Town of Hanson - Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes – Hanson Town Hall
December 2, 2014
Members Present: Donald Howard, James McGahan, William Scott & Bruce Young
Members Absent:
Others Present: Town Administrator Ronald San Angelo
Executive Assistant Meredith Marini
7:00 p.m. Chairman Young called the meeting to order, led the Pledge Allegiance. Chairman Young read the announcements and upcoming meeting schedule.
II TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Mr. San Angelo reported that the School Department notified him of the need for emergency repairs to Indian Head hot water heater. A letter dated November 25th was received from School Superintendent Ruth Gilbert-Whitner outlining the issues with the hot water heater. The estimated amount for the repair is $24,000. Mr. San Angelo read a list of questions from Chairman Young relative to the expenses.
Why would we want to relocate the unit? Shouldn't all equipment be within the mechanical room (basement)?
Do we have a breakout of where the $24,000 is coming from?
Also tankless units are usually very expensive to purchase to begin with and they also want to re-pipe the system to a new location? Why did they pick this as the option rather than a ~Unit for unit swap out. Wouldn't that be the best and lowest cost to the town. Or am I missing something. ~The current unit has lasted for 16 years, before we had major problems
Mr. San Angelo reported that Facilities Manager Ernest Sandland indicated that he will be attending the Indian Head Maquan School Repair Committee meeting on Wednesday and will provide details of the repairs. Chairman Young indicated that committee member Steve Garvey had forwarded the questions to him.
Mr. San Angelo read a letter from T.F. Smith Construction Corp. dated November 23, 2014 to the Hanson Board of Health relative to the job performance of Health Agent Donna Tramontana.
Dear Chairman
I wanted to take this opportunity to let the board know that agent Donna Tramontana represents our town extremely well. As a regional contractor I perform septic system installation and repair from metro west to Cape Cod, interacting with numerous municipalities including Hanson and all surrounding towns. Ms. Tramontana is a true professional who understands the dynamics of the business and will go the extra mile to coordinate and perform required inspections. This includes evenings and weekends. This allows contractors like me to stay on schedule and deliver a finished quality project to the residents of the town. As a lifelong resident and business owner I thought this was important to communicate.
Sincerely,
Steven T. Smith
TM Smith Construction Corp.
Mr. San Angelo reported that the painting of the interior of Town Hall has commenced. He indicated that there will be some chaos during the painting project. He reported that the design drawings have been completed for the railings for the front steps and are now being fabricated.
Mr. San Angelo indicated that the fire truck contract has been fully executed and the truck has been ordered.
Mr. San Angelo has been conducting evaluations of the Department Heads. He will be discussing the process with the Finance Committee.
Today is the deadline for the budget submittals for FY 2016. He will be reviewing the requests with the Town Accountant.
Chairman Young requested that the Budget presented at Town Meeting include the previous year’s actual expenditures, current appropriation, departmental requests and Finance Committee Recommendations.
III NEW BUSINESS
7:15 p.m. Pole Hearing – West Washington & Spring St. – Petition No. 16479615
MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to open the Pole Hearing. Voted 4 – 0
Mr. David Terk was present from National Grid. He indicated that National Grid is re-routing the circuits to improve reliability. They plan to install new poles on West Washington Street at Pole 109-84 – 60 – 48 West Washington Street; Pole 135-84 at 346 West Washington Street, Pole 145-84 at 452 West Washington Street; Pole 155-84 is between 580 and 544 West Washington Street.
National Grid will be installing spacer cables. The existing main line is in the right of way and is difficult to access. The poles are necessary to guide the poles across the street.
Mr. Fortin of 318 West Washington Street indicated that he worked with National Grid last year and they install a guide pole. He currently has two poles on his property and doesn’t have room for another pole. Mr. Terk indicated that the new poles would not be located on his property.
Mr. McGahan inquired as to the locations of the poles on residents’ properties. Mr. Terk indicated that they do not install the poles in the driveway or walkway of private property. The poles are always located in the right of way.
