BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 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, 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 May 27, 2008 – open and executive sessions and June 4, 2008 – open session. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Appoint Special (Part-time) Auxiliary Police Officers:
Police Chief, Steve Kozloski, approached the Board of Selectmen and explained the auxiliary police officer is a voluntary position used for training, as he has recently accepted the resignations of Officer Frydryk who has accepted a full time position with the Amherst PD and Officer Hillman who has accepted a full time position with the Westborough PD. Chief Kozloski added he is awaiting the resignation of Officer Jacques who is in the process of accepting a full time position with the Hampden PD. The three officers he is recommending for appointment have already attended the part-time Police Academy.
Mr. Guertin made a motion to appoint David Rondeau, Daniel Ryan and Thomas Clark as part-time auxiliary Police Officers for the Town of Monson effective immediately through June 30, 2009. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Request to Exclude Truck Traffic – May Hill Road – Legal Procedure:
Chief Kozloski approached the Board of Selectmen along with Monson Highway Surveyor John Morrell. Ms. Neggers reiterated during the last Selectmen’s meeting it was agreed to table this item until further information was available. Following that meeting, Chief Kozloski had his officers set up a device on May Hill Road that would register data on, the number of vehicles traveling over the road, measure the length of the vehicles as well as vehicle speeds. Mr. Morrell stated traffic can not be restricted unless a suitable alternate route is provided and it must have an effective width and pavement structure that can safely accommodate the additional truck traffic. Mr. Morrell said the alternate routes he was able to come up with are in worse condition than May Hill Road or a lot further to travel and noted most of the
roads in town are the same width, so if truck traffic is rerouted he foresees other residents seeking the same injunction. Mr. Morrell added the truck driver is not likely to be speeding in either direction on May Hill Road due to the steep grade and sharp curves and believes it is the people in smaller vehicles that would be going too fast. Mr. Morrell also stated the speed limit on May Hill Road is zoned for 20, 25 and 30 mph. and added the Highway trucks, oil delivery trucks and BFI trash trucks have never had any problems traveling over May Hill Road when encountering other vehicles. Mr. Morrell shared a faxed document he received from Mass. Highway which stated in order to exclude truck traffic from any roadways an engineering study must be made showing data on how the volume of heavy commercial vehicles, which usually is in the range of five to eight percent, reduces the utilization of the facility and is cause for a substantial reduction in capacity or safety. It was agreed
this is the essential complaint of the residents of May Hill Road. Also, the condition of the pavement structure of the route to be excluded must indicate that further repeated heavy wheel loads will result in severe deterioration of the roadway, and this would be up to Mass. Highway. The engineering study would cost up to $5,000.00. The May Hill Road route is 1.7 miles from Route 32 to Lower Hampden Road verses the alternate route of Bumstead Road which is in worse condition and is 4.6 miles longer and must also be approved by Mass. Highway. Ms. Norbut mentioned there are sections of May Hill Road that seem narrower than 16 feet with deep gullies on both sides. Mr. Morrell said May Hill Road at its narrowest, is just 16 feet wide and portions of Butler Road are even narrower at 14 feet, and never had any problems.
Chief Kozloski said the device he set up on Thursday, May 15th through Tuesday, May 27th did capture data on the speeds which were 34, 35 and 36 mph in an area zoned for 30 mph. It also captured data on the amount of vehicle traffic which was about 240 to 250 vehicles a day or 160 to 170 each way. The peak times for traffic on May Hill Road are 8:00 a.m. and 3:00/4:00 p.m. till 6:00 p.m. He is still working on the vehicle sizes. However the device can’t tell the weight of the vehicles, which Mr. Guertin said is the issue here, therefore it will still be unclear if they are the dump trucks mentioned as the problem in the original discussion, or instead trash trucks, oil delivery trucks, etc.
Ms. Norbut reiterated from the last meeting school buses won’t travel over May Hill Road as they feel it is too dangerous, therefore children are walking on the roads without any precautions in place for the pedestrians and noted the petition presented at the meeting a few weeks ago was regarding the truck traffic and speeding.
Mr. Morrell added if the road were restricted to larger vehicles, signage would also be required, with a need to maintain them and he doesn’t have the required funds in his budget.
It was agreed Chief Kozloski would make the data available to the Board of Selectmen once he has it competed.
