Minutes of October 17, 1995 Selectmen Meeting
Selectmen Attending: Judith Murdoch (acting as Clerk), Charles
Flynn, Peter Jones with Catherine Kuchinski as Chair. Also
attending: Joseph Nugent, Executive Secretary to the Board.
Absent: James Haggerty.
I. Meeting opened: Kuchinski called the meeting to order at
7:30pm. She announced (1) that the 175th Anniversary Photo
Contest at the Thomas Mill will take place Sat/Sun October 21 and
22nd. All invited to view the submitted pictures; (2) Hanson
Grange 100th Anniversary ceremony is November 8th - Flynn and
Kuchinski planning to attend.
II. Request for Amusement Devices - Hanson AA: Fee has been paid.
Motion 10/17/95.1: move that Selectmen approve license for one
additional automatic amusement device (shuffle/bowl) for the
Hanson AA. Motion by Flynn, second by Jones. Motion carried 4-0.
III. Certificate Presentation: Upon the Board of Selectmen being
made aware that Carol Ann Brewster, the Hanson Program Director
for Continental Cablevision would be leaving her position, the
Selectmen prepared a Certificate of Appreciation for her services
to the Town as the Town's first cable program director. Kuchinski
presented the certificate and all members wished Carol well on
her planned sailing adventure.
IV. November Meetings: Selectmen to meet November 7 and 21st.
BANs need to be signed on the 7th. Reminder of the November 1st
meeting with the Whitman Selectmen and the School Committee at
the Library/Senior Center.
V. Perambulations: Dick Harris has arranged for perambulation
with Halifax. Those Selectmen accompanying him are to meet 8am
at the Town Hall, Saturday, October 21st.
VI. Committee Vacancies: Kuchinski announced openings on the
Zoning Board of Appeals - two alternates; Capital Improvement
(one); Cable TV Committee (2) and Insurance Committee (2
appointed by the Moderator). Residents urged to apply.
VII. OLD COLONY RAILROAD MEETING: Present: Senator Therese
Murray, Representative Francis Marini, Hanson Planning Board
members Philip Lindquist, Tom McSweeney, David Harris, and Town
Planner Noreen O'Toole; Wilbur Danner, Town's liaison to MBTA;
Robert Patrick Egan, Project Manager for the Old Colony RR; John
Powers Assistant Director of Design and Construction for the Old
Colony RR project; and Dick Harris, Highway Surveyor, Police
Lieutenant King and a few residents.
Egan covered the three main points which the Planning Board
had questioned. (1) Islands for the Parking Lot: MBTA does not
want them because they feel spaces would be lost and plowing
would be more difficult. (2) Sidewalk: Egan stated MBTA would
agree to construct sidewalk from the station to High Street.
(3) Traffic Light at Entrance: MBTA can not justify a traffic
light here at this point, but would revisit the issue if it is
deemed necessary by the Town. Egan and staff explained the
criteria, including a traffic count, for placing traffic lights
and restated that Hanson did not qualify.
Noreen O'Toole asked about the traffic que-lines, in and out
of the lot, at the peak traffic hours. Egan stated there would
be separate que-lines for entrance into the lot. The traffic
study was done in the late 1980's. Kuchinski asked if a traffic
study could be updated. Egan suggested the Board write a letter
to the "T" requesting this update. (He felt that this could
probably be done.) Dick Harris is looking for the warning
signs promised in the contract for the area where the tracks have
been taken out. Powers and Egan promise this will be done.
Other issues raised: (1) Parking Lot size: 363 spaces to be
constructed, but project only 198 users (walkers, drivers, and
drop-offs). (2) lighting at the entrance: Flynn asked about the
lighting at the entrance and along the driveway. Selectmen were
told that there would be two lights at the entrance area and that
the MBTA sign would be lighted. (3) Retention basin: Nugent
brought up the Conservation Commission's safety concern for the
proposed basin to the rear of the parking lot. MBTA noted that
they are revising plans to make the depth approximately 4 feet.
(4) Safety and Training Films: Bill Danner requested the films
for the High School and Police department noting these were
promised two years ago. Danner also reiterated his concern that
there be no assessment for the RR project. Lt. King confirmed
that MBTA police training meetings have been set up for October
24 and 26 and November 2 and 9. (5) Planning Board Chair -
platform design: Lindquist addressed a few points in the letter
that the MBTA has yet to mention including the copies of the
architectural drawings of the platform area. Egan stated it
would be the standard open area with a canopy top. (6) Resident
- buffer Area: Brian O'Donnell (91 Phillips Street) asked how
much the buffer is between the MBTA property and Phillips Street.
He was told approximately 160 feet. (7) parking lot drainage:
MBTA is designing parking lot to have oil-water separators for
storm water run-off towards the retention basin to catch oil and
any other auto fluids. Motion 10/17/95.2: move that the
Selectmen request the MBTA to perform an updated traffic study to
help determine appropriate signs and/or traffic signal placement
on Route 27. Motion made by Jones with second by Flynn. Motion
carried 4-0.
at 9:30pm Board recessed and then returned at 9:40pm.
VIII. Proclamation - Cranberry Area Hospice Week: Kuchinski read
the submitted information requesting the November 12 through 18,
1995 be declared Cranberry Area Hospice Week. Motion 10/17/95.3:
move that the Selectmen declare November 11 thorugh 18, 1995 as
the Cranberry Area Hospice Week. Motion made by Murdoch with
second by Flynn. Motion carried 4-0.
IX. Executive Secretary Report: Nugent reported that the meetings
were all set with the Water Department on October 25 at 7:30pm
and with the Conservation Commission on October 23rd for the Dam
presentation for 7:30pm at the Senior Center.
X. Action Requests: (1) Flynn - Waste Oil tank: what is the
status of this tank? Has the Board of Health made any decisions
where it should go? (2) Jones - budget: Jones wants to have
budget discussions regarding overtime issues vis-a-vis the
remainder of the fiscal year. Jones would like a meeting set up
with Fire Chief. (3) Kuchinski - State Street Bridge: requested
Nugent update us on the current status.
XI. Adjournment: Motion 10/17/95.4: move to adjourn. Motion by
Murdoch with second by Jones. Motion carried 4-0.
(Minutes taken by Murdoch and later typed by Kuchinski.)
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