Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
December 16, 2003
Present: Present were Catherine Kuchinski, Mark Gallivan, Peter Jones, Robert Forte and Jesse McSweeney. Also present Acting Executive Secretary Meredith Scozzari.
7:40 p.m. Chairman Jones called the meeting to order and read the announcements and up coming meeting schedule. Chairman Jones recognized the Fire Fighters who received the Fire Fighter of the Year Award at Faneuil Hall earlier in the day. The Fire Fighters Robert O’Brien, Jerry Thompson, John Rothwell and James Van Bibber.
I. Discuss GIS - Bob Sutter was present along with Town Planner Noreen O’Toole, Planning Board member Phil Lindquist and Building Inspector Michael Kennedy to discuss the implementation of GIS. Noreen O’Toole explained GIS to the Board. Mr. Sutter indicated that GIS is ready to be uploaded after the payment of an additional $3,900.00. The Board discussed the importance of GIS and the funding sources. Mr. McSweeney inquired about the cost of additional layers. Mr. Sutter did not know but would get the information.
MOTION by Kuchinski second by Gallivan to direct the acting Executive Secretary to seeks a transfer from the Executive Secretary expense line for the GIS project or find another appropriate funding source. Voted 5 – 0.
II. Hanson American Legion – Change of Manager – Joseph Marsden of the American Legion was present with Elizabeth Wales to request a Change of Manager at the American Legion. The current manager Howie Robbins has resigned. Lt. Gredler recommends Ms. Wales appointment.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Gallivan to approve the Change of Manager at the American Legion to Elizabeth Wales. Voted 5 – 0.
III. Veteran’s Agent’s Retirement – Mr. Robert Arsenault was present along with Mrs. McCormack to discuss Mr. Arsenault’s retirement as Veteran’s agent. Mr. Arsenault has been the agent for 27 years. He has worked for the State for 5 years and will be taking advantage of the early retirement incentive. Mr. Arsenault sited concerns that he did not get the correct information regarding his retirement. Mrs. McCormack informed the Board that she directed Mr. Arsenault to the Plymouth County Retirement Board. Mr. Arsenault indicated that he would like to stay on as the Veteran’s Agent as the Retirement Board would allow him to work a limited number of hours and receive compensation less than the amount he would receive from the Town
as the Agent. The appointment would have to be based on an emergency situation. The Board discussed the matter at length. Ms. Kuchinski feels that Mr. Arsenault is the only one for the position based on this experience. Mr. Jones prefers to keep Mr. Arsenault in the position until the end of his term to close out his pending cases.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Gallivan to regrettably accept Mr. Arsenault resignation for retirement purposes as Veteran’s Agent, Director of Veteran’s Services and Burial Agent effective December 20, 2003. Voted 5 – 0.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Gallivan in accordance with MGL Ch. 32, Sec. 91 to appoint Robert Arsenault under and emergency basis through March 2004 as the Veteran’s Agent. Voted 5 – 0.
IV. Treasurer/Collector – Extra Hours – 8:25 p.m. Mr. Forte stepped away from the table. Mrs. McCormack indicated that Fran has agreed to work12 additional hours during the week of 1/12. In exchange for working those hours, Fran will take off Dec. 29, 30 & 31st. By consensus, the Board agreed to the proposed changes in hours for Mrs. Forte.
V. Public records request – Mrs. Scozzari advised the Board that Attorney Lauren Goldberg has requested from Public Records that the Town receive official notification on the matter of releasing the names of elected officials receiving health insurance. Mrs. McCormack informed the Board that she was not willing to release the names due to the $250,000 personal fine. She offered to release the names to the Selectmen for the Board to release. The Board reiterated its desire to release the information.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney to direct the Treasurer/Collector to release the information regarding health insurance coverage after given appropriate notification via regular and certified mail to the elected officials. Voted 3 – 1 (Kuchinski)
9:00 Mr. Forte returned to the table.
VI. Board of Health – Executive Session – Chairman Jones announced that the Board would be going into Executive Session under Item #3 pending litigation.
MOTION by McSweeney second by Forte to go into Executive Session under item # 3. Roll Call: Kuchinski aye, Gallivan aye, Jones aye, Forte aye and McSweeney aye. Voted 5 – 0.
9:01 p.m. Brief Recess
9:35 p.m. Returned to Open session – no votes were taken.
