Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
April 5, 2005
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. She requested a moment of silence for Pope John Paul II. Chairman Kuchinski lead the Pledge Alliance and read the announcements and upcoming meeting schedule.
Item I Department Head Reports - Jean Marie Smith Director of Elder Affairs presented her monthly report highlighting various building issues which she has addressed with Mr. Finglas. She also indicated that she had requested in her budget additional hours for the outreach coordinator and an additional part-time van driver. She requested the Board’s support.
Jeanne Sullivan – Treasurer Collector – Mrs. Sullivan reported that health insurance rates have been increased by 10% for fiscal year 2006 with BC/BS increasing 25%. The real estate bills went out on March 24 and are due on May 2nd. Mrs. Sullivan presented the Board with excise bill comparisons from 2004 and 2005. Chief Allen Hoyt – Fire Dept. – Chief Hoyt reported the department had a busy month with several incidents of multiple calls. There were no problems with the burning permits. The department has been conducting several inspections at the high school. Mr. Forte inquired about the railing at the high school. The Chief indicated it was required pursuant to code. The Chief also indicated
he spoke with the County Sheriff regarding prisoner working on town projects. Chief Edward Savage – Police Dept. – Chief Savage reported that he has an officer out on extended injury leave. He will hold a Board of Review with Mr. Finglas regarding the injury leave. Officer Nawazelski will be holding a mock trial with the middle school students. Chief Savage has been working on a new website www.hansonpolice.org. The state is working on upgrades for enhanced 911 for better service involving cell phone calls.
Item II Water Commissioners – Commissioners Phyllis Bickford and Mary Lou Sutter were present to discuss wireless communications on the water tank. Mrs. Bickford informed the Board that the Commissioner plan to contract with an engineering company to draft an RFP for wireless communications on the water tank and the necessary repairs and upgrades to the water tank. Installation of Public Safety communications would be a requirement of any contract award. The water commissioners fielded questions from the audience and the zoning board of appeals. Mrs. Coyle of the ZBA indicated that there is a current decision on file and any revisions would require a new hearing. Additionally, any outstanding requirements such as a hedge around the base of the tank would be
addressed at a new hearing. The Commissioners will update the Board during the process
Item III Report from Police Station Building – Mr. Gallivan gave a brief history of the Police Station Building process. Chief Savage introduced Greg Carell from the Carell Group, which is the architectural firm for the project. Mr. Carell showed drawings of the proposed building. He explained the decision of new construction instead of renovating the current facility. A new facility will have 14,000 square feet of space and will be built using brick construction with a cost of 4.8 Million dollars. Chief Savage indicated that the funding for the project will be through a debt exclusion. The average cost to the residents will be approximately $136.00 per year. Mr. Gallivan recommended that residents take a
tour of the current facility. Chief Savage recognized the other Police Station Building committee members present, Paul Taber, Matt Palermo, Dot Mathews, Kevin McCarthy and Jim Egan.
Item IV Licenses – Class II – Chris Cogswell – 1605 Main St. – Mr. Cogswell applied for a class II wholesale dealer license to conduct business at 1605 Main Street. The ZBA has approved the business.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to approve a Class II license to Christopher Cogswell. Voted 5 – 0
Hanson Livery Service – License Renewal – Denis Chick of 26 Lantz Avenue, Whitman requested renewal of his livery license .
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Forte to renew Hanson Livery’s livery license for 2005. Voted 5 – 0
Item V Committee Reports: Government Study – Mr. McSweeney indicated that the Government Study Committee met on Monday, April 11th and the group drafting the Town Administrator’s Job description (Mr. McSweeney, Rebecca Colette and Peter Muise) are scheduled to meet on Sunday, April 10th.
Item VI Polling Hours -- The Town Clerk requested the Board set the polling hours for May 21st annual Town Election from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to set the polling hours for May 21st from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Voted 5 – 0
Item VII. Close Special Town Meeting Warrant –
MOTION by Forte, second by Gallivan to close the Special Town Meeting warrant.
Voted 5 – 0.
Item VIII. Executive Secretary’s - School Budget - Mrs. Marini informed the Board that the school committee has scheduled a budget forum on Wednesday, April 6th at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Gallivan and Mr. Forte to attend. Camp Kiwanee - Massachusetts Historical forwarded a citation honoring Camp Kiwanee for its designation on the National Historic Register. Gravel Permit – Mark Ridder met with Mr. Finglas to discuss the gravel removal permit requirements. Mr. Ridder has been informed that any material removed which are incidental to construction does not require a gravel removal permit. Chairman Kuchinski requested a letter memorializing such conversation be placed in the file.
Item IX Appointment - Conservation Commission - David Harris 825 Main Street applied to fill Amy Gardner’s unexpired term on the Conservation Commission - Term to Expire 6/30/07
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to appoint David Harris to the Conservation Commission. Term to expire on June 30, 2007. Voted 5 – 0
Executive Session – Chairman Kuchinski announced that the Board would be going into Executive Session under item #3 – contract negotiations with union and non-union personnel and litigation.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Forte to go into Executive Session under Item #3 contract negotiations with union and non-union personnel and litigation. Roll Call – Gallivan aye, Forte aye, Kuchinski aye, McSweeney aye and Coletta aye. Voted 5 – 0.
9:32 p.m. Brief Recess –
10:25 p.m. Return to open session
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Forte to adjourn. Voted 5 – 0
10:26 p.m. Meeting Adjourned.
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