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Meeting of 2009-07/14
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 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, Edward S. Harrison and John F. Goodrich II. Also present were the Town Administrator and the media.

Acceptance of Meeting Minutes:
Mr. Harrison made a motion to accept the meeting minutes of June 23, 2009 – open session and June 9, 2009 – executive session. Mr. Goodrich seconded and it was so VOTED.

Pole Petition #8446 – Old Reed Road – One New J.O. pole #E13-50/T13½:
Mr. Goodrich read pole petition #8446 into the record. The Water/Sewer and Highway Departments had no objection to the pole location. Amanda Christian, representing National Grid, stated the pole is for service to a new house. There wasn’t anyone else in the audience to speak in favor of or against the pole petition.

Mr. Harrison made a motion to approve pole petition #8446 as presented. Mr. Goodrich seconded and it was so VOTED.

Monson Developmental Center Reuse – Report on Legislative Language and Status:
Kathleen C. Norbut, Chairwoman of the Monson Developmental Center Transition Advisory Committee, approached the Board of Selectmen. It was reiterated Monson Developmental Center is slated to close in three years (2012). Ms. Norbut stated it’s difficult to develop a plan for the reuse of the Monson Developmental Center site when there has been very little information received from the state about their vision for its future. Ms. Norbut added it’s extremely complex and there are obstacles, and because she hasn’t heard from the state about what it wants to do there, she feels it isn’t worth the expenditure of energy to develop a plan that may not be the least bit realistic, causing the situation to feel like a form of paralysis. Ms. Norbut added there are several state agencies, such as the Division of Capital Asset Management and Department of Developmental Services involved in the process, which complicates the matter further. The town wants to work with them, but the town doesn’t have the authority to create a timeline for the closure. Ms. Norbut noted the town and the facility have been integrated for 100-some odd years. The facility is currently home to approximately 130 people with developmental disabilities. There is concern regarding the residents and the employees of the center, as four hundred people are employed at Monson Developmental Center, half of which live in either Monson or Palmer.

Ms. Norbut explained the town has six months to decide what it wants to do with the property and if it wants to acquire it, but also noted the town is not in a position to acquire such a large piece of property. The site consists of 600 acres, 200 of which are in a permanent conservation restriction. There are approximately 50 buildings, 21 of which the state plans to demolish, although the State now doesn’t have the funds to take these buildings down. The Town of Monson has the Right-of-First Refusal on the property. Ms. Neggers added there are many issues still needing to be addressed. A site assessment is required to find out what the infrastructure issues are, along with what is going to happen to the cemetery located there, the conservation land, environmental issues, etc. Ms. Neggers noted there isn’t a consistent pattern.

Mr. Guertin felt if the state were to totally abandon the Monson Developmental Center property in the future, even if the Town didn’t own it, the Town would still be responsible for paying the police and fire departments to maintain it, and therefore felt the state should be reimbursing the town for everything it does at the Developmental Center once the Center does close. Mr. Guertin also wondered if it will become the town’s responsibility if vandalism does occur in the form of a fire, etc. Ms. Norbut felt the question of “whose property is it” is one that needs to be answered. Leslie Duthie of the Conservation Commission was in the audience and agreed it appears there isn’t a deed to the property, as no one seems to be able to locate one.

Ms. Neggers added it’s a case where no one has answers because no one has facts. Mr. Goodrich added he feels it’s great the town is staying on top of this and wondered what could be done. Ms. Neggers responded everyone needs to work together.

Mr. Guertin thanked Ms. Norbut for coming in and providing the up-date.

Ms. Norbut also presented an up-date on the Western Mass. Casino Task Force which both she and Mr. Harrison serve on, consisting of fifteen communities within the Quaboag region. The Task Force has been in the process of developing a letter articulating a long list of concerns regarding impacts to the region, municipalities, fiscal costs, etc. The letter will be sent out to local elected officials and all of the Legislatures.

Mr. Harrison noted the list of concerns was developed in response to Senator Brewers request and includes everything the Task Force wanted to see in the perspective legislation if casinos are approved in order to try to protect the town financially from any negative impacts. The Task Force wants to make sure there will be adequate funding from the casino on coverage for fire, police, E.M.T.’s, transportation, education and environment issues as well as providing the community with a voice in how the funds get distributed.

