Selectmen's Meeting - September 27, 1994
Selectmen Attending: Judith Murdoch, Charles Flynn, Joseph
Frisoli, Chair; Peter Jones; and Catherine Kuchinski, Clerk.
Also: Joseph Nugent, Board of Selectmen's Executive Secretary.
I. Announcements: Chair Frisoli called meeting to order at 7:30pm
by reading the following announcements: (1) COMELECTRIC sent a
letter detailing plans for Right of Way vegetation maintenance to
occur in October; (2) Chief Berry sent a letter notifying the
Board of receipt of a grant $5,900 towards increased coverage
patrols; (3) Janet Scott of the M&M Friendship Circle at First
Congregational Church invites the Town to meeting on October 17
to hear Ray Towne discuss the history of buildings in town; (4)
October 13th is the Plymouth County Selectmen Association meeting
at the Uplands' Sportsmen Club.
II. Election Polling Hours: Town Clerk Sandra Harris request the
Board to formally set the hours of voting for the November
elections. Motion 9/27/94.1: move to set the hours of voting for
November 8, 1994 from 7:00AM until 8:00pm at the Maquan School.
Motion made by Murdoch with second by Kuchinski. Motion carried
5-0.
III. Classification Hearing with the Board of Assessors: Board
members Steve DeDominici, Chair; Susan Thornton and Marie Nugent
with Cindy Long, Assistant Assessor/Appraiser met with the Board
to decide several issues. (1) Small Commercial Exemption: The
Board of Selectmen have an option to exempt certain properties
from the tax rate if that owners meets specific criteria. The
Board of Assessors does not recommend the exemption stating that
few towns are doing it because it requires a manual process as
well as that the exemption is merely a shift of the taxation onto
another body of taxpayers. Motion 9/27/94.2: move that the Board
of Selectmen do not adopt the Small Commercial Exemption. Motion
by Murdoch with second by Kuchinski. Motion carried 5-0.
(2) Town Tax Rate: The assessors informed the Selectmen that the
tax rate was ready to be set and gave the update on the
situation. Property value in town has dropped a total of 29
million dollars causing an increase of $.86/$1,000 in the tax
rate; that Proposition 2 1/2 allows for $.63 increase and the
road repairs voted as a debt exclusion this year adds $1.14 to an
average household valued at $128,500. Cindy Long explained the
Uniform Rate; a 5% shift; 25% shift and 50% shift. Susan
Thornton explained that split rate (residential/commercial) are
usually adopted when residential value is 87.5 of total value.
Hanson is not at the point where a split rate is effective.
Motion 9/27/94.3: move that the Board of Selectmen adopt a Single
Tax Rate for the Town ($17.37/$1,000). Motion by Murdoch with
second by Jones. Motion carried 5-0. (3) Selectmen notified by
document that $1,181 levy amount can not be collected (percentage
add-ups). (4) Signed School Spending Requirements for Whitman-
Hanson. The Assessors also told Board that Recap Sheets have
been sent to Boston and that tax bills could be out next week.
Chair DeDominici closed by stating that Long and the office staff
have done a wonderful job on the re-eval process.
IV. Executive Secretary Report: (1) reported that the Planning
Board has voted favorably on all three zoning articles on the
Town Meeting Warrant (#3,4,5); (2) Nugent to compile the Board's
recommendation sheet for the meeting; (3) Budget Tracking: police
budget on track; Highway - question on credit at the gasoline
line - repaid for SS hospital, water and W-H use of fuel; Town
Hall forecast up by 2% mostly from non-use of the veterans line;
Fire Department - in the red - 2 injured firefighters, fire
academy training and O/T shift coverage necessary. Since fire
department is 10-15% overspent right now, meeting may be needed
to deal with situation. (4) Contract Negotiation Teams: Nugent
noted need for teams to be set up: Executive Secretary - Flynn,
Jones; Chief of Police - Murdoch, Kuchinski; Clerical Union -
Kuchinski and Flynn; Highway Union - Jones, Kuchinski;
Dispatchers - Jones and Flynn; Police Union - Kuchinski.
Murdoch noted desire to return to multi-year contracts. Nugent
to contact Earl Wilson to come down to strategize bargaining
efforts so that Board can get things going in November. (5)
South Shore Housing - Nugent contacted Steve Dubuque who is
willing to update Selectmen on project on October 11. Several
Boards (Health, Appeals) replied to info request (lapsed perk
tests and a history of the permit outstanding for 30 units). No
response from Conservation. Question was asked if the subsequent
development of the Pleasant Street wells affects this project.
(6) Nugent noted 8pm October 11 Appeals hearing for the Plymouth
County communications tower. (7) Nugent passed out the revised
cy pres action for Thomas Hall. Kuchinski noted her conversation
with Marder on the points to be corrected. Motion 9/27/94.4: move
to request Town Counsel file the cy pres action as corrected.
