Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
September 28, 2004
Present: Robert Forte, Mark Gallivan, Catherine Kuchinski, Jesse McSweeney and Rebecca Coletta. Also present Executive Secretary Michael Finglas and executive assistant Meredith Marini
7:35 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 - Jean Marie Smith - Director of Elder Affair – Mr. Finglas advised the Board of an incident which occurred on Wednesday, September 22nd in which an elderly resident had called a Verizon operator threatening to commit suicide. He informed the Board of the professional manner in which Jean Marie Smith handled the situation and the compassion she demonstrated toward the individual was overwhelming. The Board commended her on her actions.
Mrs. Smith updated the Board on the events at the Senior Center. She has secured a $5,733 formula grants for five years. She informed the Board on various staffing changes and indicated that Gerard Flynn has been working out great in the custodian’s position. The Senior Center will be hosting a Veteran’s Day Breakfast on November 10th and the public is welcome. Mrs. Smith highlighted Alzheimer’s training, care giving training and TRAID events.
Barbara Gomez – Town Accountant – Mrs. Gomez informed that Board that she has revamped her monthly report by adding additional budget lines. She has been working with the Executive Secretary to create a concise monthly reporting system. Mrs. Gomez indicated it is still early in the budget cycle and most of the departments are within their spending limits. Mrs. Gomez has received confirmation from the Moderator that he will allow the use of the $99,494 one-time municipal relief appropriation at the October Town Meeting.
Jean Sullivan – Treasurer/Collector – The Board welcomed Mrs. Sullivan. She informed the Board that all the books are balanced. The Tax bills are scheduled to go out on September 30th with a tax rate of $10.22. The Town received the first $100,000 disbursement for the Septic system program. There are currently 7 or 8 people completing the necessary paper for in order to receive the funding. The requests run between $7,000 and $23,000.
Alan Hoyt – Fire Chief – Chief Hoyt indicated that he is working on a grant with Chief Savage. The Chief informed the Board that he is looking for members to serve on the Emergency Planning Committee. The committee will be comprised of a member from the Police Department, Fire Department, Board of Selectmen and three citizens at large. He is working on a $35,000 education grant. The roof on the fire station has been completed. The final cost was $5,000 which is under budget. He intends to start the bunkroom and the ladies room in October. Mr. Gallivan inquired about the amount of mutual aid Hanson has been providing to other towns. The Chief indicated that it was normal and it all equals out over a course of time.
Item II Old Business - Finance Committee -Review Warrant Articles
Article 3 – Highway Contract – Mrs. Marini indicated that the amount should be increased to $11,600.00.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to recommended Article 3 at $11,600.00. Voted 5 – 0
Article 4 – By-Law changes – Finance Chairman Roger McGovern inquired as to the changes in the by-law. Mr. Finglas informed the Boards that the current by-law of $4,000 is more restrictive than the state law. State statute requires phone quotes from $5,000 - $25,000. All projects over $5,000 require written contract. He explained the requirements for advertising in the Central register and time requirements and how this will affect the revised by-law.
Article 6 – Conservation Agent – Town Planner Noreen O’Toole was present to discuss the need to increase the hours for the conservation agent. Currently the position is 18 hours per week. The Notice of Intent fund usually generates $10,000 per year. The fund can be used to supplement was expenses for conservations, including salaries. Mrs. O’Toole pointed out that a salary survey identified ranges for area conservation agent’s from $38,000 - $49,000.00. Increasing the in hours including benefits could cost $50,000. The Board discussed increasing hours and positions in the middle of a fiscal year. Mrs. Gomez cautioned the Board about contracting with an individual if the money has not been appropriated. Mr. McGovern suggested a reserve fund
transfer may assist the Commission in paying the consultant until May. Mr. Finglas did not recommend using reserve fund monies to pay for this as it is not an emergency situation.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte NOT to recommend Article 6. Voted 3 – 1 (McSweeney) – 1 (Kuchinski)
Article 15 – Library – Library Trustee Leslie Prairo reviewed the Library’s needs. She indicated that the 19% requirement for books would not have an impact this year’s budget as it is based on a three year average. The current employee works two nights and Saturdays. If the hours were increased the employee would work an additional evening and Fridays. The Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee reiterated their concerns about increasing hours and benefits in the middle of a fiscal year. Mrs. Gallivan pointed out that hard decisions were made in May and it won’t be fair to the other departments to increase hours.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte NOT to recommend Article 15. Voted 5 – 0
Articles 16 & 17 – Plymouth County Hospital Articles – Mr. McSweeney recused himself from the discussion and left the table. Chairman Kuchinski and Mr. Gallivan explained the purpose of the articles indicating that if Baran does not commence construction, passage of the articles would allow the Board to exercise all the Town’s rights and remedies under the contract without the necessity of holding another special town meeting.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to recommend Article 16. Voted 4 – 0
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to recommend Article 17. Voted 4 – 0
Articles 18, 19, 20 – Petition Articles - The Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee briefly discussed the petition articles 18 – 20. Mr. Finglas informed the boards that the Moderator is investigating the legality of the wording in the Article 18. The Board discussed referring the articles to Town Meeting. Mr. Gallivan pointed out the importance of NOT recommending Article 20 as it is in direct conflict with Selectmen’s proposed articles 16 and 17.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to Refer Article 18 to Town Meeting. Voted 4 – 0.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to Refer Article 19 to Town Meeting. Voted 3 – 1 (Coletta)
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte NOT to recommend Article 20. Voted 3 – 0 – 1 (Kuchinski )
Mr. McSweeney returned to the table.
