Town of Hanson - Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes – Hanson Town Hall
March 9, 2010 – 7:30 p.m.
Members Present: James A. Egan, Christopher Colclough, James Armstrong, Stephen Amico, Donald Howard
Members Absent:
Others Present: Rene’ J. Read, Town Administrator and Meredith Marini, Executive Assistant
7:40 p.m.~~~~~~~Chairman Egan called the meeting to order. Chairman Egan lead the Pledge Allegiance and read the announcements and upcoming meeting schedule.
Item I Town Administrator Report – Mr. Read reported he met with representatives from Mass. DOT, Hanover officials, Fire Chief, Police Chief and Highway surveyor regarding the re-construction of the Indian Head River Bridge at Winter St and Broadway. He explained that three proposals were presented. The first two options would allow for the bridge to be open, with intermittent detours during construction with a completion time of two years. The third option would close the bridge completely with a detour. The construction period would be from May to October. Mr. Read recommended the Board support the third option of closing the bridge and detouring traffic for six months.
Mr. Armstrong inquired whether the two members who were abutters to the project should participate.
Mr. Read recommended that if they were not comfortable, then they should recuse themselves.
Mr. Colclough and Mr. Howard announced they would recuse themselves from the vote.
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Amico to approve option number three for the reconstruction of the Indian Head River bridge as presented by the Town Administrator. Voted 3 – 0.
Mr. Colclough and Mr. Howard back at the table.
Mr. Read informed the Board that the Conservation Commission is working on a grant with the Towns of Halifax and Pembroke through the Taunton River Watershed Campaign to create a “Blue-way” along Stetson Brook connecting Pembroke, Hanson and East Monponsett Pond in Halifax . The $3,000 grant provides consulting services and the towns provide in-kind services. The project also accomplishes Goal #2 of the Hanson Open Space Plan.
Mr. Read reported that he will be meeting with the Town Clerk, Marty Geoghegan principal of the Middle School and representatives from the police department regarding polling locations during elections. Mr. Read read an e-mail from a concerned citizen relative to the elections being held at the Maquan School during school hours.
Mr. Read met with the Conservation Agent, Treasurer/Collector and Assessor to review tax title property which should be sold. Mr. Read clarified that these parcels do not need Town Meeting approval prior to disposal.
Mr. Read and the Town Accountant have concluded their review of the proposed departmental budget. Mr. Read will be meeting with various departments to discuss their budgets. Mr. Read outlined some of the cuts which are being considered ranging from reducing the hours of the library, reducing or closing the senior center and relocating services to another community, he is looking at furloughs, reducing the police force, fire department and clerical staff. Mr. Armstrong suggested closing the transfer station one or two days per week. Mr. Read suggested charging for the transfer station tickets. Mr. Armstrong also discussed the bussing assessment.
Mr. Read reported that the Selectmen’s Meeting Room has internet connectivity. He also thanked custodian Brian Clemons for the work he has done around Town Hall.
Mrs. Marini indicated that Hanson Girls Softball has request permission to conduct an opening day parade on Sunday, April 25th at 12:00 noon. The parade route will be from the police station to LZ Thomas Field.
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to approve the request for Hanson Girls Softball to hold an opening day parade on April 25th. Voted 5 – 0.
Item II Review Warrant Articles – The Board reviewed the proposed May 2010 Annual Town Meeting articles dated as March 9, 2010. The Board discussed the review process. Mr. Armstrong requested two votes, one to place the article on the warrant and the other to recommend the article to Town Meeting.
Article 1 Selectmen Accept Town Report.
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to place the Article 1 on the Warrant. Voted 5 – 0.
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to recommend Article 1. Voted 5 – 0.
Article 2 Treasurer Compensation Balances
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to place the Article 2 on the Warrant. Voted 5 – 0.
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to recommend Article 2. Voted 5 – 0.
Article 3 Treasurer School Debt
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to place the Article 3 on the Warrant. Voted 5 – 0.
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to recommend Article 3. Voted 5 – 0.
Article 4 Selectmen Set Elected Official Salaries
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to place the Article 4 on the Warrant. Voted 5 – 0.
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to recommend Article 4. Voted 5 – 0.
Article 5 Selectmen Budget
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to place the Article 5 on the Warrant. Voted 5 – 0.
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to defer Article 5. Voted 5 – 0.
Article 6 Capital Improvement Plan
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to Hold Article 6. Voted 5 – 0.
Article 7 Treasurer Tax Title Account
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to place the Article 7 on the Warrant. Voted 5 – 0.
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to recommend Article 7. Voted 5 – 0.
