Minutes of July 30, 1996 Selectmen Meeting
Selectmen Present: Judith Murdoch; Charles Flynn; James Haggerty,
Chair; and Catherine Kuchinski, Clerk with Joseph Nugent,
Executive Secretary to the Board of Selectmen. Peter Jones
arrived 7:08pm. Meeting posted for 7:00pm.
I. Open: Haggerty called the meeting to order at 7:04pm.
II. Police Chief Berry's Farewell: Also present: Rusty King, Paul
Taber, Judy Maclaren, Peter Daley. Police Chief Eugene Berry
noted his bittersweet farewell to Hanson stating he had found a
family here four years ago and would sincerely miss everyone.
The Board was warm in its appreciation of his efforts within the
police department; thanking him for his professionalism and his
community spirit. He noted his belief that he had fulfilled a
major goal of the Board of Selectmen that appointed him; that of
training the next group of managers for the department. Berry
stated he has given his recommendations in writing.
III. Interim Police Chief: In order to make an orderly daily
routine and transition within the department, the Board quickly
moved toward continuity in the police department management.
Motion 7/30/96.1: move to appoint Lt. Russell King as Acting
Police Chief effective immediately for the duration of a search
for new chief. Motion by Murdoch with second by Flynn. Motion
carried 5-0.
IV. Discussion on Police Chief's replacement: Murdoch spoke for
appointing Lt. King as permanent police chief with a probationary
period. Flynn and Haggerty quoted section 1C subparagraph c
exclusion of negotiated contracts from provisions of the wage and
personnel by-law. Jones noted normally a search committee and a
wider search than in-house would be required; however he was
willing to entertain an interview with goals and objectives
reviewed at that time.
Chair for a brief recess at 7:27pm. Reentered meeting at 7:30pm.
V. Announcements: Chapter 90 Project Reimbursement Requests for
signing by the Board. This request is for Highway funds to be
reimbursed to the Town.
VI. Public Hearing - Application for a Common Victualers' Wine
and Malt Beverage License for Seafood Connection at 270 Main
Street (Indian Head Plaza): Present: Gail and David Hatch, Sr.
The abutters' green cards of notice received. Motion 7/30/96.2:
move to grant license to Seafood Connection, Inc. d/b/a Seafood
Connection with David J. Hatch, Sr. Manager. Motion by Murdoch
with second by Jones. Motion carried 5-0.
VII. Set August Meetings: Motion 7/30/96.3: move to set the
August meetings as follows: 8pm on August 6, 1996; 7:30pm for
August 13 and 27, 1996. Motion by Murdoch with second by Jones.
Motion carried 5-0.
VIII. Appointment: Motion 7/30/96.4: move to appoint the Building
Inspector, Samuel Germanine as fence viewer until June 30, 1997.
Motion by Murdoch with second by Flynn. Motion carried 5-0.
IX. Rotary Request - Fishing Derby: Motion 7/30/96.5: move to
grant the Rotary permission to use the Town Hall grounds for the
Fishing Derby as requested on Saturday, September 7, 1996.
Motion by Flynn with second by Murdoch. Motion carried 5-0.
X. Executive Secretary Report: (1) Petition regarding motorized
boats on Wampatuck Pond: Nugent reported that there is no Noise
By-law in Hanson; that a possible banning could be done under
provisions of disturbing the peace; Kuchinski did not agree with
his assessment that Wampatuck Pond was not a Great Pond and noted
that she would research and respond at a meeting this fall on
that aspect of the issue. Kuchinski also asked for no decision
this evening in order for contact to be made with motorized
boaters.
XI. Meeting with Attorney Giorgio regarding Bluestone Project:
Present: Kopelman and Paige attorney, John Giorgio; Jeff Hanson
and John Murphy from Bluestone project. Giorgio noted he had
worked on the Agreement on behalf of Stoughton and that this
particular agreement for Hanson had provisions for backing out of
this "expression of interest" at any time especially if other
water supply locations were developed. Bluestone updated the
time table and reiterated that the environmental studies had not
begun but that and financing were key necessities. Giorgio and
Murphy both stated that the agreement was not binding on the
Town. The 6/18/96 vote in Stoughton was unfavorable, but Murphy
said that would change at the next meeting. Kuchinski voiced
opinion that the presentation, i.e. the issue, would be better
served if decided by the elected water commissioners. The issue
of the legislation already in draft form was discussed and copies
would be coming to selectmen for review. Motion 7/30/96.6: move
to sign the Water Supply Agreement with Bluestone as only an
expression of interest in the project. Motion by Murdoch with
second by Flynn. Motion carried 3-2 (Jones, Kuchinski). Motion
7/30/96.7: move that the Board of Selectmen submit an article
with a proper figure on this issue requesting Town Meeting
support. Motion by Jones with second by Flynn. Motion carried
4-1 (Kuchinski).
Chair called recess at 8:55pm. Chair reconvened meeting 9:02pm
noting his personal thanks to all departments for actions taking
care of tree problem on East Washington Street.
XII. Continuation of Executive Secretary Report: (1) Meeting of
Department Heads regarding Planning for Town Emergencies: a
written report of meetings to be forthcoming to Selectmen.
Meetings going well with good discussion taking place. Task
teams to be set up. Those participating are Schools, Building
Inspector, Board of Health, Assessors, Highway, Water, Fire,
Police. Haggerty requested that Tree Warden and Veterans' Agent
also be included for valuable input. (2) Building Inspector
request for action on Woodbine Avenue: Although the Board has
previously addressed this issue, the following action was taken
to request immediate action: Motion 7/30/96.8: move to instruct
Fire Chief and Highway Surveyor to coordinate their actions to
raze the building on Woodbine Avenue. Motion by Murdoch with
second by Flynn. Motion carried 5-0. (3) Dumping at Bog 19:
further investigations taking place to stop the illegal dumping
of debris at this site. (4) Request for appointment as Special
Police Officer: Nugent requested Selectmen to consider
appointing the Executive Secretary position with Special Police
powers in order to do site visits with other Town officials, etc
on behalf of the Board of Selectmen. Issue was tabled until a
later meeting.
XIII. Adjournment: Motion 7/30/96.9: move to adjourn. Motion
made by Kuchinski with second by Jones. Motion carried 5-0.
Adjourned at 9:15pm.
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