Town of Hanson, MA - Selectmen Minutes 9-9-14

Selectmen Minutes 9-9-14


	Town of Hanson - Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes – Hanson Town Hall September 9, 2014 Members Present: Donald Howard, James McGahan William Scott, David Soper & Bruce Young Members Absent: Others Present: Town Administrator Ronald San Angelo Executive Assistant Meredith Marini Town Counsel Jay Talerman 8:00 p.m. Chairman Soper called the meeting to order, led the Pledge Allegiance. Chairman Soper read the announcements, and upcoming meeting schedule. II TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT Mr. San Angelo reported that the new phone system has been installed. The voice mail system is working. Norwell VNA contract with Board of Health is still being drafted and will be brought forward to the next meeting. Regional Emergency Planning Council Sheltering Plan – Chief Thompson informed the Board that Bridgewater contacted Hanson to participate in the regional emergency planning council. The communities would share services. The letter is a request from the American Red Cross. MOTION by Howard, second by Young to authorize the Town Administrator to sign the letter relative to joining the Regional Emergency Planning Council Sheltering Plan. Voted 5 – 0 Discussion relative to Financial Reporting – Mr. San Angelo noted that after review of the records, former Hanson Town Administrators had not provided the Board with an actual report, but provided verbal reports throughout the year. He noted that the Board members come in on a weekly basis to sign the weekly warrants which contain all departmental bills. Mr. San Angelo distributed an expenditure report from July 1, 2014 through August 31, 2014. He will provide a monthly report. Mr. San Angelo introduced Town Accountant Todd Hassett who gave the Board an update on the status of the budget. Mr. Hassett indicated that he posted all the receipts from FY2014. Today he forwarded all the necessary schedules to the Department of Revenue in order to have free cash certified by October Town Meeting. He has reconciled all his reports with the Treasurer/Collector. The undesignated amount is $1.8 Million which will be reduced by various deficits and other calculations. Mr. Hassett noted that Hanson had a snow deficit of over $300,000. Journal entries had not been done. Mr. Hassett posted March, April, May and June journal entries, which averaged 30 to 35 entries per month. All the accounts that needed to be carried over from FY14 have been posted to the FY15 budget. Mr. San Angelo noted that the auditors will complete the audit once Mr. Hassett completes the close out of Fiscal Year 2014. Mr. Young requested that the uncollected receivable from previous years be on the reports. Mr. San Angelo will provide the report to the Selectmen at the second meeting of the month in order to give the Town Accountant to close out the previous month. Reviewed Article for the Recreation and Board of Health enterprise funds. Mr. San Angelo noted that the revenue amounts will be reduced. He met with Recreation and the Town Accountant earlier in the day and Recreation will be provided updated numbers. Recreation will not be attending tonight. Mr. Hassett explained that there was a double appropriation at the May Annual Town meeting and Articles 4, 5 and 6 will correct the votes. Chairman Soper asked if Mr. Hassett will attend Town Meeting and explain the process. Mr. Hassett will be at Town Meeting. Mr. Young asked whether Mr. Hassett should be appointed as the Interim Town Accountant even though the Town contracted with his firm. MOTION by Young, second by Howard to appoint Todd Hassett as the Interim Town Accountant. Voted 5 – 0 Mr. Scott requested that the Town Administrator provide a detailed explanation and update of the Town’s financial status. He doesn’t want a spreadsheets with data, but more of a verbal summary. Chairman Soper suggested a financial report be included in his monthly Town Administrator’s report. III NEW BUSINESS Recreation – Discuss Budget Article – Tabled Discussion and possible adoption of Remote Participation – Mr. San Angelo indicated that he checked with the Attorney General’s office and they indicated that remote participation applies to all Boards and Commissions. If the Board knows in advance, the remote participation should be on the agenda. If notification of remote participation it is not on the agenda, the Chairman must announce at the beginning of the meeting that a member will be participating remotely. MOTION by Young, second by McGahan to allow all town Board, Committees and Commissions the have remote participation in accordance with Mass. 940 CMR 29.10. Chairman Soper pointed out that remote participation is for Board members only and not for the public to call in. He also noted that a quorum needs to be present at the