Town of Hanson - Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes – Hanson Town Hall
September 14, 2010 – 8:00 p.m.
Members Present: Christopher Colclough, Stephen Amico, James Egan, Donald Howard and David Soper
Members Absent:
Others Present: Rene’ J. Read, Town Administrator and Executive Assistant Meredith Marini
I 8:05 p.m.~~~~~~~Chairman Colclough called the meeting to order. Chairman Colclough lead the Pledge Allegiance and read the announcements and upcoming meeting schedule.
II MINUTES July 27, 2010
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard to approve the minutes of July 27th as printed. Voted 5 - 0
III TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT - Mr. Read reported that RFPs for the Ambulance and Cell Tower have been sent out. Both are due on September 30, 2010
Government Study Committee – Mr. Read indicated that he is interested in the Board’s thoughts with regard to creating a Town Government Study Committee for the purpose of evaluating the effectiveness of the Town’s organizational structure and management systems and to report to the Selectmen with recommendations for further study and/or change. Specifically the TGSC would be charged by the BOS to Study the town’s organizational structure; Review the efficacy of the current structure; Evaluate the duties & functions of individuals, boards and committees; Examine models of government in comparable area towns; Study management systems/major function areas: financial, budgeting, personnel & procurement, public safety, public works, health, planning; and
Prepare a final report of findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Mr. Amico was in favor the of idea. Mr. Egan indicated that structure of the committee is important. The Board instructed Mr. Read to move forward with the concept.
Departmental Spending / Cash Flow ~ Mr. Read informed the Board that he sent a Me
Dude, McElreath had THE CARS at #1...i did not think it would be cool to say anything (except to you) but THE CARS?!?!?!?
Are you kidding me?
message to all department heads:
As you all know, this is an extremely tight fiscal year in which we are operating.~ In anticipation of our need to meet several mandatory funding obligations, I am writing to ask each of you to please provide me with information on the anticipated spending each of your departments will incur now through the end of October 2010.~ This should include ALL spending – if the expenditure will appear on a warrant, I will need to be made aware of it.
If you believe that your department can prioritize your upcoming bills (and not necessarily pay them within 7 days) it will be extremely helpful in avoiding a potential cash flow problem.
Please provide this information to me no later than Monday, September 20, 2010.
Finally, I would also request that your departments avoid incurring any non-essential expenditures until after November 1, 2010.
I appreciate your anticipated cooperation in these efforts.
Mr. Read pointed out that there could be a cash flow issue and wants departments to curb spending until November when the property taxes are due.
Regional Dispatch letter – Mr. Read reported that he received a letter from the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department which is studying the implementation of a regional emergency communication center or centers based in Plymouth County as part of a grant previously funded through the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department.~ Mr. Read requested the Board’s authorization to participate in this regional project with the understanding and acknowledgement of the Sheriff’s Department that he will be a participant in the scoping and administration of the study. The study is conceptual and does not obligate the Town of Hanson.~ It provides the Town a “seat at the table” for this regional discussion.~ As the study progresses, Mr. Read would anticipate seeking input from Public the
Police Chief, Fire Chief, Highway Surveyor and Water Superintendent
MOTION by Amico, second by Egan to authorize Mr. Read to represent Hanson as part of the regional dispatch discussions. Voted 5 - 0
IV NEW BUSINESS
Street Acceptance Hearing – Deer Hill Road –
MOTION by Howard second by Amico to open the street acceptance. Mr. Howard read the hearing notice.
This matter will be on the agenda of the meeting of the Board of Selectmen scheduled for Tuesday, September 14, 2010 at 8:15 p.m. at the Hanson Town Hall, at which meeting the Board will consider whether to alter the layout of the public town ways and may adopt order(s) of alteration of the layout for the same and place an article on the warrant for a special town meeting expected to be held on Monday, October 4, 2010 for the alteration of the public town way. Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 82, Section 22, this notice is being sent
to all of the owners of lots abutting these ways, who may have a fee ownership interest in the land located within this way, in which an easement/fee interest will be taken for all purposes for which public ways are used within the Town of Hanson, if such way is so altered as a public town way. Copies of said plans are on file in the Planning Board office.
Voted 5 – 0 to open the hearing.