Article 8 Community Pres. Budget Article
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to place the Article 8 on the Warrant. Voted 5 – 0.
Mrs. Marini explained that the committee has not completed their budget. The amounts will be forwarded shortly.
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to Hold Article 8. Voted 5 – 0.
Article 9 Water Depart. Water meter program
Mrs. Marini explained that there are some questions on the water articles she recommended that they be held for clarification
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to hold Article 9. Voted 5 – 0.
Article 10 Water Dept. Water Emerg. Fund
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to hold Article 10. Voted 5 – 0.
Article 11 Water Dept. Water Mains
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to hold Article 11. Voted 5 – 0.
Article 12 Water Dept. Emergency Generator
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to hold Article 12. Voted 5 – 0.
Article 13 Water Dept. Debt & Interest
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to hold Article 13. Voted 5 – 0.
Article 14 Assessors Revolving Account
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to place the Article 14 on the Warrant. Voted 5 – 0.
MOTION by Howard, second by Armstrong to recommend Article 14. Voted 5 – 0.
Article 15 Assessors Interim Adjustments
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to place the Article 15 on the Warrant. Voted 5 – 0.
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to recommend Article 15. Voted 5 – 0.
Article 16 Parks & Fields Revolving Account
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to place the Article 16 on the Warrant. Voted 5 – 0.
Mr. Armstrong inquired about the status of the agreement between the youth organizations and the Town regarding the lease of the old police station. Mrs. Marini indicated there is nothing in writing, but the youth organizations are responsible for paying the utilities on the building. Mr. Armstrong requested the recommendation be held for further information.
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to Hold Article 16. Voted 5 – 0.
Article 17 Library Revolving Account
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to place the Article 17 on the Warrant. Voted 5 – 0.
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to recommend Article 17. Voted 5 – 0.
Article 18 COA Revolving Account
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to place the Article 18 on the Warrant. Voted 5 – 0.
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to recommend Article 18. Voted 5 – 0.
Article 19 COA Revolving Account – Day Care
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to place the Article 19 on the Warrant. Voted 5 – 0.
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to recommend Article 19. Voted 5 – 0.
Article 20 Town Clerk Election Article
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to place the Article 20 on the Warrant. Voted 5 – 0.
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to recommend Article 20. Voted 5 – 0.
Item III Set Meetings Dates: April, May & June
Mrs. Marini recommended and by consensus the Board agreed to set the following meeting dates:
April 6, 13 and 27; May 3, 4, 18 and 25; and June 8 and 22.
Item IV Dissolve the Plymouth County Hospital Re-Utilization Committee - A letter from the Plymouth County Hospital Re-utilization Committee recommended the Board dissolve the committee as it accomplished its mission.
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard to dissolve the Plymouth County Hospital Re-utilization Committee. Voted 5 – 0.
Item V Review Cori Policy - Mr. Read presented the Board with a Cori policy indicating that the while the Town follows the guidelines set forth by the State, the Town should have it own policy.
MOTION by Amico, second by Colclough to adopt the Cori policy as presented. Voted 5 – 0.
Item VI Approve Minutes - Oct. 5 & 20, 2009; Nov. 10 & 17, 2009
MOTION by Amico, second by Armstrong to approve the minutes of October 5, 2009, November 10 and November 17, 2009 as presented. Voted 5 – 0.
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard to approve the minutes of October 20, 2009 as presented. Voted 3 – 0 – 2 (Armstrong and Colclough)
Item V II One Day Liquor Licenses
Kristin Taylor, Carver, Sat., March 20th 6 – 10 p.m. Blue Grass Festival
Hanson Girls Softball, Sat. March 27th 7 – Midnight – Dance
MOTION by Colclough, second by Amico to grant the one day liquor licenses as presented.
Voted 5 – 0.
Item V III Committee Reports – Strategic Planning – Mr. Amico indicated that he attended the Strategic Planning meeting. The three day meeting was interesting. He also reported that the Maquan School Building committee would be meeting on Monday, March 15th. Energy Committee – Mr. Armstrong indicated that an energy policy was in the packets. He requested that the Board review the policy for discussion at the next meeting. He briefly reviewed the policy and the Committee’s goals. MMA Legislative meeting – Mr. Egan reported that he attended the MMA meeting in Scituate. The group discussed the Quinn Bill and Health Insurance options.
MOTION by Colclough, second by Armstrong to adjourn. Voted 5 – 0.
8:55 p.m. Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Meredith Marini,
Executive Assistant
Approved and Voted 3 – 0 – 1 (Soper)
October 19, 2010
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