BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 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 July 10, 2007 – executive session; and July 24th and August 6, 2007 – open sessions. Mr. Guertin noted one small change to the minutes of July 24th on page 2 changing the sentence that stated data was collected and processed by the Long Range Capital Planning Committee to state the data was collected and processed by him. Mr. Guertin seconded as amended and it was so VOTED.
Pole Petition #8310 – One J.O. Pole – Moulton Hill Road:
Mr. Guertin read pole petition #8310 into the record. There was no one in the audience to speak for or against the petition, and the Water/Sewer and Highway Departments had no objection to the pole location.
Mr. Guertin made a motion to accept pole petition #8310 as presented. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Joint Meeting with Board of Assessors to Fill Vacancy:
Board of Assessors members Russell Bressette and David Royce, approached the Board of Selectmen. It was explained two candidates had applied for the position to fill the remaining vacant term (until the April elections) of Ann Murphy who had resigned. Ms. Norbut asked Mr. Bressette and Mr. Royce what they were looking for in choosing the appropriate candidate. Mr. Royce replied someone who doesn’t have their own agenda, who really wants to serve the town, and who has good management skills, as they are a policy making Board. Mr. Bressette responded he also would like to see someone with those qualifications, as well as someone who is concerned with where the town is going and who has the betterment of the town in mind. It was explained the candidate chosen will need to take an Assessors 101, one full week, course
within the three year term period, provided by the State Department of Revenue and paid for by the Assessors Office. This course teaches the basics of what goes on in the Assessor’s department. Mr. Guertin asked if past experience is important. Mr. Bressette said some management skills are very helpful but the required course will help them understand the three approaches to value. Mr. Guertin questioned what management skills they would be looking for. Mr. Royce responded they have certain policies, plus they want to make sure assessments are being managed consistently throughout the town. Ms. Norbut asked about the everyday duties of the Board of Assessors and over seeing of the Assessors office. Mr. Royce stated the Board of Assessors set policies, what should and shouldn’t be assessed and the office carries that out; the office also brings certain issues to the Board for discussion. The Board of Assessors do not go out and assess, nor do they sit in the office, but
they will go to review an assessment if it is a unique assessment. Mr. Bressette stated he has gone out as a data collector, if for example, someone has added on a canvas, plastic or rubber shed.
Craig Benoit was the first candidate to be interviewed while the second candidate left the room. Mr. Benoit explained why he is interested in the position and answered a series of questions asked by both Boards.
Allan Curtis was the second candidate to be interviewed. Mr. Benoit left the meeting. Mr. Curtis also explained his motivation for running for this position and also answered a series of questions asked by both Boards.
Following the interviews a roll count vote was taken as follows:
David Royce: Allan Curtis
Russell Bressette: Allan Curtis
Kathleen Norbut: Craig Benoit
Richard Guertin: Craig Benoit
Edward Harrison: Craig Benoit
Mr. Royce said his decision was based on Mr. Curtis’ management skills, working material and what he has done within the Town of Monson.
Mr. Bressette said both candidates were qualified for the position, however, he chose Mr. Curtis because he feels he would be an asset to the Board as he is currently serving on the Council on Aging.
Ms. Norbut said ditto to the comments about the qualifications of both candidates and applauded them for their interest, however, Ms. Norbut felt some of Mr. Benoit’s skills might be valuable and would like to see a new person come in and participate. Ms. Norbut added Mr. Curtis has a wonderful, warm attitude and really understands our community and thanked him for showing an interest and added she hopes he will continue to participate on other boards and committees.
Mr. Guertin said he voted for Mr. Benoit because his answers were more complete and he seemed to have more knowledge relative to the aspects of management.
Mr. Harrison said he chose Mr. Benoit based on his experience and answers. He added both candidates are immensely qualified and he hopes Mr. Curtis will continue to want to participate in Municipal Government.
Water Tower – Eminent Domain – Taking of Land:
Attorney Benjamin Coyle of Bacon & Wilson, P.C., who is assisting the Town with this matter, approached the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Harrison read the memo received by Attorney Coyle into the record and explained at the Special Town meeting held on May 14, 2007, the town voted to take by eminent domain, two parcels of land on Ely Road so the town could construct an additional water storage tank at that location. The meeting tonight was the last formal step to be taken. Ms. Neggers said the Water Department had two appraisals done on the property and the highest appraised value is being paid for each. The property is owned by Nancy and Roger Beauregard and Jennifer M. Garman.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to adopt the Order of Taking for property located at 40 Ely Road owned by Jennifer M. Garman, which was authorized and voted by the Town at the Special Town meeting in May 2007, and is more fully described in Exhibit A attached to the Order of Taking. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Guertin made a motion to adopt the Order of Taking for property located at 50 Ely Road owned by Nancy and Roger Beauregard, which was authorized and voted by the Town at the Special Town meeting in May 2007, and is more fully described in Exhibit A attached to the Order of Taking. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
National Grid – Presentation on Hazard Tree Program:
John Morrell the Tree Warden and two representatives from Nation Grid approached the Board of Selectmen. A representative from National Grid explained a large portion of power outages are caused by trees coming in contact with power lines, and because of this, National Grid will be looking in communities for diseased and rotted trees in sections where power outages caused by trees would affect the largest number of residents. Trees marked with a red ribbon will be cut down while trees marked with blue ribbons will just be trimmed. They will speak with the property owners prior to taking any action. If the trees are on town property, they will speak with the Tree Warden prior to taking any action. They will cut the trees as low as possible, however they will not stump them. If a resident had a tree cut on their property
and they want the wood, it will be left for them. There is a grant program for replacing trees based on the number of trees cut down. It will be up to the Tree Warden to decide where the replacement trees will be planted and to keep them watered. It was explained they will be looking as far back onto the property as 90’ for trees that have the potential of taking down power lines if it were to come down on its own or during a storm. Mr. Morrell said he knows of at least three trees on Main Street that are dangerous.
The Board of Selectmen thanked the representatives from National Grid for coming in to explain the process which will be taking place very shortly in the Town of Monson.
Appoint Board of Health Member – Margaret Harrison:
Margaret Harrison approached the Board of Selectmen.
Mr. Harrison excused himself from the meeting to avoid the appearance of a conflict.
It was explained the Board of Health has recommended Ms. Harrison be appointed to fill the vacant position on the Board of Health which was created by the resignation of Jane Jacobs.
Ms. Harrison explained her background and qualifications.
Mr. Guertin made a motion to appoint Margaret Harrison to the Board of Health effective immediately through June 30, 2010. Ms. Norbut seconded.
Mr. Harrison returned.
Appoint Part-Time Dispatcher – Matthew Frydryk:
Ms. Neggers explained the Board of Selectmen had correspondence from Police Chief Stephen Kozloski recommending Matthew Frydryk be appointed as a part-time dispatcher for the Police Department.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to appoint Matthew Frydryk as a part-time dispatcher for the Monson Police Department effective immediately through June 30, 2008. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Correspondence was read and completed.
At 8:55 p.m., Ms. Norbut made a motion to adjourn from open session. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
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Richard E. Guertin, Clerk
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