Town of Hanson, MA - Selectmen's Minutes 3-20-12

Selectmen's Minutes 3-20-12


	Town of Hanson - Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes – Hanson Town Hall March 20, 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 7:40 p.m.~~~~~~~Chairman Amico called the meeting to order. Chairman Amico led the Pledge Allegiance and read the announcements and upcoming meeting schedule. II TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT - Mr. Read indicated that his report will consist of the review of the budget under new business. III NEW BUSINESS Class II Renewals – Auto Express 169 Franklin Street – Chairman Amico read Building Commissioner Robert Currans e-mail of March 14, 2012 regarding Auto Express. Merry, ~ I inspected Auto Express at 169 Franklin Street on Monday March 12th and again on Tuesday March 13th. ~ The property has been cleaned up and all motor vehicles and parts have been removed from the~side and rear of the property. ~ At this time I would suggest that the Board of Selectmen issue the Class II Auto Dealers License with a stipulation that the white storage container be relocated to the fenced in area and the bus (currently used to store used tires) be removed from the property prior to the next renewal. ~ The property looks much better and Mr. Miller has been completely cooperative. ~ Regards, ~ Robert P. Curran Building Commissioner Zoning Enforcement Officer 781-293-5503 MOTION by Egan second by Howard to approve the Class II License renewal in accordance with Mr. Curran’s recommendation for discussion Mrs. Marini explained that there are two separate licenses issued at the premises. Auto Express which is owned by Jeffrey Miller is located at 169 Franklin Street. Mr. Miller leases a portion of his property known as 169A Franklin Street to other used car dealers. There has been two separate Class II licenses at 169 and 169A Franklin Street for nearly 10 years. Each separate license can have no more than 20 cars for sale. Mr. Soper requested that Mr. Miller remove the white storage container referenced in Mr. Curran’s letter earlier than the renewal date. Mr. Miller agreed to move the container by June Moved to the vote. Voted 5 - 0 3W Corp 41 King Street – Renewal of a Class II License by Wayne Webb. MOTION by Howard, second by Soper to approve the renewal of 3W Corp Class II license. Voted 5 - 0 New Class II License – Application by Charles Karyanis of Belmont owner of AutoShag, Inc. for a Class II Used Car License to be located at AutoShag, Inc. 169A Franklin Street. Mrs. Marini indicated that a renewal for the Hanna Motors was issued in November. However, Hanna Motors has moved from the location and a license is available at that location. MOTION by Howard, second by Egan to approve the Class II license for AutoShag, Inc. at 169A Franklin Street. Voted 5 - 0 Resignation –Tina Siereveld from Recreation Commission – Chairman Amico read Ms. Siereveld’s letter dated March 9, 2012 Dear Selectmen, I Tina Sierveld am stepping down from my position as member on the Recreation Committee. Thank you. Tina Siereveld MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to accept with regret Ms. Sierveld’s resignation from Recreation. Voted 5 - 0 Re-Appointments - Animal Control Officer – Bernard Delory - Term to Expire 3-31-13 Veterans’ Agent – Robert Arsenault – Term to Expire 3-31-13 Veterans’ Services Director – Term to Expire 3-31-13 Registrar of Voters – Bill Stait – Term to Expire 3-31-15 Fence Viewer – Robert Curran – Term to Expire 6-30-13 Zoning Enforcement Officer – Robert Curran Term to Expire 6-30-13 MOTION by Howard, second by Soper to reappoint the preceding positions as read. Voted 5 - 0 New Appointments – Emergency Comm. Center – Robert Brown Term Expires 6-30-12 Street Safety Comm. - Robert Brown Term Expires 6-30-12 Drainage Comm. – Robert Brown Term Expires 6-30-12 Recreation Comm. – Margaret Comerford 1004 Monponsett St. – Term Expires 6-30-13 Parks & Fields – Michael Josselyn 33 Litchfield Lane – Term Expires 6-30-14 MOTION by Howard, second by Egan to approve the new appointments as printed. Voted 5 - 0 Vote to authorize borrowing against Stabilization – Mrs. Marini explained this vote will authorize the Treasurer/Collector to borrow against stabilization if necessary. It is a cash flow issue as the tax bills have just gone out. MOTION by Soper, second by Howard to authorize