Minutes of March 4, 1997 Selectmen Meeting
Selectmen Present: Judith Murdoch; Charles Flynn; Peter Jones and
Catherine Kuchinski, Chair and Clerk of the Board with Joseph
Nugent, Executive Secretary to the Board of Selectmen.
I. Open: Kuchinski called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm.
II. Announcements: (1) Special Guests present this evening:
Kuchinski introduced two Troop 34 Boy Scouts, Mike Drewniak and
Jason Wassmouth here this evening to see government in action
towards completing their merit Citizenship badge. Each scout
introduced himself and his parents and later heard John Dias
related his years of service to the town of Hanson. (2) Hanson
Cares With Bears: Hanson resident Betty Dahlberg arranged with
Vermont Teddy Bear Company to have the company replace a special
bear to Jason Adams, Jr. of West Bridgewater. After reading an
article in the paper where Jason had lost his bear, MATT ADAMS,
given to him just after his father's death, Mrs. Dahlberg swung
into action and had the company replace the bear and Jason's day
was made brighter by the fact that the company offered Jason and
his family a tour of the factory. This was a job well done by a
Hanson Cares with Bears fine lady! (3) Recognition of student:
South Shore Regional School minutes of January 15, 1997 reflect
that Hanson resident Malinda Meinhold, a senior in the
cosmetology program was honored as the school's January Student
of the Month. The Board wished her continued success with her
studies. (4) Senior Program for Tax abatement has been
rescheduled until Wednesday, March 12 at 9:30am. Item to be on
the Selectmen agenda for March 18. (5) Pictures of the dedication
of the Hammond Bridge on State Street: Ronald and Avis Hammond
kindly sent pictures of the dedication ceremony for the Town's
records. Kuchinski requested Nugent to send a letter of thanks.
(6) Annual Town Meeting Warrant closes March 18th.
III. Capital Improvement Committee update: CIC Chairman MaryLou
Sutter verbally updated the Board on the projects high on the
list to be addressed this year (these items have not prioritized
yet: replacement of 1980 dump truck for a cost of $65K (may have
to seek a two year lease which would add $3300 extra to cost);
installation of two tanks (for gasoline storage) at the Highway
Department for all Town Vehicles - $50K; addressing the bringing
of Fire Alarms at the Maquan School up to AAB and ADA codes
(survey being done with remaining monies in current article $5k
but the project could take $60K to do; and monies for new town
drainage construction - $25K. Monies from land sales, dam
reimbursement and gas tax monies would be available for town
meeting use on these projects. The Town Hall refurbishing monies
would be a separate project article. Sutter also noted that an
upcoming cost would most likely be replacement of fire radio
system. Jones alerted Sutter that his discussions on sidewalk
construction is progressing and would be forwarded to committee
at some time for discussion. Capital Improvements Committee will
submit their Six Year Plan to the Board of Selectmen for the
March 18, 1997 Meeting for review.
IV. Board of Health - Septic System Repair Program: Health member
John Dias reported that Hanson has received an update from OCPC
for the status of the current projects authorized to repair
systems under the current project due to expire June 30.
Kuchinski noted that Hanson has to confirm in writing by March 14
that the town is willing to participate in this and subsequent
programs for repairs. Board instructed Nugent to respond in
writing of the Town (Selectmen and Health Boards) are willing to
participate in the program. Both Dias and Kuchinski made a
public plea for residents to increase their recycling efforts in
order to bring bins to capacity. Dias reported that BFI
representatives are willing to make school presentations. Nugent
to alert Irene Sherry that Board of Health letter seeks recycling
cooperation and school presentations. Selectmen also seek white
paper recycling effort at town hall.
V. Acceptance of Minutes: Motion 3/4/97.1: move that the Board
of Selectmen accept the minutes of January 28, 1997, February 11,
1997 and February 18, 1997 as printed. Motion made by Flynn with
second by Murdoch. Motion carried 4-0. Minutes remaining on
hold: January 21 and January 28 Executive Session.
VI. Setting of Salaries of Elected Officials: Kuchinski noted
that the agenda outlines the current FY97 figures for each
position (Moderator, Selectmen (Chairman and 4 members), Town
Clerk, Tree Warden, Assessors (Chairman and 2 members), Highway
Surveyor, Water Commissioners (Chairman and 4 members) and Board
of Health (Chairman and 2 members). She noted that the Town
Clerk had earlier forwarded for review, copies of her position's
job description by statute as well as her request for
compensation parity with salaries of clerks in area towns.
