Minutes of March 25, 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 7:38pm.
II. Discussion - possible zoning by-law change: Present this
evening were Alan Spera, Chairman of the Board of Appeals; Lila
Coyle and Ed Casey, members of the ZBA. Kuchinski made note that
after the meeting last week (3/18/97) board members received a
memo from the Building Inspector dated March 13, 1997 in which he
presented a proposed by-law change in zoning affecting signage.
She also noted that the Board of Selectmen received a letter from
Ed Casey over the weekend in which he detailed the current by-law
in reference to the Building inspector's proposed signage change
request. It has been made clear that no formal presentation had
been made to the ZBA on this issue. Nugent reported receiving a
memo from the Planning Board announcing that the Planning Board
has scheduled a meeting for the Planning Board to meet with the
Building Inspector and the Zoning Board of Appeals on Wednesday,
April 2, 1997 to further discuss this issue. Jones clarified
that there was no submittal of a by-law change by the Building
Inspector and therefore no withdrawal and that the upcoming
discussion between the boards and the building inspector is the
proper procedure to follow in this matter.
III. Memorial Field Project update: Alan Spera, a Memorial Field
trustee updated the Board on the progress of the project to make
additions to the recreational facilities of this area. The plans
have undergone revisions as a result of public hearings and are
currently before the Mass Historical Commission for review of
measures to protect a Native American fire pit area. Spera also
reported that the Grant authority has encouraged the trustees to
apply for a grant for the second phase of the project. That
grant application needs to be submitted in June.
IV. Request to hold Hanson Youth Baseball Parade: Paul Dempsey
forwarded a request that the Baseball parade to begin at 12 noon
on April 26, 1997. Baseball players would gather at the Town
Hall and then march up to Boteri Field. Nugent reported that
Police Chief King has made arrangements for a safe march to
occur. Motion 3/25/97.1: move that the Selectmen approve the
request to hold the Hanson Youth Baseball parade on April 26,
1997 beginning at 12 noon which would begin at Town Hall and
proceed up Liberty Street to Boteri Field. Motion made by Flynn
with second by Murdoch. Motion carried 4-0.
V. Housing Authority - Open House and Dedication for the l.Z.
Thomas Housing Units on April 12, 1997 at 1pm. Neil Ross, the
Chairman of the Hanson Housing Authority and Paul Taber, a member
of the Authority came before the board to invite the Selectmen
and the public at large to attend, participate in the dedicatory
ceremony, and tour the renovated premises. Kuchinski noted that
on April 8th a public hearing will take place at which the grant
coordinator (Noreen O'Toole) and Authority members will present a
financial picture as to how the monies have been spent on the
project. Selectman Jones asked Neil Ross if there had been any
surprises to the Authority during the project. Ross relayed to
the Board that the Authority has been pleased that no surprises
were encountered and that the overall facade of the building
remains the same - including the fact that the original windows
were retrofitted and reused in their original location.
VI. Announcements: (1) Upcoming meetings: Wednesday, March 26 -
175th Committee in order to wrap up and make recommendations for
the May Special Town Meeting; Monday, March 31 - Street
Acceptance Committee; Thursday, April 3 - Alternative Sewerage
methods Study Committee; April 5 - MMA regional update meeting in
Sandwich to be attended by Kuchinski; Monday, April 14 - Open
Space Committee; PK-8 Building Committee to meet a week from
Monday and the Golf Study Committee continues to meet on
Thursdays. (2) Service Club Fund-raisers: April 26 - Rotary's
Spring Fling at Camp Kiwanee and May 10 - Kiwanis Bicycle Safety
Rodeo with a Spaghetti Supper that evening at Camp Kiwanee.
VII. MBTA - Old Colony Railroad update from Bill Danner: The
Board was given several pieces of literature regarding the
current status of the project and were informed that the official
opening of the line is scheduled for September 28, 1997.
Training runs will occur during the months of July and August.
