BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 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 November 23, 2010 – open session. Dr. Smith seconded and it was so VOTED.
Brian Markey, PVPC Land Use and Environmental Planner – Green Communities Planning Assistance Discussion:
Brian Markey approached the Board of Selectmen. Ms. Neggers explained several months ago, the town applied for and received technical planning assistance from the State. Mr. Markey said Monson will now receive 100 hours of free technical assistance, from himself and his colleagues, to achieve the five criteria of the Green Communities Act.
Mr. Markey provided background on the Act, stating it is a state program that is 100% voluntary. If communities choose to meet the criteria, they will be eligible to receive grant funding from the State.
The five criteria are:
1) Conducting an as of right sighting for renewable energy generation, which the town has already completed.
2) Receiving a statement from our Town Counsel stating there is nothing in our town permitting bylaws that would prevent permitting of such a facility in less than 180 days.
3) To complete an energy baseline of all municipal energy use, and committing to reduce that energy use by 20% over the next five years.
4) Committing to adopt a fuel efficient vehicle policy (with the exception of police cars, school buses, emergency vehicles and DPW vehicles) where all other town vehicles would have to be energy efficient when purchasing a replacement vehicle, in all classes of two and four wheel drive vehicles, with something a little more fuel efficient.
5) Adopting the Stretch Building Code. The Stretch Building Code is a building code above and beyond the current the 2009 building code and is a little more energy efficient, saving on energy use and costs.
Mr. Harrison asked if other communities have accepted the Green Communities Act and have received grants. Mr. Markey said yes, and listed several communities with demographics similar to Monson’s who have accepted this. Mr. Markey noted the major benefit is by saving a large amount on the energy costs, the town will see the operating budgets go down. The financial incentive is if Monson meets all five criteria, the PVPC will help us apply to the state for grant funding. Last year, the average grants from the state varied anywhere from $200,000 to $988,000. The funding has to be used on energy related projects; with a lot of the communities choosing to pay down the one time costs of improving efficiency.
Mr. Goodrich made a motion to approve having the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission move forward with trying to put together a program to adopt the Green Community Act. Dr. Smith seconded and it was so VOTED.
Council on Aging – Request for “Gifts to the Town” Appropriation for Matching Funds for Mobility Assistance Program Grant:
Lori Stacy, Director of the Council on Aging, approached the Board of Selectmen. Ms. Stacy stated the Mobility Assistance Program Matching Grant is run through the DOT. The grant is a matching 80%-20% grant.
Ms. Stacy noted this hasn’t been applied for in ten plus years. This year the grant was applied for and it came through in November.
Ms. Stacy noted the current vans were received through this grant ten and eleven years ago, and the Council on Aging is requesting the replacement of both vans as both vans have over 100,000 miles on them. The replacement vans will be two handicap-accessible vans, one an eight passenger van and one a fourteen passenger van. Currently they have two eight passenger vans. Ms. Stacy added having a fourteen passenger van will help with having to deny people on certain trips because there isn’t enough room for them.
Both vans recently required front end repairs, one in the amount of $600 and the other in the amount of $800, in order to pass the inspection for stickers. Ms. Stacy added rust is also becoming a concern with future inspection stickers. Ms. Stacy noted they are hoping to receive the new vans in July.
The total cost for the two vans is $124,000.00. Ms. Stacy said the Council on Aging is requesting $24,851.64 from the Gifts to the Town Account. This will cover the costs of the two vans along with the contingency fee. Ms. Neggers noted the current Gifts to the Town Account balance is approximately $33,000.00.
After a brief discussion of the best way to fund the matching grant, Mr. Goodrich made a motion to allocate a maximum of $24,851.64 from the Gifts to the Town Account, to the Council on Aging specifically for the matching portion of the grant, for the two handicap-accessible vans. Dr. Smith seconded and it was so VOTED.
Quaboag Riders President Ron Guertin – Request for Special Event Permission:
Ron Guertin and Kevin Perry approached the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Guertin explained they would like to hold a special four wheel drive truck hill climb event on Saturday, August 6, 2011 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Mr. Guertin noted the event should be over by 8:00 p.m., barring any technical difficulties. The rain date will be Sunday, August 7, 2011, with the event ending by 5 p.m.
Mr. Guertin said he has contacted the Police Chief, and noted he plans on hiring additional police officers for traffic and spectator control.
Mr. Guertin explained the club has held the four wheel drive hill climb event for the past twenty years, but never on a Saturday evening. The crowd size is expected to be the same as in the past for 4 X 4 events with about 1,100 to 1,200 spectators. Mr. Guertin noted the motorcycle events draw a smaller crowd.