Motion made by Kuchinski with second by Murdoch. Motion carried
5-0. (8) Rockland Landfill - Kuchinski noted Tim Qualters and
Richard Morrill in the audience and asked Nugent and abutters for
an update on the situation. Qualters noted efforts to expand has
died. Rockland Board of Health not forthcoming with information
and he was denied access to their meeting for "pending" suit
action. Nugent knew of no updated information. Motion
9/27/94.5: move that Nugent send a letter to DEP requesting
update meeting with DEP and Hanover for this matter. Motion made
by Kuchinski with second by Murdoch. Motion carried 5-0. (9)
Capital School Item: counterparts from all concerned Boards to
meet and report back to respective boards. Motion 9/27/94.6: move
to appoint Judy Murdoch to the Capital Issue Subcommittee for the
Board of Selectmen. Motion made by Jones with second by Flynn.
Motion carried 5-0.
V. Upcoming Selectmen Meetings: October 3,4,5 -- 7pm - Town
Meeting; October 20, 1994 - 7:30pm Open Meeting Law at Senior
Center. Kuchinski requested consideration for weekly meetings.
Murdoch suggested a third tuesday concept to be tried for month
of November. Motion 9/27/94.7: move to set the Board's meeting
dates as October 11 and 25; and November 8, 15 and 29. Motion
made by Kuchinski with second by Flynn. Motion carried 5-0.
VI. Building Inspector - (1) Hanson Manor: Robert Grover informed
the Board that the owner (Karl Bouldoukian - Bouldoukian &
Cannata Property Management) has brought Hanson Manor at 748
Whitman Street up to code satisfactory to Building Inspector and
Fire Chief. Motion 9/27/94.8: move to issue a Lodging House
License to Hanson Manor owners for 748 Whitman Street with said
license to expire on December 31, 1994. Motion made by Murdoch
with second by Jones. Motion carried 5-0. (2) Update Report:
written memo received noting a few concerns. Grover to submit
his written report to Board the Friday before the last meeting of
the month. Grover also stated that the Procedures Committee is
underway.
At 9:00pm Frisoli requested an Executive Session under #3
collective bargaining to discuss the fire dept negotiations.
Board to re-enter Open Session for remainder of agenda. Motion
9/27/94.9: move to enter Executive Session with the Fire Chief
under #3 collective bargaining for fire department negotiations
and #3 for dispatchers contract. Motion by Murdoch with second by
Kuchinski. ROLL CALL VOTE: Murdoch- Aye; Frisoli- Aye; Flynn-
Aye; Jones- Aye; Kuchinski- Aye. Motion carried 5-0.
At 9:37pm Board re-entered Open Session with the Chair noting no
votes taken.
VII. Warrant Article Discussion for recommendations: (1) Article
25 for $5,000 from Ambulance fund to fund EMT-I stipends. Motion
9/27/94.10: move to hold recommendation until 10/3 meeting
because no signed agreement exists. Motion by Murdoch with second
by Kuchinski. Motion carried 5-0. (2) Article 26 for $7,600
(from Ambulance Fund) for computer software at fire station.
Chief noted that 3rd party providers require computer billing,
nothing at Town Hall serves needs, that bugs within current
system must be debugged. Motion 9/27/94.11: move to recommend.
Motion by Murdoch with second by Flynn. Motion carried 5-0. (3)
Article 27 for $2,500 (from Ambulance Fund) for ALS equipment.
Motion 9/27/94.12: move to recommend. Motion by Murdoch with
second by Flynn. Motion carried 5-0. (4) Article 3 to rezone
Liberty Street. Motion 9/27/94.13: move not to recommend. Motion
by Murdoch with second by Kuchinski. Motion failed 2-3 (Frisoli,
Flynn, Jones). Motion 9/27/94.14: move to refer article to Town
Meeting. Motion by Jones with second by Flynn. Motion carried 5-
0. (5) Article 4 to rezone land for golf course proponent.
Developer doesn't want to change zoning article as written
because of his financial backers unwillingness. Nugent stated he
has notified Town Counsel of discussion relative to covenant
noting Conservation Easement proposed is abutters' strongest
protection. Motion 9/27/94.15: move to recommend. Motion by
Murdoch with second by Jones. Motion carried 4-1 (Kuchinski
stating that information not clear on zoning, covenant, easement
protection for abutters). (6) Article 5 to rezone West
Washington Street property for Waters. Kuchinski questioned the
affect of this article on the Town knowing the possibility for
acquiring additional land from Wagon Realty Trust behind this
property. Motion 9/27/94.16: move to refer article to Town
Meeting. Motion by Jones with second by Murdoch. Motion carried
5-0. (7) Article 13 - water dept's car. Bickford noted the car
is not being considered for Small Vehicle plan so water
department will be passing over article. Motion 9/27/94.17: move
to pass over article. Motion by Jones with second by Kuchinski.
