BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 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 Richard E. Guertin and Kathleen C. Norbut. Edward S. Harrison was not present. Also present were the Town Administrator and the media.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Acceptance of Meeting Minutes:
Ms. Norbut made a motion to accept the meeting minutes of October 28, 2008 – open and executive sessions. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Approve Spending Freeze Guidelines:
Ms. Neggers said she and Town Finance Director Deborah Mahar have met regarding the spending freeze guidelines being proposed tonight.
The proposed guidelines are based on feedback received following the last Department Heads meeting. The Department Heads were asked during the meeting to submit in writing how they would define essential and non-essential services within their departments. Approximately half of the department heads who attended the meeting responded, providing good feedback with good perspectives. Ms. Neggers said she and Ms. Mahar tried to create a more generic document based on the feedback to circulate to the department heads, which would better define what was allowable and what wasn’t allowable and what to do if they had any questions.
Ms. Neggers explained the clarifications of the guidelines as attached.
Ms. Neggers added she knows every department could do a better job if they had more funds at their discretion and said we are running out of options, but we will use whatever options are available.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to approve the document as attached. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Neggers said she would forward the document to all the department heads for their review. Ms. Norbut thanked Ms. Neggers and Ms. Mahar for all their work, and all the department heads who have contributed.
“Gifts to the Town” Request – Emergency Fuel Assistance Fund:
Ms. Neggers said several weeks ago she met with Judy White and the local clergy regarding residents who, like the town, are also being hard hit with the costs of heating oil. Ms. Neggers explained the clergy manage a Monson Emergency Fuel Assistance Fund which they have had historically for many years. They disperse funds on an emergency basis. To qualify for these funds:
- You must be a Monson resident,
- You must be in a heating emergency i.e. out of fuel,
- You can only apply to the fund once a year,
- You are only afforded the equivalent of 100 gallons of fuel.
Ms. Mahar has spoken with the Department of Revenue and they have said this donation is completely permissible. Ms. Neggers said when she met with the clergy several weeks ago; they had a zero balance in this fund. Funds are replenished through fundraisers and donations. The Senior Center had a “Penny Drive” fund raiser last year to raise funds and are planning on holding another one this year. The different churches take collections for this as well, but the churches are having difficulty of their own with the heating costs.
Last year $6,500.00 to $7,000.00 was spent last year in assisting town residents. The Fire Department Association was also contemplating a gift and they have been trying to reach out. This is a secular service and residents don’t have to be a member of a church, you just need to live in town to apply for assistance. Currently the Gifts to the Town Account has a balance of $20,000.00 with the anticipation of a donation to be made to the account at the end of the calendar year. Ms. Norbut said thanks to the Norcross Wildlife Foundation, the Town is able to make this contribution to the Monson Emergency Fuel Assistance Fund.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to make a donation from the Gifts to the Town Account in the amount of $2,500.00 with a match of up to another $2,500.00 for the Monson Emergency Fuel Assistance Fund. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Anyone wishing to apply for assistance or wishing to make a donation may call the Senior Center at 267-4121.
Increase Constable Fees – Posting of Warrants:
Ms. Neggers explained Joseph Loglisci and Philip Dill are the Constables in town appointed by the Board of Selectmen who primarily just do the postings for the Annual and Special Town meetings. Warrants are posted four to six times per year with a two hour commitment each time. They are currently paid $10.00 each time a warrant is posted.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to increase the Constables fees from $10.00 to $25.00 per posting of Town meeting warrants effective immediately. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Correspondence was read and completed.
In Other Business to Come Before the Board of Selectmen:
Ms. Norbut noted Veteran’s Day is tomorrow and explained it’s a day to honor those who have fought for our country as well as those who have died for our country. Ms. Norbut asked the community to remember them in our thoughts and prayers.
At 7:25 p.m., Ms. Norbut made a motion to adjourn from open session. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
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Edward S. Harrison, Clerk
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