BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 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 for September 9, 2008 – open session and September 12, 2008 – executive session. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
First Church of Monson – Request for Road Closure for Pumpkin Festival:
Larry Harris, representing First Church, approached the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Harris explained the church would like to close a portion of High Street located between Fountain Street and Ely Road on October 18th from the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. for the safety of the patrons attending their pumpkin festival which will be held across the street from the church in their parking lot. Mr. Harris stated Fountain Street will remain open for traffic to and from Main Street and Ely Road will also remain open. The actual hours of the festival are from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Police Chief Kozloski and Fire Chief Robichaud approached the Board of Selectmen.
Chief Kozloski noted Mr. Harris had spoken with him and he had no problem with the request. Chief Kozloski explained, this past winter a sizable funeral was held and the same portion of High Street was closed with no problems. Chief Kozloski said his only concern after hearing the actual hours requested, is that it will run after dark, as sunset will be at approximately 6:05 p.m. and the barricades set up to block the traffic won’t be as visible, especially to the traffic coming down High Street needing to make the turn onto Fountain Street. Mr. Harris said the festival will be ending shortly after that time and the barricades will only be needed as the tables are taken down and everything is cleaned up. Mr. Guertin asked about barricades with flashing lights and whether or not the town had any of them. Chief
Kozloski said the Highway Department does have some and he would speak with Mr. Morrell about using them for this event if it is approved.
Ms. Norbut read the flyer the First Church prepared into the record. Mr. Harris added this is a fundraiser for the church, which they are hoping will become an annual community even every year. The festival will begin with a pumpkin pancake breakfast, and consist of best chili contest at 1 p.m., apple pie contests at 2 p.m., best pumpkin pie contest and all day pumpkin carving contests, games, food, etc. throughout the day. Pumpkins will be for sale on October 16th and October 17th from 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. and on the 18th all day.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to approve the road closure as requested with consideration for lights on the barricades. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Harris said they would also like to request a banner to be placed across Main Street announcing the Pumpkin Festival with the date and time, from October 6th to October 18th.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to approve the placement of the banner as just described. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Erin Greene – Request for One-Day Liquor License:
Erin Greene, owner of Greene Room Productions, approached the Board of Selectmen with a request for a one-day liquor license for the up-coming annual Monster Gala fundraising event to be held on Saturday, October 25, 2008 in Memorial Hall from 8:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. This event helps to raise funds needed for set designs, customs, etc. and is a big event which is catered, has live music, a silent auction, and pictures taken by a photographer, dancing, and prizes for the best custom. Ms. Greene stated she hasn’t had any problems with past events and the serving of alcohol. She is hoping to have Southbridge Brewery come in this year to serve, and added she hasn’t heard too much about them as they have just recently opened. Ms. Greene added it will be supervised by a volunteer and patrons will be carded at
the door. Patrons over the age of 21 will get a band while the patrons under the age of 21 get X’s. Ms. Norbut said she would like to know who will be supervising the liquor prior to the event and added normally it is someone from the brewery.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to approve the one day liquor license for the Monster Gala on October 25, 2008 from the hours of 8:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. contingent upon receipt of the certificate of liquor liability insurance. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Community Preservation Committee – Update:
William Skillman, Dennis Swierad, Leslie Duthie, Robert Presho, Steve Slozak and Karen King, all members representing the Community Preservation Committee, approached the Board of Selectmen to present four proposals to the Board of Selectmen which will be voted on by voters at the Special Town Meeting in November.
It was reiterated the committee was formed as a result of the Community Preservation Act which was passed in 2006. Mr. Skillman explained as a result of the 3% surcharge from the Community Preservation Act, the town will raise $154,000.00 this year. That amount will be matched by the state, giving Monson $308,000.00 for housing, historical, open space or recreation projects. Due to the four proposals amount only totaling a little more than $100,000.00, there will be extra money to use next year.
The first proposal for consideration is $30,000.00 for the Elliott Woods conservation easement off of Butler Road abutting Peaked Mountain. Ms. Duthie explained the Elliott Woods track is 37 acres and valued at $150,000.00. Recently the Board of Selectmen approved a conservation restriction on this parcel, halting any future development of it.
Mr. Swierad said the second proposal is the Soldier’s Monument located in front of the Library. The monument was built in 1884 and is deteriorating. Mr. Swierad explained some of the stones have moved from water getting inside and freezing. The monument is made out of Vermont granite and would require $35,000.00 for the needed restoration.
The third proposal is $27,450.00 for the painting of the Fuller House on Green Street. This house is the home of the Monson Historical Society. The money will be used to hire a consultant to do an exterior paint analysis to determine the building’s original paint color. The Historical Society has also pledged money toward building repairs. An open house will be held once the work is completed.
The forth and final proposal is $8,700.00 to paint the east and north sides of the First Church of Monson on High Street.
Mr. Skillman urged the community to attend the next meeting of the Community Preservation Committee scheduled for October 14, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in Historical Room located in the Town Office Building on the second floor, to learn about these projects and to offer suggestions for next year.
FY 2009 Budget – Update:
Finance Director Deborah Mahar approached the Board of Selectmen with an update on the FY 2009 budget. The Board had before them a Fiscal ’09 Revenue Projection sheet which Ms. Mahar explained as attached.
Ms. Neggers added there is a lot of uncertainty at the State level regarding local budgets, and the increasing costs of diesel, health insurance, heating oil, etc. could all change this. Ms. Mahar stated Boston has said there might be mid-year cuts on the local level this year, agreeing things might change mid-stream.
Mr. Harrison said he would like to continue the budget updates on a monthly basis and Ms. Norbut added she feels it helps the community to understand what is happening on a financial perspective.
Trench Safety Law – Discussion of Need for Promulgation of Local Regulations in Determination of Permitting Authority:
Ms. Neggers explained this is a new law called “Jackie’s Law” which has to do specifically with unattended, open trenches on private and public properties. A trench is defined as a subsurface excavation greater than 3’ in depth, and 15’ or less in length. This law would require trenches to be attended, covered, barricaded, or backfilled at night or whenever unattended. Covers must be road plates at least ¾” thick or equivalent. Barricades must be fences at least 6’ high with no openings greater than 4” between vertical supports. This law would first have to go to a Town Meeting for approval prior to being passed.
The Board of Selectmen agreed this would need further consideration.
Reorganization of the Board of Selectmen – effective 10/01/08:
Mr. Harrison reiterated this past April, Ms. Norbut stated added responsibilities, due to a promotion at work, would require more of her time, and felt she would not be able to devote the time the position of Chairperson would require of her. It was agreed Mr. Harrison and Mr. Guertin would split Ms. Norbut’s term of serving as Chairman between them with Ms. Norbut serving as Vice Chair. Mr. Harrison served an additional six months in this capacity by taking on the first half of the term and now it is time for Mr. Guertin to take over for the second half of the term.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to reorganize the Board of Selectmen as follows:
Richard E. Guertin – Chairman
Kathleen C. Norbut – Vice Chair
Edward S. Harrison – Clerk
effective October 1, 2008 to the April 2009 election. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
In Other Business to Come Before the Board of Selectmen:
Ms. Norbut said on September 14th she had the honor of attending the dedication for the Habitat for Humanity at 4 Palmer Road. Two homes have now been built with the foundation poured for the third house. Ms. Norbut said the Monson Circle of Faith has been very instrumental in raising the funds, and being in charge of the labor, and read the list of local businesses into the record who have been very generous.
Correspondence was read and completed.
At 8:30 p.m., Mr. Guertin made a motion to adjourn from open session to go into executive session for the purpose of a non-union bargaining 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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