BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2007
The regular meeting of the Monson Board of Selectmen convened at 6:00 p.m. in the conference room at 110 Main Street. In attendance were Edward S. Harrison, Kathleen C. Norbut and Richard E. Guertin. Also present was the Town Administrator. Ms. Norbut made a motion to go into executive session at 6:00 p.m. for a hearing of complaint against a town employee. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED. At 6:45 p.m. Ms. Norbut made a motion to adjourn from executive session. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED. Open session reconvened at 7:00 p.m. and the media was now present.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Accept Minutes of April 10, 2007 – Open and Executive Sessions:
Mr. Guertin made a motion to accept the meeting minutes of April 10, 2007 – open and executive sessions. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Destination Imagination – Request for Funding for Global Finals 2007:
Shelley Greene, Team Manager and Tom Greene, the Assistant Team Manager along with the members of the Destination Imagination team approached the Board of Selectmen. Team member Kasey Greene explained the competition and their skit which won at the State competition and got the team to this position entitled “Pirate Skit for Roundabout Courage”.
Mr. Greene read an unsolicited testimonial from a parent who resides in another part of the state, written to Jim Peters stating he and the school should be very proud of the team as they were the best he has ever seen, and he has seen many due to having a child who participates in the competitions as well.
Ms. Norbut said the Board of Selectmen have been very proud to support the teams in the past.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to donate $1,200.00 from the Gifts to the Town Account to assist the Destination Imagination team with expenses to Knoxville, TN for the Global Finals. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Liquor License Hearing – Transfer of All Alcoholic Package Store License from Peter LePoer to Khmerican, LLP:
The hearing was opened at 7:10 p.m. Peter LePoer approached the Board of Selectmen and described when he purchased the package store it was in his name only and he thought at that time he could just transfer it over to a partnership at a later date without having to re-file with the A.B.C.C. or come before the Board of Selectmen. It was brought to the Board of Selectmen’s attention as the licensing authority, when Mr. LePoer renewed his liquor license in December. The Board of Selectmen met with Mr. LePoer at one of their prior meetings and explained the legal procedures to Mr. LePoer, which also required this public hearing.
Mr. LePoer said when he isn’t in the store, his partners’ son is there and that this person has attended the TIPS course in Springfield. Mr. LePoer said he still plans on attending a course himself. Mr. LePoer said he requires everyone to show an I.D. when purchasing alcohol and tobacco products no mater how old they are. Mr. LePoer stated his policy is no license, no alcohol.
Mr. Guertin made a motion to approve the license transfer from Peter LePoer to Khmerican LLP contingent upon a successful CORI report. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
This hearing was closed at 7:20 p.m.
Approve Proposition 2½ Ballot Question(s) Language:
Mr. Harrison explained there will be a ballot for voters on June 11th from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. to approve or deny two individually proposed override requests, one from the School Department and one from the Highway Department.
Mr. Guertin read the school’s request into the record as follows:
Shall the Town of Monson be allowed to assess an additional $611,472.00 in real estate taxes for the purpose of operating Monson Public Schools at current (fiscal 2007) level services, to purchase additional textbooks and instructional supplies, provide for professional development, and add salaries and benefits for the following five staff: middle school math teacher, elementary music teacher, district-wide reading specialist, middle school guidance counselor, and elementary school adjustment counselor and provide full funding for the transportation budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2007?
This language has been approved by the towns’ attorney.
Mr. Guertin made a motion to place the language he just read on behalf of the public school system on the ballot. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Guertin said he supports the override questions being placed on a ballot and added the Board of Selectmen have the option to disagree with the dollar amount requested, however after thinking about it, Mr. Guertin said it didn’t make any sense, since this is the number the School Committee and Superintendent have come up with, he feels the Board of Selectmen need to support their work and that the voters of Monson should decide the expenditures of the dollars in the context of additional taxes.
Mr. Harrison said this is an opportunity for everyone to exercise their democratic privilege and the right to get out and vote. Mr. Harrison agreed it should be left up to the voters to decide how much they want to spend.
Ms. Norbut said she feels an override is a difficult situation for community members and a financial burden on many, and is interested in also hearing what the voters have to say.
Mr. Guertin reiterated if this is approved, the funds must be used solely for the purposes stated.
Mr. Guertin read the following requested article for the Highway Department:
Shall the Town of Monson be allowed to assess an additional $125,000.00 in real estate and personal property taxes for the purpose of making road repairs and improvements for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2007?
Ms. Norbut made a motion to place this question on the ballot. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Guertin said he absolutely supports this request and added he tried to talk Mr. Morrell into submitting a higher figure due to the condition of the roads in Monson. Mr. Guertin said if this request were approved as an override, this is an amount that will allow Mr. Morrell to begin pecking away at some of the roads. Mr. Morrell had explained to Mr. Guertin earlier if there was a long stretch of road with a lot of cracks in it, he could fill in a pretty long portion of that road for $25,000.00 of this money and that by doing so, might be able to get another 15 to 25 years out of the road. Some roads will need sections replaced, as they are beyond the crack filling segment. Both types of road work is desperately needed. Mr. Guertin said Mr. Morrell told him he thought if this were approved it might only add $35.00 to
$40.00 to a person’s tax bill and jokingly added this is cheaper than the replacement cost for damaged shocks on automobiles, due to the rough road conditions.
Ms. Norbut said she too fully supports this request as it highly impacts the voters and felt they needed to make their choice and decision.
Liquor License Hearing – Transfer of Quaboag Riders Club License to a General On-Premise License and Alteration of Premises:
The hearing was opened at 7:30 p.m. James O’Connell President, Glen Shorette Vice President and William Kitch Manager, for the Quaboag Riders Club, approached the Board of Selectmen. Mr. O’Connell explained the beer garden used last year for the last event. This worked out quite well with no complaints from any of the patrons. There are picnic tables for people to sit at in the garden area with clear views of the events. Upon questioning by Mr. Harrison, Mr. O’Connell stated no one from the Riders Club has attended any of the TIPS classes. Mr. Guertin stated this might be something they want to think about. Mr. O’Connell said personal coolers are checked during events making sure it contains only soda and sandwiches and that no one is bringing their own beer or alcohol. It was agreed the Riders
Club would try to have the 4’ high chain linked fence installed in the area behind the building prior to the next event scheduled for May 6th. Mr. Shorette said Mr. Kitch will be posted at the gate monitoring the beer garden. It was also stated the outdoor arena would only be used during the events. The remainder of the time, only the interior of the clubhouse will be used.
Mr. Guertin complemented the Riders Club as no one could remember any problems occurring there and thanked them for taking the time to make this happen.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to approve the transfer of the Quaboag Riders Club license from a Club license to a General On-Premise license, plus construct a 31’ X 82’ beer garden, with drinking confined to the garden area. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
The hearing was closed at 7:40 p.m.
Appoint Dispatcher Trainee and Auxiliary Police Officer:
Mr. Harrison read the letter for this request submitted by Chief Kozloski into the record.
Mr. Guertin made a motion to appoint Matthew R. Frydryk as dispatcher trainee and auxiliary police officer effective immediately through June 30, 2007. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Correspondence was read and completed.
In Other Business to Come Before the Board of Selectmen:
Mr. Guertin reminded the listening audience of the up coming Town meeting on May 14th.
At 7:45 p.m., Mr. Guertin made a motion to adjourn from open session to go back into executive session for the purpose of a non-union discussion, not to return to open session. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
__________________________
Richard E. Guertin, Clerk
| 
