Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
August 24, 2004
Present: Robert Forte, Mark Gallivan, Catherine Kuchinski, Jesse McSweeney and Rebecca Coletta. Also present Executive Secretary Michael Finglas and executive assistant Meredith Marini.
7:30 p.m. Chairman Kuchinski called the meeting to order and lead the Pledge of Allegiance and read the upcoming meeting schedule and announcements.
Item I Board of Assessors – Classification Hearing --– Assessors Susan Thornton, Kathy Marini and Dan Ward were present with Cindy Long and Lee Standish to conduct the classification hearing.
Chairman Kuchinski read the hearing notice.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Forte to open the hearing. Voted 5 – 0.
MOTION by Ward, second by Marini to open the hearing. Voted 3 – 0.
Mrs. Long explained the advantages and disadvantages of the uniform and split tax rates. She indicated that there has been a marginal change in the residential and the Commercial/Industrial ratio. The Assessors previously voted and recommended the Board of Selectmen vote to continue with the uniform tax rate.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to follow the Assessors’ recommendation of setting a uniformed tax rate. Voted 5 – 0.
Mrs. Long explained the small commercial tax exemption, citing Jack Conway and Dunkin Donuts businesses as examples. She explained that exemption applies to real estate valued under one million dollars and businesses with less than ten employees. The real estate owners receive the exemptions and they are not obligated to pass the savings to the tenants. Mrs. Long estimated 20 businesses in town could qualify, several of which are home businesses. The Board of Assessors does not recommend the small commercial tax exemption.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Coletta to follow the Assessors’ recommendation and not accept the Small Commercial Tax Exemption. Voted 4 – 1 (Forte)
MOTION by Coletta, second by Gallivan to continue the hearing until the unused levy limit has been established. Voted 5 – 0
Mr. Finglas thanked the Assessors’ office for their good work and assistance.
Item II Executive Secretary Report - Mr. Finglas informed that Board that the bids for the playground were open on August 18, 2004. He awarded the contract to Northeast Tank and Environmental Services at $11,449.00 and work will not to exceed $14,000.00. Work is scheduled to begin on Wednesday August 25th and should be completed no later than Monday, August 30th. Mr. Finglas informed the Board that he had provided them with a policy regarding appointment of election workers. South Shore Housing has requested the Board’s support for the American Dream Downpayment Initiative program. The Town will not be obligated to fund any portion of the project.
MOTION by Coletta, second by Gallivan to send a letter supporting South Shore Housing ADDI program. Voted 5 – 0.
Mr. Finglas indicated that he is setting up meetings with the clerical union to address job descriptions and classifications. The Roller Coaster Road project will be sent out to bid shortly with construction slated for the fall. Franklin & West Washington Street easements have been sent to Town Counsel for drafting. Mr. Finglas received information from the School District that legislation has recently been passed regarding School Building funding, which will have a significant positive impact on the High School building project as well as the tax payers. He has a call into the Department of Revenue to confirm the information. Draft October Special Town Meeting articles have been provided to the Board. Mr. Finglas indicated that a few of the articles may be withdrawn by the proponents and
others may have verbiage changes.
Policy Mr. Finglas provided the Board with a policy authorizing him to sign the Selectmen’s bills and the weekly expense and payroll warrants. Chairman Kuchinski indicated she was not ready to sign the policy as she wanted a sample of the monthly reports. She requested that approval be tabled. Mr. Gallivan suggested the Board move forward as the matter has previously been tabled. Mrs. Coletta requested assurance that the reports will be specific. The Board discussed suggested revisions to the policy. The second paragraph to read: The Executive Secretary shall provide monthly reports, satisfactory to the Board, outlining all expenses and balances for all departmental accounts.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to accept Policy #2 – 2004 Warrants as presented with the additional language changes as stated and reports to be specific. Voted 4 – 1 (Kuchinski).
