BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 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 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 for November 9, 2010 – open and executive sessions. Dr. Smith seconded and it was so VOTED.
Hearing on the Complaint of Philip Brault and Jennifer Gohra against a Dog Owned by Colleen LeBoeuf at 7 Park Avenue:
Philip Brault, Jennifer Gohra, Colleen LeBoeuf, Animal Control Officer Paul DeMaio and Police Chief Stephen Kozloski approached the Board of Selectmen. All the parties were sworn in by Mr. Harrison.
Mr. Harrison explained the procedures he would be using in the hearing.
Mr. Brault explained on November 3, 2010 at approximately 8:00 p.m. a husky was in his yard on top of his dog as the husky is not neutered. Mr. Brault said he tried to get the dog to leave. Mr. Brault said for the most part, the dogs usually play and everything is nice and he tries to catch the dog for the owner.
On this night, when he brought his dog in, it was missing a four inch patch of fur. Mr. Brault stated it wasn’t too bad, just red, no blood, and he put an antibiotic on it. The next day, the husky was back on his deck and trying to get in.
Mr. Brault said the husky has been in his yard about five times. Mr. Brault reiterated the dog has been friendly. The husky did jump on his daughter who was wearing a white shirt, getting it muddy and it has knocked over their two year old child while trying to lick him. Mr. Brault stated even though the dog has never been vicious, he doesn’t want it in his yard anymore.
Animal Control Officer DeMaio stated he was called on November 8, 2010 and again on November 10th when the husky jumped on Mr. Brault’s daughter.
Ms. Gohra stated the attack actually did occur on November 3rd, but she didn’t call Mr. DeMaio until November 8th.
Ms. LeBoeuf said her dog wasn’t out on November 3, 2010 as she had a Tupperware party at her home that evening and her dog was inside the entire time. Ms. LeBoeuf said the party guests could testify to that. Ms. LeBoeuf agreed her dog was loose on November 8th as her son accidently let it out of the house.
Mr. Brault said there is no proof it was Ms. LeBoeuf’s dog that caused the wound on his dog, but Ms. LeBoeuf’s dog has been in his yard and he wants her to keep her dog restrained.
Mr. Goodrich read a list of complaints on Ms. LeBoeuf’s dog, which was provided by the police department, and Mr. Goodrich noted the bottom line is the series of events prove Ms. LeBoeuf’s dog has become a nuisance.
Mr. Harrison noted in most cases such as this, there is a potential for danger and it is up to the owner to make sure their dog is restrained at all times, either on a leash or in a fenced in area.
Mr. Goodrich made a motion to require Ms. LeBoeuf’s dog, Trooper, to be restrained at all times. Dr. Smith seconded. Mr. Goodrich made a motion to amend the vote to include: If the dog gets loose again and the Animal Control Officer picks it up, it will remain at the dog pound until the case comes back before the Board of Selectmen. Dr. Smith seconded and it was so VOTED.
Scholarship Committee – Report as to Status and Recognition of Efforts:
Scholarship Committee members Sara Szado, Deborah Mahar, Robert Tucker and James Peters approached the Board of Selectmen. Ms. Szado thanked the Board of Selectmen and Ms. Neggers for allowing the committee to be here tonight, and Town Clerk Nancy Morrell and Town Collector Dot Jenkins for their hard work and contributions to the Scholarship Committee.
The aforementioned committee members presented awards of appreciation to Norm Wytas, Peter Rouette, the family of Bess Harrington and the family of Mike Kane.
It was noted the 2011 Golf Tournament will be held on Monday July 18, 2011 at the Wilbraham Country Club.
Monson 250th Celebration – Gala Ball Plans – Carolyn Bedard:
Carolyn Bedard, Donna Lapenas, Bill Dominick, and Pat and James McCarron approached the Board of Selectmen. Ms. Bedard said the Monson 250th Celebration Committee members were here before the Selectmen to ask for their blessing in holding a Gala Ball on April 9, 2011, at Memorial Hall from 6:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. The theme will be “Remembering Monson”. Ms. Bedard said this will be a fun-filled evening with food, dancing, reminiscing, beer, wine, soda and water; a slide show will show old pictures of Monson and the Premiere Jazz Swing Band will perform.
Ms. Bedard said she spoke with Police Chief Kozloski who said two police officers will be required due to the cash bar, and she will speak with Fire Chief Robichaud about the parking lot. The cash bar will be run by Russell Bressette who has TIPS training. Mr. Bressette also has a serving license. Ms. Bedard had copies of the TIPS training and serving license with her. An application for the one-day liquor license has been filled out.
The food licenses have been approved by the Board of Health and Ms. Bedard said she has applied for a $1 million dollar insurance policy that will not only cover the liquor liability, but also the Ball itself. The 250th Committee also offered to do/and or help with the spring cleaning of Memorial Hall.
Mr. Goodrich said he couldn’t think of a better use for Memorial Hall. Mr. Goodrich told Ms. Bedard the Board of Selectmen are in the process of revamping the rules for use of Memorial Hall and said the information would be forwarded to her when it is finalized.
Mr. Goodrich made a motion to approve the one day liquor license for April 9, 2011, contingent upon receipt of insurance. Dr. Smith seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Goodrich made a motion to approve the function, Remember Monson at the 250th Anniversary Gala Ball, at Memorial Hall on April 9, 2011, contingent upon receipt of the insurance certificate.
The tickets for the Gala Ball will be sold starting this Saturday for $25.00 each. A few of the local businesses will be selling the tickets. Jeans and shorts are not allowed at the ball.
Mountain Stream Capital, Inc. d/b/a Elwood’s Restaurant and Pub – Request for Change in Hours of Operation:
This item was tabled.
Reprecincting Mandate from State – Identification of Authorized Persons to Redraw Precincts:
Mr. Harrison explained this is an unfunded mandate from the State. Ms. Neggers said Town Clerk Nancy Morrell has done this in the past and she feels Ms. Morrell would be the best person to this again. Ms. Neggers said she has gone over this with Ms. Morrell and they feel fairly confident they can do this at little or no extra costs. Ms. Neggers said she would offer assistance to Ms. Morrell.
Mr. Goodrich made a motion to appoint Nancy Morrell and Gretchen Neggers as the reprecincting authority for the Town of Monson. Dr. Smith seconded and it was so VOTED.
In Other Business to Come Before the Board of Selectmen:
- Ms. Neggers noted there is a vacancy on the Pathfinder School Committee as Monson’s representative. The current representative did not seek re-election on the November ballot. If anyone is interested in serving, they should contact the Selectmen’s Office.
Correspondence was read and completed.
Mr. Goodrich wished everyone a happy and safe holiday.
At 8:00 p.m., Mr. Goodrich made a motion to adjourn from open session. Dr. Smith seconded and it was so VOTED.
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Dr. Richard M. Smith, Clerk
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