Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes of March 24, 1998
Selectmen Present: Chairman Charles Flynn, Judy Murdoch, Cathy Kuchinski, Daniel Webster, Peter Jones.
I. Peter Jones called the meeting to order at 7:30pm. by introducing Marylou Sutter, Capital Improvement Committee. Ms. Sutter presented the Board with a draft copy of the Capital Improvement Plan. (Charles Flynn arrived at 7:35) Sutter explained that the Capital Improvement Committee listed many items but only some of them are in the Annual Town Meeting Warrant as Articles, there just isn’t enough money to fund all of the requests. Jones had a question about the Camp Kiwanee Driveway request, would that include the entire driveway or just a partial section of the driveway. Sutter explained that this would cover the entire driveway. Kuchinski asked if any trees would be cut down. Sutter explained that they would be unable to widen the driveway,
therefore no trees would be cut. Kuchinski also asked if they will be looping water lines from Katydid Lane. Sutter did not think so, she has heard nothing about this. Sutter explained that there has been an increase in the Senior Van request because the last van they thought they could get for only $7,000. was not in good shape. Kuchinksi asked what the Capital Improvement Committee has submitted for Articles. Sutter listed the following: GIS System, Sidewalks, Playground, ABLE System Computers, Exhaust System, Driveway of Camp Kiwanee, Cafeteria Tables, Parking Lot off School Street and path to library, Drainage, Snow Plow, Replace sander, Highway Roof, Painting of Highway Buildings, Van for Senior Center. Murdoch asked where the path would go from the School to the library , Sutter explained it would go straight through but would go around any fields.
Flynn asked Mr. Dahlberg ( in the audience ) about the vehicles he will be replacing, if they would be brought to the Selectmen as surplus. Dahlberg explained they will only be replacing one vehicle and yes it will be brought to the Selectmen to be declared surplus.
Sutter wanted to note that the Hanson Vision 2020 Group will be meeting on March 25, 1998 at 7:30p.m. at the fire station. Noreen O’Toole will be the guest speaker to explain what it is that a Town Planner does.
II. Vote 5 joint pole locations on County Road, Eastern Utilities - The Board discussed the current situation of the joint pole locations. There does not seem to be any problems at this time. Motion by Jones to approve 5 joint pole locations on County Road, second by Kuchinski. 5-0 Vote.
III. Request for Reappointment Board of Registrars, Patricia Strait to expire 3/31/01. Motion by Kuchinski, second by Jones. 5-0 Vote.
Request for Appointment to the Street Acceptance Committee, Joan DiLillo to expire 6/30/00. Motion by Webster, second by Jones 5-0 Vote.
Request for appointment Mary Lewick, to the Education Fund Committee. Motion by Jones, second by Murdoch. 5-0 Vote.
IV. Hearing: Vote Class II license to Liberty Street Motors, Joan Willard. Nugent explained this is an existing business at Ferry’s and the ownership is changing to the name of Joan Willard. Motion by Webster to grant the Class II. License, second by Kuchinski. 5-0 Vote. Hearing Closed at 8:05 p.m.
V. Vote to close the Annual Town Meeting Warrant - Nugent discussed with the Board the possibility of adding an Article for Sidewalks. There was some discussion regarding this issue, the article will not be added to the Annual Town Meeting. Kuchinski asked if the Board wanted to add the issue of lowering the Quorum. There was some discussion regarding this issue. There was also a petition article submitted this evening regarding some Town Owned land that would become Conservation owned land the Board accepted this petition article. Motion by Kuchinski to close the Annual Town Meeting Warrant for May 4, 1998 second by Webster. 5-0 Vote.
VI. Set meeting dates for May, June, July and August: The Board should be posted for May 4, May 5, May 6, and for Elections on May 16th. Meeting Dates were also set for June 2, June 16, June 30, July 14, July 28, August 11, and August 25. Motion by Kuchinski, second by Jones. 5-0 Vote.