the Treasurer/Collector to borrow against stabilization. Voted 5 - 0 Review Budget - Mr. Read informed that Board that the budget is balanced. He read the following and then reviewed a power point presentation of the budget. WHAT’S IN THE BUDGET? Changes since the February 15^th version Staffing As a result of the Collins Center analysis pertaining to the First and Second Floor operations at Town Hall, the FY13 budget includes a partial restoration and reconfiguration of some of the positions for Town Hall employees to reflect their recommendations. Following their study, it became evident that the most critical need in terms of staffing allocations to better serve the public that the most imperative place to be addressed at this time was the Second Floor (consisting of the Building, Board of Appeals, Health, Planning and Conservation departments). The most notable changes will occur on the second floor of Town Hall with the creation of a combined department head-level position - Town Planner/Conservation Agent.~ Over the course of the past two years, the Town Planner and Conservation Agent positions were reduced from 35 hours per week to 27 hours in FY11 and 21 hours per week in FY12.~ These department head positions have been vacant since July 2011 and November 2012, respectively.~ The creation of this full-time (35 hour/week) salaried position is designed to address the concerns noted in the Center’s recommendation, advance a model proposed by them voted by the Board of Selectmen, and provide support to these critical departments in an efficient and effective manner.~ The funding for this new position will be shared between the two departments (Page 21 and Page 23). Additionally, the budget I am recommending includes funding for the creation of a new Planning/Conservation Clerk to provide administrative support for this combined department.~ The hours for this position will result in an increase from 25 hours/week to 35 hours/week.~ Also, the proposed budget includes an increase from 25 hours/week to 35 hours/week for the support staff positions in the Health and Building Departments. As the Collins Center noted, “various departments have faced significant new or increased tasks or projects in the last few years, including things like transfer station trip tickets, tax title processing, benefits changes, GASB reporting requirement changes, and much more.”~ The Collins Center was very clear in noting that “cutting an hour of clerical assistance typically has more than an hour’s worth of impact on the operations of departments” since “the extra impact (beyond the obvious missing hour) comes in the form of interruptions” and can equate a loss of up to three (3) hours for every hour cut as a result of other employees having to assume the workload. In FY11, the Treasurer/Collector’s office collected $17,250,507 (a rate 97%); mailed out approximately 26,500 bills; issued approximately 425 Municipal Lien Certificates; issued an average of 64 dump stickers per month and 75 trip tickets per month; and processed approximately 27,300 transactions – a number that is estimated to increase by approximately 8,000 as a result of quarterly billing which will begin on July 1, 2012. That said, the budget (Page 11) includes the restoration of one (1) clerical position in the Treasurer/Collector’s office – a part-time, 19 hour/week, non-benefitted position – that was vacated as a result of the layoffs incurred 2 years ago.~ In addition to performing these (primarily) Collector’s duties, the person will be cross-trained in Treasurer’s duties most notably as a backup staff person to assist with payroll entry processes. Finally, the recommended budget includes modest salary increases for the employees in the Clerical, Police and Highway unions in addition to the Wage and Personnel (non-union) employees (1.5% 7-1-12 and 6-30-13). Our #1 concern is customer service and the transition from semi-annual to quarterly bills.~ We expect heavy phone and counter traffic once the bills are issued.~ In speaking with other T/C the adjustment for taxpayers continues through at least the first complete year and sometimes into the next billing cycle. Whitman Hanson Regional School District At the time of the preliminary budget, I had initially recommended a 4% increase to the WHRSD assessment line even though their initial estimate noted a 2% increase.