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Date: 7/1/2022
MONSON – The Monson Select Board hosted their first meeting of the new term on June 28. As John Morrell replaced Dr. Richard Smith, the board began with a reorganization of positions.
Morrell nominated Patricia Oney as chairman, himself as vice-chairman and Mary Hull as clerk.
Hull said, “When I was elected, part of being elected is that [in] the third year, I would act as chairman. The people who elected me expect that I would do that, and I believe I should be – as tradition has held – that the person in their final year acts as chairman.”
Morrell said he thought Hull would want to remain clerk, as she did in the previous year. He continued, “I don’t think it’s in the best interest of the town that you are the chair because you have trouble with [Town Administrator] Jennifer [Wolowicz]. You two don’t communicate and that’s not a good thing to run the town on.”
Hull replied, “I will work with anyone and be as professional as anyone, and I have shown that.”
Morrell made an amendment to the motion, to make Oney the chairman, Hull the vice-chairman and himself the clerk.
After some deliberation on the topic, the motion was approved with Oney and Morrell voting in favor, Hull voting opposed.
As Hull excused herself from the meeting she said, “This is truly, truly shameful.”
RAD Training
Police Chief Steve Kozloski said years ago, the Monson Police Department was able to present a program called Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) Training.
He shared that the Police Department is “excited” to bring that back and are looking to offer two classes to expand upon. This includes RAD Kids and RAD Women. “They both offer a measurable value to the people who take them and the community as a whole,” said Kozloski.
He continued, “The mission of the Monson RAD Program is to educate and empower the citizens of Monson as we collaboratively work towards creating a zero-victimization community.”
Kozloski said they have had new instructors recently trained in RAD. Sgt. Dustin Hall is one of those individuals. Hall said the RAD Kids class requires a minimum of five participants and maximum of 25. The RAD Women’s class requires a minimum of five and maximum of 12.
Audra Staples, human resource generalist, said this is something about which she is “very passionate.”
She noted that she was able to connect with the Chicopee Police Department, as they have a long running RAD Program. Staples was invited to instruct with them and take a few courses.
“It is amazing to watch the transformation from class one to class four, and to watch the empowerment in these women,” said Staples.
Staples noted that it is a large investment to get this program up and running in Monson. In order to start it, she suggested charging $20 per session for the first year and then potentially including it as a budget line item and not charging in the future.
Kozloski said the request is a gift to the town appropriation for the start-up costs, in an amount that the board feels is appropriate. He estimated that the total cost for the startup is about $15,000.
Wolowicz said the gifts account currently has $38,000, however, the board voted previously this year that the maximum given to any cause is $4,000.
Oney asked if the American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) funds could be used to pay the remaining costs.
Jamie Farnum, finance director, said they have a little over $1 million left in ARPA funds.
Morrell made a motion to use $4,000 from the gifts account and fund the remaining cost with ARPA money. The motion was seconded and approved.
REDO Grant Projects
Dan Laroche, director of community development, said they have received the two separate Regional Economic Development Organization (REDO) Grants in the total of $75,000.
The town only has until the end of the year to complete all projects.
As this is an “accelerated” schedule, Laroche said they need to adjust some of the projects in order to meet the time frame.
Wolowicz noted that the projects had to be determined by the end of June.
Laroche said as part of the beautification process, they are looking to install some planters throughout the downtown area.
He went on to say, “One of the focuses we wanted to do was signage and wayfinding.” This includes directions to the Keep Homestead Museum, disc golf course and so on. Laroche believes this will be a starting and ongoing process for signage in town.
Additional improvements include adding furniture such as park benches and public art.
Lastly, the grant requires that the town develops a plan in the downtown area to attract its residents and visitors. Laroche said they are looking to host some events, including a car show connected to the veterans. This is set to take place at Granite Valley School on Aug. 6 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
He added that they are looking to do some sponsorship with the Monson Public Library on their concert series this summer.
“We are partnering with the Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce,” said Laroche. “We’re trying to figure out some funding to have a coordinator to really bolster the Monson Business and Civic Association and really establish them as an organization in town.”
Morrell made a motion to accept the grant, to which the board approved.
Appointments
Bob Skalbite, Michael Moore and Ashley Krupczak were appointed to the Agriculture Commission. Their terms will go through June 30, 2025.
Ron Fussell was appointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals. His term will go through June 30, 2027.
Michael Morgan was appointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals as an associate member. His term will expire June 30, 2025. Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman David Beaudoin said they have two additional openings for associate members on the board.
Oney’s appointment as General Bylaw Committee member was rescinded, and she was reappointed as ex officio. Her term will go through June 30, 2025.