Selectmen's Meeting Minutes - December 20, 1994
Selectmen Attending: Judith Murdoch, Charles Flynn, Joseph
Frisoli, Chair; Peter Jones and Catherine Kuchinski, Clerk. Also
attending: Joe Nugent, Executive Secretary to Board of Selectmen.
I. Opening: Chair Frisoli called meeting to order at 7:05pm
requesting the warrant and bills be signed.
II. Highway Surveyor - Updates: Dick Harris reported that the
paving work authorized under the $500,000 capital debt exclusion
has been successfully completed. He, his department and the
contractors were commended for their jobs. The drain on George
Street has been corrected. Street needs to be paved and should
be addressed on a next round of paving. The Route 58 project
still gives problems in areas for puddling. Harris to stay in
touch with the District office on this issue. The installation
of the traffic lights has failed wiring inspection.
III. Hanson Police Relief Association: sent letter requesting
negotiations to begin. Murdoch to join Kuchinski on negotiations.
IV. Dog Hearing - Gouveia, 11 Beckett Street: Selectmen received
a complaint about barking dogs belonging to Linda and Bill
Gouveia of 11 Beckett Street. Complainants are Carol and Bruce
Murray of 14 Beckett Street. The Gouveias, Murrays, and Animal
Control Officer Bernie Delory were all sworn in to give
testimony. The Murrays have no problem with the dogs however,
they do want the dogs not to bark at 5:30am -7:15am. Upon
leaving for work at 5:15 - 5:30am, the Gouveias put their two
dogs outside for the day. Delory made several visits to the area
including at the time in question. He heard nothing excessive;
one time he approached the dogs and they barked at him until he
spoke; he questioned another female neighbor who indicated no
problem. Sometimes the dogs bark for 10-15 minutes before they
calm down. Included in the discussion on options was a 7am put
out time, the outside placement of the dogs and finally the
concept of whistle training program. Motion 12/20/94.1: move
that the matter be tabled until January 20, 1995 or the meeting
thereafter in order to have the parties work out the situation
with the whistle training program. Motion made by Flynn with
second by Jones. Motion carried 5-0.
V. Executive Secretary's Report: (1) Meeting Space: Nugent
reviewed days and places for various Boards to meet beginning
January 1, 1995. Office switching will also take place.
Planning Board and Board of Appeals will meet Tuesdays at the
Library Senior Center. FinCom on Mondays. Board of Health will
switch office space with Accountant. Veterans' Agent will go to
Registrars/FinCom room. ConCom, by Fire Chief permission, will
be using Community Room at the Fire Station on two Tuesdays per
month. Permission given reluctantly for issues of parking,
safety and maintenance. An attempt to deal with maintenance
concerns through budgeting process. Board informed that moving
offices will cost money. In the discussion on upcoming budget
season, Murdoch noted weekly meetings likely; Frisoli willing to
have a monthly evening or two set aside for this single agenda
item. Bob Sutter noted that FinCom will be meeting January 4,
1995 to begin their discussions and would be available at January
10, 1995 Bd of Selectmen meeting. (2) January Meeting Schedule:
Motion 12/20/94.2: move to set the January schedule as follows:
January 3, 1995 at 7:00pm; January 10, 1995 at 7:30pm (budgets
only); January 17, 1995 at 7:00pm; January 31, 1995 at 7:00pm.
Motion made by Murdoch with second by Kuchinski. Motion carried
5-0. January 24, 1995 held in case of need. (3) Car -
Assessors' department: December 15, 1994 memo read indicating
safety issues on 1988 car presently used by staff. Item to be
discussed in later agenda item.
VI. Update on MBTA: Hanson's MBTA representative, Wilbur Danner
gave the Board his latest update on the situation. He will be
sitting down with House and Senate leaders to look at the
Assessment issue. There remains several issues that the MBTA must
deal with here in Hanson: whistle blowing - Nugent receiving
further information on legislation passed in western counties to
see if applicable to Old Colony project and Water department
issues including water sleeve under Route 27. The MBTA intends
to do one overall package bid for construction (previously, bid
had been split) with contract to go out to bid January 10, 1995.
Kuchinski voiced concern for Town's ability to have the promised
input into the design of the station and to have other previous
issues addressed and satisfied. MBTA has not met its schedule of
a meeting in the fall of 1994. Frisoli summed up with the
timing is wrong for this type of decision to be rendered now with
out an assured vehicle for the Town's input. Nugent asked the
status of Federal funding for the project. Danner believes a DOT
letter indicated 80% federal reimbursement.
