Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
February 25, 2003
Present: Robert Forte, Catherine Kuchinski, Stephanie McSweeney and Peter Jones. Also present were Executive Secretary E. Winn Davis and Executive Assistant Meredith Scozzari.
7:35 p.m. Chairman Kuchinski called the meeting to order and read the announcements.
I. Budget Meeting with Whitman Finance & Board of Selectmen – Members of the Whitman Board of Selectmen and Whitman Finance Committee were present along with Barbara Gomez and the Hanson Finance Committee. The four Boards discussed at great length the significant cuts both Towns will be receiving from state aid. They discussed strategies regarding the regional school budget. By consensus of the boards, a task force was created to meet with the Superintendent and Business Manager to discuss the financial situation of the communities and help work out a budget. The task force included Bill Capocci Whitman Finance, Kate Gallivan Hanson Finance, Barbara Gomez, Beth Stafford Whitman Selectmen, Frank Lyman Whitman Executive Secretary and Winn Davis. The next budget meeting for the school committee is scheduled for March 12th.
8:51 p.m. Brief Recess
9:00 p.m. Back in Session
II. Appointment of Police Lieutenant – Chief Savage presented the Board with the Assessment Center package and reviewed the process with the Board. Two candidates applied for the Lieutenant’s position, Sgt. Richard Gredler and Sgt. Peter Daley. The three chiefs conducting the assessment center recommended that Sgt. Gredler be appointed Lieutenant. Chief Savage also recommended Sgt. Gredler be appointed as Lieutenant commencing March 10, 2003. The Board discussed the candidates.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Kuchinski to appoint Sgt. Richard Gredler as Lieutenant effective March 10, 2003 or upon completion of contract negotiations. Voted 3 – 0 – 1 Jones
Chairman Kuchinski and Mrs. McSweeney to negotiate the contract with Sgt. Gredler. Letters of thanks to be sent to the candidates.
III. Disclosure – Chief Savage presented the Board with a letter of disclosure relative to his brother who works for GDS the Town’s IT consultant.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Jones to accept Chief Savage’s disclosure. Voted 4 – 0.
IV. Executive Secretary’s Report – Mr. Davis provided the Board with his suggested guidelines for auction procedures. Mrs. McCormack to discuss the procedures on March 11th. Mr. Davis indicated that he has contacted two former members of Conservation to see if they would return to the Commission. He is awaiting callbacks. Interviews for the Clerk’s position in Conservation are set for Thursday, February 27th. The Water Department has filed suit against the Zoning Board of Appeals. Appeals needs new counsel as Kopelman & Paige are in conflict. Snow and Ice budget is over $92,000. Chairman Kuchinski read a letter of commendation from Chief Savage regarding the work of the Highway and Water Departments during the
blizzard.
MOTION by McSweeney, second Jones to send letters of thanks to Water and Highway. Voted 4 – 0.
Notice has been received by the Assessors that if the need arises they will be sending out estimated tax bills. Board requested that notification be made to the residents in a timely fashion.
Accept Disclosures – Conservation Member, Ronald Gratton has submitted a disclosure regarding the Ridder matter. The Board discussed the situation and lack of members on the commission.
MOTION by Jones, second by Forte to accept Ronald Gratton’s disclosure as a conservation member regarding the Ridder matter. Voted 3 – 0 – 1 McSweeney.
Resignation – Judy Collins resigning from the Conservation Commission
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Jones to accept with regret Mrs. Collins’ resignation from the Conservation Commission. Voted 4 – 0.
One-Day Liquor License request - SURPRISE PARTY - Patty Squires 378 Brook Street, Hanson – Camp Kiwanee Saturday, March 1st 7:00 – 12:00 p.m.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Jones to grant a one-day liquor license to Patty Squires at Camp Kiwanee on Saturday, March 1, 2003. Voted 4 – 0.
Committee Reports – Open Space Committee – Chairman Kuchinski informed the Board that the Open Space Committee met on February 25 and is scheduled to meet again on March 3rd.
Upcoming meeting schedule – Chairman Kuchinski read the upcoming meeting schedule. The Board discussed meeting assignments. Article proponents scheduled for March 3rd.
Executive Session – Mr. Jones indicated that the Board would need to go into Executive Session regarding fire negotiations.
MOTION by Jones, second by McSweeney to go into Executive Session under Item #3 contract negotiations regarding the fire contract. Roll Call – Jones aye, McSweeney aye, Kuchinski aye, and Forte aye. Voted 4 – 0.
10:04 p.m. Brief Recess
10:17 p.m. Back in Open Session – no votes taken.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Forte to adjourn. Voted 4 – 0.
10:17 p.m. Meeting adjourned.
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