Selectmen’s Meeting ~Minutes
September 9, 2008
Present: ~Donald Howard, Stephen Amico, James Egan, Christopher Colclough and James Armstrong. Also present Town Administrator Michael Finglas and Meredith Marini, Executive Assistant. ~~
7:30 p.m.~~~~~~~Chairman Egan called the meeting to order, lead the Pledge Allegiance and read the announcements and upcoming meeting schedule.
Item I Town Administrator’s Report – Mr. Finglas reported that for period ending August 28th he signed payroll warrant 9 in the amount of $110,517.28; Expense 9 - $2,208,068.88; Expense 9A - $20,427.23. For period ending September 4th is signed Payroll Warrant 10 in the amount of $108,959.16; Expense 10 - $69,954.13 and Expense 10A - $20,104.13;
Mr. Finglas reported that there have been some staff changes. The Administrative Assistant to Recreation has resigned and taken a position in the private sector. The Administrative Assistant to the Director of Elder Affairs has resigned as she has moved out of state. The Assistant Collector, Mary Kuketz has applied for the Recreation position. The Assistant Collector’s and Administrative Assistant to the Elder Affairs Director positions have been posted.
Resignation from Bill Foshey – State appointee to the Housing Authority. Mr. Finglas pointed out that this is not the Board’s appointment. Residents interested in the position should contact State Rep. Daniel Webster.
Sept. 16th Meeting – Mr. Finglas informed the Board that September 16th is primary day and the meeting should not start before 8:00 p.m. when the polls close. By consensus the meeting will be posted for 8:00 p.m.
Item II One Day Liquor Licenses – Camp Kiwanee
Hanson Youth Football – Hanson – Friday, Oct. 3rd 7:00 p.m. 12:00 Midnight – Football party
Megan McKee – Rockland – Sunday, Sept. 21st 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. – Graduation
Scott Lyall – Hanson – Sunday, November 2nd 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. – SURPRISE Party
Elizabeth Leahy – Hanson – Saturday – November 8th 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. SURPRISE Party
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Amico to approve the One Day Liquor Licenses as printed. Voted 5 – 0
Common Victualers License – Hanson Historical Society – September 13th
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to approve a Common Victualer’s License to Hanson Historical Society. Voted 5 – 0
Item III Re-Appointments - Area Agency on Aging Advisory Committee – OCPC
Doris Grindle – Term Expires 9/30/09
Eva Burton, Alternate – Term Expires 9/30/09
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to reappoint Doris Grindle and Eva Burton to the Area Agency of Aging Advisory Committee as printed. Voted 5 – 0
Item IV Classification Hearing – Assessors Dan Ward, Kathy Marini and Susan Thornton were present along with Assessor Cindy Long and Assistant Assess Lee Brown.
MOTION by Armstrong moved and who read the hearing notice, second by Colclough to open the Classification Hearing. Voted 5 – 0
Mrs. Long informed the Board that the Board of Assessors is recommending a Uniform Tax Rate for the Town of Hanson. She pointed out that the Town has seen growth in both commercial and industrial for the first time in several years. Mrs. Long presented figures highlighting the slight difference in a tiered tax rate. Mrs. Long also explained the Small Business Exemption, which only benefits the property owners not necessarily the business owners. In home businesses do not qualify. The projected tax rate for FY09 is $10.71.
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to adopt the uniform tax rate for fiscal year 2009. Voted 5 – 0
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough not to adopt the Small Business Exemption. Voted 5 – 0
Mr. Egan announced that the hearing would be continued until the excess levy capacity is received from the State.
Mr. Finglas and the Board thanked the Assessors for their work.
7:50 p.m. The Assessors left the meeting.
Item V Adams Circle Lots 12, 14 & 21– Gift of Land – The matter had been tabled from the previous meeting. Mrs. Marini explained that these parcels had been offered to the Town several years ago and no action was taken. The total amount of taxes received per year is approximately $600.00.
MOTION by Howard, second by Colclough to accept Lots 12, 14 & 21 on Adams Circles under the Care and Custody of the Conservation Commission in accordance with M.G.L. c. 40 § 8C. Voted 5 – 0
Item VI Review October Special Town Meeting Articles – Mrs. Marini informed the Board that three additional articles need to be added to the Warrant. Two for the Water Department and one for the Building Inspector Wages
MOTION by Amico, second by Colclough to open the October Special Town Meeting Warrant. Voted 5 – 0
MOTION by Amico, second by Colclough to insert two articles for the Water Department and Selectmen’s article for the Building Inspector’s wages. Voted 5 – 0
MOTION by Amico, second by Colclough to close the October Special Town Meeting Warrant. Voted 5 – 0
The Board reviewed the October Special Town Meeting warrant articles. Mrs. Marini pointed out that Articles should be referred to by page number of the Draft Warrant dated August 19, 2008. Mr. Finglas reminded that Board that the Warrant is the Board of Selectmen warrant and they should not include articles which they do not support.
Page 1 Selectmen Unpaid bills $348.03
MOTION by Amico, second by Colclough to accept. Voted 5 – 0
Page 2 Town Administrator Stabilization $125,000.00
There was a lengthy discussion as to the amount to be transferred to Stabilization. Mr. Finglas reminded the Board that the Financial Team had made a commitment to the Bonding Company during the audit process that one half of the funds received from Fisheries and Wildlife would be used to replenish stabilization.