Developer Joseph Walsh has requested the acceptance of Deer Hill Road. Town Planner Noreen O’Toole was also present. Highway Surveyor Richard Harris forwarded a letter in support of acceptance. Ms. O’Toole informed the Board that the first phase of Deer Hill Road (550’) has been completed to the Planning Board’s and subdivision control laws specifications. She indicated that there are 6 lots on the street which is in Residence AA which requires 40,000 square foot lots and 175 feet of frontage. Ms. O’Toole explained that the remaining part of the street which is referred to as Deer Hill Extension has not been completed. Said portion is owned by a different developer, AW Perry. Mr. Amico inquired why the Town would vote to accept only a portion of the
street. Ms. O’Toole explained this Mr. Walsh has met his obligations. Mr. Amico was concerned that additional development and construction vehicles driving over the accepted portion of the street would damage the street. Ms. O’Toole indicated that AW Perry will be responsible for any damage to the accepted portion of the street. Deer Hill Road resident, Sue Wilford indicated the road is in good shape. There are only two lots left on the Deer Hill Extension and does not anticipate the additional construction will cause a problem for the road or the residents.
MOTION by Amico, second by Egan to close the hearing. Voted 5 - 0
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard to accept the road lay out of Deer Hill Road as presented. Voted 5 - 0
V OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS – Close Classification Hearing ~ Mrs. Marini suggested taking the matter out of order as the Assessors were present. Chief Assessor Cindy Long was present with Assessor Kathy Marini. Ms. Long indicated that the tax rate will be $12.10 per $1,000 and will be submitted to DOR. She indicated that $245.10 could not be used and is referred to as the excess levy capacity. This report will finalize the classification hearing.
MOTION by Amico, second by Egan to accept the report of the Assessor. Voted 5 - 0
MOTION by Amico, second by Egan to close the Classification hearing. Voted 5 - 0
Returned to New business
Common Victular License - Historical Society requested a license for their Harvest Festival at School House 4 on Main Street on Saturday Sept. 18th with a rain date of Sept. 19th Rain from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
MOTION by Amico, second by Soper to approve a Common Victualler’s License to the Historical Society. Voted 5 - 0
Resignation – Joan DiLillo submitted her letter of resignation from Planning Board. Chairman Colclough announced with regret Ms. DiLillo’s resignation. He indicated that the Board will be accepting resumes for appointment to the position.
VI ONE DAY LIQUOR LICENSE
David Goldberg, Cambridge, Sun., Sept. 26th 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. – Wedding
MOTION by Amico, second by Egan to approve the one day liquor license as submitted. Voted 5 - 0
VII OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS - Finalize Article Recommendations – Mrs. Marini indicated that an additional unpaid bill has been received in the amount of $1,100.00 for work at Camp Kiwanee during the flooding in March. The funds will be reimbursed 75% through FEMA. She explained that the Recreation may pay the bill, but they have not met to discuss it. If Recreation votes not to pay the bill, the bill will be added to the unpaid bill article on the Town Meeting warrant. The funding source through the article would be South Shore Vo-Tech, which assessment was reduced slightly.
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard to recommend Article 1 with the additional unpaid bill. Voted 5 - 0
Article 2 - Ambulance Lease – Mrs. Marini informed the Board that the Capital Improvement Committee has voted in favor of the article.
MOTION by Amico, second by Egan to recommend Article 2 – Ambulance lease purchase.
Voted 5 - 0
Article 15 – Emergency Generator for Water Dept. – Mrs. Marini indicated that the Water Superintendent has informed the office that the Water Commissioners will be passing over the article.
MOTION by Amico, second by Egan to pass over Article 15. Voted 5 - 0
Mr. Egan requested that the Board reconsider its recommendation on Article 16, the petition article.
MOTION by Egan, second by Amico to reconsider Article 17. Voted 5 - 0
Mr. Egan feels that the Board should take a stand on the article and not refer it to Town Meeting. He didn’t feel it would be right to replace just one highway person while others were also let go. Mr. Amico indicated that he had time to reflect on the original vote and agrees with Mr. Egan’s assessment.
Mr. Soper also agreed.
MOTION by Egan, second by Amico not to recommend Article 17. Voted 5 - 0
VIII COMMITTEE REPORTS – Mr. Howard reported that the Winter Street Bridge project is progressing and a base coat will be down next week. Maquan School Building Project – Mr. Amico invited the public to attend an informational meeting at the Maquan School on Monday, Sept. 20th at 6:30 p.m. Representatives will be available to answer questions and tours of the school will be conducted. Mr. Amico also pointed out that the article at Town Meeting does not obligate the Town to move forward with the project.
IX EXECUTIVE SESSION – Chairman Colclough announced that the Board would be going into Executive Session for pending litigation and collective bargaining. The Board will reconvene to adjourn the meeting.
MOTION by Amico, second by Egan to go into Executive Session with respect to litigation and collective bargaining. Roll Call Howard Aye, Amico Aye, Colclough Aye, Egan Aye and Soper Aye. Voted 5 – 0.
8:47 p.m. Brief Recess
9:34 p.m. Returned to open session
X ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Howard, second by Amico to adjourn. Voted 5 - 0
9:35 p.m. Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Meredith Marini,
Executive Assistant
Approved and Voted 5 – 0
September 28, 2010
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