MONSON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 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 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:
Mr. Harrison made a motion to accept the meeting minutes of November 28, 2006 – open and executive sessions. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Tax Classification Hearing – Monson Board of Assessors:
The public hearing opened at 7:05 p.m. Ann Murphy, Russell Bressette and Diane Hildreth approached the Board of Selectmen. Ms. Hildreth explained this is the annual hearing for the Board of Selectmen to decide on how the town is going to allocate the taxes by taking three separate votes. The first vote is to decide on the residential factor, which would mean having one tax rate or a split tax rate. The second vote is for residential exemption, to see if they want to change the tax rate in the residential class by having a lowered valued home pay a lesser amount per thousand and a higher valued home pay a higher amount. The third vote is the small commercial exemption. Ms. Hildreth stated going with the first vote would result in one town-wide tax rate of $11.66, which is 52¢ less than last year’s rate, however
the taxes are expected to go up for the average taxpayer by 4% due to the increase in property values. For the owner of an average home valued at $220,000.00, taxes will increase between $90.00 and $150.00, depending on the amount of land owned. Last year, the average single-family home was valued at $200,174.00. Ms. Hildreth explained if the town were to split the tax rate, the benefit would be minimal to residential taxpayers, with a four percent decrease for properties valued at $200,000.00. In contrast, commercial taxpayers, also with properties valued at $200,000.00, would see a 50 percent increase. Mr. Guertin said this illustrates how little commercial and industrial property Monson has. Ms. Norbut questioned, at what percentage of commercial property, did it make sense to consider a split tax rate. Ms. Hildreth explained the norm would be at about thirty percent. Mr. Harrison said that exemptions have not been done historically and residents whose properties
have a higher value are already paying higher taxes. Mr. Guertin said he didn’t see any justifiable reason to change from what Monson has been doing and opted to stay with the single tax rate. Ms. Hildreth said this past year 300 building permits were put into the system, including new construction and additions, and noted the value of land has also increased.
The new tax rate, expected to be officially set by Friday after a meeting tomorrow with the State Department of Revenue, will be reflected in tax bills due February 1, 2007.
There was no one in the audience to speak for or against the tax rate.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to use the one tax rate residential factor that has been the past practice, for the ensuing year. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Harrison made a motion not to have a residential exemption and to maintain the current status. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Harrison made a motion not to permit the use of a small commercial exemption and to maintain the methodology we are currently using. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
The public hearing was closed at 7:25 p.m.
Mr. Bressette said there is an opening on the Board of Assessors. Anyone who is interested in the position are welcome to stop in the office to look around and ask any questions they might have. The person chosen to fill the vacancy will be required to attend training, which will be provided, within the three year term. It would also be helpful if the person were able to go out in the field to do assessments and measuring.
Keep Homestead Museum Steering Committee – Presentation Re: Security System:
Dennis Swierad and EmmaLadd Shepherd approached the Board of Selectmen. Ms. Shepherd explained the current security system is ten years old and parts wearing out are hard to acquire. The main panel is in the cellar, which has a dirt floor allowing moisture to get into the panel. The alarm keeps going off requiring the Police Department as well as herself to travel there all hours of the night to check it out. Bids were solicited with Alternative Telecommunication being the lowest bidder at $4,690.00. Ms. Shepherd explained they would like all wired sensors instead of the current wireless. Alternative Telecommunications also suggested installing a low temp sensor in the restroom in the barn so water pipes won’t freeze. The main panel will be moved upstairs as well and wiring will be replaced as needed. Alternative
Telecommunications will provide the monitoring of the system, which Keep Homestead Museum will own.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to approve the proposal with Alternative Telecommunications for $4,690.00. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Shepherd presented the Board of Selectmen with a copy of the newly created Emergency Preparedness Plan for the Keep Homestead Museum.