MOTION by Howard, second by Colclough to accept and set dollar figure at the next meeting. Voted 5 – 0
Page 3 Selectmen Utilities $28,000
MOTION by Amico, second by Colclough to accept. Voted 5 – 0
Page 4 Treasurer Police Borrowing $10,679
MOTION by Amico, second by Colclough to accept. Voted 5 – 0
Page 5 Treasurer Water Borrowing $1,908
MOTION by Amico, second by Colclough to accept. Voted 5 – 0
Page 6 Selectmen Clerical Wages
Page 7 Selectmen Dispatcher Wages
Page 8 Selectmen Highway Wages
Page 9 Selectmen Fire Wages
Page 10 Selectmen Police Wages
Mr. Finglas informed the Board that he is still in negotiations with all the unions. The articles are set as place holders in the event the contract are settled.
MOTION by Amico, second by Colclough to accept Pages 6 - 10 without a dollar figure. Voted 5 – 0
Page 11 Board of Health Landfill Capping $75,000
Mrs. Marini informed the Board that the Town Engineer recommended a language change to the article to more accurately reflect the work being performed. Deleted capping and inserted Phase II Comprehensive Site Assessment.
MOTION by Amico, second by Colclough to accept as amended. Voted 5 – 0
Page 12 Fire Chief Paramedic Stipend $4,000
MOTION by Amico, second by Colclough to accept. Voted 5 – 0
Page 13 Fire Chief Paramedic Staffing $40,000
MOTION by Amico, second by Colclough to accept. Voted 5 – 0
Page 14 Tree Warden Tree Removal $25,000
MOTION by Amico, second by Colclough NOT to recommend. Voted 5 – 0
Page 15 Highway Lines & Signs $3,000
MOTION by Amico, second by Colclough to accept. Voted 5 – 0
Page 16 Water Dept. Meter Replacement $50,000
MOTION by Amico, second by Colclough to accept. Voted 5 – 0
Page 17 Recreation Utility Line $10,500
MOTION by Amico, second by Colclough to accept without dollar figure. Voted 5 – 0
Page 18 Recreation Caretakers $28,850
MOTION by Amico, second by Colclough to accept without dollar figure. Voted 5 – 0
Page 19 Capital Improvement Fund Plan
Page 20 CIC Fire Station Roof $29,000
Page 21 CIC IH School Columns $25,000
Page 22 CIC Highway Truck $100,000
Page 23 CIC Jet Rodder $50,000
Page 24 CIC Drainage $25,000
Page 25 CIC Fire Parking Lot $65,000
Page 26 CIC Highway Dump body $30,000
MOTION byAmico, second by Colclough to accept pages 19 – 26 subject to funding. Voted 4 – 1 (Amico)
Page 28 Selectmen Lift at Maquan $18,864.00
MOTION by Amico, second by Colclough to accept. Voted 5 – 0
No Page PCH Comm. 3 acres Housing
MOTION by Amico, second by Colclough to accept. Voted 5 – 0
Page 29 PCH Comm. 25 acres to Con Comom
MOTION by Amico, second by Colclough to accept. Voted 5 – 0
Page 30 Selectmen Accept William Way
Page 31 Selectmen Accept Capt. Nathanial
Page 32 Selectmen Accept Ransom Road
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to accept pages 30 - 32. Voted 5 – 0
Page 33 Selectmen Accept Pennsylvania Ave
Page 34 Selectmen Accept Equus Drive
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to remove pages 33 & 34. Voted 5 – 0
Page 35 Fin Com By-law Change
MOTION by Amico, second by Colclough to accept. Voted 5 – 0
Page 36 Selectmen BI Wages $1,176
MOTION by Amico, second by Colclough to accept. Voted 4 – 1 (Armstrong)
Page 37 Water Reduce Budget
MOTION by Amico, second by Colclough to accept. Voted 5 – 0
Page 38 Water Transfer from Surplus $362,845
MOTION by Amico, second by Colclough to accept. Voted 5 – 0
Item V Committee Reports – Plymouth County Selectmen’s Association -– Mr. Colclough reported that he attended the meeting and it was very informative. They discussed regionalization, solid waste issues, recycling and regionalized fire safety training.
Hanover/Hanson area Selectmen – Mr. Amico reported the meeting was well attended by representatives from Rockland, Hanover, Hanson, Pembroke and Norwell. That meeting was very informative with good idea sharing.
Item VI Executive Session – Chairman Egan announced that the Board would be going into Executive Session under Exemption 3 – Pending Litigation and collective bargaining.
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to go into Executive Session under Exemption 3. Roll Call – Howard aye, Amico aye, Egan aye, Colclough and Armstrong aye. Voted 5 – 0.
9:17 p.m. Brief Recess
9:40 p.m. Returned to open Session
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Howard to adjourn. Voted 5 – 0
9:40 p.m. Meeting Adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Meredith Marini,
Executive Assistant
Approved and Voted 5 - 0
November 18, 2008
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