Motion carried 5-0. (8) Article 14 money figure yet to be
determined. Motion 9/27/94.18: move to hold recommendation until
10/3 meeting. Motion by Murdoch with second by Kuchinski. Motion
carried 5-0. (9) Article 24 - fence for industrial park. No
info since no quorum at CIC meeting. Motion 9/27/94.19: move to
hold recommendation until 10/3 meeting. Motion by Flynn with
second by Kuchinski. Motion carried 5-0. (10) Article 29 -
Clark property for water: Bickford noted 7pm meeting Thursday
evening for Selectmen and Water Department to be joined by
Counsel, DEP and CDM. She also noted the open public meeting to
begin at 8pm at the Library Meeting Room. Question on proper
posting finally put to rest. Motion 9/27/94.20: move to allow
Water Department the use of the bulletin Board to publicize
meeting. Motion by Kuchinski with second by Murdoch. Motion
carried 5-0. Attorney John McCluskey spoke for the Clarks who
have many concerns: neighbor's (Derby) well depletion, their own
poind and well drawn down; the taking of land (12-15 prime
acreage) which they have enjoyed zoned A/R for sawmill, dairy,
horse farm. McCluskey stated no Notice of Intent was filed,
that work in a waterway was done with no notice to the Clarks.
Clarks will to allow access if Water Department files a NoI and
give adequate information on planned activities. Morway
responded that they had RDA permission granted; gauges in river
to assess draw down amounts; Water Commission concentrating in
the old gravel pit area to place 4 wells, a 30 by 50 foot
building; that Water Dept would have to return to ConCom for
Phase 2 work. Town has already spent $100,000 on this project.
Motion 9/27/94.21: move to hold recommendation until 10/3
meeting. Motion by Murdoch with second by Kuchinski. Motion
carried 5-0. (11) Article 30 for $186,000 for water exploration
from water surplus. Related to Article 29; test results received
would be good for 5 years. Motion 9/27/94.22: move to hold
recommendation until 10/3 meeting. Motion by Murdoch with second
by Kuchinski. Motion carried 5-0. (12) Article 33 - Water Dept
requests a pass over. Motion 9/27/94.23: move to pass over
article. Motion by Murdoch with second by Kuchinski. Motion
carried 5-0. (13) Article 35 for $15,940 from water surplus to
replenish emergency account to $30,000. Motion 9/27/94.24: move
to recommend. Motion by Murdoch with second by Kuchinski. Motion
carried 5-0. (14) Article 36 for $20,000 maintenance on Crystal
Springs which must be done every 4-5 years during low demand
time. Motion 9/27/94.25: move to recommend. Motion by Murdoch
with second by Kuchinski. Motion carried 5-0. (15) Article 38 is
the solicitation by-law. Motion 9/27/94.26: move to refer
article to Town Meeting. Motion by Murdoch with second by Jones.
Motion carried 5-0.
VIII. Action Requests: (1) Pleasant Street - South Shore Housing-
Mrs. Merry and Lillian Turner (670 Pleasant St) request meeting
place changed to accommodate a large crowd. Ms. Turner complained
about info given her by Bd of Appeals secretary. Kuchinski
attempted to explain info and offered to meet after the meeting.
(2) Kuchinski mentioned the Mass. Highway Design Hearing on the
State Street Bridge - plans available for comment; detour to be
in place for 4 to 5 months. (3) Kuchinski asked for memo to
Board of Health to be acknowledged for step in the right
direction to be asking residents their opinions on trash user
fee; Frisoli countered he had asked Nugent to find out answers to
his questions which he felt were not adequately addressed in the
survey. With no other support or comment from others Kuchinski
stated she would personally continue to encourage Board of Health
and would ask for survey results. (4) Jones updated members on
Small Vehicle Utilization by giving a preliminary report noting
accurate inventory now determined; that the current plan was good
for introducing cars to the town however utilization was flawed;
all vehicles to be marked; police cruisers to have front line
viability check after two years service; vehicle placement in
low-use capacity makes no sense for extended warranty; special
use vehicles to be considered for fire, highway, animal control
for life (4-6 years); and looking at establishing a Town Hall
vehicle pool. Flynn noted his dislike of the term "flawed"
because so many people has spent time developing plan.
XIV. Adjournment. Motion 9/27/94.27: move to adjourn. Motion by
Kuchinski with second by Jones. Motion carried 5-0. Adjourned at
11:15pm.
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