Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes of March 30, 1999
Present: Chairman Peter Jones, Judy Murdoch, Cathy Kuchinski, Charles Flynn. (Webster was not present) and Executive Secretary Joseph F. Nugent.
I. Chairman Jones called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. Residents from Nina Drive and Elm Street in Hanson were present to discuss with the Board the potential of a Mental Health Facility being built on Nina Drive. Resident Tom Costley discussed his concerns with the Board regarding Traffic and asked if the Board could intercede with this issue. There was much discussion from other residents with the same concerns over the Traffic flow this facility will create. The other mental health facilities in Town are on heavily traveled roadways. Chairman Jones read a letter to be sent to General Counsel MacKenzie regarding the Selectmen’s Position on this facility on Nina Drive. The letter basically voiced concerns over the Traffic issue and
the impact the facility may have on property values. Motion by Kuchinski to send the letter as written, second by Flynn. 4-0 Vote. The Residents thanked the Board of Selectmen for their support.
II. Warrant Articles:
The Chairman read each article from the Special Town Meeting Warrant
ARTICLE 1: To see if the Town will vote to transfer from Free Cash a sum of money to be added to the 1998 Annual Town Meeting, Article 5, Line 97, Police Other Wages or take any other action in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 2 : To see if the Town will vote to transfer:
$40.00 from the 1998 May Special Town Meeting Article 3, Intern
$645.40 from the 1993 October Special Town Meeting Article 29, AD Survey
$1,000.00 from the 1996 March Special Town Meeting Article 1, School Study
$141.68 from the 1995 October Special Town Meeting Article 8, FD Training
$370.00 from Planning Board Engineering Article
$600.00 from Free Cash
to the 1998 Annual Town Meeting Article 5, Line 30 Clerical Wages or take any other action in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 3 : To see if the Town will vote to transfer from free cash a sum of money to the 1998 Annual Town Meeting Article 5, Line 29 Selectmen Board Wages or take any other action in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 4 : To see if the Town will vote to transfer from free cash a sum of money to the 1998 Annual Town Meeting Article 5, Line 102, Firefighters-F/T Wages or take any other action in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 5: To see if the Town will vote to amend the General Bylaws, Article 2-12, Classification and Compensation by deleting sections 11A through 11 F and inserting the new sections 11A through 11F as printed below;(see article 5 of the 1999 Special Town Meeting Warrant)
ARTICLE 6: To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to negotiate the purchase on behalf of the Town, of the Plymouth County Hospital Property or take any other action in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 7: To see if the Town will vote to transfer $25,000 from free cash and transfer $15,000 from the 1998 Annual Town Meeting, Article 5, Line 14, Legal, to conduct engineering and environmental study at the Plymouth County Hospital Site or take any other action in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 8: To see if the Town will vote to transfer from free cash a sum of money to repair the tomb at Fern Hill Cemetery or take any other action in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 9: To see if the Town will vote to transfer $403.87 from the 175th Anniversary Fund or transfer from Free Cash to pay an unpaid bill from fiscal year 1998 or take any other action in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 10 : To see if the Town will vote to dissolve the Street Acceptance Committee or take any other action in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 11 : To see if the Town will vote to dissolve the Street Lighting Committee or take any other action in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 12: To see if the Town will vote to transfer from the Ambulance Fee Fund a sum of money to make a payment for the lease/purchase voted at the October 1996 Special Town Meeting or take any other action in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 13: To see if the Town will vote to transfer from the 1998 Annual Town Meeting, Article 5 Line 115 Water Other Wages, a sum of money to be added to Article 5, Line 116 Water Clerical Wages, or take any other action in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 14: To see if the Town will vote to transfer from the Water Surplus Account, a sum of money to be added to October 1997 Special Town Meeting, Article 16 for the purchase of water meters or take any other action in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 15: To see if the Town will vote to transfer from the Water Surplus Account, a sum of money to be added to the May 1997 Special Town Meeting, Article 5 Water Main, or take any other action in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 16: To see if the Town will vote to transfer from free cash, and/or transfer from Article 5 Line 8, Unemployment, and/or transfer from Article 5 Line 3, Interest, a sum of money to be added to Article 5 Line 6, Benefits, of the Annual 1998 Town Meeting, or take any other action thereto.
