Town of Hanson - Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes – Hanson Town Hall
May 1, 2012 – 7:30 p.m.
Members Present: Stephen Amico, James Egan, Richard Flynn, and Donald Howard
Members Absent: David Soper
Others Present: Town Administrator Rene’ J. Read and Executive Assistant Meredith Marini, Town Counsel
I 7:33 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
Safe Routes to Schools – Mr. Read informed the Board that Marianne DiMastico, Chair of Green Hanson, has asked that our office present to the Board of Selectmen information having to do with the Safe Routes to Schools program.~
As Ms. DMastico has explained, “Indian Head and Maquan Schools have been part of the Mass. Safe Routes to School program for almost two years and are now eligible to apply for a no-cost assessment of walking and biking access opportunities for the schools. The town would then get in line for some of the state and federal funds for improvements. The application requires that the town chief executive sign a letter of support.”~ Ms. DiMastico has provided a template for a letter of support for this program to Mr. David J. Mohler, Executive Director, Office of Transportation Planning at MassDOT . Mr. Read recommended that the Board authorize him to sign a letter of support.
MOTION by Howard, second by Egan to authorize Mr. Read to forward a letter of support for Safe Routes to Schools program. Voted 4 - 0
Update regarding Fire Department – use of town-owned building for training – Mr. Read informed the Board that he has been advised by Chief Thompson that the Fire Department will be using the house on High St. for training. ~The training being conducted will not cause any damage to the structure and once the date or dates have been secured, Chief Thompson will forward them to our office and the Board will be notified.
Update regarding Health department staffing changes - Health Agent – Mr. Read informed the Board that the Health Agent Vincent Flaherty has retired effective April 27, 2012.~ Mr. Read expects to have the position posted for the purpose of seeking applicants tomorrow.
Administrative Assistant to the Board of Health – Mr. Read reported that the office received 23 applications for the position of Administrative Assistant to the Board of Health.~ Of those 23 applicants, 9 were selected for interviews by the interview committee consisting of Mrs. Marini, Chairman Edgehille and Mr. Read. The Board of Health will be reviewing Mr. Read’s recommendation this evening. Mr. Read will notify the Board of the Board of Health selection.
III NEW BUSINESS
Class I Dealers License – Kenneth Valliere - KNK Cycle 1625A Main Street –
Mr. Valliere was present indicated that he will be conducting sales and repairs to motorcycles. Mr. Valliere has been working out of his house in Plymouth and needs a bigger place. Chairman Amico indicated that 1615 Main Street is the physical address and 1625A Main is the mailing address.
MOTION by Howard, second by Egan approve the Class I license at 1615 Main Street Voted 4 - 0
Set the Polling Hours – The Town Clerk requested the Board set the polling hours for the Annual Town Election on Saturday, May 19th from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Maquan Elementary School
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to set the polling hours as requested by the Town Clerk.
Voted 4 - 0
Resignation – David Harris from Community Preservation Committee – Chairman Amico read Mr. Harris’ letter dated April 18, 2012 noting his resignation from the Community Preservation Committee effective June 1, 2012
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to accept with regret Mr. Harris’ resignation. Voted 4 - 0
Vote to approve line transfers in accordance with Ch. 44, Sec. 33B – Mrs. Marini explained this an annual occurrence. Chapter 44, Section 33B allows for transfers between budget line with the approval of the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee.
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to accept Ch. 44, Section 33B to authorized line item transfers for FY2012. Voted 4 - 0
Vote to accept a donation of mulch from Newcomb Tree Service – Chairman Amico indicated that he had spoken with Newcomb Tree Service who has offered to donate mulch for the Town Hall, Fire Station and Police Station.
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to accept the donation of mulch for Town buildings from Newcomb Tree Service. Voted 4 - 0
IV OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Town Meeting Preparation and Review of all articles – The Finance Committee, Assessors, Town Clerk Elizabeth Sloan, Chief Thompson, Interim Highway Surveyor Robert Brown, Moderator Charles Mann, Recreation Chairman David Blauss and Town Counsel Jeffrey Blake were present to review the warrant articles. The Board members moved all their articles for both the Special and Annual Town Meeting Warrants.
