Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes August 8, 2000
Present: Judy Murdoch, Cathy Kuchinski, Daniel Webster, Stephanie McSweeney and Peter Jones.
7:36 p.m. Chairman Webster called the meeting to order and requested a moment of silence for a past Hanson resident Russell Gardner and Hanson School teacher Frank Buckley who passed away recently.
I. Approve One-Day Liquor License request from Marilyn Werkheiser
Plymouth County Board of Realtors 8/25/00 – Camp Kiwanee
MOTION by Kuchinski second by McSweeney to approve one day liquor license to Plymouth County Board of Realtors from August 25, 2000 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Voted 5 – 0.
II. Approve Minutes of June 27th July 11th , July 14th and July 25th.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by McSweeney to approve Regular and Executive Session minutes of June 27, 2000. Voted 5 – 0.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Murdoch to approve Regular and Executive Session minutes of July 11, 2000. Voted 4 – 0 – 1 (Jones)
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by McSweeney to approve Regular and Executive Session minutes of July 14, 2000. Voted 3 – 0 – 2 (Jones & Murdoch)
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by McSweeney to approve Regular and Executive Session minutes of July 25, 2000. Voted 5 – 0.
III. Classification Hearing with Board of Assessors - Assessors Cindy Long, Daniel Ward, Susan Thornton and Lee Standish were present to make a recommendation on the classification of taxes.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by McSweeney to open the Classification hearing. Voted 5 – 0.
Chairman Webster read the hearing notice. Mrs. Long handed out packets and explained the tax rate. She expects the rate to be approximately $16.43 with an average increase to the homeowner to be $200.00. Mr. Ward informed the board that the Assessors voted to recommend the uniform tax rate.
MOTION by Jones, second by Murdoch to follow the assessors’ recommendation that the town use the uniform tax rate. Voted 5 – 0.
Classification hearing is not yet closed pending additional word from the Assessors.
Small Commercial Exemption – Mrs. Long explained the process for exemption and that there are approximately 16 businesses in Town, which would qualify. However, there are only two towns in the State that actually use this exemption. Mr. Ward advised that Board that the assessors voted not to recommend the Small Commercial Exemption.
MOTION by Murdoch, second by Kuchinski not to allow the Small Business Exemption. Voted 5 – 0.
IV. Al Hanscom of VHB – Mr. Hanscom passed out an update on the status of Plymouth County Hospital. He suggested that the Town move forward with the marketing analysis with an approximate cost of $15,000; testing of the current disposal system with a cost of $5,000; and drafting an RFP for a developer’s package with an estimated cost of $5,000. The marketing analysis and the testing of the disposal systems will be done immediately and the RFP to be complete in the winter. These three steps will be paid through MFDA’s funding. Discussed Historic preservation. Requested that the Historical Commission be
invited to the August 22nd meeting to give an update. RFPs will include request to preserve the historic nature of the hospital if viable. Scheduled the next public meeting for Wednesday, September 13th in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room. Reviewed the status of the residential houses. Mr. Hanscom indicated that a full survey of the property will be required prior to the Form A lots being completed. He mentioned Perkins Engineering as one potential vendor as they have worked the property in the past and would have background information.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Jones to authorize Mr. Hanscom proceed with the necessary steps to have a complete survey done. Voted 5 – 0.
Mr. Hanscom informed the Board he is working with a Norwell company regarding the design of the on-site septic systems with an estimated cost of $6,000 for designing 4 systems.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Murdoch to authorized Mr. Hanscom to have four on-site septic systems designed at an estimate cost of $6,000.00. Voted 5 – 0.
Mr. Hanscom indicated that UST removal project is completed and the Board will need to address the landfill issue in the very near future regarding the possibility of soliciting State funding or other funding sources and communications with DEP.
