Hanson Board of Selectmen
Selectmen’s Meeting Room, Hanson Town Hall
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Regular Meeting 7:00 P.M.
Members Present: Donald Howard, James McGahan, Kenny Mitchell, William Scott & Bruce Young
Members Absent:
Others Present: Interim Town Administrator Richard LaCamera
Executive Assistant Meredith Marini
7:00 p.m. Chairman Young called the meeting to order, led the Pledge Allegiance. He read the announcements and upcoming meeting schedule.
II TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
Recommendation of Hiring - Leah Guercio 164 Reed Street, Hanson –
Assistant Supportive Day Program Coordinator
Town Administrator Rich LaCamera and Counsel of Elder Affairs Director recommended the hiring of Leah Guercio as Assistant Supportive Day Program Coordinator. Mrs. Collins indicated that Mrs. Guercio has been volunteering for five years. The seniors respond very well to Ms. Guercio. She has a wonderful sense of humor and has common sense.
MOTION by Howard, second Mitchell to hire Leah Guercio as the Assistant Supportive Day Program Coordinator. Voted 5 - 0
Authorize Town Administrator to sign Donation Form for the Harris Stone Property – Mr. LaCamera explained that over a year ago the Town purchased property from Harris and Estelle Stone for $125,000 using CPA and Grant funds. The value of the property was $350,000.00. A tax form was never executed at the time of the closing noting the amount of donation of the property.
MOTION by Howard, second by McGahan to authorize the Town Administrator to sign the tax form on behalf of the Town. Voted 5 – 0
Mr. LaCamera thanked the staff and department heads for their support in putting the Town Meeting together.
Mr. LaCamera informed the Board that the website upgrade is ongoing.
Mr. LaCamera reported that the State is seeking input from citizens relative to capital projects for highways, bridges and transportation. Several meetings will be held throughout the State. Two local meetings will be conducted in Braintree and Plymouth. Mrs. Marini noted that the information is on the website.
Mr. LaCamera will attend the meeting with Whitman Hanson Regional School district regarding Other Post Employment Benefit on Wednesday night. Plymouth County Treasurer Tom O’Brien will be making a presentation to the Towns and the School District
III NEW BUSINESS
Report from the Town Administrator Search Committee – Committee Chairman Kenneth McCormick was present and advised that Board that 22 applications were received. The Committee interviewed four candidates. One candidate withdrew due to qualifications issues. A second candidate withdrew last week. The committee met earlier in the evening to discuss their options. They do not feel that two candidates are a sufficient number for the Selectmen’s consideration. The Search Committee determined the Town’s options were to keep the two candidates, re-post the position and start over. There was discussion as to the salary for the position. The Committee feels an increase may lead to more candidates.
The Search Committee vote to re-post with a more descriptive job description to include a benefit package, salary increase approved by May Town Meeting and keep the current two candidates. The Search Committee hopes to present at least three candidates to the Selectmen. The Committee feels the current salary of $110,000 is too low. The Search Committee recommends $110,000 - $120,000.
Mr. Mitchell noted that there had been discussion that the salary might be too low.
Mr. McCormick indicated the committee does not want to release the names of the two candidates.
Mr. LaCamera does not believe the Search Committee can hold the current two candidates. He indicated they will need to re-apply. He suggested that a 30 day posting.
MOTION Scott, second by McGahan to take the Search Committee’s recommendation to repost the position and keep the current two candidates and to post a salary range $110,000 to $120,000 contingent up May Town Meeting approval and provide benefit package information in posting. Voted 5 – 0
Chad Peter – IT Services - Update on computer upgrades at the Schools – Chad Peters informed the Board that the project was multi-tiered. It is been going well. The district core was upgraded over the summer. The network equipment was upgraded at the high school during the summer. They are tackling the data center which is the largest piece of the project, which commenced at the end of the summer. They commenced the virtualization in the middle of September. They started with a dozen, and will take larger sections of 50 – 100 and then additional groupings. It has been successful so far and working very well. They will replace the physical computers during vacation periods. Mr. Peters indicated he will
report back to the Board as the project progresses.
Mr. Mitchell asked why the WiFi doesn’t work. Mr. Peters explained that there are a few different WiFi’s in the school. One of which was a Guest WiFi and all the students started using as it did not have all the necessary restrictions. It was shut down and the students were required to use the student WiFi.