VII. Eastern Edison Company/New England Telephone Company Request
for three Joint poles: Petition is for three (3) poles on State
Street from Brook Street to be installed in order to provide
service to the new houses under construction. Motion 12/20/94.3:
move to allow utility companies' request for three joint pole
locations on State Street from brook Street. Motion made by
Murdoch with second by Jones. Motion carried 5-0.
VIII. Appointments: Motion 12/20/94.4: move to appoint Noreen
O'Toole as Town's representative to the Joint Transportation
Committee of the Old Colony Planning Council and Helen Casoli as
the Sworn Weigher with each appointment for a term to expire on
December 31, 1995. Motion made by Murdoch with second by Flynn.
Motion carried 5-0.
IX. Class I and II licenses: Annual renewals are brought at this
time of year. It is noted that all taxes and fees owed to the
Town have been paid. Businesses requesting licenses are: Class I:
unlimited license - Hunter Recreational Vehicle Service, Charles
Hunter, 1073 West Washington Street; Class II: (a) for 14 cars;
Easton Sales - Bruce A. Chapman, Jr. 1 Liberty St; (b) for 6
cars; Specialty Auto, Robert Goodman, 200 Liberty St; (c) 15
cars; Hanson Service Center, Burton Raphael, 507 Monponsett St;
(d) for 10 cars; Wheel-n-deals, David J. Hatch, 875 Monponsett
St; (e) for 25 cars; F&M Auto Sales, Inc., John J. ferry, Liberty
& Winter Sts; (f) for 20 cars; J.J.'s Auto Sales, James J. Cronin
and James J. Cronin II, 169 Franklin St; (g) for 6 cars;
Signature Sales - Raymond Simmons, 19 Mattakeessett St. Motion
12/20/94.5: move to issue Class I and II licenses as presented
this evening. Motion by Murdoch with second by Flynn. Motion
carried 5-0. During discussion it was noted that inspections
are made by the Selectmen's office not the building inspector.
No complaints on business practices registered.
X. Automatic Amusement Device Licenses: Annual requests are
brought at this time of year. It is noted that all taxes and
fees owed to the Town have been paid. Businesses requesting
automatic amusement device licenses are: (1) Hanson American
Legion Post #226: Millis Token Vender and three Casino Five
machines; (2) Hanson A.A. Bowladrome: Hard Yardage, Raiden,
Terminator II pinball and Whirlwind pinball; (3) Pina, Inc. dba
Alfred & Paul's: three Valley Pool tables; (4) Hanson Athletic
Association: two high Speed Bonus and a Video Poker; (5) Hanson
Tavern, Inc.: Omega Derringer, Joker 54, Drew's Revenge and Joker
Poker; (6) J.J.'s Pub: Street Fighter and Guns and Roses.
Motion 12/20/94.6: move to issue Automatic Amusement Device
licenses as presented this evening. Motion by Murdoch with second
by Flynn. Motion carried 5-0.
XI. Lodging House Renewal License: The board has received reports
from Building Inspector, Board of Health agent and Fire Chief
that all critical violations are out of the way. Motion
12/20/94.8: move to issue a Lodging House license to Hanson
Country Manor expire December 31, 1995. Motion by Murdoch with
second by Jones. Motion carried 5-0.
XII. W-H Adult Education / Wine tasting at Library Senior Center:
This request for permission for wine tasting on March 2,9,16 was
tabled to next meeting pending further information from Mr.
MacCulloch. Nugent to check if dates available and will obtain
further course details for the event.
XIII. Request for Live Entertainment License for 1995 / Cataldi's
Restaurant: Motion 12/20/94.9: move to issue a license for Live
Entertainment for 1995 to Cataldi's Restaurant/function room (7pm
- midnight). Motion by Murdoch with second by Flynn. Motion
carried 5-0.
XIV. JJ's Pub / Phyllis Rhoads: Ms. Rhoads asked to attend
meeting in order to generally discuss recent allegation of over-
serving and her establishment's involvement with TIPS training.
The meeting confirmed that the goal of both the Board and Ms.
Rhoads is to have the staff of such an establishment as well
trained as possible. She indicated she has 4 bartenders and 6
waitresses and of those 10 people, 8 are certified and the
remaining two are in process. The Board's Chair acknowledged
that there was insufficient evidence to hold a liquor license
hearing and that was why only an informational meeting was
requested. Ms. Rhoads was thanked for coming to the meeting.