meeting. Mr. San Angelo indicated that all votes must be via roll call during remote participation. He also noted that Executive Session, no one can be in the room with the members participating remotely. Moved to the Vote 5 – 0 Requests Historical Society request for a Common Victuallers License Sat. Sept. 20 & 21 Harvest Festival MOTION by Scott, second by McGahan to approve the Common Victuallers license to Historical Society on September 20 and 21. Voted 5 - 0 Resignations Michael Kelly and Antonio Santalucia from the Finance Committee Mr. San Angelo read the letters of resignations of Michael Kelly and Antonio Santalucia. August 26, 2014 Dear Sean: After considerable thought and soul-searching, I have decided to resign from my position on the Finance committee for the town of Hanson. I assure you it was not an easy decision to make. My work schedule does not allow me to give the time to participate as I would like and it is not fair to the other members who are dedicated and investing the hours every week to perform the functions as Fin com members. I suggest an effective date of August 26 and hope the committee members do not find this an inconvenience. I value the experience I have received as a Finance Committee member and hope I will be allowed back at a future date. Sincerely, Michael J. Kelly Finance Committee Member July 15, 2014 Dear Town Moderator: I am writing to submit my resignation from the Finance Committee as of August 1, 2014. I have enjoyed my roughly six years of service on the Committee. However, due to professional and personal demands, I can no longer commit the time needed to be a constructive committee member. I look forward to serving the Town of Hanson in some other capacity in the future. Sincerely, Antonio “Pepper” Santalucia 517 West Washington Street Mr. San Angelo noted that Mr. Santalucia followed the letter up with an e-mail to the Town Clerk requesting that the effective date of his resignation be after Labor Day. Mr. San Angelo acknowledged and thanked Mr. Kelly & Mr. Santalucia for their work on behalf of the citizens of Hanson. MOTION by Young, second by Howard to accept with regret the letters of resignation from Michael Kelly and Pepper Santalucia. Voted 5 – 0 Chairman Soper noted an announcement for the First congregational Church IV OLD BUSINESS Vote Recommendations of Town Meeting articles. Article 1 – Selectmen - Unpaid Bills MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to recommend Article 1. Voted 5 - 0 Article 2 – Fin Com – Stabilization MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to recommend Article 2. Voted 5 - 0 Article 3 – Recreation – Refund reserve fund MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to recommend Article 3. Voted 4 – 1 McGahan Article 4 – Recreation – Amend Enterprise Fund MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to recommend Article 4. Voted 5 - 0 Article 5 – Board of Health – Amend Enterprise Fund MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to recommend Article 5. Voted 5 - 0 Article 6 – Town Administrator – Amend Rec. & Board of Health MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to recommend Article 6. Voted 5 - 0 Article 7 – Selectmen – Rescind borrowing MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to recommend Article 7. Voted 5 - 0 Article 8 – Conservation – Camp Kiwanee Phragmites MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to recommend Article 8. Voted 5 - 0 Article 9 – Conservation – Smitty Bog Contract MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to recommend Article 9. Voted 5 - 0 Article 10 – Selectmen – Easement 4 William Way MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to recommend Article 10. Voted 5 - 0 Article 11 – Board of Health – South Shore Recycling Contract MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to recommend Article 11. Voted 5 - 0 Article 12 – Library/COA – Window Repair MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to recommend Article 12. Voted 5 - 0 Article 13 – Library/COA – Roof Assessment MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to recommend Article 13. Voted 5 - 0 Article 14 – Police – Technology upgrades MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to recommend Article 14. Voted 5 - 0 Article 15 – Police – Protective Clothing MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to recommend Article 15. Voted 5 - 0 Article 16 – Police – Tire Deflation devices MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to recommend Article 16. Voted 5 - 0 Article 17 – Police – Patrol Rifles MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to recommend Article 17. Voted 5 - 0 Article 18 – Fire – Main Street Fire Station Maintenance – Chairman Soper noted that they are attempting to do a group purchase savings on windows with the