ARTICLE 17 : To see if the Town will vote to transfer from Free Cash a sum of money to the 1998 Annual Town Meeting Article 5, Line 106 Highway Wages or take any other action in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 18 : To see if the Town will vote to transfer from free cash a sum of money to deconsecrate and remove the burial tomb on Winter Street or take any other action in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 19: To see if the Town will vote to transfer $500.00 from the 1998 Annual Town Meeting Article 5 Line 86 Veteran’s Benefits to Article 5 Line 85 Veteran’s Expenses or take any other action in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 20: To see if the Town will vote to transfer $500.00 from the 1998 Annual Town Meeting Article 5 Line 86 Veteran’s Benefits to Article 5 Line 87 Care of Soldier’s and Sailor’s Graves or take any other action in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 21: To see if the Town will vote to transfer $3,000.00 from the 1998 Annual Town Meeting Article 5 Line 86 Veteran’s Benefits for a Patriotic Observance fund or take any other action in relation thereto.
The Board reviewed each article for the Special Town Meeting Warrant. Their was discussion on the following Articles : Article 7 : Jones asked that “investigation” be changed to “study”. Article 9: Add “or transfer from Free Cash” this article is regarding an unpaid bill to be transferred from 175th Anniversary Fund. Article 18 - To deconsecrate and remove tomb on Winter Street. Lila Coyle wanted to know what would become of this Town owned land and also what is the reason for the removal the Town should have removed it before the property was sold. The Board directed Nugent to talk with the Cemetery Commissioners, Highway Surveyor and Veteran’s Agent.
Motion by Kuchinski to accept the Special Town Meeting Warrant as presented, second by Murdoch. 4-0 Vote.
The Chairman read the Articles for the 1999 Annual Town Meeting Warrant as follows:
ARTICLE 1: To hear reports of the various Town Officers, Committees, Special Committees, and act thereon.
ARTICLE 2: To see if the Town will vote to approve the Capital Improvement Program as presented to the Board of Selectmen by the Capital Improvement Committee or take any other action in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 3: To see if the Town will authorize the Treasurer/Collector to enter into Compensating balance agreements during Fiscal 2000 as permitted by Mass. General Laws, Chapter 44, Section 53F or take any other action in relation thereto.
Explanation: Every year this article is voted. It simply allows the Treasurer/Collector to maintain accounts using credits instead of money to pay for banking charges.
ARTICLE 4: To see if the Town will vote to fix the Salary and Compensation of all Elected Officers and Committees of the Town as follows:
Explanation: The above represents a 3% increase for FY2000.
ARTICLE 5: To determine what sums of money the Town will appropriate and raise by taxation, transfer from free cash, transfer from Town Ambulance Funds, Water Department Revenue, Conservation Notice of Intent Fund, Overlay Surplus, and Stabilization Fund to defray charges and expenses of the Town, including Debt and Interest and to provide for a reserve fund for the 2000 Fiscal Year or take any action in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 6: To see if the Town will vote to appropriate and raise by taxation a sum of money to pay a legal judgment or take any other action in relation thereto.
settlement concerning the Charles George Trucking Law Suit. (Hazardous Waste Cleanup)
ARTICLE 7: To see if the Town will vote to accept Chapter 60, Section 3D of the Massachusetts General Laws or take any other action in relation thereto.
