Town of Hanson - Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes – Hanson Town Hall
December 3, 2013
Members Present: Steven Amico, James Egan, Donald Howard and David Soper
Members Absent: Richard Flynn
Others Present: Town Administrator Ronald San Angelo and
Executive Assistant Meredith Marini
I~ 7:35 p.m. Chairman Egan called the meeting to order, led the pledge allegiance, read the announcements & upcoming meeting schedule. Mr. Egan indicated that he would be taking the agenda out of order.
II NEW BUSINESS - Swear in New Fire Fighter Peter O’Brien – Chief Thompson thanked the Board and introduced Peter O’Brien the newest member of the Hanson Fire Department. Fire Fighter O’Brien is filling a position which has been vacant for 2 ½ years. He is a licensed electrician and a graduate of South Shore Vocational Technical High School. Chief Thompson explained that he started the hiring process when the funding was approved in
May 2013. Fire Fighter O’Brien scored the highest in the assessment process. He has completed the training at the Fire Academy. Fire Fighter O’Brien was sworn in by Town Clerk Elizabeth Sloan and was pinned by his two sons. Fire Fighter O’Brien thanked Chief Thompson for giving him the opportunity to become a fire fighter and he thanked his wife and sons and the other members of the Fire Department.
III TOWN ADMINISTRATORS REPORT Mr. San Angelo gave an update on his recent activities.
Nor’easter Emergency Response Training – Mr. San Angelo indicated that a meeting was held at the Hanson Police Department which he attended along with members of the police department, fire department, highway department, water department, health department and Don Howard. The purpose of the meeting was to prepare for upcoming storms and to understand all the issues that may be involved before, during, and after the storm. This training will allow all town employees to be better prepared for upcoming storms.
Budget Review of Departmental Budgets – Mr. San Angelo reported that eight department budgets have been reviewed with respective department heads, town accountant, assistant to the selectmen, and the town administrator. He is in the formal process of reviewing all budgets and understanding the needs of the departments.
School Building Committee – Mr. San Angelo indicated that the efforts are continuing to inform the public with regard to the potential building of the new school. He is currently in the process of reviewing various financing options in order to reduce the burden on taxpayers.
Hanson Strategic Plan - The Goals and Objective Ranking Sheet has been posted to the website. The office continues to collect ranking sheets. Mr. San Angelo’s goal is to have the Selectmen review the results in January.
Town Accountant Position - Mr. San Angelo notified the Board that he has received applications and resumes from candidates as a result of the second posting. While all candidates have solid resumes, none have the kind of municipal accounting experience that he believes will best serve the citizens of Hanson. Mr. San Angleo recommended continuing with the temporary accountant during this budget cycle and then reconsider the position in the future. Mr. San Angelo may consider increasing the salary for the position to attract more qualified candidates.
Plymouth County Hospital – Mr. San Angelo reported that the Town was approached by a developer who may be interested in developing residential homes on the site. The Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, town planner, town engineer, and Mr. San Angelo met with the developer and explained the various issues of the site. The developer is going to look into the costs involved and if interested will continue discussions. Mr. San Angelo made it clear that the Town is required to follow proper procurement procedures and that a Request for Proposals would have to be developed before the Town could move forward.
Town Dispatcher Position – Mr. San Angelo informed the Board that he was recently notified that one of the dispatchers was leaving. The position has been posted and is now closed. The police chief is reviewing resumes and applications. Mr. San Angelo anticipated hiring an individual for this position soon.
Part-time Assistant at the Water Department – Mr. San Angelo reminded the Board that funding for the position was approved at the October Special Town Meeting. The position has been filled by the Hanson Water Department. After careful consideration of all candidates the most qualified candidate has been hired.
Pay as you Throw - Mr. San Angelo will be meeting tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. to evaluate another company that deals with Pay As You Throw. The Town needs to act soon, because the increased cost of the tipping fee has to be taken into account for next year’s budget. It is currently estimated that tipping fees will go up by $85,000 for the period of January 2015 through June 30 2015. This means a full year will increase by $170,000. This estimate is based upon current tonnage times $60 per ton. Mr. San Angelo pointed out the need to have a revenue source for at least 6 months of the budget year. The vendors he will be meeting with tomorrow only does one component of Pay as you Throw. Mr. San Angelo would like to implement the program in June 2014 to prepare the facility and get revenue for the
anticipated increase in January 2015. Mr. Amico inquired when the Transfer Station will be reconfigured to accommodate increased recycling. Mr. San Angelo indicated that more discussion on the matter will be held in upcoming meetings.
Holiday Schedule – Mr. San Angelo noted that Christmas Eve and New Years Eve are both on Tuesday. Consequently, Town Hall will close at 2:00 p.m. and New Years Eve will close at 5:00 p.m. No evening meetings will be conducted on those evenings.
IV NEW BUSINESS – Continue
David Blauss - Recreation – Discuss Maquan Pond watercraft speed limit – Mr. Blauss indicated that the Cove Staff has been policing the boat ramp. He requested that the Board update the regulations on Maquan Pond. He would like the Board to limit only electric motors on Maquan Pond and to set a speed limit at 5 miles per hour with a 10 miles per hour limit for all other ponds.
Mr. Soper asked how the regulation is enforced. Mr. Blauss indicated that the lifeguards would notify the police. Mrs. Marini recommended that the Harbor Master Robert O’Brien provide some input in the matter and do some research.
Bob Arsenault – Veteran’s Agent – Update on office activities – Mr. Arsenault indicated that his office is active. Mr. Arsenault read his update highlighting the services his office offers to veterans and their family members. He indicated that everyone who comes to his office has a different issue. More and more benefit responsibilities have been sent to the local level.
This year he obtained estimate to replace the bronze plaque which was stolen from the Indian Head School memorial. He thanked several veterans for their assistance in replacing the plaque.