Mr. McLeod asked the ages using the computers. Mr. Peters indicated that the virtualization will go out to Pre-K to 12.
Mr. Peters expects completion of all the projects by the end of the year.
Chairman Young thanked Mr. Peters for attending the meeting.
Review of Town owned properties – Mr. LaCamera informed the Board that the Town Owned Properties project is a two part project. One to identify Conservation Properties and Town possessions through tax title. This list is compiled by Assessors Map and Lot. Each lot indicates whether the property is buildable, whether is abuts Town Property. Mr. LaCamera would like to meet with the departments along with one member of the Board of Selectmen. He noted that some of the large parcels are wetlands. Mr. LaCamera indicated that some of the properties are land locked but the abutters may be interested in acquiring.
Mr. Howard and Mr. Mitchell volunteered to meet with Mr. LaCamera to review the properties and the Assessors maps.
Notice of Award of Sustainable Material Program grant of $4,350.00 - Mr. Young read the letter from Governor Baker dated September 30, 2015 regarding the Sustainable Materials Recovery Program grant in the amount of $4,350.00. Mr. LaCamera indicated that funds will go to the Transfer Station for the Recycling program.
Appointments/Resignations
William Cushing 291 Lakeside Road – Alternate Zoning Board of Appeals.
Term to Expire 6/30/17
Mr. Cushing was present. Chairman Young reviewed Mr. Cushing’s resume which indicated Mr. Cushing has a Bachelor of Science in Management/Finance. He has 15 years in the building and permitting process and knowledge of Form A subdivisions. Mr. Cushing indicated that he grew up in Hanson and he wanted to get involved in the community.
MOTION Howard, second by McGahan to appoint William Cushing as the Alternate to the Zoning Board of Appeal with a term to expire June 30, 2017. Voted 5 – 0
Representative for Board of Selectmen to serve on Open Space Committee – Mr. McGahan volunteered to serve.
MOTION by Mitchell, second by Young to appoint Mr. McGahan to the Open Space Committee. Voted 5- 0
IV OLD BUSINESS
Review List of Town Possessions – Already heard
V APPROVE MEETING MINUTES
October 5, 2015
MOTION by Howard, second by McGahan to approve the minutes of October 5, 2015 as presented. Voted 5 – 0
VI COMMITTEE REPORTS
Monponsett Pond Committee – Mr. Howard reported the Jersey barriers have been installed on Rt. 58 and Lingan Street.
Mr. Howard indicated that MassDOT sent a letter regarding the work along Rt. 14. Mr. Howard will attend the meetings at MassDOT District 5.
Indian Head & Maquan Priority Repair Comm. – Mr. Young indicated the Repair Committee received a project completion document for the lentils. The document included in part, the warranty, release of liens, waste shipment manifest. Mr. Young requested Mr. LaCamera and the Building Inspector review the documents. Mr. Young reported that the gutters and downspouts have been installed. The only rot was found in the front of the auditorium by the downspouts.
WHRDS Capital Repairs & Facilities Committee – Mr. McGahan indicated that he met with the group to review all the projects at the school. Mr. Sandland will be repairing the leak at Maquan School gym. They viewed the new hot water system at the Indian Head School. Hanson schools have made significant progress. The schools should be ready for winter.
Highway Building Committee - Mr. Scott indicated that the next meeting will be Monday, October 19th.
Town Administrator Search Committee – Already heard
VII EXECUTIVE SESSION
Chairman Young announced that the Board would be going into Executive Session to discuss the reputation, character, physical condition or mental health, rather than the professional competence, of an individual, or discuss the discipline or dismissal of, or complaints or charges against, the public officer, employee, staff member or individual.
So Move by Mitchell, second by Howard to go into Executive Session. Roll Call Howard aye, McGahan aye, Young aye, Scott aye and Mitchell aye Voted 5 – 0
8:06 p.m. Brief Recess
11:41 p.m. Returned to Open Session
VIII ADJOURMENT
MOTION by Howard, second by McGahan to adjourn. Voted 5 – 0.
11:42 p.m. Meeting Adjourned
Respectfully submitted,
Meredith Marini,
Executive Assistant
Approved and Voted 5 - 0
October 27, 2015
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