Selectmen’s Meeting
June 10, 2003
Present: Robert Forte, Mark Gallivan, Catherine Kuchinski, Jesse McSweeney and Peter Jones. Also present were Executive Secretary E. Winn Davis and Executive Assistant Meredith Scozzari.
7:37 p.m. Chairman Jones called the meeting to order and read the announcements and upcoming meeting schedule.
I. Barbara Gomez Town Accountant – Mrs. Gomez presented her monthly report to the Board. She indicated that the budget lines are on track. All the adjustments made at Town Meeting have been included in her report. She advised the Board that due to Whitman’s 5% increase in the school budget, Hanson would have approximately $50,000 extra in October. She recommended returning the funds to stabilization.
II. Jean Marie Smith, Director of Elder Affairs – Mrs. Smith was unable to attend due to illness. The Board requested she present her report on June 17th.
III. Carole McCormack, Treasurer/Collector - Mrs. McCormack gave the Board SANs to sign for 4 highway projects. Eastern Bank was awarded the bid at an interest rate of 1.44% for 90 days. Mrs. McCormack indicated that 97% of the 2003 taxes have been collected. She reviewed her report with the Board. She is working with the Hanover Tax Collector relative to obtaining Town motor vehicle license plates as a revenue source. She will report back.
IV. Tax Title Auction Protocol – The Board reviewed the revised protocol. Briefly discussed notifying the abutters via certified mail. Mrs. McCormack indicated that it would be too costly. Mr. McSweeney requested he be on the record that he preferred to have notification by certified mail. The Board discussed inserting in 6C - requirement for a government issued photo ID and at the end inserting prior to being issued a bid number.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Forte to accept the tax title auction protocol as amended. Voted 5 – 0.
V. Edward Savage, Police Chief – Chief Savage presented his monthly report, highlighting officer training, a grant for a new breathalizer, staffing short due to an injured officer, Officer Gorman’s promotion to detective. The Detective promotion creates an opening for a patrolman. The Chief indicated that there are three candidates on the current list and an academy is scheduled for August 24, 2003. He will provide the Board with a package on the candidates. The Chief discussed the mock drill at the schools.. The Chief recognized Acting Veteran’s Agent Dana Larsen for his organization of the Memorial Day parade. He thanked and congratulated Chris Parker who interned for the police department over the last 3 months. The Chief
thanked local businessmen Jon Ridder and Steven Shandel for their donation of landscaping materials for the police station lawn.
VI. Michael Kennedy, Building Inspector – Mr. Kennedy reviewed his monthly report with the Board. He indicated that Tag Way and Stonewall Estates are moving along quickly as is the Congregational Church. The Whitman building inspector offered his assistance during the high school building project.
VII. Board of Health - Hanson Manor Licensing Issue – Mr. Davis informed the Board the he spoke with the Board of Health and the matter is resolved.
VIII. Executive Secretary’s Report – Mr. Davis indicated that he, Jesse McSweeney and Insurance Committee member Sonny Gerraughty would be meeting on Tuesday, June 17 with Gaudette Insurance to discuss police and fire disability insurance. He recommended that the Fire Negotiation Team discuss strategies prior to the mediation on June 23rd. The Board received notification of a $26.9M Homeland Security Grant for public safety. He will work on it with the Police Chief. DEP has grant money for Clean and Drinking Water. The information will be forwarded to the Board of Health and Conservation. A defibrillator grant is available. The application is due on Thursday. Mr. Davis reviewed the letter from the Highway Surveyor to the Water Department
regarding the water main project. The office received a request for 61A release of 208 Elm Street. Notification has been sent to the appropriate departments. Mr. Davis and Noreen O’Toole will be meeting with the Lt. Gov. on Friday to discuss local issues, budgets and economic development. He held a pre-construction meeting at the Library Senior Center with Door Tech regarding the automatic doors.
IX. Sign Baran Extension – Mr. Davis provided the Board with a Reinstatement and Amendment Agreement to the Baran Purchase and Sales agreement. The extension date is December 31, 2003. The Board inquired about the paragraph regarding the water department. Mr. Davis informed them that although the Water Department voted to give Baran water, Baran does not have any formal written confirmation. A revision was made in the third paragraph in both agreements. The Hanson Garden agreement was revised to read Section 34(k) and the Arbor House Agreement was revised to read Section 35(k).
MOTION by Forte, second by Gallivan that the Board sign the reinstatement and amendment agreement, that reaffirms the purchase and sales agreement and extends the time for performance to a date not later than December 31, 2003. Voted 3 – 1(McSweeney ) – 1 (Kuchinski).
X. Committee Report – Dunstan illegal dumping complaint – Mr. McSweeney advised the Board that he went on a site visit with the Board of Health, Conservation Agent and Building Inspector. He indicated that the situation is dangerous due to the size and slope of the debris mound. Mr. Dunstan has received correspondence from Board of Health. Several departments are involved in the matter. Mr. McSweeney also indicated there are several unregistered motor vehicles on the property, which are in violation of the by-laws. He is waiting for updates from the Building Inspector and Conservation. Ms. Kuchinski indicated that the Open Space Committee will be meeting on June 30th and the Trails committee
will be meeting on June 23rd. Mr. Jones updated the Board on the high school building projects. Bids are scheduled to open next week. Ms. Kuchinski inquired about the status of the Adams Circle and Lite Control properties. Mr. Davis indicated he is working on them.
