Selectmen’s Meeting ~
February 24, 2009
Present: ~Donald Howard, Stephen Amico, James Egan, Christopher Colclough and James Armstrong. Also present Town Administrator Michael Finglas and Meredith Marini, Executive Assistant. ~~
7:33 p.m.~~~~~~~Chairman Egan called the meeting to order, lead the Pledge Allegiance and read the announcements and upcoming meeting schedule.
Item I Congratulate the Hanson Cheerleaders – The Hanson Youth Football Cheerleaders were present to receive congratulations from the Board for their second place finish in the National Cheerleading Finals in Orlando, Florida. Thirty five girls from the fourth to the ninth grade participated. Chairman Egan read the citation and presented it to the group.
7:36 p.m. Brief Recess
7:40 p.m. Back in Session.
Item II Town Administrator’s Report – Mr. Finglas reported that for period ending February 12, 2009 he signed Payroll Warrant 33 in the amount of $107,173.11. For period ending February 19, 2009 he signed Payroll Warrant 34 in the amount of $102,253.12; Expense Warrant 34 - $67,740.67; Expense Warrant 34A - $18,916.20; and Expense Warrant 34B $73,071.54.
Mr. Finglas reported that the State Aid for the current year (FY09) has been cut by $142,000. He has been meeting with the department heads every Thursday on strategies in order to balance the current budget. The group is half way to its goal. He is looking at various ways to fund budgets through transfers. Town Meeting will have to approve the transfers and cuts. He feels it is very important not to cut services or staff. He also informed the Board that State Aid for FY2010 has been reduced by $181,000. Mr. Finglas has requested that the department heads to come up with ways to reduce their FY2010 budgets.
Mr. Colclough inquired whether a decrease in salaries or a salary freeze has been considered. Mr. Finglas indicated that all options are being considered.
Mr. Finglas informed that Board that a savings of over $25,000 could be accomplished by no longer paying stipends to the part-time elected officials. There was a lengthy discussion regarding stipends for part-time elected officials.
Mr. Finglas requested that the Board members call with suggestions regarding the budget.
Item III Review Warrant Articles – Annual Town Meeting warrant draft articles were reviewed. The articles were identified by page number on the document Draft Articles – May Annual Warrant dated 2/20/09.
Page 1 Selectmen Accept Annual Report
MOTION by Amico, second Howard to recommend. Voted 5 – 0
Page 2 Treasurer Compensating Balances
MOTION by Amico, second Howard to recommend. Voted 5 – 0
Page 3 Treasurer School Debt $500,000
MOTION by Amico, second Howard to recommend. Voted 5 – 0
Page 4 Selectmen Set Elected Official Salaries
By consensus the Board agreed to HOLD article 4.
Page 6 Selectmen Budget
By consensus the Board agreed to HOLD article 5.
Page 7 Treasurer Admin. Costs for Septic Loans $19,000
MOTION by Amico, second Howard to recommend. Voted 5 – 0
Page 8 Capital Imp. Accept Plan
MOTION by Amico, second Howard to recommend. Voted 5 – 0
Page 9 Treasurer Tax Title Account $5,000
MOTION by Amico, second Howard to recommend. Voted 5 – 0
Page 10 Treasurer/Assessors Adopt Minimum Value of Personal Property
Mrs. Marini explained that personal property valued less than $1,000 has a very small tax and when the taxes are not paid it costs more to send out the demands to collect the money than the value of the tax. The Board requested additional information.
By consensus the Board agreed to HOLD article 10.
Page 11 Fire Chief Pay Off Ambulance $31,719.50
Mr. Finglas did not recommend this article. He explained that in theory it would be a good idea when there is money available. However, the Town is not in a position to make additional payments on the ambulance as this time.
MOTION by Armstrong, second Howard to HOLD. Voted 4 – 1 (Egan)
Page 12 Recreation Pay for Part-time caretakers
Mr. Finglas does not recommend this article. He indicated that recreation should be self funding.
MOTION by Amico, second Howard NOT to recommend. Brief discussion Voted 3 – 2 (Colclough & Howard) The article will not be included on the warrant.
Page 13 Assessors Revolving Fund
Page 14 Library Revolving Fund
Page 15 Library/COA Revolving Fund
Page 16 Parks & Fields Revolving Fund
Page 17 COA Revolving Fund
MOTION by Amico, second Howard to recommend articles 13 – 17. Voted 5 – 0
Page 18 Petition Articles By-law change for automatic amusements.
Mrs. Marini indicated that the article was not properly drafted.
MOTION by Amico, second Howard to passover. Voted 5 – 0
Page 19 Petition Article Oldham Pond treatment $4,000
By consensus the Board agreed to HOLD article 19.
Page 20 Town Clerk Election Article.
Item IV License Renewal
Concert Limo – 775 W. Washington Street – Livery License
MOTION by Armstrong, second Colclough to renew the livery license to Concert Limo.
Voted 5 – 0
Hanson Bowladrome – Reed Street – Automatic Amusement
MOTION by Armstrong, second Colclough to renew the automatic amusement license to Hanson Bowladrome. Voted 5 – 0
Item V One-Day Liquor License - Luke Vail, Hanson, Saturday, March 21st from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for a Music Festival.
MOTION by Armstrong, second Colclough grant a one day liquor license to Luke Vail on March 21st. Voted 5 – 0.
Item VI Committee Reports – No reports were heard.
MOTION by Colclough, second Amico to adjourn. Voted 5 – 0.
8:47 p.m. Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Meredith Marini
Executive Assistant.
| 
