Town of Hanson - Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes – Hanson Town Hall
January 24, 2012 – 7:30 p.m.
Members Present: Stephen Amico, James Egan, Richard Flynn, Donald Howard and David Soper
Members Absent:
Others Present: Town Administrator Rene’ J. Read and Executive Assistant Meredith Marini
I 7:31 p.m.~~~~~~~Chairman Amico called the meeting to order. Chairman Amico led the Pledge Allegiance and read the announcements and upcoming meeting schedule. Chairman Amico announced that the Board would be taking the agenda out of order.
Congratulate State Champion Whitman-Hanson Cheerleaders – Chairman Amico welcomed the Whitman Hanson Cheerleaders. He informed the Board the Cheerleaders are double 2011 State Champions having won in both the Spring and Fall. They competed in the Nationals in Dallas placing in the top ten. Mr. Amico thanked the Coach Katlin Getchell who was unable to attend and the Board congratulated the squad.
II TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – Snow and Ice Deficit – Mr. Read read the following letter from Interim Highway Surveyor, Robert Brown:
January 23, 2012
Dear Mr. Amico, Chairman,
The Town of Hanson Highway Department Snow Account has been expended, therefore, I am requesting the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee declare a SNOW EMERGENCY as stated in Chapter 44, Section 31D of the Massachusetts General Laws.
This SNOW EMERGENCY is needed not only for future sanding and plowing but to restock salt and sand for snow and ice removal.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Respectfully,
Robert F. Brown, Jr.
Interim Highway Surveyor.
MOTION by Howard, second by Egan to declare a Snow Emergency in accordance with Mass. General Law Chap. 44, Section 31D. Voted 5 - 0
IT – Mr. Read reported that last week he was asked by a ElecComm Corporation for permission to temporarily house approximately 7-8 trucks and 3-4 large reels of fiber optic line at the Botieri Field parking lot as a temporary staging area from now until the spring as part of their installation of fiber optic lines that will run from Brockton to Cape Cod.~ Mr. Read asked Town Counsel to review this request and has been advised that no bidding is required.~ ~He further suggested that the town enter into a license agreement with the firm which spells out the designated area and indemnification.~ Mr. Read presented the Board with a license which was drafted by Town Counsel and recommended the Board’s approval. Mr. Soper asked if a fee could be charged. Mr. Read indicated if a fee were
charged, a bid process would be required. As no one else would be looking to do a similar project it would not be feasible. Mr. Egan was concerned about the parking when baseball commences. Mr. Read indicated that ElecComm assured him the vehicles could be removed prior to the start of baseball. Mr. Read has inquired about having fiber optic lines dropped between the Town buildings. Mr. Flynn feels ElecComm should be charged or at least offer a donation of some sort. Mr. Soper inquired about security. Mr. Read informed the Board that ElecComm will have their trucks “corral” the fiber optic wheels as a security measure.
MOTION by Howard, second by Soper to approve a license to ElecComm Corp. Voted 4 – 1 (Flynn)
Auditors Meeting – Mr. Read reported that he and the financial team met with the auditors on
January 18, 2012. The report was good.~ Copies of the report will be finalized and forwarded to everyone within the next week or so.
Surplus Vehicle – Mr. Read indicated that one additional vehicle needs to be added to the surplus list.
2001 Ford Taurus 1FAFP53U51G112907.
MOTION by Soper, second by Egan to declare the 2001 Ford Taurus as surplus. Voted 5 - 0
Quarterly Tax billing – Mr. Read reminded the Board effective July 1st Hanson will commence quarterly tax billing. Consequently, the first set of tax bills will be mailed out on July 1st and will be due on
August 1st.~ Mr. Read is working with the Treasurer/Collector’s office staff to prepare information to be mailed out to the taxpayers in addition to having information available on the Town’s website well in advance of these dates in order to help provide an explanation of this new process.
Collins Center Report – Mr. Read indicated that he was happy with the Collins Center report for the first floor. Mr. Read has already implemented some of their recommendations. The Collins Center will be presenting their draft report for the second floor on February 7th.
III NEW BUSINESS
Accept Donation of Gifts Second quarter FY2012 - The Town Accountant provided the Board with two gift donations received during the second quarter of FY2012. Elder Affairs in the amount of $1,463.00 and DARE in the amount of $2,231.85.
MOTION by Flynn, second by Egan to accept the donation of gifts from the Elder Affairs and DARE as presented by the Town Accountant. Voted 5 - 0
Change to Meeting Schedule – Wage & Personnel 2/21 and Selectmen 2/28 – Mrs. Marini explained that the Wage & Personnel hearing must be held prior to the close of the Warrant which is March 2nd. However, as Collins Center will be making a presentation on February 7th, Mr. Read would like to be able to incorporate any recommendations into his Wage & Personnel recommendations. Mr. Read suggested holding the Wage & Personnel hearing on February 21st and rescheduling the Selectmen’s meeting of February 21st to February 28th. By consensus the Board agreed to post the Wage & Personnel Hearing on February 21st at 7:00 p.m. and reschedule the Selectmen’s meeting to February
28th.
IV OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS- – None Heard
V ONE DAY LIQUOR LICENSES ~ Camp Kiwanee
Carl McPhee – Pembroke, Fri., Feb. 3rd, 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Friends of Camp Kiwanee – Hanson – Fri, Feb. 10th, 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. – Play
Friends of Camp Kiwanee – Hanson – Sat. Feb. 11th, 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. – Play
Friends of Camp Kiwanee – Hanson – Fri, Feb. 17th, 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. – Play
Friends of Camp Kiwanee – Hanson – Sat, Feb. 18th, 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. – Play
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to approve the one day liquor licenses as presented. Voted 5 - 0
VI APPROVE MINUTES
January 10, 2012
MOTION by Egan, second by Soper to approve the minutes of January 10, 2012 as presented.
Voted 5 - 0
VII COMMITTEE REPORTS - Oldham Pond Committee – Mr. Flynn reported that a meeting of the Oldham Pond Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, January 25th at the Hanson Town Hall. Mr. Read was unaware of the meeting and would not be able to attend. Mr. Flynn did not realize Mr. Read was on the committee. Mr. Flynn will let Mr. Read know the date of the next meeting. Energy Committee – Mr. Howard reported that the retro fits at Camp Kiwanee should be done this month. Maquan School – Mr. Amico indicated that the next meeting will Tuesday, February 7th at 6:00 p.m. He indicated that the committee will not have a design ready for Town Meeting consideration until
October. Mr. Soper reminded residents that the School Committee will be reviewing their budget on Saturday, January 28th and the public is welcome to attend.
Mr. Soper inquired about the status of the budget as the by-law requires the Town Administrator’s budget to be submitted by January 31st. Mr. Read indicated he hoped to have his recommendations finalized by the end of the month. Mr. Read is considering changing the deadline of January 31st as it appears to be an arbitrary date. He pointed out that the Governor presents his budget at the Annual MMA meeting which is held the third Saturday in January, the School Committee submits its proposed budget the last Saturday of January. It is very difficult to submit an accurate budget when these numbers are not available. Mr. Amico reported that the Governor has proposed level funding for local aid and Chapter 70. However, Wage & Means Chairman indicated Town’s should
disregard the Governor’s numbers. Mr. Egan inquired as to what would be required to change the Town’s fiscal year. Mr. Read indicated that he would look into it.
VIII EXECUTIVE SESSION – NONE
IX ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Egan, second by Soper to adjourn. Voted 5 - 0
8:14 p.m. Meeting Adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Meredith Marini,
Executive Assistant
Approved and Voted 5 - 0
February 7, 2012
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