BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 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 Edward S. Harrison, John F. Goodrich II and Dr. Richard M. Smith. 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 April 13, 2010 – open and executive sessions. Dr. Smith seconded and it was so VOTED.
Review/Endorse Finance Committee Budget Recommendation For Fiscal 2011:
Ms. Neggers explained this was a continuation of the discussion which began last week with the Finance Committee where an overview of the budget and the impact on various departments over a two year time period was presented. Ms. Neggers added the town has been in an economic downturn for a number of years. The Finance Committee drafted a budget which the Board of Selectmen had before them. Ms. Neggers noted the Finance Committee is still in the process of fine-tuning the budget.
Mr. Goodrich commended the Finance Committee for doing a great job with such a difficult task, and added it was well performed.
Dr. Smith stated he didn’t like the fact the School Department was going to take such a huge hit when looking at the whole budget but added he understands, if the school was level funded it would mean closing at least two town departments, and when you look at the overall effect he said he would have to agree this is the best solution on the whole for the town.
Ms. Neggers said she believes the Finance Committee’s evaluation was conducted by taking all of the negative impacts and deciding which negative impact would be the least harmful overall to the residents of the community.
Mr. Harrison explained to the listening audience the School Committee is also currently meeting and noted M-PACT would be switching over immediately to that meeting following the Selectmen’s meeting for anyone wishing to watch it.
Ms. Neggers further noted, while the recommendation from the Finance Committee for the School Department has a reduction in the budget, over the course of the past two years the school department budget will have been reduced by 5% while town salaries are 9% reduced and expenses on the town side are 8% reduced, therefore she feels the Finance Committee strived to achieve an equivalent sharing of the pain.
Mr. Harrison noted the town will be spending a total of $11,874,000 on the School budget for Fiscal 2011, including school transportation and Pathfinder.
Mr. Goodrich made a motion to endorse the budget proposal for 2011 as presented on April 26, 2010 without exception. Dr. Smith seconded and it was so VOTED.
In Other Business to Come Before the Board:
- Ms. Neggers mentioned a presentation was scheduled for tonight’s meeting by a representative from the Department of Energy Resources on the Green Communities Act and noted this has been re-scheduled for May 25th.
- Ms. Neggers said the town kicked of its 250th Anniversary celebration on Sunday, April 25th, its actual birthday, with a bonfire in Veteran’s Field. James Duggan, co-chair of the 250th Anniversary Steering Committee sent a letter to the Board of Selectmen informing them it turned out to be a fantastic event with a great turnout. Ms. Neggers read a portion of the letter which said Senator Brewer and Representative Ashe were in attendance; both men made brief comments and congratulated the Town of Monson on turning 250 years young. They also had many vendors who used the event as a fundraiser such as the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Lions Club, Quaboag Riders Club, PTSA, St. Patrick’s Church, Keep Museum, Rotary Club, and hats and tee shirts were sold by the 250th
Committee.
Mr. Duggan’s letter to the Board of Selectmen also stated there were many people who deserved recognition and thanks for making the event a success. These people/groups/departments are: the Monson Fire Department (Chief Robichaud), Police Department (Chief Kozloski), Highway Department (John Morrell), Parks & Recreation (Tim Pascale) and their staffs; Westview Farms and Smart & Son for the donation of wood to burn; Mrs. Newland at Quarry Hill School and the students who made the posters placed around town; the Adventure Crew, Boy Scouts and others who constructed the wood to burn; Jack Perry for the donation of the tent that was used; Chris Jacobs for documenting the event; the volunteers on the 250th Committee who spent many hours putting the bonfire event and other events
together, especially Nancy Dahlen and Patty Ferry who sold merchandise along with Nancy’s daughter and friend; and to Carolyn Bedard who helped coordinate everyone at the event to make it a success. Mr. Duggan also thanked everyone who attended the bonfire and Mother Nature for keeping the weather dry.
For information on events coming up, people are encouraged to visit the web site at www.monson250.wordpress.com or on Facebook – fan page at Monson 250th Anniversary Celebration, where everything is posted.
Mr. Harrison noted it was a great event and a lot of fun, and felt it was a great way to kick start the year long celebration.
- Mr. Harrison reiterated the Annual Town Meeting will be held on May 10th and added he hopes everyone will be able to attend to vote on the budget for Fiscal 2011. Mr. Harrison noted the new Town Moderator, Richard Guertin, will preside over the town meeting.
Correspondence was read and completed.
At 8:20 P.M., Mr. Goodrich made a motion to adjourn from open session to go into executive session for a discussion of non-union contract strategy, not to return to open session. Dr. Smith seconded and it was so VOTED.
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Dr. Richard M. Smith, Clerk
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