Town of Hanson - Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes – Hanson Town Hall
September 4, 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.
II TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
BCI Building RFP Update – Mr. Read reported the Town Counsel has provided a draft Request for Proposal. He explained that the Request for Proposal must be advertised in the Central Register for 30 days. Mr. Read indicated that a license could be issued to the Hanson Food Pantry as a bridge until the RFP period has been completed.
Update on Solid Waste Disposal – Mr. Read reported on that a contract is being reviewed for solid waste disposal services. An article has been placed on the warrant to authorize the Town to enter into a long term contract for solid waste disposal.
III NEW BUSINESS
Rod & Gun Club presentation – Mr. Watson of the Hanson Rod and Gun Club was in attendance to present the Town with a plaque citing their of appreciation for the allowing the annual fishing derby. The Board thanked Mr. Watson for the plaque and his attendance at the meeting.
Designate Board Member for Highway Board of Review – Mr. Read explained that a highway employee has been out sick for more than 10 days which requires a Board of Review. Mr. Soper volunteer to serve on the Board of Review.
MOTION by Egan second by Howard to designate David Soper as the Board’s designee on the Highway Union Board of Review. Voted 5 - 0
Discussion regarding stocking trout at Wampatuck Pond – Mr. Flynn indicated that he had been information that Mass. Fisheries and Wildlife will stock ponds which have public access. Mr. Flynn feels it will help promote fishing at the pond if the pond were stocked. According to Mr. Flynn, the trout will survive 8 to 10 months for sport fishing. Mr. Flynn offered to draft a letter to Mass. Fisheries and Wildlife requesting that Wampatuck Pond be stocked.
MOTION by Flynn, second by Soper to solicit the State to stock Wampatuck Pond with trout next Spring. Voted 5 - 0
Vote to place Water Commission vacancy on May 18, 2013 Ballot – The Town Clerk forwarded a memo requested that the Board place the Water Commissioner vacancy May 2013 election ballot. The vacancy was created when Bruce Young resigned in August.
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard that the Town Clerk place on the May 18, 2013 Town Election ballot the two year term for Water Commissioner created by the resignation of Bruce Young.
Voted 5 - 0
Discuss political sign issue – Mr. Read reviewed the matter and the actions taken by the Building Inspection relative to the signs at Sullivan’s Inc. on Franklin Street. The property owner will file an appeal with the Board of Appeals. Mr. Read indicated it is not a free speech issue but a by-law issue. Mr. Read hopes to have the matter resolved within the next few weeks.
Mr. Read indicated that the Board of Selectmen has no jurisdiction in the matter, but pointed out that the Zoning Board of Appeals will be handling the matter.
IV OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Review Warrant October Special Town Meeting Articles
Article 1 Unpaid bills
MOTION by Flynn, second by Egan to place Article 1 on the warrant. Voted 4 – 0 – 1 Soper
Article 2 – School Assessment
MOTION by Flynn, second by Egan to place Article 2 on the warrant. Voted 4 – 0 – 1 Soper
Article 3 – Transfer Station site assessment
MOTION by Flynn, second by Egan to place Article 3 on the warrant. Voted 4 – 0 – 1 Soper
Article 4 – Engineering
MOTION by Flynn, second by Egan to place Article 4 on the warrant. Voted 4 – 0 – 1 Soper
Article 5 – Maquan UST
MOTION by Flynn, second by Egan to strike Article 5 from the warrant. Voted 4 – 0 – 1 Soper
Article 6 – Fire personnel
MOTION by Flynn, second by Egan to place Article 6 on the warrant for discussion. Mr. Egan was seeking assurance that this is the time for bringing the position back and that it is sustainable. Mr. Read indicated that he has spoken with both the Chief and the interim Town Accountant who have indicated that the position will be sustainable. Voted 4 – 0 – 1 Soper
Article 7 – Benefits for fire personnel
MOTION by Flynn, second by Egan to place Article 7 on the warrant. Voted 4 – 0 – 1 Soper
Article 8 – Woodbine Ave ext. engineering costs – Mr. Flynn asked whether the Betterment will reimburse the costs. Mr. Read will check with the Water Department and Treasurer.
