Minutes Selectmen’s Meeting of December 29, 1998
Present: Chairman Peter Jones, Judy Murdoch, Cathy Kuchinski, Daniel Webster, Charles Flynn and Executive Secretary Joseph Nugent.
I. Chairman Jones called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM by introducing Moderator Charles Mann and Karen Barry who were present tonight to ask the Board of Selectmen to consider naming the new Selectmen’s Chamber after Daniel Lewis, Patricia Stearns and Phil Stearns. Mann mentioned the many years of service this family has devoted to the Town of Hanson. Jones thanked them for their input and assured Mr. Mann and Ms. Barry that if they were to name any part of the building they will let them know who it would be after. Karen added that she could remember a great painting of Patty Stearns with her father and Phil in the background and that would be a great picture to hang in the meeting room. Kuchinski mentioned that she thought a plaque in
the new meeting room with all of the past Selectmen on it would be a good idea.
II. Carole McCormack - McCormack was here to discuss Plymouth County Retirement Association. McCormack is an appointed member of the Retirement Board. She explained the fiscal year 2000 budget appropriation. The schedule reflects an increase in 14.7%. McCormack explained this increase is due to the cost of living adjustments (COLAS) mandated by the State, the transfer of operating expense now being charged to investment income and the effect on our funding schedule and the projected additional expense related to rehabilitation of disability retirees. This year is expected to be the highest increase. The future years should not be such a large jump. Kuchinski offered to request any information for the retirement Board at the Local Aid
Forum. Webster asked if there is any information available on the types of investments the Retirement Board makes with the money. McCormack noted that she would get that information for the Board.
III. Police Chief, Russell King - to discuss staffing, Lt. Wiley is retiring that position will be filled hopefully by one of the Sergeants, which will open up the Sergeants position, which may open up a patrolman’s position. Chief King would like to get a commitment from the Selectmen to discuss these changes in March. The Patrolman would need to start before May in order for him to get into the academy. The list would be for two year limit for the test results.
Kuchinski would like to see the current list of Patrolman expanded. The list is for two years for test results for the list. There was some discussion regarding this issue. Chief King was not sure he wants to open the test up to more people.
Jones: asked how the “Are You O.K.” program is doing. King says it is doing well and he is very happy with it.
IV. Clerical budget approval:
1. Board of Selectmen’s Office - asking for an extra 11 hours for Management Assistant’s Position. The extra hours are to handle taking on some extra tasks (1) website, (2) Wage & Personnel, (3) Finance Committee minutes.
The Board discussed the extra hours. Kuchinski asked if it would change the benefits in the office. Nugent said it would not.
2. Planning Board - the planning board would like to keep the additional 3 hours in their office. Webster hasn’t seen the need for this 3 hours yet. Flynn would like some concrete reasons why they need these extra hours in the last year they have gone from 14 hours to 32 hours and then added an additional 3 hours. Kuchinski added that the Master Plan takes clerical staff to be implemented as well as the vision. Murdoch is going to vote against this for the fact that they have been given extra hours two years in a row and we should give the extra hours to some other departments that may need them. Motion by Flynn not to recommend the additional 3 hours in the Planning Board Office, second by
Webster. 3-2 Vote (Kuchinski, Jones nay)
3. Building Inspector - additional hours. The Board discussed these hours and voted on a motion by Webster to hold the job at 28 hours/wk, 2nd Kuchinski. 5-0 Vote.
4. Senior Center - request to add 15 hours per week to the clerical position. They have expanded many programs. Nugent recommends increasing by 1 hour per day which would be 5 hours a week. Flynn made a motion to add 5 hours per week to the Senior Center Clerical Staff, 2nd by Murdoch. 5-0 Vote
5. Board of Appeals - requesting to add 10 hours per week to Board of Appeals Clerical Staff. The Board of Appeals had presented a letter to the Board of Selectmen outlining the reasons for the request. Their hearings have increased to 61 hearing this year. Murdoch - would like to compromise. Nugent believes the work is getting done and no one has been turned away and that the office does not need the extra hours. There was some discussion regarding the overtime line. Kuchinski would prefer we did not add extra hours for some and not others. She also believes the Selectmen have received decent information from the Board of Appeals and would want to see atleast six or seven hours added. Flynn made a motion to increase the hours by 5 hours and review in one year, 2nd by Webster. 4-1 Vote(Kuchinski). General discussion was to see that review for adequacy be made annually.
