Town of Hanson, MA - Selectmen's Minutes 6-2-15

Selectmen's Minutes 6-2-15

Town of Hanson - Board of Selectmen

Meeting Minutes – Hanson Town Hall

June 2, 2015

Members Present: Donald Howard, James McGahan, Kenny Mitchell, William Scott & Bruce Young

Members Absent:

Others Present: Town Administrator Ron San Angelo

Executive Assistant Meredith Marini

7:01 p.m. Chairman Young called the meeting to order, led the Pledge Allegiance. He read the announcements and upcoming meeting schedule.

II SWEAR IN NEW POLICE OFFICER- Chief Michael Miksch introduced and welcomed Jarod Meegan, his family and members of the Hanson Police Dept. Officer Meegan was appointed effective May 19, 2015. He grew up on Cape Cod started with the Wellfleet Police Dept in 2009. Chief Miksch noted that he received very good reports from Officer Meegan’s former employers.

Town Clerk Elizabeth Sloan swore in Officer Meegan and his fiancée Kayle McGrath pinned on his badge.

III TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Energy Program – Mr. San Angelo noted that the lighting is being updated at Town Hall. They have run into a few problems with an old building such as the Town Hall and some of the fixtures need to be retrofitted. He indicated that new ceiling tiles will be installed after all the lighting is finished.

New Entrance Doors at Town Hall – He indicated the project has commenced and the lower level doors should be completed on Wednesday and they will start on the front entrance.

Library Roof Project – Mr. San Angelo expects to have the project ready to move forward on July 1^st.

Hanson Day – Mr. San Angelo reminded residents that Hanson Day is this Sunday. The public is welcome to arrive at 1:00 p.m. Vendors are expected to arrive after 11:00 a.m. Mr. San Angelo thanked Recreation Commission particularly Nicole Campbell, Jim Flanagan and Sue Lonergan for this assistance with the event.

IV NEW BUSINESS

Chief Miksch – Appointment of two new police officers – Chief Miksch introduced Benjamin Ford and Derek Harrington as student police officers. They will have no police powers until they complete the police academy. Mr. Harrington has been a full time dispatcher for the last two years. He is a part time Police Officer in Hanson and Whitman. Mr. Ford has been a police officer in Oaks Bluff for the past two years and was previously an intern for Hanson Police and Essex County Sheriff’s Dept. They are both Whitman-Hanson graduates. They have strong ties to the community. They both coach sports in Hanson. Chief Miksch noted that currently there is a vacancy on the force. The police academy will start in September. Both are required to pass a physical and a Physical Agility Test prior to attending the academy. The certifications will be valid for ten months.

Chief Miksch indicated that he has the funding for the new officers in the FY2016 budget. He will have to pay for the academy costs for the officers.

MOTION by Howard, second by McGahan that Derek Harrington and Benjamin Ford be appointed as Student Police Officers in accordance with MGL Chapter 41 Section 96B and providing the following conditions are successfully completed: Medical Exam, Background Check, Psychological Exam, Physical Abilities Test (PAT) and acceptance into a MPTC Recruit Academy. Voted 5 – 0

Chief Miksch noted that both Mr. Harrington and Mr. Ford were finalists when Officer Meegan was appointed.

Discuss Hanson Food Pantry – Hanson Food Pantry representatives Laura Kemmett and Sharon Kennedy updated the Board on the fundraising efforts. They indicated that in 2015 they moved into the former Plymouth County Hospital building and their expenses are $35,000 to $40,000 annually. Previously their expenses were $15,000 to $20,000. They will be fund raising in order to pay for their expenses. They have placed collection cans around Town. They received an additional collection bin for food at the Mutual Bank. They are looking to re-negotiate the lease for the building. They serve 3,500 people with most of them from Hanson. Less than 15% come from out of town. They are USDA point of contact. When residents go to the food pantry they receive a weeks worth of food from can goods to meats to pet foods. They are a 501-3C non-profit.

The Food Pantry would like to own pay for the utilities and possibly have the energy company update the lighting in the building.

The Food Pantry has a great group of volunteers and some of the members are working on fund raising. However, they are currently in a deficit. Local Churches are making donations and will ask local civic organizations to fundraise for them.

Mr. Mitchell would like to help them out.

Mr. San Angelo pointed out that the Town just set the budget and $20,000 is a lot of money. The Town would not be able to provide any funding until at least the October Special Town Meeting.