~ Following discussions and consultation with members of the Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee, I changed that percentage to 2%.~ The reduction in the school assessment from 4% ($7,055,240) to 2% ($6,919,563) resulted in a shift of $135,678. ~ Since that time, the School Committee has voted to recommend a 6% increase to the WHRSD assessment resulting in a 4% increase equating to $271,355.~ The recommended budget presented this evening maintains the 2% assessment, is balanced based on that figure, and any increase above 2% would cause a deficit and as I such, I would recommend that the remaining amount be subject to an override.~ As such, an article and ballot question have been drafted to address this situation.~ If passed, the override would result in a permanent increase to the tax rate of approximately $0.23 cents per every $1,000 of valuation or an additional $71.90 to the average taxpayer’s tax bill. Free Cash: During the course of last year’s budget preparation, I stressed to both he Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee the importance of removing our reliance on Free Cash to balance the budget.~ The simple reason was (and is) that if we do not to continue to do so, we could create an unsustainable situation since the amount of Free Cash in a given year is never a certainty.~ This year, because of a remarkable set of circumstances (a historically mild winter, student enrollment population shift, reduced health insurance costs), we are able to balance the budget as presented using just over $22,000 in Free Cash. I will caution you that while this is certainly positive news, it is absolutely no indication that Town’s overall financial situation has turned a corner.~ In fact, I believe it is fair to say that this year we got lucky – awfully lucky.~ That said, the guiding principle that drove the creation of this budget was one of sustainability in the midst of still uncertain financial times.~ Yes, it does include some degree of expansion but only on a very limited scale which I believe is both sustainable and quite necessary. Proposed Capital Projects – Fund in October (just like we did last year): 1)~~~~~~~~ Dump/sand truck for the Highway Dept., est. $110,000. 2)~~~~~~~~ Unspecified drainage projects (Selectmen’s Office/Highway Dept.), $25,000. 3)~~~~~~~~ Roof repairs for Needles Lodge at Camp Kiwanee, $45,000.~ Total = $180,000. Review Warrant Articles – Mr. Read recommended changes to the Special Town Meeting articles which included reducing the amount for Fire Fighter retirements from $135,000 to $90,000. Mr. Read indicated that the retirements will take place over the course of two or three years and funding can be accomplished incrementally. Mr. Read indicated that the remainder of free cash may be needed in the event of snow or additional funding for the transfer station landfill site assessment. Steve McKinnon, Finance Chairman inquired as to the amount of $50,000 added to stabilization. He suggested reducing the amount to $20,000 and possibly bringing back a firefighter. Mr. Read was concerned about sustainability. Mr. Read recommends removing Article J for the payroll module. He indicated he requested it for the budgeting purposes, however the interim town accountant has provided a “work around”. Mr. Read would like to purchase the software in the future. SPECIAL – Chairman Amico reviewed the spreadsheet highlighting the articles. Mr. Read recommended, based on conversations with the interim town account, that the Board remove Article J for the payroll module in the amount of $25,000. Mr. Read may revisit the purchase in the future. Mr. Egan suggested the Board make one motion and vote to place all the articles on the Special Town Meeting warrant with the exception of Article J. MOTION by Egan, second by Howard with the exception of Article J, please articles A through EE on the Special Town Meeting Warrant. Voted 5 - 0 Article A Selectmen Unpaid Bills ?? - Mrs. Marini explained that currently there are no outstanding bills, but this is an annual article MOTION by Egan, second by Soper to recommend Article A. Voted 5 - 0 Article B Selectmen Legal Expense $60,000 MOTION by Egan, second by Soper to recommend Article B. Voted 5 – 0 Article C Selectmen Norfolk Aggie $8,500 MOTION by Egan, second by Soper to recommend Article C. Voted 5 – 0 Article D Selectmen Utilities $20,000 MOTION