Town of Hanson - Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes – Hanson Town Hall
April 29, 2014
Members Present: Stephen Amico, James Egan, Richard Flynn and Donald Howard
Members Absent: David Soper
Others Present: Town Administrator Ronald San Angelo and Executive Assistant Meredith Marini
I~ 7:30 p.m. Chairman Egan called the meeting to order, led the Pledge Allegiance. Chairman Egan read the announcements, and upcoming meeting schedule. Mr. Egan requested a moment of silence for former Conservation Commission member Ron Gratton.
II TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Mr. San Angelo thanked the department heads for putting together a good budget in preparation for Town Meeting. He also thanked the Finance Committee for their work on the budget. He thanked Mrs. Marini for her work in preparation of the town meeting warrants.
Mr. San Angelo indicated that he has spent a lot of time on the solid waste contract for the coming year. He has two good contracts for disposal and hauling services.
III NEW BUSINESS
Vote and approve contract for Solid Waste Disposal – Mr. San Angelo presented two contracts for the solid waste removal. One is with ABC Disposal Services for three years for the hauling of trash. The initial term is for three years with two one year extension options. The contract covers the hauling of all the solid waste and recyclables. Mr. San Angelo briefly reviewed the terms of the contract highlighting various sections:
14. Subject to appropriation – If Town Meeting does not fund the budget, the contract will be void.
15.1 Termination and default - The town can cancel the contract with seven days notice. He feels this is good for the Town and it protects the community.
Exhibit A – Outlines the rates of the contract. Mr. San Angelo required as a contractual obligation that all containers be in good working condition and in appearance.
Hauling service fees are $141 per month from November 2014 to November 2016. The hauling fees after November 1, 2016 will be $141.00 per month, plus a fuel adjustment. Equipment rental for 5 two-yard stationary machines and five 42 yard containers is $675.00 per month.
Mr. San Angelo noted that with the exception of cardboard, all other recyclables will be single stream. He also explained the layout of the transfer station once the new contract starts in November 2014.
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard to accept the contract with ABC Disposal Services and authorize the Town Administrator to sign the contract. Voted 4 – 0
Solid Waste Disposal – Mr. San Angelo noted that the Solid Waste Disposal contract is a10 year contract with New Bedford Waste for a tipping fee of $55.00 per ton. For three years they will haul recyclables for free and negotiate a fee after there. There is a release clause to get out of the contract.
Exhibit A - Payment Schedule and Term is $55.00 per ton with an escalator after December 31, 2016.
Mr. San Angelo feels this is a good contract and beneficial to the Town. He was able to get good prices because he bundled the services. If New Bedford Waste offers a lower rate to another community, the Town would be eligible to receive the reduced fee. The Town can go back and renegotiate the rate.
The trash facility is located in Rochester across from SEMASS. If New Bedford Waste facility fills to capacity, New Bedford Waste will pay the cost to haul the trash to another location.
MOTION by Amico, second by Flynn to accept the contact with New Bedford Waste and authorize the Town Administrator to sign the contract. Voted 4 - 0
Dan Balboni of ABC/New Bedford Waste thanked the Board and is looking forward to working with the Town.
Mr. Amico thanked Attorney Lisa Mead for working out the contract.
Vote and approve contract for Sergeant Assessment –
Mr. San Angelo reminded the Board of the sergeant’s opening in the Police Department. Chief Miksch had requested that Mr. San Angelo review the responses of the Request for Proposals and select a firm to conduct the Sergeant’s Assessment. Mr. San Angelo reported that three firms submitted proposals. Public Safety Consultants, BadgeQuest and APD d/b/a Integrity . APD did not meet the requirement as to length of service.
Mr. San Angelo reported that he, along with East Bridgewater Police Chief John Cowen and Meredith Marini interviewed Public Safety Consultants and BadgeQuest. Both were excellent, but BadgeQuest had considerably more experience in the Plymouth County area. Their presentation was the most professional. Mr. San Angelo gave Public Safety an opportunity to say why they would be the best candidate. They were not able to answer. Mr. San Angelo recommended that the Board vote to award the contract to BadgeQuest. The bids were within $200 of one another.
Mr. Amico asked how many officers will apply. Chief Miksch indicated that as few as 4 and as many as 16. Mr. Amico asked about the cost of the extra meetings. Chief Miksch did not believe that extra meetings would be required.
MOTION by Flynn, second by Howard to approve the contract with BadgeQuest and authorize the Town Administrator to sign the contract. Voted 4 – 0
IV OLD BUSINESS
Preview of Town Meeting – Chairman Egan announced that the Board would be reviewing the Town Meeting Warrants in the same format as a Town Meeting. Town Counsel Jay Talerman and Town Clerk Elizabeth Sloan were present along with several department heads and committee members to move their articles. Chairman Egan indicated that Board would be taking Article 18 of the Annual Town Meeting out of order.
