Town of Hanson - Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes – Hanson Town Hall
February 8, 2011 – 7:30 p.m.
Members Present: Stephen Amico, Christopher Colclough, James Egan, Donald Howard and David Soper
Members Absent:
Others Present: Rene’ J. Read, Town Administrator and Executive Assistant Meredith Marini
I 7:30 p.m.~~~~~~~Chairman Colclough called the meeting to order. Chairman Colclough lead the Pledge Allegiance and read the announcements and upcoming meeting schedule.
Chairman Colclough indicated that the agenda items will be taken out of order.
II OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS- - Conservation Commission – Fee increase – Conservation Agent, Rich Vacca was present with the members of the Conservation Commission to discuss an increase in Conservation Fees. Mr. Vacca informed that Board that the Commission reviewed its fee structure on the request of the Town Administrator. Mr. Vacca pointed out that the Conservation fees had not been increased since the inception of Conservation in 1989. Mr. Vacca presented the Board with a comparative analysis of the current fees, proposed fees and fees from Hanover, Plymouth, Kingston, Carver, Duxbury and Pembroke. These are the same communities used by the Fire Chief when the Fire Dept. fees
were increased. Mr. Vacca also presented a revenue and cash flow analysis. Mr. Vacca indicated that the townwide trend on permitting has decreased by approximately 7%. The revenues generated from Conservation have been consistent between $6,000 and $7,000 annually.
Mr. Amico was concerned that the increase is too much at one time and should be an implemented incrementally. Mr. Amico feels making up for 23 years all at once is too great an increase. Mr. Soper inquired as to where the funds go. Mr. Vacca indicated that the funds go to the Town’s general. Conservation Chairman Phil Lindquist explained that each time the Commission meets with the Finance Committee they are asked how much revenue Conservation brings to the Town. Mr. Egan was not in favor of an incremental increase. Mr. Read supported the increase.
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to adopt the fee increase as recommended by the Conservation Commission. Voted 3 – 2 (Amico & Soper)
III NEW BUSINESS - Representative Daniel Webster ~ Budget update – Representative Webster was present and distributed information on the State budget. Rep. Webster indicated that the State is in the very early stages of the budget process. The Governor has drafted his budget. The House of Representative will have a budget in April and the Senate will have its version out at the end of April and a conference committee will review all three versions. Rep. Webster recommended that the Town budget with an anticipated 10% decrease in State aid. He also cautioned while the Governor’s budget did not reduce Chapter 70 funds, Rep. Webster feels that a decrease of 5% is possible. Rep. Webster pointed to health insurance costs of State employee, Mass Health programs and the pension system as areas that could save money. Rep. Webster will support a Local Aid Resolution which will guarantee communities at least a fixed amount of funds. Rep. Webster said there is no more
stimulus money and the Governor is looking at taking a $100 Million from the States stabilization fund. Rep. Webster offered to meet with the Board in late March and hopes to have a better sense of the financial situation.
IV OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS - continued - Al Hanscom – Plymouth County Hospital discussion – Mr. Read indicated that in addition to the Plymouth County Hospital, Mr. Hanscom will also be addressing issues at the Indian Head School and the Library roof.
Library Roof - Mr. Hanscom addressed the library roof, indicating that there have been several issues at the building with respect to heating and roofing. The most recent was leaking in the front of the library. Mr. Hanscom indicated that ridge and soffit vents would alleviate the icing problem and would be cost effective.
Indian Head Roof – Mr. Hanscom explained that he has been working with the school district and inventorying all the schools in the district. Mr. Hanscom indicated that a new slate roof would cost approximately $500,000, a metal roof would cost $300,000 – $400,000 and a 40 year asphalt shingled roof would cost $300,000. Mr. Egan inquired whether new sheathing would be necessary. Mr. Hansom would check into it. According to Mr. Hanscom the cost estimates do not include the roof over the auditorium. The costs are for the classroom wing of the school. Mr. Hanscom will check with Mr. Sandland to confirm the information.
