Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
March 23, 2004
Present: Catherine Kuchinski, Mark Gallivan, Robert Forte and Jesse McSweeney. , (Peter Jones absent). Also present was Acting Executive Secretary Meredith Scozzari.
7:40 p.m. Vice-Chairman Forte called the meeting to order and read the announcements. Ms. Scozzari informed the Board that she receive last minute information that the West Washington Street railroad crossing will be closed from midnight Friday, March 26th to 7:00 a.m. Saturday, March 27th. The Main St. crossing will be closed during the same time period on April 2 – April 3rd.
I. Executive Secretary Committee Updated – Mr. Gallivan updated the Board on the Search Committee’s interview process and background information on the candidates. He indicated that some negative information, as published in the local papers and obtained by search committee members, was received on one of the candidates. He suggested the Board members due their own due diligence prior to setting up interviews. Mr. Gallivan thanked all the members of the Search Committee and indicated that the Search Committee had completed its charge. The Board discussed possible interview dates. Tuesday, April 20, 2004, was set as a tentative date for interviews.
II. Water Commissioners to Review Warrant Articles – Water Commissioners Phyllis Bickford and MaryLou Sutter were present to discuss the three articles on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant.
Article 27 – Borrowing for water main replacements on South Street and King Street. Mrs. Bickford indicated that the wording of the article need to be revised to utilize borrowing as a means of financing the projects. Mrs. McCormack will get the appropriate language from bond counsel. The water commissioners indicated that there is approximately $550,000 in water surplus and they anticipate the cost of the two projects would be in excess for $550,000.00. The Board discussed the project and urged the commissioners to avoid prolonged delays and detours during the replacement of the mains.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by McSweeney to recommend Article 27 water main replacement. Voted 4 – 0.
Article 28 – Water meter replacement. Estimated cost of $20,000 from water surplus. The commissioners informed the Board that the meter replacement is part of an ongoing maintenance plan.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Gallivan to recommend Article 28, water meter replacement. Voted 4 – 0.
Article 29 – Transfer from water surplus to purchase an air compressor and gate vacuum. Estimated cost of $22,000.00.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Gallivan to recommend Article 29, equipment purchase. Voted 4 – 0.
Special Town Meeting Article – The Commissioner requested the Board act on their article for the Special Town Meeting. Mrs. Bickford informed the Board that the article will broaden the scope of the work outlined in the original article. The Main Street water main project came in under budget and $90,000 remain in the article. The new article will allow the commissioners to use the funds to upgrade other water mains throughout the town.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Kuchinski to recommend the water commissioners special town meeting article. Voted 4 – 0.
III. Close May 2004 Special Town Meeting Warrant – Ms. Scozzari indicated that over 39 articles have been received, but several need to have the verbiage clarified. The Board tabled closing the warrant until March 30th at which time all the article proponents will be present to discuss their articles.
IV. Request from Whitman Hanson Track Boosters for Bottle Drive – Beth Drewniak has requested permission to conduct the annual bottle drive for the Whitman Hanson Track Boosters on Saturday, April 10th from 9 – 1 p.m.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Gallivan to approve the bottle drive. Voted 4 – 0.
V. Set Polling Hours – The Town Clerk has requested that the polling hours for the May 15, 2004 Annual Town elections be set from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Gallivan to set polling hours on May 15, 2004 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Maquan School. Voted 4 – 0.
VI. Vote to Sign Fire Contract – Ms. Scozzari brought to the Board’s attention that while the Labor Commission’s decision required the Board to sign the fire contract, the Board never officially voted to sign the contract. Ms. Kuchinski reviewed terms of the contract which included 3% increase for the three years of the contact.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by McSweeney to sign the fire union contract.
Voted 4 – 0.
VII. Accept Letter of Resignation – The Board received notice from Keith Obillo of his resignation from the Finance Committee.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Gallivan to acknowledge with regret Mr. Obillo’s resignation from the Finance Committee. Voted 4 – 0.
