Town of Hanson - Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes – Hanson Town Hall
September 11, 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 requested a moment of remembrance for the victims of September 11th. Mr. Amico read the announcements and upcoming meeting schedule.
Chairman Amico read a letter from Bob and Gay Barrows dated September 4, 2012, which was
hand-delivered prior to the meeting, thanking the fire department and ambulance staff for its assistance on three separate occasions during the last three months when Mr. Barrows required medical attention. Mr. and Mrs. Barrows also thanked the Pembroke Fire Department and Hanson Police Department.
II TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT - Mr. Read reported that he is still working with Town Counsel and the Building Inspector to resolve the sign issue at Sullivan’s, Inc. at 121 Franklin Street.
III NEW BUSINESS - Announcement pertaining to appointment of Interim Police Chief – Chairman Amico announced that on Friday, September 7, 2012 the Board voted to appoint former Carver Police Chief Arthur Parker as the Interim Police Chief.
IV ONE DAY LIQUOR LICENSES – Camp Kiwanee
Lorraine Lentini, Hanson, Sun., Sept. 23rd 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm – Wedding
MOTION by Howard, second by Soper to approve the one day liquor license as presented. Voted 5 - 0
V OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Finalize & Sign ~Warrant October Special Town Meeting Articles
Vote Warrant Article recommendations.
Mr. Read read the warrant articles from the warrant dated September 11, 2012.
Article 1 Unpaid bills - $150.00
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to recommend Article 1 on the warrant. Voted 5 - 0
Article 2 – School Assessment - $36,000
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to recommend Article 2
Chairman Amico questioned whether the School Committee could bring forth such article indicating that once the assessment was voted it could not be changed. Mr. Read indicated that a clerical error was made and it is not a change to the assessment. Voted 5 - 0
Article 3 – Transfer Station site assessment - $50,000
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to recommend Article 3 Voted 5 - 0
Article 4 – Engineering - $12,000
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to recommend Article 4
Mr. Soper inquired as to the types and costs of the projects. Mr. Read indicated that some of the work would be at Camp Kiwanee for the jetty system. Mrs. Marini informed the Board that the $4,000 engineering budget was depleted when the funds were used for the engineering costs for the removal of the underground storage tanks at Maquan School. The additional funds will be used to pay to subdivide the former Superintendents Building from the larger Plymouth County Hospital parcel and to design a single septic system for the house. Voted 5 - 0
Article 5 – Fire personnel - $27,200
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to recommend Article 5
Mr. Read indicated that the position was one that had not been backfilled after one of the firefighters took a position in another community. Voted 5 - 0
Article 6 – Benefits for fire personnel - $8,500
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to recommend Article 6 Voted 5 - 0
Article 7 – Woodbine Ave ext. engineering costs – $40,000 - Water Superintendent Neal Merritt indicated that the funds are necessary for design and engineering of the project. The costs will be folded into the betterment loan.
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to recommend Article 7 Voted 5 - 0
Article 8– Uni-directional flushing
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to recommend Article 8 Voted 5 - 0
Article 9– Water Salaries – $13,000
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to recommend Article 9
Mr. Flynn asked about the funding source coming from expense line. Mr. Merritt indicated that there is enough money in the expense line to cover the cost of the contract. Mr. Flynn asked if the contract be available by town meeting. Mr. Merritt indicated it would be available. Voted 5 - 0
Article 10 – Water Rate study - $30,000
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to recommend Article 10
Mr. Soper inquired as to the cost of the study. Mr. Merritt indicated the amount is a high estimate and anticipates it will be lower after they meet with the consultant. Voted 5 - 0
Article 11 Highway Radios - $16,000
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to recommend Article 11
Mr. Soper asked if the radios were a capital improvement item. Mr. Read indicated they were not as the capital improvement threshold is $25,000. Mr. Read will ascertain the number of radios. Voted 5 - 0
Article 12 – Signs and Lines $3,000
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to recommend Article 12.
Mr. Soper asked if $3,000 will be enough. Mr. Read indicated that amount is what the Highway surveyor has requested. Voted 5 - 0
Article 13 – Stormwater Management Mandate $30,000 –
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to recommend Article 13
Mr. Soper asked what the $30,000 will cover. Mr. Read read the following explanation:
This article will add funding required for consultant assistance in preparing workshops, Storm Water Planning, regulatory review, financial advocacy (loans/grants) and preliminary culvert mapping, to address the Environmental Protection Agency requirements for Phase II Storm Water Management, which is a Federal Mandate. Voted 5 - 0
Article 14 – Sander/Dump truck - $60,000 partial fund.
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to recommend Article 14.
Mr. Read indicated that the total price for the truck is between $120,000 - $150,000. Mr. Read explained he may increase the amount to partially fund based on the available free cash. Voted 5 - 0
Article 15 – CPC – Book scanner - $2,000
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to recommend Article 15. Voted 5 - 0
Article 16 – Add to Stabilization - $10,000
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to recommend Article 16
Mr. Read indicated that he may increase the amount once free cash is certified. The Board and Finance Committee concurred. Voted 5 - 0
Article 17 – Septic Loan Program –
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to recommend Article 17
Mr. Read suggested the article will best be explained by the Board of Health.
Mr. Egan withdraw motion and Howard withdrew second to Hold until BOH could attend the meeting.
