Minutes of February 25, 1997 Selectmen Meeting
Selectmen Present: Judith Murdoch; Peter Jones and Catherine
Kuchinski, Chair and Clerk of the Board with Joseph Nugent,
Executive Secretary to the Board of Selectmen. Selectman Charles
Flynn arrived at 7:50pm.
I. Open: Kuchinski called the meeting to order at 7:30pm.
II. Announcements: (1) MBTA: will be "rail grinding" on the
Plymouth line Wednesday, February 26, 1997. This process is done
to make the surface of the track a smoother and more uniform
connection for the train. (2) T's Maiden Voyage: presently is
scheduled for April 19, 1997 to re-enact Whitman militia's
historic first report on April 16, 1861 to then Governor Andrew's
call for militia to respond to the Civil War. Round trip ticket
price to be $10 for adults and $5 for children.
III. Budget Presentation by Highway Surveyor: Present this
evening were FinCom members to hear Dick Harris' presentation on
his annual budget including new service request of the two
additional positions the department lost in 1988 and the increase
in lines for road repair, drainage, sweeping which would be more
properly done with the additional men. Harris stressed
additional positions would allow preventative maintenance efforts
by the highway department. Discussion was held on both lawn
maintenance and the selection process noting that whomever fills
positions should be multi-talented and complement the needs of
the present department staffing. Lawns would be more
systematically mowed but would not be fertilized. Mrs. Erben
noted that budgets should also be carrying this item if building
grounds are to be kept in proper condition. Harris also agreed
that a new gasoline tank could be installed at the highway
department which would save the town approximately 30 cents a
gallon presently paid under the program with a local gas station
(Ferry's). Mr. Sutter also noted the recent ACLU case regarding
towns plowing church parking lots. The Board and Highway
Surveyor reviewed the historical need for this activity and noted
that discussion on this issue would be forthcoming in the fall
for the plowing request for next winter. Additional men to begin
preventative maintenance work was the tenor of discussion.
IV. Budget Presentation by Fire Chief: Present were five members
of the FinCom to hear Fire Chief Peter Huska make his
presentation on the FY98 budget including new service requests
for equipment and one additional position for the department.
Expenses are requested to be increased 10 percent. Huska and
Jones aired comments on the negotiation process - Huska noted
that monies were needed to cover overtime, vacation issues
because of some wording changes; Jones countered with
negotiations having saved the town in sicktime buyback and
management rights. One FinCom member noted that the total budget
presented reflected an increase of 18%.
V. Presentation of the Tax Abatement Senior Program by Angela
Erben: As Director of the Senior Center, Erben has worked to
model this program after several successful ones in the area.
Qualified seniors will be able to reduce tax by $500 per
household by doing services or projects for various town
departments. Participation would be first come first serve on
project choice . She thought the discussion timely since Older
Worker Week is being celebrated March 10-16, 1997. Further
discussion to be held March 11 on this program after some
clarification on the voucher process and the department use of
the Seniors using this program. Time was made for updating the
Board and townspeople on the Senior Aide Program positions
available.
VI. Planning Board re: increased hours for clerical help: Present
were Chairman of the Planning Board Phil Lindqust and Town
Planner Noreen O'Toole to discuss the Planning Board's request to
increase the clerical help from 14 hours back to the 28 hours.
board members had the Planning Board memo dated February 12, 1997
and heard reasoning for the increase in time for assistance to
the Planner and Board members for the many and varied projects
being worked upon. Discussion was also begun on the request for
35K for two years to update the Town's Master Plan. Board
members to wait a few weeks to see how the budget process is
playing out before revisiting this request to increase the
clerical line in the budget. O'Toole noted her attendance at
the recent MBTA meeting. She was adamant that the MBTA presence
in Hanson must increase to discuss issues of public safety
especially at grade crossings. Kuchinski asked Nugent and
O'Toole to work on getting the MBTA to update the Town on the
plans for the station. Request for update on zoning issues:
Selectmen will make time on the March 18 agenda to discuss status
of proactive zoning planning with the Zoning Board of Appeals,
Planning Board and any other committee.