Mr. Guertin noted it will take the club about six months to do all of the planning, get sponsorship and installation of lighting for the event.
Dr. Smith questioned the noise ordnances. Ms. Neggers noted the noise curfew kicks in at 10 p.m. in accordance with the zoning bylaw.
Mr. Goodrich asked Mr. Guertin if he had contacted the Fire Chief regarding ambulance coverage. Mr. Guertin replied they always have an ambulance at their events and they hire out for that, however Monson does take care of any major incidents and everything is in place.
Mr. Goodrich made a motion to approve the request for the special event by the Quaboag Riders Club scheduled for August 6, 2011 until 9 p.m. with a rain date of August 7, 2011 until 5 p.m. Dr. Smith seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Perry said they have conducted food drives for the Open Pantry, bikes for books for the Library and have done other different charitable activities for the town.
Mr. Harrison and Mr. Goodrich agreed the Quaboag Riders Club have been good citizens.
Regional Emergency Communications Center Feasibility Report – Board of Selectmen Response:
This item was postponed until the January 11, 2011 meeting.
Renew Licenses – Liquor, Entertainment, Automatic Amusement Devices and Motor Vehicle Sales – Effective January 1, 2011:
Ms. Neggers noted all of the establishments renewing licenses are current with taxes in accordance with the town’s bylaw.
Mr. Goodrich made a motion to approve the Common Victualer – All Alcoholic Liquor licenses for Ramadon Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a CJ’s Restaurant; Orange Lantern d/b/a Magic Lantern; American Legion Post 241 d/b/a Tee Jay’s, Inc.; Golf Two Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a Quaboag-Valhalla Restaurant; Mountain Stream Capital, Inc. d/b/a Elwood’s Restaurant & Pub; Quaboag Riders, Inc.; and Beth & Deb’s Family Dining, Inc. d/b/a Beth’s Family Dining. Dr. Smith seconded and it was so VOTED.
Dr. Smith made a motion to approve the Retail Package Store licenses for JHHM, LLC d/b/a DeMaio Discount Package Store, Inc.; Monson Markets, Inc. d/b/a Adams Discount Liquors; and Peter LePoer d/b/a Main Street Liquors. Mr. Goodrich seconded and it was so VOTED.
Dr. Smith made a motion to approve the Club License for the Polish American Citizens Club. Mr. Goodrich seconded and it was so VOTED.
Dr. Smith made a motion to approve the Common Victualer wines/malts for Maria’s Pizzeria and Seafood, Inc. Mr. Goodrich seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Goodrich made a motion to approve the Entertainment licenses for the American Legion Post 241 d/b/a Tee Jay’s, Inc.; Golf Two Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a Quaboag-Valhalla Restaurant; Polish American Citizens Club; Orange Lantern d/b/a Magic Lantern; Mountain Stream Capital, Inc. d/b/a Elwood’s Restaurant & Pub; Donald Bean d/b/a Partridge Hollow Camping Area; and Sunsetview Camping Area. Dr. Smith seconded and it was so VOTED.
Dr. Smith made a motion to approve the Automatic Amusement licenses for the American Legion Post 241 d/b/a Tee Jay’s, Inc.; Polish American Citizens Club; Mountain Stream Capital, Inc. d/b/a Elwood’s Restaurant & Pub; Donald Bean d/b/a Partridge Hollow Camping Area; and Sunsetview Camping Area. Mr. Goodrich seconded and it was so VOTED.
Dr. Smith made a motion to approve the Motor Vehicle Class I licenses for Ray’s Mobile Home Park and Trailers of New England, Inc. Mr. Goodrich seconded and it was so VOTED.
Dr. Smith made a motion to approve the Motor Vehicle Class II licenses for John Bee Auto Body; P & F Auto Parts; Liz Motor Sales; Raymond LaBonte d/b/a LaBonte’s; Trailers of New England, Inc.; Northeast Commercial Development Corp. d/b/a Lou Rivers Used Cars; and Paul R. Racine d/b/a Paul’s Auto Sales. Mr. Goodrich seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Goodrich made a motion to approve the Motor Vehicle Class III licenses for Scantic Auto Service; P & F Auto Parts; and LaBonte’s. Dr. Smith seconded and it was so VOTED.
Correspondence was read and completed.
At 7:50 p.m., Mr. Goodrich made a motion to adjourn. Dr. Smith seconded and it was so VOTED.
____________________________________
Dr. Richard M. Smith, Clerk
| 