Item III Executive Secretary’s Report - Mr. Finglas informed the Board that he signed Payroll Warrant #14 and Expense warrants 14 and 14A. One bid was received for Roller Coaster Road in the amount of $80,000. The bid notice for the replacement of the BCI building furnace will be posted in the Central Register and bids will close on October 20th. The County Commissioners have indicated that they will pay for ½ the cost of the replacement. South Shore Housing has requested the Town’s support of the Soft Second Loan program. Mr. Finglas passed out his monthly reports and requested the Board review it and call him with questions or comments.
10:07 p.m. Chairman Kuchinski requested a brief recess.
10:12 p.m. Back in open session
Item IV Hanson Grain Lease – Mrs. Devine has requested that the lease allow for 10 trailers to be placed on the site. The Board questioned whether 10 trailers would fit on the parcel and requested that the Building Inspector investigate and make a recommendation. Matter Tabled.
Item V Government Study Committee – Mrs. Marini pointed out that no official vote was taken to appoint the Executive Secretary and Town Accountant as ex officio members of the Government Study Committee.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to appoint Michael Finglas and Barbara Gomez as ex officio members of the Government Study Committee. Voted 5 – 0.
Mr. McSweeney indicated he would post a meeting for the Government Study Committee after the October Special Town Meeting. He also indicated that the Finance Committee has chosen Kate Gallivan as its designee.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Forte to appoint Kate Gallivan to the Government Study Committee. Voted 4 – 0 – 1 (Gallivan).
The Board discussed the recent letter to the editor from Gordon Coyle regarding the Government Study Committee. Mr. Gallivan recommended the Planning Board reconsider its vote appointment of Mr. Coyle to the Government Study Committee. Chairman Kuchinski indicated that the Planning Board’s next meeting is October 6th and recommended the Selectmen discuss the matter after Planning Board meets. Mr. McSweeney wanted it on recorded that he didn’t feel the Selectmen should second-guess the Planning Board’s recommendation.
Item VI New Business - Set polling hours for November 2, 2004 - Town Clerk, Sandra Harris has requested that the Board set the polling hours for the November 2, 2004 elections from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Gallivan to set the Polling hours for the November 2, 2004 elections from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Voted 5 – 0
Item V II Appointments & Resignations – Review Selectmen Assignments & Vacancies – Chairman Kuchinski requested the assignments be tabled until next meeting. Tabled.
Resignation of Laura Ritcher from the Cultural Council –
MOTION by Forte, second by Gallivan to accept with regret Mrs. Ritcher’s resignation from the Cultural Council. Voted 5 – 0
Item VIII One-Day Liquor Licenses – Camp Kiwanee - Amy Moran, Hanson, Sat. Oct. 9th 12 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Wedding Reception; Erin Fox, Hanson, Sat. Oct. 16th 7 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. – Playground Committee Fundraiser; Colette Hayward, Halifax, Sun. Oct. 17th 2 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Wedding reception; Andrea Matthison, Whitman, Oct. 23rd 5 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. – Wedding Reception.
Chairman Kuchinski recommended the all the liquor license requests be voted in one motion.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to approve the One-Day liquor licenses as listed on the agenda. Voted 5 – 0.
Item IX Committee Reports – CATV – Mrs. Coletta indicated that the CATV Committee would be meeting twice this week.
Adjournment
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Forte to adjourn. Voted 5 – 0.
10:37 p.m. Meeting Adjourned.
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