V. Goose Problem & Solutions – Bob Sutter presented a plan to the Board, which would decrease the food source for the geese and increase mulch, ground cover and garden areas. He also looked into fencing at a cost of $114.00 for 350 feet. The price did not include posts. Lengthy discussion ensued including educating the public about the hazards of feeding the waterfowl.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Jones to allow Bob Sutter and Richard Harris to proceed with the gardening plan presented with construction being performed now and planting and spraying to be done in the Spring as well as partial fencing in the lower parking lot area. Voted 3 – 2 (Kuchinski & Murdoch)
Both Murdoch and Kuchinski agree with the landscape plan but are opposed to the fencing. Town Accountant to check into the funding availability.
VI. Dissolve the Disabilities Committee – Mr. Webster indicated that the Committee has completed it’s charge and can be dissolved.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Murdoch to dissolve the Disabilities Committee, which was created by Town Meeting vote. Voted 5 – 0.
VII. Recreation Commission Appointments - Maureen Clifford and Richard Clifford were present and requested reappointment. They previously filed disclosures regarding conflict of interest. Their children have also filed disclosures. The Board did not received a disclosure from the Swimming Director. Webster, McSweeney and Murdoch expressed concern over conflict. Jones and Kuchinski would be willing to re-appointment one of them. Two other applications have been received from Susan Lonergan of 114 State Street and John Griffith – 48 Pleasant Street.
MOTION by Murdoch, second by McSweeney to appoint Susan Lonergan and John Griffith to the Recreation Committee. Voted 3 – 2 (Jones & Kuchinski)
VIII. Building Inspector’s Salary & Screen Process – Board discussed various ranges for the new building inspector and reviewed a salary survey of area towns. Jones suggested a new range of $35,000 - $44,000. Webster & Murdoch would like to see the range higher to attracted more qualified candidates. Webster indicated that the Board would be the screening committee and Murdoch suggested having Don Robbins assist the Board in the screening process.
MOTION by Jones, second by McSweeney to set the Building Inspector salary range at $35,000 - $44,000. Voted 5 – 0.
IX. Norfolk County Agricultural Bussing Bid – Only one bid was received - SCO Transportation of Abington for $53 per day. They have had the contract for the past few years. SCO transports Hanson students from their homes to the commuter parking lot in Rockland where a regional bus service transports the themto Nolfolk.
MOTION by Jones, second by Kuchinski to award the transportation bid to SCO Transportation of Abington at $53.00 per day. Voted 5 – 0.
X. First Student Transportation Memorandum of Agreement – The regional bus service which transports the Norfolk County students from Rockland to Norfolk.
MOTION by McSweeney, second Kuchinski to authorize the Chairman to sign the Memorandum of Agreement with First Student Transportation. Voted 5 – 0.
XI. Appointment of Election Workers: All terms to Expire 8/1/01
Ernest B. Amado, Jr. of 592 State Street
Dana Billings of 56 Elm Place
Elizabeth Botieri of 731 High Street
Judith Braley of 144 Indian Head Street
Georgina Dias of 19 Briggs Street
Marion Elms of 532 County Road
Ruth Fee of 226 Elm Street
Kathleen Ferrara of 424 High Street
Rita Forbes of 71 Winter Terrace
Marylyn Grant of 171 Winter Street
Diane Hillstrom of 961 Monponsett Street
Janet Keene of 370 Franklin Street
Mary Lyon of 83 Carriage Road
Faith Mosher of 321 High Street
Lynda Pepe of 169 Pleasant Street
Priscilla Pratt of 691 East Washington Street
Mary Puleio of 97 Crescent Street
Claire Riddell of 8 Reed Street
Virginia Robbins of 88 Hillcrest Road
Barbara Roberts of 145 Cross Street
Rachel Walsh of 458 Brook Street
Alice Wildes of 498 State Street
James Wildes of 498 State Street
Enid Winchester of 820 Main Street
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Kuchinski to recommend appointments as presented by the Town Clerk. Voted 5 – 0.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Murdoch to adjourn. Voted 5 – 0
Meeting adjourned 10:34 p.m.
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