Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
April 4, 2006
Present: Christopher Colclough , Mark Gallivan, Jesse McSweeney and James Egan. Also present Executive Secretary Michael Finglas and Executive Assistant Meredith Marini.
7:35 p.m. Chairman Gallivan called the meeting to order and lead the Pledge Allegiance. He read the Public Announcements and upcoming meeting schedule.
Item I Conservation Commission Appointment: The Board received three applications for appointment to fill the two vacancies on the Conservation Commission. The three applicants were present to meet with the Board. John Kemmett of 83 Bay State Circle, John Murray
44 Sleigh Dr. and Frank Schellenger 75 Spring Street. The Board inquired of the applicants’ backgrounds. Mr. Kemmett works for the Braintree School department as an electrical contractor. Mr. Murray is a 30 year resident and retired as the maintenance supervisor for the Mass. Water Resources and Mr. Schellenger is a semi-retire site contractor and has worked on septic systems and environmental issues. Mr. McSweeney inquired whether any of the applicants have attended a Conservation meeting. Mr. Schellenger and Mr. Murray have attended a few meetings. Mr. Murray has also attended a site visit. Mr. Kemmett indicated that he watches the meetings on CATV. None of the applicants have appeared before Conservation.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Colclough to appoint Frank Schellenger to the Conservation Committee with a term to expire on June 30, 2007. Voted 4 – 0
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Colclough to appoint John Kemmett to the Conservation Commission with a term to expire on June 30, 2007. Voted 4 – 0
Item II Police Station Building Committee Update – Architect Greg Carell and Project Manager Bill Reich were present to update the Board on the status of the Police Station. Mr. Gallivan reviewed the approval process of the construction of the police station from Town Meeting and Town Election to the hiring of the project manager. The committee anticipates the costs of the construction to be higher than Town Meeting approved due to the increase in costs of building materials, fuel costs, inflation and unanticipated regulatory requirements for the site. Mr. Finglas indicated that he would petition the Department of Revenue for authorization to include the additional costs to the already exempted amounts approved by Town Meeting. The Board discussed the
Committee’s options in the event the Town does not approve the additional funding. Mr. Carell indicated that there is not a lot of excess in the project, but some components could be adjusted. He pointed out that major changes to the design would set the project back several months.
MOTION by Colclough, second by Egan under M.G.L. Ch. 59, Section 21 (paragraph k) debt exclusion to authorize the chairman to petition the department of revenue upon the receipt of the Police Station bid numbers. Voted 4 – 0
Item III Street Acceptance Hearing - Tag Way – Mrs. Sheila Niska has requested that the Town accept Tag Way as a public way.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Colclough to open the Street Acceptance hearing. Roll Call – Colclough aye, Gallivan aye, McSweeney aye and Egan aye. Voted 4 – 0.
Town Planner Noreen O’Toole was present to explain that the subdivision consists of five lots and has been approved by the Planning Board. Ms. O’Toole indicated that there had been a few outstanding construction issues, which have subsequently been resolved. She advised that Board that all the plow bills have been paid.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Colclough to close the Street Acceptance hearing. Voted 4 – 0.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Colclough to approve the order of layout of Tag Way. Voted 4 – 0
Item IV Library Trustees – Library Trustees Linda Wall, Greta Lozeau and Carolyn Galambos along with Library Director Nancy Cappellini were present to discuss the library budget. They requested the Board’s support for additional hours for the reference librarian. The Trustees indicated that they have submitted their requests to Mr. Finglas as well as the Finance Committee. They Board discussed the impact of the additional costs on the Town benefits line and the overall budget. The Board advised that Trustee that at this time it would not be able to support the additional hours.
