BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2009
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen convened at 6:00 p.m. In attendance were Richard E. Guertin, Kathleen C. Norbut and Edward S. Harrison. Also present was the Town Administrator. Ms. Norbut made a motion to go into executive session at 6:00 p.m. for the purpose of a collective bargaining discussion. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED. At 6:20 p.m. Ms. Norbut made a motion to adjourn from executive session to return to open session which was in recess until 7:00 p.m. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED. The media was now present.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Acceptance of Meeting Minutes:
Mr. Harrison made a motion to accept the meeting minutes of January 27, 2009 – open session and executive sessions. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Hearing on Liquor License Transfer – Peter LePoer d/b/a Main Street Liquors to Khmerican LLP¸d/b/a Main Street Liquors:
The public hearing was opened at 7:05 p.m. Peter LePoer approached the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Guertin explained Mr. LePoer had attended a prior meeting regarding this issue. At that meeting the Board of Selectmen had approved the request and passed the application onto the A.B.C.C. in Boston where they requested additional information. The additional information has now been included.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to approve the liquor license transfer and to send it to the A.B.C.C. for their approval. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
The public hearing was closed at 7:15 p.m.
Keep Homestead Museum Board of Directors – Seeking Authorization for Painting Project:
EmmaLadd Shepherd, Dennis Swierad and Jim Sroka approached the Board of Selectmen. Ms. Shepherd explained Jim Sroka approached the Board of Directors at the Keep Homestead Museum and proposed to lead a project to paint the house at the Keep Homestead Museum. Mr. Sroka said the paint will be stripped off the house with a power washer and treated as if it were lead based and hazardous; even though it has been painted since the 1970’s when the ban on lead paint took place. The boards will be pressure washed at 1800 psi so it won’t damage any of the boards. He will be doing all of the pressure washing himself as well as painting the high places on the gable ends and the back of the house. Tarps will be placed to catch everything so there will be no mess with the paint chips. Mr. Sroka added with a good primer and
two coats of paint, it should last 10 to 15 years.
Mr. Sroka stated he has been in business for over 30 years and has a license in Home Improvement. The project will take the entire month of April to complete as it is based on volunteers who will be working on the weekends and the entire week of April vacation (Saturday, April 18th to Sunday, April 26th). Ms. Shepherd said she will speak with Jim Peters about the possibility of getting students involved, as well as Pathfinder students. Volunteers will also be required to sign a waiver. No one under the age of 16 will be allowed to participate. Ms. Shepherd said she will also look at people doing community service and various organizations.
Donations will be accepted to cover the costs for paint, brushes, etc. Checks can be made out to the Friends of Keep Homestead Museum and mailed to them at 35 Ely Road in Monson, 01057. Anyone wishing to volunteer time may contact Ms. Shepherd at 267-5210. Volunteers for the prep work may contact Mr. Sroka at 413-896-8945.
Confirm Appointment of Principal Assessor:
Finance Director Deborah Mahar and Assistant Assessor Ann Murphy approached the Board of Selectmen. Ms. Mahar explained Principal Assessor Diane Hildreth was here for two and a half years and has moved on. An ad was placed in the newspaper and an interview process was opened up. Seven applications were received with four interviews conducted. Ms. Murphy was chosen to fill the vacancy as she has worked as the Assistant Assessor in town for two years and was an Assessor in another town prior to that, and also served on the Board of Assessors in Monson. Therefore, Ms. Mahar was recommending Ms. Murphy be appointed the Principal Assessor based on her expertise.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to appoint Ann Murphy as the Principal Assessor effective immediately through June 30, 2009. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Fiscal 2010 Budget Status Discussion:
Mr. Guertin explained Ms. Mahar and Ms. Neggers put together sheets of potential budget cuts which had previously been handed out to the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee, which contained $540,700.00 worth of cuts to the budget. Mr. Guertin said the Board of Selectmen will look at the list individually while the members of the Finance Committee do the same. The Finance Committee and the Board of Selectmen will then get together and go over their notes to come up with a list identifying cuts, from the least harmful to the most harmful, once a dollar amount is known on the State level.
Mr. Guertin explained the second shift of EMT’s began in 2006 at a cost of $50,000.00 of additional funds with the ambulance basically paying for itself. It was noted Medicaid doesn’t always cover the fee and the shortfall has to come from somewhere else. Mr. Guertin said he doesn’t see how the town can continue the second shift of EMT’s in 2010 and would like to put an override to fund the second shift on the ballot in April elections.
Mr. Harrison agreed Chief Robichaud made a good case on needing the 2nd shift of EMT’s at the meeting a few weeks ago and added a lot of letters were received supporting the second shift of ambulance coverage as well.
Ms. Neggers said it would increase property taxes by approximately $50.00 for the median value home. Ms. Norbut agreed in supporting the second shift as well as it is lifesaving, and felt this would allow the voters the choice of making the decision.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to place an override question on the ballot for $150,000.00 to support the hiring of two EMT’s and additional expenses. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Correspondence was read and completed.
In Other Business to Come Before the Board:
It was noted the Board of Selectmen will meet next Tuesday, February 17th as well as February 24th.
At 7:40 p.m., Mr. Harrison made a motion to adjourn from open session to return to executive session for non-union contractual bargaining, 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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