BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2008
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 and Richard E. Guertin. Kathleen C. Norbut was absent. 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 March 25, 2008 – open and executive sessions. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Dog Complaint Hearing – Animal Control Officer Steven Hutchinson’s Complaint against Dog Owned by Jeremiah Peacey:
The hearing was opened at 7:05 p.m. Police Chief Stephen Kozloski, along with Mr. Hutchinson and Mr. Peacey approached the Board of Selectmen. The parties were sworn in by Mr. Harrison. Mr. Guertin noted the dates on the paperwork, provided to the Board of Selectmen by Mr. Hutchinson, weren’t very specific and noted it was hard to follow. Mr. Hutchinson stated he was unsure of the specific dates, as they were not indicated on the paperwork he had with him.
Mr. Hutchinson stated he had requested documentation from Mr. Peacey regarding the locality of the dog, as he had ordered the dog out of the Town of Monson following three incidents involving this dog, a white pit bull known as Junior. Mr. Hutchinson said he was unable to obtain this information after repeated attempts, which ultimately lead to this hearing.
Mr. Hutchinson explained the first incident involving the dog was to a woman who was walking past it when it started barking at her, scaring her in the process. On a separate occasion, this same dog broke free from his run and chased this same woman and her dogs while remaining on his property. The dogs weren’t attacked but it did scare the same woman a second time. Shortly after the second incident, the dog did attack a different dog while being walked by his owner (this was not the same woman as in the past two incidences) past this residence. The dog was hurt during the attack and required medical attention. Mr. Peacey agreed to pay all the veterinary bills involved, which he did. This third incident led to Mr. Hutchinson ordering the dog removed from Town as he was deemed dangerous and a nuisance.
Mr. Peacey stated his dog is normally tied. At the time of the first incident the dog was a young puppy and was running around on a runner and pulled his head out of his collar. The second time the clip didn’t catch right and he got loose. Mr. Peacey also stated the dog has a kennel cage that he is put in when no one is home. The dog will be 2 years old on July 4th , and Mr. Peacey added there haven’t been any other problems pertaining to this dog since the last time.
Mr. Peacey state he and the dog no longer live in Monson. He now resides in Ludlow and will make sure the dog never returns to town, even for visits. Mr. Peacy said it took a while for him to find a location to move to, which was the reason for not getting the documents back to Mr. Hutchinson in a timely manner.
Chief Kozloski and Mr. Hutchinson were satisfied with the dog residing in another town and the agreement of “Junior” never returning to Monson.
The hearing was closed at 7:20 p.m.
Fiscal 2009 Budget Discussion – Departmental Impacts; 1. Judy White Executive Director, Council on Aging:
1. Judy White and Administrative Assistant Mona St. John approached the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Harrison reiterated the Board of Selectmen had recommended various budget cuts. Several department heads attended the last Selectmen’s meeting to explain what the proposed budget cuts would mean for their departments. Ms. White was unable to attend that meeting and was invited in to speak tonight instead.
Ms. White stated the proposed $17,000.00 cut in salaries for the Council on Aging, which is 9%, would affect who they are and what they do at the Council on Aging. They serve people who are 60 years of age and older and handicapped people of all ages; they are responsible for social services for all the town residents - food stamps, WIC, Social Security, disability and Mass. Health as it is particularly hard for a lot of the low income residents to make it to Holyoke or Springfield to fill out the applications for these programs; as well as activities and educational programs. They provide van transportation to grocery stores, doctors visits, etc. and Meals on Wheels; The Council on Aging provides an infrastructure of support for older adults within the community assisting older adults in aging with dignity and
independence and helping to keep people in their homes longer instead of in nursing homes. They are usually the first responders in time of need, such as fuel assistance when someone has run out of heating oil, and provide an opportunity for socialization for the elderly. Ms. White stated 1,200 people, seniors and low income handicapped, are serviced each month with some being the same people who come back for different things. Ms. St. John read the case studies of three people serviced by the Council on Aging recently. The first was a husband with dementia. The second was an elderly childless couple and the third was and elderly woman who lives alone. Ms. White noted the Council on Aging is vital for many seniors in Town.
