Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
March 27, 2007
Present: Christopher Colclough, Mark Gallivan, Jesse McSweeney, James Egan and James Armstrong. Also present Town Administrator Michael Finglas and Executive Assistant Meredith Marini.
7:35 p.m. Chairman McSweeney called the meeting to order, read the announcements and upcoming meeting schedule
Item I Town Administrator’s Report – Mr. Finglas reported that he signed the following warrants for period ending March 15, 2007, Payroll warrant 37 in the amount of $99,448.41; Expense 37 - $534,372.23; Expense 37A - $17,399.68 and Expense 37B $254.00. For period ending March 22, 2007 Payroll warrant 38 $101,395.48; Expense warrant 38 – 18,344.51, Expense 38A – $6,217.71 and Expense 38B - $52,828.89. Mr. Finglas informed the Board that he met with Chief Savage who requested that appointment of three special police officers Brian Morse of Weymouth, Tracey Manter of Hanson and Nicholas Konarski of Hanson. The special police officers will compliment the force and assist with outside details.
The Chief indicated that all three officers have been trained and will purchase their own uniforms. There will be no financial impact to the police budget. Mr. Finglas recommended the appointments.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Colclough to appoint Brian Morse, Tracey Manter and Nicholas Konarski as Special Police Officers with terms to expire June 30, 2007. Voted 5 – 0
Mr. Finglas reported that he spoke with Dr. McEwan and an additional article will be inserted into the Annual Town Meeting Warrant for an assessment study of the Maquan School.
Item II New Business
Close Special Town Meeting Warrant –
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Colclough to close the May 2006 Special Town Meeting Warrant. Voted 5 – 0
Review Articles – The Board reviewed the articles for the Special Town Meeting. The articles were identified by page number of the Draft Special Town Meeting Warrant. The Board requested additional information on Page 6 - Highway for a new pick up truck and Page 22 – recreation septic system.
Set Polling Hours –
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Colclough to set the polling hours for the Annual elections on Saturday, May 19, 2007 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Maquan School. Voted 5 – 0
Hanson Little League has requested permission to hold an Opening Day Parade, on Saturday, April 21st at 12:00 p.m. starting at the Town Hall and ending at Botieri Field.
MOTION by Colclough, second by Armstrong to approve an Opening Day Parade for Hanson Little League on Saturday, April 21st at 12:00 p.m. Voted 5 – 0
Item III Licenses – One Day Liquor – Camp Kiwanee -
Bartending Service of Middleboro has requested a one day liquor license for Saturday, April 21st 7:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. for a Comedy Night.
WHK Hockey of Hanson has requested a one-day liquor license for Saturday, April 14th from 7:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. for a Fundraiser.
Monica Saviolatis of Taunton has requested a one-day liquor license for Sun., April 29th from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for a baptism
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Colclough to grant the one-day liquor licenses as printed. Voted 5 – 0
Item IV Review Budget w/ Finance Committee & Rep. Webster – Finance Committee members, Kate Gallivan, Mike Kelly, Sean Kealy and Manny Depina along with Town Accountant Meg LaMay and secretary Beth Sloan were present to discuss the State and local budget.
Representative Daniel Webster presented and review the Fiscal 2008 Budget Analysis from the State. He indicated that the communities will not be seeing the same increases as in the past. He outlined the State budget processes, pointing out that revenues as down at the State Level. He discussed the Chapter 70 formula and reported that Whitman Hanson Regional School District receives the highest amount of State aide in the regional school category
Mrs. Gallivan reported that the Finance Committee has met with all the major departments. They have reviewed all the budgets and will now start “sharpening their pencils”. She explained the committee’s philosophy regarding budgets, which was no new hires or additional hours. She indicated that fixed costs keep going up and they anticipate using most of the free cash to balance the budget. The Board discussed possible options for the future such as going to the State insurance and pension systems. The Finance Committee will keep the Board apprised of its progress.
Annual Town Meeting Warrant – Mrs. Marini informed that Board that the Annual Town Meeting Warrant would have to be open in order to insert three articles. Article 7- which is an article to fund the second of five lease payments for the ambulance. Article 8 – which is an article to set up a Mass. Water Pollution Abatement Trust fund and an article for fund the assessment of the Maquan School. The Treasurer/Collector has requested that her revolving fund article be removed as the Town Accountant has recommended a different type of account be used for the deputy collector’s fees.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Armstrong to open the May 2007 Annual Town Meeting Warrant. Voted 5 – 0
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Colclough to insert Articles 7 and 8 as explained. Voted 5 – 0
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Colclough to delete the Treasurer/Collector’s revolving fund article. Voted 5 – 0
There was brief discussion regarding the placement of the Maquan School Assessment article from either of the Annual or the Special.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Colclough to insert the Maquan School Assessment article into the Annual Town Meeting Warrant. Voted 5 – 0
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Colclough to close the May 2007 Annual Town Meeting Warrant. Voted 5 – 0
Item V Re-Appointments:
Registrar – Patricia Strait Indian Head Street – Term Expires 3/31/10
MOTION by Egan, second by Armstrong to appoint Patricia Strait to the Board of Registrars term to expire March 31, 2010. Voted 5 – 0
Veterans’ Agent – Robert Arsenault
Veterans’ Agent Assistant – Dana Larsen
Veterans’ Burial Agent – Robert Arsenault
Veterans’ Graves Officer – Robert Arsenault
Veterans’ Services Director – Robert Arsenault
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Colclough to reappoint the Veterans’ Agents positions as printed with terms to expire on March 31, 2008. Voted 5 – 0
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Item V I Approve Minutes Regular and Executive Session minutes March 13, 2007
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to accept the regular session minutes of March 13, 2007 as printed. Voted 5 – 0
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Colclough to accept the executive session minutes of March 13, 2007 as printed and the minutes shall be held until the matter is resolved. Voted 5 – 0
Item VII Committee Reports Fire Chief Search – Mr. Gallivan reported that the Committee will be conducting interviews on Saturday, March 31st starting at 9:00 a.m. The meeting will be open to the public and he requested that Cable broadcast the interviews. The committee will provide the Board of Selectmen with its recommendation within two weeks. Police Station Building – Mr. Gallivan reported that the project is on time and on budget. They are starting into the landscaping phase. He commended the Chief for all is work on the project.
Item VIII Executive Session – Chairman McSweeney announced that the Board would be going into Executive Session under item #3 Litigation.
MOTION by Gallivan, second by Colclough to go into Executive Session under item #3 Litigation. Roll Call – Colclough aye, Gallivan aye, McSweeney aye, Egan aye and Armstrong aye. Voted 5 – 0.
9:26 Brief Recess
9:43 p.m. Returned to Open Session
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Egan to adjourn. Voted 5 – 0
9:42 p.m. Meeting Adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Meredith Marini
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