MOTION by Flynn, second by Egan to place Article 8 on the warrant. Voted 4 – 0 – 1 Soper
Article 9 – Uni-directional flushing
MOTION by Flynn, second by Egan to place Article 9 on the warrant. Voted 4 – 0 – 1 Soper
Article 10 – Water Salaries –
MOTION by Flynn, second by Egan to place Article 10 on the warrant. Voted 4 – 0 – 1 Soper
Article 11 – Highway Radios $16,000
MOTION by Flynn, second by Egan to place Article 11 on the warrant. Voted 4 – 0 – 1 Soper
Article 12 – Signs and Lines $3,000
MOTION by Flynn, second by Egan to place Article 12 on the warrant. Voted 4 – 0 – 1 Soper
Article 13 – Stormwater Management Mandate $30,000 – Mr. Flynn requested additional information as to what the funds will provide.
MOTION by Flynn, second by Egan to place Article 13 on the warrant. Voted 4 – 0 – 1 Soper
Article 14 – Sander/Dump truck - $60,000 partial fund – Mr. Read explained that the Highway Department does not need the vehicle this year. However, he recommends partially funding the purchase while the Town has the fund, which will reduce the burden the following year. Mr. Flynn supports for partial funding.
MOTION by Flynn, second by Egan to place Article 14 on the warrant. Voted 4 – 0 – 1 Soper
Article 15 – Veterans agent – Mr. Read does not recommend that article. He has spoken with the Veterans’ agent and the article it is no longer necessary
MOTION by Flynn, second by Egan to strike Article 15 from the warrant. Voted 4 – 0 – 1 Soper
Article 16 – CPC – Book scanner
MOTION by Flynn, second by Egan to place Article 16 on the warrant. Voted 4 – 0 – 1 Soper
Article 17 – Board of Health for Assistant Health agent – Mr. Read indicated that no funding source was cited in the proposed article. Mr. Read noted that he believed it was premature to create the position as more information was needed. Mr. Flynn stated that he believed that the voters should decide.
MOTION by Flynn to place Article 17 on the warrant. No second was heard.
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to strike article 17 from the warrant Vote 3 – 1 – 1 Flynn, Soper
Article 18 – Add to Stabilization
MOTION by Flynn, second by Egan to place Article 18 on the warrant. Voted 4 – 0 – 1 Soper
Article 19 – Septic Loan Program – Mr. Read indicates that he has been working with counsel on this particular.
MOTION by Flynn, second by Egan to place Article 19 on the warrant. Voted 4 – 0 – 1 Soper
Article 20 – Board of Selectmen Solid Waste contract - Mr. Soper asked who determines the term of the contract. Mr. Read indicated that the Town will dictate the terms.
MOTION by Flynn, second by Egan to place Article 20 on the warrant. Voted 4 – 0 – 1 Soper
Article 21 – Conservation – place PCH property in care in custody of Conservation – Mr. Amico noted that this article was passed over at a previous town meeting. Mr. Howard asked about the trails and the purpose of the property. Mr. Egan indicated that the portion of the property has been set aside for conservation and open space purposes.
MOTION by Flynn, second by Egan to place Article 21 on the warrant. Voted 4 – 0 – 1 Soper
Article 22 – Naming the Hanson Train Station
MOTION by Flynn, second by Egan to place Article 22 on the warrant. Voted 4 – 0 – 1 Soper
Article 23 – Wage & personnel by-law
MOTION by Flynn, second by Egan to place Article 23 on the warrant. Voted 4 – 0 – 1 Soper
Article 24 – Water Dept. ~ Mrs. Marini explained that the previous submitted article was written for a by-law. However, the Water Department requested that the following verbiage substituted in its place:
To see if the Town will vote to transfer $30,000 from Water Surplus for a water rate study, or take any other action in relation thereto.
Proposed by the Board of Water Commissioners
EXPLANATION: This study will review existing rates to ensure that the operations and maintenance as well as the capital improvement needs of the Department can be adequately funded. Water service fees and charges will also be reviewed.