VII. Appointments: Several Spring appointments are regularly
made: Motion 2/25/97.1: move that the Board of Selectmen
reappoint Robert E. Arsenault as Veterans' Grave Officer to a
term to expire March 31, 1998. Motion made by Flynn with second
by Murdoch. Motion carried 4-0. Motion 2/25/97.2: move that
the Board of Selectmen reappoint Robert E. Arsenault as Veterans'
Burial Agent to a term to expire March 31, 1998. Motion made by
Flynn with second by Murdoch. Motion carried 4-0. Motion
2/25/97.3: move that the Board of Selectmen reappoint Dana Larsen
as the Assistant Veterans' Agent to a term to expire March 31,
1998. Motion made by Flynn with second by Murdoch. Motion
carried 4-0. Motion 2/25/97.4: move that the Board of Selectmen
reappoint Robert E. Arsenault as Veterans' Agent to a term to
expire March 31, 1998. Motion made by Flynn with second by
Murdoch. Motion carried 4-0. On behalf of the Board and the
Townspeople, Kuchinski complimented both gentlemen for their fine
work on behalf of the veterans and residents in town. Motion
2/25/97.5: move that the Board of Selectmen reappoint Carole T.
McCormack as Treasurer/Collector to a term to expire March 31,
2000. Motion made by Flynn with second by Murdoch. Motion
carried 4-0. Mrs. McCormack was present and was thanked for her
services well done on behalf of the Town. Motion 2/25/97.6: move
that the Board of Selectmen reappoint Bernard V. DeLory, Jr. as
the Animal Control Officer to a term to expire April 31, 1998.
Motion made by Flynn with second by Murdoch. Motion carried 4-0.
The issue of a vehicle for this officer was discussed; neither of
the two vehicles set aside are working properly. One is to be
fixed and Nugent also informed the Board that he is attempting to
obtain a surplus vehicle from Plymouth County fleet.
VIII. Executive Secretary Report: (1) Edgehill matter: Nugent to
forward the responses from the Assessors and Building Inspector
to Mr. Edgehill in hopes of continuing dialogue on issues raised
this evening. (2) New position request of the Wage and Personnel
Board: Nugent presented a draft of the proposed job description
for A Management Assistant. This position would be out of the
Union. Further input to be made by Selectmen at March 4 meeting.
(3) 50 year addendum to the WH Regional Lease is to be presented
shortly to the board for signing as approved at town Meeting.
This needs to be formalized prior to submitting the March 31st
filing of the SBAB application. (4) Report on the meeting with
school and Whitman representatives regarding Capital Program
items: Nugent stated the meeting with schools, lawyers and
Whitman representatives went well. He is expecting a memo to
come which would outline the understanding of the meeting and
outline a course of action which the towns would have to take
regarding the Regional Agreement.
IX. Selectmen Reports and Action Requests: (1) Kuchinski reported
that the Chair (MaryLou Sutter) of the Emergency Communications
Center Building Committee has sent a letter to the Board of
Selectmen indicating that this Committee has formally disbanded.
Any remaining monies would now return to the Town's general fund.
(2) Kuchinski requested Nugent to follow-up with residents and
DEP regarding DEP's Determination of Completeness for Rockland to
construct Small SW Transfer Station (Solid Waste). (3) Jones
noted progress with Golf Study Committee. Alerted Nugent that his
assistance with an article for Town Meeting may be necessary. (4)
Jones noted that a new dialing number (311) may be discussed in
the near future for non-emergency calls to the police and fire
departments.
X. Adjournment: Motion 2/25/97.7: move to adjourn. Motion made
by Murdoch with second by Flynn. Motion carried 4-0. Meeting
adjourned at 10:50pm.
| 
