Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
September 21, 2004
Present: Robert Forte, Mark Gallivan, Catherine Kuchinski, Jesse McSweeney and Rebecca Coletta. Also present executive assistant Meredith Marini (Executive Secretary Michael Finglas absent).
7:35 p.m. Chairman Kuchinski called the meeting to order and lead the Pledge of Allegiance. She read the announcements and upcoming meeting schedule.
Item I Department Head Reports
Michael Kennedy – Building Inspector – The Board congratulated on achieving his Commissioner’s certificate. Mr. Kennedy explained that his secretary had been out during July. The office been busy issuing 37 building permits in August. Mr. Kennedy is working with the Fire Department to educate business owners regarding assembly permits. The Board discussed outstanding zoning issues and proper reporting to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Zoning Chairman Lila Coyle was present and indicated that Mr. Kennedy had not been completing the complaint form. Mr. Gallivan requested that a tickler system be implemented to track complaints. The Board requested Mr. Kennedy include zoning complaints in his monthly report.
Jean Marie Smith - Director of Elder Affair- Left a voice mail message requesting her report be tabled until September 28th due to illness.
Item II Approve Minutes
MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney to approve the regular and executive session minutes of February 10, 2004 and April 6, 2004. Voted 3 – 0 – 2 (Forte & Coletta)
MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney to approve the regular and executive session minutes of April 13, 2004. Voted 4 – 0 – 1 (Coletta)
MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney to approve the regular session minutes of May 8, 2004. Voted 3 – 0 – 2 (Forte & Kuchinski)
MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney to approve the regular and executive session minutes of May 11, 2004. Voted 4 – 0 – 1 (Coletta)
MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney to approve the regular session minutes of May 18, 2004 and August 24, 2004. Voted 5 – 0.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney to approve the regular session minutes of August 10, 2004. Voted 4 – 0 – 1 (Forte)
MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney to approve the executive session minutes of August 10, 2004. Voted 3 – 0 – 2 (Forte & McSweeney)
MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney to approve the regular session minutes of September 7, 2004. Voted 3 – 0 – 2 (Forte & Gallivan)
MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney to approve the regular and executive session minutes of September 14, 2004. Voted 5 – 0.
Item III Executive Secretary’s Report – Mrs. Marini informed the Board that the school was looking for a count for the School Tour. Four members to attend. Mrs. Coletta requested she be notified if an additional tour was held. None of the Board members would be available for the Metro Chamber of Commerce Legislative forum. The Department of Revenue sent official notification that $99,494.00 is available as a one-time municipal relief appropriation. The funds can be used one of three ways: immediately during FY 2005, close as a free cash balance at the end of FY2005 or applied to the estimated receipts if the recap sheet had not be completed. Town Accountant Barbara Gomez recommended that the Board use
the funds at the October Town Meeting as long as the Moderator agrees to the use of the funds since they were not listed as a funding source.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by McSweeney to use the one-time appropriation as a funding source at the October 2005 Special Town Meeting and to request the Moderator approve the use of the funds. Voted 5 – 0.
Mrs. Marini informed the Board that a request to release 61A land has been received from Mr. & Mrs. Rasch of 1460 Main Street. The request has been forwarded to all the Boards.
Mrs. Marini informed the Board that the lease for the use of the land across from Hanson Grain had not yet been executed. After brief discussion, Mr. Gallivan requested that a specific number of vehicles be indicated in the lease. The matter was tabled until September 28th.
Item IV Old Business - - Assessors – Close Classification Hearing – Assessors Kathleen Marini and Susan Thornton were present to close the classification hearing. Assessor Cindy Long was also present.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to re-open the Classification hearing. Voted 5 – 0
Mrs. Long informed the Board that due to the change in the School Building Assistance program the amount to be collected from taxes has been reduced from $1,321,000 to $140,000. The average taxpayer will see a savings of approximately $300.00. Mrs. Long indicated that the access levy capacity is $239.92. The excess levy fund represent ½ cents which cannot be collected. The tax rate has been set at $10.22.
