Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
March 9, 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. Review Annual Town Meeting Articles with proponents – The Board met with the Assessors, John Norton of the Capital Improvement Committee, the Fire Chief and Treasurer/Collector to review the warrant articles. The proposed articles were identified as proposed page numbers from the draft warrant dated March 5, 2004. The articles were discussed and recommended.
Proposed Page 11 – Assessors – Revolving account
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Forte to recommend. Voted 5 – 0.
Proposed Page 12 – Assessors – Cost of living increase for exemptions.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Forte to recommend. Voted 5 – 0.
Proposed Page 13 – Assessors – Accept provisions of Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 22
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Forte to recommend. Voted 5 – 0.
Proposed Page 17 – CIC – Set up account using transfers from other articles.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Forte to recommend. Voted 5 – 0.
Proposed Page 18 – CIC – Laptops for Police.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Forte to recommend. Voted 5 – 0.
Proposed Page 19 – CIC – Repairs to Library Senior Center.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Kuchinski to recommend contingent upon funding. Voted 5 – 0.
Proposed Page 20 – CIC – Repairs to Fire Station
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Forte to recommend contingent upon funding.
Voted 5 – 0.
Proposed Page 21 – CIC – Furnace at BCI Building.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Forte to recommend contingent upon funding.
Voted 5 – 0.
Proposed Page 22 – CIC – Septic systems at Plymouth County Hospital.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Forte to recommend contingent upon funding.
Voted 4 – 0 -1 (McSweeney).
Proposed Page 23 – CIC – Police Leather gear.
MOTION by Gallivan, second Kuchinski to recommend contingent upon funding. Voted 5 – 0.
Proposed Page 24 – CIC – Drainage at Senior Center – Mrs. Gomez suggested that the wording be adjusted to include under the direction of the Highway Surveyor. The revision would allow the Highway Surveyor to use the remaining funds for other drainage issues throughout town. The Executive Secretary indicated that the explanation needed to be revised. HOLD.
Proposed Page 25 – CIC – Sanding Truck for Highway.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Forte to recommend contingent upon funding.
Voted 5 – 0.
Proposed Page 2 – Selectmen & CIC – Accept 6-year plan.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Forte to recommend. Voted 5 – 0.
Proposed Page 3 – Treasurer/Collector – Compensating Balances
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Forte to recommend. Voted 5 – 0.
Proposed Page 7 – Treasurer/Collector – Ambulance Postage
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Gallivan to recommend. Voted 5 – 0.
Proposed Page 8 – Treasurer/Collector – School Debt – After brief discussion the Board requested the article be put on HOLD for a figure and explanation.
Proposed Page 9 - Treasurer/Collector – Revolving account for the Deputy Collector. The Board requested that the Treasurer/Collector clarify the explanation regarding the Deputy Collector, who is an outside vendor.
Proposed Page 10 – Fire Chief – Revolving Account. The Chief indicated that he has requested the funding in his budget, but would like to keep the article in the warrant in the event the finance committee doesn’t fund it. HOLD.
Proposed Page 19 – Library Trustees – Revolving Account for copier.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Forte to recommend. Voted 5 – 0.
Proposed Page 20 – Library Trustees & COA – Revolving Account for community room.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Forte to recommend. Voted 5 – 0.
Proposed Page 21 – Parks & Fields – Revolving Account
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Forte to recommend. Voted 5 – 0.
Proposed Page 1 – Selectmen – Accept Town Report.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Forte to recommend. Voted 5 – 0.
Proposed Page 4 – Selectmen – Elected Officials Salaries.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Forte to recommend. Voted 5 – 0.
Proposed Page 5 – Selectmen – Budget – HOLD.
Proposed Page 25 – Selectmen – Private Road Oversight – Roller Coaster Road Intersection.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Gallivan to recommend. Voted 5 – 0.
Proposed Page 26 – Street Safety – Sidewalks.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Gallivan to recommend. Voted 5 – 0.
Proposed Pages 28, 29, 30 – Water Commissioners - HOLD - Ms. Scozzari informed the Board that the Water Commissioners have requested permission to address their articles on
March 23rd.
Proposed Pages 31, 32, 33 – Zoning Changes – HOLD - Ms. Scozzari indicated that the three articles were petition articles which require hearings before the Planning Board. She suggested that the Town Planner review the articles with the Board after the hearings have been conducted.
Proposed Page 34 – South Shore Womens Center – Petition
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Kuchinski to recommend. Voted 5 – 0.
Proposed Page 35 – Dean Anderson – Petition Article for by-law change. The Board discussed the article at length.
MOTION by Forte, second by Gallivan to Refer to Town Meeting. Voted 5 – 0.
