BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2014
The regular meeting for the Board of Selectmen convened at 7:00 p.m. in the conference room at 29 Thompson Street, Hillside Building. In attendance were Edward S. Harrison, Dr. Richard M. Smith and John R. Morrell. Also present were Town Administrator Evan Brassard and the media.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Acceptance of Meeting Minutes:
Dr. Smith made a motion to accept the meeting minutes for November 18, 2014 – open and executive sessions. Mr. Morrell seconded and it was unanimously VOTED.
Tax Classification Hearing:
Principal Assessor Alyce Johns approached the Board of Selectmen. Ms. Johns explained her presentation, as attached.
Dr. Smith made a motion to adopt a Single Tax Rate. Mr. Morrell seconded and it was unanimously VOTED.
Dr. Smith made a motion to vote not to adopt the Open Space discount. Mr. Morrell seconded and it was unanimously VOTED.
Dr. Smith made a motion to vote not to adopt the Residential Exemption. Mr. Morrell seconded and it was unanimously VOTED.
Dr. Smith made a motion to vote not to adopt the Small Commercial Exemption. Mr. Morrell seconded and it was unanimously VOTED.
Monson Farmers Market:
This was tabled to a later date.
Holiday Tree:
Mr. Morrell said the Holiday Tree at the monument on the common has been removed, a new tree has been planted in its place, and the Holiday Lighting Committee put the lights on it, so it will be all set to be lit this weekend.
Mr. Morrell noted one side of the tree that was removed was dead and the other side was dying. It was also very difficult to put the lights on it; due to its size it required a bucket truck. Mr. Morrell also said the tree was causing mold to grow on the monument by it shading the sun.
The Board of Selectmen thanked Northern Tree for their very generous donation.
In Other Business to Come Before the Board:
- Mr. Brassard said when Monson agreed to share the Animal Control Officer with the Town of Palmer, it left the vehicle previously used by the ACO just sitting there. Mr. Brassard said he is requesting this vehicle be classified as surplus, and noted any parts we could use or would want have been cleaned out of it. The Town of Wales has asked if they could have the vehicle to salvage parts from it for use on their vehicle.
Dr. Smith made a motion to declare the ACO vehicle as surplus and to donate it to the Town of Wales. Mr. Morrell seconded and it was unanimously VOTED.
- Mr. Brassard noted the meeting dates for next month are December 9th and December 23rd and questioned if the Board wanted to stick with that schedule.
The Board agreed to see how things progress on the 9th to see if the meeting on the 23rd is needed.
- Mr. Harrison praised all the town employees who worked hard, and worked a lot of overtime and on weekends during the Town Office/Police Facility move saving the town a lot of money. Mr. Harrison proposed taking $5,250 from the Gifts to the Town Account to present to the employees as a bonus.
Dr. Smith made a motion to allocate the sum of $5,250 from the Gifts to the Town Account to present as bonuses. Mr. Morrell seconded and it was unanimously VOTED.
Mr. Brassard explained the tentative date for the Open House was December 14th and noted this will be pushed back to after the New Year, as the building isn’t quite ready yet with too many things popping up.
Correspondence was read and completed.
At 7:35 p.m., Dr. Smith made a motion to adjourn from open session to go into executive session to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation – pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A § 21 (3), not to return to open session. Mr. Morrell seconded and it was unanimously VOTED.
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John R. Morrell, Clerk
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