Minutes of April 8, 1997 Selectmen Meeting
Selectmen Present: Judith Murdoch; Charles Flynn; and Catherine
Kuchinski, Chair and Clerk of the Board with Joseph Nugent,
Executive Secretary to the Board of Selectmen. Selectman Jones
joined the meeting at 8:13pm.
I. Open: Kuchinski called the meeting to order at 7:35pm.
II. Library Trustees Introduction of Hanson Children's Librarian:
Present: Library Director Jackie Rafferty; Childrens' Librarian
Nancy Cappellini and newly hired Circulation Aide Suzanne Olson.
Cappellini explained the upcoming programs for the children
including those plans for vacation week. She was hired in
October. She was welcomed to the community and complimented for
her hard at work to organize various programs.
III. State Emergency: Town Hall and other Town buildings were
closed Tuesday, April 1, 1997 because of the heavy snow storm
raging. The Selectmen meeting for that evening was canceled.
Motion 4/08/97.1: move that the Board of Selectmen uphold the
declaration of state of emergency for Hanson for recovery
services done April 1 and April 2, 1997 as declared statewide by
the Governor early in the morning on April 1, 1997. Motion made
by Flynn with second by Murdoch. Motion carried 3-0.
Nugent noted that Highway Surveyor Dick Harris has announced that
brush will be picked up from roadside April 14 - 23. Please do
the best to cut and stack it for the workers. The Fire Chief
reminds us that burning season, by permit only, continues through
the end of the month, Kuchinski requested Nugent to check with
Tree Warden Ferguson to ascertain needs and/or resolution to a
few complaints during the storm.
IV. Information - clarification and update of Building Inspector
fees for approval: Nugent made a short presentation on the memo
dated March 24, 1997 regarding the BI's request to restructure
the fees for commercial and industrial building. Mr. Edgehill
suggested that copies of the schedules from a few other
communities be obtained for comparison and that the language be
kept as simple as possible to lessen confusion in interpretation.
Murdoch and Flynn requested clarity on the explanation portion
stating what was written did not make sense. Nugent to work with
Germaine to make presentation at the next meeting at 7:30pm.
V. Announcements: (1) Hanson Grange invites all town officials to
the Grange on Wed. April 23 at 7:30pm in celebration of National
Grange Week (April 21-27); (2) Channel 3 is now local cable tv
channel; (3) Invitation to Hanson and Whitman Cable Studio joint
open house on Sunday, April 20 at 3pm. The intention is to
attempt to rebuild local programming in our towns; (4)
Bridgewater thank-you: Kuchinski read the Bridgewater selectmen
letter thanking Hanson Fire department for their prompt response
to a fire at Waterford Village. Board requested Nugent to
forward a copy of this letter to the Fire Chief and staff.
VI. One-day Liquor License Request: Motion 4/08/97.2: move that
the Board of Selectmen issue a one day liquor license for Hanson
Kiwanis Club for Spaghetti Supper 5-10pm on May 10th at Camp
Kiwanee. Motion made by Murdoch with second by Flynn. Motion
carried 3-0.
VII. Close the Warrant for the May Special Town Meeting: Nugent
noted that 25 articles are in the warrant; most of housekeeping
type (transfers) no other articles were expected. Both warrants
to be signed next week and posted on the 17th. Motion 4/08/97.3:
move that the Board of Selectmen close the warrant for the
Special Town Meeting to be held within the Annual Town Meeting on
Monday, May 5th, 1997 at the Indian Head School. Motion made by
Murdoch with second by Flynn. Motion carried 3-0.
VIII. Public Hearing regarding L.Z. Thomas Housing Grant: Chair
called the meeting to order at 8pm with the reading of the notice
published in the Brockton Enterprise for two consecutive weeks as
required. Also present: Noreen O'Toole Neil Ross, Chairman of
the Hanson Housing Authority, Paul Taber, Michael Regan and Peggy
Kitchenham, Executive Director. Mr. Ross made a pictorial
presentation on the transformation of L.Z. Thomas school from the
four room school house to the six units of low-moderate income
housing. Development and construction costs totaled $860,770 with
sources of funding being Town of Hanson CDBG funds - $261,370 and
Housing and Urban Development Funds $599,400. The April 1st snow
put the landscaping behind but the tenants are expected to move
in May 1st. Board members and the public were invited to the
Open House and Dedication for the L.Z. Thomas Housing Units on
April 12, 1997 at 1pm. Attendance was taken for all in the room
during the presentation and these motions were taken: Motion
4/08/97.4: move that the Board authorize the chair to sign the
Amendment to the "Agreement by and between the Town of Hanson and
the Hanson Housing Authority" to address the typo in the contract
for dates. Motion made by Murdoch with second by Flynn. Motion
carried 3-0. Verbal commendations for excellent work were given
to Noreen O'Toole, Peggy Kitchenham and Clerk of the Works Robert
Hobart. Motion 4/08/97.5: move that the Board close the public
hearing on the L.Z. Thomas Grant report. Motion made by Murdoch
with second by Flynn. Motion carried 4-0. (Jones having arrived
during the presentation.) Meeting closed at 8:20pm.