Proposed Page 36 – Cape & Island Legal Counsel – Petition
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Gallivan to recommend. Voted 5 – 0.
Proposed Page 37 – Town Clerk – Election Article.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Gallivan to recommend. Voted 5 – 0.
II. Department Head Salary Increases – Mr. Jones explained the process of the evaluation teams and how the increases were determined based on performance evaluation and amount of funds available. The individual scores would not be released. Mr. Jones suggested the Board use the same method as used at town meeting when voting the budget. When the recommendations are announced, if a Board member wishes to discuss the increase, the recommendation would be held. Otherwise the increases would be voted in a group. Mr. Gallivan read the recommended increases. Building Inspector 1.5% HELD; Director of Elder Affairs 3%; Fire Chief 1.5% HELD; Police Chief 3%; Town Accountant 4% Held; Treasurer/Collector 0% HELD; Executive Assistant
4.5%.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to approve the recommended increases for the Director of Elder affairs 3%, Police Chief 3% and Executive Assistant 4.5%. Voted 5 – 0.
The Board discussed the increases which were held. The 1.5% increase for the Building Inspector was based on the fact that he has not received his certification as a building commissioner. The Board requested in December that a testing date be set within 60 days. The Board noted his performance evaluation was otherwise good.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Gallivan to grant a 1.5% increase after the Building Inspector has taken and passed the certification test. Voted 4 – 0 -1(Kuchinski)
Ms Kuchinski inquired whether the Board was obligated to pay the Building Inspector the additional $2,000 upon receiving the certification. The Acting Executive Secretary would review the agreement.
The fire chief indicated he put in for 3% increase. He feels he has communicated with the Board and other department heads. Mr. McSweeney indicated that all the issued raised by the Board were addressed at the evaluation meeting.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to approve a 1.5% increase for the Fire Chief.
Voted 5 – 0.
The Town Accountant informed the Board that she would be retiring in December 2005. A 5% increase would raise her retirement amount. Ms. Kuchinski indicated she did not want to create a past practice by bumping salaries for the last year of employment.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Gallivan to amend the Town Accountant’s increase to 5%. Voted 4 – 1 (Kuchinski).
Mr. Forte recused himself from the Treasurer/Collector’s discussion. The Treasurer/Collector informed the Board that she would be retiring in 2005 as well. The Board briefly discussed her performance evaluation.
MOTION by Jones, second by McSweeney to approve a 2% increase for retirement purposes. Voted 2 – 2 (Kuchinski & Gallivan). Motion Failed.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Kuchinski for a 0% increase for the Treasurer/Collector. Voted 4 – 0.
Mr. Forte Returned to the Table.
III. Open May Special Town Meeting Warrant – Ms. Scozzari recommended the warrant be open for two weeks.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Forte to open the May 2004 Special Town Meeting Warrant. Voted 5 – 0.
IV. One Day Liquor License Request Camp Kiwanee – Jim Daley W-H Basketball Friday, March 19th from 7:00 p.m. – 12:00 p.m.
MOTION by Forte, second by Gallivan to approve a one day liquor license to Jim Daley on Friday, March 19, 2004 at Camp Kiwanee. Voted 5 – 0.
V. Committee Report – Executive Secretary Search – Mr. Gallivan informed the Board that the Search Committee is doing background checks on the four candidates. CATV – Ms. Kuchinski informed the Board that the CATV committee is touring area studios. A meeting is set for March 24th. Playground – Mr. McSweeney informed the Board that he was present for the testing and explained the testing process at the Maquan School Playground. The test results are due this week. School Building – Mr. Jones updated the Board on the progress of the high school. A topping off ceremony is set off March 27th. There are some issues with Whitman Water and
water lines which need to be addressed.
VI. Executive Secretary’s Report - Monponsett Pond Water Levels – Ms. Scozzari informed the Board that she I received a call from Dean Anderson who indicated that the pond is at it maximum level and wanted to know when Brockton was going to lower it. Water Superintendent Brian Creedon of Brockton Water offered to meet will all or some of the Selectmen and Board of Health at the pond so he can explain the leveling process. The high water levels adversely affect some of Hanson’s residents. The Board discussed the matter. A majority of the Board would like to attend. The Board requested backup information such as a copy of the Halifax agreement and digital photographs prior to the meeting.
VII. Executive Session – Mr. Jones announced that the Board would be going into Executive Session under Item #3 Union Negotiations.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to go into Executive Session under Item #3 negotiations. Roll Call: Kuchinski aye, Gallivan aye, Jones aye, Forte aye and McSweeney aye.
Voted 5 – 0.
9:36 p.m. Brief Recess
10:29 p.m. Back in open Session.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Kuchinski to adjourn.
10:30 p.m. Meeting adjourned.
| 