Mr. Fortin indicated that National Grid worked well with him last year.
MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to approve the installation of Poles P109-84, P135-84, P145-84 and P155-84 along West Washington Street as petitioned. Voted 4 – 0
MOTION by Howard, second by McGahan to close the hearing. Voted 4 - 0
Requests
Declare Surplus Equipment – Fire Chief 2002 Ford E350 VIN 1FDXE45F32HA62593.
Mr. San Angelo read letter from Chief Thompson dated November 19, 2014 requesting the declaration of surplus of a 2002 Ford E350 noting that the Highway Department has requested permission to take ownership of the vehicle.
MOTION by Howard, second by McGahan to declare the 2002 Ford E350 truck as surplus and transfer the vehicle to the Highway Department. Voted 4 – 0
IV OLD BUSINESS
Discuss/Vote Comcast Cable License Renewal – Table
V APPROVE MINUTES
October 21, 2014
MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to amend the minutes of October 21, 2014 by inserting the following line:
“Mr. McGahan indicated that the Board is doing its best and weighing all points in order to provide a fair decision for all parties involved.”
So voted 4 – 0
November 4, 2014
MOTION by McGahan, second Howard by to amend the minutes by revising the paragraph on page 5 and inserting in its place:
“Mr. McGahan informed the Board that on Sunday, October 19th that athletic teams from WHRSD performed outdoor clean-up work at Indian Head and Town Hall. He thanked the group, Mr. Rogers and other volunteers for coming down. He also acknowledged that the Boy Scout - Troop 34 has been working at the Thomas Mill, for the past year and that they are doing a great job and should be recognized.”
So voted 4 – 0
VI ONE DAY LIQUOR LICENSE
Adam Taylor, Stoughton, Tues., Dec. 9th 7:00 – 11:00 p.m. – Holiday Party
MOTION by Howard, second by McGahan to approve the one day liquor as presented.
Voted 4 - 0
Set Meeting Dates for 2015 – Reviewed the proposed meeting dates as presented:
January 6th & 20th; February 3rd & 17th; March 3rd, 17th & 31st; April 7th, 14th & 28th; May 4th, 5th and 29th; June 2nd, 16th & 30th.
MOTION by Howard, second by McGahan to approve the meeting scheduled to be changed at the discretion of the Board. Voted 4 – 0
Discussion relative to the use of the Plymouth County Extension Building – Mr. San Angelo reported that he walked through the building following the departure of the Extension Service. He was not pleased with the condition of the building as they left several items and did not clean out the building appropriately. Mr. San Angelo spoke with County Manager Brian McDonald, who indicated that he will send someone up to clean out the building. Mr. McDonald apologized that the call was necessary. The Town will take up the cost of the electricity. Mr. San Angelo indicated that the Highway Department is in need of new office space. He suggested moving the Highway staff into the old police station and possibly moving the athletic groups to the Extension Service building. He suggested having a
group review the possible uses of the Extension Service.
Mr. San Angelo noted that the Food Pantry has done a great job with the renovations of the BCI building. The Extension Service portion of the building will need significant repairs and updating.
Mr. San Angelo also noted that the Gate Keepers house at Camp Kiwanee needs significant repairs. He expressed concern of having empty Town owned buildings.
Mr. San Angelo offered to give the Selectmen a tour of the building and requested that the Board members forward ideas as to the uses of the various buildings. He noted that all the work will require funding.
Mr. San Angelo indicated if the highway office is relocated, the office space would be utilized for other highway services.
Mr. Scott noted that the First Congregational Church deserved recognition for hosting the Food Pantry and providing support for the Food Pantry. He also noted that the work done on the building. The Board concurred and offered it thanks to the First Congregational Church.
VII COMMITTEE REPORTS
Indian Head & Maquan School Priority Repair Committee – Chairman Young reported the committee would be meeting Wednesday. At the prior meeting the group discussed future projects which included the lentels. They will look at the long range plans for the Maquan School. He noted that all the major systems which included, in part, heating, electrical and locks at the Maquan School need to be addressed as all need to be replaced.
