MONSON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 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:
Mr. Guertin made a motion to accept the meeting minutes of October 9, 2007 – executive session and the November 6, 2007 – open and executive sessions. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Liquor License Hearing – Transfer of Package Store License from Peter LePoer to Khmerican, LLP:
Peter LePoer approached the Board of Selectmen. It was reiterated that this transfer was previously approved by the Board of Selectmen however the A.B.C.C. indicated they needed more information pertaining to the fourth partner, as this person wasn’t listed on the original application. Mr. LePoer said there wasn’t sufficient room on the application to list that person. This time around, Mr. LePoer said he attached an additional sheet listing the fourth partner. Mr. LePoer said he is still managing the business and nothing has changed. Mr. Guertin questioned how he could be putting in 40 to 50 hours a week at the store and still hold another full time job as well. Mr. LePoer said he isn’t there during the day, but is there nights and weekends. Ha Chan is there during the day.
There wasn’t anyone in the audience to speak in favor of or against the transfer.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to approve the transfer as presented. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Joint Meeting with School Committee to Fill Two (2) Vacancies on the Committee:
Mike Kane and Karen Patenaude approached the Board of Selectmen, as did the two candidates who were present for the interviews, Edward Maia and Daniel Nolan. The third candidate was not present. It was explained the Board of Selectmen and the School Committee will be waiting until a subsequent meeting to fill the third position on the School Committee, as this resignation has just been received. Ms. Patenaude described just what the School Committee will be looking for in choosing someone to fill the vacancies and explained the School Committee meets at least twice a month on Wednesdays and described the different types of issues discussed at these meetings along with their responsibilities. The candidates explained why they were interested in applying for the vacant positions on the School Committee and described their
backgrounds and experiences. They were also asked if they were aware of the tough issues they are walking into, and if they plan on running for re-election in April. Both candidates stated yes.
A roll Call vote was taken as follows:
To appoint Edward Maia and Daniel Nolan –
Richard Guertin – Aye
Karen Patenaude – Aye
Mike Kane – Aye
Kathleen Norbut – Aye
Edward Harrison – Aye
Mr. Guertin made a motion to appoint Edward Maia and Daniel Nolan to the School Committee effective immediately until the April 2008 election. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Kane commented about the recent activity on the School Committee by stating all three members who recently resigned were very dedicated and very talented members. Mr. Kane added last week the School Committee held an executive session in the Selectmen’s Conference Room regarding the reimbursement issue and felt the Chair of the School Committee should not have brought this issue to the attention of the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Kane stated he feels the Board of Selectmen should have heard both sides of the story prior to taking any action and is requesting, in the future, to be spoken to as a Committee as he feels issues can be resolved better through communication.
It was noted there is still one more vacancy on the School Committee and any one interested should submit letters stating their desire to the Selectmen’s Office.
Correspondence was read and completed.
In Other Business to Come before the Board of Selectmen:
Appointments to the Local Casino Study Committee: Mr. Guertin made a motion to appoint Chip LaPointe, Marshall Harris and John Morrell to the Local Casino Study Committee effective immediately through June 2008. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED. It was noted there is one at-large position open on the committee. Anyone interested in this position should contact the Selectmen’s Office. The next meeting of the Local Casino Study Committee will be held on Monday, November 19th at 10:30 a.m. here in the Selectmen’s Conference Room.
Block Grant Application: Ms. Neggers said Jim Mazik of Pioneer Valley Planning Commission spoke with her regarding the Block Grant. Mr. Mazik proposed the Town of Monson join the Town of Belchertown for Housing Rehab as this would be more competitive and therefore the merger would increase Monson chance for approval. It was agreed more information would be needed for the meeting on November 27th to rework the strategy by December 14th, the deadline date.
Park & Rec./Cemetery Commission: Ms. Neggers reiterated back in July 2007, the Board of Selectmen met with the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Cemetery Commission to try to develop a plan where the two departments could work together sharing equipment and labor. At the conclusion of that meeting, it was agreed both Commissions would go back to discuss this amongst themselves and then with each other prior to bringing their suggestions to the Board of Selectmen within a month or so. Since that time, Ms. Neggers has tried repeatedly to try to set this meeting up only to receive a run around by both Commissions. Ms. Neggers said she doesn’t anticipate co-operation from either commission based on what she has been going through and doesn’t believe either commission intends to develop a plan for
the Board of Selectmen as requested. Mr. Guertin reiterated this request came out of discussions held by the Long Range Financial Planning Committee as they were trying to find ways the town could gain by becoming more efficient. It was also noted that since the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Cemetery Commission are comprised of three elected officials, the Board of Selectmen really have no jurisdiction over them. Mr. Harrison suggested coming up with a plan and proposing it to the Commissions. Mr. Guertin added both of the Commissions know what they do with their time and equipment where the Selectmen don’t, making that hard for the Selectmen to do. Ms. Norbut explained the Selectmen have responsibilities to the taxpayers, as it has now been five months and the Parks & Rec. and Cemetery Commissioners still have not found the time to sit down and try to come up with a plan. It was felt pressure should be put on both commissions to make them step up and come to
some agreements or to come back to the Board of Selectmen and ask for more direction, as it was felt this is critical, and unacceptable to continue in this fashion, as there is an opportunity to accomplish this. Ms. Neggers added with the cost of electricity going up, gas prices increasing, heat costs going up, the town can’t continue on this way, as it is putting pressure on other departments. Mr. Guertin suggested approaching both Commissions, stating they have failed to do what was asked and if they aren’t going to work with the Board of Selectmen, the Board of Selectmen will find a way to get this done. Mr. Harrison said he feels the Board of Selectmen could come up with a fair understanding of what it is these departments do, to come up with a plan. Ms. Neggers said she will draft a letter to the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Cemetery Commission.
Big MAC: Ms. Norbut noted the Big MAC Craft fair will be held during the Thanksgiving weekend.
Town Meeting: The Selectmen also wanted to remind everyone the Town Meeting is coming up as well on November 26th and the warrant has been posted on the web-site for anyone wishing to see it ahead of time.
At 8:30 p.m., Ms. Norbut 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. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
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Richard E. Guertin, Clerk
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