BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 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.
Motion to Accept Meeting Minutes:
Mr. Harrison made a motion to accept the meeting minutes of March 9, 2010 – open session. Mr. Goodrich seconded and it was so VOTED.
Farmers’ Market – Request for Use of Dave Grieve Park – Deborah Carrington:
Deborah Carrington approached the Board of Selectmen and explained she is trying to get things started to begin having a Farmers Market in Monson. The Market will start in May of 2011 and run until October. Ms. Carrington noted she decided to wait until next year to begin the Farmers’ Markets because most of the vendors are already committed for this year. Ms. Carrington noted she is starting the process now to see just what permits she might need and if there is anything else required. Ms. Carrington noted she was thinking of holding the Market in Monson on either a Thursday or Friday as most Markets are currently held on Saturday. The hours would be from approximately 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Vendors will offer fresh vegetables, fresh fruit and jellies. Vendors will be responsible for setting up as well as cleaning
up after themselves. If any trash is left behind Ms. Carrington, being the manager, will speak to the vendor. Ms. Carrington said she is expecting about ten vendors, each with a 12 X 12 foot space. Bathroom facilities are not required as it’s only for a few hours. The Board of Selectmen agreed she could have a sandwich sign at the gazebo advertising the Farmer’s Market on that day.
Ms. Neggers suggested closing off the parking lot and using the paved area instead of additional wear and tear of the grassy area. Ms. Carrington said that would work, the vendors could still set up tents and would just use cement blocks or something to anchor them down, or she noted vendors could just sell the produce from their vehicles. Mr. Guertin agreed this would be a better location.
Ms. Carrington stated her kitchen is certified for any breads baked or jellies made, which is also a requirement of the Monson Board of Health.
It was suggested Ms. Carrington draw a diagram showing the layout she has in mind for review by the Board of Selectmen as well as the Fire Chief and Police Chief for any safety concerns they might have.
Mr. Harrison suggested the Selectmen possibly check out some of the current Farmers’ Markets to get an idea of the set up and operation. Ms. Carrington noted she currently does three Farmers’ Markets, one in West Springfield at 220 Westfield Street, another in Indian Orchard on Fridays at Hampden Savings Bank located at 187 Main Street beginning on April 19th and the third in the center of Barre on Saturdays’ beginning in May on Mother’s Day weekend.
Ms. Carrington also said she would like to have any of the Scouting organizations who would like to hold bake sales the opportunity to do so at the Farmers’ Market and noted she still has to check into seeing what permits are required for this.
Ms. Carrington said the vendor fees which are required pay for the insurance for the Market manager and cover anything that goes on, through the Federation of Farmers insurance. She said she would check into obtaining a certificate of insurance, naming the town as an additional insured as recommended by the Town’s insurance carrier, releasing the town if anything should happen.
Mr. Guertin said Ms. Carrington has the blessing of the Board of Selectmen to proceed in getting the number of vendors who might be interested, draw up a diagram of the vendors and foot traffic areas, find out what else she may need from the Board of Health, check on the certificate of insurance naming the town and to bring the information back to the Board of Selectmen when she has it.
Fiscal 2011 Budget Development Status – Joint Meeting with Finance Committee:
Finance Director Deborah Mahar approached the Board of Selectmen. Ms. Neggers gave a presentation explaining the development of the budget for the next fiscal year and some of the challenges being faced as a community. Ms. Neggers stressed this is not a meeting to make any decisions, but to try to come to terms on what the next actions steps are on a few specific areas within the budget. Members of the Finance Committee were in the audience.
Ms. Neggers explained the town was faced with a pretty significant budget crisis due to reductions in the budget and state aid last year, as well as reductions in local revenue in new growth, vehicle excise, etc. This year the local revenue is stable at the bottom, with no increases. From FY 09 to the current year, there has been a total decline of $483,966.00 in the towns’ budget. This year, from the current year to Fiscal 2011, there is a total decline of $71,731.00, which Ms. Neggers stated is really deceiving as we are working with a $23 million budget with numerous items that could swing the budget in a number of ways. The State has reduces state aid by about $386,000.00, $306,000 of this is in school aid Chapter 70 funds. This is the first time the Legislature has opted to reduce school aid. This is
complicated by an additional thirteen students attending Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School from Monson, which means an increase in assessments of $97,424.00.
Mr. Goodrich added Monson is very limited in the part of the budget pertaining to Pathfinder as Monson is part of a regional budget. Ms. Mahar noted Pathfinder had their budget presentation last week which she attended, and reiterated the seat representing Monson is still vacant on the Pathfinder Committee following a resignation, and this seat needs to be filled to assist Monson in voicing opinions.
