Town of Hanson - Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes – Hanson Town Hall
December 14, 2010 – 7:30 p.m.
Members Present: Stephen Amico, James Egan, Donald Howard and David Soper
Members Absent: Christopher Colclough
Others Present: Rene’ J. Read, Town Administrator and Executive Assistant Meredith Marini
I 7:34 p.m.~~~~~~~Vice Chairman Amico called the meeting to order. Mr. Amico lead the Pledge Allegiance and read the announcements and upcoming meeting schedule.
II TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – Camp Kiwanee Culvert – Mr. Read informed the Board that the culvert at Camp Kiwanee could be started as early as next week. He will be meeting with the Highway Surveyor and Al Hanscom regarding the project. Ambulance Billing Policy – Mr. Read informed that Board that he has been working on an Ambulance Billing Policy for the Board’s consideration at the next meeting. Mr. Read wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
III NEW BUSINESS
Increase Fire Department Fees – Chief Thompson was present to review the fire department fees. Chief Thompson reported that most fees are statute driven and set at $50.00. The fees are for permits only. Hanson does not charge for inspections. Other communities charge per inspection or per hour with a minimum charge of 2 hours. Chief Thompson pointed out that he does not recommend an increase in the Open Burning Permit fee, which will remain at $20.00. Chief Thompson also recommended increasing the ambulance fees. Chief Thompson pointed out that some insurance companies have a contracted amount that they will pay for the ambulance service. The Chief indicated that the new permit fees and ambulance
rates are comparable to area communities.
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to approve the increase in permit and ambulance fees as recommended by the Fire Chief. Voted 3 – 1 (Soper)
Chief Thompson also informed the Board there will be a new procedure for burning permits commencing 2011. Residents will be required to leave their permit number, address and phone number. A new automated system has been set up by Whitman Hanson Technology.
Request from Venus III - Venus III requested permission to extend its liquor license hours on New Years Day until 2:00 a.m. Mr. Read read a memo from the Police Chief to the Board:
I have been informed that Venus III has petitioned the Board of Selectmen for an extension of their liquor license for one hour on New Years to 2:00 a.m. I am aware that the Fire and Building departments have had concerns regarding this establishment significantly exceeding their occupancy limit on at least two occasions during the past three weeks.
The police department has been unnecessarily burdened with the task of turning potential patrons away due to the repeated overcrowding situations. It is also a concern that the resulting overflow has created parking on Main Street, (route 27), which poses its own public safety hazards.
Additionally, it is my experience that the Board of Selectmen has never granted such a request to any establishment within town. I have also discussed the safety related issues with Chief Thompson and the police departments’ shift supervisors. Due to the forgoing, I am opposed to this request and urge that you recommend to the Board to deny the application for extended hours based on legitimate public safety concerns.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard not to approve the request of Venus III to extend their liquor license hours on New Years. Voted 4 - 0
Annual License Renewals
Liquor – 14 58 Liquors; AMDC, Inc.; Cahill & Driscoll; Cranberry Deli; Fani, Inc.; Hanson American Legion; Hanson Athletic Assoc.; Hanson Tavern; House of Pizza; Matilda’s Inc.; Myette’s Country Store; Olde Hitching Post; Sahiyog Corp; Venus III
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to approve the annual liquor licenses as presented. Voted 4 - 0
Common Victualers - AMDC, Inc.; Cahill & Driscoll; Connie’s Restaurant; Cranberry Deli; Dave’s Dogs; Dunkin Donuts Main Street; Dunkin Donuts Liberty Street; Expressos; Fani, Inc.; Hanson American Legion; Hanson Athletic Assoc.; Hanson Bowladrome; Hanson Gold Corp.; Hanson Tavern; Heidi’s Hollow; Hess Corporation; House of Pizza; Matilda’s Inc.; McDonalds; Olde Hitching Post; Sahiyog Corp; Sandy’s Coffee Corner; Shaws Supermarket; Spiro’s; The Café’ Deli; and Venus III
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to approve the Common Victualers licenses as presented.
Voted 4 - 0
Automatic Amusement - Cahill & Driscoll; Hanson American Legion; Hanson Tavern; Matilda’s Inc.; Venus III
MOTION by Egan, second by Soper to approve the Automatic Amusement licenses as presented.
Voted 4 – 0
Live Entertainment – Cahill & Driscoll and Venus III
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to approve the Live Entertainment licenses as presented.
Voted 4 - 0
Sunday Entertainment - Cahill & Driscoll; Hanson American Legion; Hanson Athletic Assoc.; Hanson Tavern; Matilda’s Inc. and Venus III
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to approve the Sunday Entertainment licenses as presented.
Voted 4 - 0
Lodging House – Hanson Country Manor 748 Whitman St.
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to approve the Lodging House License for Hanson Country Manor as presented. Voted 4 - 0
Class II – 3-W Corp; Hanna Motors, Inc.; Signature Sales and Wheels-n-Deals.
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to approve the Class II licenses as presented. Voted 4 - 0
Vote Private Way Plow List - Alden Way, Arthur Avenue, Arthur Street, Azalea Way, Boston Avenue, Briggs Street, Charles Street, Christopher Lane, Cushman Street, Emory Street, Fallon Point Road, French Street, Gray Lane, Hanson Court, Hawthorne Street, Hemlock Drive, Hill Road (Off Monponsett), Indian Head Pond Development, Lakeside Road, Leon Court, Ocean Avenue, Ext., Pearl Street, Pine Grove Colony, Rollercoaster Road, Santos Court, Snow Street, Spofford Avenue, Station Street, Stringer Lane, Union Park Street, Valley Forge Road, Village Road, Wilbur Avenue, Wilkie Terrace- entrances only, Woodbine Avenue Ext., Woodman Terrace.
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to approve the Private Way Plow list as presented. Voted 4 - 0
Vote Eminent Domain – Deer Hill Road – Mrs. Marini explained that the October Special Town Meeting accepted Deer Hill Road. However, when Town Counsel performed the title examine, they found that the developer no longer owned the road as he had deeded the lots to the residents to the center of the road. The developer has secured Waiver of Appraisal and Damages. Town Counsel recommended the Board move to approve the taking by eminent domain.
MOTION by Howard second by Egan to acquire the fee in the layout of Deer Hill Road by eminent domain and to authorize Town Counsel to proceed with title rundowns for the purpose of verifying current owners and providing the required notice on the condition that each of the lot owners abutting Deer Hill Road agrees in writing prior to the taking to waive damages and the right of an appraisal for the taking. Voted 4 - 0
VI OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None heard
V COMMITTEE REPORTS – Energy Committee – Mr. Howard reported that the Energy meeting had been postponed.
VI EXECUTIVE SESSION – Vice Chairman Amico announced that the Board would be going into Executive Session regarding pending litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the governmental body and reconvene in open session.
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard. Roll Call Howard Aye, Amico Aye, Egan Aye and Soper Aye. Voted 4 – 0.
7:58 p.m. Brief Recess
8:25 p.m. Returned to open session
VII ADJOURNMENT - MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to adjourn. Voted 4 - 0
8:25 p.m. Meeting Adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Meredith Marini,
Executive Assistant
Approved and Voted 4 – 0 – 1 (Colclough)
January 4, 2011
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