VII. Request for a Bottle Drive on Saturday April 4th from 9:00a.m.- 1:00p.m. Motion by Jones, second by Kuchinski to allow the Bottle Drive. 5-0 Vote.
VIII. Request for a Door to Door Drive for students to collect previously mailed envelopes for donations on April 5, 1998 and also Tag Day on May 16, 1998 to stand at polls with canisters from 8:00a.m.-5:00pm.. Motion by Kuchinski to allow the Door to Door drive and also tag day but to change the hours to 10:00am.- 7:00p.m., second by Murdoch. 5-0 Vote
IX. Steve Bonatti to discuss Parks and Fields Committee: Bonatti was present with two other Committee Members - Anton Trigler and Edward Bates to clarify to the Board what it is that the Parks and Fields Committee does. Jones asked what fields they are responsible for, Bonatti explained they take care of Hancock Field, L.Z. Thomas Field, 3 Fields at Memorial Field, and two other fields. All of the Board Members expressed their gratitude to the Parks and Fields Committee for the work they do for the Town. Murdoch expressed an interest in seeing all of the related committees coming to Town Meeting at some point with one budget for all, the Town would then realize what a tremendous amount of work goes into all of these committees. Steve Bonatti named all
of the members of the Parks and Fields Committee - Anton Trigler, Edward Bates, Steve Bonatti, Janet Hunter, Ruth O’Kane, Kevin Arouca and Richard Harris.
X. Plymouth County Hospital Property Advisory Committee - Flynn read a charter that he had drafted for this Committee. 1. All parties recognize that the Committee is simply an advisory board that will report directly to the Board of Selectmen
2. Committee members shall not correspond or telephone Plymouth County Commissioners or their office on behalf of the Advisory group or the Town of Hanson unless given permission to do so directly from the Board of Selectmen.
3. The Board of Selectmen shall establish a list of specific items which it will encourage the Committee to research and report on.
4. The Board of Selectmen shall seek written permission from the Plymouth County Commissioners before any physical research of the Plymouth County Property takes place by either the Committee or other Town Officials.
5. The Committee shall report to the Board of Selectmen on a monthly basis outlining any meetings or investigations which they are involved in or have completed.
6. The Committee shall not make public, any recommendations relative to the use or final determination of the Plymouth County Property until such information has been reviewed and accepted by the Board of Selectmen.
The Board must insist that all Committee members attempt to keep confidential most information that they uncover which might affect the negotiation position of the Town relative to securing Plymouth County Property Site.
Jones feels the committee has already been set up by the Town Meeting and believes the Board should send this Charter along to the moderator and ask the Moderator to reinvigorate the original Committee and add some people from the neighborhood. Kuchinski stated that the original Committee is defunct because it has not reported to the Town Meeting and there is a bylaw that states you are defunct if you do not report.
Kuchinski also asked that the Board change item 3 of the Charter to allow the Committee to establish a list of items they would like to research and the Board may review the list. Flynn would like to have the Board of Selectmen establish the list. Webster agrees with the Chairman. Vess suggests that the Committee be a 9 member committee and also suggests that the Board appoint the Committee tonight. Webster agrees it should be appointed by the Board of Selectmen and also would like to stress that this is a major decision and it should involve people from all over the Town not just one area. Webster also feels a committee of 9 is too many but would not be opposed to 7 members. Webster would like to give the Moderator a chance to bring in some names before the Board makes any
appointments. Kuchinski believes the Board has given the opportunity to everyone to come forward and apply for this committee. Flynn made a motion to establish the Plymouth County Hospital Property Advisory Committee which would be a 7 member Committee appointed by the Board of Selectmen with no more than 4 members from the neighborhood. The Committee must follow the Charter. Stephen Vey, Joanne Re, Mark Vess and Bob Sweeney to be appointed this evening as well as Steve Dedominici and Susan Thornton, second by Murdoch. 3-1 Vote (Webster voted naye) Jones was absent.
