Selectmen’s Meeting of April 28, 1998
Present: Charles Flynn, Chairman; Judith Murdoch; Catherine Kuchinski; Peter Jones; Daniel Webster.
The Board introduced Charles O’Donnell, Chairman of the Wage and Personnel Board and member, Mike Hulak. Mr. O’Donnell gave an explanation of the background and rationale for action taken by the Wage and Personnel Board which will be presented in article form at the Special Town Meeting. Mr. O’Donnell spoke about the requests made for adjustments from various department heads and boards. Board members asked questions and made comments. Wage and Personnel recommended that the Board of Selectmen consider a bylaw change in October that would remove several of the administrative positions (Accountant, Treasurer/Collector, Director of Elder Affairs) from the control of Wage and Personnel. The Board of Selectmen concurred with this concept and agreed to look into
it.
Planning Board was introduced. Chairman Phil Lindquist, Planner, Noreen O’Toole, and several Planning Board members attended. Discussion concerning Planning Board’s submittal of articles 18 and 19 in the Special Town Meeting which required a specific time-frame for the Finance Committee to react. Planning Board felt this bylaw change would allow departments and citizens of the Town the opportunity to receive information prior to going into Town Meeting. Board members commented on their concerns that these restrictions might have on the ability of the Town and more specifically the Fin. Com. to function. Motion made by Cathy Kuchinski to recommend 18 and 19.. 2nd by Webster. Voted 2-2 (Judith Murdoch, Charles Flynn)-1(Peter Jones). (Motion did not pass-Selectmen
do not recommend)
Town Planner, Noreen O’Toole, explained Article 20 of the Special Town Meeting which was an update of the Aquifer Protection Bylaw. Motion made by Murdoch, 2nd by Jones to recommend. Voted 5-0.
Phil Lindquist also discussed Article 31 of the Annual Town Meeting which requests $8,000 for a Master Plan. After some explanation and discussion, Motion made by Webster, 2nd Kuchinski to recommend. Voted 5-0.
Noreen O’Toole explained Article 17 of the Special Town Meeting concerning the submission of a cluster zoning bylaw. Board voted to recommend 5-0. Motion by Murdoch, 2nd Kuchinski.
Board of Selectmen discussed with Chairman Lindquist amending Article 4 of the Annual Town Meeting, which would establish salaries for the Planning Board which would establish salaries equal of other elected officials. Motion by Kuchinski to support an amended article adding the Planning Board pay. 2nd Murdoch. 5-0 vote.
Highway Surveyor, Richard Harris, addressed the Board. Harris explained Article 25 of the Special Town Meeting in which he was requesting $8,000 to be added to the salary line. These funds will be used to pay overtime as well as to fund a step increase for one of the employees. Motion by Kuchinski to recommend Article 25. 2nd Webster. Voted 5-0.
Highway Surveyor further requested that the Board consider a salary increase on his line of 5%. This represents an increase of $926 above the 3% already recommended. Motion by Jones, 2nd Webster, voted 5-0.
Alan Spera, came before the Board to discuss two articles which were submitted, one on the Special Town Meeting warrant, and one on the Annual Town Meeting warrant. Mr. Spera reiterated his concern to keep Memorial Field project moving forward. The Board debated the use of Stabilization Funds vs. borrowing money and the type of action they would recommend to Town Meeting. Motion by Murdoch, 2nd Webster to reconsider the vote to not recommend the Special Town Meeting article 21. Voted 4-1 to reconsider (Flynn opposed) Motion by Murdoch, 2nd by Kuchinski to recommend Special Town Meeting article 21 be funded using Stabilization Funds. Voted 4-1 (Flynn opposed) Mr. Spera also pointed out that the Town had just received a check in the amount of $34,000 from the State as partial
reimbursement for work which has already been completed.
George Andruk appeared before the Board regarding removal of materials from his bog off Crescent St. and Indian Head St. Mr. Andruk explained that last season he ran out of water from his reservoir or bog pond off Crescent St. That project involved excavating materials to increase water storage. He stated that materials which were suitable for his cranberry operation were kept, although some were moved to other bog sites in Town. Silty material which was not suitable was given away. The Indian Head St. bog involved work related to squaring off the bog in order to use modern day equipment. In addition areas adjacent to the bog were cut back to allow sunlight. Mr. Andruk indicated that there were only minor amount of materials taken from this area and there were still materials on
site which may need to be removed. He has not completed any work at that site since the Conservation Commission has stepped in. Ms. Kuchinski related her concerns to Mr. Andruk about his violations of Hanson’s Earth removal bylaw. She further pointed out that even though Mr. Andruk may not be marketing or selling materials the bylaw still calls for proper permitting through the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Andruk explained that he did not feel that the bylaw was necessarily applicable to his business operation. The Board urged him to check with the Selectmen’s office during any type of similar removal operations in the future. Motion made by Kuchinski to send a letter of reprimand in lieu of assessing fines. No second. Consensus of the Board that the Chair would send a letter expressing our concerns and reminding Mr. Andruk to conform to the bylaw. Board further indicated that they would review the bylaw, specifically the
threshold of materials removed, prior to the bylaw kicking in.