VII. License Renewals for 2004:
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Kuchinski to renew the following Common Victualers licenses for 2004. Ashleighs, Cahill & Driscoll, Connie’s Restaurant, Dunkin Donuts 487 Liberty Street, Dunkin Donuts 1120 Main Street, Elm Street Grill, Expresso’s Pizza, Hanson American Legion Post, Hanson Athletic Association, Hanson Bowladrome, Hanson Tavern, Heidi’s Hollow Farms, Hess Corporation, House of Pizza, Keeoffi, Inc., Matilda’s Inc., McDonalds, Myette’s Country Store, Olde Hitching Post, Pina Inc., Sandy’s Coffee Corner, Shaw’s, Spiro’s II, Stingers, Tedeschi Food Shop, Café Deli, Golden Roll and Village Mini Mart. Voted 5 – 0.
MOTION by Forte, second by McSweeney to renew the following Class II Licenses subject to the posting of the required bond: 3W Comp., Auto Express, Bob’s Foreign & Domestic Auto Service, Ferreira Berto Auto Sales,
Movers, Raymond E. Simmons d/b/a Signature Sales, Reed Street Enterprises, South Shore Used Cars, Specialty Auto, Inc., Wheel-N-Deals.Voted 5 – 0.
VIII. Re-Appointments:
OCPC – Transportation Rep. – Town Planner Noreen O’Toole – Term to expire 12/31/04
MOTION by Forte, second by McSweeney to reappointment Noreen O’Toole as the OCPC Transportation Representative with a term to expire 12/31/04. Voted 5 – 0. Ms. Kuchinski requested that quarterly updates be presented to the Board.
IX. Committee Reports – Lions Carnival – Mr. McSweeney reported that he met with the Lions and the School Committee representatives. The Lions are in favor of the Boteiri ball field parking lot. An alternate site was the front lawn of the Indian Head School. Mr. McSweeney pointed out the problem with school property is that individuals working more than 24 hours on school property must have a CORI check performed. The School Committee member will report back to the school committee. School Building Committee – Mr. Jones indicated that the access road has been paved and steel has been erected. Executive Secretary Search Committee – Mr. Gallivan reported that the meeting on December 17th
has been postponed until January. CATV Committee – Ms. Kuchinski reported that the CATV committee is moving along. There are time constraints with respect to our access to the Whitman studio.
X. Executive Secretary’s Report: Mrs. Scozzari reported that notification has been received from the Superintendent that the Maquan School Playground will be closed 12/31/03 by the School Committee. According to the school committee the safety levels for the playground equipment will change January 1, 2004. At that time the Maquan equipment will have higher levels of arsenic than the code allows. The School Committee wants to work with the Town to replace the equipment. Mr. Jones reported that he spoke with Dr. McEwan who informed him that the school department has funds to dismantle the playground. Mrs. Scozzari reported that a Thank you letter has been received from Halifax Selectmen to Hanson Fire for its
assistance in a fire at 92 Lake St., Halifax on December 1st. Authorization to have Town Counsel accept service – Nextel is appealing the BCAB decision and wants to serve the Town via Town Counsel.. The Judge has given his O.K. for service to Town Counsel but Kopelman & Paige need our authorization.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Gallivan to have Town Counsel accept service on the Nextel matter. Voted 5 – 0.
XI. Furnace at BCI Building – Mrs. Scozzari informed the Board that she had spoken with Al Hanscom of BETA and they will draw some specifications for the replacement of the furnace. Mrs. Scozzari also informed the Board that she and Barbara Gomez will be meeting with Dr. McEwan about the school budget.
XII. Set Meeting Dates for January, February & March. The Board agreed to meet on the following dates: January 6, 13 & 27; February 3, 10 & 24 and March 2, 9, 16, 30.
Executive Session – Chairman Jones announced that the Board would be going into Executive Session under Items #3 pending litigation & Item #6 purchase or sale of Real Estate. Two issues will be discussed under Item #6. Mr. McSweeney requested the matters be separated for voting purposes.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to go into under Item #3. Roll Call: Kuchinski abstained, Gallivan aye, Jones aye, Forte aye and McSweeney nay. Voted 3 – 1- 1.
10:05 p.m. Brief Recess.
10:21 p.m. Returned to open session – Chairman Jones announced the Board would be going back into Executive Session under Item #6 purchase or sale of Real Estate.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to go into Executive Session under Item # 6. Roll Call: Kuchinski aye, Gallivan aye, Jones aye, Forte aye and McSweeney nay. Voted 4 - 1.
Mr. McSweeney announced he would not be participating in Executive Session and left the meeting.
10:50 p.m. Returned to open Session – two votes taken.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Kuchinski to adjourn. Voted 4 – 0.
10:51 p.m. Meeting adjourned.
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