XI. Vote Common Victualler License, David Hatch- Seafood Connection dba Sunrise Cafe. Motion by Kuchinski to approve the common victualler license second by Murdoch. 4-0 Vote (Jones absent)
XII. Vote 911 Plus - This was discussed at the last Selectmen’s Meeting. There was some discussion regarding the length of the contract and whether or not it should be exclusive or non-exclusive. Motion by Kuchinski for a 5 year exclusive contract with 911 plus- Subject to Town Meeting Vote, second by Murdoch. 4-0 Vote.
XIII. Vote Mutual Aid Agreement between the Town of Hanson and the Town of Hanover Police Departments. The Town accepted this law in 1993. Murdoch asked if there would be any other communities involved in this agreement. Nugent- Hanover is the only Town we will have an agreement with. There was some discussion over the liability responsibilities if someone gets injured in the other Town. Kuchinski asked if the Board would hold off on this agreement until she has read it more carefully. The Board agreed.
XIV. Vote to set salaries of Elected Officials - The Planning Board had requested that they become a paid Elected Board. There was some discussion regarding this issue. Murdoch was not prepared to take a stand on this issue. With regard to setting the salaries for Elected Officials she believes the Board should consider the average raise. Kuchinski said that this is the first she has heard from the Planning Board regarding this issue and she assumes it would be a similar salary as the Board of Selectmen, she would like to discuss this with the Planning Board before making any decisions. Webster asked what the history of the salaried Elected Officials has been. Nugent explained that they have only added the Water Commissioners in recent years. Webster
also asked what about those Boards that are not paid, will the Board be obligated to pay those Boards as well. Jones will be comfortable with a 2 1/2% or 3% increase for the Elected Officials. As far as the Planning Board Request, he believes this is a Town Meeting Action and also needs some data to back it up. Motion by Kuchinski to set Elected Officials Salaries with a 3% increase and round off the figures to the nearest dollar amount, second by Murdoch. 5-0 vote.
Sandra Harris, Town Clerk was called in to let the citizens know what offices are up for Election this May 16, 1998.
Moderator for one year, Selectmen for three years, Assessor for three years, Assessor for one year, Town Clerk for three years, Highway Surveyor for three years, Board of Health member for three years, Cemetery Commissioner for three years( no candidates), Planning Board Member for five years, Planning Board member for one year, Hanson Housing Authority member for five years(no candidates) , Tree Warden for three years, Two Trustees of Memorial Field for three years (only 1 candidate), two Trustees of the Public Library for three years, two Members of the Whitman-Hanson Regional School District Committee PreK-12 for three years ( only one candidate) and two Water Commissioners for three years.
XV. Action Requests:
Kuchinski requests the map from the Highway Surveyor that would show the location of the signs that were approved by the Board a few weeks ago. She would also like an update on the Bogs and the Earth Removal.
XVI. Executive Secretary Report:
- The Board received a letter from the Mass. Highway Department, Bernard McCourt. The letter explained that the locations the Board requested crosswalks for would need extensive work before crosswalks could be put in. Some of the work included adding sidewalks and handicap access ramps. Kuchinski requested Mr. McCourt be invited to a Selectmen’s Meeting to explain his letter.
-Reminder that April 7th the Board should bring in their evaluations for discussion.
- An appointment should be made with the Auditors some time in May.
Jones asked what was happening with the dirt outside of the L.Z. Thomas School.
XVII. Request for Executive Session: Motion by Jones to move into Executive Session under Item 3 to discuss contract negotiations, Police, Highway, Clerical, Executive Secretary, second by Murdoch. Roll call vote: Murdoch, aye; Kuchinski, aye; Webster, aye, Jones, aye; Flynn, aye. The Board will enter open session to announce any votes taken during the Executive Session. No votes taken.
Adjournment: Motion by Murdoch to adjourn, second by Kuchinksi. Meeting adjourned at 11:05 p.m.
| 
