Town of Hanson - Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes – Hanson Town Hall
May 31, 2011 – 7:30 p.m.
Members Present: Stephen Amico, James Egan, Richard Flynn, Donald Howard and David Soper
Members Absent:
Others Present: Rene’ J. Read, Town Administrator and Executive Assistant Meredith Marini
I 7:40 p.m.~~~~~~~Chairman Amico called the meeting to order. Chairman Amico lead the Pledge Allegiance and read the announcements and upcoming meeting schedule.
School Committee Chairman, Robert Hayes, thanked the Board for the use of the Selectmen’s meeting Room.
II REVIEW BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS – Members of the Finance Committee and School Committee were present for Mr. Read’s presentation. Mr. Read provided copies of his recommended budget, a revenue analysis and a memo which he read. The memo was in response to inquires from the Finance Committee
Mr. Read indicated that the budget was balanced by eliminating three positions he had hoped to restore in the fire department, highway department and library for a total savings of $167,994.
The proposed 3% mid-year increases for unions were eliminated for a savings of $54,758.08
Mr. Read confirmed that the ten additional hours for the Assistant Town Accountant, ($12,167.82) and fifteen hours per week for the Assistant Town Clerk, ($18,251.73) are still in the budget. Mr. Read confirmed that both the positions are not eligible for benefits.
The Finance Committee requested the total impact salary, benefits and unemployment by reducing the Conservation Agent and Town Planner to 21 hours per week and the Health Agent to 28 hours per week. Mr. Read reported savings as of $8,259.11 for the Conservation Agent; $11,961.11 for the Town Planner and $11,006.80 for the Health Agent for a total savings of $31,227.02.
The Finance Committee requested the potential savings by reducing the administrative staff in Conservation, Planning and Board Health to 21 hours per week. Mr. Read report the savings $13,774.54.
Mr. Read responded to the Finance Committee’s inquiry relative to the Administrative Assistant at the Highway Department and the total compensation paid to the position in fiscal 2010 and 2011. Mr. Read explained according to the Highway Surveyor, the position has been in the union since the 1970’s. The budgeted amount for the position is $36,777.51. According to the 2009 & 2010 Town reports, this employee earned $42,337.99 and $40,546.39 respectively.~ Overtime was the difference.
The Finance Committee inquired about the number of students who benefit from non-mandated busing. According to information provided by the School Department, 297 children benefit from non-mandated busing. Mr. Read included a graph which was provided by Craig Finley.
Mr. Read indicated that if the Transfer Station closed either Monday, Tuesday or Thursday the savings would be $8,322.77. If it closed on Friday an additional savings of $$6,573.03 would be seen and if the part-time Saturday only employee was reduced, the savings would be $6,380.92
Mr. Read provided input from the Library Director, Nancy Cappellini “the library will be able to meet the state requirements as long as the present budget requests are level funded or increased. ~We are at the minimum to meet our MAR (municipal appropriation requirement) right now with level funding. ~We will also be able to meet the hours open requirement, due to the trustees approval of the one time state aid addition of $5000.00. ~The trustees and I will be meeting this afternoon to determine what hours we will be open with present staffing and flexibility of scheduling.”
Mr. Read provided an explanation relative to the change in local receipts as provided by the Town Accountant. The local receipts were adjusted based on the various numbers received during the budget process from the Governor, House and Senate and as a result of the override. Local receipts have been increased by $32,453.00.
Finally, the Finance Committee inquired why their votes were not included on the budget sheet and Mr. Read informed them they have never been on the budget sheet.
After Mr. Read made his presentation, the Board opened the meeting for discussion. Craig Finley explained non-mandated bussing. Bussing is required for student living 2 miles or more from the school. The State is supposed to reimburse 100% of the cost of transportation. According to Sharon Andrew the 100% reimbursement has been received only once during her tenure.
Chairman Amico suggested that the Board reduce the school assessment to 2% which would provide a savings of $67,262.00.
MOTION by Soper, second by Flynn to reduce the school assessment to 2% as the Selectmen’s recommendation for discussion.
Mr. Egan does not support the motion as there is currently a balanced budget with 3% to the schools.
Superintendent Ruth Whitner informed the group that even with the 3% assessment the school has a $321,000 gap in their budget which will require cutting of several positions.
Mr. Soper inquired about a super town meeting and felt that Hanson will always lose to Whitman. School Committee Chairman Robert Hayes pointed out that 2009 Hanson approved 2% and Whitman had approved 3% and the school ultimately reduced the assessment and returned money to both communities. Sharon Andrew pointed out that a significant amount of money was returned to the Town relative to school buildings projects. She also noted that there has only been one super town meeting.
Chairman Amico indicated that he wants the ability to settle the five union contracts and the savings from the reduction in the school assessment would provide that opportunity. Mr. Egan was not in favor of the increases as the unions have regretted the offers.
ASFME Representative Karen Hathaway who represents four local unions, supports the Town’s reduction in the school assessment. She feels the money should stay in the Town. She indicated that school hired staff using stimulus money and keeping the staffing even though the stimulus money is no longer available.
Moved to the vote to reduce the school assessment to 2% Voted 3 – 2 (Egan & Howard)
The school budget amount is $6,887,891.
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to accept budget as amended for discussion.
Finance Committee member Manny Depina pointed out that the budget is balance but uses all the free cash. The Finance Committee is not in favor of using all the free cash for the budget.
Mr. Flynn suggested that the conservation agent, planner and health agent’s position become consulting positions with no benefits. Mr. Read indicated in order to do that the individuals would have to be laid off which will effect unemployment. Mr. Read did not believe that any of the people would want to work as consultants. Mr. Howard pointed out by changing to consultants the town would lose the vast knowledge and experience the current employees provide. Mr. Soper inquired whether an analysis of the Planner’s work load has been conducted. Planning Board Chairman, Phil Lindquist informed the group that he has been on the Board for 28 years and the Planner answers directly to him. He explained the work that the Planner performs from meeting with residents, developers,
contractor and engineers. She reviews plans and oversees the construction of subdivisions and street acceptance. The Planner also works on grants.
Mr. Amico inquired whether the Town hires an engineer to review plans and Mr. Lindquist indicated an engineer does review plans. The Planner is currently working on a new subdivision and work has started again a the Stonebridge Commons over 55 community, which she will be overseeing.
Mr. Howard indicated that his is not in favor of reducing the hours of the Planner, Conservation Agent or the Health Agent and feels things will get better.
Mr. Read pointed out that the purpose of all the positions is to serve the public and municipal government is very different that the private sector.
Mr. Egan feels the townspeople spoke at the polls and they don’t want their taxes raised and to use free cash to balance the budget. Finance Committee member Mike Kelly disagreed. Mr. Kelly feels using free cash to balance the budget will create problems for next year. Finance Committee Chairman Steve MacKinnon feels that Fin Com is representative of the townspeople and they need to balance the budget using as little of free cash as possible.
Moved to the vote to approve the budget as amended Voted 3 – 2 (Soper & Flynn)
III TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – Mr. Read provided the Board with two access agreements which had been drafted by the Town Engineer to grant access to properties owned by A.E. Wood and Joseph MacLeod, President Titanium for test pits relative to the landfill clean-up at the Transfer Station. Mr. Read indicated that Town Counsel had reviewed the agreements.
MOTION by Soper, second by Howard to authorize the Town Administrator to sign the access agreements. Voted 5 - 0
IV ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to adjourn. Voted 5 - 0
8:54 p.m. Meeting Adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Meredith Marini,
Executive Assistant
Approved and Voted 5 – 0
June 7, 2011
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