Nugent noted: (1) Highway, Police and Fire increases are
averaging 3.1% this year with Clerical at 3.6%; and (2) that the
Wage and Personnel Board met this evening and have not yet
forwarded their decisions on recommendations for comparable
positions (Accountant and Treasurer/Collector). Sandra Harris
outlined her reasoning for requesting the Board to set her
position's salary at $40,000. Murdoch made general comments and
made known desire to look at the whole picture of addressing
administrative positions within town hall for parity. Kuchinski
noted that Wage and Personnel Chairman seeks time on the March 18
agenda to discuss performance evaluation tools for several
positions. Kuchinski determined that this item will be voted at
the March 18 meeting. Nugent will make a presentation on the by-
law history of Hanson Selectmen setting the salaries as well as
goals and objectives for positions. Robert Sutter noted that he
would ask selectmen to place all contracts under the control of
the Board of Selectmen. Jones stated that internal equity and job
qualifications weigh heavier for increase potential than other
town salary parity.
VII. Comments on Management Assistant Position: Nugent noted that
he presented the draft outline for the position to the Wage and
Personnel Committee last week and they accept the draft job
description for the position. Murdoch, Flynn and Jones agreed
with revised draft. Kuchinski formally noted her lack of
willingness to back the concept of paying someone $60-70 to
attend evening meetings to take minutes and noted that a better
phrase might be "coordinates the production of minutes" and that
familiarity with public records and open meeting laws is a must
under the work examples.
VIII. Lot 10 Kings Landing Way resolution: Town Counsel has
informed the Town that Attorney Phelan on behalf of property
owners Mr. and Mrs. Jernegan accept the Town's offer of a lump
sum payment of $1,000 and a 5% permanent abatement on that
portion of property used as an access road to the Highway Barn in
return for an easement of town use on their property. Motion
3/4/97.2: move that the Board of Selectmen accept the resolution
of this matter as outlined in Attorney Phelan's letter dated
February 26, 1997. Motion made by Murdoch with second by Jones.
Motion carried 4-0.
IX. Executive Secretary Report: (1) Rockland SW Station project:
When asked, Nugent unable to go into detail, so he will recontact
DEP for exact time period Town has to make comments on Rockland's
proposed Small Solid Waste Transfer Station project. Nugent
mentioned that DEP's letter in the file is interesting because it
comments on the current status of the landfill project. Copy of
this letter to be placed in Selectmen boxes. (2) MIIA Insurance
meeting: a bid on the workers' compensation and general liability
packages will be received from this group which will also lead to
conversations with Hannon & Ryan, the current agent for Great
American Insurance Company. (3) Open the Warrant for the May 1997
Special Town Meeting: Motion 3/4/97.3: move that the Board of
Selectmen open the Special Town Meeting Warrant this evening with
the closing of this warrant to be April 8, 1997. Motion made by
Murdoch with second by Flynn. Motion carried 4-0. (4) Report on
Meeting with School Superintendent regarding FY98 School Budget:
Nugent reviewed for the Board that the schools will be pursuing
the monies for technology at the high school; that the Budget
hearing for the School Committee will be Thursday, March 6 at
7:30pm. He noted his discussions with school personnel on budget
awareness which seem to be going well. Flynn to attend meeting
and will be there to support the concept that Hanson is willing
to add additional monies to the budget however, hard looks must
be taken to have some of the proposed shortfall absorbed within
the school budget presentation. If the full assessment of the
shortfall were taken by Hanson, the town budget would have to be
cut by 10% whereas a compromised figure would cut that figure to
3% and would be easier to handle.
X. Selectmen Reports and Action Requests: (1) Flynn - request to
cancel March 11 meeting: Flynn reported that the PK-8 Building
Committee was meeting next Tuesday evening with the ConCom to
further discuss the school project and asked for the board's
consideration. Motion 3/4/97.4: move that the Board of Selectmen
cancel the March 11 Board meeting. Motion made by Murdoch with
second by Flynn. Motion carried 4-0. (2) Flynn - PK-8 Building
Committee: working on narrowing the project budget figures with
the architect to be within amount authorized by Town votes. (3)
Kuchinski - MACC: reported her attendance at MACC annual meeting
and transporting back to Hanson a 9 minute video for the
Commission to arrange for airing over cable and press releases
over the new training program for present and potential
Conservation Commission members. Ultimately, MACC will advise
selectmen of community members who complete the training course.
XI. Adjournment: Motion 3/4/97.5: move to adjourn. Motion made
by Murdoch with second by Flynn. Motion carried 4-0. Meeting
adjourned at 9:30pm.
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