Town of Hanson - Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes – Hanson Town Hall
August 10, 2010 – 7:30 p.m.
Members Present: Christopher Colclough, Stephen Amico, James Egan, Donald Howard
Members Absent: David Soper
Others Present: Rene’ J. Read, Town Administrator and Executive Assistant Meredith Marini
7:32 p.m.~~~~~~~Chairman Colclough called the meeting to order. Chairman Colclough lead the Pledge Allegiance and read the announcements and upcoming meeting schedule.
Item I MINUTES ~ May 18, 2010
MOTION by Amico, second by Egan to approve the minutes of May 18, 2010 as presented.
Voted 4 – 0.
Item II TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT - Mr. Rene reported the following:
Senior Center ~ Mr. Read reported that he met with the auditing team last Wednesday at the Senior Center and the process will commence tomorrow.
Health Department ~ Mr. Read informed the Board that the Health Agent, Vinny Flaherty is out on medical leave for the next 6-8 weeks. The temporary Health Agent is Eric Badger, who is the Health Inspector for the Town of Whitman. He may be contacted through the Town of Hanson Health Dept.
Transfer station ~ Mr. Read reported that he met with members of the Board of Health, the staff from the transfer station and Treasurer/Collector’s office to review the transfer station regulations. Mr. Read in is the process of redrafting the regulation. The implementation of an annual sticker will be required as it is part of the regulations. Mr. Read reminded everyone that the transfer station is for residents only and no Construction and Demolition material is accepted.
Personal Property Taxes ~ Mr. Read informed the Board that the Treasurer/Collector’s Office has compiled a list of unpaid Personal Property Taxes from 2006 through 2010.~ In an effort to have these taxes paid, he recommended that the Board of Selectmen vote to turn the list of outstanding personal property taxes to a collection agency in an effort to have these individuals make payments owed to the town.~ Prior to engaging the services of a collection agency, demand notices will be sent to the individuals who have not paid along with a letter re: the consequential collection agency.
Mr. Amico inquired as to the amount the collection agency would receive for a fee. Mr. Amico anticipated it would be 1/3 of the amount collected. Mr. Read will look into it.
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard to allow the use of a collection agency by the Treasurer/Collector. Voted 4 – 0.
Cell Tower flag pole ~ Mr. Read reported that he is moving forward with an RFP process. He will be meeting with Noreen O’Toole to review the RFP this week.
Hanson Bi-centennial Celebration – Chairman Colclough introduced Donald Teague who has suggested that the Town start brainstorming about the 200 birthday of Hanson which will be in 2020. Mr. Teague suggested fundraising could start in the near future so that funds would be available for fireworks and functions during the year of 2020. He suggested soliciting sponsors from local businesses and that a committee should be formed sooner rather than later. The Board concurred that a committee should be formed in the near future. The Board will revisit the matter and consideration of a committee at an upcoming meeting.
III NEW BUSINESS
August Annual Reappointments ~ Election workers
Ernest Amado Frances Forte Marlene McGivney
Georgene Blight Nancy Gaffey Faith Mosher
Elizabeth Botieri Judy-Ann Goodwin Barbara Murphy
Ann Marie Bouzan Leah Guercio Patty Norton
Margaret Cameron Diane Hillstrom Marilyn Pendleton
Joan DiLillo Jean Kelly Claire Riddell
Marion Elms Barbara Larsen Elaine Trudeau
Kathleen Ferrara Mary Lyons Rachel Walsh
Mary Foley Jennifer Mann Kathleen Whitman
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard to appoint the election workers through August 31, 2011.
Voted 4 – 0.
Economic Target Area - Mr. Read reviewed a letter from the Old Colony Planning Council regarding the creation of an Eight Town Economic Target Area. He explained the submission of an application by the Old Colony Planning Council.
The Town of Hanson is currently not in an Economic Target Area (ETAs). The Old Colony Planning Council would like to apply to the Massachusetts Office of Business Development (MOBD) to have OCPC members who are not presently ETAs be designated as ETAs. One of the requirements of designation as ETAs is for communities to be contiguous. The following non-ETA OCPC communities contiguous: Bridgewater, East Bridgewater, Halifax, Hanson, Kingston, Pembroke, Plympton and Whitman.
