BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2011
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen convened at 7:00 p.m. in the Conference Room at 29 Thompson Street. In attendance were Dr. Richard M. Smith, John F. Goodrich II and Edward A. Maia. 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 October 11, 2011 – open and executive sessions. Mr. Maia seconded and it was so VOTED.
Presentation of Check for Downtown Trees and Revitalization – Proceeds from Golf Tournament Sponsored by Rich and Kathy Carr:
Residents Richard and Kathy Carr approached the Board of Selectmen. Ms. Neggers explained shortly after the tornado, Ms. Carr approached her stating she and her husband would like to hold a fundraiser to help the town, specifically for the trees in the downtown area that were lost.
Mr. Carr said he and his wife held a Monson Tornado Relief Charity Golf Outing on October 8th at the Elm Crest Country Club in East Longmeadow, Mass. Mr. Carr noted they had unbelievable responses from the townspeople participating, sponsors, fantastic raffles, and the money just kept pouring in for them. Mr. Carr added for the tough economic times, he and his wife were just blown away by the response.
Mr. Carr said Elm Crest Country Club was unbelievable, and thanked them for their hospitality and everything they did. Mr. Carr also thanked the company he is employed by A. W. Hastings, and especially his current boss Dusty Hoyt who was outstanding by allowing Mr. and Mrs. Carr to use his charitable organization. Mr. Hoyt also assisted them with getting sponsorships. Mr. Carr thanked Dot Jenkins who helped immensely by being a big advocate and fundraiser, as well as Dawn Conklin who was the backbone of the event.
Mr. and Mrs. Carr presented the Board of Selectmen with a check in the amount of $17,735.07 for the funds raised during the Charity Golf Outing.
The Board of Selectmen thanked Mr. and Mrs. Carr for all of their hard work and for all of the money they raised.
Liquor License Hearing on the Application of AllenNau, LLC, d/b/a Granite Pub, Shaun K. Allen, Manager for an All Alcoholic Beverage License for 216 Main Street, Monson, MA:
Shaun Allen and his Attorney John Bandy approached the Board of Selectmen. Ms. Neggers said the hearing was advertised in the newspaper as required and noted the application appeared to be complete.
It was noted Mr. Allen’s application is for the former Elwood’s establishment located at 216 Main Street. The owner of Elwood’s Restaurant & Pub surrendered his liquor license several weeks ago when he closed his business. This is an application for a new liquor license. The hours will be the same.
Mr. Allen spoke of his background noting for the past two years he was employed at Elwood’s Restaurant & Pub; prior to that he worked for several establishments in the Springfield area.
Mr. Allen said he wants to establish more of a restaurant/bar serving high quality country food in a sit down eat-in restaurant atmosphere rather than a bar/restaurant.
Ms. Neggers said any concerns would be for the abutter’s and the noise if he has live entertainment. Mr. Allen said he is familiar with that issue and said he would like to go two or three houses deep meeting the neighbors and letting them know if they have any problems to see him first to try to resolve the issue.
Mr. Allen said he will be receiving his TIPS certification at the end of this week or the beginning of next week in the mail. Attorney Bandy noted Mr. Allen plans on having all his employees TIPS certified.
Mr. Allen said he hopes to be in operation by early December.
Mr. Goodrich made a motion to approve the liquor license application as submitted. Mr. Maia seconded and it was so VOTED.
The application will now be forwarded to the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission in Boston.
Monson Memorial Classic Road Race – Lee Williams – Various Requests:
Lee Williams and Jack Perry approached the Board of Selectmen regarding the 16th Annual Monson Memorial Classic Road Race. The Race is scheduled for Sunday, November 13th and it was noted the repairs at Memorial Hall should be completed by then. Ms. Williams said she does have access to back up generators if they are needed for the food.
Ms. Williams said they would also like to use the gazebo for the Palmer/Monson High School Band and for the registration. The starting times will be the same as in the past.
Ms. Williams said she has been in contact with the Police Chief. Ms. Neggers told Ms. Williams she should speak with the custodian Paul DeMaio prior to the event.
Ms. Williams explained the two mile walk, half marathon and 5k race will be the same as in the past, only this year all of the proceeds from the two mile walk will be donated to the Monson Downtown Tree Replanting Association. The proceeds collected from the marathons will stay the same as in the past, going toward Griffins Friends who support children stricken with cancer at Bay State Medical Center and to the Melanoma Educational Foundation. They are anticipating four to five hundred runners this year.
Mr. Goodrich made a motion to authorize the request as presented for the use of Memorial Hall, the streets and for the use of the gazebo on Sunday, November 13, 2011, for the 16th Annual Monson Memorial Classic Road Race. Mr. Maia seconded and it was so VOTED.
