MONSON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, JUNE 12, 2007
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 Edward S. Harrison, Kathleen C. Norbut and Richard E. Guertin. 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 May 22, 2007 – open session. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Sarah Peet – Request for One-Day Liquor License:
Sarah Peet and Jessie Greene approached the Board of Selectmen. Ms. Peet explained she is requesting a one-day liquor license for their wedding day. They are having their reception in Memorial Hall and will be having a champagne toast and the caterer will be making punch with wine and serving it. This event will be held on June 23, 2007 from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. and is a private function. Ms. Peet explained since the caterer will be serving the punch, he will therefore be monitoring the punch station along with parents watching their own children to make sure there isn’t any under aged drinking. Ms. Neggers said she met with Ms. Peet previously and reviewed the insurance coverage which is required for the use of Memorial Hall. Ms. Peet presented Ms. Neggers with the certificate of insurance. Ms. Peet said they
chose Memorial Hall for their wedding reception because it is in Monson, it’s a really beautiful building and it goes with the old fashion carnival theme for their reception. Ms. Peet has met with the Fire Chief regarding the fire regulations and she said she explained all of the decorations to him resulting in a few modifications being made that he had requested. Fire Chief Harris is also issuing a permit which is a new fire safety law as well. The number of people attending is within the limit and parking will be down by the fire station. Mr. Guertin explained there are lines painted in the parking lot there to go by so the ambulance and fire apparatus can drive through it.
Ms. Norbut made a motion for the approval of the special license for the one day liquor permit from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on June 23, 2007 as requested by Sarah Peet. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Everyone wished them good luck.
Appoint Special Police Officer:
Police Chief Kozloski and Michael Beaupre approached the Board of Selectmen. Chief Kozloski explained a few weeks ago he requested a few auxiliary police officers be appointed for the purpose of training. Mr. Beaupre was one of these officers and he has now completed his in house training program. As a result of his completion of training, Chief Kozloski is requesting the Board of Selectmen to appoint him as a part-time police officer in the Town of Monson. Mr. Beaupre explained his education and training. Chief Kozloski explained Mr. Beaupre has attended the part-time police academy and would need to attend the full time police academy prior to seeking a position of a full time officer somewhere in the future.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to appoint Mr. Beaupre to the position of a part-time police officer effective immediately through June 30, 2007. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Keep Homestead Museum Steering Committee – Request for Name Change and New Appointments:
Dennis Swierad and EmmaLadd Shepherd approached the Board of Selectmen.
Mr. Guertin made a motion to appoint Mary Lou Brewer and Barbara Shepherd to the Keep Homestead Museum Steering Committee effective immediately through June 30, 2007. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
The second part of the request Ms. Shepherd explained, is for approximately seventeen years they have been known as the Keep Homestead Museum Steering Committee and are appointed by the Board of Selectmen per Myra Moulton’s will. Ms. Shepherd further explained that usually a Steering Committee is an organization who gets something off the ground and they feel they are well off the ground now. Their goal is to become a world class museum and the name Steering Committee doesn’t portray what they are doing. When they meet with their counterparts, they are looked at blankly when they announce they are on the Steering Committee, and this is why they would like the name changed to the Board of Directors, with the understanding they will remain under the umbrella of the Selectmen.
Mr. Guertin said Ms. Neggers located the will and said it does state “said Town of Monson, by its Board of Selectmen, shall maintain and operate the buildings and contents of her collection as the Keep Homestead Museum”. Mr. Guertin said he understands where the word “steering” would not carry the clout with the other museums and said he understands the point is couldn’t the Board of Selectmen appoint directors?
It was agreed the Board of Selectmen are actually trustees. Ms. Norbut said the Board of Selectmen operate and maintain the building through the overseers. Frequently, in foundations, there is a Board of Directors, but there are also trustees and felt that through the two groups, they might be able to figure out language that would provide them with the executive status they are seeking to be able to collaborate with peers. The Board of Selectmen agreed they are the trustees and appoint the board members. Ms. Neggers added they are not seeking to change the structure of the operation but more a question on words. Ms. Norbut stated the work the Steering Committee does was directing. It was stated there aren’t any tax dollars being used for the museum as everything comes from the trust fund, which goes into the town
funds for payment of bills, which the Board of Selectmen sign weekly. Ms. Shepherd would be the Chairman of the Board of Directors if the name change were approved. There are no other officers.
Mr. Guertin made a motion to change the name of the Keep Homestead Museum Steering Committee to the Keep Homestead Museum Board of Directors effective July 1, 2007. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Shepherd announced they have an up-coming event on July 1st. It will be the Old Fashion Ice Cream Social on the lawn at the museum as usual with a special event on that day as well. The Police Chief along with a group of his friends are going to lead people on a Geo-caching Treasure Hunt. Ms. Shepherd explained with a geo-caching treasure hunt, little trinkets and a log book are hidden in various places. People follow coordinates to the various places with a GPS system. As you take a trinket, you also leave one and sign the log book. More information on this can be found on their web site at keephomesteadmuseum.org. on the nature trails page which also has a link to the Police Chief’s page.
