MONSON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 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 and John F. Goodrich II. Edward S. Harrison was absent. Also present were the Town Administrator and the media.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Acceptance of Meeting Minutes:
Mr. Goodrich made a motion to accept the meeting minutes of October 27, 2009 – open and executive sessions. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
(7:00 p.m.) Public Hearing – Application of RJA Realty Holdings, Inc. for License for the Storage of Flammable and Combustible Liquids per 527 CMR 14 at 152 Bethany Road:
A public hearing was opened at 7:00 p.m. Quality/Safety Manager for Lamcotec Joseph O’Brien, and Fire Chief George Robichaud approached the Board of Selectmen.
Mr. O’ Brien stated the application requiring this hearing is for two chemicals, and explained the solvents will be kept in 8 - 350 gallon tote bins while the compounds will be kept in 2 - 650 gallon drums. It was noted the quantities of hazardous materials have not changed since the company began operating, but it was never brought to their attention that a license was required due to the large quantities stored.
Chief Robichaud stated he, Building Inspector Louis Hasbrouck, and a representative from the State Fire Marshall’s Office went on a tour of Lamcotec recently. Chief Robichaud noted there are a number of safety devices in place, the business is very clean and organized and they found no reason not to approve this request.
Mr. Goodrich made a motion to approve the license for the Storage of Flammable and Combustible Liquids as presented. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
(7:30 p.m.) Heating on the Complaint of Mary Ellen Aronson Against Dogs Owned by Mr. Keith Jilson – 15 Hilltop Road:
Complainant Mary Ellen Aronson, dog owner Keith Jilson, Animal Control Officer Paul DeMaio, Police Chief Steve Kosloski and Police Officer Douglas Beachell approached the Board of Selectmen. All the parties were sworn in and the process was explained by Mr. Guertin.
Mr. Guertin said he has heard this issue has been on-going and read a statement into the record (as attached) from Mike Kane who is a neighbor and was unable to attend tonight’s hearing due to having to Chair a School Committee meeting being held tonight at the same time. Chief Kozloski stated Mr. Kane’s accounts of calling the Police Department twenty-one times on this dog for barking or being on his property are accurate and date back to roughly 2004.
A call was received by the Police Department on the night of July 29, 2009 from Ms. Aronson who stated she had been bitten three times by Mr. Jilson’s dog, while walking her own dog in front of Mr. Jilson’s house. Ms. Aronson said Mr. Jilson told her he would have the dog put down in the morning as he couldn’t keep a dog that bites. Officer Beachell told Mr. Jilson at that time proof would be needed the dog was either put down, or was up to date on his shots. Animal Control Officer Paul DeMaio noted the dog is up to date on its shots and also verified the veterinarian discouraged Mr. Jilson from euthanizing the dog the next morning as she knows the dog from treating it regularly.
Mr. Jilson said he is trying to find a home for the dog, but due to this incident no shelter will take the dog. He is currently trying to have the dog placed with Second Chance, a rescue operation.
Mr. Jilson explained he drove home at 9:15 p.m. on the night of July 29, 2009. His dog was in the car with him. His wrist was broken in three places and he didn’t see anyone in the area when he pulled into his driveway, so he didn’t put the leash on his dog and instead opened the car door for the dog to run into the house. The dog ran right to the street and bit Ms. Aronson, who was walking her dog.
Ms. Aronson said the dog has always had a ferocious growl and has chased her down the street and into her driveway on a few occasions. Ms. Aronson said the residents in the neighborhood are afraid for their lives and their safety. Ms. Aronson showed the Board of Selectmen pictures of the bite marks on her back taken that night by the Police Officer. Ms. Aronson said later that night she found out the dog had bitten two other people in separate incidences. Ms. Aronson stated the dog is loose on occasion, not all the time.
Mr. Goodrich reiterated there were a number of calls regarding this dog and Mr. Guertin noted that bothered him and explained this can’t be allowed to continue.
Mr. DeMaio explained the dog is overprotective of its home and owner and is therefore a nuisance to the neighborhood. The dog is currently wearing a bark collar and is being kept inside, unless the owner is home to take him out.
After discussing this, Mr. Goodrich made a motion to have the dog owned by Mr. Jilson at 18 Hilltop Drive removed from the Town of Monson within one week from today by any means necessary, unless there is another incident in which case the dog will be removed immediately. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
Fire Chief Robichaud – Request to Authorize EMT Step Increases:
Fire Chief George Robichaud and his secretary Kathy Corish approached the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Robichaud explained four of the Fire Department personnel are in place for step increases. The four personnel are EMT’s and the increases would come from the Ambulance Operating Account, which contains no town funds.
Ms. Neggers explained last year the non-union contractual increases were frozen. The union employees received no cost of living increases, but they did receive step increases. One of the employees went from a basic EMT to an Intermediate EMT. This required schooling and therefore they feel this person deserves to be promoted, and another EMT won’t receive their step raise until May 2010.
Ms. Neggers added the EMT’s work very hard, and the town has a difficult time keeping these positions filled, and noted the step increases total $2,833.50.
Mr. Goodrich made a motion to approve the step increases for the non-union EMT’s. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
In Other Business to Come Before the Board of Selectmen:
- The Winter Parking Ban was announced as follows: No on street parking from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. beginning on December 1st or with the first snow fall until March 31, 2010. Parking permits are available in the Collector’s Office or on-line at the Town’s newly up-dated web site at monson-ma.gov for $10.00. Ms. Neggers thanked the town employees who worked on the town’s new web design.
- Ms. Neggers said she was contacted by the Fire Department who stated the rope which holds up the banners across Main Street had broken again. This is the third time. The prior two times, the Fire Department paid for the new rope out of their budget; however they feel they can no longer keep doing this. Clips are also needed. Mr. Goodrich made a motion to appropriate $20.00 from the Gifts to the Town Account to replace the rope and to purchase new clips for the banners. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
- Mr. Guertin reminded everyone of the Monson Arts Council play the “King and I”, which will be running on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, this week and next, and encouraged everyone to attend.
Correspondence was read and completed.
At 7:50 p.m., Mr. Goodrich made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Guertin seconded and it was so VOTED.
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John F. Goodrich II, Clerk
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