Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
July 18, 2006
Present: Christopher Colclough, Mark Gallivan, Jesse McSweeney and James Egan. (James Armstrong absent). Also present Town Administrator Michael Finglas and Executive Assistant Meredith Marini.
7:30 p.m. Chairman McSweeney called the meeting to order, lead the Pledge Allegiance and read the announcements and upcoming meeting schedule
Item I Town Administrator’s Report – Chief Hoyt Letter – Mr. Finglas read a letter from Fire Chief Allen Hoyt announcing his intention to retire effective May 25, 2007.
Warrants – Mr. Finglas reported that he signed the following warrants: Payroll Warrant 50 - $101,992.79; Expense 50 - $205,723.31; Expense 50A - $18,528.67. Payroll Warrant 51 - $98,492.18; Expense 51 - $141,401.22; Expense 51A - $18,138.47. Payroll Warrant 52 - $103,707.38; Expense 52 - $121,686.04; Expense 52A - $19,739.76. Payroll Warrant 53 - $100,065.66; Expense 53 - $25,400.99. Expense 54 - $44,095.23; Expense 54A - $12,608.78; Expense 55 $23,261.95; Expense 55A - $248,617.07. Payroll 1 - $121,333.39; Expense 1 - $24,397.65; Payroll 2 - $106,198.09; Expense 2 $267,498.08; Expense 2A - $19,386.73. Payroll 3 - $102,280.08; Expense 3 - $95.00; Expense 3A - $391,631.97; and Expense 3B - $17,503.37.
Plymouth County Hospital Utilization Committee – Mr. McSweeney stepped away from the table prior to the discussion. Mr. Finglas reported that the committee has had difficulty reaching a quorum and has requested the Board reduce the membership to nine members. He explained that two members have resigned. The committee provided the Board with a list of members who have missed five or more meetings. The PCH Utilization Committee voted at its last meeting to reduce the size of the group.
MOTION by Colclough, second by Gallivan (for discussion) to remove six of the members of the PCH Utilization Committee and reduce the membership from 15 to 9.
Mr. Gallivan explained that he was in favor of the concept but indicated that he did not know who the remaining members were and was concerned they may all be abutters. Additionally, with the resignation of two members, if the Board voted to remove the six individuals on the list, the committee would be reduced to eight members. He requested to have the Committee Chairman attend the next meeting and that the matter be tabled.
Mr. Colclough withdrew his motion and Mr. Gallivan withdrew his second.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Colclough to table the matter. Voted 3 – 0.
Update on insurance for PCH – Mr. Finglas informed the Board that the Town’s claim with the insurance company had been denied. According to the policy, the debris removal would be covered only when a total loss had been sustained. The insurance company did not declare the fire a total loss. Mr. Finglas indicated that the building is currently insured for liability only at the cost of $2,800.00. The insurance agent could not find an insurance company to insure the property. He provided the Board with an example of costs provided the Hannon & Ryan. Fire and Vandalism insurance would cost $900.00 per month, but the Town would have to remove the debris from the fire at a cost of $25,000 and erect a fence. The estimates for a fence were approximately
$15,000.00. Mr. Finglas reported that he received an estimate from a local contractor, who could remove the entire building at an approximate cost of $35,000. Mr. Finglas explained the low cost was due to the recyclable materials in the building. The Board discussed removing the building. Mr. Colclough pointed out that other valuable materials could be in the building including copper wiring.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Colclough to direct the Town Administrator to initiate an RFP or Invitation to Bid process for the full removal of the fire debris and the remaining hospital building and to report back at the next meeting. Voted 3 – 0
8:00 p.m. Mr. McSweeney returned to the table.
Item II New Business – Police Department - Promotion and Assessment procedures – Mr. Finglas reported that the Chief informed him that Lt. Gredler is retiring effective August 5, 2006. Mr. Finglas and the Chief are reviewing the appointment process as it may be affected by the new Town Administrator Act. The Chief will start the assessment process and Mr. Finglas will check with Town Counsel regarding the appointing authority.
