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Hanson Board of Selectmen
WHRSD High School Library
Wednesday, April 8, 2015 @ 7 pm
Meeting Minutes
Meeting convened: 7:00 p.m.
Meeting adjourned: 8:49 p.m.
Hanson Board of Selectmen Members:
Members present: Bruce Young (chair); Bill Scott (vice); Jim McGahan (clerk)
Members absent: Don Howard, Kenny Mitchell
School Committee Members:
Members present: Mrs. McSweeney; Messrs. Hayes (chair), Trotta, Lynam, Small, Cullity, Ford , O’Brien and Mr. Bois arrived at 7:03pm.
Members absent: Mrs. Taylor
Administrators present: Ellen Stockdale, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, Christine Suckow, Director of Business Services and Chad Peters, Director of Technology Services
Bruce Young called the meeting to order on behalf of the Hanson Board of Selectman.
- School Committee discussed various items on their agenda
- Approval of Minutes (Mar. 18, 2015) – Bob Hayes
- Student Advisory Report – Josh (student)
- Superintendent’s report –
- (District Planning – E. Stockdale, Safety and Security- E. Stockdale, Budget FY2015 –C. Suckow)
Review Warrant Articles for Town Meetings:
- Fire devices & panel (line item in Article 9): Annual Town Meeting
- At first topic were the Fire Alarm devices and panels for Whitman and Hanson. Whitman Town Administrator – Frank Lyman requested to the School Committee to withdraw the warrant article for the fire devices and panels from the May Town meeting warrant. Mr. Lyman indicated that after reviewing with Whitman Fire Chief and District Director of Technology the existing issues with the panels are causing false positive alarms and may be related to some communication problem with the equipment. Mr. Lyman added that the occurrences where at WMS and that the total cost of $99K for all buildings is a budget constraint and not economical at this time.
- Mr. Hayes suggested the article be passed over at the Town Meeting on May 4th.
- Mr. Lyman responded that he felt there is no point in passing over at Town meeting as it may confuse the townspeople and he would prefer not to publish it at all.
- Mr. Chad Peters reported that there is a need to replace these panels that were installed in 1999, and that they had a life expectancy of 10yrs – while the devices and panels are 15yrs old. He indicated that given the added costs to the budget for snow removal and that both Hanson and Whitman Fire Chiefs understand the issues, and there is no imminent danger, there was discussion to withdraw the articles from the May Town Meeting. Mr. Peters did advise the committee and request this should be revisited in the near future.
- VOTE: Mr. Bois motioned; Mr. Small seconded; voted to withdraw the Fire Devices and Panels from the Hanson Annual Town Meeting warrant in May. The motion carried unanimously 9-0-0.
- Mr. Kevin Lyman indicated concern as he thought the fire devices and panel articles originated with the safety officials. He indicated that the schools were given waivers by the Fire Department during annual testing, it was a necessity. Mr. Lyman strongly recommended that going forward; all recommendations for warrant articles must be presented by the individual seeking the article request, able to provide an explanation to the request.
- Mr. Hayes – indicated that this has been on the five year planning matrix. Mr. Peters commented that the fire panel replacements did originate with the District administration and during the annual testing the fire panel/devices were discussed. Mr. Peters indicated that although no present danger, these systems are 15 yrs. old and it would be prudent to replace.
- ARTICLE 9: To see if the Town will vote to appropriate and transfer from available funds $176,000 to various department Capital Accounts for the following items or take any other action in relation thereto.
Line |
Dept. |
Item |
FY16 CIP Report |
Town Admin. Recommendation
|
Funding Source |
1 |
Schools |
Replace Fire alarm & smoke detectors at Indian Head & Middle Schools |
$80,000 |
|
Free Cash |
2 |
Selectmen |
Paving for upper Town Hall Parking lot |
$40,000
|
|
Free Cash |
3 |
Fire |
Paving Fire Parking Lot |
$56,000 |
|
Free Cash |
4 |
Highway |
Front End Loader |
$168,000 |
|
Free Cash |
5 |
Highway |
New Ford F150 |
$45,000 |
|
|
Proposed by the Capital Improvement Committee & Board of Selectmen
Explanation: Item 1 -The fire detection devices are reaching the end of life (15 Years). This appropriation will replace all field devices and fire alarm panels in the Indian Head and Hanson Middle Schools. Item 2 - Repaving of the upper Town Hall parking lot is necessary due to the installation of new front stairs. Item 3 - Repaving of the Fire Department parking lot has been on the capital improvement plan for several years and is in serious need of repair.