explanation: Elderly and Disabled Taxation Fund
ARTICLE 8: To see if the Town will vote to appropriate and raise by taxation $130,000 and transfer from:
1997 May A.T.M. ,Article 8 Oil Tanks $ 28,997.50
1996 October S.T.M. Article 21 Fire Dep’t Generators $ 4,622.50
1996 October S.T.M. Article 19 Traffic Controls $ 1,500.00
1997 October S.T.M. Article 9 Fire dep’t roof $ 1,869.00
1998 May A.T.M. Article 18 Highway Sander $ 656.00
1997 May A.T.M. Article 9 Highway fuel tank $ 3,456.00
Totaling $ 41,101.00
to the Capital Improvement Fund or take any other action in relation thereto:
ARTICLE 9: To see if the Town will vote to transfer from the Capital Improvement Fund a sum of money to purchase bullet proof vests for the Police Department or take any other action in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 10: To see if the Town will vote to transfer from the Capital Improvement Fund a sum of money to purchase a truck for the Highway Dept. or take any other action in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 11: To see if the Town will vote to transfer from the Capital Improvement Fund and transfer from the Emergency Ambulance Fund a sum of money for a lease/purchase of a UHF Radio System for the Fire Department or take any other action in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 12: To see if the Town will vote to transfer from the Capital Improvement Fund a sum of money to purchase and install a new phone system for the Town Hall or take any other action in relation there to.
ARTICLE 13: To see if the Town will vote to transfer from the Capital Improvement Fund a sum of money for the installation of new drainage at various sites in Town or take any other action in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 14: To see if the Town will vote to transfer from the Capital Improvement Fund a sum of money for purchase of a Breathalyzer for the Police Department or take any other action in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 15: To see if the Town will vote to transfer from the Capital Improvement Fund a sum of money to purchase and install lighting at the Boteri Baseball Field or take any other action in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 16: To see if the Town will vote to transfer from the Capital Improvement Fund a sum of money to replace the roof of the storage shed at the Highway Garage or take any other action in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 17: To see if the Town will vote to transfer from the Capital Improvement Fund a sum of money to purchase a 10’ ft. snow plow for the Highway Department or take any other action in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 18: To see if the Town will vote to transfer from the Capital Improvement Fund a sum of money to purchase and install a well at the Boteri Baseball Field or take any other action in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 19: To see if the Town will vote to trade in the 1990 580K Case backhoe loader toward the lease purchase of a new 1999 Backhoe loader from fiscal year 2000 Water Expenses Budget or take any other action in relation thereto:
ARTICLE 20: To see if the Town will vote to appropriate and raise by taxation or transfer from free cash a sum of money to be added to the 1998 Special Town Meeting Article 9, Employee Retirement or take any other action in relation thereto.
Explanation: This will fund the Buy-Outs for employees as they retire (i.e. sick time, vacation, etc.)
ARTICLE 21: To see if the Town will vote to appropriate and transfer from the Ambulance Fee Collection Fund, a sum of money to Article 5, Line 13, postage of the May 1999 Annual Town Meeting or take any other action in relation thereto:
Explanation: This money is a reimbursement to the postage account for postage used to mail all ambulance bills.
ARTICLE 22: To see if the Town will vote to transfer from either free cash and or from the Stabilization Fund a sum of money for the construction of an all-sports storage field house.
ARTICLE 23: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds the sum of $2,000.00 to support Legal Services for Cape Cod and Islands, Inc. continued provision of free legal services in civil matters to low-income families and their children, or taken any action in relation thereto:
ARTICLE 24: To see if the Town of Hanson will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds, the sum of $4,000.00 to contract with South Shore Women’s Center for domestic violence intervention and prevention services for its residents.
ARTICLE 25: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate by taxation, transfer from free cash, transfer from overlay reserve, transfer from stabilization, or transfer from available funds, the sum of $1,425.00, for the purpose of installing a new 100 AMP electrical service and related receptacles and wiring at the Old School House #4 on Main Street (a town-owned building) or take any other action in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 26: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from the Stabilization Fund and/or transfer from Free Cash a sum of money, not to exceed $20,000 for the purpose of developing the next phase of the Town’s Master Plan.
ARTICLE 27: To See if the Town will vote to authorize the continuation of a revolving fund under the provisions of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 44, s53E 1/2 for the purpose of Hanson Public Library operations including purchase, repair and maintenance of the copy machine(s), equipment and copy Machine(s) supplies, and the replacement of lost and damaged library materials. The following receipts generated shall be credited to the fund:
Receipts from charges to the public for the use of the copy machine(s) and fines and fees charged for lost, damaged and overdue library materials.
