Town of Hanson - Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes – Hanson Town Hall
April 16, 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 and requested a Moment of silence for the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing on Monday, April 15, 2013. Chairman Amico read the announcements and upcoming meeting schedule.
II TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT- None heard
III NEW BUSINESS
Swear in new police officer Sarah Fantasia – Chief Parker introduced Sarah Fantasia who comes Hanson with 11 years of police experience 8 years at Boston College Police. Officer Fantasia’s family, her husband and three children, were in attendance. Town Clerk Elizabeth Sloan sworn in Ms. Fantasia who thanked the Board and the Chief for their consideration.
Police Chief Search Committee – Committee Chairman, Kenneth Mitchell submitted a report from the Police Chief Search Committee recommending Lt. Jeffrey Silva of New Bedford Police and Michael Miksch, current Carver Police Chief. The candidates will be in for interviews next Tuesday,
April 23, 2013. Mr. Mitchell thanked the Committee members for their work. The Committee provided their report as well as the assessment center results. Mr. Amico thanked the Search Committee for their work
Agricultural Commission – Request Board reconsider its recommendation on Right to Farm Article – Annual Town Meeting Article 24 – Agricultural Commission member Teresa Santalucia was present to explain the Right to Farm By-law. Commission members Dean and Ruth Sylvester and Nancy Cappellini were also present. The by-law was drafted by the Attorney General of the Commonwealth. According to Ms. Santalucia as of December 24, 2012, 124 communities have adopted the by-law. She explained that the by-law does not establish animal regulations. It does not supersede any other regulation – zoning, general by-law, wetlands. She pointed out that the by-law is not strictly animals, but other components bogs, bees etc.
The by-law demonstrates that Towns support for Agriculture and it restates the state laws which are already in place. The by-law has a notice provision to newcomers that there will be agriculture in the Town. It puts developers on notice as well. The point of the by-law is to head off conflicts and establishes a process for complaints. The Agricultural Commission offers insight to various Boards and Committees The process would be that the complaint goes to Town Administrator and then he/she forwards it to the relevant committee. The relevant committee would be referred to the Agricultural Commission who will mediate the issue. All members of the Agricultural Commission have agricultural background. The Commission would make a recommendation to the appropriate
Board or Committee. When health and safety matters are it stake, the appropriate Board can act immediately. The Commission has resources which they can bring to the table if necessary. Ms. Santalucia explained that the establishment of the by-law gives the Town additional points for grants.
If the by-law is not passed, the State laws are in place.
Mr. Flynn asked about a pig farm. Ms. Santalucia pointed out that there are two sets of animal regulation already in place in Hanson through the Board of Health – pigs and horses. Pigs are governed by the State. Hanson’s regulations for pigs required that they must be housed on a slab. There are currently no set back with respect to animals.
The Agricultural Commission would meet with property owners, discuss best practices and make a recommendation to the Board of Health or appropriate Board. Mr. Flynn asked if the Commission is in favor of set backs. Ms. Santalucia explained that set backs are zoning issues and not addressed by the Agricultural Commission. She pointed out that all the lots in town are different sizes and shapes.
The Complaints should be in writing even anon. complaints. Zoning By Law Committee would have to establish its own by-laws with respect to set backs and animals.
Ms. Santalucia indicated that a seller certificate must be provided to the buyer. She cited an example of an incident with a complaint of animal odors and the Commission assisted with the property owner. Eleven complaints have come in and ten of them were for one location and many were anonymous. She feels the notice component will assist with some of the complaints.
Mr. Egan points out that the Town doesn’t have set backs, but should and the creation of the by-law should include input from the Agricultural Commission. He feels the Right to Farm by-law is a step in the right direction.
Commission meets the third Thursday of the month and many people have attended and participated.
Mr. Soper inquired who notifies the buyer regarding the seller certification. Ms. Santalucia indicate it is the responsibility of the Seller. The commission recommended that annually the land owners be notified of their obligation to notify prospective buyers. The Commission suggested the reminder be in the annual census or the tax bills. The Commission will post on the website. She points out it is only a disclosure.
MOTION by Soper, second by Egan to reconsider recommendation of Article 24. – Mr. Flynn indicated that he is not ready to vote. Voted 4 – 1 Flynn
MOTION by Soper, second by Howard to recommend Article 24 – Right to Farm By-law. Voted 4 – 1 (Flynn)
Discussion relative to the Notice of Sale of Hanson Grange 782 Main Street – Mr. Read indicated that he has received notice from Attorney Vogler dated April 5, 2013 that an offer has been made for the purchase of the Hanson Grange in the amount of $115,000. The Town has the option for first refusal.
MOTION by Soper, second by Egan to wave right of first refusal to purchase the Hanson Grange building at 782 Main Street. Voted 4 – 0 -1 Flynn
Laura Kemmett of the Community Preservation Committee inquired about the use of the building. Mr. Amico indicated that the potential owner is looking to renovate the building for a dance studio. He pointed out that the Grange had been the venue of several community events and dances.
IV ONE DAY LIQUOR LICENSES –Camp Kiwanee
Carolann Nickerson, Weymouth, Sat., May 4th 2:00 – 7:00 p.m. Wedding
Lenna Sweeney, Hanson, Sun., May 5th 11:00 - 4:00 p.m. Fundraiser
Caitlin Greely, Whitman, Sat., May 11th 5:00 – 10:00 p.m. – Wedding
Meredith Graham, Halifax, Sat., May 25th 5:00 – 10:00 p.m. – Wedding
Meghan Admirand, Weymouth, Sun., May 26th 4:00 – 9:00 p.m. – Wedding
MOTION by Howard, second by Soper approve one day licenses as presented – Voted 5 - 0
V COMMITTEE REPORTS
Town Administrator Search – Search Committee Chairman John Norton informed the board that the Committee has narrowed field to 12 to 15 candidates, will conduct interviews and the committee will send a list to the Board of Selectmen in the next few weeks.
Maquan School Building Comm. – Mr. Amico indicated that he will have more info on the April 30th meeting. The committee will be holding an informational presentation at the May Town Meeting. The architects and Project Manager will be on hand to answer questions. Mr. Norton asked if the land will perc. Mr. Amico indicated that the property has been perced.
VI EXECUTIVE SESSION - Chairman Amico announced that the Board would be going into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation and conducting collective bargaining sessions since an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the Town.
MOTION 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.
8:30 p.m. Brief Recess
10:28 p.m. Return to Open Session
VII ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Howard, second by Flynn to adjourn Voted 5 – 0
10:29 p.m. Meeting Adjourned
Respectfully submitted,
Meredith Marini,
Executive Assistant
Approved and Voted 5 – 0
October 1, 2013
| 