Ms. Neggers noted health insurance in the current fiscal year increased 2.5 percent. Next year the health insurance is increasing 10.2 percent, a significant increase. The towns’ blanket insurance, which is our property and causality, workers’ comp., police professional liability insurance, public official’s liability insurance, police and fire accident and health insurance, went down about $20,000.00/$30,000.00 this year. Next year the blanket insurance is increasing by $46,000.00, primarily as an appraisal of our net value of insured property went up significantly. Also, the Snow and Ice Account needs to be discussed, as we had a relatively mild winter this year, but next year it’s very likely the winter won’t be as mild, therefore more money will most likely be needed. Ms. Neggers added
the Finance Committee is aware of these issues and have met to discuss them.
Ms. Neggers added, traditionally the School Department is put at net school spending, which is a figure calculated by the State. This year, due to the reduction in Chapter 70 funds, if the School is placed at net school spending, $28,000.00 would have to be cut from other departments and these dramatic cuts would definitely impact services.
If the schools are put at net school spending, it would require them to reduce their budget request by $388,000.00, or $291,000.00 below level funding. Ms. Neggers said she didn’t know what kind of impact that would have on the schools. James Pennington, a member of the Finance Committee who was in the audience stated residents need to know Monson is in dire straights right now and cuts have to be made across the board, meaning they aren’t going to have all the services they are used to and consolidations have to be made to save money, everyone needs to look outside the box.
Ms. Neggers explained the total budget for the Council On Aging is $137,000.00; the Library’s budget is $218,000.00 and Park and Recreation’s budget is $132,000.00. The total combined budgets from these departments would cover the net school spending figure.
Ms. Neggers recommended not making any decisions tonight as the School Committee wasn’t present. Mr. Guertin agreed the Board needed to know what the School thought the devastation would be to them, and added this is a huge issue. Mr. Goodrich reiterated Monson is forty-eight percent reliant on state aid as a community.
Ms. Mahar suggested possibly the meals tax which was defeated at the last Town meeting could be brought back again. Mr. Goodrich suggested looking at the elections and the possibility of holding them in November when the state and federal elections are held, possibly saving $5,000 to $6,000.
Mr. Guertin thanked Ms. Neggers and Ms. Mahar for bringing this issue and information forward, and thanked the Finance Committee members for attending.
The Board of Selectmen agreed to meet with the School Committee prior to their next scheduled meeting on April 13th to see what the repercussions would be on the schools. It was agreed to let the School Committee decide which date would be most convenient for them, either March 30th or April 7th.
Review/Approve Annual and Special Town Meeting Article Requests:
Ms. Neggers explained the Special and Annual articles received for placement on the warrants.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to place the standard articles 1 through 17, as attached, on the Annual Town meeting warrant. Mr. Goodrich seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to place an article accepting M.G.L. Chapter 32B Section 18 regarding contributory group general or blanket insurance for persons in the service of countries, cities, towns and districts, and their dependents, as attached, on the Annual Town meeting warrant. Mr. Goodrich seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to place an article requesting the transfer of funds from the Legal Department Encumbered Account to the Fiscal 2010 Legal Department Expense Account on the Special Town meeting warrant. This would mandate retirees’ participating in Medicare at age 65. Mr. Goodrich seconded and it was so VOTED.
In Other Business to Come Before the Board of Selectmen:
- Mr. Guertin read a letter received from Parks and Recreation Director/Program Coordinator Timothy Pascale into the record. Mr. Pascale was requesting a donation of $2,200 from the Gifts to the Town Account to purchase playground woodchips for the Veterans Field play area. This area is well used and they have not supplemented the existing chips since the playground was built in 2002.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to allocate $2,200 from the Gifts to the Town Account for the purchase of wood chips for the playground in Veterans Field. Mr. Goodrich seconded and it was so VOTED.
- Mr. Goodrich took the opportunity to thank Mr. Guertin for dedicating the last nine years serving on the Board of Selectmen and wished him the best of luck in his endeavors. Mr. Harrison agreed it has been a pleasure working with Mr. Guertin over the past nine years. Mr. Guertin said the Board members may not have always agreed, but it is important and good to have an exchange on different views sometimes, as dialog is very important. Mr. Guertin strongly encouraged the listening audience to take a more active role in the town and stated he appreciates Mr. Harrison and Mr. Goodrich for stepping up to take on their roles as Selectmen. Mr. Guertin noted he will still be around town and will be active with other roles.
- Mr. Guertin reminded the listening audience of the up-coming town elections on April 5th and encouraged everyone to come out and cast their votes.
At 8:30 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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