BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2010
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 Town Administrator Gretchen E. Neggers and the media.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Acceptance of Meeting Minutes:
Mr. Goodrich made a motion to accept the meeting minutes of February 23, 2010. Mr. Guertin seconded as Mr. Harrison was not present at that meeting, and it was so VOTED.
Establish Annual and Special Town Meeting Warrant Schedule:
Ms. Neggers explained the Town Meeting is set for May 10, 2010 and the Finance Committee has noted a Special Town Meeting will need to be held within the Annual Town Meeting.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to open the warrants on March 23, 2010, with the closing of the special town meeting warrant on April 13, 2010, along with the closing of the annual town meeting warrant barring any unforeseen circumstances. Mr. Goodrich seconded and it was so VOTED.
Authorize Request for PVPC Local Technical Assistance – Solar Power Plant Development Proposal:
Ms. Neggers reiterated, in the correspondence portion of the last meeting there was a letter from the Planning Board to Cornerstone Power Development, relative to a meeting they attended with the Planning Board where they discussed the possibility of locating a Solar Power Energy Plant in Monson. Ms. Neggers noted this project would require some extensive work by the Planning Board as Monson does not have a Town Planner and the position of the Building Commissioner is now part-time, therefore the level of assistance is not available. Ms. Neggers explained the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission has a limited amount of technical assistance available through the District Local Technical Assistance Program funded by the Legislature, no cost to the Town. This request would need the Select Boards’ authorization allowing
the PVPC to provide whatever technical assistance is available to the Planning Board as we move forward, and also for any future negotiations that may be required between the Town and the potential developer. Ms. Neggers noted the Planning Board has endorsed the proposal and has a very positive reception to it. This will also require the passing of a bylaw allowing as-of-right zoning as recommended by the Green Communities Act. If the bylaw is passed, the Town would need assistance in mapping as well, also available through this program.
Mr. Goodrich made a motion to authorize local technical assistance through Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, if available, relative to the development of the proposed Solar Power Plant project in town. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Memorial Hall/House of Art Liaison Discussion and Possible Appointment:
Mr. Guertin explained over the years the House of Art and Memorial Hall have been under the jurisdiction of the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Guertin noted since he became a Selectmen, he and has taken on the task of reviewing applications for use of the buildings, scheduling events, keeping track of the keys, payments, etc., and stated he would like to volunteer to maintain this position as he cares a great deal about the buildings and their use. Mr. Guertin added he would continue to deal with any minor issues and to report any major issues to the Board of Selectmen for consideration and resolution and if the Board of Selectmen find anything they feel they should have been involved with and weren’t, they should call him in to discuss it.
This change would require a vote by the Board of Selectmen to allow a designated person, other than a Selectperson, to oversee the House of Art and Memorial Hall. Mr. Guertin read the attached document dated June 9, 2005 into the record regarding Memorial Hall/House of Art – Building Use Facilitator and noted the required change in the language, also attached and identified by an asterisk.
Mr. Goodrich felt the title liaison was a better indicator of not having authority, but more accurately bringing information forth and noted this format could be changed if at any time it were found not to be working out.
Mr. Harrison noted the Board of Selectmen would still establish the Building Use Policy and govern the fees and felt anyone using the buildings should have a list of Do’s and Don’ts. Mr. Goodrich agreed there should be a paper trail for anyone using the buildings.
Ms. Neggers added the way Mr. Guertin has implemented this over the approximately past five years, has been he has the initial applications on file for the repeated users, and brings anything new and unusual back to the Board.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to approve the change to allow a liaison to oversee Memorial Hall and the House of Art, and to appoint Mr. Guertin as the liaison effective immediately through June 30, 2010. Mr. Goodrich seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Guertin thanked custodian Paul DeMaio, for the fantastic work he does and noted he is extremely responsive.
Authorize Additional Snow and Ice Deficit Spending:
Ms. Neggers noted the Highway Department has expended the deficit previously authorized on storms during the month of February, and the account is currently about minus $5,000. Ms. Neggers explained last night at their meeting, the Finance Committee approved an additional $25,000.00 in Snow and Ice Deficit Spending. Ms. Neggers noted these funds will not be expended unless the roads need to be treated.
Mr. Goodrich made a motion to approve the request. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
In Other Business to Come Before the Board:
- Ms. Neggers asked the Board of Selectmen if they would vote to request the Insurance Advisory Committee convene a meeting. Ms. Neggers explained she and Ms. Mahar would like to meet with the Insurance Advisory Committee as they met with the town’s health care insurance provider today, and were previously notified of a 10.2% increase for next year. Ms. Neggers noted there are different options on the table they would like to review with the Insurance Advisory Committee along with having dialog with them in general about the health care programs offered, in terms of wellness programs and how they might be enhanced to gain a greater participation, as well as maintaining an on-going dialog regarding the health care and the impact it is having here in town.
Mr. Guertin felt it is imperative they do this and agreed they should meet
Mr. Harrison made a motion to ask the Insurance Advisory Committee to convene a meeting to discuss options on health insurance for the town. Mr. Goodrich seconded and it was so VOTED.
- Also in other business to come before the Board of Selectmen, Ms. Neggers said an email was received from the Finance Committee Chairman relative to the concept of holding a joint meeting with the Board of Selectmen.
Mr. Guertin wondered if the joint meeting should wait until April when the new Selectperson would be sitting on the Board, or if waiting would delay or cause a problem with the budgetary process.
Ms. Neggers noted the Finance Committee has been meeting regularly and reviewing the budget with department heads, and added the town is still in a holding pattern particularly because of the State Aid figures. Ms. Neggers said we have the Governor’s figure, which she didn’t believe would stand, and felt the Legislature could release the joint resolution between the House and the Senate on Local Aid as early as this week.
The other piece is the Pathfinder assessment. Monson had a significant increase in the number of students enrolled in Pathfinder from Monson. The budget meeting is scheduled for next week, on March 17th at Pathfinder, and therefore felt it would be alright to wait on the joint meeting.
Mr. Guertin said he feels if the Selectmen were meeting with the Finance Committee, the new Selectperson should be involved.
Ms. Neggers said she would send Mr. Fimognari an email and explain due to the transition of the Select Board which will be happening in April, the Board of Selectmen felt it best to hold off on the meeting, however if he felt there was a more urgent or pressing need, the meeting could be held at the next meeting in March.
Mr. Goodrich suggested if the joint meeting were held at the Selectmen’s meeting in March, the two candidates should be notified so they could be present and aware of what’s happening.
Correspondence was read and completed.
At 7:35 p.m., Mr. Harrison made a motion to adjourn from open session. Mr. Goodrich seconded and it was so VOTED.
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John F. Goodrich II, Clerk
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