by Egan, second by Soper to recommend Article D. Voted 5 – 0 Article E Selectmen Replenish Reserve $5,000 MOTION by Egan, second by Soper to recommend Article E. Voted 5 – 0 Article F Selectmen Town Acct. Expense $5,000 MOTION by Egan, second by Soper to recommend Article F. Voted 5 – 0 Article G Selectmen Police Chief Salary $2,350 MOTION by Egan, second by Soper to recommend Article G. Voted 5 – 0 Article H Selectmen FF Retirement $90,000 MOTION by Egan, second by Soper to recommend Article H. Voted 5 – 0 Article I Selectmen Town Hall Roof $4,000 MOTION by Egan, second by Soper to recommend Article I. Voted 5 – 0 Article K Town Admin. E-mail Server $10,000 MOTION by Egan, second by Soper to recommend Article K. Voted 5 – 0 Article L Selectmen Fund Stabilization $50,000 MOTION by Egan, second by Soper to recommend Article L . Voted 5 – 0 Article M Health Disposal Oper. $5,000 MOTION by Egan, second by Soper to recommend Article M. Voted 5 – 0 Article N Health Permitting Software $10,000 MOTION by Egan, second by Soper to recommend Article N. Voted 5 – 0 Article O Highway Gasoline $32,000 MOTION by Egan, second by Soper to recommend Article 0. Voted 5 – 0 Article P Highway Chapter 90 $????? MOTION by Egan, second by Soper to recommend Article P. Voted 5 – 0 Article Q Assessors Field Card Software $4,000 MOTION by Egan, second by Soper to recommend Article Q. Voted 5 – 0 Article R Fire Chief Fire Repairs $11,500, MOTION by Egan, second by Soper to recommend Article R. Voted 5 – 0 Article S Fire Chief Promotional Expense $3,500 MOTION by Egan, second by Soper to recommend Article S. Voted 5 – 0 Article T Fire Chief Replenish Wages $43,640 MOTION by Egan, second by Soper to recommend Article T Voted 5 – 0 Article U Police Chief Comm. Wages $20,000 MOTION by Egan, second by Soper to recommend Article U. Voted 5 – 0 Article V Police Chief Equipment Repair $18,750. Mr. Soper inquired as to the life of the cruise laptops and whether the purchases could be staggered to avoid such a large upfront payment. Mr. Read will check. MOTION by Egan, second by Soper to recommend Article V. Voted 5 – 0 Article W Recreation Beach Erosion $10,000 MOTION by Egan, second by Soper to HOLD Article W. Voted 5 – 0 to Hold Article X Selectmen Trans. Station Site Assess $????? – Mr. Read explained his is waiting for a figure from the Town Engineer MOTION by Egan, second by Soper to recommend Article X. Voted 5 – 0 Article Y Selectmen Appt. Highway Surveyor No Funds MOTION by Egan, second by Soper to recommend Article Y . Voted 4 – 1 (Flynn) Article Z Personnel Dir. Town Plann/Con. Agents No Funds MOTION by Egan, second by Soper to recommend Article Z . Voted 5 – 0 Article AA Personnel Dir. Floating Holiday No Funds MOTION by Egan, second by Soper to recommend Article AA . Voted 4 – 1 (Soper) Article BB Personnel Dir. Sick leave No Funds – Mr. Read explained that as a result of the Wage & Personnel meeting held earlier in the evening the article could be removed and revisited at a later date. MOTION by Egan, second by Soper to remove Article BB from the Warrant. Voted 5 – 0 to remove from the warrant. Article CC Selectmen Lease BCI Bldg No Funds MOTION by Egan, second by Soper to recommend Article CC. Voted 5 – 0 Article DD Selectmen Accept Deer Hill No Funds – Mrs. Marini explained Article DD and EE are place holders. The developer was informed the article would be presented in May. However, Planning has not confirmed that the work has been complete. Mr. Flynn indicated that there is still work to be complete on the street and will report back. MOTION by Egan, second by Soper to HOLD Article DD. Voted 5 – 0 to Hold Article EE Selectmen Accept Fawn Lane No Funds. MOTION by Egan, second by Soper to HOLD Article EE. Voted 5 – 0 to Hold ANNUAL Warrant – MOTION by Howard, second by Flynn to place articles A – Z on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant. Voted 5 - 0 Article A Selectmen Town Report No Funds MOTION by Howard, second by Flynn to recommend Article A Voted 5 – 0 Article B Treasurer Compensating Balances No Funds MOTION by Howard, second by Flynn to recommend Article B. Voted 5 – 0 Article C Treasurer Tax Title $60,000 MOTION by Howard, second by Flynn to recommend Article C. Voted 5 – 0 Article D Selectmen Elected Salaries No Funds MOTION by Howard, second by Flynn to recommend Article D. Voted 4 – 1(Soper) Article E Selectmen