Danner reported that fencing is in place along the entire
railway, that the sidewalk and road conditions on Main Street are
scheduled to be addressed through the miscellaneous clean-up
contract, that the signal system incorporating all safety
features will be in place and operating by the training runs;
that the Hanson Station including all landscaping is scheduled to
be completed by June 30th. When the question of safety programs
came up, Cable Director Shannon Cadres informed the Board that
she was working with Officer Daley on three presentations to the
various community age groups will be done and then would be aired
frequently this summer over the cable channel. There will be a
fare developed for fares from Hanson to Braintree in order for
riders to transfer to the Redline. Kuchinski noted that the MBTA
final stage of construction plans were never presented by MBTA's
Egan. From this discussion, several issues surfaced which Danner
will check on and report back to the Board through Joe Nugent:
does the plan call for a covered bike rack facility? What is the
status of a 50 / 50 split of the parking fees with the Town?
VIII. Water Department - Request for use of Counsel: this issue
has resurfaced because the Water Commissioners have been made
aware that by a decision the majority of the members of the
Conservation Commission there has been an application for a
criminal complaint to issue from the Plymouth District Court for
a violation of the local Wetlands Protection Bylaw Article 3-13.
The Commissioners want the ability to contact special counsel in
order to discuss the options available to them. Kuchinski noted
that a call to the Court revealed that the application is
scheduled for hearing on April 30th at 11:30AM before an
Assistant Clerk Magistrate at which time each side makes a
presentation and then the clerk makes a decision if a complaint
should issue or if there are other options. Kuchinski wants a
meeting at which both sides review the matter and make effort to
work with one another to avoid the April 30 court date. Like
other Selectmen Murdoch willing to attend this meeting but wants
the Water Commission to submit the plan and then have
Conservation Commission take actions to avoid the court date.
Motion 3/25/97.2: move that the Board of Selectmen take under
advisement the Water Commissioners' request for use of special
counsel until such times as a joint meeting takes place to
resolve the matter of court action. Motion made by Jones with
second by Flynn. Motion carried 4-0. in attendance for this
meeting was Tom Dalhberg, Chairman of the Water Commission who
gave the Selectmen additional information for consideration and
he asked that the Board forward this evening's decision to the
Water Commission office tomorrow since the Commission is posted
for a meeting. Kuchinski to attend Water Commission Meeting and
will contact Chairman of the Conservation Commission.
IX. Accept Minutes: due to computer problem, this agenda item is
again placed on hold until the next meeting.
X. Executive Secretary Report: (1) 50 year lease of schools to WH
Region: Nugent reported copies for the Board's review has been
received. Signing of this Lease is scheduled for April 1st
agenda. (2) King's Landing Easement: Town Counsel is preparing an
easement to resolve the abutter problem at the Highway Barn.
Counsel is crafting the easement description. Nugent reported
that a $1,000 article is prepared for Special Town Meeting.
XI. Resignation - Street Acceptance Committee: Kuchinski noted
that Lori White forwarded her resignation in order for someone to
step forward in order to ensure quorums at meetings she can no
longer attend due to personal commitments. She remains willing
to do daytime research for the committee. Motion 3/25/97.3:
move that the Board accept with regret Lori White's resignation
from the Street Acceptance Committee as a formal voting member.
Motion by Flynn with second by Jones. Motion carried 4-0.
XII. Selectmen Action Requests: (1) Positions available: seats
on the Historical Commission and Street Acceptance Committee.
Residents are encouraged to submit applications to the office.
XIII. Request for Executive Session: Motion 3/25/97.4: move to
enter Executive Session under exemption #3 for contract
discussions with the Fire Chief and town litigation efforts in
Dias bankruptcy proceedings. Motion made by Flynn with second by
Jones. ROLL CALL VOTE: Murdoch: Aye; Flynn: Aye; Jones: Aye,
Kuchinski: Aye. Motion carried 4-0. Board will resume open
session to announce any votes taken. Board left open session at
9pm for camera breakdown.
XIV. Adjournment: Motion 3/25/97.5: move to adjourn. Motion
made by Flynn with second by Murdoch. Motion carried 4-0.
Adjourned at 10:35pm.
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