IX. Sign 50 Year School Lease: In order for the Liberty Street
Middle School site to qualify for SBAB reimbursement funding, the
site must be in the possession of the Regional School District.
To that end, Town Meeting authorized the Board of Selectmen to
enter into a 50 year lease with the Regional School District.
Attorneys have prepared the "Lease of Property between the Town
of Hanson and Whitman-Hanson Regional School District" for
signing. Motion 4/08/97.6: move that the Board of Selectmen sign
the drafted 50 year Lease of Property for the Middle School Site
as prepared by counsel. Motion made by Flynn with second by
Murdoch. Motion carried 4-0.
Break taken at 8:25pm with meeting resuming at 8:35pm.
X. Water Department - Request for use of Special Counsel: Present
were Tom Dalhberg, Chairman of Water Commissioners; members
Phyllis Bickford, Bob Andrews, John Currie. Also present were
John Aiello, Chairman of Conservation Commission and the
Commission's Agent William Woodward. Selectmen had asked for
Water Commissioners to attend in order to attempt to hear their
reasoning for requesting special counsel and ultimately to hope
to be able to work out a solution so that counsel would not be
needed for the April 30, 1997 application for criminal complaint
hearing at the District Court brought by the ConCom against the
Water Department. Jones relayed the conditions from the
Conservation Commission. Selectmen attempt at mediation did not
work at this meeting, but all offers from each side remain on the
table. When the Chair asked for a motion to be made for
approving or denying counsel, no motion came from a board member.
XI. Vote Board's Recommendation on Articles for the May Annual
Town Meeting Warrant: For streamlining purposes only, motions
mostly will be to recommend the article to be made by Murdoch
with the second to be made by Flynn. One article was taken out
of order for presentation and consideration:
Article Eleven: the Town Hall Feasibility Study recommendations
calls for 1.75 million be approved for building and site work to
renovate Town Hall. Committee has begun the work necessary for
two reimbursement grants - one from Lakes and Ponds and the other
from Mass. Historical Commission for re-clabboarding the existing
Town Hall structure. Public meetings to be held April 24 and May
1 for design displaying. Motion 4/8/97.7: Move to support the use
of 1.75 million for renovating Town Hall. Motion carried 4-0.
Jones to present this article.
Article one: to here the reports of the Town Committees. Motion
4/8/97.8: Move to support article One. carried 4-0. Kuchinski
to present.
Article two: to present the Capital Improvement Committee
Program. Motion 4/8/97.9: Move to support article Two. Motion
carried 4-0. Flynn to present.
Article three: authorize Treasurer/Collector to enter into
compensating balances agreements. Motion 4/8/97.10: Move to
support article Three. Motion carried 4-0.
Article four: 3% increase in salaries for elected officials in
FY98 rounded to nearest dollar and adjustment increase to Town
Clerk position. Motion 4/8/97.11: Move to support article Four.
Motion carried 4-0. Murdoch to present.
Article five: to present the FY98 budget. Motion 4/8/97.12: Move
to support article Five. Motion carried 4-0. Jones to present.
Article Six: pay Charles George Trucking annual settlement
amount. Motion 4/8/97.13: Move to support article Six. Motion
carried 4-0. Flynn to present.
Article Seven: fund the Capital Improvement Fund (approximately
$130,000). Motion 4/8/97.14: Move to support article Seven.
Motion carried 4-0. Article Eight: to utilize approximately
65K for two gasoline tanks at the Highway Barn. Motion 4/8/97.15:
Move to support article Eight. Motion carried 3-1 (Jones).
Article Nine: to utilize approximately 65K for a dump truck.
Motion 4/8/97.16: Move to support article Nine. Motion
carried 4-0. Article Ten: to utilize approximately 15 to 25K
for drainage at new sites. Article 4/8/97.17: Move to support
article Ten. Motion carried 4-0.