Request to Designate Monson Police Department as Inspecting/Investigating Agents of the Licensing Commission (M.G.L. Chapter 138):
Chief Kozloski approached the Board of Selectmen and stated this is an item he shared with the Board of Selectmen a few weeks ago. He has spoken with Town Counsel as well. Chief Kozloski is seeking the Board of Selectmen, as the Liquor Licensing Authorities, to appoint him and members of the Police Department as designated agents for the purpose of conducting inspections and investigations permitted by various provisions of Mass. General Laws Chapter 138 which can be conducted by local licensing authorities or their agents. Chief Kozloski said right now he has the authority to see who is in a liquor establishment and if they are under-aged, and to have officers posted outside establishments. This request is for actual stings and to make periodic checks as a free agent allowing the Police Department to do the
administrative action and formalizing the ability to bring violations to the Board of Selectmen.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to approve the request and read the attached “Designation of Agent” into the record. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Commence Reappointments – Effective July 1, 2008:
Ms. Norbut read the list for one year terms into the record and made a motion to appoint as attached effective July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Norbut read the list for three year terms into the record and made a motion to appoint as attached effective July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2011. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Guertin read the list of Police Officers and made a motion to appoint as attached. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Discussion of Lobby Area – 110 Main Street – Hours of Use:
Mr. Guertin stated it originally appeared soap from dispensers was being sprayed all over the mirrors along with other things, and the rest rooms were not being treated with respect by the patrons. Mr. Guertin made an inspection as well and agreed it was pretty ugly, with the custodian needing a face mask and gloves. The vending machines are drawing in the youths, as well as the air conditioning on hot days. Mr. Guertin added when he arrived for the meetings tonight at 6:00 p.m., approximately seven youths were in the lobby area. Some of the youths had skateboards, some had scooters and all were very active. While Mr. Guertin was in the elevator going to the first floor to unlock the door for the meeting, one of the youths pushed the button bringing the elevator back to the lobby and as a result he had to wait for the
elevator to arrive back at the first floor. Mr. Guertin also heard someone crash into the elevator while he was going up to the first floor, yet all the youth denied it once he was able to return to the ground floor to return the key and confront them. It was agreed this is becoming a problem. At one time, the restrooms were kept locked due to problems such as this. The locks were removed some time ago. Mr. Guertin suggested removing the vending machines from the lobby and possibly placing the locks back on the restroom doors at closing time (4:00 p.m.). In the warmer weather months there is a port-a-potty in the field for use by the public. Mr. Guertin also suggested possibly removing the chairs from that area as well. Ms. Neggers added when the building is closed, it draws inappropriate business. Ms. Norbut stated parents travel to the playground with children and was worried about the liability if someone should slip and fall, or if one of the teenagers should get hurt while
horsing around.
Chief Kozloski approached the Board of Selectmen and said monitors are in the common area of the lobby, but it is impossible to monitor all the activity, which would also mean the dispatcher, would have to leave the 9-1-1 desk to deal with the youths. He too has wrestled with thoughts of possibly removing the chairs in the lobby area. The chairs have been used for the overflow of residents waiting for firearms permits and so on. Chief Kozloski also stated it is very challenging to separate persons from sights and sounds when an arrest is made and to clear out the lobby. If doors were installed forcing visitors to take a left upon entering the building, it would be an ideal situation. This would shut off the lobby area. Ms. Neggers said she would get estimates on lockable doors, but noted it must be handicap accessible.
Chief Kozloski stated he had to remove two bicyclists and a skateboarder from the lobby this afternoon at 3:00 p.m.
Mr. Guertin made a motion to get rid of the vending machines. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Guertin made a motion to continue to leave the restrooms open, minus the soap, with a note informing patrons they will be closed after business hours if not treated with respect. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Neggers will investigate the cost of a door.
Appoint Timothy Pascale – Maintenance Department Committee:
Mr. Guertin made a motion to appoint Timothy Pascale to the Maintenance Department Committee effective immediately through June 30, 2009, as well as himself. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Correspondence was read and completed.
In other business to come before the Board of Selectmen, Mr. Harrison announced the Rotary Club will once again be sponsoring their summer concert series on the 3rd Tuesday of each month beginning at 6:00 p.m. during the months of June, July and August. Hot dogs and hamburgers will be available for anyone wishing to purchase food. The concerts are free to the public. Donations of food items will be accepted for the Open Pantry, as well as all the proceeds from the sale of food.
At 9:05, Mr. Guertin made a motion to adjourn from open session for the purpose of a non-union contractual discussion and the discussion of litigation, 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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