6. Assessors Office would like to upgrade the Assistant to the Appraiser position to a grade 7 or 8 from a grade 5. Flynn made a motion to recommend an upgrade to a grade 6, second by Webster. 5-0 Vote.
7. Treasurer/Collector’s Office - Carole McCormack would like to change the positions to a grade 7 Assistant Collector 32 hours and a grade 7 Assistant Treasurer 35 hours and a 24 hour a week grade 4 Clerk.
Nugent suggested an Assistant Collector at a grade 6 for 32 hours and an Assistant Treasurer at a grade 6 for 35 hours. and a Grade 5 Clerk for 16 hours a week.
The Board discussed this situation at length and Flynn made a motion to recommend Nugents option for 2 grade 6 positions, 2nd by Webster with the option of additional hours as needed. 5-0 Vote.
Kuchinski mentioned the Custodial Line which was increased for next year. The Board discussed consolidating the services for the all town buildings. Flynn asked if we had looked into a service, Nugent said we have but it is extremely expensive. Motion by Kuchinski to decrease the Custodial Line by $8,000 for FY 2000, second for discussion by Webster. There was much discussion, Kuchinski stated that she is against a full time custodial position for the Town Hall. Webster withdrew second negating action on proposed motion. Currently, the position is 15 hours-budget looks for 35 hours. Board expects full time person to do light duty maintenance, painting and landscape outside work.
VI. Open Warrant for May Annual Town Meeting - Motion by Flynn to open the annual Town Meeting Warrant to close on March 30, 1999 second by Murdoch. 5-0 Vote
VII. Vote and sign Class I, II, III. licenses - Murphy’s Auto Body (Class II), Steve’s Auto Care (Class II.), Wheels N Deals (Class II.), Hunter Recreational (Class I.). Motion by Flynn, second by Murdoch. 5-0 Vote.
VIII. Vote and Sign Automatic Amusement Device licenses - Damien’s Pub, Alfred & Paul’s, Matilda’s, Hanson Athletic Association, Hanson A.A. Bowladrome, Hanson American Legion Post #226, Hanson Tavern Inc. Motion by Flynn, second by Kuchinski. 5-0 Vote.
IX. Vote and sign Change of DBA for Liquor License from Cahill’s Pub to Damien’s. Motion by Flynn, 2nd by Kuchinski. 5-0 Vote.
X. Request for appointment - Daniel Drury to the Capital Improvement Committee to expire 6/30/01. Motion by Flynn second by Kuchinski. 5-0 Vote.
Action Requests:
Kuchinski (1) Kopelman and Paige Survey (2) Street Development Committee (3) if we are drafting rules and regulations for Town ponds would like to hold a public hearing for some input. (4) Would like to know how we could add a budget for Nathaniel Thomas Mill Committee and Town Forest Committee. - Nugent suggested they submit a budget themselves, the office will send a letter. (5) who declared the Indian Head School giveaway surplus? Nugent stated that the Schools did, Flynn added that they declared it nonsalvagable. Webster (1) Wage and Personnel issue - Webster made a motion to appoint a Selectmen as the ex-officio member of the Wage and Personnel Board, 2nd by Kuchinski. 5-0 vote.
Executive Secretary Report:
There a five Web Pages to be reviewed by the Selectmen and they must chose one that they like. The Office Staff will be meeting with Sue Moss at the High School to discuss the Web Page.
Nugent requested a brief Executive Session Under Item 3 to discuss negotiations and Item 6 to consider exchange of real property. Motion by Flynn to move into Executive Session under #3 and #6, second by Murdoch. Roll Call vote: Murdoch, aye, Kuchinski, aye, Webster, aye, Flynn, aye, Jones, aye. 5-0 Roll call vote.
The Board entered into Open Session for adjournment purposes. Motion to adjourn by Flynn, second by Murdoch. 5-0 Vote.
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