VIII. Set Meeting Dates for April, May & June – Ms. Scozzari recommended meeting April 6, 13 & 27; May 3, 4 for Town Meeting, May 11 & 18th; June 1, 8, 15 & 29th.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Kuchinski to set the Selectmen’s meeting dates as recommended. Voted 4 – 0.
IX. One Day Liquor License Request – Camp Kiwanee – Jean Mann Whitman on Saturday, April 3 from 4 – 9:00 p.m. – Bridal Shower
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Kuchinski to approve a one day liquor license to Jean Mann on April 3rd. Voted 4– 0.
X. Hanson Little League Parade - - Kevin Keane requesting permission to hold the annual Little League Parade on Saturday April 24th at 12:00 noon starting at the Town Hall.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by McSweeney to grant permission for the Little League’s opening day parade on Saturday, April 24th. Voted 4– 0.
XI. Lodging House License Renewal – Hanson Country Manor 748 Whitman Street – Annual Renewal. - Ms. Scozzari explained that the she has checked with the Treasurer/Collector and all the taxes are paid. The Police and Board of Health do not have any outstanding issues with Hanson Manor and recommend renewing the license.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Gallivan to renewal the Lodging House License for Hanson Manor. Voted 4 – 0.
XII. Committee Reports – CATV Ms. Kuchinski indicated that committee continues to review the Cable contract. Private Way Oversight Committee – Ms. Kuchinski reiterated that the committee will be meeting on Thursday, April 1st. Street Safety Committee – Mr. McSweeney indicated that Old Colony Planning Council has started the traffic count in the area of the train station. The Board briefly discussed the possibility of putting in lights at the entrance to the station. Mr. McSweeney indicated that Street Safety is working on resolving the congestion problems.
XIII. Executive Secretary’s Report - Ms. Scozzari informed the Board that the Old Colony Planning Counsel is organizing a Multiple Hazard Community Planning Team to get a $79,000.00 in pre-disaster mitigation grants from MEMA. If the Town wishes to be involved OCPC is looking for a member from the community. She also indicated that Chief Hoyt has offered to represent the Town. Mr. McSweeney also offered to be a member of the Team.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Gallivan to appoint Chief Hoyt and Jesse McSweeney to the Multiple Hazard Community Planning Team. Voted 4 – 0.
The office received a letter from County Commissioner Tim McMullen regarding the Plymouth County Health Care fund. He has requested the Board support his position that the contract should be sent out to bid. After a brief discussion, the Board agreed that putting the contact out to bid would be in the best interest of the County as well as the town.
MOTION by Kuchinski, second by Gallivan to send a letter recommending the contract for health care consulting service be put out to bid. Voted 4– 0.
The Town of Hanover has requested a representative from the Town arrange a Perambulation of the town borders sometime in April or May. Ms. Kuchinski indicated she would be willing to participate in the perambulation. Ms. Scozzari informed the Board that the office has received an application for appointment to the Conservation Commission from Sean Chrisman of Elm Place. The matter will be placed on the agenda for March 30th. Chief Savage indicated that he will be sending a request to have one of Whitman’s detectives be appointed as a special police officer in Hanson. Whitman appointed Steve Gorman to the Whitman Force. These two officers will work in unison with respect to any problems at the High School. The matter will be put on the agenda for
March 30th. Attorney Thomas has forwarded a response from Simonelli’s attorney rejecting our offer. Attorney Thomas has requested the full board discuss this on
March 30th.
XIV. Executive Session – Vice Chairman Forte announced that the Board would be going into Executive Session under item #3 Union Negotiations.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney to go into Executive Session under item #3, Union Negotiations. Roll Call: Kuchinski aye, Gallivan aye, Forte aye and McSweeney aye. Voted 4 – 0.
8:53 p.m. Brief recess
9:25 p.m. Returned to open session – One vote taken
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Gallivan to adjourn. Voted 4 – 0.
9:25 p.m. Meeting adjourned.
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