Discussed the Extension Service section of the building. Mr. San Angelo indicated that he has called the county several times to get the building cleaned out. He doesn’t know what is going to happen to the building.

The Food Pantry is concerned that all the work, over $300,000, will be for not if they can’t get some support for the utility bills. Mr. San Angelo would like to get the Board’s consensus and he would speak with the Town Accountant.

Mr. Howard suggested closing off the front portion of the building. Mr. Scott feels the Town should look for the money for the Food Pantry.

Mrs. Kemmett indicated that an appeal will be mailed out in the next.

Comcast License – Attorney William Solomon was present to explain the license. He indicated that he is Special Cable counsel. He worked with the town on the last license and worked with Whitman as well. The license provided for a joint public access corporation and studio. He started looking at the renewals three years ago. The new license was built off the previous license. The Town will receive 5% of the annual Gross Revenues from June 2, 2015 to June 30, 2018 and then receive 4.8% of gross revenue to the end of the contract June 1, 2025. The license continues to provide the cable service to every residential unit. There will be a capital payment of $140,000 for capital support.

Video Return – Comcast will build a new hub site at Town Hall. They will provide additional funding to the Town during the first 3 years and 1 month the Town will receive 5% of its gross revenues to the Town. These funds can be used for a fiber network build out to the Middle School. Three PEG Access channels, Public, Education and Government.

Voluntary Senior Discount of $2.00 based on income. There is a side letter that Comcast will continue to provide basic service to Town Buildings and Libraries.

Attorney Solomon feels this is a good license.

Chairman Young indicated that he would entertain a motion;

MOTION by McGahan, second by Scott that the Board of Selectmen, as cable television license Issuing Authority, vote as follows:

To grant the subject Cable Television Renewal License, with an effective date of June 2, 2015, to Comcast of Massachusetts I, Inc. (“Comcast”). All terms and conditions contained in this Renewal License have been agreed to by Comcast. Comcast, by and through its authorized representative, will execute this Renewal License (Agreement) as set out on the Signature Page of the Renewal License.
To recognize and acknowledge the following side-letter from Comcast:

Senior Citizen Discount & Education Connections Program; and

Comcast Courtesy Cable Television Service (Standard Service or its equivalent to public buildings).

Mr. Edgehille asked how to improve the reception of the programming broadcast. Attorney Solomon noted that the signal is now digital and the picture should improve. He indicated it is a contractual requirement that the signal be without distortion. The updates will occur within the next 12 to 18 months.

Mr. San Angelo noted that the improvement will only be made at Town Hall and at the Middle School and not throughout the entire town. The equipment will be installed by Comcast and Public Access will update the room to accommodate the new equipment.

Cathy Maloney indicated that they have a basic rate of $9.00, which includes all the local broadcast stations and the PEG Access. Mrs. Maloney will provide the Board with the list of channels on the basic level.

Mike MacLeod asked about cameras in other meeting rooms within the Town Hall. He would like to have fixed camera so that other meetings could be broadcast. Attorney Solomon indicated that the Town would have to negotiate with the Public Access Corporation. The Public Access Corp. is willing to work with the Town to meet various needs.

Mike Jones asked what $9.00 would provide. Ms. Maloney indicated that with tax and box fees the total bill will be higher than $9.00.

Mr. McGahan asked why a ten year license and not five or two year. Attorney Solomon explained that the companies could not recreate a good business model. In order to make long term commitments to the communities the license needs to make economic sense. Attorney Solomon feels it is in the Town’s best interest to lock into a ten year license.

So voted 4 – 1 (Howard)

Annual Re-appointments:

POSITION	FIRST	LAST	TERM_ENDS	LENGTH OF TERM
Agricultural Commission	Teresa	Santalucia	6/30/2018	3 years
Agricultural Commission	Nancy	Cappellini	6/30/2018	3 years
Agricultural Commission - Alternate	Ruth	Sylvester	6/30/2018	3 years
Agricultural Commission - Alternate	Michael	Chernicki	6/30/2018	3 years
Appeals Board	Robert	Overholtzer	6/30/2018	3 year
Area Agency on Aging Advisory Committee	Jane	Baker	6/30/2016	1 years
Assistant Building Commissioner	Steven	Solari	6/30/2016	1 year
Assistant Plumbing & Gas Inspector	Gary	Young	6/30/2016	1 year
Auxiliary Police Officer	Algernon	Queen	6/30/2016	1 year
Auxillary Police Officer	August	Silva	6/30/2016	1 year
Auxillary Police Officer	Charles	Mann	6/30/2016	1 years
Auxillary Police Officer - Harbormaster	Robert	O'Brien	6/30/2016	1 year
Building Commissioner	Robert	Curran	6/30/2016	1 year
Capital Improvement Committee	Helen	Vess	6/30/2018	3 years
Capital Improvement Committee	Patricia	Concree	6/30/2018	3 years
Central Plymouth County Water District	Donald	Howard	6/30/2016	1 year
Community Preservation Committee	Patty	Norton	6/30/2018	3 years
Community Preservation Committee	Allan	Clemons	6/30/2018	3 years
Community Preservation Committee	Joseph	Gamache	6/30/2018	3 years
Council for Elder Affairs	Jane	Baker	6/30/2018	3 years
Council for Elder Affairs	Michael	Saya	6/30/2018	3 years
Council for Elder Affairs	Linda	Philbrook	6/30/2018	3 years
Council for Elder Affairs - alternate	Elizabeth	Stevens	6/30/2018	3 years
Cultural Council	Margaret	Westfield	6/30/2016	1 years
Cultural Council	Laurie	Armstrong	6/30/2016	1 years
Cultural Council	Rebecca	Nehiley	6/30/2017	2 years
Cultural Council	Corinne	Cafardo	6/30/2017	2 years
Cultural Council	Jill	Beaulieu	6/30/2017	2 years
Drainage Committee	Ernest	Amado	6/30/2016	1 year
Drainage Committee	Nancy	Cristoferi	6/30/2016	1 year
Drainage Committee	Donald	Howard	6/30/2016	1 year
Drainage Committee - Highway	Robert	Brown	6/30/2016	1 year
Emergency Com. Center Op. Com.	Jerome	Thompson	6/30/2016	1 Year
Emergency Com. Center Op. Com.	Robert	Brown	6/30/2016	1 year
Emergency Com. Center Op. Com.	William	Scott	6/30/2016	1 year
Emergency Com. Center Op. Com.	Michael	Miksch	6/30/2016	1 year
Emergency Com. Center Op. Com.	Richard	Muncey	6/30/2016	1 year
Energy Committee	Donald	Howard	6/30/2016	1 year
Fence Viewer	William	Lonergan	6/30/2016	1 year
Fence Viewer	Robert	Curran	6/30/2016	1 year
Forest Warden	Jerome	Thompson	6/30/2016	1 Year
Gas Inspector	Scott	Bizzozero	6/30/2016	1 year
Harbormaster	Robert	O'Brien	6/30/2016	1 year
Hazardous Waste Coordinator	Jerome	Thompson	6/30/2016	1 Year
Historical Commission	Lawrence	Mills	6/30/2018	3 years
Historical Commission	Patty	Norton	6/30/2018	3 year
Indian Head and Maquan School Priority Repair	Gary	Banuk	6/30/2016	1 year
Indian Head and Maquan School Priority Repair	William	Garvey	6/30/2016	1 year
Indian Head and Maquan School Priority Repair	Maria	McClellan	6/30/2016	1 year
Indian Head and Maquan School Priority Repair	Christopher	Howard	6/30/2016	1 year
Indian Head and Maquan School Priority Repair	Michael	Jones	6/30/2016	1 year
Indian Head and Maquan School Priority Repair	John	Wright	6/30/2016	1 year
Indian Head and Maquan School Priority Repair	Brian	Campbell	6/30/2016	1 year
Indian Head and Maquan School Priority Repair	Bruce	Young	6/30/2016	1 year
Indian Head and Maquan School Priority Repair	Robert	Hayes	6/30/2016	1 year
Nathaniel Thomas Mill Committee	Iris	Morway	6/30/2018	3 years
North River Commission	Kathleen	Womersley	6/30/2018	3 years
Old Colony Metropolitan Planning Org.	Donald	Howard	6/30/2016	1 year
Oldham Pond Committee	Mary-Ellen	Buckley	6/30/2016	1 year
Oldham Pond Committee	Ronald	San Angelo	6/30/2016	1 years
Oldham Pond Committee	Donald	Howard	6/30/2016	1 year
Open Space Committee	Howard	Dillon	6/30/2018	3 years
Open Space Committee	Philip	Lindquist	6/30/2018	3 years
Open Space Committee	~	~	6/30/2018	3 years
Parks and Fields Commission	Steven	Lyons	6/30/2018	3 years
Plymouth County Advisory Board	Donald	Howard	6/30/2016	1 year
Plymouth County Advisory Board - Alternate	Bruce	Young	6/30/2016	1 year
Central Plymouth County Water District	Donald	Howard	6/30/2016	1 year
Recreation Commission	Susan	Lonergan	6/30/2018	3 year
Recreation Commission	Raymond	Slayton	6/30/2018	3 years
Sealer of Weights & Measures for Commercial Vehicles	Richard	Eldredge	6/30/2016	1 year
Special Police Officer	Ronald	Clark	6/30/2016	1 year
Special Police Officer	Richard	Eldredge	6/30/2016	1 year
Special Police Officer	Andrew	Gilbert	6/30/2016	1 year
Special Police Officer	Derek	Harrington	6/30/2016	1 year
Special Police Officer	Nicholas	Konarski	6/30/2016	1 year
Special Police Officer	Jeff	McKinnon	6/30/2016	1 year
Special Police Officer	Richard	Nawazelski	6/30/2016	1 Year
Special Police Officer	Richard C.	Nawazelski	6/30/2016	1 year
Special Police Officer	James	Perron	6/30/2016	1 year
Street Safety/Private Road Oversight Committee	Michael	Dunn	6/30/2016	1 year
Street Safety/Private Road Oversight Committee	Robert	Brown	6/30/2016	1 year
Street Safety/Private Road Oversight Committee	Michael	Miksch	6/30/2016	1 year
Street Safety/Private Way Oversight Committee	William	Scott	6/30/2016	1 year
Street Safety/Private Way Oversight Committee	Anthony	Sacco	6/30/2016	1 year
Wiring Inspector	Edward	Savage	6/30/2016	1 year
Zoning Enforcement Officer	Robert	Curran	6/30/2016	1 year

