Minutes Selectmen’s Meeting November 18, 1997
Selectmen Present: Chairman Charles Flynn, Judith Murdoch, Daniel Webster, Peter Jones and Executive Secretary, Joseph Nugent.
I Chairman Charles Flynn called the meeting to order at 7:30 by reading the public hearing notice for a MediaOne Hearing. Lou Russo introduced herself as the representative for MediaOne. Jack Orpen, MediaOne representative was also present. Members of the Cable Television Committee, Carole McCormack, Warren Emerson and Pamela Garcia were also present at the Hearing. Emerson began the hearing by voicing some concerns he has: (1) Do the Senior Citizens receive their discounts. (2) Equipment should be updated through capital planning. (3) There have been many complaints regarding Hanson’s loss of channel 6 (it is now an infomercial channel). Garcia had concerns as to when the municipalities will have fiber for Internet Services.
Russo began by answering these questions (1) Senior Citizen discount is available to those seniors who request it. (65 years of age or older). (2) MediaOne is working on updating equipment (3) Channel 6 was a Providence based channel, it got bumped to accommodate a local channel. This had to be done to comply with regulations. Warren Emerson spoke up saying Hanson should have had the option of what channel they may have wanted replaced, there are plenty of other channels that could have been removed. Russo replied that she was not sure why Channel 6 was chosen. Selectmen Jones asked Russo if this was final, Russo believes that it is but will check into this. A citizen from the audience asked if a petition could be started to change this decision, Russo replied that MediaOne
always likes to hear what the townspeople have to say. Russo continued by addressing Garcia’s question of wiring municipal buildings. This is something that can be brought into the new contract. To have the HFC Internet access which is more reliable than the Coaxial, would cost about $20,000 per mile. The Town has coaxial right now and can use this without updating. Garcia asked about networking responsibilities, Russo explained MediaOne allows for one free access for each school over the next 12 months. Garcia referred to the new Middle School and the poles will soon be going up, Russo just asked that MediaOne be notified before they go up because they donate coaxial cable and the school will also receive the free networking.
Garcia asked why the Library has never been wired, Russo asked that the Town send in a written request to install. Camp Kiwanee was another question. Russo explained this was not in the original contract.
Jones made a motion to send a letter to MediaOne requesting the Library be wired, second by Kuchinski. 5-0 Vote.
Carole McCormack had some concerns with the early billing. Some of the elderly had called the 1-800 number and have gotten surly remarks from those working in Customer Service. She has also received many complaints that it is difficult to get through on the Customer Service Line. There was some discussion regarding this issue. Russo replied that they are committed to making service better. McCormack asked Russo to let the public know about the Internet access to customer service Russo announced the on-line address as www.mediaone.com.
Garcia asked if we can use residential drops for municipal buildings. Russo answered that MediaOne does not have enough manpower the Town needs to look at its Internet needs and the Town should decide what they will need in the new contract.
Board Comments: Jones reiterated the Channel 6 complaint, if there is something that can be done could Russo please look into that. Murdoch, what is the age for senior discount Russo believes it is 65 there was some discussion as to whether this was for Meetinghouse Lane residents only. Russo will clarify. Kuchinski thanked MediaOne for the personnel that has been going out to the homes in Town, they are very courteous. Kuchinski would like MediaOne to present to the Cable TV Committee the cost of the Higher Optic Internet Service for the Town for purposes of article preparation. Also please present the Committee with the cost of connecting Camp Kiwanee. Flynn asked what happened to Hanson’s Channel, there are other Towns on this now. Russo explained that it has been changed to a
regional channel for cost purposes. Webster concerned with the waiting time for the customer service 1800 number. Russo explained they are trying to get back to 90% of customers waiting 30 seconds or less by hiring and training new customer service personnel. Carole McCormack let the public know that there are 3 seats open on the Cable TV Committee if anyone is interested in joining. Flynn closed the hearing at 8:10pm.
