BOARD OF SELECTMEN
OCTOBER 12, 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 and John F. Goodrich II. Dr. Richard M. Smith was absent. Also present were Town Administrator Gretchen E. Neggers and the media.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Acceptance of Meeting Minutes:
The meeting minutes for September 28, 2010 – open session were not accepted as Mr. Goodrich was not present for that meeting, and therefore could not vote to approve the minutes.
Sign Contract – I.B.P.O. Local #423:
Police Chief Steve Kozloski, and Officers Kristen Marciniec and Donald Emerson approached the Board of Selectmen. Ms. Neggers explained the background on the contract noting they have been in negotiations for a couple of years and an agreement has been reached. Ms. Neggers further explained the contract matches the AFSCME contract in terms of the agreement that the Board of Selectmen signed two weeks ago. Ms. Neggers said this particular contract affords for a 2% increase in wages for the current fiscal year, 0% for last year, 3% next year and then 2% for the final year, covering a four year period. There are also concessions on the Health Care end of it where the employees will be paying a greater percentage of the Health Care, same as in the AFSCME contract.
Mr. Goodrich made a motion to formally approve the I.B.P.O. contract as negotiated. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Neggers mentioned there is a Special Town Meeting on Monday night, October 18, 2010. An article has been placed on the warrant seeking funding for the AFSCME contract and corresponding non-union benefits. The I.B.P.O. contract will not require any additional funding, due to the Union and the Officers working very closely together with management and limiting their overtime, therefore they feel this can be funded out of the current existing budget.
Chief Kozloski said he feels an agreement was reached that is fair to both the taxpaying residents as well as the employees.
Approve Halloween “Trick or Treat” Hours and Parade:
Mr. Goodrich made a motion to set the Halloween Trick or Treat hours in Monson on Sunday October 31, 2010 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., followed by the Halloween Parade at 6:00 p.m. from State Street to Memorial Hall. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Appoint Agricultural Commission Members:
Ms. Neggers said volunteers were sought from the community to serve on the Agricultural Commission. Ms. Neggers explained in 2006 it was voted at the Town Meeting to create an Agricultural Commission and sporadic appointments have been made since then, but the group has never gotten off the ground with a full quorum and the ability to hold meetings.
Five local farmers have volunteered to serve on the committee. Lisa Arnold - In the Hold Farm; Jim Vaill - Managing Member, Edgewood Farm, LLC; Chuck Adams - North Orchard Farm; Jeffrey Lord - bee keeper and medicinal herbalist; and Ben Murphy - Murphy’s Farm. Staggered appointment terms are requested.
Mr. Goodrich made a motion to appoint Benjamin Murphy to the Agricultural Commission for a one year term effective immediately through June 30, 2011; and to appoint Chuck Adams and Jeffrey Lord to the Agricultural Commission for two year terms effective immediately through June 30, 2012; and to appoint Lisa Arnold and Jim Vaill to the Agricultural Commission effective immediately through June 30, 2012. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Neggers said she will contact the State to see if one of the agencies providing assistance could possibly attend the first meeting to brief the newly appointed members on exactly what an Agricultural Commission can and should be doing.
Mr. Harrison and Mr. Goodrich thanked the volunteers for stepping forward. Ms. Neggers added she is really excited about the potential for this group and the things it can accomplish.
In Other Business to Come Before the Board of Selectmen:
- Lee Williams approached the Board of Selectmen regarding the Monson Memorial Classic scheduled for Sunday, November 14, 2010. Ms. Williams explained this will be the 15th Annual with the Half Marathon starting at noon, the 5K race starting at 12:15 p.m. and 2 Mile Fun Walk for the non-runners starting at 12:30 p.m. Ms. Williams said they haven’t had any problems in the past with parking. They park at the Post Office and Monson Savings Bank, and when they park behind Memorial Hall they make sure the fire apparatus can get through.
Ms. Williams said everything went beautifully last year and they had a record
number of runners. There were 358 runners in the Half Marathon last year and
close to 100 runners in the 5K.