XI. Appointments:
Civil Defense Water
Services Officer Glen Doherty 1 Year 6/30/04
Harbormaster Robert O’Brien 1 year 6/30/04
Insurance Comm. Frank Gerraughty 1 year 6/30/04
SSVT Rep. James Rodick 3 years 6/30/06
Street Safety Manuel DePina 1 year 6/30/04
Recreation Susan Lonergan 3 years 6/30/06
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by McSweeney to reappoint Glen Doherty as the CD Water Services Officer for one year. Voted 5 – 0.
MOTION by Forte, second by Kuchinski to reappoint Robert O’Brien as the Harbormaster for one year. Voted 5 – 0.
MOTION by Forte, second by Gallivan to reappoint Frank Gerraughty to the Insurance Committee for one year. Voted 4 – 0 – 1 (McSweeney) . Mr. McSweeney sited his position as a Special Investigator for the State Insurance Division may cause a conflict.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to reappoint James Rodick to the SSVT School Committee for three years. Voted 5 – 0.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Kuchinski to reappoint Manuel Depina to the Street Safety and Development Committee for a period of one year. Voted 5 – 0.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Forte to reappoint Susan Lonergan to the Recreation Commission for three years. Voted 5 – 0.
XII. Assign Selectmen to Committees & Negotiation Teams
Street Safety & Development – Jesse McSweeney & Peter Jones – 1 year
Zoning By-Law Committee – Robert Forte – Mark Gallivan Alternate – 1 year
Master Plan – Jesse McSweeney - 1 year
Catherine Kuchinski offered to remain on the following committees with the caveat that she not be appointed to a negotiation team: Drainage, Emergency Communications, Housing Partnership, Master plan, Thomas Hall Memorial, Private Road Oversight all one year appointments. Open space 3 year term.
XIII. Approve minutes of 4/29/03, 5/5/03, 5/20/03
MOTION by Forte, second by Kuchinski to approve the minutes of April 29, 2003. Voted 3 – 0 – 2 (McSweeney & Gallivan)
MOTION by Forte, second by Kuchinski to approve the minutes of May 5, 2003. Voted 3 – 0 – 2 (McSweeney & Gallivan)
MOTION by Forte, second by Gallivan to approve the regular session minutes of May 20, 2003. Voted 5 – 0.
XIV. Common Victualler’s License request – Hanson Historical Society for Friday, June 20, 2003 and Saturday, September 20, 2003.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Forte to approve a Common Victualler’s license to the Hanson Historical Society. Voted 5 – 0.
XV. Highway Grievance over Transfer Station Disposition – Chairman Jones informed the Board that the Highway Union has requested the matter be discussed in Executive Session under item #3.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to go into Executive Session under item #3, Union negotiations and litigation. Roll Call: Kuchinski aye, Gallivan aye, Jones aye, Forte aye and McSweeney aye. Vote 4 – 1 (Kuchinski )
9:34 p.m. – Brief Recess
10:20 p.m. – Back in open session – Mr. McSweeney left at the beginning of Executive Session due to a potential conflict.
Chairman Jones announced the purpose of Executive Session was to discuss a grievance filed by the Highway Union regarding filling the full time vacancy at the Transfer Station. He informed the audience that the matter is difficult because three departments are involved in the process. The decision on the grievance will be made in open session.
MOTION by Forte, second by Gallivan that the Board deny the grievance filed by the Highway Union as the actions by the Board of Health were consistent with past practice, and the decision to fill vacancies is a management prerogative, as set forth in the attached draft.
Voted 4 – 0.
10:22 p.m. Mr. McSweeney returned to the table.
XVI. Review Policies (First Group) – Board reviewed the following policies:
Common Victualler’s License Process - Ms. Kuchinski requested that be the policy be held and incorporated with other license processes.
Equal Opportunity Policy Statement - Revised first word in the third paragraph changing “the” to “this”.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to approve the Equal Opportunity Policy Statement as amended. Voted 5 – 0.
Safety Policy – Board requested the Safety Committee be referenced in the policy – HELD
Sexual Harassment Policy – Minor changes to Section A, Employee E and Supervisor A,
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Gallivan to approve the Sexual Harassment Policy as amended. Voted 5 – 0.
Snow Policy – Discussion regarding the clarity of the policy. HELD
Submitting Agendas – Revised to include the Executive Secretary in Section 2.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Gallivan to approve the agenda submission policy. Voted 5 – 0
XVII. Board of Selectmen Goals – Chairman Jones reviewed the proposed Goals and Objectives for the Board. Brief discussion regarding the members working together on goals. Chairman Jones recommended quarterly reports on the status of the goals.
XVIII. Water Department Letter – Chairman Jones presented the Board with a copy of a thank you letter to be sent to the Water Commissioners for the Plymouth County Hospital project and a request they stay in touch with the Board.
XIX. Fire Union Insurance Grievance – Mr. Davis presented the Board with an agreement from Labor Counsel regarding the settlement of the insurance co-pay grievance.
MOTION by Forte, second by McSweeney to sign the agreement with the IAFF regarding the insurance co-pay grievance, which was drafted by Labor Counsel. Voted 4 – 0 – 1 (Kuchinski) Ms. Kuchinski indicated she did not vote in favor of the motion due to the fact the agreement did not indicate a dollar amount or funding source.
Executive Session – Fire Unions violation of ground rule #10 - Tabled
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to adjourn. Voted 5 – 0.
10:56 p.m. Meeting Adjourned
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