Budget $?????? MOTION by Howard, second by Flynn to recommend Article E. Voted 5 – 0 Article F Capital Imp. Matrix No Funds MOTION by Howard, second by Flynn to recommend Article F. Voted 5 – 0 Article G Capital Imp. Sanding Truck $110,000 MOTION by Howard, second by Flynn to Passover Article G. Voted 5 – 0 Article H Capital Imp. Drainage $25,000 MOTION by Howard, second by Flynn to Passover Article H. Voted 5 – 0 Article I Capital Imp. Roof Needles lodge $45,000 MOTION by Howard, second by Flynn to Passover Article I. Voted 5 – 0 Article J Fire Chief Fire Engine $390,000 MOTION by Howard, second by Flynn to recommend Article J Voted 4 – 1 (Soper) Article K Comm. Pres. Set Budget No Funds MOTION by Howard, second by Flynn to recommend Article K Voted 5 – 0 Article L Assessors Triennial $35,000 MOTION by Howard, second by Flynn to recommend Article L Voted 5 – 0 Article M Con com Factory Pond No Funds MOTION by Howard, second by Flynn to recommend Article M Voted 5 – 0 Article N Con Com Replenish Con Com Fund $5,000 MOTION by Howard, second by Flynn to recommend Article N Voted 5 – 0 Article O Town Forest Rename Town Forest No Funds MOTION by Howard, second by Flynn to recommend Article O Voted 5 – 0 Article P Health Septic Loan Program No Funds MOTION by Howard, second by Flynn to recommend Article P Voted 5 – 0 Article Q Water Betterment By-law No Funds MOTION by Howard, second by Flynn to recommend Article Q Voted 4 – 1 (Soper) Article R Water Fund Betterment ??? Borrow MOTION by Howard, second by Flynn to recommend Article R Voted 4 – 1 (Soper) Article S Water Meter Program $60,000 MOTION by Howard, second by Flynn to recommend Article S Voted 5 – 0 Article T Water Emergency Generator $150,000 MOTION by Howard, second by Flynn to recommend Article T Voted 5 – 0 Article U Water Purchase Truck $50,000 MOTION by Howard, second by Flynn to recommend Article U Voted 5 – 0 Article V Selectmen Revolving Account No Funds MOTION by Howard, second by Flynn to recommend Article V Voted 5 – 0 Article W Con Com Revolving Account No Funds MOTION by Howard, second by Flynn to Hold Article W Voted 5 – 0 Article X School Comm. All Day Kindergarten $350,000 Mrs. Marini explained that the office has been advised that the school is no longer pursuing the all day kindergarten. However the article can be replaced with an override article for the school budget. MOTION by Howard, second by Flynn to Hold Article X Voted 5 – 0 Article Y Petition Agricultural Comm. No Funds MOTION by Howard, second by Flynn to recommend Article Y Voted 5 – 0 Article Z Town Election Article No Funds MOTION by Howard, second by Flynn to recommend Article Z Voted 5 – 0 IV OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS – None Heard V ONE DAY LIQUOR LICENSES ~ Camp Kiwanee Ed Waller, Brewster, Sat. April 7^th 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. – Wedding Danielle Mooney, Brockton, Fri., April 27^th 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. – Party Solange Soares, Whitman, Sat., April 28^th 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. – Wedding MOTION by Howard, second by Flynn to grant the One Day Liquor licenses as presented. Voted 5 - 0 VI APPROVE MINUTES March 13, 2012 MOTION by Flynn, second by Howard to approve the Minutes of March 13, 2012 as printed. Voted 5 - 0 VII COMMITTEE REPORTS – Mr. Howard reported that he attended a watershed meeting in Halifax regarding the Monponsett Ponds. The group is looking into creating an area wide committee. Mr. Egan reported that he attended a Thomas Mill Committee meeting and there was some confusion as to who is in charge of the Thomas Mill. Members of the Thomas Mill Committee will be meeting with the Conservation Commission. Maquan School Building - Chairman Amico reported that he attended a building committee meeting. The next meeting is April 17^th at which time they will go over the work plan and evaluate the site. A meeting will be scheduled the week of April 2^nd with Police, Fire, Highway and Water to discuss the street plan for School Street. The final plan is due to MSBA on October 3, 2012. VIII EXECUTIVE SESSION – None IX ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Egan, second by Flynn to adjourn. Voted 5 - 0 9:45 p.m. Meeting Adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Meredith Marini, Executive Assistant Approved and Voted 5 - 0 April 3, 2012