BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, JUNE 12, 2012
The regular meeting for the Board of Selectmen convened at 6:00 p.m. in the Conference Room at 29 Thompson Street. In attendance were Dr. Richard M. Smith, Edward A. Maia and Edward S. Harrison. Also present was Town Administrator Gretchen E. Neggers. Mr. Maia made a motion to go into executive session at 6:00 p.m. to discuss non-union contractual strategy – MGL c.30A, Sec. 21 (2). Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED. At 7:00 p.m. Mr. Maia made a motion to adjourn from executive session to return to open session. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was unanimously VOTED. The media was now present.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Acceptance of Meeting Minutes:
Mr. Maia made a motion to accept the meeting minutes for May 22, 2012 – open session. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Peter LePoer/Main Street Liquors – Hearing on Status of License:
Ms. Neggers noted a certified letter was sent to Mr. LePoer. The letter was delivered and signed for by Nelson on May 31, 2012.
Mr. LePoer was not yet in attendance at this meeting. It was agreed to wait on this allowing Mr. LePoer time to attend.
At 8:15 p.m., it was felt Mr. LePoer was not going to attend the meeting. It was reiterated on February 14, 2012, Mr. LePoer stated he would have all the work he was doing at the package store completed by April 1, 2012. It was noted no one has observed any work being done at that location, prior to and during the past several months that the establishment has been closed.
Mr. Maia made a motion to move forward with revoking the liquor license for Main Street Liquors, located at 21 Main Street. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Ms. Neggers said she would consult with Town Counsel regarding this.
It was noted Mr. LePoer can appeal this decision with the A.B.C.C. in Boston.
Monson Summerfest, Inc. – Various Requests for 2012 Celebration:
Steve Slozak approached the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Slozak explained everything will be the same as in the past, with the exception of the music which will be moving from in front of the Town Office Building to the Senior Center.
The fireworks display will be held on Saturday, June 23rd with a rain date of Sunday, June 24th.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to approve the Summerfest as described and to allocate $2,500.00 to the Summerfest Committee from the Gifts to the Town Account. Mr. Maia seconded and it was so VOTED.
Building Permit Fee Schedule – Review of Recommended Changes:
Building Inspector Paul Tacy approached the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Tacy explained the current building permit fee schedule was adopted five years ago. Mr. Tacy said he reviewed the current fees being charged by the Towns of Brimfield, Sturbridge, Palmer and Wilbraham and amended Monson’s building permit fee schedule accordingly, which he feels will now be “middle-of-the-road”, as attached.
Mr. Harrison asked about the New Commercial Space fee currently priced at .45 per sq. ft. going up to 90¢ per sq. ft.; doubling what it is now. Mr. Tacy responded that was an error and it would probably be 75¢ to 80¢ per sq. ft.
Also questioned was the fee for Commercial New Construction, currently at $90 per sq. ft. going up to $150.00 per sq. ft. Mr. Tacy responded this is another error and it should be going up to $125.00 per sq. ft.
Dr. Smith noted the town is trying to attract more businesses, and wondered why the costs for commercial businesses were increasing so much. Mr. Tacy explained it costs more to build a commercial building as it requires more time to service the permit due to telephone conservations and meetings with contractors and architectures, etc.
Mr. Maia made a motion to approve the revised building fee schedule, with the noted changes of $125 per sq. ft. for the Commercial New Construction and 75¢ to 80¢ per sq. ft. for the New Commercial Space fees as discussed, effective July 1, 2012. Mr. Harrison seconded and it was so VOTED.
Appoint Full-Time Emergency Dispatcher:
Mr. Harrison made a motion to appoint Ryan Kiernan as full-time emergency dispatcher effective immediately through June 30, 2012. Mr. Maia seconded and it was so VOTED.
Disaster Recovery Status
a. Appointments to Town Office/Police Building Committee
b. Town Office Building Project – Debt Exclusion Vote Reminder – Dates and Times
c. Disaster Recovery Manager Selection Process
d. Additional State Funds – Announcement
- Ms. Neggers reiterated the debt exclusion override question will be on the ballot at the polls on June 26th. The polls will be located at Quarry Hill Community School and will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. School will not be in session, as at this time they will be closed for summer vacation. Information on the Town Office Building pertaining to the override question can be found on the town’s web site at www.monson-ma.gov under the link on the left hand side.
- Ms. Neggers reiterated the town has been awarded a grant to hire a Disaster Recovery Manager, and noted ten applicants have applied for the position. It was agreed to invite the top three finalists to the next meeting for interviews by the Board of Selectmen.
- Ms. Neggers said on June 1st, while Governor Patrick was in town for the Tornado Anniversary Ceremony, he announced Monson will be receiving $500,000 to fund projects that would benefit everyone in town. Ms. Neggers said:
$180,000 will be used on the Keep Homestead Museum and Flynt Park
forest cutting and management plan and clean-up of the tornado damaged
areas, 100 acres.
$85,000 will be used on ball field repairs and improvements at Dr. Rogers
Field.
$75,000 will be used to replace the tennis courts on State Street.
$75,000 will be used at Veterans Field on Greenway design/senior fitness
walk.
$55,000 will be used on public shade tree planting.
