Selectmen's Meeting - February 21, 1995
Selectmen Attending: Judith Murdoch, Acting Chair; Charles Flynn,
and Catherine Kuchinski, Clerk. Also: Joseph Nugent, Executive
Secretary to Board of Selectmen.
I. Opening: Vice-Chair Judith Murdoch called meeting to order at
7:15pm requesting the signing of the warrant and bills as all
listened to Kuchinski read an excerpt entitled "The Major's
Purchase" from Elsie Calder's Looking Back.
II. Request to Canvass by CSF: Citizens Scholarship Foundation
looking to fundraise door-to-door. Motion 2/21/95.1: move to
allow fundraiser on Sunday, April 9, 1995 from 1-5pm by CSF.
Motion by Kuchinski with second by Flynn. Motion carried 3-0.
III. 1994 Town Report Cover: The idea submitted is the pen-ink
drawing of the South Hanson Depot with Locomotive in the
background by F. Anderson with handwritten history by Ray Towne.
Motion 2/21/95.2: move to use the above discussed pen&ink drawing
as the 1994 Report Cover. Motion made by Kuchinski with second
by Flynn. Motion carried 3-0.
IV. Acceptance of Minutes: Motion 2/21/95.3: move to accept as
written the Regular and Executive Session minutes of January 18,
1995; the Regular and Executive Session minutes of January 31,
1995; the Regular and Executive Session minutes of February 7,
1995; and minutes of February 14, 1995. Motion made by Kuchinski
with second by Flynn. Motion carried 3-0.
V. Executive Secretary Report: (1) congratulations to the Police
Department for the COP FAST Grant award for $25,000 per year for
three years to hire an additional police officer. Chief Berry to
present more details at later meeting. (2) East Bridgewater
Selectmen to try again for a Selectmen regional meeting. Nugent
will notify them to try for March 16 or 30th 7:30 or later. (3)
Vegetated Management Plan ordered for review. (4) MBTA to be at
Library for public meeting on March 15th at 7:00pm. (5) Nugent
and Flynn, Chair of Fire Apparatus Committee reported that the
aerial ladder truck's final inspection of the new 1995 truck was
done this weekend and delivery was made this afternoon. This
vehicle will replace the present 1956 truck. Formal ownership of
the vehicle to take place at a date unspecified. The other two
pieces will be delivered this August or September. (6) 100
Cycling for Hospice Event discussed for the May 20th - routes 58
and 14 involved in Hanson. Police department input sought.
VI. Treasurer/Collector - delinquent tax accounts: Carole
McCormack before the Board to discuss delinquent tax accounts.
Presently, 44 accounts (over $220,000) owed in taxes through
1992. In the past, the Town has never taken residences through
foreclosure; usually some sort of arrangements made for payments.
These 44 accounts (half with houses) have made no contact or
little effort to the Town. McCormack informed the Board that her
next step is to send all 44 accounts a strong letter indicating
foreclosure is the next step; send the account to the foreclosure
attorney and then pay $310 filing fee with land court, wait 1 to
5 years for foreclosure action by the court (attorney fee
averages $575 per case taken to court), then hold a public
foreclosure auction. Selectmen agreed that the time was at hand
for action against some of these properties to try and force the
payment owed to the town. McCormack also noted that she is
proceeding with tax title liens on an another group of 45
accounts representing approximately $36,000 owed since 1993.
This is the first step in the formal collection process. She
also noted that she will hold a spring-time auction on some
previously foreclosed properties (vacant land parcels). Abutters
will be notified first of the impending sale.
VII. Action Requests: (1) Kuchinski asked Nugent for status of
double poles with NYNEX. (2) Flynn asked if any action is needed
on Route 58 at the County Road/High Street intersection which now
sports a stop sign and a traffic light. Should the stop sign be
removed? Nugent to check with the state engineer. Discussion
was held regarding the status of roadway completion. Nugent
noted that a hole appeared across from the fire station; that
water department claims have not been collected that loam and
seeding not done. Selectmen agreed that roadway, as is, should
not be considered finished. Kuchinski asked that topic be
approached with Marini for next week's meeting as well as Senator
Murray at every chance possible.
VIII. Board of Health / Trash Station Override: John Dias,
Gilbert Amado and Karen came before the Board with the results of
their survey last fall regarding the three options for trash -
Curbside costing $143/year user fee: 210 yes 635 no; Override for
curbside pickup costing $114/year on taxes: 365 yes and 540 no;
and Override for bringing trash to transfer station costing
$50.25/year: 568 yes and 380 no. Currently, 1500 of 3200 houses
using transfer station. Board of Health anticipates that 2500
houses would use the station if option #3 in place so that the
anticipated cost to run the station would increase to $175,000
meaning that 33 cents per 100,000 would be on the tax dollar so
that a homeowner assessed $150,000 would be assessed $50.25 per
year for trash service. Discussion occurred that if override
passed, the first year the monies earmarked for trash but after
that legally funding in the budget, but the monies would not have
to be spent on the trash. Selectmen agreed that if the override
passed then safeguards would have to be in place to protect the
wishes of the voters. Nugent and Board of Health to work with
the Accountant to be comfortable with the figures so that an
article/question could be ready for the closing of the warrants
on March 14th Town Meeting and the ballot.
IX. 175th Anniversary Update: Kuchinski gave short update of
events planned for tomorrow evening at the Senior Center, the
March 4th planned autographing of the Town Hall Print by Kathy
Ferrara. Print goes on sale that day at the 175th Headquarters;
the March 11th Baked Bean Supper; and the Anniversary Ball on
April 1st.
X. Adjournment: Motion 2/21/95.4: move to adjourn. Motion made by
Flynn with second by Kuchinski. Motion carried 3-0. Adjourned at
8:35pm.
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