BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2009
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:
Mr. Harrison made a motion to accept the meeting minutes for March 10, 2009 – open and executive sessions. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Pole Petition #8412 – One J.O. Pole To Be Numbered E39 – Wood Hill Road:
Mr. Harrison read pole petition # 8412 into the record. There wasn’t anyone in the audience to speak for or against the petition. The Water/Sewer and Highway Departments had no objection to the pole location.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to approve pole petition #8412 for Wood Hill Road as presented. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Tenth Planet Pizza – Liquor License Hearing – Alteration of Premise and Change of Hours:
Lauren McIntyre, owner/manager of Tenth Planet LLC d/b/a Tenth Planet Pizza approached the Board of Selectmen. Ms. Neggers noted the hearing had been advertised in the newspaper and all the abutters had been notified with the green slips returned.
Mr. Guertin announced the new hours of operation will be Monday through Thursday from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Saturday from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The former portion of the building vacated by Curves has been used to enlarge the dining area resulting in the alteration of premise.
Ms. McIntyre told Ms. Neggers she would still be the manager on premise.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to approve the application for the alteration of premise and the change in business hours. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
The application will now be sent onto the A.B.C.C. in Boston for approval.
Monson Athletic Hall of Fame – Discussion Regarding Use of Town Office Building:
James Duggan, Dan Moriarty and Liz Manley approached the Board of Selectmen.
Ms. Neggers explained the Monson Athletic Hall of Fame Committee had previously requested space in the hallway of the Town Office Building to display athletic plaques, and the Board of Selectmen suggesting inviting the committee in to fine tune the details on how big the display would be, where it would be located and how it would be maintained.
Mr. Duggan said the initial goal was to display the perpetual inductee and team picture plaques in the Monson High School. Mr. Duggan noted many people were dissatisfied with this location as it would mean the need to be buzzed in to get inside the High School during the day and not readily accessible to the public after hours, except perhaps during a basketball game. It was suggested to Mr. Duggan by residents, the plaques should be placed somewhere in the public where they could easily be viewed by everyone, such as in the hallway of the Town Office Building. The committee would like to have the display set up prior to the April elections. Mr. Duggan brought in plaques to show the Board of Selectmen, along with a copy of the program for the induction ceremonies. Mr. Duggan explained nomination forms are located outside
the Tax Collectors Office, in the Monson Savings Bank, in the Post Office or through him. Ms. Norbut read the requirements for nominating an athlete into the record off of one of the forms. Mr. Duggan explained there are seven members on the Committee who make the selection from the athletes nominated.
The plaques will be mounted on a piece of plywood that will be dressed up and hung on the wall in the hallway just outside the Conference Room. Mr. Duggan noted currently there are two perpetual plaques and six team picture plaques.
Ms. Norbut thought this was a great opportunity, but wondered how much growth and space would be needed in the future. Mr. Guertin said the plaques could be rotated if there are too many by taking some down and replacing them with others. Mr. Duggan said the committee would maintain the display.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to approve the proposal as presented by the Monson Athletic Hall of Fame Committee. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Friends of Memorial Hall – Request for Donation from “Gifts to the Town” Account:
James Manning, Dave Beaudoin and Craig Jalbert approached the Board of Selectmen. Ms. Neggers is also a member of this committee.
Mr. Manning explained the Committee was formed late last summer to address some of the needs in Memorial Hall. The Committee has looked at the policy which is in place, had Mr. Beaudoin inspect the electrical system, and generated a list of things to be done. It was explained a committee was needed to try to raise money for the building and by seeking grants. Mr. Manning explained the Friends of Memorial Hall Committee were here tonight to ask for a donation from the Gifts to the Town Account in the amount of $1,000.00 to assist with applying for a 501C3, postage for mailings, a Post Office box and supplies needed to get the Committee started. They have also asked local area businesses for donations.
Mr. Manning read Article 2: Purpose of the Friends of Memorial Hall Bylaws into the record, which states: “The purpose of the Friends of Memorial Hall is to bring together diverse partners working in conjunction to preserve and protect the legacy and heritage of Memorial Hall, a building erected in 1885 in the Romanesque style as a gift to the town and in memoriam to those who served in the Civil War. It is listed on the National Historic Register”.
Anyone interested in joining the committee may contact Ms. Neggers in the Selectmen’s Office at 267-4100 or Mr. Manning at 267-5798. The other members of the Committee are Paul DeMaio, Dennis Duquette, Bill Ochs and Bill Donavan. The Committee is also looking for anyone with knowledge in helping them build a website. Donation checks may be made to the Friends of Memorial Hall. It was noted this is a non-profit group set up solely to raise money exclusively for use on Memorial Hall.
