Hanson Board of Selectmen
Selectmen’s Meeting Room, Hanson Town Hall
Tuesday, October 27, 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
Bay Communications – Mr. LaCamera indicated that a letter will be available from Town Counsel by the end of the week.
Mr. LaCamera reported that Columbia Gas will be replacing a gas line on Whitman Street from Winter Street to East Washington Street. Work will begin in the next two weeks and will be completed by November 15th. Permanent repaving will be done in the spring.
Mr. LaCamera reminded that Board that MassDOT Capital Meeting will be held on Thursday, Oct. 29th in Plymouth Town Hall.
Mr. LaCamera informed that Board that he received a letter from Halifax Health Agent regarding grant money for water quality testing of Monponsett Pond. Halifax has requested a letter of support from the Town of Hanson. Mr. LaCamera will review the issue with Mr. Howard
Other Post Employment Benefit Trust – Mr. LaCamera noted the creation of a trust was approved at Town Meeting for post employment benefits. He attended a presentation by the County Treasurer which was held at the Whitman Hanson High School. Mr. LaCamera has met with Hanson Treasurer and will meet with the Town Accountant, after which he will make a presentation to the Selectmen.
III NEW BUSINESS
Requests:
Hanson Holiday Committee – Request permission to use the
Town Hall Green for the Annual Holiday Festival Sat. December 12th
MOTION by Howard, second by McGahan to use Town Hall Green on December 12th for the Annual Holiday Festival. Voted 5 – 0
Appointments/Resignations
Sealer of Weights and Measures – Robert O’Rourke 43 Hillside Dr. Hanover
Term to Expire 6/30/16
Mr. O’Rourke was present and the Board reviewed his application which indicated that he is the Sealer of Weights and Measures for Hanover. He acknowledged the former Sealer, Peter Jones, noting that Mr. Jones was well respected in the field of Weights and Measurer. Mr. O’Rourke has been certified since 2007. He continued his certification for heavy truck scales and price verification for stores that have 3 or more scanners. Mr. O’Rourke enjoys the work and likes to visit the businesses. The position of the Sealer has to be fair to the business and residents. Chairman Young indicated the salary is small, $3,200.00 with a $400 expense line. Mr. O’Rourke was fine with the salary. Mr. O’Rourke explained the process for sealing the scales and gas pumps.
MOTION by Howard, second by Mitchell to appoint Robert O’Rourke as Sealer of Weights and Measures term to expire June 30, 2016. Voted 5 – 0
General By-Law Committee:
Joseph Campbell 150 Woodbine Avenue
Amy Wright 19 Lance Lane
Jennifer Killeen 14 Crooker Place
Chairman Young indicated that he was a member of the first by-law committee when it was established in 1985. Mr. LaCamera indicated that the committee has not met in 4 years. He recommended that the Board consider the charge of the committee and the necessity of the committee. Mr. LaCamera recommended that matter be tabled in order to have Town Counsel review the By-law.
MOTION by McGahan, second by Mitchell to table appointments to the committee until the matter is reviewed by Town Counsel. Voted 5 – 0
Mr. Amico, Chairman of the Holiday Committee arrived and reported that the Holiday Festival will be on December 12th from 5:30 – 7:30 - Fireworks will be at 7:30 p.m. The Committee is selling 500 buttons for $5.00 as a fundraiser. Contact Steve Amico 293-2532 to make donations to the Committee.
Chairman Young noted that the Holiday Committee and Hanson Day Committee are not official Town Committees and suggested that Town Meeting vote to approve them as regular committees of the Town. Mrs. Marini suggested that a bi-centennial committee would be in order as the Town’s 200th anniversary is in 2020. The Board will discuss the matter at a future meeting.
IV OLD BUSINESS
Review Town Administrator Posting and Job Description – The Board discussed increasing the salary range from $95,000 to $120,000 and detail the benefit package and health insurance within the posting.
Mr. LaCamera noted that the Board does not have to wait until May 2016 to receive funding for the position at $120,000. He indicated that there is enough money in the budget due to the fact that he is only working part time. He indicated that contracts are always subject to Town Meeting approval and Town Meeting would have to approve the increased salary for next fiscal year.
Mr. Mitchell asked when the posting will occur and suggested waiting until March to repost. Chairman Young noted that budget process is about to commence in most communities and applicants may not be inclined to leave a Town during that process.
Mr. LaCamera indicated that he knows of two Town Administrators who will be retiring next June. Those communities will be posting the positions in January. Mr. LaCamera feels the Town will receive more applications if it starts the search in January.
Search Committee Chairman Ken McCormick indicated that re-posting the position in January was an option the Search Committee had considered with a target hire date of April.
MOTION by Mitchell, second McGahan to advertise the revised posting by the second week in January with target date of hearing April 1st. Voted 5 - 0
V APPROVE MEETING MINUTES
October 13, 2015
MOTION by Howard, second by McGahan to approve the minutes of October 13th as printed. Voted 5 – 0
VI COMMITTEE REPORTS
Monponsett Pond Committee – Mr. Howard reported the committee hasn’t met since last week.
Indian Head & Maquan Priority Repair Comm. – Chairman Young reported the committee will be meeting in November. The smoke hatch has been completed with minor issues.
Highway Building Committee – Mr. Scott indicated that there has not been a meeting since Town Meeting. Meeting will be scheduled for next week.
Town Administrator Search Committee – None
VII ONE DAY LIQUOR LICENSES - Camp Kiwanee
Friends of Camp Kiwanee, Friday, Nov. 13th 7:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. – Fundraiser
Gail Fusco, Hanson, Sat., Dec. 5th 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. – Family party
MOTION by Howard, second by McGahan to approve the one day liquor licenses as presented. Voted 5 – 0
VIII EXECUTIVE SESSION
Chairman Young announced that the Board will be going into 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.
So Moved Howard, second by McGahan to go into Executive Session. Roll Call Howard ayes, McGahan aye, Young aye, Scott aye, and Mitchell aye. Voted 5 – 0
7:41 p.m. Brief Recess
8:25 p.m. Return to Open Session
IX ADJOURMENT
MOTION by McGahan, second by Howard to adjourn. Voted 5 – 0
8:25 p.m. Meeting Adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Meredith Marini
Executive Assistant
Approved and Voted 4 - 0
November 10, 2015
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