Article twelve: to expend 19-20k for a golf-course market
feasibility study. Motion 4/8/97.18: Move to support article
Twelve. Motion carried 4-0.
Article thirteen: transfer monies from ambulance to the postage
line. Motion 4/8/97.19: Move to support article Thirteen. Motion
carried 4-0.
Article fourteen: to allow police revolving fund to continue.
Motion 4/8/97.20: Move to support article Fourteen. Motion
carried 4-0.
Article fifteen: to allow Assessors revolving fund to continue.
Motion 4/8/97.21: Move to support article Fifteen. Motion
carried 4-0.
Article sixteen: to allow Library / Senior Center revolving fund
to continue. Motion 4/8/97.22: Move to support article Sixteen.
Motion carried 4-0.
Article Seventeen: to allow the Trustees of Memorial Field
revolving fund to continue. Motion 4/8/97.23: Move to support
article Seventeen. Motion carried 4-0.
Article Eighteen: to establish a new Library revolving fund.
Motion 4/8/97.24: Move to support article Eighteen. Motion
carried 4-0. Board was apprised by Selectmen Jones of the 1%
levy limit for caps on total amount within all revolving
accounts. Nugent to report back with figures on all accounts.
Article Nineteen: authorize the 1.8 million dollar debt of
Whitman-Hanson Regional School District. Motion 4/8/97.25: Move
to support article Nineteen. Motion carried 4-0.
Article twenty: to transfer an amount of monies from Water
Surplus to the Water Emergency Fund. Motion 4/8/97.26: Move to
support article Twenty. Motion carried 4-0.
Article twenty-one: transfer $5,000 from Police Revolving Account
to Civil Defense line to pay emergency costs. Motion 4/8/97.27:
Move to support article Twenty-One. Motion carried 4-0.
Article twenty-two: to borrow $216,318 in anticipation of
reimbursement for highway monies. Motion 4/8/97.28: Move to
support article Twenty-Two. Motion carried 4-0.
Article twenty-three: to support South Shore Womens' Center with
$3,000. Motion 4/8/97.29: Move to support article Twenty-Three.
Motion carried 4-0.
Article twenty-four: to support Legal Services of Cape & Islands
with $2,000. Motion 4/8/97.30: Move to support article Twenty-
four. Motion carried 4-0.
Article twenty-five: to fund Stabilization with remaining monies.
Motion 4/8/97.31: Move to support article Twenty-five. Motion
carried 4-0.
Article twenty-six: To authorize the bringing in the votes for
the officials to be elected at the polls on Saturday, May 17,
1997. Motion 4/8/97.32: Move to support article Twenty-Six.
Motion carried 4-0.
XII. Accept Past Minutes: Motion 4/8/97.33: move that the Board
accept the following minutes: those of January 21, 1997, February
25, 1997, March 4, March 18, March 25, 1997 and those of
executive sessions dated January 28 and March 25, 1997. Motion
by Murdoch with second by Jones. Motion carried 4-0.
XIII. Appointment - Street Acceptance Committee: Motion
4/8/97.34: move that the Board appoint Renee Mahoney of 42
Bowker Avenue to the Street Acceptance Committee. Motion by
Murdoch with second by Flynn. Motion carried 4-0.
XIV. Executive Secretary Report: (1) CMS Consultant Contract:
this company offers a service for pre-employment physicals as
well as injury services for fees. Pay as you need program. Labor
counsel appears satisfied no conflict with contracts. Nugent to
clarify the system to use and show Board a draft of letter for
the next meeting. (2) Monies from Stabilization for Retirement
Payouts: Nugent reported that process of setting aside monies
for future payouts as related to retirement could be worked out.
Setting aside $100,000 for 10 years would be a help at time(s)
needed.
XV. Selectmen Action Requests: (1) Kuchinski re the MBTA: Chair
asked for input on concerns raised at the last meeting - no
answers available. (2) Kuchinski - Water Department and MBTA:
Water Superintendent has asked for assistance in obtaining
permission from MBTA to open road and extend water pipe for a
distance beyond the Main Street Fire Station. Nugent to obtain
the details from Ed Reed and devise a plan. (3) Appointment of
Registrar: At the written request of the Republican Town
Committee: Motion 4/8/97.35: move that the Board appoint Rachel
Clark to the position of Registrar for the Town of Hanson for the
Republican Town Committee. Motion by Murdoch with second by
Flynn. Motion carried 4-0.
XVI. Adjournment: Motion 4/8/97.36: Move to adjourn. Motion
made by Murdoch with second by Flynn. Motion carried 4-0.
Adjourned at 10:32 pm.
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