Selectmen's Meeting - July 19, 1994
Selectmen Attending: Judith Murdoch; Charles Flynn; Joseph
Frisoli, Chair; and Catherine Kuchinski, Clerk. Also attending:
Joseph Nugent, Ex. Secretary to the Board.
I. Highway Department Contract: Meeting was called to order at
7:30pm by Chair Joseph Frisoli with the first order of business
being Tom Pepe, Sr. and John Bradshaw of the Highway department
at the meeting to sign the contract. Motion 7/19/94.1: move to
sign the contract as negotiated with the Highway Department
effective July 1, 1994 through June 30, 1995. Motion by
Kuchinski with second by Murdoch. Motion carried 4-0. Frisoli
announced the changes in the contract: 4% increase, three
personnel in highway department to receive beepers, buyback days
upped to 180 from 165 with 8 month notice without penalty for
retirement, clerical staff to receive time and half after 35
ours, disposal agent's grade changed from 7 to 6; drivers working
16 hours overtime to receive double time on 17th hour.
II. Letter of Police Commendation: Chair Frisoli read Chief
Berry's letter of commendation for Richard Gredler, Russell King
and Joseph Larkin for exceptional handling of the July 4th sexual
assault case on a young girl visiting in Hanson. The chief
stressed the officers' concern for the victim during this very
distressing situation. Motion 7/19/94.2: move that the Board of
Selectmen send a letter of commendation to each officer's file to
accompany the letter from the Chief. Motion made by Murdoch with
second by Flynn. Motion carried 4-0.
III. Capital issues regarding expenditures for schools: Chair
read the letter from John Travers, chair of the Capital
Improvement Committee requesting that a meeting for the Towns and
school be arranged to discuss regional lease revisions. Nugent
indicated that the schools have a difference of opinion on
definition of capital items and noted his conversation with
William Young, Business Manager for Whitman indicates that
Whitman has similar concerns. Hanson CIC wishes to have the two
Boards of Selectmen to meet and come to agreement on definitions.
Town Counsel letter of January, 1994 disagrees with school
interpretation of definitions. Murdoch requests that copies of
other regional districts be obtained and reviewed as to capital
items definitions with idea that both counsels will sit down and
hash out the differences as suggested by Nugent. Flynn wants the
two Boards to meet, get an intent then give direction to counsel.
Flynn notes that the basic information is needed from other town
regional districts. Nugent is asked to contact School Committee
Association and MMA to identify 4-6 similar districts and ask
Whitman to split time contacting them for information in order
for any future discussion to be beneficial. Few disagreements on
if item is a capital item, discussions come over - if Town is
responsible for monies then the who oversees the bidding process?
Current problem experienced appears to be in the interpretation
of the documents by CIC and the school department. Kuchinski
asked if this current situation affects the two items approved at
the May 1994 Town Meeting? Nugent responded Yes and No. The tow
items approved were the $38,000 (Indian Head) for the lifts and
$8,000 for the doorway (Maquan). The items were proposed by the
W-H school district. The school is doing the bidding - who does
the administration? These items are being bid by the school and
Nugent will attend the bid opening and will also go with Mike
Joyce (W-H building supervisor) to the Architectural Board to
request a waiver for the type of chair lift proposed for use.
CIC members have been concerned with the time frame issues - the
necessity for completion by September 1, 1994. It was noted that
a decision committee might have to be convened by the two towns
and school department in order to decide how items would be
funded and administrated.
III. Committee Appointments: Capital Improvement Committee:
Virginia Masefield forwarded application to Board for
consideration. Motion 7/19/94.3: move to appoint Virginia
Masefield of Pine Grove Avenue to the Capital Improvement
Committee with term to expire June 30, 1997. Motion made by
Murdoch with second by Kuchinski. Motion carried 4-0. Kuchinski
requested full list of Committee appointments with a list of
vacancies to be provided to the press. Motion 7/19/94.4: move to
reappoint Thomas McSweeney as Planing Board representative to the
Drainage Committee for a one year term. Motion made by Kuchinski
with second by Flynn. Motion carried 3-0-1 (Murdoch out of room
for short time).
IV. October 1994 Town Meeting: Since the recently voted by-law
has not received approval from Attorney General, the Board must
vote to call the Special Town meeting. Motion 7/19/94.5: move to
call a Special Town Meeting for Monday, October 3, 1994 at the
Whitman-Hanson Regional High School. Motion made by Murdoch with
second by Kuchinski. Motion carried 4-0. Motion 7/19/94.6: move
to closes the warrant for the October 3 Special Town Meeting on
August 30, 1994 at the Board's scheduled meeting. Motion made by
Murdoch with second by Flynn. Motion carried 4-0.
V. Public Street Petition for Town Acceptance: by letter dated
June 29, 1994, Mr. Ed Gronlund and Mr. Gronlund requested the
Town to accept Greengrove Lane as a public street. Nugent
informed the Board that developers of Riverwind Estates has
asked, by letter dated April 4, 1994, for the roadways in that
development to be accepted as public streets. Motion 7/19/94.7:
move to accept the petition for street acceptance for Greengrove
Lane and roads in Riverwind Estates. Motion made by Murdoch with
second by Flynn. Motion carried 4-0. Discussion included
liability of the Town to fix roads and if any street needs fixing
before acceptance. The next step is to refer these items to the
Planning Board and have the Planning Board make a review and
recommendation for Town action.
VI. September Election Primary: state has forwarded a warrant for
setting the primary for September 20, 1994 from 7am until 8pm.
Motion 7/19/94.8: move to sign the warrant as presented to set
September 20, 1994 as primary election day with polls open 7am
until 8pm Motion made by Kuchinski with second by Murdoch.
Motion carried 4-0.
VII. Chapter 81 State Aid Forms: Paperwork presented for signing
under MGL chapter 81 section 31 state aid for highways. Cherry
Sheet reimbursement. Motion 7/19/94.9: move to sign Chapter 81
forms for reimbursement. Motion made by Murdoch with second by
Flynn. Motion carried 4-0.
VIII. August Meetings for the Board of Selectmen: Motion
7/19/94.10: move that the Board meet August 2, 16, and 30 at
7:30pm. Motion made by Kuchinski with second by Murdoch. Motion
carried 4-0.
IX. Action Requests: Kuchinski noted that 175th Town Anniversary
Committee to meet Sat., July 23, 1994 at 9:30am at the Town Hall.
X. Executive Secretary Report: Nugent noted that a letter of
response to invitation by East Bridgewater Board of Selectmen to
be drafted and sent this week relaying desire to meet to discuss
regional concerns.
XI. Executive Session Request: Frisoli noted need to discuss
negotiations under #3 for several contracts. Motion 7/19/94.11:
move to enter executive session under #3 for collective
bargaining negotiations for Police, Fire and Dispatch contracts.
Motion made by Murdoch with second by Flynn. Vote taken by roll
call: Murdoch: Aye, Flynn: Aye; Frisoli: Aye, and Kuchinski: Aye.
Motion carried 4-0.
Re-entered Open Session for Adjournment. Motion 7/19/94.12: move
to adjourn. Motion made by Motion with second by Flynn. Motion
carried 4-0. Adjourned at 10:00pm.
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