Minutes: March 8, 1994 - Selectmen Meeting
Selectmen Attending: Judith Murdoch, Robert Andrews, James
Haggerty, Chair; Joseph Frisoli, and Catherine Kuchinski, Clerk.
Also attending: Joseph Nugent, Executive Secretary to the Board.
I. Announcement: 7:35pm, Haggerty opened meeting with these
announcements: (1) resignation of Kenneth Munstis as Trustee of
Memorial Field; (2) W-HBA holding an Open House on March 28th.
(3) Selectmen Association meeting March 12 at 8:30am regarding
MBTA assessment; (4) Haggerty to make resignation as Chair
official this evening; (5) Haggerty placed Highway Surveyor on
the agenda without prior notice.
II. Wage and Personnel Board: Present this evening were Charles
O'Donnell, Karen Quinn, and Myron Winders. Members are reviewing
the information and attempting to determine a fair and equitable
salary for the Town Accountant and Treasurer/Collector positions.
O'Donnell reported the range of the FinCom for the Accountant
($33,021- 42,000) and for Treasurer/Collector ($34,759 - 42,000).
Through surveys of 60 communities (size, job responsibility,
supervisory capacity and salary) the Wage and Personnel Board are
looking at a range of $36,500 to 38,500. The Board has a public
hearing at 7pm on March 15 at the Town Hall. Selectmen did not
disagree with the range concept.
III. Liquor License for Wedding Reception. Frederick and Karen
White (45 South Main Street, West Bridgewater) requesting a one-
day liquor license on May 21, 1994 at Camp Kiwanee in order to
cover the cost of the beverages consumed at the reception 6:30pm
to 11:30pm approx. Motion 3/8/94.1: move to issue one-day liquor
license for White reception at Camp Kiwanee for May 21, 1994.
Motion by Andrews with second by Kuchinski. Motion carried 5-0.
IV. Highway Surveyor - Proposed Ballot question for Road repair:
Dick Harris noted that the 62 miles of roads (actually 76 if
including unaccepted ways) and drainage system are in extremely
poor shape from the harsh winter. Harris noted a 1987 survey
which placed a net worth of the streets at 287 million with $5
million to make total repairs. He stated that the requested
$500,000 would only begin the needed repairs. A list of affected
streets would be ready by Town Meeting along with his rationale
for priority the streets for repair. Haggerty requested
estimates for both a one year and 5 year bond at 4.5% interest
rate on an average $140,000 home. One year - $149.80 payment cost
and over 5 years the average cost would be $35.00 for a total
cost of $175 over five years. Haggerty suggested two questions on
the ballot for the payment time frame. Kuchinski asked about the
time frame for the work to be accomplished - Harris stated all
work to be done this summer by employees as well as by contract
work; Harris does not know of any ADA requirements affecting this
town improvement process. Harris knows of no grants or monies
available for reimbursement as yet. Of the recent $15 million
emergency state aid, Hanson's share will be approximately
$26,000. Motion 3/8/94.2: move to place debt exclusion
questions relative to a one or five year bond question to repair
the roads on the Annual May election ballot. Motion made by
Murdoch with second by Andrews. Motion carried 5-0.
Haggerty announced a quick break (8:25pm to 8:30pm).
V. Departments requesting Additional Staff positions for FY95:
(1) Highway department: Harris looking to reinstate the two
positions lost in 1989 and 1990 budget cuts citing safety for
road patching and to complete the necessary work of mowing, arrow
and line painting as well as town lawn maintenance. (2) Fire
Department - Chief Huska: wants additional man each shift due to
demographic growth noting the last twenty years there has been 2
man shifts depending on costly recall. Either continue this or
increase staff and reduce recall costs. When asked about
regionalization of fire service, the Chief noted that the smaller
aspects would be seen first and not soon. (3) Town Clerk:
increase assistant from 12 hours to 20 hours due to increase in
activity for motor-voter registration paper work deluge and that
there will be a September primary and November election. Frisoli
questioned Clerk if work could be done if the Town Hall were
opened on Fridays? (yes).
VI. Contract discussion. Executive Secretary's Contract: Nugent
read a prepared position statement on the issue noting his
recollection of the contract discussion calling for a flat rate
and the car. Former Selectman Robert Crowley appeared tonight
and supported that position. Haggerty read a letter dated March
4, 1994 from labor counsel (Kingston & Wilson) opining that
signing previous warrants paying the money set precedent for the
continuation of the payment. Murdoch, Haggerty and Frisoli agreed
that both car and money could be paid. Andrews disagreed.
Kuchinski read her statement detailing the history of the
position's contract noting the Section 2.1.1 under reimbursable
expenses had not significantly changed over the years; that
expenses reimbursed would be in the spirit of Section 2.1;
however $1500 in addition to would be out of line. "In lieu of"
gas, mileage, and use of a Town car means "instead of". Nugent
issued heated comments to her regarding having attorneys present
at the negotiations for the next contract. Nugent presented a
contract change for a vote to allow the section 2.1.1 of the
contract to read "$1500 in addition to the use of a Town Car".
Motion 3/8/94.3: move to sign the contract change. Motion by
Murdoch, second by Frisoli. Motion carried 3-2 (Andrews and
Kuchinski). Haggerty cut off audience discussion refusing to
allow Mr. Dahlberg to speak; telling him to write a letter.
VII. Close Warrant for Annual Town Meeting: copies of all
articles submitted this evening circulated to all members.
Motion 3/8/94.4: move to close the Warrant for the May Annual
Town Meeting. Motion made by Andrews with second by Frisoli.