Mr. Read read the information from the website explaining the new budget format.
Attached is a copy of the Fiscal Year 2013 Budget which will be presented to the voters at Town Meeting on Monday, May 7, 2012 at the Hanson Middle School.
You may note that the budget document is formatted somewhat differently than prior years.~ We are now able to produce a true omnibus budget document that is clearer to understand and more accurately depicts departmental expenditures.~ This new format essentially provides for two lines per department – a salary line and an expense line.
In the past, the all of the clerical union salaries were allocated to the Selectmen’s budget line but under this new format, we are able to segregate wages to each individual department resulting in a more accurate depiction of the true costs per department.
In addition, utilities have been divided amongst the respective town buildings.~ In years past, utility costs were voted as one line.~ Now the department heads in each building are able to budget for their own heating and electric costs which again results in a more accurate accounting for each department.
Consequently, you will note what appears to be significant increases in the both the wage and expense lines in some departments as a result of these adjustments.~ It is important to understand that while some of these costs appear to have increased, other lines have proportionately decreased as a result of these shifts.~ Again, the point of this reconfiguration is to give the citizens a better means of determining what it actually costs to run each of our Town departments.
For comparative purposes, also attached is the detailed budget which was presented to and reviewed and approved by both the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee over the past four months.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Selectmen’s Office at
781-293-2131.
Special Town Meeting articles 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 were corrected, as the sources should refer to the June 2011 Special Town Meeting not the June 2011 Annual Town Meeting.
Mr. Depina thanked Mr. Read for his work on the budget.
Mr. Hayes asked if the amount for the School budget can be increased by a motion from the floor. Moderator Charles Mann does not feel it is an appropriate motion as it will be increasing a line. Town Counsel Jeffrey Blake indicated that the Town was put on notice of the amount for the school budget and the amendment would be beyond the scope of the article. Mr. Hayes disagrees and feels the fact that the school committee requested a higher number which appears on the budget is notice enough.
Mr. Flynn was concerned that the school ballot question does not explain that it is a Proposition 2 ½ override and the fire engine is a capital exclusion for only one year. Town Clerk Beth Sloan indicate that she would check to see if an explanation can be posted outside the polling area describing the types of questions.
Rene thanked everyone for coming to review the warrant articles.
Vote recommendation of Article 23 Annual Town Meeting – Conservation Commission Revolving - Mr. Flynn questioned the purpose of the revolving fund. Mr. Read explained that the funds will be generated by fees collected by Conservation and will be limited to $7,500. Mr. Read is not concerned about the amount and does not feel it will have a negative impact on the budget or the general fund.
MOTION by Howard, second by Egan to recommended Article 23 for the Conservation Commission revolving account. Voted 4 - 0
V ONE DAY LIQUOR LICENSES – CAMP KIWANEE
Audrey Flanagan, Hanson Sunday, May 6th 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. fundraiser
Carl McPhee, Pembroke, Fri., May 11th 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. – Party
Hanson Girls Softball, Hanson, Fri., May 18th 7:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. – Dance
MOTION by Howard, second by Egan to approve the one day liquor license as printed. Voted 4 - 0
VI APPROVE MINUTES
April 17, 2012
MOTION by Howard, second by Egan to approve the minutes of April 17, 2012 as presented.
Voted 4- 0
VII COMMITTEE REPORTS - - None heard
VIII EXECUTIVE SESSION – Chairman Amico announced the Board would be going into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing pending litigation since an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the Town. The Board will come out of Executive Session only to adjourn.
MOTION by Howard, second by Egan to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing pending litigation since an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the Town. Roll Call Flynn Aye, Howard Aye, Amico Aye, and Egan Aye.. Voted 4 – 0.
8:55 p.m. Brief Recess
9:42 p.m. Returned to open session
IX ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to adjourn. Voted 4 – 0
9:43 p.m. Meeting Adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Meredith Marini
Executive Assistant
Approved and Voted 4 – 0 – 1(Soper
May 22, 2012
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