Request to Authorize Land Acquisition Grant – Conservation Commission:
Leslie Duthie approached the Board of Selectmen and explained she has been having discussions with Mr. Leo Cortina regarding purchasing property known as Flynt Quarry. Last Friday Mr. Cortina agreed to sell 165 acres to the Town of Monson. Ms. Duthie explained the Monson Conservation Commission strongly supports the purchase of this land as a valuable opportunity for the Town to secure lands designated as important and significant within Monson’s Open Space and Recreation Plan. Several proposals have been introduced over the last 3 to 4 years for the development of a 100 – 125 unit housing development on this property. The Conservation Commission feels that by purchasing this property, it will preserve and protect the scenic ridgelines and valley views; preserve and protect the unique historic structures and landscapes of the town; establish a greenway that would provide a trail network for hiking, walking and biking to link existing and future public open space; establish an interpretive route featuring significant historic sites within the town; and preserve and protect the watersheds and water bodies throughout the town. Ms. Duthie explained LAND grand funds, Monson CPA funds and funds from the Opacum Land Trust will be used for the purchase.

William King did the appraisal which came out to approximately $2,000.00 per acre. Mr. Goodrich said he felt this was high given the fact the land is all ledge. Ms. Duthie stated Mr. King has provided other appraisal in the past and she and the Conservation Commission felt comfortable with his appraisal this time as well. The purchase of the Flynt Quarry land will be subject to Town approval at a Town Meeting, tonight’s request is for approval to begin the process to apply for the grant funding. The deadline for the grant application is August 31st.

Mr. Harrison made a motion to approve Ms. Duthie in moving ahead on the application. Mr. Goodrich seconded and it was so VOTED.

Mr. Guertin thanked Ms. Duthie for all the work and hours she has put into this.

Ms. Duthie noted there will be a historical walk on this property in November for the public and anyone who wishes to attend.

Greene Room Productions – Request for One Day Liquor License:
Erin Greene approached the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Guertin explained Ms. Greene is scheduling her Monster Gala for October 24, 2009 in Memorial Hall from 8 P.M. to 12:30 A.M. Ms. Greene added this is something she has been doing for four years now and has never had any problems in the past, with either the event or with the serving of alcohol.

Mr. Goodrich asked Ms. Greene how Greene Room Productions falls into the nonprofit category. Ms. Greene responded Greene Room Productions is a Theater Production Educational Outreach Company and is 501C3. This year they had educational classes for children ages 3 through 18 years of age with adult classes as well. They produce two main shows per year and two children’s shows. This winter they will be having a Puppet Tree Workshop. Greene Rooms Production holds a fundraising campaign each year and this is where the Monster Gala fits in, it’s their annual fundraiser at Halloween time as a masquerade, a band, catered food is brought in, beer and wine and a half-time show with all the proceeds go toward funding the up-coming season.

Ms. Neggers reminded Ms. Greene the office would need the usual certificate of insurance for the liquor liability naming the town as an additional insured with a $1 million policy, as has been done in the past prior to releasing the special one-day liquor license.

Mr. Harrison made a motion to approve the special one day liquor license for Greene Room Productions on October 24, 2009 at Memorial Hall for the times stated contingent upon receipt of the certificate of insurance. Mr. Goodrich seconded and it was so VOTED.

Building Commission Hiring Process – Define Process:
Ms. Neggers reiterated Chip LaPointe has submitted his retirement. The position was advertised on the Massachusetts Municipal Association website and in the Springfield Sunday Republican. Twenty-nine applications have been received with approximately twelve candidates not meeting the requirements. Ms. Neggers noted Mr. LaPointe is willing to be involved in the hiring process to narrow the candidates down to two or three as agreed upon by the Board of Selectmen. The two or three candidates will then be interviewed further by the Board of Selectmen at their meeting scheduled for July 28th, with the intention of hiring a Building Inspector/Zoning Enforcement Officer for the town at that time. Mr. Guertin said he didn’t feel qualified in making such a decision and feels confident with Mr. LaPointe’s guidance and recommendations.

In Other Business to Come Before the Board:
  • Ms. Neggers informed the Board Eric Bergstrom, manager of Mountain Stream Capital, Inc. d/b/a Elwood’s Restaurant & Pub submitted an application for an entertainment license. Everything will basically be as it was when Mustang Sally’s occupied the premise; with the exception Mr. Bergstrom has removed the pool table. Mr. Guertin noted Mr. Bergstrom is aware of keeping the noise down.
Mr. Goodrich made a motion to approve the entertainment license application submitted by Eric Bergstrom effective immediately through June 30, 2010. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.

  • Mr. Harrison reminded the viewers of the Monson Rotary Club’s second summer concert scheduled for Tuesday, July21 from 7:00 P.M. to8:30 P.M. featuring “Tuff E’ Nuff” playing classic rock and ballads. Hot dogs and hamburgers, popcorn, soft drinks and bottled water will be offered for sale. Admission is free but donations of non-perishable food items or cash for the Open Pantry will be accepted. Patrons should bring a chair or blanket to sit on.

Correspondence was read and completed.

At 8:45 P.M., Mr. Harrison made a motion to adjourn from open session to go into executive session for the purpose of collective bargaining discussion, not to return to open session. Mr. Goodrich seconded and it was so VOTED.



______________________________
John F. Goodrich II, Clerk