Town of Hanson - Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes – Hanson Town Hall
April 12, 2011 – 7:30 p.m.
Members Present: Stephen Amico, Christopher Colclough, James Egan and Donald Howard
Members Absent: David Soper
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.
II SWEAR- IN TWO NEW FIREFIGHTERS Chief Thompson introduced new firefighters Sean Gerraughty and Donald Teague, who have completed their training at the fire fighting academy. Chief Thompson gave a brief history on both men. Town Clerk swore in the new firefighters. Mr. Gerraughty’s mother pinned on his badge and Mr. Teague’s badge was pinned on by his wife, Becky. Several members of the fire department were present. The Board congratulated both men.
III TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT - Mr. Read reported that the Old Colony Planning Council is in the process of updating the Old Colony Regional Multi-hazard Pre-disaster Mitigation Plan. The study examines the natural hazards in the Old Colony region. OCPC is looking for representatives from each community to serve on the Multiple Hazard Community Planning Team (MHCPT). Chief Thompson indicated that he serves as the Town’s Emergency Planning Director and Chief Savage is the Vice Director.
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard to designate Chief Thompson and Mr. Read to serve as the Town’s representatives on the MHCPT for Old Colony Planning Council. Voted 4 - 0
Annual Buddy Poppy Drive – Mr. Read informed the Board that the Whitman VFW has requested permission to conduct their annual Buddy Poppy Drive at Shaws on May 15 & 16 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
MOTION by Egan, second by Amico to grant the request of the Whitman VFW for their Annual Buddy Poppy Drive on May 15 & 16. Voted 4 - 0
Credit Cards Accepted --– Mr. Read informed the Board that the Treasurer/Collector Jeanne Sullivan has installed a credit card swipe machine, compliments of Unibank which is our on-line bill pay bank. There is no cost to the town for the machine. However, residents who wish to pay by credit card will be assessed a convenience fee by the credit card company.
IV NEW BUSINESS
Reappointments: Town Accountant – Margaret LaMay – Term to Expire 4/30/16
Motion by Amico, second by Howard to reappoint Margaret LaMay as Town Accountant. Term to expire 4/30/16. Voted 4 – 0.
The Board discussed the reappointment of Veterans’ Agent, Veterans’ Graves Officer, Veterans’ Services Director and Veterans’ Burial Officer. Assistant Veteran’s officer Dana Larsen requested that he be appointed as the graves office, pointing out that the position must be held by a Hanson resident. After a lengthy discussion, the Board agreed to table the appointments to the following meeting.
Hanson Girls Softball – Opening Day parade May 1st at noon police station to LZ Thomas Field
Motion by Amico, second by Egan to approve an opening day parade for Hanson Girls Softball.
Voted 4 – 0.
V OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS – Budget – Mr. Read reviewed the Finance Committee’s recommendations which produced a budget of $18,361,850. The amount of the override will be $584,475, which would restore positions in fire, highway and library and does not use free cash to balance the budget. Mr. Read did not include restoration to the position at the Senior Center. The impact of the override to the average home owner will be $161.91. Mr. Amico inquired about a menu plan. Mr. Read explained that a menu option would pit departments against one another. Mr. Read indicated that his recommendation does not include funding for Capital Improvement items. Mr. Read highlighted the differences between
his recommendations and the Finance Committee’s recommendations which included retirement, town benefits, computer services ~ increase for IT services, legal ~ to meet reality, utilities, town hall expense, clerical wages, assessor’s wages ~ cover overlap as assessor retires, library wages ~ restore hours, highway – restores position, snow and ice ~ move closer to reality, police chief wages and Quinn bill ~ reflects reality. Mr. Read indicated that the finance committee is currently reviewing the budget.
Mr. Larsen inquired as to why the pay for his position of assistant veteran’s agent had been cut from the FY 2012 budget. Mr. Read explained that during the departmental budget review meeting the department head agreed to zero out the veteran’s clerical line and placing the $5,000 into the Veteran’s Benefits line where the veterans would gain the greatest benefit. In the past, the Veterans’ benefits line usually has a shortfall and the Veteran’s agent has had to obtain a reserve fund transfer from the Finance Committee. Mr. Larsen indicated that he doesn’t receive benefits and he covers while the Agent is on leave. He completes paperwork for the veterans’ applications for benefits. Mr. Larsen also explained that he doesn’t need the money
but performs the duties as an act of love. Mr. Amico suggested taking $4,000 from the Parks & Fields line. Mr. Read indicated that the Parks & Fields line was increased, however it is not as much as they have been spending historically.
MOTION by Egan, second by Amico to approve the budget as presented. Voted 4 - 0
Sign Town Meeting Warrants– The Board reviewed the final warrant. Mrs. Marini pointed out that the article for the Indian Head School needs to be addressed. The current amount listed in the warrant is $450,000. If the Board moves forward with the current wording, the Town must pay for the entire cost of the project. If the amount is changed to $800,000, SBA will refund 56% of the cost. After lengthy discussion, the Board determined that the project should be completed according to SBA requirements.
MOTION by Egan, second by Amico to approve $800,000 for Article 12 of the May Annual Town Meeting. Voted 4 – 0.
The Board briefly discussed the petition article relative to Civil Service. Mr. Read highlighted points made by labor counsel as civil service would restrict the Town’s ability to have its own selection process for new police officers and the promotion of existing police officers, including for the selection of the Chief; the civil service process requiring, exams, establishment of hiring lists, preferential placement for certain applicants on hiring lists is restrictive and cumbersome; the hiring promotion process is subject to challenge at the Civil Service Commission; discipline can be challenged before the Civil Service Commission, with no ability of the Town to have input in the selection of the hearing officer; the Civil Service Commission, generally is not management friendly. If
successful, this would create a lot of bargaining about how it would be implemented.
Chief Savage added that the when the department came out of civil service in 1981 the chief at the time complained that Civil Service had out lived its service. Chief Savage does not see justification for the change. Mr. Amico informed the Board that he has spoken with some officers and they are looking for the protection of civil service in the event that they get laid off. Mr. Amico wants what is best for the town and its employees. Mr. Read pointed out that there are a lot of unanswered questions as the petition is currently presented.
VI ONE DAY LIQUOR LICENSES – None requested
VII APPROVE MINUTES - April 5, 2011
Motion by Amico, second by Howard to approve the Minutes of April 5, 2011 as printed. Voted 4 – 0.
VIII COMMITTEE REPORTS – Energy Committee – Mr. Howard reported the Energy Committee met last evening and looking into solar panels for the Fire Station and Police Station. Procurement process will be necessary.
IX EXECUTIVE SESSION – Chairman Colclough announced that the Board would be going into Executive Session regarding collective bargaining as open discussion of the matter will have a detrimental effect on the outcome and will return only to adjourn. So moved by Egan, second by Amico. Roll Call Howard Aye, Amico Aye, Colclough Aye and Egan Aye Voted 4 – 0.
9:05 p.m. Brief Recess
9:25 p.m. Returned to open session
X ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to adjourn. Voted 4 – 0
9:25 p.m. Meeting Adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Meredith Marini
Executive Assistant
Approved and Voted 3 – 0 – 1 (Soper & Flynn)
May 24, 2011
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