Town of Hanson - Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes – Hanson Town Hall
October 18, 2011 – 7:30 p.m.
Members Present: Stephen Amico, James Egan, Donald Howard and David Soper
Members Absent: Richard Flynn
Others Present: Town Administrator Rene’ J. Read and Executive Assistant Meredith Marini
I 7:34 p.m.~~~~~~~Chairman Amico called the meeting to order. Chairman Amico led the Pledge Allegiance and read the announcements and upcoming meeting schedule. Mr. Amico read a thank you letter from Boy Scout Troup 34, Brendan Keane for the use of Town Hall during their pumpkin sale. Mrs. Marini informed the Board the Brendan has just achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and a Court of Honor will be scheduled shortly. The Board congratulated Brendan.
Mr. Amico also read an announcement for Make A Difference Day which is Saturday, October 22, 2011. Students and staff of the Indian Head School will be volunteering with projects throughout the community and collecting items for various organizations including the food pantry and Becca’s Closet. A donation station will be setup at Indian Head School through October 27th.
II TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT - We’re All in This Together - Mr. Read indicated “We’re all in this Together, Hanson” event which will be held on Friday, October 28 at 10:00 a.m. at the Senior Center. He indicated that Selectmen are invited to attend. Various groups will be on hand to offer a variety of services to residents and seniors.
Discuss Bill to change primary election dates – Mr. Read suggested that the Board take the agenda out of order to accommodate the Town Clerk who was present to support House Bill 1972 to change the State Primary election to June 4, 2012 which would combine the Presidential Primary with the State Primary. Mr. Read read a resolution sponsored by Mass. Town Clerks.
RESOLVED
Whereas, according to the Department of Defense Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP), there are 11,691 active military duty Massachusetts residents residing overseas; and
Whereas, for the November 2010 election, Massachusetts requested a waiver from a requirement of the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act (the MOVE Act) to send absentee ballots to Americans overseas at least 45 days before an election “due to a late primary”; and
Whereas, a report by the Secretary of the Commonwealth revealed that in the November 2010 election only 400 ballots from Massachusetts active duty military personnel stationed overseas were counted; and
Whereas, the General Court is considering H1972 “An Act Regulating State primaries”, a bill that moves the state primary to allow Massachusetts residents residing oversea to vote privately and securely and combines the presidential primary with the state primary to save taxpayers at least $8,000,000.00; and
Whereas a number of states have moved their primary dates earlier in the year to comply with the federal MOVE Act and to provide relief to taxpayers by reducing the cost of the elections; and
Whereas, the Massachusetts state primary scheduled for September 18, 2012 stands alone as the last state primary in the country in 2012; and
Whereas, in written testimony the FVAOP concluded “passing HB1972 will significantly improve voter success for many military members, overseas voters, and their families”; and
Whereas, HB1972 simplifies the election process, decreases the opportunity for “voter fatigue” reduces the cost of elections for taxpayers, and establishes fairness among candidates;
Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved by the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Hanson that the Town of Hanson supports the adoption of HB1972 “An Act Regulating Election Primaries” pending before the 187th General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and directs the Hanson Clerk to transmit a copy of this action to the municipality’s State Delegation and to the Joint Committee of Election Laws.
MOTION by Howard, second by Egan to support the adoption of House Bill 1972. Voted 4 - 0
Returned to Town Administrator’s Report
Budget Update - Mr. Read indicated that budget materials will be distributed to all department heads this week which will include guidelines, the schedule for budget submittals, budget reviews.
Request to use Sign – Mrs. Marini indicated that the office received a request from Dawn Stevens to use the bulletin board in front of Town Hall to welcome home her son, Captain Christopher (CJ) Stevens from Afghanistan. By consensus the Board approved the use of the sign.
III NEW BUSINESS
Discuss Complaint Policy – No discussion was heard as the resident requesting the discussion was not present.
Search Committee for School Business Manager – Chairman Amico informed the Board that the School Business Manager, Sharon Andrew will be retiring in January and a Search Committee is being created. They are looking for a member from the Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee and Town Administrator. Mr. Egan volunteered to work on the committee.
IV OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS - - None Hear
V ONE DAY LIQUOR LICENSES ~ Camp Kiwanee
Friends of Camp Kiwanee, Hanson - Thur., Oct. 20th 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Vendor Night
Sara Sweet, Boston – Sat., Oct. 22nd 4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. – Wedding
Jacquelyn Crowley, Whitman – Sat., Nov. 5th 4:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. – Wedding
Debbie Rawson, Brockton – Sat., Nov. 19th 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. – Wedding
Hanson Little League at Damien’s Pub 279 Spring St, Hanson, Sun., Oct. 30th
10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. – Road Race.
MOTION by Howard, second by Egan to approve the One Day Liquor Licenses as presented.
Voted 4 - 0
VI APPROVE MINUTES
September 27, 2011
October 3, 2011
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to approve the minutes of September 27, 2011 as presented. Voted 4 – 0
MOTION by Howard, second by Egan to approve the minutes of October 3, 2011 as presented.
Voted 3 – 0 – 1 (Soper)
VII COMMITTEE REPORTS – Energy Committee – Mr. Howard reported that the solar sign lights have finally arrived and Mr. Armstrong will be installing them on the Town Hall entrance sign and the bulletin board sign. Maquan School Building – Mr. Amico announced that a Project Manager has been selected and gave an update on the project. Mr. Amico indicated that if the Maquan School is replaced MSBA will consider a joint project to include the Indian Head School. If the Maquan School is renovated, the Indian Head School repairs will be a stand alone project.
VIII EXECUTIVE SESSION- Chairman Amico announced that the Board would be going into executive session for the purpose of discussing the lease or value of real estate since an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the Town’s negotiating position; to conduct collective bargaining sessions and to discuss strategy with respect to pending litigation since an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the Town.
So Moved by Egan, second by Howard. Roll Call Howard Aye, Amico Aye, Egan Aye and Soper Aye. Voted 4 – 0.
7:50 p.m. Brief Recess
8:19 p.m. Returned to open session
IX ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Howard, second by Egan to adjourn. Voted 4 – 0
8:19 p.m. Meeting Adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Meredith Marini,
Executive Assistant
Approved and Voted 4 – 0 – 1 (Flynn)
November 1, 2011
| 