Plymouth County Hospital -– Mr. Hanscom reviewed the history of the Plymouth County Hospital indicating that he worked on the original plan prior to the Town’s purchase of the property. He feels the original re-use plan is still a viable plan. Mr. Hanscom informed the Board of all the work and evaluations of the property which have been completed over the last 12 years. Mr. Hanscom anticipations the cost of removal of the hospital to be $1.3 million, with $750,000 being asbestos remediation. Mr. Read pointed out that as the Town’s engineer, the Board could rely on the figures provided by Mr. Hanscom. Mr. Hanscom acknowledged the most difficult part of the project is funding. He will work with the Town Planner to review potential grants and draft
appropriate applications.
V NEW BUSINESS – continued - Public Health District Incentive Grant Program – Mr. Read explained the request from Old Colony Planning relative to the creation of a Regional Public Health District. Old Colony Planning is looking for a letter of interest and support. The new district would regionalize resources and coordinate activities in order to improve the scope, quality and effectiveness of local public health services.
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard to authorize the Chairman to sign the letter of support and to move forward with the project. Voted 5 - 0
VI TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT – Mr. Read thanked the Highway Department for its great work during this difficult winter. The also thanked Brian Clemons, John Rothwell and Chief Thompson for their assistance in clearing the library roof of snow. Mr. Read reminded residents to clear the snow from around hydrants near their homes.
Mr. Read reported that on February 2nd he forward draft transfer station regulations to the Board of Health and other staff members for review and comment.
Mr. Read informed the Board that the Selectmen’s office will be closed on Thursday, February 17th and Friday, February 18th.
Budget Review – Mr. Read distributed his draft budget to the Board. The Finance Committee was also present for the discussion. Mr. Read highlighted some of the components of the budget which included 3% increases for all Department Heads, 10% reduction in State aid, 18% increase in Health benefits, 3% contractual increases for all unions, no use of stabilization, no override and 1% for Capital Improvements. Mr. Read indicated that staffing was impact driven and his budget includes restoring 4 hours to the Town Planner and the Conservation Agent. He restored 15 hours in the Town Clerk’s Office and added 10 hours to the Town Accountant’s office. Mr. Read informed the Board that South Shore Vocational has submitted a preliminary budget which reflects a
$26,000 decrease in Hanson’s assessment. A 3% increase was given to the WHRSD. The budget also accommodates for $42,000 in various repairs to Maquan School.
Mr. Read pointed out that some figures are not yet available and contract negotiations still have to be conducted. He is waiting for the rates for health insurance, school rates and State funding.
VII COMMITTEE REPORTS – Maquan School – Mr. Amico reported that the Maquan School Building committee will meet on Tuesday, February 15th at 6:00 p.m. at the Central Office. Rt. 28 Sewerage – Mr. Soper reported that he has been working on bringing sewer down Rt. 27 to just east of High Street. He met with Whitman’s Town Administrator Frank Lynam. Mr. Soper indicated that Whitman is agreeable to the idea, but Brockton is under an order by the EPA prohibiting them for adding additional users at this time. Mr. Soper has spoken with the Town’s Engineer, Al Hanscom and will meet with representatives of Brockton Water in the near future. Mr. Soper has also contact
Representative Webster, State Senator Kennedy and Congressman Lynch for funding and assistant with the project.
VI EXECUTIVE SESSION – Chairman Colclough announced that the Board would be going into Executive Session for the purpose of conducting strategy sessions in preparation for contract negotiations with non-union personnel. The Board will reconvene in open session only to adjourn.
So moved by Amico, second by Howard. Roll Call Howard Aye, Amico Aye, Colclough Aye, Egan Aye and Soper Aye. Voted 5 – 0.
9:20 p.m. Brief Recess
10:25 p.m. Returned to Open Session
VII ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Howard, second by Egan to adjourn. Voted 5 - 0
10:26 p.m. Meeting Adjourned
Respectfully submitted,
Meredith Marini,
Executive Assistant
Approved and Voted 5 - 0
March 1, 2011
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