Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
March 25, 2008
Present: James Armstrong, James Egan and Christopher Colclough. Also present Town Administrator Michael Finglas and Executive Assistant Meredith Marini
Item I Q&A by Maquan School Students - Maquan School students attended the meeting and asked the Board questions regarding Town government. Mr. Armstrong had given them a tour of the Town Hall prior to the meeting. The group gave the Board members tee-shirts and thanked them for their time.
7:44 p.m. Chairman Egan called the meeting to order, lead the Pledge Allegiance. Chairman Egan requested a moment of Silence for Father Francis Crowley who passed away on March 8th. Father Crowley had been a member of the Council on Aging. Chairman Egan read the announcements and upcoming meeting schedule.
7:45 p.m. Item II Report of the Maquan School Feasibility Comm. - - Representatives from the Maquan School Feasibility Study Committee presented their report to the Board. Jim Tuffo gave a brief statement explaining that there was a lot more to the school than just the physical structure and the committee reviewed several components. Mr. Tuffo introduced the Gene Raymond of Raymond Design Associates who explained the scope of the work necessary for the school. They provided two options. Option A would provide for an addition as well as renovations at an estimated cost of $18,000,000. Option B would provide only the necessary repairs and replacements at an estimated cost of $11,000,000.
Mr. Raymond explained that students would remain at the school during construction. The bulk of the construction would take 14 to 15 months with an additional 8 to 9 months as student and faculty are relocated to the newly constructed areas.
Mr. Finglas inquired as to the cost of building a new buildings. Mr. Raymond estimated $21,000,000.00. Dr. McEwan explained that the renovations would be reimbursed 40% and that the State is supporting renovations over new construction. The Study Committee requested permission to present the plan to the Town Meeting for its support only, no funding will be requested at this Town Meeting. If Town Meeting approves the plan, the plan will have to be submitted to SBA as a Statement of Interest.
The group discussed immediate heating needs which should be addressed by the next school year.
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to open the Annual Town Meeting warrant. Voted 3 – 0
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to insert an article to hear the report of the Feasibility Study Committee and to request the Town’s support for the project and allow the committee to explore SBA approval. Voted 3 – 0.
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to close warrant. Voted 3 – 0.
Mrs. Sutter reminded the Feasibility Study Committee to submit the project to the Capital Improvement Committee.
8:42 p.m. Brief Recess
8:44 p.m. Back in Session
Item III Town Administrator’s Report – Mr. Finglas reported that he is working on the Ball Fields grants. Bill Clay has provided him with plans and he expects the paperwork will be filed by the end of next week. Collective bargaining is ongoing with Highway, dispatchers and Clerical. He spoke with Edward O’Donnell and will be setting up a meeting to resolve his issue.
Mr. Finglas reported that for period ending March 13th he signed Payroll Warrant 37 in the amount of $99,479.25, Expense Warrant 37 $62,265.26; and Expense Warrant 37A $18,254.28. Period ending March 20th he signed Payroll Warrant $98,541.03, Expense Warrant 38 $35,527.40 and Expense Warrant 38A $18,133.21. Period ending March 27th he signed Payroll Warrant 39 - $99,203.80; Expense Warrant 39 - $195,656.33 and Expense 39A - $17,555.97.
A request has been received from Calvary Baptist Church to use Town Hall Green for Western Family Night on either Friday, September 12, 2008 or Saturday, September 13, 2008.
MOTION by Colclough, second by Armstrong to approve the request of Calvary Baptist Church for a Western Family Night on either Friday, September 12th or Saturday, September 13th.
Michael Ganshirt of Dollars for Scholars has requested that the Board proclaim April as “Dollars for Scholars Month”. The following Proclamation was read:
Whereas, Dollars for Scholars of Whitman and Hanson has been awarding scholarship to deserving students from Whitman and Hanson for forty-six years; and
Whereas, Dollars for Scholars of Whitman and Hanson has awarded over $1.4 million to over 2,100 students; and
Whereas, Dollars for Scholars of Whitman and Hanson is a community-based, non-profit organization which receives support from residents, businesses, and community organizations; and,
Whereas, Dollars for Scholars of Whitman and Hanson offers non-restricted scholarships open to qualified secondary school graduates from both private and public schools living in the town of Whitman and Hanson; and
Whereas, Dollars for Scholars is currently appealing to Whitman and Hanson residents through their annual fundraising campaign.
Now, therefore, We, Board of Selectmen for the Town of Hanson, hereby proclaim the month of April as Dollars for Scholars month and urge all residents and businesses to recognize and support Dollars for Scholars of Whitman and Hanson and the work that they do.
MOTION by Colclough, second by Armstrong to proclaim April as Dollars for Scholars month. Voted 3 – 0.
Mr. Finglas reviewed a letter from the Mass. State Lottery is proposing Keno on the Go to establishments which currently have Keno.
Item IV Review Articles - The Board briefly reviewed the articles for the Annual Town Meeting Warrant which was presented as Draft Warrant dated March 11, 2008. The Board held the Water Commissioners’ article regarding the Water Surplus Fund for more information.
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to accept the articles in Draft Warrant dated March 11, 2008, with the exception of Page 15 – Water Surplus Fund, as submitted. Voted 3 – 0
Item V Policy Review: - Policy discussion was tabled until April 9th.
Item V I -March Annual Re-Appointments -
A. Robert Arsenault – Veterans’ Agent
B. Dana Larsen – Assistant Veterans’ Agent
C. Robert Arsenault – Veterans’ Burial Agent
D. Robert Arsenault – Veterans’ Graves Officer
E. Robert Arsenault – Veterans’ Services Director
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to re-appoint as printed. Voted 3 – 0
Item VII Licenses – One Day Liquor – Camp Kiwanee
The following requests for one day liquor licenses were received:
Marge Sarvello of Abington for Sunday, April 20th from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. for a Shower
Leah Antonetti of Plymouth, for Saturday, May 3rd from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for a First Communion
Catherine Moran of Hanover on Saturday, May 24th from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for a Wedding.
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to approve as printed. Voted 3 – 0
Item VIII Committee Reports – None heard.
MOTION by Colclough, second by Armstrong to adjourn. Voted 3 – 0
9:00 p.m. Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Meredith Marini,
Executive Assistant
Approved and Voted 3 – 0 – 2
May 20, 2008
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