XV. Small Vehicle Plan / Robert Sutter: The committee's report
for FY96 was taken under advisement. Action requested on current
disposition of vehicles discussed for safety and contract
purposes. Motion 12/20/94.10: move to remove from the road the
current 1988 car assigned to the assessor's office and relegate
it for parts to the police department; and also to designate the
1986 red & white vehicle to be used by the Assessor's office.
Motion by Flynn with second by Murdoch. Motion carried 5-0.
XVI. Police Chief / draft Nepotism Policy: Frisoli read the draft
policy for consideration and then Board members and interested
persons gave their views. Kuchinski against the adoption; wants
hiring to be on qualifications not relationship. Chief unable to
ascertain any other town having similar policy. Mr. Watson and
Ms. Gredler spoke against the policy. Gredler cited existing
family relationships on several local departments with recent
hirings including Hanson's department in which brothers-in-law
have been hired (Officers Watson and Snow). Murdoch did not want
a pick and choose decision on which relationship would be
acceptable so an all-out approach as proposed by the Chief would
be acceptable to her and noted that any policy such as this could
be revisited by the Board at a later date. Motion 12/20/94.11:
move that the Board adopt the nepotism restriction hiring policy
as drafted by the police chief with said policy to be immediately
effective. Motion by Murdoch with second by Flynn. Motion
carried 4-1 (Kuchinski).
XVII. Police Chief / Assessment Training for Police Lieutenant:
Chief Berry reviewed the process under which the Assessment on
December 8, 1994 took place. Three candidates took the test. MMA
quite helpful in its design. Ideas also taken from discussion
with the union when discussing and resolving the filed grievance
on this matter. The panel of chief was Berry and the chiefs from
Rockland and Kingston. Point scale noted and then it was noted
who the top scorer was - Russell King. Motion 12/20/94.12: move
for the Board to support the candidacy of Russell King for the
position of Lieutenant as scored on the assessment. Motion by
Jones with second by Flynn. Motion carried 5-0. Discussion for
a Memo of Understanding to be drafted for the position for the
period through June 30, 1995 by the Chief and Nugent. Memo to
contain parity in benefits with an increase in compensation.
Performance evaluation to be considered.
XVIII. Hanson P.T.O / Request for use of Town Hall Green for Flea
Market: P.T.O. requesting the grounds for April 29, 1995 with
rain date of April 30, 1995 for a Flea Market with the use of the
Community Board for two weeks prior. Motion 12/20/94.13: move to
grant the request of Hanson P.T.O. for the grounds and bulletin
Board. Motion by Murdoch, second by Flynn. Motion carried 5-0.
XIX. Action Requests: (1) Rockland Landfill: Kuchinski requesting
that a letter from the Board be sent to DEP supporting the stance
outlined in Pallotta's recent letter. Motion 12/20/94.14: move
to direct Nugent to sent a letter to DEP on behalf of the Board
supporting the adherence to the Consent Order which follows the
1974 approved plan for the Rockland Landfill. Motion by Murdoch,
second by Flynn. Motion carried 5-0. (2) Kuchinski requested the
status of a regional selectmen meeting be determined. (3) Flynn
reported the doings of the Fire Apparatus Committee for awarding
the contract to KME Fire Apparatus for the 3 trucks. Motion
12/20/94.15: move to show the Board's support of the work done by
the Fire Apparatus Committee. Motion by Flynn with second by
Murdoch. Motion carried 4-1 (Kuchinski who wanted to see
information (contract etc) prior to Board giving its blessing.
(4) Budgets: Frisoli noted last budget tracking was done in
September. Nugent said with Gomez out the sheets have not been
prepared. In conversation with Gomez before her leaving on
disability, Frisoli was led to believe that the information could
still be obtained. He was concerned that the Town did not appear
to correctly know its current fiscal position.
XX. Request for Executive Session: Motion 12/20/94.16: move to
enter Executive Session with Police Chief and Executive Secretary
under #3 for contract negotiations. Motion by Murdoch with
second by Jones. ROLL CALL VOTE: Murdoch: Aye; Flynn: Aye;
Frisoli: Aye; Jones: Aye; Kuchinski: Aye. Motion carried 5-0.
Chair announced no votes expected. Board took break at 10:35pm.
XIII. Reentered Open Session for Adjournment: Motion 12/20/94.17:
move to adjourn. Motion made by Flynn with second by Murdoch.
Motion carried 5-0. Adjourned at 11:10pm.
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