BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, MAY 8, 2007
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 Edward S. Harrison and Richard E. Guertin. Kathleen C. Norbut was not present. Also present was the Town Administrator and the media.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Accept Minutes of April 24, 2007 - Open Session:
Mr. Guertin made a motion to accept the meeting minutes of April 24, 2007 – open session. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Red Cross Award:
Janet Tierney, Representative from the Red Cross approached the Board of Selectmen to present the Town with an award for all the blood drives that have been held in the town since 1979 resulting in thousands of pints of blood being collected. Mr. Harrison read the plaque into the record.
It was noted a Blood Drive would be held this Friday, May 11th, at the Senior Center from 1:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Public Hearing – Proposed Bylaw Regarding the Creation of a Community Preservation Commission:
The public hearing was opened at 7:05 p.m. Mr. Harrison read the notice into the record. Mr. Guertin summarized the members who would make up the committee. There will be one member of the Historical Commission, one member of the Conservation Commission, one member of the Parks and Recreation Commission, one member of the Housing Authority, one member of the Planning Board and two additional at-large members to be designated by the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Guertin added the State will match dollar for dollar any amount collected by the town toward the Community Preservation Act. Mr. Harrison reiterated the Community Preservation Act does call for a surcharge on real estate taxes on home values over $100,000.00 at the rate of 3%, i.e. a home valued at $204,000.00 the annual tax amount for the Community Preservation Act
would be approximately $37.00.
There wasn’t anyone in the audience to speak in favor of, or opposed to, the adoption of this bylaw or the formation of this committee.
Ms. Neggers said it will be presented at the Town Meeting and this is just a precursor to that action. It will go to the Attorney General’s Office as well.
Mr. Harrison noted one correction. The language said Park and Recreation Committee and should be changed to Park and Recreation Commission. Ms. Neggers said this would have to be amended at the Town Meeting.
The public hearing was closed at 7:13 p.m.
Michael Norton – Re: Proposed Bicycle Race:
Michael Norton approached the Board of Selectmen and explained the course for the race.
Mr. Guertin made a motion to approve the race Mr. Norton proposed for Saturday, June 16th beginning at 8:30 a.m. and finishing at 12:30 p.m. on the route as described, contingent upon Chief Kozloski’s agreement with the arrangements. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Neggers said she spoke with Chief Kozloski and it was agreed he would send the Board of Selectmen something in writing confirming the meeting had been held and that everything is in place.
Public Hearing – Proposed Bylaw the Private Policy Protection Act of 2007:
The public hearing was opened at 7:15 p.m. Mr. Harrison read the proposed bylaw into the record and explained a few weeks ago Mr. Kaddy approached the Board of Selectmen to explain the proposed bylaw along with handing the Selectmen a petition containing the required signatures to have this bylaw placed on the Town Meeting warrant. At that time the Board of Selectmen also voted to place this on the warrant. Mr. Guertin summarized the meeting with Mr. Kaddy.
There was no one in the audience to speak in favor of, or in opposition of, this proposed bylaw.
The public hearing was closed at 7:25 p.m.
Ms. Neggers reiterated the Town Meeting will be held on Monday, May 14th at 7:00 p.m. at Granite Valley Middle School in the auditorium. They have tried to reformat the meetings making it easier for people to follow along and understand what is going on. Mr. Guertin agreed it is important for people to understand what they are voting on and encouraged anyone with any questions to raise their hand and ask for clarification.
Summerfest – Scott Walker:
Scott Walker approached the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Walker said the Summerfest will be held on Wednesday, July 4th. The fireworks will be held on Saturday, June 30th at Quarry Hill Community School with an alternate rain date for the following night, July 1st. For more information, people may visit their web site at monsonsummerfestinc.com where all the events, contact information and parking requirements are posted.
On the night of the fireworks, the school parking lots will not be opened until 5:00 p.m. A shuttle bus will be provided from Granite Valley Middle School to Quarry Hill Community School. There will be no parking inside Hillside Cemetery. A more complete list of parking and no parking is posted on their web site as well as printed in the Summerfest booklets. Ms. Neggers suggested they post signs when parking lots are full to save people the trouble of trying to get in and maneuver around them.
Mr. Guertin made a motion to approve the Summerfest program as described. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Guertin made a motion to approve a contribution of $2,500.00 to the Summerfest from the Gifts to the Town Account. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Correspondence was read and completed.
In Other business to Come Before the Board of Selectmen:
Ms. Neggers said she received a request today from the Monson Garden Club for permission to use the area in front of the Municipal Office Building on Saturday, May 19th from 7:30 a.m. to about noontime to hold their annual plant sale.
Mr. Guertin made a motion to approve this request. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Also in other business to come before the Board of Selectmen, Susan Jones approached the Board. Ms. Jones explained she is working with Erin Greene and Greene Room Productions and had a request for the use of the gazebo and grassy area at Dave Grieve Park for Saturday, June 17th for a special Father’s Day celebration. Greene Room Productions will be holding a performance across the street from Dave Grieve Park, in Memorial Hall, entitled “Mice and Men” beginning at 2:00 p.m. The use of the gazebo and park would involve solo or duet musical performances, a couple of skits having to do with the performance “Men and Mice” and Father’s Day, have a desert table and popcorn from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. They would like to request the use of the park from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. so
they could set up and clean up afterwards. This is, a bring your own chair, type of event. Parking will be by the Fire Station and marked off as usual for the performance.
Mr. Guertin said he wanted to think about this as he is unsure at this point as this is a request from a for profit corporation and will set a precedent. In the past permission has only been granted to non-profit organizations. The Board of Selectmen agreed they would have a decision for Ms. Jones by May 22nd, which she agreed would be compatible with her time frame.
At 7:55 p.m. Mr. Guertin made a motion to adjourn from open session to go into executive session for a non-union bargaining discussion, not to return to open session. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
_____________________
Richard E. Guertin, Clerk
| 