Item V New Business: Town Accountant Appointment – Mr. Finglas indicated that as a result of Town Accountant Barbara Gomez’s retirement, he and Finance Committee Chairman, James Tuffo conducted interviews for the position. After careful consideration Mr. Finglas recommended the Board appoint Margaret LaMay of Halifax as Town Accountant. Mr. Finglas reviewed Mrs. LaMay’s experience and introduced her to the Board.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Colclough to appoint Margaret LaMay of Halifax as the Town Accountant effective April 14, 2006. Voted 4 – 0
Item VI Town Administrator’s Report – Mr. Finglas reported that he signed warrants for the period ending March 23, 2006 – Payroll Warrant 38 in the amount of $88,115.86;
Expense 38 - $72,341.15 and Expense 38A - $15,586.82. On March 31, 2006 his signed Payroll Warrant 39 in the amount of $93,102.17; Expense 39 - $33,757.85; Expense 39A - $17,607.40. Camp Kiwanee – The Friends of Camp Kiwanee were seeking approval to hold a Beano fundraiser in April. The Lottery Commission requires a signature from the Board as well as the Chief of Police.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Egan to approve a Beano fundraiser at Camp Kiwanee on Sunday, April 23, 2006. Voted 4 – 0
MBTA Meeting – Mr. Finglas reported that he met with the MBTA regarding expansion of the parking lot. The plans are very preliminary. He requested an additional egress, which the MBTA will review.
Item V II Old Business. Review Annual Town Meeting Articles – The Board briefly reviewed the Town Meeting Warrants referred to as “Draft 4/4/06”.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Colclough to approval all the articles for inclusion on the Annual Town Meeting for discussion.
Mr. Gallivan indicated that while the petition articles are automatically included on the warrant, Town Counsel will rule on their legality. Mr. Gallivan pointed out that a full accounting of costs of the Plymouth County Hospital property is being prepared. Mr. Gallivan addressed Mr. Coyle’s petition article requesting the rescission of several previous Town Meeting votes for the sale of the Plymouth County Hospital property. Mr. Gallivan indicated that the Board has no intention of selling any portion of the property without Town Meeting approval.
Mr. McSweeney indicated that he would not be participation in any discussion regarding the property.
Mr. Gallivan pointed out that the Board recently appointed a Utilization Committee to research uses of the property.
MOTION by Egan, second by Colclough to set a policy that the Board take the Utilization Committee’s recommendation of the Plymouth County Hospital Property under consideration and to present its recommendation to Town Meeting prior to the disposition of the property. Voted 3 – 0 (Mr. McSweeney recused himself)
Voted 4 – 0 on the previous motion to include all the articles on the warrant.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Colclough to include all the articles on the Special Town Meeting Warrant as printed. Voted 4 – 0
Item V III One-Day Liquor Licenses Sandra Carter of Brighton has requested a one-day liquor license for Saturday, April 8th from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Marde Gras party. Karyn Pike of Hanson has requested a one-day liquor license for Saturday, April 22, 2006 from 7 p.m. to
12 a.m. for a Hockey dance.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Colclough to approve the one-day liquor licenses as requested. Voted 4 – 0
Item IX Approve Minutes: February 21, 2006 Regular session; March. 7, 2006 Regular session; March 21, 2006 regular session, and March 28, 2006 Regular & Executive Session.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Colclough to approve the minutes of March 7, 2006 as printed. Voted 3 – 0 – 1 (Gallivan)
MOTION by Egan, second by McSweeney to approve the minutes of February 21, 2006 as printed. Voted 3 – 0 – 1 (Colclough)
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Colclough to approve the regular session minutes of
March 21, 2006 and March 28, 2006 as printed. Voted 4 – 0.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Egan to approve the Executive Session minutes of
March 21, 2006 as printed. Voted 4 – 0
Item X Committee Reports: Monponsett Pond – Mr. Colclough indicated that the committee has received a report from the City of Brockton regarding the water quality at Monponsett Pond. The committee is reviewing the report. Open Space Committee – Mr. Egan reported that two guest speakers attend the last meeting and addressed the Community Preservation Act . Open Space plans further discussions of the Act for implementation in Hanson. Zoning By-Law Committee – Mr. Egan reported that the committee continues to review and discuss accessory apartments and sign by-laws.
Item XI Town Administrator I Mrs. Marini informed that Board that the Town Administrator advertisement has been placed on the MMA website. The cost to publish a print ad in the Boston Globe would be in excess of $1,800.00. The position could be placed on the Globe’s website on Bostonworks.com for 28 days for $349.00. By consensus the Board agreed to place the advertisement with the Globe online only.
Mr. Gallivan reported that he has completed contract negotiations with Mr. Finglas for the Acting Town Administrator position.
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Colclough to sign the contract with Mr. Finglas as Acting Town Administrator. Voted 4 – 0
MOTION by McSweeney, second by Egan to adjourn. Voted 4 – 0
9:42 p.m. Meeting Adjourned
Respectfully submitted by
Meredith Marini
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