Town of Hanson - Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes – Hanson Town Hall
January 22, 2013
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~ 7:30 p.m. Chairman Amico called the meeting to order, Chairman Amico led the Pledge of Allegiance read the announcements and upcoming meeting schedule. Chairman Amico requested a moment of silence Eva Burton, long-time member of the Council of Elder Affairs.
II NEW BUSINESS
Swearing-in – Fire Fighter Jared Murphy – Chief Thompson introduced new fire fighter Jared Murphy. Chief thanked everyone for coming. Mr. Murphy was hired to filled a vacancy. The position was advertised resulting in six candidates, who participated in an assessment center. Mr. Murphy was the top candidate. Mr. Murphy grew up in Hanson and graduated from South Shore Vocational Technical High School studying carpentry. He has been a call firefighter since 2007 and has worked for a private ambulance service. He graduated from the Fire Fighter academy and will be a good addition to the department. Town Clerk Elizabeth Sloan sworn in Mr. Murphy. Mr. Murphy’s mother, Barbara, pinned on his badge.
Appointment of Police Chief Search Comm. – Chairman Amico indicated that the Board received 13 applicants for the committee. Dr. Ruth Gilbert Whitner will represent the school and Father Mark Hannon will serve as the clergy. The following individuals received the highest number of votes from the Board.
Scott Billings 237 Cross Street
Kenny Mitchell 75 Hawthorne Street
John Norton 31 Indian Path
William Scott 328 Indian Head St.
Annette Stavrou 31 Birchbark Drive
Ruth Gilbert-Whitner, WHRSD Superintendent
Father John Mark Hannon, St. Joseph the Worker Church
MOTION by Howard, second by Egan to appoint the above members to the Police Chief Search Committee Voted 5 - 0
Mr. Flynn asked if there was a written mission statement for the committee. Mr. Read indicated the BadgeQuest will guide the committee and work toward for narrowing the police chief candidates.
Update from Representative Josh Cutler – Representative Cutler indicated that he held office hours at Hanson Town Hall this evening. He reported that the 9C cuts have been taken off the table for FY13. The Governor will be delivering House One budget on Wednesday, January 23rd. The House will begin working on its budget over the next few months. Rep. Cutler met with the Plymouth County delegation last week. He recognized Chief Thompson for securing the SAFE grant in the amount $4,000.00. Rep. Cutler indicated that the bill filing deadline was last Friday. He submitted a bill for disabled veterans at Veteran Agent’s Bob Arsenault’s request. The bill allows disabled veterans to continue to receive tax abatements as long as the veteran or
surviving spouse lives in the domicile.
Rep. Cutler indicated he has re-filed a bill that Representative Webster had previously filed regarding taxation for cell phone bundles. He has also filed a bill to increase the hours of the HOV lane. Rep. Cutler is always available to meet with constituents, but does not yet have a permanent office at the State House. Once his office is assigned he will print business cards.
Waste Zero Presentation – John Craig of WasteZero made a presentation regarding Pay As You Throw. Mr. Crag had previously met with the Board of Health. Mr. Craig is the Director of Municipal partnerships. Mr. Craig has been with them for 5 years and had previously worked for Natick public works. Natick uses the WasteZero program. Mr. Craig thanked Chris Callahan for his assistance with providing the background and transfer station usage figures. Mr. Craig indicated that Hanson issues approximately 3,250 stickers to the Hanson Transfer Station. The current tipping fee is $34.50 and will increase to over $70.00 in 2014. WasteZero provides a complete turnkey program and offers different types of programs from variable
rate carts, overflow containers, tag to bag and specialized bags. WasteZero has been in business for over 20 years. The company is convenient and user-friendly. Bags will be available with fair price and no capital expenditure. The Towns of Malden and Duxbury use the system and their recycling has increased by triple. They try to customize the program for each community. They serve over 80 communities in Massachusetts. The purpose is to reduce trash in the town. It usually takes 3 to 6 months to launch the program. WasteZero manufactures their own bags. They will stock all the stores in the area. WasteZero will assist with program design, bag pricing, program launch plan, communications via press and media, retail distribution. They do all the accounting and reporting of the program and provide toll free support for residents. WasteZero representatives will attend outreach programs and educate the
community.
WasteZero estimates $244,000 in revenues for the bags. They will provide a financial summary and environmental summary. There are five steps to start the program: Benefit analysis, Preliminary Planning, Issue RFP, Finalize Program and seek approval and Program Launch and Management.
Chairman Amico inquired as to cost to implement. Mr. Craig indicated that WasteZero will take a share of revenue or savings depending on the number of people participating. They are very competitive. $2.00 per bag Average use of bags is 1.25 bags per week. They will provide the customer service and set up the pricing for the bags and structure it for Hanson. They will be competitive. They don’t charge until after the RFP stage ~ Step 3.
