BOARD OF SELECTMEN
OCTOBER 7, 2008
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen convened at 6:00 p.m. In attendance were Kathleen C. Norbut and Edward S. Harrison. Also present was the Town Administrator. Mr. Harrison made a motion to go into executive session at 6:00 p.m. for the purpose of a non-union bargaining discussion. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED. At 6:35 p.m. Mr. Harrison made a motion to adjourn from executive session to return to open session. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED. Richard E. Guertin was now present as was the media.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Acceptance of Meeting Minutes:
Mr. Harrison made a motion to accept the meeting minutes of September 9, 2008 – executive session and September 23, 2008 – open session. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Announce Sale of Tax Title Property – Authorize Town Treasurer as Designee for Purpose of Sales:
Ms. Neggers explained Cristina Pedro the Town Treasurer, Deborah Mahar the Finance Director and Diane Hildreth the Principal Assessor are working together, preparing an auction to get rid of tax titled property on the evening of November 6, 2008 in the gymnasium. The list of parcels has previously been reviewed with Conservation Commission last year. The abutters of the immediate parcels will be notified, it will be advertised and a list of the parcels will be posted on the town’s web site at monson-ma.gov.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to authorize Town Treasurer Cristina Pedro as designee for purposes of sales of tax title property. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Set Date – Special Town Meeting:
Mr. Harrison made a motion to hold the Special Town Meeting on Monday, November 24, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium at Granite Valley Middle School. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Memorial Hall Capital Planning Committee – Discussion:
Mr. Guertin reiterated Memorial Hall needs a lot of TLC and realistically looking at costs of a million dollars or more ultimately. The Committee would first need to take a comprehensive look at the inventory and prioritize the needs, then go out and get estimates on how much it would cost for the repairs and decide where the funds would come from. Five people have expressed an interest in serving on the committee.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to appoint David Beaudoin, Craig Jalbert, Paul DeMaio, James Manning and Nancy Morrell to the Memorial Hall Capital Planning Committee effective immediately through June 30, 2009. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Excavation & Trench Safety Regulation – Discussion:
There was a brief discussion of who would be responsible for issuing the permits, and just who would be responsible for conducting the inspections, as it was unclear in the documents received. It was agreed to seek further input from the department heads that would be affected.
Review Meeting Schedule – October and November:
Mr. Harrison made a motion to set October 20th, October 28th, November 10th and November 25th as the meeting dates for the Board of Selectmen. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
In Other Business to Come Before the Board of Selectmen:
- Mr. Guertin explained a request had been received from the Pulpit Rock Pond Preservation Trust, Inc. Lakeshore Drive is a private way. The bridge was completely washed out from flooding on September 6th, severely undermining the road under “Northern” bridge and crumbling the rock facing and pavement on the main “Brewer” bridge. The town owns property on Lakeshore Drive and therefore is being asked to help the homeowners and landowners with the expense for the necessary repairs. They are requesting a $500.00 contribution from each of the 44 homeowners and a $100.00 contribution from each of the 15 landowners.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to send a check in the amount of $100.00 from the Gifts to the Town Account to the Pulpit Rock Pond Preservation Trust, Inc. to help with the repairs. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
- Ms. Neggers explained Question #1 on the Presidential ballot for the November 4th election, if approved by voters, would set the state income tax rate on January 1, 2009 from 5.3% to 2.65%, and eliminate it on January 1, 2010, resulting in a 40% cut in state revenues. This would have a potentially devastating impact on local communities, as it would push the State into a deep fiscal crisis and could slice local aid by more than $3 billion statewide. A link will be put up on the Town’s web site at monson-ma.gov regarding Question #1. The link will show very objective data, how the State spends their money, and what can and can’t be cut. A presentation will be presented at the Board of Selectmen’s meeting scheduled for October 20th explaining the potential impacts.
- Ms. Norbut announced a banquet will be held at the Steaming Tender Restaurant in Palmer on October 14th to honor the Citizen of the Year, Barbara Keffer.
At 7:45 p.m., Mr. Harrison 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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Edward S. Harrison, Clerk
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