August 25, 1992 Present: James Haggerty
Judith Murdoch
Robert Crowley
Recognized Angela Erben, Director, Council for Elder Affairs, and Bob Biggins, Chairman, Council on Aging. Mrs. Erben made a presentation re the BAT Transportation system and provided the Board with background information on the program in the Towns that it is operating in presently and on the costs. She stated it would be used in transporting seniors and for medical appointments only. Most recently the program has been put in effect in Whitman and seems to be a success. If the Board votes to accept the BAT program, then the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen or his designee would become an advisory member to the BAT Board. Generally the designee has been a member of the Council on Aging. She stated the service is designed to bring State nd Federal Aid to communities through its funding and
would cost the Town of Hanson a $1,000 to $1,200 a year. She stated that if the Board accepts the program and vote in the affirmative, it would allow the Town to take the next step which is placing an article for the October Town Meeting. Mr. Biggins stated that along with the variety of programs the Town has been offering that this service would be a tremendous benefit to seniors. Both Mr. Biggins and Mrs. Erben stated that the Board of Selectmen at any time can back out of the program if they do not feel it is beneficial to the Town's people. They felt this issue alone made it worthwhile. Motion by Murdoch to approve the BAT system under the auspices of the Council for Elder Affairs for the Seniors in Town, 2nd Crowley, 3-0 vote.
Board noted that Tom Flottemesch did not appear so no action on request to solicit educational materials in Town. However the Chairman did ask that the Exec. Sec. work with the Board to prepare a bylaw.
Chairman thanked the Hanson Beautification Society for the painting of the front doors and work they continue to do around the Town Hall. He also thanked the Call Firefighters and the Recreation Commission for the Fourth of July celebration which started at Camp Kiwanee and finished with the bonfire on Town Hall grounds.
Board established meeting dates for September as follows. First to conduct a liquor hearing and no other business entertained. Board will meet on fifteenth and 29th to conduct regular business. The Board will meet on September 8th specifically to deal with the Charles George Trucking Lawsuit. Fin. Com., Town Accountant, and Treasurer/Collector have been asked to attend along with Town Counsel.
Chairman read letter from Abington Exec. Sec. re Regionalization of Fire Services. The Town of Abington is seeking two representatives from the Board to continue discussions. The Board designated Selectman Crowley and the Chairman, Mr. Haggerty.
The Chairman also read a letter from the Treasurer/Collector and made mention of the fact that due to the detail work on Rte. 58 there has been an unexpected increase in the processing of personnel records and payroll through the Treasurer/Collector's Office. He asked the Exec. Sec. to look into the possibility of offsetting this work load with emergency help of some form since we do receive 10% of the detail amount for admin. costs.
Chairman congratulated Town Accountant on completion of the balance sheet noting that this year it was two days earlier than last year. Baed on our forecasting being sent to the State, the Town could be receiving approximately 206,000 in free cash. Both the Chairman and Fin. Com. Chair noted that it is imperative that the Town spend this money wisely and deal with issues of importance. Both also noted that unlike several years ago, last October there was a concerted effort to hold off spending and bring as much money forward as free cash to the Annual Town Meeting. Both Fin. Com. and Board of Selectmen seemed to be in agreement that the same effort should be made this year.
Board met with Fin. Com. Chair Paul Vaitkus. Mr. Vaitkus agreed that both Boards should try and adopt a budget philosophy which would carry through the May Town Meeting. He stated his Board was meeting next week and agreed to meet with the Board of Selectmen on the 15th of September to discuss mutual concerns and to develop a philosophy by looking at those issues which the Town needs to deal with now concerning expenditures. Mr. Vaitkus indicated that the Fin. Com. may request additional funds in the reserve line in order to deal with those department budget issues which may have to be addressed in the early spring. However, both the Board and Fin. Com. urge Department Heads to work within the budgeted amounts which were voted at the May Town Meeting. Both Boards feel that this is the first
responsibility of the Dept. Heads and as we monitor budgets through the budget tracking system or we deal with exceptional circumstances, only then will each Board consider supporting additional funds in the various budgets.
Exec. Secretary asked Board to take action on Vocational Transportation bids. Board asked for his recommendation. He stated that the office had compiled the listing of the bid results and that it would appear Wallace and Wallace on joint bid was the lowest. He did note that Fox transportation bid for Weymouth VoTech along with Wallace's bid for Norfolk Aggie reflected a two dollar increase over the Wallace and Wallace joint bid. The Exec. Sec. also indicated that Fox Trans. had provided service to the Town in the past and we have never had any problems or complaints and although not in the past year, Wallace and Wallace had also provided transportation services in the past and we have never had complaints. Motion by Murdoch to award the joint bid to Wallace and Wallace, 2nd Crowley, 3-0 vote.
Motion to adjourn by Crowley, 2nd Murdoch;, 3-0. 8:10 p.m..
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Clerk
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