomas Rooke (Lawyer for the Magic Lantern) into the record. There wasn’t any reaction to the letter by the Board of Selectmen and Mr. Guertin said the owners of the Magic Lantern have been cooperative throughout the hearing and sound sincere.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to make the suspension dates for the Magic Lantern from Friday 12:01 a.m. on May 26th to 12:01 a.m. June 2, 2006. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Approve Finance Department Job Descriptions:
Following a few questions and brief discussion Mr. Harrison made a motion to approve the Finance Department job descriptions as amended. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Neggers said the Treasurer’s position is advertised in the Sunday newspaper and the Springfield newspaper for two weeks. The ad states this position is for 15 to 20 hours per week with a salary range of $19,000.00 to $23,000.00.
Ms. Norbut thanked the Town meeting members and residents who were kind enough to come out last night to vote with the wisdom to endorse the creation of a Financial Department. Ms. Norbut also thanked, with tremendous appreciation, Ms. Neggers, Ms. Mahar and Ms. Jenkins, and members of the financial departments, who worked very hard on this item and for getting it prepared for presentation at the Town meeting.
Mr. Guertin thanked everyone for endorsing this also as he stated the town needs to change with the times in order to stay healthy. Mr. Guertin applauded the effort of the Financial Components who took the initiative to suggest doing something different.
Mr. Harrison added the Financial Components have always been pro-active.
Approve School Lease for Bus Garage Facility:
Ms. Neggers said this is the same lease that has been in existence with the exception of the term which has been changed to three years with a two year option and a $50.00 per month escalator clause after the first year.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to approve the School lease for the bus garage facility as written. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Issue Auctioneer, Pool Table Licenses:
Mr. Harrison made a motion to approve the auctioneer license for the period of May 1, 2006 to April 30, 2006 for a fee of $15.00 for Frank Kapsia d/b/a Wintergarden Auction Services at 395 Stafford Road. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to approve the license for a pool table for a fee of $30.00 to Fat Cat Capital d/b/a Mustang Sally’s at 216 Main Street; Tee Jay’s Inc. at 143 Palmer Road and the Polish American Citizens Club at 7 Bliss Street. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
In Other Business to Come Before the Board of Selectmen:
Mr. Guertin said in regard to all of the talk regarding the potential for a bird flu epidemic, he attended a meeting this afternoon which was held regarding the inoculation of every resident, who would be affected and where it would happen. Mr. Guertin assured everyone, the Board of Health is picking up on this and he would work with them to get a plan in place if the bird flu were ever to happen, hoping we never have to use this plan. Mr. Guertin said anyone with questions may call him at 596-2090 with questions regarding this issue, or any other issues not related to this.
Ms. Norbut let the community know through the Local Emergency Planning Committee, on-going training and on-line courses have been taken by the Fire Department, Police Department and Town Administrator.
Mr. Guertin added this is very appropriate for the town in order to be prepared and to come up with an appropriate plan should something ever arise requiring it. Mr. Guertin added the town did have a mini taste of an actual emergency with the flooding this past October and said people might see more and more of this, and that is why the town needs to be prepared for such things in the future hoping we never have to implement it.
Correspondence was read and completed.
Ms. Norbut thanked everyone who worked so hard on Bulky Day as it was a big success with a huge turnout.
Mr. Guertin said he would also like to thank the Police Department for intervening in the difficult traffic situation during Bulky Day and for coming up with a solution to solve it. Mr. Guertin also thanked the Board of Health.
Ms. Norbut also announced the Senior Center will be holding a Mother’s Day luncheon tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. and for anyone interested in attending to call ahead for reservations.
This Thursday, the Library will be hosting performers who will be singing and talking about Civil Rights issues and learn a little bit about Charlie King and Karen as part of the Community Relations Committee and the No Place for Hate Campaign®. Ms. Norbut added this promises to be a very entertaining, interesting evening beginning at 7:00 p.m.
At 8:18 p.m., Mr. Harrison made a motion to adjourn from open session to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing collective bargaining (AFSCME) and pending litigation, not to return to open session. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
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Kathleen C. Norbut, Clerk
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