MONSON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MONDAY, APRIL 28, 2008
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen convened at 7:20 p.m. in the Conference Room at 110 Main Street. Due to the Finance Committee using the Conference Room and running past the allotted time, the meeting was started 20 minutes late. 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 April 15, 2008 – open session and March 31, 2008 – executive session. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Destination Imagination Teams – Request for Funding Assistance:
Members from the two Destination Imagination teams approached the Board of Selectmen, introduced themselves, and proudly announced the two teams have come in first place at the Massachusetts State Competition held at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and will be going to compete at the 2008 Global Finals in Knoxville, Tennessee on May 21 to May 24th. This is the second time two teams from Monson have won in the same year. The prior time was quite a few years ago. The members explained they need to raise approximately $18,000.00 before the end of May to cover the expenses of the air fare and the motel. To assist in raising the required funding the teams have a raffle going on with prizes such as a hot air balloon ride, iPod nano, and a Wii, just to name a few of the items. The raffle tickets are being sold daily
at Adams Supermarket and Monson Savings Bank on Thursday’s and Friday’s; also, there is currently a silent auction going on at Monson Savings Bank with prints donated by a nationally known artist through Saturday, May 17th. A dessert theater will be held on Mother’s Day, May 11th , with Brickroad Productions at the Polish American Citizens Club on addressStreetBliss Street at 7:00 p.m.; and lastly a car wash and can and bottle drive will be held on Saturday May 17th in the parking lot of the Town Office Building, all to assist in raising the required funding.
Ms. Norbut read the letter from the Destination Imagination teams into the record, which also stated anyone wishing to make a donation may mail checks made payable to Monson PTSA for DI to: Monson PTSA, 29 Thompson Street, Box 159, Monson, MA 01057. Anyone needing more information may contact Shelley or Tom Greene at 267-5475 or Sandy Scannell or Fran Gionfreddo at 413-436-5776.
Mr. Greene added he feels one of the biggest reasons the teams do so well in the competition is largely due to Summer Theater, as it has had a positive direct impact on the teams’ ability to perform on stage with confidence, giving them the advantage over other teams. All of the team members are participants in the Summer Theater program every single year.
Ms. Norbut added the youths on the teams, set a huge, positive example for the rest of the students in town, and she appreciates that. Mr. Guertin thanked the teams’ members for putting all of their effort in this and congratulated them for making it this far as it is hard work with a lot of discipline and creative thinking involved. Mr. Harrison agreed and wished both teams luck and success.
Mr. Guertin made a motion to donate the sum of $2,000.00 ($1,000.00 for each team) from the Gifts to the Town Account to assist with the expenses of their trip to the Global Competition. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Tess Pelissier – Request for Summer Theater Funding Assistance:
Ms. Pelissier Director, Mary Lou Callahan in charge of publicity and Louise Czarniecki Assistant Director for the Summer Theater Program approached the Board of Selectmen along with Tim Pascale Superintendent of the Parks and Recreation Department. Ms. Pelissier explained the School Department is now charging Parks and Recreation and Summer Theater for the use of the school. The fee being charged is $8,000.00 for the summer months of July and August; with $5,500.00 being the actual amount charged for Summer Theater and the remaining $2,500.00 for the summer day camps held at the school. Mr. Pascale explained the bulk of the fees being charged are to compensate for the electricity and air conditioning used. Ms. Pelissier said it is dreadful with no air conditioning as the doors don’t open to the outside, and therefore
the air gets hot, so it really is a necessity.
To help compensate for the fee being charged for the use of the school, Mr. Pascale said he has increased the fee for each camp, raising the cost by $10.00. In the past, there weren’t any user fees for Summer Theater and Mr. Pascale said one might now have to be instituted. Between sixty and eighty children take part in the Summer Theater program, all coming from Monson. The Rotary Club and Lions Club will be approached, as well as seeking corporate sponsorship from outside the Town for donations. Ms. Neggers suggested reaching out to Summer Theater Alumni as well. Ms. Pelissier said they could also possibly go up on the cost of tickets to maybe $9.00 each.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to donate the sum of $500.00 to the Summer Theater program from the Gifts to the Town Account. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Close Annual Town Meeting Warrant:
Ms. Neggers explained the Planning Board has withdrawn the Zoning Bylaw article relating to Section 5.4.1 required minimum parking spaces of the Monson Zoning Bylaws from the warrant for the Town Meeting.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to place articles #25 and #26 on the Annual Town Warrant as attached. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to close the Annual Town Meeting warrant. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Renew Bowling Lanes License:
Mr. Guertin made a motion to approve the renewal of the bowling lanes license for Monson Bowling Lanes located at addressStreet64 Main Street. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
In Other Business to Come Before the Board of Selectmen:
· Mr. Guertin explained a Finance Committee meeting was held in this room tonight, with the department heads, prior to the Board of Selectmen’s meeting, and was still in progress having moved upstairs. During this meeting, the Finance Committee members were discussing how the town’s revenues are down from what was projected, partly due to fewer building permits being taken out, along with excise taxes down due to not many residents purchasing new vehicles. As a result, Monson is approximately $90,000.00 in the red, causing the Finance Director to change the towns’ revenue projection. Mr. Guertin explained there are two or three alternatives. One would be to make another
$90,000.00 in budget cuts, which would mean cutting into public safety, the Police and Fire Departments, which is not a viable option to him. The second option would be utilizing more of the Free Cash. The third option would be to not give the School Department the $180,000.00 above net school spending previously agreed upon. Ms. Neggers added the year 2010 could easily be worse and suggested the Board of Selectmen implement a spending freeze effective immediately on any purchases, with the exception of essential items. $93,000.00 has already been frozen in different accounts to compensate the Snow and Ice deficit, and Ms. Neggers suggested looking at current year budget line items. Ms. Norbut noted the Free Cash is a necessity for the town and with the future looking bleak felt this needs to be balanced.
Ms. Neggers said the department heads need to come to terms with the
severity of the situation, as some departments can’t accept the gravity of the
situation and can’t comprehend having to cut the level of services they know
the town needs but can’t pay for, however there are some departments really
trying, such as the Parks and Recreation Department.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to implement the freeze on any purchases as well
as take a look at the current year budget as just discussed and to use
whatever Free Cash is necessary. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so
VOTED.
Ms. Norbut stated she was not present for the discussion regarding the cost
of living raises for the department heads, which was discussed during the last
Board of Selectmen’s meeting, but said she agrees with Mr. Harrison and
Mr. Guertin that it is well deserved as the department heads have had to deal
with added responsibilities due to budget cuts and are assuming more of the
duties themselves. Mr. Harrison added the non-school side of the budget has
sustained large budget cuts over the past years to abstain education to the
best of our ability from additional cuts, and with the teachers receiving close to a 3% pay increase,
felt it wouldn’t be right for town employees to sacrifice their raises.
· It was reiterated Bulky Day will be held on May 3rd from 9:00 to 1:00 at Quarry Hill Community School.
Correspondence was read and completed.
At 8:40 p.m., Mr. Guertin made a motion to adjourn from open session to go into executive session for the purpose of contractual discussion, not to return to open session. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
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Richard E. Guertin, Clerk
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