The Board of Library Trustees is authorized to expend from the account for its stated purpose without further appropriation subject to the restrictions contained in G.L.C. 44 s53E 1/2 an amount of money not to exceed $5,000.00 Expenditures shall not be made, or liabilities incurred in excess of the balance of the fund at any given time.
or take any other action in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 28: To see if the Town will vote to authorize the continuation of a revolving fund established under the provisions of Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 44, section 53E 1/2 for the use of Hanson Senior Center /Library operations including purchase, repair and maintenance of equipment, additional utility expense and janitorial reimbursement. The following receipts generated shall be credited to the fund:
Receipts from deposit and hourly use charges imposed upon any group or individual that has with prior approval agreed to the use and fee regulations as set forth by the Council for Elder Affairs and the Board of Library Trustees.
The Council for Elder Affairs or the Board of Library Trustees is authorized to expend from the account for its stated purpose without further appropriation subject to the restrictions contained in G.L. c. 44 s53E 1/2 and amount of money not to exceed $3,000.00 Expenditures shall not be made, or liabilities incurred in excess of the balance of the fund at any given time or take any other action in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 29: To see if the Town will vote to authorize the continuation of the revolving fund established under the provisions of General Law Chapter 44, Section 53E 1/2 for the use of the Police Department. Such funds to be used for the purpose of Police Department operations including the purchase, repair and maintenance of Police Department property and equipment which is covered by contract and cruiser purchase.
The following receipts generated through the operation of the Police Department shall be credited to the revolving fund:
A. Receipts from the courts' imposition of fines, fees and costs for violations cited by the Police Department.
B. Receipts from preparing Police reports.
C. Receipts from licenses issued by the Police Department.
D. Receipts from payment of fees and fines for violations of the parking and alarm system by-law.
The Chief of Police is authorized to expend from the fund for its stated purpose without further appropriation subject to the restrictions contained in General law Chapter 44, Section 53E 1/2 an amount not to exceed $55,000. Expenditures shall not be made or liabilities incurred in excess of the balance in the fund at any given time, or take any other action in relation thereto.
Proposed by the Chief of Police
ARTICLE 30: To see if the Town will vote to authorize the continuation of a revolving fund under the provisions of G.L. Chapter 44, Section 53E 1/2 for the use by the Hanson Board of Assessors, such funds to be used for the purchase of maps. The receipts generated through over the counter sale of these maps shall be credited to the revolving account. The Board of Assessors is authorized to expend from the fund for the stated purpose without further appropriation subject to the restrictions contained in G.L. Chapter 44, Section 53E 1/2 an amount not to exceed $1,000.00. Expenditures shall not be made or liabilities incurred in excess of the balance of the fund at any given time or take any other action relation thereto.
ARTICLE 31: To see if the Town will vote to authorize the continuation of a revolving fund established under the provisions of Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 44, section 53E 1/2 for the use of the Trustees of Memorial Field. Such funds to be used for the purpose of maintaining and making improvements to Memorial Field. The receipts generated though use of field fees and gifts shall be credited to the Revolving Fund. The Trustees of Memorial Field are authorized to expend from the Fund for the stated purpose without further appropriation subject to the restrictions contained in M.G.L. Chapter 44, Section 53E 1/2, an amount not to exceed $15,000. Expenditures shall not be made, or liabilities incurred in excess of the balance of the fund at any given time or take
any other action in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 32: To see if the Town will vote to open the Town Hall to the public five (5) days per week, as well as Tuesday evening, without any increase in the number of employees or the number of work hours per employee, or take any other action in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 33: To see if the Town will vote to name the parcel of Conservation Land located off Holmes Street, Lot 8, Plan 45 as shown on the Hanson Assessors’ Map, and owned by the Town of Hanson, henceforth as the Carolyn Moore Ready Conservation Area, with the Conservation Commission to be authorized to hold a dedicatory ceremony relative to this matter or take any other action in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 34: To see if the Town will vote to amend the General Bylaws, Article 2 - 17, Streets and Highways, by adding: Sections 6, 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, Sections 7, 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, Sections 8, 8A, 8B, 8C, Sections 9, 9A, 9B, as follows:(see 1999 Annual Town Meeting warrant)
ARTICLE 35: To bring their votes for the following offices: A Moderator for one year, two Selectmen for three years, an Assessor for three years, a Board of Health Member for three years, a Cemetery Commissioner for three years, a member of the Housing Authority for five years, a member of the Planning Board for five years, two Trustees of Memorial Field for three years, two Trustees of Public Library for three years, a member of the Whitman-Hanson Regional School District Committee PreK-12 for three years, a Water Commissioner for three years.
