Selectmen’s Meeting ~
January 20, 2009
Present: ~Donald Howard, Stephen Amico, James Egan, Christopher Colclough and James Armstrong. ~Also present Town Administrator Michael Finglas and Meredith Marini, Executive Assistant. ~~
7:35 p.m.~~~~~~~Chairman Egan called the meeting to order, lead the Pledge Allegiance and read the announcements and upcoming meeting schedule.
Item I Swearing in of Firefighter Brandon Smith – Chief Thompson introduced Fire Fighter Brandon Smith and gave a brief family history indicating that Fire Fighter Smith graduated from the Fire Academy on December 19, 2008. Town Clerk Sandra Harris sworn in Fire Fighter Smith. Fire Fighter Smith’s father, Lt. Smith pinned on his badge.
Item II Town Administrator’s Report – Mr. Finglas reported that for period ending January 8, 2009 he signed Expense warrant 28 in the amount of $25,663.27. For period ending January 15, 2009 he signed Payroll Warrant 29 in the amount of $114,129.86; Expense 29 ~ $358,041.21; Expense 29A ~ $21,570.04; Expense 29B ~ $3,183.68 and Expense 29C ~ $36,181.24.
Open May Annual & Special Town Meeting Warrants
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to open the May 2009 Annual and Special Town Meeting warrants. Voted 5 – 0
Increase Demand Fees – Mr. Finglas reported that the Treasurer informed him that the demand fees for taxes is $5.00 and can be increased to $30.00. She pointed out that the demand for dog licenses is $25.00 and a dog license only costs $5.00. Mrs. Sullivan provided information highlighting the incremental fee that could potentially be collected.
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard to increase the demand fee for unpaid taxes to $25.00. Voted 4 – 1 (Armstrong)
Request from Eileen Comeau for Road Race 12/6/09 – Mr. Finglas indicated that a request has been received from Eileen Comeau to hold a road race in December 2009 in honor of her father.
MOTION by Howard, second by Colclough for discussion to approve a road race. Mr. Armstrong cited concerns of the weather and runners in the streets in the event of snow.
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to amend the motion to include subject the weather. Voted 5 – 0 on the amendment.
Voted 5 – 0 on the motion as amended to approve the road race subject to weather.
Review Capital Improvement Plan – Mr. Finglas presented the Board with a Capital Improvement plan on behalf of the Board. Mr. Finglas indicated that due to the current financial situation he did not anticipate any capital improvement items would be funded in the next fiscal year. Mr. Armstrong requested that upgrades of HVAC be added to the plan. There was brief discussion regarding the Capital Improvement Plan process.
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to approve the plan as presented. Voted 5 – 0
Item III Board of Health – SEMASS Agreement - Board of Health members Terry McSweeney and Joe Pelligra were present along with South Shore Collaborative representative, Claire Sullivan. The Finance Committee was also present. Ms. Sullivan explained that the Town of Hanson is a Tier One community which means that Hanson signed on to SEMASS early on and was able to secure a very low rate. The current contract expires in December 2014. SEMASS has indicated a significant increase will be seen at that time. SEMASS has offered a Memorandum of Understanding to the Tier One Communities which would increase the current rate gradually during the next few years in order to lessen the impact of the new rate. Ms. Sullivan
indicated the Hanson currently pays $34.92 per ton while other non-Tier one communities pay $80.00 per ton. SEMASS has offered to the communities which sign the Memorandum of Understanding that they will only pay 90% of the costs of what the other communities would pay. Mr. Pelligra indicated that there is a time line for the agreement which is June 30, 2009. There was lengthy discussion as to how to increase recycling and decrease waste removal costs. The group discussed the Town’s options. Mr. McSweeney inquired as to who would be responsible for signing the Memorandum of Understanding. Mr. Finglas recommended that Town Counsel review the agreement. Mr. Pelligra recommended that a sub-committee be created to look into the Town’s options, which could include a pay as you throw program. Mr. Howard will represent the Selectmen, Mr. Santa Lucia will represent the Finance Committee and Mr. Pelligra will represent the
Board of Health.
Item IV Budget Review – The Finance Committee stayed for the discussion regarding the budget. Mr. Finglas indicated that the document was a DRAFT budget, due to the lack of figures from the State. The Governor has yet to announce whether there will be cuts to the FY09 budget. If the Governor does cut the current budget, then a new budget will have to be drafted. Mr. Finglas pointed out that the Whitman Hanson Regional School District and the South Shore VoTech have not completed their budgets yet.
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to approve the budget as presented and to forward it along to the Finance Committee. Voted 5 – 0
Item V Vote Minutes
November 18, 2008
December 2, 2008
December 30, 2008
January 6, 2009
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Howard to approve the minutes of November 18, 2008 as printed. Voted 5 – 0
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Howard to approve the minutes of December 2, 2008 as printed. Voted 5 – 0
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard to approve the minutes of December 30, 2008 as printed. Voted 3 – 0 – 2 (Colclough & Armstrong)
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to approve the minutes of January 6, 2008 as printed. Voted 5 – 0
Item VI Committee Reports – Emergency Communication Center – Mr. Armstrong reported that the committee met last week. It was a fruitful meeting. There was discussion regarding the regionalization of Communication Services. As Hanson has a state of the art facility, the committee felt it would be best for Hanson to house such a Communication Center. There were concerns that regionalization may cause confusion as staff may not know the names of various sections of each community. MMA Meeting – Mr. Armstrong will be attending the meeting on Friday and Saturday and will represent the Board at the Annual meeting. Phoenix Project – Mr. Amico attended that Phoenix meeting at which they discussed the
issues of budgets. The school will be presenting a level service, level funded and a reduced budget.
Brockton Power Plant – Mr. Amico indicated that the most recent meeting had been cancelled and is rescheduled for February 12th.
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to adjourn. Voted 5 – 0
9:20 p.m. Meeting Adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Meredith Marini,
Executive Assistant
Approved and Voted 4 – 0
February 10, 2009
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