II. Public Hearing JJ’s Pub Liquor Violation. Attorney Everett Marder, Town Counsel to conduct the hearing. Phyllis Rhoads, Manager of JJ’s Pub is present and is not represented by counsel. Attorney Marder asked Ms. Rhoads if she received the notice signed by Charles Flynn explaining the violation they are being accused of. Ms. Rhoads answered that she did in fact receive this letter. Marder went on to explain this is a violation of MGL Chapter 138 Section 34 serving alcohol to a minor. She should know the liquor license could be suspended or revoked. The Police Chief was called to testify, He identified himself as Russell King, Police Chief for the Town of Hanson he explained there was a meeting in July to discuss this sting
operation, the Police Department Planned to check all liquor establishments in the Town. The assignment was given to Sgt. Edward Savage. Sgt. Savage was called to testify, he identified himself and explained that he utilized a minor and a part time Police Officer to perform this sting operation. He checked the minor’s ID before to be sure she was a minor. The Sting was on October 11, 1997 from 6PM-9PM. Sgt. Savage kept the IDs of both individuals while they entered the establishments they were instructed to leave the establishment if they were asked for Identification because they do not have any. Sgt. Savage also provided them with a $20 bill to pay for the alcohol. Officer Calogero was called to testify, he introduced himself as a part time Police Officer for the Town of Hanson. He testified that he and the minor entered J.J.’s Pub at 8:00PM it was fairly busy, they went directly to the bar ( the minor was right
next to himself, she never left his sight) Officer Calogero ordered two Bud Lite beers (12oz) they were not asked for identification, one beer was given to him the other to the minor. He paid $4.00 for the beers and left a $1.00 tip on the bar. They left immediately thereafter. The Bartender was a female approximately 30-40 years of age with brown curly hair. Ms Rhoads was asked if she had anything to say. She explained that she tries to keep all of her employees aware of these things, she is very disappointed. Since this has happened the bartenders have been through a refresher course for bartending. Ms. Rhoads explained that she has also discussed this problem with all of her employees and she works very hard to keep this from happening. The Police Chief spoke saying he is just as surprised and disappointed that this happened. J.J.’s is not a problem establishment and this was just a check up to keep all of the
establishments aware of this type of problem.
Motion by Kuchinski to write a letter of reprimand and to consider any future violations much more seriously, second by Murdoch 5-0 Vote. Hearing closed at 8:40PM
III. Public Hearing Liquor violation Hanson American Legion Post #226. Attorney Everett Marder to conduct the hearing. Joseph Marsden, Senior Vice Commander and Charles Gilbert, Manager were here representing the American Legion. Attorney Marder reviewed the facts. A notice was sent to Mr. Gilbert informing that they are accused of serving a minor. The minor was served at the bar without being asked for identification. The liquor license is subject to suspension or revocation due to the violation of MGL Chapter 138 Section 34 which pertains to serving minors. Marder went on to explain the Chief had directed Sgt. Savage to conduct a sting operation. Savage conducted this operation to all liquor establishments in Hanson along with a minor,
and a part time police officer, Calogero. Upon entering the American Legion at 7:OOPM he ordered two Bud Lite Beers and they were served to himself and the minor without a request for identification. Jones asked if Marsden would have the TIPS program again. Marsden agreed that he would. The Police Chief commented that he was also surprised and disappointed that this happened at this establishment. Flynn explained that this is a serious matter. Murdoch made a motion to draft a letter of reprimand Jones second, with an amendment to include that they inform the Board when they have concluded the Tips Program. Murdoch, so amended. 5-0 Vote. Hearing closed.
Kuchinski commented that on Veterans Day the American Legion presented the Town with a new POW flag. The Legion also let the citizens know they will be serving a free Thanksgiving Dinner.