The Board reviewed each article for the Annual Town Meeting Warrant: The Board discussed the following Articles: Article 32- asked cost figures for this article which proposes the Town Hall be open 5 days a week plus Tuesday Evenings with no additional staff hours. The Board discussed this article. Nugent should send a memo asking for the proposed hours by each office. Article 34 - Planning Board Article regarding paper streets. Jones would like to see the Planning Board have some hearings and present at October Town Meeting. Kuchinski would like to see the Planning Board get together with those involved with this article such as Selectmen, Building Inspector before the May Town Meeting. Flynn would like to hold off on this article until October.
Betty Dahlberg joined the meeting to point out that Article 33 only states that it was signed by 10 Registered voters. This is how they are always listed on Warrant, total # of signatures can be brought up at Town Meeting.
Motion by Flynn to hold action on Article 34 and accept all other Annual Town Meeting Articles, second by Murdoch discussion regarding the Planning Board’s Article 34. Kuchinski would like the article to be considered by the Selectmen. Jones explained that the Board is holding action on the Article for discussion. 3-0-1 Vote (Kuchinski abstained)
The Board discussed Article 34 at length. Jones would like to spend more time on this article as a Town, working with the Planning Board and the public and bring this back at the October Town Meeting. Kuchinski expressed concern that the Planning Board was not notified of any problems with the Article before tonight’s meeting. Gordon Coyle was present but did not have any information to offer the Board, he was not present when the Article was voted on by the Planning Board. Murdoch was concerned that Town Meeting floor is not the time to hash out the article it should be discussed at length before Town Meeting. There will be a lot of questions regarding this article and would like to see the different Boards get together and discuss before Town Meeting.
Kuchinski made a motion to include this article in the Annual Town Meeting Warrant, second by Murdoch. 2-1-1 (Flynn, nay; Jones abstained)
IV. Wage and Personnel issues-
The Board discussed the Wage and Personnel issues regarding wage increases. The Board agreed to stay with the Wage and Personnel recommendations of 3% for the Director of Elder Affairs, Health Agent and Building Inspector and ask for recommendations from the evaluating Committee or Board. Motion by Murdoch to go with the 3% increase, second by Flynn. 4-0 Vote.
The Board will stay with their original recommendations from the evaluations for the Town Accountant and Treasurer/Collector.
V. Request for One Day Liquor License, Gail Fusco, October 23, 1999 at Camp Kiwanee, liquor to be sold from 12:00p.m.- 5:00 p.m. Motion by Flynn to grant the One Day Liquor License, second by Kuchinski. 4-0 Vote.
VI. Citizen’s Scholarship Foundation request for permission to hold canisters at the May 15th Annual Election at Maquan School Cafetorium. Motion by Flynn, second by Murdoch. 4-0 Vote.
VII. Vote to set the time for the May 15th Annual Election at Maquan School Cafetorium. Town Clerk suggests 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Motion by Murdoch, second by Flynn. 4-0 Vote.
VIII. Action Requests:
Flynn announced a pancake breakfast at the Tri-Town Masonic Temple on April 18th.
IX. Motion to adjourn by Murdoch, second by Flynn. 4-0 Vote.
| 