MOTION by Flynn, second by Egan to place Article 24 on the warrant. Voted 4 – 0 – 1 Soper
Article 25 – Stormwater Bylaws – Mr. Egan feels that the article should be placed in the zoning by-laws not the general by-laws. Mr. Egan indicates the supervision should be in the jurisdiction of the Planning Board not the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Flynn asked who regulates the by-law and is the Town currently in violation.
MOTION by Flynn, second by Howard to place Article 25 on the warrant. Voted 3 – 1 – 1 Egan, Soper
Article 26 – Pawn shops – Mrs. Marini indicated that Town Counsel is reviewing the verbiage and will be providing revisions.
MOTION by Flynn, second by Egan to place Article 26 on the warrant. Voted 4 – 0 – 1 Soper
Article 27 – As of right – Mrs. Marini informed the Board that she has spoken with members of the Energy Committee and they are not ready to move forward at this time. The article can be pulled.
MOTION by Flynn, second by Egan to strike Article 27 from the warrant. Voted 4 – 0 – 1 Soper
Article 28 – Flood plain by-law – Mr. Flynn indicated that the Zoning By-law committee will be reviewing the by-law with the building inspector next week.
MOTION by Flynn, second by Egan to place Article 28 on the warrant. Voted 4 – 0 – 1 Soper
Article 29 – Planning board associate member
MOTION by Flynn, second by Egan to place Article 29 on the warrant. Voted 4 – 0 – 1 Soper
Article 30 - Deer Hill Ext. acceptance – Mrs. Marini explained that a street acceptance hearing will be held on Sept. 18
MOTION by Flynn, second by Egan to place Article 30 on the warrant. Voted 4 – 0 – 1 Soper
Article 31 – Fawn Lane acceptance
MOTION by Flynn, second by Egan to place Article 31 on the warrant. Voted 4 – 0 – 1 Soper
V ONE DAY LIQUOR LICENSES
Kris Keller – Shriners Children Hospital Burn Center – 1486 Main Street – Sat., Sept. 8th Request for a One Day Liquor License & Entertainment License. Mrs. Marini explained that the original event had been cancelled due to rain.
Mr. Amico read a letter from Kris Keller requesting a rain date of September 8th.
MOTION by Flynn, second by Egan to grant the one day liquor license Voted 3 – 1- 1 Amico, Howard
Hanson Children’s Museum Thurs., Oct. 25th 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm Senior Center – Ladies Night
MOTION by Flynn, second Egan to grant the one day liquor license Voted 5 – 0
MOTION by Flynn, second Egan to grant a one day entertainment license to Kris Keller. Voted 3 – 2 (Amico & Howard)
VI APPOVE MINUTES
August 21, 2012
MOTION by Flynn, second Egan to approve the minutes as presented. Voted 4 – 0 – 1 Soper
VII COMMITTEE REPORTS - Monponsett Watershed Association – Mr. Howard reported that the Association met in Halifax and voted officers. The next meeting is September 27th at 7:00 p.m. in Halifax. There will be a discussion on the solar-bees. The Monponsett Watershed members will be attending the Pembroke Watershed meeting which is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 6 at 7:30 p.m. The group is soliciting members.
Oldham Pond Committee – Mr. Flynn indicated that they introduced Al Hanscom to the committee. Mr. Hanscom presented some great options for the town and suggested types of funding. Mr. Hanscom also recommended a mini treatment plant or a community system in the area of Lakeside road which will decrease the nitrates in the water.
VIII EXECUTIVE SESSION - Chairman Amico announced that the Board will be going into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to pending litigation in regards to McGovern vs. Town.
So moved by Egan, second by Howard to go into executive session. Roll Call Flynn Aye, Howard Aye, Amico Aye, Egan Aye and Soper Aye. Voted 5 – 0.
8:40 p.m. Brief Recess
8:55 p.m. Returned to open session
IX ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Egan, second by Soper to adjourn. Voted 5 - 0
8:55 p.m. Meeting Adjourned
Respectfully submitted,
Meredith Marini,
Executive Assistant
Approved and Voted 4 – 0
September 25, 2012
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