Set November 14, 2011 Special Town Meeting Warrant:
Ms. Neggers read the list of warrant articles into the record.
Mr. Goodrich made a motion to place the articles on the warrant for the Special Town Meeting as presented. Mr. Maia seconded and it was so VOTED.
Mr. Goodrich made a motion to close the warrant for the Special Town Meeting. Mr. Maia seconded and it was so VOTED.
Approve Allied Waste Contract Extension as per Board of Health Recommendation:
Ms. Neggers explained the Board of Health is in charge of administrating the solid waste contract and noted the Board of Health had met several times with representatives from Allied Waste, and at this time the Board of Health is recommending the Board of Selectmen approve a contract that is essentially an extension of the existing contract with a few modifications.
One of the modifications will include the town receiving funds on a monthly basis for a recycling of paper rebate beginning on November 21, 2011. Ms. Neggers said the town should be able to receive approximately $7,000.00 to $10,000.00 a year back from this incentive. The other modification being included this time that wasn’t included last time is a fuel adjustment clause.
Mr. Goodrich made a motion to extend the contract as submitted. Mr. Maia seconded and it was so VOTED.
The Board of Selectmen thanked the Board of Health and everyone involved in negotiating this contract and a job well done.
Tornado Recovery Status
a. Final Report – Hope Bodwell, Disaster Recovery Assistant – Completed Work
b. Upcoming Events – Visioning Process – Next Meeting Date – 10/26/2011
c. Town Office Building – Continued Discussion of Status
d. Any Other Updates
a. Hope Bodwell approached the Board of Selectmen. Ms. Neggers explained the Disaster Recovery Assistant position was provided and paid for by the town’s insurance company. Ms. Neggers said this is Ms. Bodwell’s last week of work and thanked her for all she has done, as the town couldn’t have accomplished all that it did without her assistance.
Ms. Bodwell said she has assisted the town with recovery efforts since the June 1st tornado and went over the list of projects she has had the opportunity to work on, and the groups she has had the opportunity to work with.
Ms. Bodwell stated the Long Term Recovery Group is still working with the United Methodist Church to assist residents with any unmet needs. Anyone with unmet needs should call the Long Term Recovery Group at 267-4146.
b. Ms. Neggers said tomorrow night there will be a follow-up Visioning meeting.
The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the cafeteria at the High School. At this meeting they will discuss what the downtown area might look like and which way the town should go in moving forward. Ms. Neggers said residents are encouraged to participate.
c. Ms. Neggers said the Town has issued 55 demolition permits as a result of the
tornado, 18 temporary housing permits, 343 building permits since the beginning of June with the majority being driven by tornado damage. The construction costs of these permits total $3,052,051.00. Sixty-eight thousand dollars has been collecting in permit fees while the demolition fees, temporary housing fees, and reconnection fees have been waived.
- Mr. Maia said he received an email from Senator Brewer’s office stating Senator
Brewer has been working with the Attorney General’s Office and Representative Ashe to draft legislation amending the posting requirements for Town meetings during emergencies.
- Mr. Goodrich explained the Board of Selectmen met with the insurance
company last week and discussions are continuing about the dollar amounts and the direction in moving forward.
Dr. Smith said the roof is being sealed on a temporary basis, to keep the water out of the building, by the insurance company for the winter.
Mr. Goodrich noted the heat will be shut off in the 110 Main Street building for the winter and all the pipes are being drained.
Dr. Smith said this will allow the Board of Selectmen time to gather up-dated estimates from the insurance company and a contractor of the Selectmen’s choosing for estimates on demolition and rebuilding.
Mr. Maia explained the Selectmen don’t want to spend $8 or $9 million from the insurance company on the old building if they could get a new more energy efficient building for the same amount of money.
Mr. Goodrich explained it’s the Board of Selectmen’s responsibility to get all the numbers as accurate as possible in order to put a comprehensive proposal together for a Town meeting for the voters to make a decision on what needs to happen to the building.
Adopt Community Development Strategy:
Ms. Neggers explained Pioneer Valley Planning Commission Planner Erica Johnson spoke at the last Selectmen’s meeting explaining the Community Development Block Grant Application. Ms. Neggers said this was advertised and posted soliciting input.
Mr. Goodrich made a motion to adopt the Community Development Strategy as proposed by the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission. Mr. Maia seconded and it was so VOTED.
Correspondence was read and completed.
At 8:10 p.m., Mr. Goodrich made a motion to adjourn from open session to go into executive session to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining and litigation – M.G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 21 (3), not to return to open session. Mr. Maia seconded and it was so VOTED.
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Edward A. Maia, Clerk
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