Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
January 6, 2004
Present: Catherine Kuchinski, Mark Gallivan, Peter Jones, Robert Forte and Jesse McSweeney. Also present was Acting Executive Secretary Meredith Scozzari.
7:40 p.m. Chairman Jones called the meeting to order and read the announcements and upcoming meeting schedule.
I. Historical Commission Presentation & Appointment of Town Historian – Historical Commission members David Devito, Bruce Young, Allan Clemons and Michelle Mills were present. The Commission presented the Board with a photograph of the woodlot at Plymouth County Hospital. They suggested the Board might have Baran display it in the Plymouth County Hospital when the renovations are completed.
The Commission also recommended the Board appoint Allan Clemons as the Town Historian. Mr. Clemons is a life long resident of Hanson.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Forte to appoint Allan Clemons as the Town Historian. Voted 5 – 0.
II. Conservation NOI Transfer Request – The Conservation Commission requested permission to transfer the sum of $2,000 from the Notice of Intent fund to cover costs for members training and certification and office equipment.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Gallivan to authorize the Conservation Commission to transfer $2,000 from the Notice of Intent fund. Voted 5 – 0.
III. Approve Sunday Liquor Store Openings – Mrs. Scozzari indicated that she had contacted all four package stores regarding Sunday liquor sales and all four establishments have requested that the Board approve the Sunday openings. Mrs. Scozzari informed the Board some of the area towns have approved the Sunday sales. The law prohibits the sale of liquor on Sundays prior 12:00 noon. The Board brief discussed the matter. Stephen Luke of 14 58 Liquors was present and sited competitiveness as an issue. He also indicated that they would be closing at 6:00 p.m.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Kuchinski to approve Sunday Liquor Sales without a fee to Hanson Plymouth Liquors, Myette’s Country Store, 14 58 Liquors and Village Mini Mart for 2004. Voted 4 – 1 (Forte)
IV. Set Polling Hours for Presidential Primary on March 2nd – Town Clerk requested that the Board set the polling hours from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. for the Presidential primary which will be held at Maquan School on March 2, 2004.
MOTION by Forte, second by McSweeney to set the polling hours for the Presidential primary on March 2, 2004 from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
V. Declare a Snow Emergency – Highway Surveyor requested that the Board of Selectmen declare a snow emergency as he has depleted the Snow Account.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Forte in accordance with Chapter 44, Second 31D that the Board declare a snow emergency. Voted 5 – 0.
Mrs. Scozzari informed the Board that she received several calls commending the Highway Department for the excellent job they did sanding the roads earlier in the day. The Board members echoed the comments.
VI. Committee Reports – Drainage: Ms. Kuchinski indicated that a meeting would be arranged shortly to address concerns about Spofford Avenue. School Building Committee: Mr. Jones reported that he and Mr. Forte took a tour of the new school on Saturday. He indicated that three stories of steel have been erected. The building is moving along. Carnival: Mr. McSweeney deferred to Mr. Robert Hayes of the School Committee regarding an update. Mr. Hayes the carnival company Sam Pino is currently in Florida and the Lions are waiting for them to return so that they can view the potential site of the parking lot at Botieri field.
Maquan School Playground – Mr. Hayes also inquired about the status of the playground and the Town’s position regarding demolition and reconstruction. He indicated that residents were inquiring about fundraising . The Board discussed creating an adhoc committee to review the matter. The Board pointed out that the Town may not be in a position to reconstruct the playground this year due to budget constraints. As the playground materials are now considered hazardous, removal of the playground could be costly.
VII. Executive Secretary’s Report: Mrs. Scozzari indicated that the budgets packages are available for the Board’s review. The finance committee will be reviewing all the budgets over the next several weeks. Tag Way - One resident has requested that Tag Way be placed on the private way plow list. According to the Highway Surveyor, the resident lives at the far end of street. Highway Surveyor does not recommend plowing the street as the contractor is still in the process of constructing additional houses. Mrs. Scozzari informed the Board that the Highway surveyor met with East Bridgewater officials regarding the Franklin Street Project. There is another meeting on Friday. After the Friday meeting
the Highway Surveyor will forward a letter next week updating the Board.
VIII. Executive Session – Chairman Jones informed the audience that the Board would be going into Executive Session under items #3, to discuss litigation and legal strategies and #6 the sale of real estate.
MOTION by Gallivan second by Forte to go into Executive Session under items #3 and 6. Roll Call: Kuchinski aye, Gallivan aye, Jones aye, Forte aye and McSweeney aye. Voted 5 – 0. Chairman Jones announced that there would most likely be a vote taken.
8:25 p.m. Brief Recess
9:05 p.m. Returned to Open Session – Chairman Jones announced that one vote was taken to authorize Town Counsel to move forward on an appeal in the Lindsay matter.
MOTION by Gallivan second by Forte to adjourn. Voted 5 – 0.
9:07 p.m. Meeting adjourned.
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