February 18, 1992 Present: James R. Haggerty, Chairman
Judith M. Murdoch
Robert H. Andrews
Warren C. Ellis
Chairman read letter from Plym. Cnty. re status of Catholic Charities and concluded that that issue has been resolved, they are not being entertained as possible tenants at Plym. Cnty. Property.
Read notice that Arts Lottery Council looking for new members due to fact that members can only serve 3 two year terms, there are a number of members that cannot be reappointed.
Read letter announcing receipt of grant for the school, $43,936. Also read letter from Fin. Com., John Currie asking they be allowed to observe any negotiation session. Mr. Ellis moved to allow on behalf of Board of Selectmen subject to both sides agreeing. 2nd Murdoch. 4-0 vote.
Jim Cadres spoke with Board on behalf of Police Chief search committee. Gave Board update on committee's position relative to having reviewed 54 resumes and interviewed 14 candidates. At this point as part of the evaluation process he requested the Board set a salary range so that we could articulate that to the leading candidates. After some discussion there was a motion made by Ellis, to set salary between 40,000 to 55,000. 2nd Andrews, 4-0 vote.
Discussion relative to MMA completing an assessment center. Mr. Cadres outlined the makeup of the assessment center and the background of the MMA people that would be running it. He stated that the search committee has unanimously concurred that this is a necessary tool needed by them to help choose the final candidates to be presented to the Board of Selectmen. He stated the cost for running 4 to 6 candidates through the assessment center would be a flat rate of 5,000. After some discussion with the Board and prior to their taking a vote, the issue of background checks was discussed. Mr. Cadres indicated that as previously directed by the Board the Committee had agreed that one member from the committee would be in charge of assessing background information. Upon further disucssion with the
Board, that position was changed and it was agreed that the search committee would initiate the background checks upon completion of the assessment center only amongst those candidates to be named as finalists. All information revealed through the background checks would be forwarded directly the to the Board of Selectmen and at that point those remaining finalists would be scheduled for an interview. The cost of background checks was estimated firmly at 1,000. Police Chief Search Committee was in fact asking for support from the Board in requesting 6,000 to complete the interview process. This money would be needed to be transferred from the Fin Com. reserve fund. Murdoch moved, 2nd Ellis to proceed with both issues subject to funding by the Fin. Com. Voted 4-0.
Board introduced Paul Vaitkus who outlined his monthly budget report stating that for January overall the Town was $560 under budget and for the first 7 months of FY92 spending was 1.3% over budget. However, on his watch list he indicated concern on the Fire Dept. overtime line, at 0, with Police Dept. overtime line which is also about 0. Other concerns were Veterans benefits, utilities and the legal line, which are running over. As in past months, Mr. Vaitkus also mentioned those budgets which are under and allowed the Board to review the printout and ask any questions. The Board thanked Mr. Vaitkus for completing the monthly report.
Brief presentation made by the Hanson Rod and Gun Club concerning two issues. One was the annual fishing derby scheduled for August 30 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Motion by Andrews, 2nd Ellis 4-0 to approve. Club also asked for two shooting dates, trukey shoot for Sept. 27 at 10 a.m. and for a black powder shoot, June 7 at 10 a.m. After brief explanation of each of these events by a representative of Hanson Rod and Gun Club, motion by Andrews, 2nd Ellis , 4-0 vote to allow these two early starting times.
Selectmen reviewed regional school lease. The Chairman mentioned concerns in two areas, one playground, one under Section 15B, which refers to insurance issues concerning losses due to fire and who would control those areas. The Board agreed in general with the lease and has asked Town Counsel to review for form as well as input on those two areas.
Chairman read letter from the VFW rquesting annual poppy drive to be held May 6 through May 9 of this year. Motion by Andrews, 2nd by Murdoch to approve as requested. 4-0 vote.
Board began discussion on the appointment of Debra DeDominici to the Counsel for Elder Affairs to fill an unexpired term. However the Exec. Sec. brought to the Board's attention the fact that two other applicants had come in the last day. The Board asked for some input from the Counsel and stated they would vote on the 25th.
Board took five minute break during which Chairman went to Fin. Com. with transfer request. At the reopening of the meeting, Chairman Haggerty announced that the Fin Com. had voted 6,000, - 5,000 for assessment center and 1,000 for background checks.
Mr. Haggerty also announced that the discussion on boat races on Town Hall pond would be held 2/25.
After comment by Mrs. Murdoch, Selectmen announced the acceptance of the evaluation tool for evaluating the Exec. Sec. position will be completed on 25th and Mr. Crowley and Mr. Ellis will begin negotiations in hopes of bringing in a contract no later than March 15.
Discussed with Water Dept. (Morway, Thompson), Noreen O'Toole, and Carole McCormack concept of trading land for land and trading land in lieu of taxes. Mr. Morway informed Board as the Water Commissioners proceed to develop well sites to increase the water capacity for the Town it would appear that there is a tremendous cost involved acquiring property that needs to be protected in the Southern part of Hanson where there are some potentil well sites. He further stated that in conversation with Exec. Sec. he had pursued the idea of swapping land for land and further for land in lieu of taxes owed. The Exec. Sec. informed the meeting that after speaking with Mr. Morway and following up with a converstiaon with TownCounsel, that although there are many technicalities, each of these concepts is possible. They
would both need certain approvals from the Board and Town Meeting and one part would need further approval from the DOR. It would mean involving the Board of Selectmen, Water Commissioners, Treasurer/Collector and the Assessors's office as well as Town Counsel to pursue these efforts. At that point Mr. Haggerty also read for the record a letter fro OCPC concerning a potential grant application that they had filed in looking for support from the Committee. Mr. Morway mentioned he was familiar with the grant application as well as Ms. O'Toole. The Board voted on motion by Murdoch, 2nd Ellis, to submit a letter of support for the 30,000 grant aplication. 4-0 vote.
Motion to enter exec. session under #3, negotions, Fire Dept.and Police Dept. and #6, consider the purchase of real property. 1 Elis, 2 Murdoch. Voice vote. 4-0.
No votes taken.
Motion to adjourn Ellis, 2nd Andrews, 4-0. 9:30 p.m.
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Robert Andrews, Clerk
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