BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, MAY 11, 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 27, 2010 – open session. Dr. Smith seconded and it was so VOTED.
Meet with Girl Scout Troop 437 Regarding “Dog Day” Event:
Alexandra Smith and Emma Norval approached the Board of Selectmen. Miss Smith explained they are in the Junior Girl Scouts and are requesting permission to hold a “Dog Day” event.
Mr. Harrison read the list of items they are requesting for donations, which included blankets, flea treatments, treats, spray cheese, collars, bowls, leashes and any other doggie needs.
Miss Smith explained they would also like to wash the dogs and have their nails clipped. This event is a way of gathering new and used items and raising money which will be donated to an animal rescue shelter. Miss Smith noted the flea and tick checking, as well as the nail clipping, will be done by a professional groomer or veterinarian. The dogs will be leashed at all times.
Mr. Harrison explained the outdoor faucets don’t have hot water and thought the cold water would be too harsh on the dogs. Miss Smith said they could fill up buckets of water and let them warm up prior to being used. It was noted a lot of buckets would be needed to do this. Troop Leader Laurie Clark said they could plan other activities if the dog wash couldn’t be worked out.
Mr. Harrison noted the young ladies are young and wondered who would be handling the dogs, as there could be many dogs there, along with some who are large and strong. Miss Smith said the dog’s owners would be responsible.
Mr. Harrison said a lot of dogs could turn out for the event and wondered if an unruly dog bit someone, who would be responsible for the insurance. Ms. Neggers said the Girl Scouts of America carry insurance and asked Ms. Clark if she contacted them to get a copy. Ms. Clark said she hasn’t contacted the insurance company for this, but has in the past when they take trips, and noted she felt the insurance would cover the Girl Scouts, but no one else. Mr. Harrison told Ms. Clark if the insurance would only cover the girls, they might need to obtain a one day certificate of insurance to cover other people as well. Mr. Goodrich suggested the Girl Scouts possibly hold the collection portion of the event and not hold the dog wash or nail clipping.
Ms. Clark added they may have to rethink the whole issue as they may not be able to afford the insurance for it. Ms. Clark said she would check with the Girl Scouts of America to see what would be required. Ms. Neggers added the theme is positive, and noted the town is willing to work with them if possible.
It was agreed to table this until the next meeting scheduled for May 25th when Ms. Clark would have more information.
Approve Senior Center Lease – Home for Aged People, Inc.:
Mr. Harrison explained this is a subject that was discussed in the past as the Home for Aged People, Inc. approached the Board of Selectmen a few months ago expressing how they could no longer afford to pay for the heating, electricity and lawn care for the Senior Center as they were having to use funds from their principal balance, and asked if the town could possibly take on these expenses. Mr. Harrison said since the Home for Aged People, Inc. owns the building and leases it rent free to the Senior Center, he felt this was a reasonable request. A new lease has been drawn up and the Board of Selectmen had a copy of it.
Ms. Neggers noted at last nights Town Meeting, funds were appropriated for this.
Mr. Goodrich made a motion to accept the lease from the Home for Aged People, Inc. Dr. Smith seconded and it was so VOTED.
Request for “Gifts to the Town” Donation for Mural Project:
Jeannie Guertin approached the Board of Selectmen seeking a donation from the Gifts to the Town Account. Ms. Guertin explained in the summer of 2008, the Monson High School students worked under the direction of artist Shelly Shicoff in creating a “Diversity Mural” which is now permanently hung in the Monson High School. Ms. Guertin noted Ms. Shicoff is the same artist who directed the creation of the mural which hangs outside Adams Supermarket. In the summer of 2009, students from Granite Valley Middle School created an “Acceptance Mural”, also under Ms. Shicoff’s direction.
Ms. Guertin added, this year they are planning a “Friendship Mural” to be created by Quarry Hill Community School students under Ms. Shicoff’s direction, which will be installed at Quarry Hill Community School. Approximately ten students in grades 3 and 4 will participate in this mural project.
Ms. Guertin explained the murals now hanging at Monson High School and Granite Valley Middle School were funded partly by the Monson Arts Council and the Monson Free Library. The plywood bases for both murals were generously donated by Squier Lumber and Hardware. The remaining funds had been provided through a grant from the Anti-Defamation League as part of the Town’s No Place for Hate® Campaign. Ms. Guertin noted unfortunately there weren’t any funds available last year from the Anti-Defamation League for grants, which is why she was here asking for assistance from the Gifts to the Town Account. Ms. Guertin noted the Monson Arts Council and the Monson Free Library are still committed to contributing towards the cost of this project and hopefully a donation from the Gifts to the Town Account will be able
to supplement the rest of the costs. The complete cost of the project is $1,690.00.
Mr. Goodrich made a motion to donate $1,000.00 from the Gifts to the Town Account for the “Friendship Mural”. Dr. Smith seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Goodrich explained the Gifts to the Town Account are not tax dollars, but money donated to the Town for things such as this.
In Other Business to Come Before the Board of Selectmen:
Mr. Harrison thanked the financial components of the town who put together this year’s budget, and added everybody put a great deal of work into it, and he is keeping his fingers crossed that the financial situation will be better next year.
Correspondence was read and completed.
At 7:40 p.m., Mr. Goodrich made a motion to adjourn from open session to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing non-union contractual 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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