We have prepared an application for the MOBD on behalf of the above communities to become an Economic Target Area. The next meeting where they will consider application will be held on September 24, 2010. They need to have the completed application and letters of support from the communities by August 23, to review before the September 25 meeting so we need to have your letter of support by August 19.
MOTION by Amico, second by Egan to support the submission of an application through Old Colony Planning Council and to authorize the Chairman to sign a letter of support. Voted 4 – 0.
EEE aerial spraying update ~ Mr. Read spoke this afternoon with Mike Coughlin, the Local Public Health Manager for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health with regard to EEE in Hanson and our surrounding area.~ The Department of Public Health is recommending that those municipalities with confirmed cases of EEE curtail all outdoor activities from dusk until dawn until further notice which could mean the first hard frost.~ Mr. Read recommended that the Board formally vote to suspend all activities on town-owned property from dusk until dawn until further notice. Mr. Amico inquired as to the authority of the School District over school fields. Mr. Read will look into to it.
MOTION by Amico, second by Egan to close all fields until further notice. Voted 4 – 0.
Limo License Renewal – Concert Limousine 775 West Washington St.
MOTION by Amico, second by Egan to renew the Limousine license to Concert Limousine.
Voted 4 – 0.
IV ANNUAL CLASSIFICATION HEARING –
MOTION by Howard, second by Egan to open the classification hearing. Voted 4 – 0.
Mr. Howard read the hearing notice.
In accordance with Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 40, Section 56, a public hearing will be held in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room, Town Hall, Hanson, Massachusetts on Tuesday, August 10, 2010 at 7:45 P.M. for the purpose of allocating the percentage of tax levy to be borne by each class of property for Fiscal 2011. All interested taxpayers are encouraged to present oral or written information on their views. This is a necessary hearing, which must be held prior to certification of the fiscal 2011 tax rate.
Present were Assessors Kathleen Marini and William D’Entremont and Chief Assessor Cindy Long. Mrs. Long informed the Board that Hanson is 92.367% residential, 4.1789% Commercial, 1.8479% Industrial and 1.6062% personal property. She indicated that the Board of Assessors voted on July 21, 2010 to recommend a uniform tax rate due to the small percentage of commercial and industrial property. Ms. Long estimated the tax rate would be $12.10 per $1,000.00 which would be an approximate increase of $53.00 per average household.
Mr. Amico pointed out that the tax rate would have been significantly higher had the Town not received the SBA money.
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard accept a uniformed tax rate. Ms. Long pointed out them motion should be “adopt” a uniform tax rate. Mr. Amico withdrew his motion and Mr. Howard withdrew is second.
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard to adopt a uniformed tax rate as recommended by the Assessors. Voted 4 – 0.
Mr. Egan inquired as to the affect of the SBA money on the levy limit. Ms. Long indicated there is no affect.
Ms. Long explained that the Town needs to vote whether or not to adopt the Small Commercial Exemption. She indicated that only three communities in the State have the exemption. She further stated that the exemption only benefits the real estate owners. Most of the small business owners would not see the reduction in taxes. She indicated that on July 21, 2010 the Board of Assessors voted not to adopt the Small Commercial Exemption.
MOTION by Egan, second by Amico to accept the recommendation of the Board of Assessors and not adopt the Small Commercial Exemption. Voted 4 – 0.
Ms. Long requested that the meeting be continued until the excess levy capacity is determined by the State.
MOTION by Amico, second by Egan to recess the hearing until September 14, 2010. Voted 4 – 0.
V ONE DAY LIQUOR LICENSE
Robert Greene, Kensington, NH Friday, Aug. 13th 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. – Party
MOTION by Amico, second by Egan to grant a one day Liquor license to Robert Greene.
Voted 4 – 0.
VII OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None heard
VIII COMMITTEE REPORT- Mr. Howard reported that the Winter Street bridge work is progressing toward the target date. Mr. Amico and the Board offered its condolences to Rockland Selectmen Debra O’Brien on the passing of her husband.
IX EXECUTIVE SESSION – None required
X ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Egan, Second by Amico to adjourn. Voted 4 – 0.
8:08 p.m. Meeting Adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted,
Meredith Marini,
Executive Assistant
Approved and Voted 4 – 0 – 1 (Soper)
August 24, 2010
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