Selectmen’s Meeting ~
November 17, 2009
Present: ~ Donald Howard (late) Stephen Amico (late), James Egan and Christopher Colclough. James Armstrong. ~Also present Interim Town Administrator Meredith Marini.
7:37 p.m.~~~~~~~Chairman Egan called the meeting to order, lead the Pledge Allegiance and read the announcements and upcoming meeting. Mr. Egan announced that Mr. Amico and Mr. Howard were attending another meeting and would be joining the Selectmen’s meeting late.
Item I Class II License – Ramy Hanna, Hanna Motors Incorporate d/b/a Car Motors 169 A Franklin Street.
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to open the hearing. Voted 3 – 0. Mr. Armstrong read the hearing notice. Mr. Hanna was present along with property owner Jeff Miller. Mr. Hanna indicated that he has been in the car business for several years. Has a business in Framingham. He is leasing the property from Mr. Miller and his vehicles will be serviced by Mr. Miller. No questions from the audience.
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to close the hearing. Voted 3 – 0.
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to grant a Class II license to Ramy Hanna 169A Franklin Street. Voted 3 – 0
7:45 p.m. Brief Recess
8:05 p.m. Back in Session. Mr. Amico and Mr. Howard arrived.
Item II Town Administrator’s Report – Mrs. Marini informed the Board the she and Chairman Egan received thank you letters from the Veteran’s Agent, Director of Elder Affairs and Commander of the American Legion for attending the Veterans’ Day Breakfast. She announced there would be an informational meeting of the 911 Regionalization hosted by Middleboro on Monday, November 23rd. Mr. Armstrong will attend. Partners for Community Awareness is hosting a Community Drug forum on Thursday, December 3rd at the High School. Plymouth County Advisory Board has a meeting on Thursday, November 19th. Mr. Colclough will attend. Mrs. Marini updated that Board on the status of the Thomas Mill purchase. Town Counsel is drafting a
Purchase and Sales agreement and conducting a title search. With the resignation of Susan Thornton, there is a vacancy on the Board of Assessors. She also announced there is a vacancy on the Finance Committee. Mrs. Marini reported she instructed the department heads to start working on their budgets with level funding. Also Town Report will be due shortly.
Hanson Community Christmas has request permission to put up the annual Giving Tree at Town Hall.
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Amico to grant permission to Hanson Community Christmas to put up the annual giving tree. Voted 5 – 0.
Item III Discussion of Complaint Procedures – The Board discussed the complaint policy and procedures. Currently there is a complaint policy in place where residents file complaint forms and they are addressed by the Town Administrator. If the complaint is against the Town Administrator it is addressed by the Chairman. The Board discussed the possibility of having residents be heard at Selectmen’s meeting as an agenda item. Mr. Armstrong expressed his concern that personnel issues will be addressed without proper notification to the employee. He indicated that the Board should not be involved in the day-to-day operation and the Town Administrator should be handling the matters. Mr. Amico feels that
residents should be heard and allowed 5 minutes on the agenda. Mr. Egan expressed that while the idea in theory made sound good, he is reluctant to do it and feels it is too risky and dangerous regarding issues of possible litigation. Mr. Amico wants residents to be able to speak to the Selectmen. Mrs. Marini suggested the Board consider office hours prior to a Selectmen’s meeting. The hours could be held by two members of the Board. Residents would be allowed to come in and address their concerns. She pointed out that the Board members should inquire of any resident with a complaint as to whether they brought the matter to the Town Administrator first. If they have not, a complaint form should be completed and forwarded to the Town Administrator. By consensus the Board agreed to try office hours. Mrs. Marini will set up a schedule.
Item IV Committee Reports – No report heard
Item V Executive Session - Chairman Egan announced that the Board would be going into Executive Session under exemption #3 – Contract Negotiations for non-union personnel.
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to go into Executive Session under exemption #3 – Contract Negotiations with non-union personnel. Roll Call – Howard aye; Amico aye; Egan aye; Colclough Aye and Armstrong Aye. Voted 5 - 0
8:57 p.m. Brief Recess
10:05 p.m. Returned to Open Session
MOTION by Armstrong, second by Colclough to adjourn. Voted 5 – 0
10:05 p.m. Meeting Adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Meredith Marini,
Interim Town Administrator
Approved and Voted 5 - 0
March 9, 2010
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