BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 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, Kathleen C. Norbut and Edward S. Harrison. 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 November 10, 2008 – open session. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Hearing on Complaint of Sara Szado against Dog Owned by Brad Kennison:
The hearing opened at 7:05 p.m. Police Chief Stephen Kozloski, Animal Control Officer Steven Hutchinson, Sara and Craig Szado, Edward and Michele Szado, and Bradley and Sandra Kennison; approached the Board of Selectmen. All parties were sworn in by Mr. Guertin who then explained the procedure.
Police Chief Kozloski read the incident report into the record.
Two purebred boxers owned by Bradley Kennison got loose on October 25, 2008 and attacked the neighbor’s (Sara Szado) Jack Russell Terrier. The dog had puncture wounds that did not require stitches, and therefore was not taken to a veterinarian. Ms. Szado stated this is not the first time the dogs have been loose and attacked another dog as her father-in-law (Edward Szado) who lives next door’s dog was previously attacked. Mr. Szado stated he was able to pull his dog away from Mr. Kennison’s dogs and he did not report this incident.
Police Chief Kozloski noted no other complaints have been filed prior to this incident and
Animal Control Officer Steven Hutchinson responded he also hasn’t received any prior complaints.
Ms. Szado stated she never called the Police Department prior to this incident as she wanted to be a good neighbor. However, she runs a day care and worries about the safety of the children. Neither yard has chain link fences. Mr. Kennison has an underground electronic fence which was severed when trees on his property were taken down, and he was unaware of the break in the wire at the time he let his dogs outside.
Mr. Kennison stated the dogs are 7 and 8 years old and have lived in town the entire time without any incidents up until now, and apologized to Ms. Szado. Mr. Kennison further stated Ms. Szado’s Jack Russell Terrier is loose a lot of the time as well and gets into his dumpster and antagonizes his dogs when they are confined. Ms. Szado agreed her dog does run freely part of the time. Mr. Kennison further stated his dogs are friendly and wouldn’t hurt anyone.
Chief Kozloski said incidents should be reported to the Police Department so they can be documented.
Mr. Harrison said he is against euthanizing the dogs, and is not comfortable with the use of only an electronic fence to contain dogs. Mr. Harrison stated he would feel more comfortable with chain link fences around the property or properties or some other sort of restraint, and felt Ms. Szado should restrain her dog as well. Mr. Harrison added he feels Ms. Szado needs to watch out for, and think of wild animals that may also attack the children in her day care as she has woods in back of her house and he has spotted two coyotes in the state.
Ms. Norbut agreed she also wouldn’t recommend euthanizing the dogs and further agreed with the chain link fencing or additional barriers to help restrain the dogs. Ms. Norbut felt Ms. Szado’s dog also had a role in this incident by aggravating the situation.
Ms. Norbut made a motion for both parties to restrain their dogs and to consult with the Animal Control Officer Steven Hutchinson as to the dimensions and the height of a fence. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
The hearing was closed t 7:50 p.m.
Joint Meeting with School Committee to Fill a Vacancy on the Committee:
Mike Kane, Karen Patenaude, John Goodrich and Ed Maia of the School Committee and candidate Joshua Farber approached the Board of Selectmen.
Mr. Farber explained his background and what led him to apply for this position. He has two children ages 3 and 6 and has lived in town for three and a half years. Mr. Farber is a teacher currently working in Springfield. He has been a member and chaired many of the committees at the schools he has been affiliated with. He feels that being both a parent and a teacher would help him in serving on the School Committee.
Mr. Kane said he was impressed when he read Mr. Farber’s letter of interest and thanked him for submitting a letter wishing to fill the vacancy.
Mr. Goodrich said he has reservations due to Mr. Farber being involved with the union through the Massachusetts Teachers Association, but felt as though Mr. Farber could bring a lot to the table. Mr. Kane said when dealing with the issues, they can be separated as he was affiliated with the Monson School system for many years in the same capacity.
Mr. Maia added if Mr. Farber were a teacher in the Monson school system, he would agree with Mr. Goodrich, but feels differently as he is with the Springfield School system. Mr. Maia noted in serving on the School Committee, there are a lot of long hours and work involved in trying to make the best decisions as possible and asked Mr. Farber if he is willing to put in the time. Ms. Patenaude explained the meeting schedule. Mr. Guertin noted Monson has some serious financial problems, and the School Committee has to make some horrendous decisions. Mr. Farber said he understood and agreed he is up to filling the vacancy. Mr. Faber also agreed he would be willing to run for the three-year elected term in April.
A Roll-call vote was taken as follows to appoint Joshua Farber to the School Committee effective immediately until the April elections:
- Karen Patenaude – aye
- Mike Kane – aye
- John Goodrich – aye
- Ed Maia – aye
- Kathleen C. Norbut – aye
- Edward S. Harrison – aye
- Richard E. Guertin – aye
Announce Winter Parking Ban:
Mr. Harrison made a motion to announce the winter parking ban as follows:
There will be no parking on streets between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.
starting with the first snowfall or December 1, 2008 through March 31, 2009.
Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
It was noted this applies to all the streets in town.
Parking permits are available in the Town Collector’s Office for overnight parking at Dave Grieve Park at a cost of $5.00.
Correspondence was read and completed.
In Other Business to Come Before the Board of Selectmen:
- Mr. Guertin announced the Monson Arts Council will hold their annual craft fair on Saturday from 9:00 .m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Sunday from noon to 4:30 p.m. This year Santa will be arriving on Saturday night to turn on the town’s Christmas lights. Names of children to pull the switch turning on the lights must be submitted this Saturday from approximately 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Mr. Harrison read a letter into the record from a resident addressed to Police Chief Stephen Kozloski commending the prompt, professional and courteous actions of Sgt. Nicholas Gasperini who responded to their 911 medical emergency.
- The Board of Selectmen wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. Ms. Norbut added she hoped the community would look for ways to possibly help the family out whose home on Cote Road exploded today, losing everything they had in the process.
At 8:40 p.m., Mr. Harrison made a motion to adjourn. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
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Edward S. Harrison, Clerk
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