Mr. Howard not in favor of paying $2.00 a bag when he can use free bags from local stores. Mr. Egan pointed out that if the PAYT isn’t implemented than an increase will be either at the tax level or a sticker fee. Mr. Soper is in favor of program, but feels residents will not support the program if they do not know where the current funding for the transfer station is going. Will the PAYT subsidize the transfer station. Recycling Committee member Joe Pelligra echoed Mr. Soper’s concern. Mr. Pelligra noted that residents should be aware that the Town does not have provide a Transfer Station facility. Chairman Amico indicated the Town needs to know what the program will cost the residents.
Mr. Egan points out that residents need to understand that we are facing an increase in the cost of trash disposal and the Town needs to determine where the money is going. Mr. Craig said WasteZero will work with the town and come up with a plan.
Mr. Flynn inquired about the staffing and current employees. Mr. Craig indicated that you would keep them, but their focus would be on other jobs such as recycling. Mr. Read has done a budget analysis on the staffing. The layout of the transfer station will have to be adjusted.
The Board discussed the budget of the transfer station and how the PAYT program will save the Town.
High Street resident Bob Wandell asked what will happen to the money that is saved. Will it go to another department? What keeps the cost of the bags increasing from 2 to $8.00 per bag? He feels it is another tax on the residents. Mr. Egan pointed out that the residents make the decision where the money is spent.
Claire Sullivan of the South Shore Recycling Cooperative indicated you can set your bag fee based on the increase of the tipping fees. She also suggested an enterprise fund to keep the fees in the Transfer Station.
Janine Delaney of Mass. DEP pointed out that a small percentage of the tax base runs the program. DEP will provide assistance. She feels the savings will be seen quicker than a few years. She has worked with WasteZero in Duxbury. Last year the cost was $5.00 per participating household. Some communities are pulling out of the trash business completely. Ms. Delaney will be working with Hanson on different recyclable contracts such a batteries, textiles etc.
Mr. Flynn feels that security at the transfer station is an issue. Transfer Station Attendant, Christopher Callahan indicated that a new entrance gate will be necessary Mr. Read indicated that he plans to increase the staffing at the Transfer Station and will include funding for it as part of his budget recommendation.
Class II License Renewal - Wheels n Deals 875 Monponsett Street
MOTION by Howard, second by Egan to renewal Class II license for Wheels n Deals. Voted 5 - 0
III TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Update on the Police Chief Search process – Mr. Read reported that 48 people of have applied for the position of Police Chief. Advertisement for the position closed last week.
Factory Pond Dam - Mr. Read reported that last month the Town of Hanson received notification from the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) via a Certificate of Non-Compliance and Dam Safety Order reporting that the Factory Pond dam is in need of repair and the Town must bring it into compliance with dam safety regulations.
On Wednesday, January 16, 2013, he, along with Town Planner/Conservation Agent Laurie Muncy, Emergency Management Director Jerry Thompson, Don Howard, Conservation Commission Chairman Frank Schellenger and Al Hanscom met with representatives from the Town of Hanover to discuss strategies in order to remedy this situation.~ He reported that both towns are working together to respond to the DCR’s directive, determining (through engineering) the proper course of corrective actions necessary, ensuring that funding is in place to take the appropriate measures, and moving forward with any necessary repairs to ensure that the dam is brought into compliance by the deadline of January 13, 2014. The dam does not pose an eminent threat to public safety and is not in danger of collapse.
Chairman Amico reported that he traveled with the Highway Department during the first snow storm. He acknowledged the job that the highway personnel do. He was extremely impressed with all that staff and contractors.
IV OLD BUSINESS
Hanson Food Pantry Lease – Mr. Read reported that he met with representatives from the Hanson Food Pantry and we have largely concluded our review of the proposed document.~ They have agreed to the terms of the lease and the Food Pantry is in the process of obtaining some additional information which Mr. Read will secure. Mr. Read recommended that the Board sign off on the lease.
MOTION by Egan, second by Flynn to sign the lease with the Hanson Food Pantry for the former BCI building. Voted 3 – 0 Mr. Howard and Mr. Soper recused themselves from the vote.
V COMMITTEE REPORTS
Maquan/Indian Head School Building Comm. - Mr. Amico reported that the meeting was held last week. Two proposals a two floor option and a three floor option. The committee recommended the two floor option to the MSBA. Lower level will be pre-k k and grade 1. There will be another meeting on February 13th. They hope to have plans for the May Town Meeting.
VI EXECUTIVE SESSION – Chairman Amico announced that the Board would be going into Executive Session 1.) For the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to collective bargaining since an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigating and bargaining position of the Town and 2.) to discuss the reputation, character, physical condition or mental health, rather than professional competence, of an individual. The Board will come out only to adjourn.
SO Moved by Howard, second by Flynn Roll Call Flynn Aye, Howard Aye, Amico Aye, Egan Aye and Soper Aye. Voted 5 – 0.
9:27 p.m. Brief Recess
9:38 p.m. Returned to open session
VII ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Howard, second by Flynn to adjourn. Voted 5 – 0
9:40 p.m. Meeting Adjourned
Respectfully submitted
Meredith Marini,
Executive Assistant
Approved and Voted 5 - 0
March 5, 2013
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