- School Computer (Article 25) : Annual Town Meeting
- Bob Hayes spoke that the Maquan School roof leak issues were corrected by the Facilities Dept. The Facilities Manager, Ernie Sandland, provided a brief history of the condition of the roof and process of repairing reoccurring leaks. Mr. Hayes spoke to the condition of the school as well as reminder that we’re currently going through a SOI (Statement of Interest) through the MSBA program – on April 10th.
- There was discussion of the borrowing (school district vs. town) for the technology warrant article in Hanson. Selectman Chair Bruce Young – reported he contacted Eastern Bank and confirmed that the district typically borrows funding for school projects in a regional school district under MGL ch 71, s16(d).
- Bruce Y. needs debt exclusion info to Town Clerk for ballot. He had outstanding questions to Merry M. /Ron S. today.
- Mr. Lyman confirmed that the borrowing is approved by the district, they then bill Whitman or Hanson by assessment based on enrollment.
- Mr. Hayes explained the changes for the town borrowing directly and under the regional agreement they are asking for funding for Hanson Computers. He read the below language to Article 17 for purchasing and upgrading computers in Hanson elementary and middle schools and Hanson’s portion of the WHRHS:
ARTICLE 25: To see if the Town will pursuant to M.G.L. c.71, §16(d) approve or disapprove the debt authorization voted by the Whitman-Hanson Regional School District in the amount of $633,500 for the purpose of purchasing and upgrading computers in the Hanson elementary and middle schools and Hanson’s portion of the Regional High School or take any action relative thereto.
Proposed by the School Committee
Bruce clarified that the town cannot borrow for the regional school and that funding is determined under Ch.71, 16(d). The bank will not allow the loan to go through in this manner.
- VOTE: Mr. Small Motioned; Mr. Bois seconded; to vote and accept language of Article 17, “to authorized borrowing and incur debt under MGL ch71, s16(d) in the amount of $633,500 for the purpose of purchasing and upgrading computers in Hanson schools and Hanson’s portion of the WHRHS, said amount to be funded by the Town of Hanson in accordance with the Regional Agreement.
- Motion carried unanimously 9-0-0
- Maquan roof (Article 18): Annual Town Meeting
- Jim McGahan reminded school committee that the Maquan Roof article was not included. Bob Hayes indicated it is on for discussion, but will be separate.
- Chairman Hayes spoke that issues with the Maquan roof and problems with leaks are currently under control.
- Ernie Sandland was called to speak to the Maquan roof explanation. Ernie indicated that roof has leaked periodically, however in December 2014, they repaired a section of the roof – essentially saturating it with asphalt (liquid). It has since stopped leaking, however there is still the possibility that it could leak again due to the roof condition. The cost of that fix was approximately $1,200. The committee was informed that they are trying to avoid more costs.
- Chair Hayes spoke that there was much discussion with regard to the practicality of repairing the roof of Maquan, given its overall condition. He also remaindered of the requested SOI (Statement of Interest) as being pursued for a solution to Maquan School with the Massachusetts School Building Authority. Chair Hayes indicated that the district was sending a SOI to MSBA on April 10th.
- Chair Hayes indicated based on this – to withdraw the warrant article to repair the Maquan School roof.
- Hanson Selectman Jim McGahan requested if GALE Associates had been asked to provide estimate on roof repair, beyond the $266K from Gibson roofing.
- Ernie indicated nothing received as of yet, and may be available during school week vacation, and is still working on the Indian Head roof design repairs.
- VOTE: Mr. Small motioned; Mr. Bois seconded; vote to withdraw the Maquan Elementary School Roof repair warrant article for the Town of Hanson, Town Meeting on May 4th.
- The motion carried unanimously 9-0-0
ARTICLE 18 : To see if the town vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds and/or borrow a sum of money to repair the roof at the Maquan School to take any other action relative thereto.
Proposed by the School Committee
Explanation: ~ To tear off the existing roof of approximately 4” tar and gravel roof over the gym and cafeteria and replace with new PVC roof system with 4 “ of insulation. This will address the replacement of the existing tar and gravel roof over the gym and cafeteria that is original to the school 1966. Estimated cost: $266,000
The School Committee voted:
VOTE: Bob Hayes Motioned to accept to recommend removing Article 19, seconded by Fred Small
Passed unanimously to remove this article 10-0
Hanson Board of Selectmen voted:
Hanson Board of Selectmen Chairman, Bruce Young motioned, and Bill Scott seconded on approving the language for Article 17, as described above.
VOTE: The motion passed unanimously 3-0-0.
Adjournment:
BOS meeting was adjourned – Bill Scott motioned to adjourn the meeting; Bruce Young seconded – the motion passed unanimously 3-0-0. (8:49pm)
Respectfully submitted by Jim McGahan
End
Approved and Voted 3 – 0 – 2 (Mitchell & Howard)
May 4, 2015
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