They will also discuss the hot water heater at Indian Head and the leaks at the Maquan School.
8:00 p.m. Hearing - Classification Hearing –
Mr. San Angelo read the following public hearing notice:
In accordance with Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 40, Section 56, a public hearing will be held in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room, Town Hall, Hanson, Massachusetts on Tuesday, December 2, 2014 at 8:00 P.M. for the purpose of allocating the percentage of tax levy to be borne by each class of property for Fiscal 2015. All interested taxpayers are encouraged to present oral or written information on their views. This is a necessary hearing, which must be held prior to certification of the fiscal 2015 tax rate.
Board of Assessors
Board of Selectmen
November 20, 2014
November 27, 2014
MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to open the hearing. Voted 4 – 0
Assessor Lee Gamache introduced Chairman Kathy Keefe and Administrative Assessor Denice Alexander. Ms. Gamache indicated that the Board will be voting the classification of the tax rate.
Ms. Gamache informed the Board that the anticipated tax rate will be $15.92. The Town tax allocation is comprised of 91.489% residential, 4.672% Commercial, 2.0949 % industrial and 1.7428% personal property. Due to the large percentage of residential and minor percentage of commercial and industrial, she recommended the Board vote to approve a uniform tax rate. Ms.Gamache noted that the Assessors previously voted not to recommend a split tax rate as the burden of the taxes would fall onto the commercial. The Assessors recommend a uniform tax rate.
Chairman Young indicated that it does not make sense to have a split tax rate when the Hanson is trying to bring business to Town.
MOTION by Scott, second by Howard to support the single uniform tax rate for the Residential, Commercial and Industrial. Voted 4 – 0
Small Business Exemption – Ms. Gamache informed that Board that the Assessors had voted previously not to accept the small business exemption. The exemption would apply small businesses. Ms. Gamache noted that there are 62 business in town of which 37 of the businesses are home businesses which do not qualify for the exemption. Only 12 businesses would benefit from the exemption noting that several other businesses lease space from the property owners who would receive the tax benefit.
Chairman Young asked what the exemption entails. Ms. Gamache indicated that a small percentage is reduced from the property taxes.
MOTION by Howard, second by McGahan to accept the Assessors’ recommendation and not adopt the small business exemption. Voted 4 - 0
Residential exemption applies to rental properties – Ms. Gamache indicated that there are only three cottage rental homes which would quality for the exemption. She reported that the Assessors voted not to adopt the residential exemption.
MOTION by Howard, second by McGahan not to adopt the residential exemption as recommended by the Assessors. Voted 4 - 0
Excess Levy Capacity $132,066.95 – The Town could raise taxes to the excess levy capacity.
MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to close the Classification Hearing. Voted 4 - 0
Returned to Committee Reports –
Monponsett Pond committee – Mr. Howard indicated that there is a meeting currently occurring in Plympton and the meeting will be continued until Monday, at 9:30 in Brockton Water Department.
Whitman Hanson Facilities Committee – Mr. McGahan noted that a meeting was held on
November 19th at the High School Library. The committee provided the 5 year capital needs assessment. The Maquan School had several items on the plan. The committee will be reviewing the future needs of the Maquan School.
VIII EXECUTIVE SESSION
Chairman Young announced that the Board would be going into Executive Session 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 – Constantine/Edgehille v. Town of Hanson and Update of Litigation regarding
62 Ocean Avenue. The Board will return to open session only to adjourn.
MOTION by Howard, second by Scott. Roll Call Howard aye; McGahan aye; Young aye, Scott aye Voted 4 – 0
8:17 p.m. – Brief Recess
8:40 p.m. Returned to open Session.
IX ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to adjourn. Voted 4 – 0
8:40 p.m. Meeting Adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Meredith Marini,
Executive Assistant
Approved and Voted 4 – 0 – 1 (Mitchell)
January 20, 2015
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