PVPC – Jim Mazik – Preliminary Discussion Re: CDBG Application:
Jim Mazik and Paul Bracciotti of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission approached the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Mazik discussed Monson’s plans for applying again for the Community Development Block Grant. Monson has not been funded for the last three years and will try one more time, hopefully being successful. Monson will seek funding for improvements to water lines, storm drains, roads, and sidewalks on Park Avenue, along with money for housing rehabilitation in the downtown area. A social service project, a child care subsidy, or a respite program through the Senior Center may also be included. Mr. Mazik said he will review the requests for social service projects carefully, because they could affect the entire application which is due February 16, 2007. The Park Avenue project could cost between $300,000.00 and
$500,000.00. The water lines are filled with sediment and improving the flow would provide better service to the residents on that street. Park Avenue would also be included in the target area for housing rehabilitation. This includes the downtown area which is surrounded by Brimfield Road, East Hill Road, Blanchard Road, Bumstead Road, Bogan Road, Ely Road and Margaret Street. Mr. Mazik explained deferred payment loans would be available for low to moderate income residents to apply for, for housing projects. Low income thresholds are $25,100.00 for a single person and $35,850 for a family of four. Moderate income thresholds are $40,150.00 for a single person and $57,350.00 for a family of four. Mr. Mazik explained Monson has moved to a new funding category that also includes Belchertown and Wilbraham. Because Monson is now considered more affluent, it is more difficult to obtain the competitive Block Grants. Ms. Neggers added previously, Monson averaged about $600,000.00 in Block
Grant funds. Ms. Neggers also said it is frustrating because Monson just missed being funded last year by three points.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to authorize to proceed, as outlined by the PVPC, to pursue the Mass. DHCD CDF II Program. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
License Renewals:
It was noted the liquor license establishments have been inspected by both the Building Inspector and the Fire Chief.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to approve the Common Victualer – all alcoholic licenses as listed below:
· Ramadon Enterprises, Inc. dba CJ’s Restaurant
· Orange Lantern dba Magic Lantern
· Tee Jay’s, Inc.
· Golf Two Enterpriases, Inc. dba Quaboag-Valhalla Restaurant
· Fat Cat Capital, Inc. dba Mustang Sally’s
Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to approve the retail Package Store licenses as listed below:
· DeMaio Discount Package Store, Inc.
· Monson Markets, Inc. dba Adams Discount Liquors
· Peter LePoer dba Main Street Liquors
Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to approve the Club licenses as listed below:
· Quaboag Riders, Inc.
· Polish American Citizens Club
Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to approve the Common Victualer (wines & malts) licenses as listed below:
· Monson Italian Pizzeria
· Norcross Restaurant, Inc.
· 10th Planet LLC dba 10th Planet Pizza
Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to approve the Automatic Amusement licenses as listed below:
· Tee Jay’s, Inc.
· Polish American Citizens Club
· Fat Cat Capital, Inc. dba Mustang Sally’s
Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to approve the Entertainment licenses as listed below:
· Tee Jay’s, Inc.
· Quaboag-Valhalla Restaurant
· Polish American Citizens Club
· Orange Lantern dba Magic Lantern
· Fat Cat Capital, Inc. dba Mustang Sally’s
· Donald Bean dba Partridge Hollow Camping Area
Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to approve the Motor Vehicle Class I licenses as listed below:
· Ray’s Mobile Home Park
· Trailers of New England, Inc.
Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to approve the Motor Vehicle Class II licenses as listed below:
· John Bee Auto Body
· P & F Auto Parts
· Liz Motor Sales
· Raymond LaBonte dba LaBonte’s
· Trailers of New England, Inc.
· Northeastern Commercial Development Corp.
· Ernie’s Service Station
· Paul R. Racine dba Paul’s Auto Sales
Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to approve the Motor Vehicle Class III licenses as listed below:
· Scantic Auto Service
· P & F Auto Sales
· LaBonte’s
Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Management Salary Grid – Set FY 2008 Inflation Factor:
Ms. Neggers said most of the management currently have contracts which require the management salary grid to be set in December for budget planning for the following fiscal year. The Board of Selectmen had a spreadsheet detailing the rates currently received by the management, as well as the FY 2008 proposed rates indicating a 0% increase, a 1% increase and a 2.5% increase. Ms. Neggers suggested keeping in line with the AFSCME members who will be receiving a 2.5% increase.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to approve the Fiscal Year 2008 management salary grid increase of 2.5%. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Correspondence was read and completed.
In Other Business to Come Before the Board of Selectmen:
Mr. Guertin thanked the person responsible for decorating the tree on the common, as it looks terrific.
The Board of Selectmen agreed the next Board of Selectmen’s meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 9, 2007.
At 8:40 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. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
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Kathleen C. Norbut, Clerk
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