Motion carried 5-0.
VIII. Reappointment - Carole T. McCormack as Treasurer/Collector.
McCormack's appointment expires April 1, 1994. Murdoch cited job
well done getting our moneys worth in positions; Haggerty noted
positive attitude change towards the public; Andrews praised job
as treasurer but still notes problems with her collecting for
other departments. Motion 3/8/94.5: move to reappoint Carole T.
McCormack to the position as Treasurer/Collector with the term to
expire April 1, 1997. Motion made by Murdoch with second by
Frisoli. Motion carried 5-0.
IX. Set Elected Officials salaries: the Board of Selectmen looked
at the sheet of current salaries (FY94) for Moderator, Board of
Selectmen, Tree Warden, Assessors, Highway Surveyor, Water
Commissioners and Board of Health. Kuchinski started discussion
by having salaries remain at present level. Motion 3/8/94.6: move
to set the elected official salaries at a 4 percent increase over
the present FY94 level. Motion by Frisoli with second by
Andrews. Motion carried 4-1 (Kuchinski). Motion 3/8/94.7: move
to set the salary of the Town Clerk at $30,000 as agreed last
year. Motion by Andrews with second by Murdoch. Motion carried
5-0.
X. Trustee of Memorial Field vacancy: with the resignation of
Munstis as a Trustee, the Selectmen need to request in accordance
with MGL c.41 s.10 that the position be listed on the Annual May
election ballot. Motion 3/8/94.8: move to request the Town Clerk
place the Trustee of Memorial Field vacancy on the ballot for the
annual Election. Motion by Andrews with second by Murdoch. Motion
carried 5-0.
XI. Fire Department Rules and Regulations: all changes noted have
been minor. Motion 3/8/94.9: move to accept the Fire department
rules and regulations as set forth by the department. Motion by
Andrews with second by Murdoch. Motion carried 5-0. Nugent to
notify the department in writing of the Board's acceptance.
XII. Citizens Scholarship Foundation Request: Nancy McLaughlin
sent a written request to the Board requesting permission for the
annual student door-to-door "Dollars for Scholars" solicitation
for Sunday, April 10 from 1pm to 5pm. Motion 3/8/94.10: move to
set the annual "Dollar for Scholar" solicitation as requested.
Motion by Andrews with second by Murdoch. Motion carried 5-0.
XIII. Dispatcher Contract negotiation: The current contract
expires on June 30, 1994. A subcommittee must be established.
Kuchinski volunteered for the experience. Murdoch also. Nugent
to inform the Union of the subcommittee members and request dates
to meet. [It was noted that the Highway contract also expires but
there has been no request by the Union to negotiate.]
XIV. Capital Improvement Committee appointment: Robert F. Brown,
Jr. has submitted an application for appointment to the Capital
Improvement Committee citing past experience as a town employee
and current member of the Drainage Committee. Motion 3/8/94.11:
move to appoint Robert F. Brown Jr to the Capital Improvement
Committee to a term to expire on June 30, 1994. Motion made by
Andrews with second by Murdoch. Motion carried 5-0.
XV. Whitman-Hanson Band & Majorettes Bottle Drive: William E.
Kenealy (W-H Band Parents Organization) sent a written request
for permission for street by street bottle drive along with a
drop-off site at the High School for Saturday, March 26 9am to
2pm. Motion 3/8/94.12: move to permit a bottle drive for March
26, 1994 from 9am until 2pm as requested. Motion made by Andrews
with second by Frisoli. Motion carried 5-0.
XVI. Haggerty's Resignation as Chair: Haggerty stated his
resignation as Chair effective immediately. Motion 3/8/94.13:
move to appoint Vice-Chair Joseph Frisoli as Chair of the Board
of Selectmen. Motion made by Murdoch with second by Haggerty.
Haggerty declared the motion as carried by a vote of 4-0-1
(Frisoli). Kuchinski allowed her silence to be taken in the
affirmative since the natural progression at this time would be
for the Vice-Chair to assume the Chairmanship. Frisoli voiced
his reluctant acceptance.
Frisoli took the gavel to run the meeting and waited for short
time for Haggerty to return to the meeting room.
XVII. April Meeting Dates: Motion 3/8/94.14: move to set the
April Selectmen meeting dates as April 5 and April 19, 1994.
Motion by Murdoch with second by Andrews. Motion carried 5-0.
XVIII. Action Requests: (1) Kuchinski reported she would compile
a list of items requiring closure. (2) Frisoli noted he has
asked Continental Cable for guidelines for those working the
camera and wishing to speak during meetings.
XIX. Executive Secretary Report: (1) Selectmen scheduled to meet
with FinCom on March 15 at 8:45pm. (2) Nugent to attend meeting
with Schools for transportation issue. (3) Rockland Landfill:
noted current status including DEP non-compliance letter.
Several individuals have indicated thanks to the Board for their
strong presence on the issue.
XX. Executive Session - Police Deployment and Negotiations:
Motion 3/8/94.15: move to enter Executive Session (with Chief
Berry present) for purposes of Security deployment (#4) and
Police Contract Negotiations (#3). Motion made by Andrews with
second Haggerty. Roll Call vote: Murdoch: Aye; Andrews: Aye;
Frisoli: Aye; Kuchinski: Aye; Haggerty: Aye. Motion carried 5-0.
Re-entered Open Session at 10:57pm for purpose of adjourning the
Public Meeting. Motion 3/8/94.16: move to adjourn. Motion by
Haggerty, second Andrews. Motion carried 5-0. Adjourned 10:57pm.
| 