IV. Chairman, Flynn introduced Patrick Egan, Project Manager, MBTA. Egan was called in to address some MBTA concerns of the Town. Flynn began with his concerns: (1) Commented that he noticed the sidewalks are being constructed finally, (2) Parking lot in Hanson is difficult to exit if you are taking a left hand turn. Would like the MBTA to take a look at this issue and get back to the Board with a solution. (3) Flynn had a complaint about the crossings; he received a call that - at one of the crossings the gates went down, they came up and then went down again on top of a truck’s hood. There was in fact a train coming and the citizen almost got stuck on the track. Mr. Egan replied first by stating that yes, construction has begun on the sidewalk
the plan is available and the abutters were notified. As far as the Hanson Parking lot egress complaint, The MBTA will have to take a look at this and they may either have to paint arrows or widen the egress. The next issue Egan discussed was the Gates. He stated they should all be functioning properly at this point and if they do fail they are designed to fail in the down position. No left turn is activated when the gates come down at Hawkes Ave. Flynn inquired when full time service will commence, Egan believes it will begin on November 30th. Jones asked if they are prepared for the upcoming snow of the winter. The MBTA has taken care of this already. Webster just wanted to comment that he has looked forward to the train coming to Hanson and believes it is an asset to the Town. Kuchinski, are there going to be any double deckers on the Kingston Line? Egan was not sure what is scheduled but he would not be surprised.
Kuchinski also requested that the Train stop at the canopy so the people waiting can be protected. Kuchinski was also concerned regarding the Franklin Street crossing. There is a metal building that blocks the view for vehicles that must stop at every track no matter what. Could the trees be pruned? A citizen in the audience attested to that same fact. Kuchinski also asked about the Emergency Response Vehicle status. The Fire Chief spoke up and said it will proceed, it will just take a little more time. Murdoch commented that she is pleased the train is here but still is concerned about the safety issues. This is new in the community and she hopes the drivers are aware of this.
Russell King commented that he is relatively pleased with the response from the MBTA but has one concern could they let the Town know when they will be testing gates so that when they receive complaints they will be aware of the situation. Fire Chief, Peter Huska commented that the crossing on Rt 27 is causing traffic to back up in front of the Fire Station. This station needs to be kept clear for obvious safety issues. The “Do Not Block” painted on the street is not sufficient enough to keep cars out of the way. Phil Lindquist, Planning Board Chairman, expressed his concern about the crossing on West Washington Street, he believes it is not smooth riding over these tracks it should be taken care of . Lindquist is also concerned with the nitrous oxide emitted from the trains. Egan
explained that nitrous oxide is not the big concern, Carbon Monoxide is the chemical the MBTA is trying to reduce and this is happening, there have been 750 tons of pollutants eliminated from the atmosphere due to the Trains.
Flynn asked Egan when he can get back to us with these concerns, Egan and the Board agreed that he will send a letter in two weeks. Flynn thanked Mr. Egan for coming.
V. Flynn read a letter from the Garden Club to the Highway Surveyor, thanking him for all of his support and help.
VI. Flynn requested the Board give their action requests to the Executive Secretary in writing.
VII. Kuchinski brought to the Board’s attention the Holiday Schedule for the Town Hall. Nugent handed her the schedule. The question came up regarding non union personnel having the day off before Thanksgiving and Christmas. Kuchinski made a motion to allow non union personnel to work or take personal time for the day off, second by Jones. Kuchinski read a letter from the State regarding a Keno License application from Alfred & Paul’s. Kuchinski asked that the Police Chief look into this.
VIII. Motion by Murdoch to move into Executive Session under exception 3 to discuss strategy for litigation and also negotiations with non union personnel, second by Kuchinski. Chairman Flynn will announce any votes taken when enter into Open Session. Roll Call vote: Murdoch, aye; Kuchinski, aye; Webster, aye; Jones, aye; Flynn, aye. All in favor.
IX. The Board entered Open Session to announce any votes taken. Chairman Flynn announced there was a motion by Murdoch to sign a memorandum agreement, second by Flynn. 5-0 Vote.
X. Adjournment: Motion to adjourn by Kuchinski, second by Jones.
| 