Correction was made that Joe Gamache is no longer the Planning Board’s Representative on Community Preservation.

MOTION by Howard, second by Mitchell, with the exception of Joe Gamache, to reappoint the committee members as presented. Voted 5 – 0

Requests:

Common Victualars License – Historical Society for Strawberry Festival on June 12^th

and Harvest Festival on September 12^th

MOTION by Howard, second by McGahan to approve the Common Victualers for the Hanson Historical Society. Voted 5 - 0

V OLD BUSINESS

Appointment to the Highway Building Committee – Applications for appointment were received from John Murray of 44 Sleigh Drive and David Hanlon of 5 Arthur Street.

MOTION by Mitchell, second by Howard to appoint David Hanlon and John Murray to the Highway Building Committee. Voted 5 – 0

Set date for final presentation of Plymouth County Hospital Re-Use discussion. Mr. San Angelo indicated that the Chairman had requested June 23^rd at the Selectmen’s Meeting Room with a representative from the Old Colony Planning Council present to answer questions.

VI COMMITTEE REPORTS

Monponsett Pond Committee – Mr. Howard reported no meeting yet.

Indian Head & Maquan Priority Repair Comm. – Mr. Young indicated that the committee will be meeting on June 10^th and reorganize. The bids for the roof were opened and the result for the roof was lower than expected. The low bidder for the roof was $635,000 and extra for lightening protection $47,000. The Lentil low bidder came in at $144,000. Well below the $200,000

The Board of Selectmen will hold a special meeting on Wednesday June 10^th at 7:00 p.m. at WH High School to accept the low bids for the two projects.

WHRDS Capital Repairs & Facilities Committee – Mr. McGahan indicated that they haven’t met and no change from last report.

VII EXECUTIVE SESSION Chairman Young announced that the Board would be going into to 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. Town Administrator’s contract. He noted that the Board will return to open session only to adjourn.

So moved by Howard, second by McGahan to go into Executive Session Roll Call, Howard aye, McGahan aye, Young aye, Scott aye and Mitchell aye. Voted 5 – 0.

8:50 p.m. Brief Recess

9:51 p.m. returned to open Session

VIII ADJOURMENT

MOTION by Howard, second by Scott to adjourn. Vote 5 – 0

9:51 p.m. Meeting Adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Meredith Marini,

Executive Assistant

Approved and Voted 5 – 0

September 22, 2015