Board resumed discussion of articles for the Special Town Meeting. Chairman Flynn reminded the Board that Chief Huska sent a written explanation concerning Article 7. Motion made by Kuchinski, 2nd by Murdoch. Voted 5-0 to recommend.
Board had a lengthy discussion concerning article 11. Motion by Murdoch to support an adjustment to 3% for all those salaries which Wage and Personnel were recommending to be less than 3% except for the Federal minimum. 2nd by Kuchinski. Voted 5-0.
Board reviewed Articles which had been placed on hold for the Annual Town Meeting. Article 13, motion made by Jones, 2nd by Flynn to recommend. Discussion took place concerning the merit of spending $18,000 on the roadway at Kiwanee. Voted 2-2(Murdoch, Flynn)-1(Kuchinski) (not recommended).
Article 14, motion by Murdoch, 2nd by Jones to recommend. Discussion followed concerning the expenditure of Cap. Imp. funds in the amount of $5,000 for cafeteria tables at the Maquan School. Voted 3-0-2 (Kuchinski, Webster).
Article 15, Motion by Murdoch, 2nd by Kuchinski not to recommend. The Board discussed issues surrounding the development of a parking lot and foot paths on School St. between Maquan St. and the Library/Senior Center. It was unclear exactly where the footpath was going to go and Selectman Kuchinski had concerns about the cutting of the trees which had taken place. Voted 2-2 (Jones, Webster)-1(Flynn). (Board recommended)
Article 24, Continued hold.
Article 24, Motion by Kuchinski to recommend and pass over if passes in Special Town Meeting, 2nd Jones. Voted 5-0.
Article 25, Motion by Jones, 2nd by Webster to pass over. Voted 4-1(Kuchinski).
Article 26, Motion by Jones, 2nd by Kuchinski not to recommend. Voted 4-1 (Webster) (Huntly rezoning article)
Article 27, Board continued hold.
Article 29, Motion by Kuchinski, 2nd by Murdoch to recommend. Voted 4-1 (Webster)
Article 30, Motion by Kuchinski, 2nd by Murdoch to recommend. Voted 4-1 (Webster)
Article 31, Voted to recommend. Motions by Webster, 2nd by Kuchinski. Voted 5-0.
Board reviewed the final budget as presented by the Finance Committee. After some discussion, the Board agreed that they would hold and discuss on Monday, May 4th, the following lines. Treasurer/Collector wages, Town Accountant wages, Health Agent wages, and Building Inspector wages.
Executive Secretary report. Mr. Nugent requested the Board vote and sign contracts which have been completed. Motion by Murdoch to sign the Lieutenant’s contract, 2nd Webster. Voted 5-0.
Motion by Murdoch to sign the clerical contract, 2nd Webster, voted 5-0.
Motion by Murdoch to sign the Executive Secretary contract. 2nd by Jones. Voted 5-0.
After brief explanation of a point of correction within the Highway contract, the Board voted to hold that for further discussion.
Board voted unanimously on motion by Murdoch, 2nd by Jones to waive the deadline for application to Norfolk County Agricultural School for Caitlin Byron. Strong opinion that April 1st deadline must be adhered to in the future.
Motion by Murdoch, 2nd by Kuchinski to grant one day liquor license to Hanson Kiwanis for May 9, 1998 at Camp Kiwanee for spaghetti supper. Voted 5-0.0.
Motion by Murdoch, 2nd by Jones to vote speed limit sign for Union Street as recommended by Chief King. Voted 5-0.
Motion by Jones to permit for Congregational Church for Colonial Walk from Fern Hill Cemetery to Congregational Church on Sunday, May 3, 1998 at 9:30 AM. Second by Kuchinski. Voted 5-0. This is in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Church.
Accepted with regret on motion by Murdoch, 2nd by Kuchinski resignations of Heidi Kotkowski from Street Acceptance Committee and Susan Thornton from Plymouth County Hospital Advisory Committee. Voted 5-0.
Announced a bike safety program sponsored by Hanson Kiwanis to be held at the Maquan School on May 16th. 10AM to 1 PM.
Announced Hanson Kiwanis Club spaghetti dinner at Camp Kiwanee between the hours of 4 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on May 9th.
Board voted to adjourn, 5-0. 12:10 AM, Wednesday, April 29.
Planning board - Master Plan. Peter Jones volunteered to be Selectman designee - Kuchinski to act as alternate.
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