MOTION by Gallivan, second Forte to close hearing. Voted 5 – 0
Review Warrant Articles –
Article 1 – Selectmen – Pay unpaid bills.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to recommended Article 1. Voted 5 – 0 (McSweeney assigned)
Article 2 – Selectmen – Town Insurance.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to recommended Article 2. Voted 5 – 0 (Coletta assigned)
Article 3 – Selectmen – Highway Contract
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to recommended Article 3. Voted 5 – 0 (Forte assigned)
Article 4 – Selectmen – By-law change – Chpt. 30B & 149
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to recommended Article 4. Voted 5 – 0 (Gallivan assigned)
Article 5 – Veteran’s Agent – Patriotic Observance
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to recommended Article 5. Voted 5 – 0
Article 6 – Conservation – Full time agent – TABLED for proponents
Article 7 – Fire Chief – Hose replacement grant.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to recommended Article 7. Voted 5 – 0
Article 8 – Water – Water exploration
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to recommended Article 8. Voted 5 – 0
Article 9 – Recreation – Roof on caretaker’s house
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to recommended Article 9. Voted 5 – 0
Article 10 – Police & Highway – Motor vehicle scanning equipment
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to recommended Article 10. Voted 5 – 0
Article 11 – Police – Replace air conditioning condenser.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to recommended Article 11. Voted 5 – 0
Article 12 – Zoning By-law Comm. – Ministerial correction.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to recommended Article 12. Voted 5 – 0
Article 13 – Zoning By-law Comm. – Ministerial correction
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to recommended Article 13. Voted 5 – 0
Article 14 – Planning Board – Update rules & reg. – TABLED for proponents
Article 15 – Library Trustees – Increase in hours –
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte NOT to recommended Article 15 for discussion.
Mrs. Prario was present and the Board discussed the merits of increasing the hours. Mr. Gallivan reiterated his opinion and the finance committee’s comments relative to increasing hours in the middle of a fiscal year. The additional hours would make no difference on the current regulations. Mr. Gallivan inquired as to the impact the additional hours will have on the 19% operating budget calculation for the purchase of books. Mr. McSweeney indicated that due to the new found monies he would favor the increase in hours. The Board discussed the ramifications of increasing the hours, offering benefits and then possibly reducing them in July. The matter was tabled for input from Finance.
Article 14 – Planning Board – Update rules & regs. – Town Planner Noreen O’Toole and Planning Board Chairman were present to explain their request for funding. Ms. O’Toole in the Board that the regulations were last updated February 16, 1990. She indicated that several changes have been made with respect to roadways, drainage systems and water basins and the standards must be updated. She indicated that she has gotten estimates in the amount of $7,500 to have the regulations updated. The work is too difficult for the Planning Board to draft. She indicated that three informational hearings will be held and anticipated the regulations will be complete in six months. The Board discussed charging contractors for plowing private roads and bonding
issues.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to recommended Article 14. Voted 5 – 0
Article 6 – Conservation – Increase Agents – Phil Lindquist, Chairman of the Conservation Commission informed the Board of the need for a full-time conservation agent. The Commission is currently paying the Hanover Conservation agent between $25 and $75 per hour depending on the task. Mr. Lindquist explained that only 3 people applied for the part-time position but none were qualified. The Board discussed the ramifications of changing a position in the middle of a fiscal year. They also discussed the use of the Notice of Intent account to fund the additional hours in the position. Matter tabled for discussion with the Finance Committee.
Articles 16, 17, 18, 19 & 20 – Chairman Kuchinski recommended tabling discussion of the article until additional information is received.
Royer Sick time Discussion – Mrs. Marini explained that Firefighter Arianne Royer would owe the Town 22 ¾ if the Board approves her offer using her holiday pay, paramedic & training stipends.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Coletta to accept Firefighter Royer’s admirable plan to pay back her advanced sick time. Voted 5 – 0.
Item IV New Business - Hanson Community Christmas – Kevin Mossman of Hanson Community Christmas has request permission to put up the annual Giving Tree at Town Hall the week of Thanksgiving.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to allow Hanson Community Christmas to put up a Giving Tree at Town Hall. Voted 5 – 0
Item V Appointments & Resignations – Review Selectmen Assignments & Vacancies – Chairman Kuchinski requested the Selectmen’s assignments be tabled until Sept. 28th.
Item V I Committee Reports - CATV – Mrs. Coletta indicated that the committee is in negotiations with Comcast and will put a copy of some correspondence in the Selectmen’s boxes.
Adjournment
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to adjourn. Voted 5 – 0.
9:55 p.m. Meeting Adjourned.
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