Article 18 – Board of Selectmen Solid Waste contract -
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to recommend Article 18
Mr. Soper asked who is in Tier 1. Mr. Read indicated that the Tier I communities were the communities that joined in over 20 years ago. Mr. Soper asked about a 10 year contact and the benefit. Mr. Read indicated a long term contact would be the best rate for the Town. Mr. Soper is concerned whether SEMASS will give the Town a ten year contract. Mr. Read is confident that SEMASS will sign a ten year contract. Voted 5 - 0
Article 19 – Conservation – place PCH property in care in custody of Conservation –
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to recommend. Mr. Flynn requested that we defer to Town Meeting. Mr. Amico has an issue with the article as we have not determined what we are going to do with the remainder of the property. He felt that once the parcel is in Conservation it will take an act of the legislature to get it out. Mr. Egan feels that Town Meeting voted a plan and the use for open space and feels Conservation should have control of the property for the Bay Circuit Trail. Mr. Soper recused himself from discussion as an abutter. Mr. Flynn asked if the committee decided the use then why do we have to put it in Town Meeting. Mr. Egan explained the process of the hospital property. Mr. Flynn doesn’t see the need of placing it the care of Conservation. Voted 2 – 2 Amico & Flynn
Article 20 – Naming the Hanson Train Station
Chairman Amico questioned whether the Town had the authority to name the train station. Mr. Flynn indicated that the article is just to get Town Meeting Support. Mrs. Marini indicated that if the intention of the article was to petition the legislature, then the motion would have to be crafted accordingly.
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to recommend Article 20 Voted 5 - 0
Article 21 – Wage & personnel by-law
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to recommend Article 21 – Voted 4 – 1(Soper)
Article 22 – Stormwater By-laws –
MOTION by Egan, second by Flynn not to recommend Article 22
Mr. Egan would like to see the by-law in Zoning By-laws. Mrs. Marini explained she spoke with both the highway department and Town Counsel and was informed that since several different departments are involved in Stormwater management, Highway, Conservation, Board of Health and Planning that the by-law is best suited for the General By-laws. Mr. Egan was concerned that the authority would be with the Board of Selectmen which has no knowledge or expertise in Stormwater Management. Mr. Egan inquired whether the Board of Selectmen can delegate its authority to another elected Board such as Planning. Mr. Read would check.
Voted 2 – 3 Howard, Amico & Soper – The article will be recommended
Board of Health Chairman Tom Constantine arrived. The Board returned to Article 17 – Septic Loan Program – Change the loan interest rate from 5% to 2%
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to recommend Article 17
Mr. Constantine indicated that approximately 11 years ago the Town commenced participation into the septic loan program. Hanson Board of Health set the interest rate at 2 1/2 % which is contrary to Mass. General Law. During a review, the Department of Environmental Protection realized the discrepancy and has required that the Town to amend the rate. The Board of Health voted this evening to amend the rate at 2%. According to Mr. Constantine, the Board of Health has the authority to change the rate and does not need Town Meeting approval. Mr. Constantine indicated they are working on how to handle the loans which have been paid at 2 1/2% payers. All loans will be paid out at 2%. Mr. Constantine indicates that the 2% goes back into the loan system. Mr. Constantine did
not know what effect the change will have on Old Colony Planning and bonding. Mr. Egan questioned why the article going before Town Meeting if Board of Health can change the rate. Mr. Constantine feels it is a transparency issue and the residents should be aware of the situation.
Town Moderator, Sean Kealy asked if the Board of Health can make a statement instead of an article.
Mr. Constantine indicated that if the matter does not have to go to Town Meeting he will make a statement and move to passover the article at Town Meeting. Finance Committee Chairman, Pepper Santalucia indicated that when he used the program there was a tiered system based on the term of the loan. Mr. Constantine indicated the rate will be 2%. Voted 5 - 0
Article 23 – Junk Dealers & Collectors By-law
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to recommend Article 23 –
Mr. Flynn feels that Section 4 is too strong as it requests a Social Security number. He would like to have the social security number struck from the by-law. Mr. Flynn thinks it is too restrictive requiring photos of all articles. Mr. Kealy suggested changing the Social Security number to driver’s license. Mr. Egan and Mr. Howard withdrew motion and second. Mrs. Marini indicated that Town Counsel is still revising the verbiage.
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to Hold until Sept. 25th Voted 5 - 0
Article 24 – Floodplain By-law –
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to recommend Article 24
Mr. Flynn indicated that the Zoning By-law committee will be reviewing the by-law with the building inspector next week. Consequently, Mr. Flynn will abstain from the vote until there is more debate on the matter.
Mr. Egan withdrew is motion and Mr. Howard withdrew his second
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to hold Article 24 until September 25th Voted 5 - 0
Article 25 – Planning Board associate member
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to recommend Article 25 –
The Planning Board requested that the article be amended to make the appointment be a joint appointment between the Board of Selectmen and the Planning Board.
Voted 5 – 0 as amended
Article 26 - Deer Hill Ext. acceptance –
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to recommend Article 26 –
Mr. Soper asked once the street is accepted will it be plowed. Mr. Read indicated that it will become a public way and be plowed. Mrs. Marini indicated that both the Highway and Planning Board have send notice that the street is ready for acceptance. A hearing on the road layout is scheduled for next Tuesday, September 18th. Voted 5 - 0
Article 27 – Fawn Lane acceptance -
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to recommend Article 27 – Voted 5 - 0
VI EXECUTIVE SESSION -
Chairman Amico announced the Board would be going into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the reputation, character, physical condition or mental health, rather than professional competence, of an individual, or discuss the discipline or dismissal of, or complaints or charges against, a public officer, employee, staff member or individual. And to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non-union personnel or to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with non-union personnel.
So moved by Howard, second by Egan to go into Executive Session. Roll Call Flynn Aye, Howard Aye, Amico Aye, Egan Aye and Soper Aye. Voted 5 – 0.
8:47 p.m. Brief Recess
9:10 p.m. Returned to open session
VII ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Howard, second by Soper to adjourn. Voted 5 - 0
9:10 p.m. Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Meredith Marini,
Executive Assistant
Approved and Voted 4 – 0
September 25, 2012
| 