$30,000 will be used for Cushman Field improvements.
- Ms. Neggers stated at the last meeting, the Board agreed to solicit volunteers to serve on a Town Office Building/Police Facility Committee, whether it’s going to be a new building or a repair of the existing building. Ms. Neggers said the following people have expressed an interest in serving on the Committee: Peter Matrow, Kurt Kaiser, Tim Pascale, Jeannie Guertin, Dorothy Jenkins, David Beaudoin, Charles Kuss, Jo Sauriol, and Reed Coles. Stephen Lobik is interested in serving on the committee only if a new building is being built.
Mr. Maia said he was concerned about the conflict of interest in having town employees serve on the committee, and felt it would be better if they provided input to the committee and letting the committee bring the information forward.
After a discussion it was agreed to exclude the three town employees from the appointments, as well as Stephen Lobik as at this point it’s unknown if it will be a repair or a new building.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to appoint Peter Matrow, Kurt Kaiser, David Beaudoin, Charles Kuss, Jo Sauriol, and Reed Coles to the Town Office Building/Police Facility Committee effective immediately through June 30, 2013.
Exercise Right-of-First-Refusal – Quinlan Property – Reimers Road:
Mr. Harrison made a motion the town waive its right-of-first-refusal under the provisions of Chapter 61, §8 with regard to the Quinlan Land on Reimers Road. Mr. Maia seconded and it was so VOTED.
Approve Short-Term Borrowing – October Storm Costs:
Mr. Harrison read and made a motion to approve the attached document for the short-term borrowing for the costs associated with the October snow storm. Mr. Maia seconded and it was so VOTED.
Review Reynolds Avenue Street Light Request:
It was noted at the last meeting the Board had a petition signed by the residents of Reynolds Avenue seeking to have a streetlight turned back on. At that time it was agreed to have the Fire Chief, Police Chief and Highway Surveyor review this request to see if this streetlight was a safety concern.
Fire Chief George Robichaud was in the audience and noted he did send an email back to Ms. Neggers indicating he felt having the streetlight turned back on would enhance public safety.
It was noted Mr. Morrell also felt it would be a benefit to have the streetlight turned on as well.
Ms. Neggers noted having the streetlight turned on is also a budget issue as the town pays for the streetlights. Ms. Neggers explained in 1991-1992 hundreds of streetlights were shut off in town to save money. Approximately ten years after that people began petitioning to have the lights turned back on; with many residents paying for the streetlight themselves on their electric bills. It was at this time the criteria were established for the restoration of the streetlights.
Dr. Smith said he would like written responses from each of the three departments using the criteria established.
A resident in the audience from Reynolds Avenue stated this streetlight was turned on about ten years ago and a week later it went out and never came back on.
Ms. Neggers said she spoke with the electric company and they indicated the streetlight was paid for by the town and was shut off back in 1991/1992. Ms. Neggers said she is trying to get a list from National Grid of the streetlights in town that the town is currently paying for.
A woman in the audience who is also a Reynolds Avenue resident said someone tried to poison her dog, and kids skateboard on the street, and she felt it is a safety concern. The woman also said residents are no longer allowed to have the streetlights turned on.
Ms. Neggers said the resident is right, and that residents can only have the streetlights turned on if it shines at their residence.
The Board agreed to table this until the next meeting allowing time for the three aforementioned departments to put their responses in writing.
Approve Third Amendment to Contract with Palmer for Wastewater Treatment:
This item was tabled.
In Other Business to Come Before the Board of Selectmen:
- The Monson Rotary Club is requesting permission to schedule its annual Rotary Summer Concert Series for 2012 at Dave Grieve Park and gazebo on Tuesdays, June 19, July 17 and August 21, 2012. On August 21st there will be a special concert and the Rotary Club will dedicate an engraved stone from the Monson granite quarry as a permanent recognition, to the 2012 Volunteers of the Year. Festivities will begin at 6:00 p.m. The granite stone was discovered after the June1st tornado and is being donated by Ken and Jeanne Bailey.
Mr. Harrison made a motion to approve the request as presented. Mr. Maia seconded and it was so VOTED.
- Mr. Harrison made a motion to award the bid for the Memorial Hall Windows and Doors restoration project in the amount of $145,000.00 to Kronenberger & Sons. Mr. Maia seconded and it was so VOTED.
- Mr. Anable approached the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Anable said he is on the Replanting Monson Tree Committee and felt now is the time to restore the old Elm trees back at the top of Main Street, between the Library and State Street that were wiped out by the Dutch elm disease years ago.
Dr. Smith explained to Mr. Anable the Board of Selectmen appointed the Replanting Monson Tree Committee and therefore he didn’t feel comfortable overriding their decision. Dr. Smith suggested Mr. Anable have someone from either the Historical Society and/or Historical Commission attend a Monson Tree Replanting Committee meeting to provide their input before a formal vote was taken by that Committee.
Correspondence was read and completed.
At 8:27 p.m., Mr. Harrison made a motion to adjourn from open session to return to executive session to discuss non-union contractual strategy – MGL c.30A, Sec.21 (2), not to return to open session. Mr. Maia seconded and it was so VOTED.
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Edward S. Harrison, Clerk
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