Library/COA. MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to recommend Article 18. Voted 5 - 0 Article 19 – Fire – Mini Pumper MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to recommend Article 19. Voted 5 - 0 Mr. San Angelo noted that all these articles will be subject to funding through Free Cash. Article 20 – Fire – Protective Clothing 9:09 p.m. Mr. Young briefly left the meeting and was unavailable to vote MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to recommend Article 20. Voted 4 - 0 9:11 p.m. Mr. Young returned to the meeting Mrs. Marini noted that the Board needed to vote to open the warrant in order to place new Articles 6 and 21 onto the warrant. MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to open the Warrant Voted 5 - 0 MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to place articles 6 and 21 on the Warrant. Voted 5 – 0 Article 21 – Fire – Floor drain relocation MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to recommend Article 21. Voted 5 - 0 Article 22 – Selectmen – Name Hancock Playground MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to recommend Article 22. Voted 5 - 0 Article 23 – Veterans – Purchase marker for Hancock Playground. MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to recommend Article 23. Voted 5 - 0 Article 24 Assessors – Triennial Recertification MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to recommend Article 24. Voted 5 - 0 Article 25 – Town Administrator – Increase Town Accountant salary MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to recommend Article 25. Voted 5 - 0 Article 26 – Highway – Stormwater Management MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to recommend Article 26. Voted 5 - 0 Article 27 – Highway – Private Road repairs. Chairman Soper asked if $4,000 is enough to cover the repairs. Highway Surveyor Bob Brown indicated that it probably is not, but he did not want to run the risk of requesting too much and have the article fail. He indicated they he will contract with a private contract who has the proper equipment for grading and crowning the roads. MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to recommend Article 27. Voted 5 - 0 Article 28 – Highway - Street Sweeping MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to recommend Article 28. Voted 5 - 0 Article 29 – Highway – Franklin Street signage Highway Surveyor Bob Brown indicated the sign will be located at the most dangerous curve in Town. The LED is energy efficient. Highway crews will be going out soon to cut back the corner. MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to recommend Article 29. Voted 5 - 0 Article 30 – Highway – Drainage MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to recommend Article 30. Voted 5 - 0 Article 31 – School – Emergency Repairs to Indian Head & Maquan MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to recommend Article 31. Voted 5 - 0 Article 32 – School - Maquan School locks – waiting for figures. MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to Hold Article 32. Voted 5 - 0 Article 33 – Maquan Ventilators – Still waiting for the air quality Study. MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to Hold Article 33. Voted 5 - 0 Article 34 – Indian Head roof bid documents – Waiting for figures MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to Hold Article 34. Voted 5 - 0 Article 35 – Indian Head cafeteria floor – Waiting for figures MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to Hold Article 35. Voted 5 - 0 Mr. Young requested that three place holder articles be included in the warrant. One for the repair of Indian Head Roof, one for the replacement of Indian Head Roof with the possibility of a Capital Exclusion and one for the replacement of lintels at Indian Head. There was lengthy discussion about the order in which to the articles should be placed on the warrant and the funding mechanism. Mr. Young indicated that the Indian Head and Maquan Priority Repair Committee would be meeting with the Whitman Hanson Regional Facilities subcommittee on Wednesday and should have a better handle on the costs for the projects. MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to place an article on the warrant to repair the Indian Head roof Mr. San Angelo explained that the cost of repair maybe more reasonable to than to replace. They are still waiting for the numbers. One of the audience members feels that the replacement article should go on first. Mr. Young indicated that Town Meeting will discuss both articles at one time. So voted 5 – 0 MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to Hold a recommendation of the repair of Indian Head School roof. Voted 5 - 0 MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to place an article on the warrant to replace the Indian Head School roof. Voted 5 – 0 MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to place the replace the lintels on the Indian head School Voted 5 – 0 MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to Hold the article to replace the Indian Head School Voted 5 – 0 MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to Hold the article to replace the lintels on Indian Head School. Voted 5 - 0 Mrs. Marini indicated that the new articles would be added to the warrant and the following articles will be renumbered. She also informed the Board that Article 36, School Stabilization has been added to the warrant at the request of the Selectmen. She had contacted the Town of Whitman as they had voted a similar article in May 2014. Article 36 – Selectmen - School Stabilization - $5,000 MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to place article 36 on the warrant for a School Stabilization. Voted 5 – 0 Mr. Young inquired as to the amount that Whitman had funded. Mrs. Marini indicated Whitman had funded $25,000. Mrs. Marini noted that she arbitrarily selected $5,000 as the amount of free cash is not known at this time. Mr. Young requested that the current amount of $5,000 be increased to $10,000. MOTION by Young, second by Scott to amend the amount of Article 36 from $5,000 to $10,000 Voted 5 – 0 MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to recommend article 36 Voted 5 – 0. Article 37 – Town Clerk – Accept MGL 41 – Saturday requirements MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to recommend Article 37. Voted 5 - 0 Article 38 – Town Administrator – Wage & Personnel by-law MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to recommend Article 38. Voted 5 - 0 Article 39 – Town Administrator – Junk Dealer by-law MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to recommend Article 39. Voted 5 - 0 Article 40 – Planning Board – Create Enterprise Fund Mr. San Angelo noted that the previous Town Counsel Kopelman & Paige had concerns about the fund. Town Counsel Jay Talerman indicated that he would have to review the article, but was aware of the concept. MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to Hold Article 40. Voted 5 - 0 Article 41 – Planning Board – Sidewalk design update MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to recommend Article 41. Voted 5 - 0 Article 42 – Zoning By-law – Amend Marijuana by-law Town Counsel questioned the by-law and requested he have an opportunity to review it. MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to Hold Article 42. Voted 5 - 0 Article 43 – Zoning By-law – Amend the by-laws MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to recommend Article 43. Voted 5 - 0 MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to Close the warrant. Voted 5 – 0 V ONE DAY LIQUOR LICENSES - Camp Kiwanee - None VI APPROVE MEETING MINUTES August 12, 2014 August 26, 2014 MOTION by Howard, second by Scott approve the minute of August 12^th Voted 5 – 0 MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to approve the minutes of August 26^th Voted 4 – 0 – 1(Young) VII COMMITTEE REPORTS Indian Head & Maquan School Priority Repair Committee – Mr. Young reported that the committee will be meeting with the facilities committee on Wednesday. They expect to get some firm figures on the lintels and the Indian Head roof repairs. Mr. Young met with Ernie Sandland and Mr. San Angelo to inspect the mock up for the Indian Head Roof repairs. Mr. Young explained the roofing design and anticipated repairs. The alternative is to strip all the slate shingles and replace with a 30 years asphalt roof. Mr. Young noted that the lintels have been an issue since 2008 based on an e-mail to former Town Administrator Mike Finglas. They estimated the repairs at that time to be $90,000.00. The project has been on the Capital Improvement matrix since 2009. Monponsett Pond Committee – Mr. Howard reported that the blue algae is an ongoing problem at Monponsett Pond and the committee is working on remediation. VIII EXECUTIVE SESSION - Chairman Soper announced that the Board of Selectmen would be going into Executive Session and will return to open session only to adjourn, 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 Fire Chief also to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the public body and the chair so declares – Fire Department, Potential litigation regarding Town Meeting procedure and Update of Litigation regarding 62 Ocean Avenue. So moved by Howard, second by McGahan. Roll Call Howard aye, McGahan aye, Soper aye, Young aye and Scott aye Voted 5 – 0 10:12 p.m. Brief Recess 11:09 p.m. Returned to open session IX ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Howard, second by McGahan to adjourn Voted 5 – 0 11:10 p.m. Meeting to adjourn. Respectfully submitted, Meredith Marini, Executive Assistant Approved and Voted 5 – 0 October 6, 2014