Mr. Guertin read a letter into the record written by Mr. Beaudoin stating the wiring had been up-dated.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to donate $1,000.00 from the Gifts to the Town Account to the Friends of Memorial Hall to assist with the needed supplies. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
Council On Aging – Request to Proceed with Request for Van Donation:
Judy White, Michael Bennfield and Mary Ann Brazas approached the Board of Selectmen. Ms. White explained she would like to seek the donation of a vehicle to use with the two vans currently in use by the Senior Center which are getting old, with one being a 2001 and the other a 2002 and each having more than 90,000 miles on the odometer and needing constant repair. The vans average 7.5 miles per gallon of gasoline. Ms. White estimated the savings to the town on gasoline could be between $800.00 and $3,200.00 per year, therefore the cost to insure an additional vehicle which would be $450.00, would be absorbed by the savings in gasoline and maintenance costs. Ms. White said she would like permission from the Board of Selectmen to actively solicit the donation of a vehicle. Ms. White explained they are looking for a certain
type of mini van, or car along the lines of a station wagon. The vehicles will be checked out by a professional prior to acceptance, and the donations may be used as a tax credit by the donating party. If a donation is obtained, the car would be used for the delivery of meals three days a week and to take ambulatory elders to doctors appointments two days a week.
The donated vehicle must be able to hold meal delivery carriers and yet be easy for an elderly person to get in and out of. Anyone wishing to donate a vehicle may contact Judy White at the Senior Center at 267-4121.
The Board of Selectmen approved Ms. White going forward with this endeavor. Ms. Norbut thanked Ms. White for being cleaver and thinking outside the box by looking for other ways to accomplish things. Mr. Guertin added he applauds her efforts and thought this was a great idea.
Energy Management – Town of Monson – Presentation:
Ms. Neggers gave a presentation on energy management as attached and noted up-grades have been done wherever possible.
Ms. Norbut thanked Ms. Neggers for her commitment as well as the department heads for trying to conserve energy as much as possible. Ms. Neggers thanked Finance Director Deborah Mahar for putting a lot of work into this as well.
Annual Town Meeting Warrant Articles – Special Town Meeting Within the Annual Town Meeting Articles:
Mr. Harrison made a motion to place articles 1 – 16 as attached on the Annual Town Meeting warrant. Ms. Norbut seconded and it was so VOTED.
It was noted the articles are available for viewing in the Town Office Building as well as posted on the town’s web site.
Banner Policy – approve Amendment #2 – “Bulky Day” Provisions:
Ms. Neggers stated Amendment #2 had been added to the Banner Policy following the last meeting where it was noted a scheduling conflict between a town department and an organization had occurred. This has been worked out between the two entities.
Ms. Neggers read Amendment #2 into the record as attached.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to approve Amendment #2. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Expression of Thanks to Kathleen Norbut for her Service on the Board of Selectmen:
Mr. Guertin thanked Ms. Norbut for serving as Selectperson and noted the position requires a lot of hours, effort and work. Mr. Harrison agreed and said it takes three members who can work together as a team and really appreciates Ms. Norbut’s ability to do so. Mr. Guertin added the Board had a good balance and in the end always made the right decisions.
Ms. Norbut said she has run two terms and looks at this as just taking a break. Ms. Norbut thanked all the department heads, volunteers, and everyone else, and especially her husband and family for supporting her. Ms. Norbut said it was a pleasure to work with Mr. Guertin and Mr. Harrison and added it has been a great learning experience for her. She hopes to continue with the casino issue as well as the Monson Developmental Center and noted Monson is a very special town. Ms. Norbut also said it was a pleasure working with Senator Brewer, who continues to work very hard on the behalf of Monson.
In Other Business to Come Before the Board:
- Mr. Guertin reminded everyone of the up-coming Town Elections to be held on April 16th and noted the School Committee has one position expiring with on one taking out papers to fill. Anyone interested in serving may contact the Selectmen’s Office to be appointed and then run in the elections next spring for the remaining two years to the term.
Ms. Norbut made a motion to appoint Linda Hull to the Insurance Advisory Committee replacing Ann Murphy. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Norbut announced the spring meeting and training session for the Medical Reserve Corps to be held at the Monson Free Library on March 26, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. All community members are welcome to attend.
At 8:50 P.M., Ms. Norbut made a motion to adjourn from open session to go into executive session for the purpose of a collective bargaining discussion, not to return to open session. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
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Edward S. Harrison, Clerk
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