Ms. White said the Council on Aging has fourteen employees. Four of these employees are partly grant funded, four are fully grant funded, and four are minimum wage. Ms. White presented the Selectmen with spreadsheets showing just how tight her budget is. Ms. White explained the total budget for the Council on Aging is $226,675.00; 65% is from the town and 35% is from grants and donations. When it comes to the expense portion of the budget, 82% is funded through grants and donations with 18% paid for by the town. The town doesn’t pay the electric bill, mow the grass, pay for heating oil, plowing and it doesn’t maintain the building. Donations are received from two main sources, one is they receive $3,000.00 from the Senior Citizens Club which pays for postage. The second source is money from the Home for Aged People,
Inc., which supports the Senior Center facility. It was noted the town does not own the building as it is owned by the trust. Ms. White explained the services cut would be the fuel assistance and food stamps and they may have to increase the donations requested for meals and van service to help with the costs. Meals currently have a donation request of $2.00 per meal with van trips varying depending on the distances. Cutting the hours for the clerk would also have to done, allowing Ms. White less time for grant writing, which is basically how they operate. Cleaning the facility would also be affected by the budget cut which would result in an unsanitary environment. Ms. White noted the Council on Aging purchases their own copy machines and computers and have never approached the town for any capital items. Ms. White noted the churches in town have been very supportive of the fuel assistance program. Ms. White said anyone wishing to volunteer time and services or make donations may
call the Council on Aging at 267-4121.
Mr. Harrison said he has never doubted the value of services provided to the town by the Council on Aging and thanked Ms. White and Ms. St. John for coming in. Mr. Harrison added everyone is very deserving and this has been very hard.
Mr. Guertin also thanked them and added this has been a great opportunity to remind everyone of what is done by the Council on Aging.
Community Preservation Committee – Update:
Bill Skillman, Dennis Swierad and Leslie Duthie approached the Board of Selectmen. The Community Preservation Committee presented the Board of Selectmen with language for a warrant article to be placed on the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting next month regarding the budgeted reserve. At the Fall Town Meeting, the Community Preservation Committee said they hope to present, for approval, specific projects.
Mr. Skillman explained over the last six to eight weeks, the Community Preservation Committee has been educating themselves with legislation, so they will be all set for the Town Meeting in May.
The Community Preservation Committee will make a presentation to the public in the DeSantis Room at the Monson Free Library on April 29th from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. and they are encouraging as much participation as possible.
Mr. Harrison and Mr. Guertin thanked them for coming in.
Annual own Meeting Warrant – Commence Review of Requested Articles:
Mr. Guertin made a motion to include an article for the Annual Town warrant that would allow the Town to vote to appropriate or reserve from the Community Preservation Act annual revenues in the amount recommended by the Community Preservation Committee. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Guertin read and made a motion to approve the 16 articles as attached. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Special Town Meeting Warrant – Commence Review of Requested Articles:
Ms. Neggers said there is nothing at this time and it will be taken up at the next meeting scheduled for next week, on April 15th.
Renew Auctioneer, Billiards and Pool Licenses:
Mr. Guertin made a motion to approve the auctioneer license for Frank Kapsia d/b/a Wintergarden Auctions Services located at 359 Stafford Road. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Guertin made a motion to approve the Billiards and Pool licenses for Fat Cat Capital, Inc. d/b/a Mustang Sally’s located at 218 Main Street; Tee Jay’s, Inc. located at 143 Palmer Road and the Polish American Citizens Club located at 7 Bliss Street. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Appoint Zoning Enforcement Officer:
Mr. Guertin made a motion to reappoint Chip LaPointe as the Zoning Enforcement Officer effective April 1, 2008 through March 31, 2009. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Appoint Dr. Denise Messina – PlaceNameplaceLong PlaceTypeRange Financial Planning Committee:
Mr. Guertin made a motion to appoint Dr. Denise Messina as a member to the Long Range Financial Planning Committee effective immediately through June 30, 2008. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
In Other Business to Come Before the Board of Selectmen:
It was explained a request was received for the use of the gazebo on Saturday April 19, 2008 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. for a commitment ceremony with 7 to 10 participants and 30 guests. There will be no performers and no food will served.
Mr. Guertin made a motion to approve the ceremony on April 19, 2008 from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. as just described. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Guertin said he has been overseeing the use of Memorial Hall for some time now and explained the thermostats located in Memorial Hall have locks on them, as do the thermostats in the Town Office Building. During a recent activity held in Memorial Hall, people involved with this event got creative and were able to turn up the heat causing the town to go through an excessive amount of heating oil, with the cost of heating oil used for that particular event well exceeding the cost of the fee paid for the use of Memorial Hall. Mr. Guertin stated in the
last eight years he has been a Selectman, he can’t remember the fees charged for renting Memorial Hall increasing for events taking place there. Mr. Guertin suggested having the Finance Director look into the expenses for Memorial Hall, to see if possibly the fees need to be increased to help compensate for the expenses incurred, as this also pertains to custodial services which are required before and after events as well. Ms. Neggers noted the Liquor Licenses also have not been increased since 1990 and felt this might also need to be done.
Mr. Guertin made a motion to ask Finance Director, Deborah Mahar to look into the expenses incurred for Memorial Hall by mid-summertime. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Neggers will update Ms. Mahar on what has just transpired.
Correspondence was read and completed.
At 8:55 p.m., Mr. Guertin 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. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
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Richard E. Guertin, Clerk
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