Mr. Arsenault has partnered with the Greater Boston Food Bank to provide food for local veterans. He has attended Veterans’ Agents training in the fall to stay accredited. He co-hosted the Veteran Day breakfast with the Director of Elder Affairs. He thanked Mary Collins for her assistance.
Mr. Arsenault is considering putting together a documentary with local veterans. The project would provide a great deal of history.
He assisted in the drafting of legislation with Rep. Josh Cutler for a tax abatement program for Veterans. The legislation would be a Home Rule petition. He will be submitting an article for a Veteran’s Tax work off program.
He has been working with Lawyers Clearinghouse which provides legal service to veterans and their spouses and families.
Mr. Arsenault indicated that he is at Town Hall Monday 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Tuesday 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., but he is available 24/7. Many veterans call him on the weekends or at night. He will come to Town Hall to get the necessary paperwork. He does work from home, making calls to various agencies. He takes veterans to hospital and doctor’s appointments.
He thanked Stitch N Time for repairing a flag of a veteran who is terminally ill. Mr. Amico thanked Mr. Arsenault for his assistance with his father-in-law.
Mr. Arsenault noted that he lost his assistant and had to pick up those hours, but doesn’t have the time to do all the work needed.
Set meetings date for January 2014 – June 2014
Mrs. Marini provide the Board with a calendar of meeting for January to June 2014 setting meeting dates on Tuesday, January 7 & January 21; Saturday, January 25th at the High School; Tuesday, February 4th and 18th; Tuesday, March 4th & 18th; Tuesday, April 1st, 8th 15th and 29th. Monday, May 5th and Tuesday May 6th and 20th; Tuesday, June 3rd and 17th.
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard to adopt the meeting calendar as presented including the Special Town Meeting on Saturday, January 25, 2014. Voted 4 – 0
Discussion possible action relative economic target area and creation of committee- Mr. San Angelo had been informed about the Economic Target Area and the Town of Hanson was included in the ETA with the Old Colony Planning Council. The Board needs to take the next step to form a committee which will decide and recommended which sections of the Town would qualify for the ETA. The area will be eligible for tax incentives for developers and business owners.
The committee would include the Town Administrator, Assessor, Selectmen and Planning member. Town Meeting would have to approve the economic target area location. A business applying for the incentive would have to bring in new employees.
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard to authorize the Town Administrator to form an Economic Target Area Committee comprised of the Town Administrator, Assessor, member of the Board of Selectman and member of the Planning Board. Voted 4 – 0
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard by to appoint David Soper as the Selectmen’s representative to the Economic Target Area Committee. Voted 4 – 0
Mr. San Angelo noted that Mr. Soper may have to recuse himself from some matters as the Plymouth County Hospital will most likely be one of the areas concerned as a target area.
Vote Offer of First Refusal – Unit 43 – 902 Main Street – Hanson Housing Unit –
A letter dated November 12, 2013 from Attorney Steven Kellem on behalf of property owner Marilyn Cutcliffe was received notifying the Town of Ms. Cutcliffe intention to sell the property. The notice is required in accordance with the deed rider. The maximum selling price as established by the Hanson Housing Authority is $199,000.
Mr. Amico reported that Scituate and Marshfield have new affordable housing units selling for $180,000 and $173,900 respectively. He questioned why Hanson’s was so much higher. Mr. San Angelo indicated that a formula determines the selling price. The Town has the opportunity to purchase the property or allow the owner to sell it at the price established by the Housing Authority.
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard to waive the right of first refusal on the purchase of Unit 43, 902 Main Street. Voted 4 – 0
Appointment:
Chief Thompson – Community Emergency Response Coordinator
MOTION by Howard, second by Soper to appoint Chief as the Community Emergency Response Coordinator. Voted 4 - 0
IV OLD BUSINESS
Set Time for Special Town Meeting ~ Saturday, January 25th – High School - Mr. Amico recommended an early start of 9:00 a.m. to accommodate the sporting events.
MOTION by Amico, second by Soper to set the meeting time for the January 25th at 9:00 a.m. Voted 4 – 0.
Open Warrant for Special Town Meeting
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard to open the January 25, 2014 Special Town Meeting warrant. Voted 4 – 0.
V ONE DAY LIQUOR LICENSES – Camp Kiwanee
Gail Fusco, Hanson Sat., Dec. 14th 6:00 – 10:00 p.m. – Holiday Party
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard to approve the One Day Liquor license as presented. Voted 4 – 0
VI COMMITTEE REPORTS
Maquan School Building – Next meeting is Dec. 9th at 5:30 p.m. at High School. Mr. Egan recommended that the Board of Selectmen hold a public forum in early January to discuss the school project and disseminate in the information regarding the school. Mr. San Angelo suggested a different venue where more residents can attend and ask questions. The discussion and details for the public hearing and scope of discussion will be set at a future Selectmen’s meeting.
Holiday Committee – Mr. Amico reported that they are getting prepared for 4:00 pm. Five restaurants Hitching Post Restaurant, Meadowbrook, Venus III, Mikes House of Pizza will be attending and providing free food. Residents are requested to bring a canned good for the Hanson Food Pantry. The Committee will be accepting donations. Santa arrives at 4:00 p.m. and will be taking photos to 6:30 p.m. Horse drawn carriage rides are 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The tree lighting will take place 6:30 p.m. Calvery Baptist Church will have carolers.
Road closed 3:30 – 8:30 from Winter to High Street
Monponsett Pond – Mr. Howard will be attending a meeting on Wednesday in Kingston.
VII ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Howard, second by Amico to adjourn. Voted 4 – 0
8:50 p.m. Meeting Adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Meredith Marini,
Executive Assistant
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