Annual Town Meeting Warrant
Article 18 – Whitman Hanson Stabilization Fund. Christine Suckow Whitman Hanson Finance Director indicated that the monies used for the Stabilization fund will be put aside from the budget for projects district wide such as vehicle replacement. The funds will not be used for one particular item in Hanson or Whitman. The stabilization account will be funded through the School budget assessment. The funds will be approved by a 2/3 vote of the school committee. This is not for repairs to individual schools, but for district wide equipment or at Whitman Hanson High School.
Mr. Amico asked if field rental fees can be added to the stabilization fund. School Committee Chairman Robert Hayes indicated that fees could be added to the fund. Mr. Hayes and Ms. Suckow referred to the stabilization fund as a savings account.
Mr. Egan asked if the Town would have any control over the amount put into the stabilization fund. Ms. Suckow indicated that the Town would not have any control once the monies are put in the stabilization fund.
Mr. Flynn asked if there are any parameters as to the amount being applied to the stabilization. According to Ms. Suckow there is a cap of 5% of the school budget.
Mr. Egan and Mr. Flynn are concerned that the Towns do not have any control over the funds. Mr. Amico feels that the school committee is made up of elected officials and is comfortable having the school committee determine where the funds are spent.
Attorney Talerman indicated that every town which is in a regional school district has seen this article. It is not unlike the Town’s stabilization fund, but a 2/3’s vote of the School Committee is required to use the funds. The general use stabilization fund can be used for anything the school wishes to spend the money on. He pointed out that the regional school agreement still applies.
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard to recommended Article 18. Voted 4 – 0
Budget – Salaries – Mr. San Angelo informed the Board that the Finance Committee was recommending a 2% increase for Department Heads and Wage & Personnel employees. Mr. San Angelo requested that the Board vote to amend the Selectmen’s Budget to adjust salary increases to 2% for Department Heads and Wage & Personnel employees.
MOTION by Amico, second by Flynn to recommend the adjustment to salary line for department heads and Wage & Personnel employees from 3% to 2% Voted 4 – 0
Special Town Meeting
Article 2 – Supplemental Budget - Hold until Finance Committee arrives.
Article 7 – Sidewalk plan upgrade. Mr. San Angelo indicated there are no funds for the plans. Mr. Ellis asked if there were monies available from another source. Mr. San Angelo did not believe so. Lengthy discussion as to funding sources and the Board’s recommendation. The Board decided to leave its recommendation as printed.
Article 10 – Conservation – Replenish fund.
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard to Recommend. Vote 4 – 0
Article 8 – Water Union Contract
MOTION by Amico, second by Flynn to recommend Voted 3 – 0 – 1 Howard
Article 12 – W&P Compensation Fund – Mr. San Angelo indicated that the Finance Committee did not recommend the article because they are concerned that the facilities manager and the assistant health agent positions will be filled without approval of Town Meeting. Mr. San Angelo indicated that Town Meeting would have to fund the positions before they could be staffed.
Article 15 – Easement on Brook Street. Mr. San Angelo to write an explanation
ANNUAL
Budget Line 90 Water Salaries should be revised to the Departmental requested amount. Mrs. Marini explained that the Water contract was settled after the Town Administrator had made his recommendation. The Water Superintendent has met with the Finance Committee and explained the increases. The correct amount for the water salary budget should be $403,933.
MOTION by Amico, second by Soper to amend the Water Salaries line from $390,731 to $403,933 Voted 3 – 0 – 1 Howard
Line 2 Selectmen’s Expense – Finance Committee Chairman Kevin Sullivan indicated that the Finance Committee didn’t recommend the training for the Town Administrator, Chief of Police and Highway Surveyor. Mr. Sullivan said that the Finance Committee didn’t feel that three departments head should be absent from their positions one day a week for 25 weeks. Additionally they felt the Town Administrator should already be trained, and the classes are unnecessary and not the best spending of the taxpayers’ money.
Line 5 – Reserve Fund – Mr. Sullivan noted that the Finance Committee increased the reserved fund by $36,187 as there was no article to add money into stabilization. The committee was concerned that the Pay As You Throw program is not a definite, they wanted money available for the budget.
Line 43 – Inspectional Expense – Mr. Sullivan indicated that the Finance Committee reduced the expense line from $10,000 to $5,000, because the department never spent more than $5,000. The additional money was slated for boarding up vacant buildings. Mr. Sullivan state that if an incident occurs, the Building Commission can submit a Reserve Fund request.