Approve Special Municipal Employee Designation – Don Frydryk/Sherman and Frydryk:
Ms. Neggers explained this approval would make it legal for Sherman and Frydryk/Don Frydryk to represent the Highway Department from the Conservation Commission and also be hired by private entities and go before the Conservation Commission. Ms. Neggers said this is a great benefit for the town departments and is much more economical for the town to utilize services of a local firm instead of having to contract with an engineering firm out of an area such as Boston. Ms. Neggers said the town doesn’t have enough work to support a full time engineering position.
Mr. Guertin made a motion to designate Don Frydryk and Sherman and Frydryk as Special Municipal Employee in the Town of Monson. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Request to Approve Emergency Management Assistance Compact (Building Inspector):
Ms. Neggers explained this is essentially to enter into a mutual aid agreement with the state, particularly MEMA, so that in the event of an emergency, the Building Inspector Chip Lapointe, could be deployed to that scene to assist other communities. The understanding is he would be getting paid by the Town of Monson and would be under the town’s insurance policy during that time, similar to other mutual aid agreements.
Ms. Neggers explained last year during the explosion in the Town of Danvers, there was a lot of devastation with hundreds of people out of their homes. None of the people were allowed back into their homes until it was inspected by a certified building inspector who stated it was safe for their return. This took a long time due to the shortage of certified building inspectors for those inspections. This approval would allow Mr. Lapointe’s name to be added to the list of eligible certified inspectors.
Ms. Norbut said she was concerned as this agreement wasn’t consistent with the plan of our Local Emergency Plan, where MEMA would need to contact the CEO of Monson, which would be the Chairman for the Board of Selectmen. This language was missing and Ms. Norbut said she spoke with Mr. Lapointe regarding this. Mr. Lapointe was very willing to speak with the group proposing this. Ms. Norbut felt there are possibilities for a “no” response in releasing personnel contingent upon a simultaneous local situation, as we only have one building inspector and we would lose him if he were deployed through this process. Ms. Neggers noted it was written in the agreement that this is voluntary and strictly for the State of Massachusetts. Ms. Norbut wished to hold off on making any decisions, allowing Mr. Lapointe
the chance to speak with the individual in charge to see if the CEO of the town could be added to the call down chain of commands.
It was agreed to table this until the next meeting to allow clarification.
Approve Summerfest One-Day Liquor License:
Ms. Neggers said she spoke with Scott Walker who stated this request is for the exact same beer garden design and specifications as they have always had.
Mr. Guertin made a motion to approve the one day malt beverage license on behalf of Monson Summerfest on July 4, 2007 for sales in Dave Grieve Park from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. contingent upon receiving the certificate for the liability insurance. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Commence Reappointments:
Mr. Guertin read into the record and made a motion to appoint the names listed on the attached list to the Monson Council On Aging effective July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2010. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED. Ms. Norbut thanked Phyllis Hull who will not be finishing her second term and also Geraldine Depace who has completed her second full term and who will not be eligible for reappointment, for their services on the Council On Aging.
Mr. Guertin read into the record and made a motion to appoint the names listed on the attached list to the Zoning Board of Appeals effective July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2012. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Guertin read into the record and made a motion to appoint the names listed on the attached list to the Monson Conservation Commission effective July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2010. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED. Mr. Guertin thanked Leslie Duthie for all she does.
Mr. Guertin made a motion to appoint Robert Bator to the Board of Health effective July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2010. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED. Mr. Guertin said the Board of Selectmen learned recently that Jane Jacobs is not going to continue to run and expressed sorrow to hear that. Ms. Norbut thanked Ms. Jacobs for her services as the duties of the Board of Health have increased enormously over the past few years.
Mr. Guertin read into the record and made a motion to appoint the names listed on the attached list to the Local Emergency Planning Committee effective July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Guertin read into the record and made a motion to appoint the names listed on the attached list to the Scholarship Fund Committee effective July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Guertin read into the record and made a motion to appoint the names listed on the attached list to the Long Range Financial Planning Committee effective July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Guertin read into the record and made a motion to appoint the names listed on the attached list to the Community Relations Committee effective July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED. Mr. Guertin thanked Ms. Norbut for all of her participation on this committee and added her involvement will be missed.
Correspondence was read and completed.
In Other Business to Come Before the Board of Selectmen:
Mr. Guertin thanked everyone who came out and voted yesterday on the override ballot as it is a democracy in action and it was good to see the turnout. The outcome of the override vote was defeated for both requests. On the School the vote was 1,272 against with 434 for the override and 4 unmarked. On the request of the Highway Department, there were 1,006 against, 700 for the override and 4 blank ballots. Mr. Guertin added he would like to see more participation at Town meetings along with more residents coming out to vote.
Mr. Harrison said he was disappointed by the 32% turnout and also would like to see more as it is a privilege and a responsibility.
It was noted over 50% of Monson’s residents turned out to vote at the last presidential election.
At 8:13 p.m., Ms. Norbut made a motion to adjourn from open session to go into executive session for the purpose of a non-union bargaining discussion, not to return to open session. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
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Richard E. Guertin, Clerk
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