Ms. Williams noted they might need the use of the Gazebo at Dave Grieve Park
where food will be served afterwards; hotdogs, etc., if the event were to become
bigger. It was suggested Ms. Williams check with the Board of Health Office to
see what food permits, if any, she might need.
Chief Kozloski said he spoke with Ms. Williams earlier today, and said as long as the Memorial Classic commits to hiring a minimum of two officers, as they did last year, he feels that is sufficient to monitor any traffic and parking issues along the race. Chief Kozloski noted there haven’t been any issues with them utilizing Dave Grieve Park in the past.
Mr. Goodrich made a motion to approve the Monson Memorial Classic on Sunday, November 14, 2010, starting at 12:00 noon and going until the last runner comes in, contingent upon them meeting all the requirements of the Police Chief, Board of Health and whoever else they might need assistance from. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
- Dave Pelletier approached the Board of Selectmen of behalf of the people who utilize the field on Margaret Street to fly their model airplanes. Mr. Pelletier showed the Board his airplane so they could see the size of it and explained his airplane is of medium size. It is hand built and they are not toys. Mr. Pelletier said due to the size of the planes, they are cumbersome and it would be easier to be able to park their vehicles in the back of the field as they use to do, rather than carry them in. Mr. Pelletier said some guys bring four or five airplanes with them, while some will only bring a couple of planes with them. There are four to six active flyers who would like permission to drive to the back of the field. Mr. Pelletier noted sometimes people and children will stop to watch the airplanes fly.
Ms. Neggers noted she is afraid of cars putting a dent in the cap on the landfill and explained the town spent tens and tens of thousands of dollars on the cap. Ms. Neggers noted at the last meeting Mr. Pelletier was only requesting permission to be allowed to continue mowing, and there was no mention of permission for allowing six vehicles to park in the field.
Mr. Goodrich said he was against allowing vehicles to park in the field as it is an engineered field and tires causing ruts could cause trouble.
Ms. Neggers asked about the possible use of other fields in Town they could use instead. Mr. Pelletier said he hasn’t spoken with Parks and Rec., but was thinking of speaking with Mr. Koran. Mr. Pelletier also noted some of the people flying airplanes use the old Bennett Turkey Farm in Wilbraham as well as the old pheasant farm on Tinkham Road, also in Wilbraham.
Mr. Goodrich said he is all in favor of allowing Mr. Pelletier access to mow, but can’t agree with parking in the field after knowing all the town has gone through with the cap on the landfill. Ms. Neggers agreed. Mr. Pelletier said he has groomed the field with dirt and grass seed for the past two years due to damage caused by other vehicles, prior to the field being blocked off by the Highway Department. Mr. Pelletier agreed he would be happy with just being allowed to continue mowing the area.
Chief Kozloski said he is okay with the Police Department holding the key to the lock on the gate to the field and allowing Mr. Pelletier to get the key from the Police Department when he needs to mow. Mr. Pelletier agreed to this conclusion.
Mr. Pelletier asked about abandoning the strip in the back of the field and making a strip closer to the road, but not too near, so they won’t have to carry the airplanes so far. The strip would be 50 feet by 275 feet north/south and one going east/west about the same size.
Ms. Neggers stressed again it is a very engineered field and said possibly Mr. Morrell could mark just where the cap is, and said she would consult with the DEP.
Mr. Goodrich made a motion to authorize access to the key for mowing purposes only, whenever needed. The key will be checked out of and returned to the Police Department and this is to remain the sole key (other than the key at the Highway Department and the key in the Selectmen’s Office). Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Pelletier said they fly the airplanes, weather permitting, in the evening from 6:00 p.m. to dusk, usually being out of there by 8:30 p.m., and on afternoons and weekends and occasionally in the mornings.
- It was reiterated the Special Town Meeting will be held on Monday, October 18, 2010 and everyone is encouraged to attend to cast their votes. Ms. Neggers said the warrant is posted and is also available on the Town’s website.
Correspondence was read and completed.
At 7:45 p.m., Mr. Goodrich made a motion to adjourn from open session. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
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Dr. Richard M. Smith, Clerk
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