Line 57 – School Transportation – Mr. San Angelo indicated that his recommendation was not updated after the school final assessment was received. The line has been amended and reduced from $92,058 to $91,817.
Line 63 – Highway Expense – Mr. Sullivan advised the Board that the Highway Surveyor had requested an additional $2,000 for repairs to the bathroom facility. The Finance Committee had approved a Reserve Fund transfer during FY2014. Consequently, the Finance Committee’s recommendation is $2,000 less than the Town Administrator’s recommendation.
Line 64 – Snow & Ice – The Finance Committee has recommended a $30,000 increase to the Snow and Ice Line, which is $5,000 less than the Town Administrator and BOS’s recommendation. Mr. Sullivan noted that the Town will never be able to fully fund the snow & ice budget. They are trying to and will continue to incrementally increase the line. Lengthy discussion on funding the snow and ice line.
Line 71 – VNA – Contract – Ms. Tramontana indicated that the reduction will cause a shortfall in the line. Mr. Sullivan explained the Reserve Fund Transfer process. He indicated that Finance Committee usually approves the transfers. They will approve transfers when budget lines are depleted.
Line 74 - VNA – COA – The Finance Committee reduced the line by $1,000 based on historical spending.
Article 7 – Inspectional Vehicle - Mr. San Angelo informed the Board that both inspectional cars are high mileage former police vehicles which are unreliable. The engine light is on in one vehicle and employees are reluctant to use them. He recommends replacing one of the vehicles.
Chief Miksch indicated that the vehicles he is replacing are a 2004 Explorer with 105,000 miles which needs about $2,000 in repairs and a 2007 Charger with 100,000 miles which needs even more work but wants to keep it for parts. He hopes he will be able to recycle a car next year.
Mr. Sullivan said that the Finance Committee feels it is an unnecessary expense. The police and highway truck are necessary expense. Mr. Amico asked about the cost of repairs. Mr. San Angelo did not have the repair costs. Lengthy discussion on purchase of an inspectional vehicle.
Mr. Kelly suggested gathering all the information on vehicle repairs and mileage usage of all employees and bring the matter back next year.
Article 8 – Capital Improvement project. The Finance Committee did not recommend the painting of Town Hall. They did not feel that the painting costs were accurate and no budget was put together for the project. Mr. San Angelo indicated the costs for painting would be $30,000 using Plymouth County Correction labor and additional costs for cabinets. Mr. San Angelo still gathering information. Mr. Flynn asked if Community Preservation funds would be available. The Historical Commission will have to designate the building as historical in order to use CPC funds.
Highway Drainage – The Finance Committee is recommending $10,000 and the Highway Surveyor indicated that he can work with $10,000.00.
Article 10 – Establish an Enterprise fund for the Transfer Station. – Mr. San Angelo explained the purpose of the enterprise fund noting the all the funds received through the sale of the Pay As You Throw bags will be placed in the fund. The vendor has guaranteed the Town $200,000 for the first year.
The Finance Committee is concerned that the Transfer Station will not be substantially self sustaining.
They would like to see two or three years showing the revenues. They have been told that other communities such as Foxboro are moving away from Pay As You Throw.
Board of Health Chairman Gil Amado indicated that PAYT has never failed and establishing the Enterprise Fund is the most beneficial method of running the program as all the funds will be used at the Transfer Station and not part of the general fund.
Mr. Egan asked if Article 10 fails will Article 11 be passed over. Mr. San Angelo indicated that Article 11 would be passed over and the budget would have to be amended.
Article 21 – Planning Bond deposits. The article allows the Town to take the security bond in order to complete the work abandoned by a developer. The article was placed on the warrant per the recommendation of Town Counsel. Most other communities have accepted the statute years ago.
Special Town Meeting - Article 2 FY2014 Supplemental Budget – The Board had waited for input from the Finance Committee. However, the committee members left the meeting.
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard to recommend Article 2. Vote 4 - 0
V ONE DAY LIQUOR LICENSES - Camp Kiwanee
Nicole Campbell, Hanson, Sun., May 4th 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. - First Communion
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard, to approve the One Day Liquor Licenses. Voted 4 – 0
VI COMMITTEE REPORTS
Monponsett Pond - Mr. Howard reported that the next meet will be May 14th in Plympton.
School Building Committee – Mr. Amico reported that the committee met last night to review political guidelines. The next meeting is Monday May 12th
Activities Committee – No report
VII EXECUTIVE SESSION - 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 – Lt. Yakavonis. Chairman Egan indicated that there will be no Executive Session.
VIII ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Amico, second by Howard to adjourn Voted 4 – 0
11:05 p.m. Meeting adjourned
Respectfully submitted,
Meredith Marini
Executive Assistant
Approved and Voted 5 – 0 Administratively
June 3, 2014
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