Item III Old Business Review Government Study Report – Government Study Committee member Peter Muise was present to address questions from the Board. Water Commissioners Phyllis Bickford, Mary Lou Sutter, Bruce Young, Doug Ficks and Al Kantos were present as well as Highway Surveyor Richard Harris. Mr. Gallivan pointed out that the Board was not in a position to act on the matter and would require additional information and time for review. Mr. Muise explained the Study Committee’s recommendations citing several examples of communities, which have a DPW. He pointed out that in several communities the water rates are set by the Board of
Selectmen. He also suggested that the superintendent or an outside consultant could make recommendations as to rates. He stressed the importance of the water funds remaining as a separate enterprise fund to support the water department.
Mr. Gallivan recommended the Board follow the same course as with the Town Administrator by accepting the Government Study Committee’s recommendations as a working model and have the Town Administrator and Chairman work on the details.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Egan (for discussion) to accept the report of the Government Study Committee as a working model by which to approve an Act creating a DPW and direct the Town Administrator and Chairman to be responsible for a complete and final recommendation of an Act to be presented to the Town Meeting.
The Board addressed questions from the audience. Mr. Young read a lengthy report citing concerns the Board should consider. Following Mr. Young’s report Mr. Muise pointed out that the recommendation the Government Study Committee submitted to the Board was put in a format for ease in comparison purposes and was to be used as a reference. The report was not intended to be the completed Act. Mrs. Sutter requested that the Board review the materials the Water Department provided. She described the tremendous amount of time and work Commissioners must put in to keep the water department functioning. Mrs. Bickford inquired as to how abolishing the Water Commission would affect the contract with Brockton. She also stressed the amount of time the Commissioners put into the day-to-day
operations of the Water Department. High Street resident Mark Vess expressed concerns he reportedly received from other Hanson citizens which included taking away the citizens control by appointing a committee rather than electing one. The plan removes the volunteer aspect. He feels there will be no direct contract with the water department if there is no commission. He indicated residents are concerned about the cost in personnel and management. Mr. Muise addressed the concerns stating that the only new position that would be created if approved would be a director of recreation. There would be no additional costs other than that position. The report did not reduce the volunteerism as it kept Parks & Fields and the Recreation Commission intact.
Highway Survey Richard Harris feels that Mr. Muise was wrong and that there would be a large cost to the Town and he would speak more on it at the Town Meeting.
Move to the vote – Voted 4 – 0
Item IV Licenses – One Day Liquor – Camp Kiwanee – Several requests for One-Day Liquor licenses were received as follows:
Molly Schnabel, Rockland – Fri. July 28th 4:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. – Rehearsal Dinner
Laura Sanda – Hanson – Sun. July 30th 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Wedding
Bob Maffeo – Marshfield – Sun. July 23rd 3:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. – Wedding
Alexis Barret – Kingston – Sat., Aug. 12th 5 – 11 p.m. – Wedding
Roberts Animal Hospital – Hanover – Sun., Aug. 13th 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. – Company Outing
Kelly Cogswell – Plymouth – Sat., Aug. 19th 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. – Wedding
Barney Beal – East Boston – Sat., Aug. 26th – 6:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. – Family Party
Katy Bayard, Norwell – Sat. Aug. 5th – 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Wedding
John Peterson – Pembroke – Sun., Aug. 27th 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. – Wedding
MOTION by Egan, second by Gallivan to approve the One-Day Liquor Licenses as printed on the agenda. Voted 4 – 0
9:25 p.m. Mr. McSweeney stepped away from the table in order for the Board to address Item V.
Item V Resignations: Two resignations from the Plymouth County Hospital Utilization Committee were received. Gordon Coyle and Donald Ferguson submitted their resignations.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Colclough to accept with regret the resignations from Gordon Coyle and Donald Ferguson. Voted 3 – 0
9:26 p.m. Mr. McSweeney returned to the table
Item V I Committee Reports - Police Station Building Comm. – Mr. Gallivan reported that the project is moving along according to plan.
Adjournment
MOTION by Egan, second by Colclough to adjourn. Voted 4 – 0.
9:28 p.m. Meeting adjourned
Respectfully submitted
by Meredith Marini
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