Minutes of August 6, 1996 Selectmen Meeting
Selectmen Present: Judith Murdoch; Charles Flynn; James Haggerty,
Chair; Peter Jones and Catherine Kuchinski, Clerk with Joseph
Nugent, Executive Secretary to the Board of Selectmen.
I. Open: Haggerty called the meeting to order at 8:00pm. Meeting
had been posted for the later start due to scheduled
negotiations. Members signed the warrant, bills and Chapter 90
Project Reimbursements Requests numbered 12 and 13. Haggerty
also noted request for Executive Session for an update on the
Firefighters contract negotiations.
II. Eagle Scout - Citation Presentation to Brian Ciccolo and John
Bergeron: The Board made a formal presentation of the citation
congratulating both John and Brian on their achieving the rank of
Eagle Scout. Kuchinski had attended their Court of Honor last
Friday, August 2nd and had tended the Board's invitation.
Unfortunately one Scout could not attend the August 13th meeting
so the visit was scheduled for this evening and pictures taken.
The parents of each Scout were also congratulated on the
achievement of their son.
III. Request for one-day liquor license: a request for license
for party at Camp Kiwanee on August 11. Motion 8/6/96.1: move to
grant a one day liquor license to Amelia Anair of Greenbrier Lane
for Sunday, August 11, 1996 from 7pm - midnight at Camp Kiwanee.
Motion by Murdoch with second by Kuchinski. Motion carried 5-0.
IV. Interview for Police Chief - Lt. Russell King: Lt. King has
been a member of the Hanson Police Department for 25 years and
stated his strong desire to hold the Chief's position. He noted
his close working relationship with the prior chief over the past
four years. In matters of administration he stated his knowledge
of budget preparation and noted his concern that the Town
departments work together as a team to make Hanson a better
place. He acknowledged that policing is now more community
oriented and with the younger officers coming on board there's
more chance for increasing the personal community involvement of
the officers in youth sports and other volunteer efforts. King
stated he would continue with present programs in place; DARE,
Auxiliary force, Citizens' Police Academy and other programs with
the school department. On the issue of professional development,
King noted his 2 years of college and specialized training in
various aspects of police work. He would be willing to attend
management courses or seminars as well and would encourage
younger officers to continue with educational endeavors. He
appears set on career development plans for the officers. His
three month attendance at the FBI Academy would be put on hold
until department was stabilized. On personnel issues he stated
that he knows what it is to be a police officer on all shifts and
knows that communication must be better within the department so
that complaints can be handled in-house. He believes he would
have no problem disciplining officers. His action plan would be
to continue the FY97 goals and objectives for the department as
presented by Chief Berry and he would complete his personal long
term action plan within 30 days for discussion with the Board.
He knows that as chief he would have an opportunity to groom a
2/3 change-over in personnel within the next 3 to 4 years, that
the elderly and business constituents have identified needs to be
continually addressed; and that physical fitness of the
department must also be continually addressed. Motion 8/6/96.2:
move to appoint Acting Chief Lt. Russell King as permanent Police
Chief subject to contract negotiations. Motion made by Murdoch
with second by Jones. Motion carried 5-0. Board requested
Nugent to post a meeting of the Board for negotiations on Monday,
August 12, 1996 at 8pm.
V. Executive Secretary Report: none.
VI. Selectmen Action Requests: (1) Kuchinski - Radio Controlled
Boats: contact made with an individual boat owner who is willing
to make a presentation to the Board before cable and a
demonstration out on the pond. (2) Kuchinski - Emergency
Management Operations Committee: requested Nugent to arrange a
meeting of this committee for Wednesday, August 14th to discuss
E911 and dispatcher hiring.
VII. Request for Executive Session: Motion 8/6/96.3: move to
enter Executive Session under exemption #3 for contract
negotiations update on the firefighters' contract. Motion made
by Flynn with second by Jones. ROLL CALL: Murdoch - Aye; Flynn -
Aye; Haggerty - Aye; Jones - Aye and Kuchinski - Aye. Motion
carried 5-0. Any vote to be announced at next meeting. recessed
at 9:35pm.
VIII. Adjournment: Motion 8/6/96.4: move to adjourn. Motion
made by Flynn with second by Jones. Motion carried 5-0.
Adjourned at 10:10pm.
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