Item III Old Business – Community Playground Location – Erin Fox was present on behalf of the Playground Committee. Mr. Finglas indicated that no other locations were offered for consideration. Mrs. Fox indicated the LZ Thomas field was the Parks & Fields Commission’s recommended location.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney to support LZ Thomas field as recommended by the Parks & Fields Commission for the site of the community playground. Voted 5 – 0
Catherine Road – The Board discussed Whitman’s decision not to erect No Parking signs on Catherine Road. Mr. Finglas informed the Board that the Highway Surveyor has the signs and planned to put them up before the start of school. Mr. McSweeney reviewed the history of the situation. Erin Fox and Renee Smith both of Catherine Road were disappointed Whitman did not follow Hanson’s lead on the matter. Mr. McSweeney requested that Whitman reconsider its decision and he offered to attend the meeting to discuss the matter with the Whitman Board of Selectmen. Mrs. Fox and Mrs. Smith requested they be notified of the meeting. The Board discussed erecting the signs Hanson purchased. Mr. McSweeney suggested the Town wait until Whitman has reconsidered the
matter. Mr. Forte reminded the Catherine Road residents that they would have to abide by the signage. Mrs. Fox and Mrs. Smith requested the Town wait until Whitman has revisited the matter.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Forte to authorize the Executive Secretary to forward a letter to the Whitman Board of Selectmen requesting they reconsider the matter of no parking signs on Catherine Road and a member of the Hanson Board of Selectmen be heard. Voted 5 – 0
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Forte to indefinitely postpone the erection of the signs on Catherine Road until a Board member meets with the Whitman Board of Selectmen and finalizes the matter. Voted 5 – 0
Discuss Government Study – The Board discussed the charge and composition of the government study committee. Mr. Gallivan recommended that the committee use the previous government study report as a guideline. Chairman Kuchinski indicated that the committee could seek out grants if it wished. Mr. Gallivan suggested the composition of the committee could consist of one member from the Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee, Water Department, Planning Board and Assessors as well as four citizens with the Executive Secretary and Town Accountant acting as ex officio members. Mr. McSweeney recommended the Board choose one citizen from each precinct with the fourth being a citizen at large. After lengthy discussion the Board agreed on the composition of the committee.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Gallivan to appoint a government study committee comprised of one member from the Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee, Planning Board, four citizens with preference given to a person from each precinct and one citizen at large. The Executive Secretary and Town Accountant to act as ex officio members and other members from Boards and Committee as appropriate. Voted 5 – 0
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Gallivan to set the deadline for applications for Friday, September 10th. Voted 5 – 0
Item IV New Business Set Meeting Dates for September. Mr. Finglas suggested meeting September 14th and 28th. Mrs. Coletta expressed concern that the warrant needed to be posted on September 17th and the Board would not have enough time to prepare the warrant. Mr. Gallivan and Mr. Forte informed the Board they would not be available on September 7th.
MOTION by Forte, second Gallivan to post meetings at 7:30 p.m. on September 7, 14, 21 & 28 and Town meeting October 4 & 5 at 7:00 p.m. at the Middle School. Voted 4 – 1 (McSweeney)
Item V Appointments & Resignations – The office received an application for appointment from David Beauvais 149 Holmes Street to the CATV Committee. Mrs. Coletta informed the Board that she spoke with Mr. Beauvais who has requested his application be tabled as he is considering applying for the non-profit corporation to assist the CATV Committee. - Tabled
Item VI Licenses - The Office received One Day Liquor licenses requests for Camp Kiwanee from Kelly Burr of Manchester NH – Sunday, Sept. 5th from 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. for a Wedding; Bob Tinlin of Pembroke – Sat., Sept. 11th from 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. for a Family Reunion; and Karin Lindquist of Charlestown – Sat., Sept 25th from 6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. for a Wedding
MOTION by Forte second by Gallivan to approve the one day liquor licenses as listed. Voted 5 – 0.
Item VIII Committee Reports - Monponsett Pond – Mr. McSweeney informed the Board that he and Mrs. Coletta met on August 12th with Glen Doherty and Doug Ficks from the Water Department, Terry McSweeney of the Board of Health and Dean Anderson of Ocean Avenue and discussed the issues the committee could investigate. Currently the committee should be considered an adhoc committee. The next meeting is Monday, August 30th at 6:30 p.m. Attendees were requested to bring six to eight suggestions for the committee to discuss. CATV – Mrs. Coletta updated the Board on the progress with Comcast. Negotiations are ongoing and the committee is looking toward a new contract
as the current license will expire in 2008. Emergency Communication Committee – Ms. Kuchinski indicated that the committee interviewed three individuals to fill two part-time openings. The committee hired Jim Parcell of Hanover and Bryan Smith of Hanson.
Item IX Bonding documents – Treasurer/Collector Jean Sullivan had documents for the board to sign relative to the Storm Water Management program. She required the Board vote the signing of the bond.
MOTION by Coletta, second by McSweeney that the Town shall issue a bond or bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $238,000 (the “Bonds”) pursuant to Chapters 29C and 44 of the General Laws and a vote of the Town passed May 5, 2003 (Article 6), for construction of sewers and other water pollution controls facilities (the “Project”);
(2) That in anticipation of the issuance of the Bonds the Treasurer is authorized to issue an interim loan note or notes (the “Notes”) from time to time in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $238,000.
(3) That each Bond or Note shall be issued as a single registered security, and sold to the Massachusetts Water Pollution Abatement Trust (the “Trust”) at a price determined pursuant to the Loan Agreement;
(4) That the Treasurer is authorized to determine the date, the form, the maximum interest rate and the principal maturities of each Bond and Note, and to execute a Loan Agreement or Agreements with the Trust with respect to the sale of the Bonds and Notes, such date, form and maturities and specific interest rate or rates of the Bonds and Notes to be approved by a majority of the Board of Selectmen and the Treasurer and evidenced by their execution of the Bonds or Notes;
(5) That all action taken to date by the Town and its officers and agents to carry out the Project and its financing, including the execution of any loan commitment or agreement by the Treasurer, are hereby ratified, approved and confirmed; and
(6) That the Treasurer and other appropriate Town officials are each hereby authorized to take any and all actions necessary and convenient to carry out the provisions of this vote, including execution and delivery of the Loan Agreements and the Project Regulatory Agreements relating to the Project. Voted 5 – 0.
9:20 p.m. Mrs. Coletta left the meeting.
Chairman Kuchinski inquired whether there was any other business. None heard.
Adjournment –
MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney to adjourn. Voted 4 – 0.
9:21 p.m. Meeting adjourned.
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