Town of Hanson - Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes – Hanson Town Hall
July 12, 2011 – 7:30 p.m.
Members Present: Stephen Amico, James Egan, Richard Flynn, Donald Howard and David Soper
Members Absent:
Others Present: Town Administrator Rene’ J. Read and Executive Assistant Meredith Marini
I 7:30 p.m.~~~~~~~Chairman Amico called the meeting to order. Chairman Amico lead the Pledge Allegiance and read the announcements and upcoming meeting schedule.
II TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT- – National Fireworks Site - Mr. Read reported
Hanover Selectmen would like to host a joint meeting with members of the Hanson Board of Selectmen on Tuesday, July 19, 2011, at 6:00 p.m. at the Hanover Town Hall to discuss the National Fireworks Site.~ Mr. Soper indicated he would not be available. The remaining members plan to attend. Mr. Read reminded the Board that they are currently scheduled to meet that night as well at 7:30 p.m.
Assessing Department – Mr. Read informed the Board that the deadline for applications for the position of the Town Assessor has closed and he will be reviewing resumes later in the week and setting up interviews shortly thereafter.
Planning Department – Mr. Read reported that Noreen O’Toole has left her position as the Town Planner after 24 years.~He indicated that Town of Hanson is grateful to her for her years of service, she will be missed and wished her well. He also reported that Planning Board members Phil Lindquist, David Nagle and Gerry LeBlanc have resigned.~ Mr. Read thanked them for their years of service and wished them well also.
As a result of these resignations, the Board of Selectmen and remaining members of the Planning Board will need to meet to make temporary appointments of new members until an election can be held to permanently fill these positions.~ Any persons interested in serving on the Planning Board should contact the Town Administrator’s office.
Draft Transfer Station Regulations – Mr. Read informed the Board that the Board of Health will be holding a Public Hearing on Tuesday, July 26, 2011, at 7:00 p.m. in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room to discuss new Transfer Station Rules and Regulations which will replace the existing regulations. He encouraged interested parties to attend this hearing to offer input and ask questions.~ Mr. Read indicated that copies of the draft regulations are available on the Town of Hanson website, at the Town Clerk, Selectmen and Board of Health offices.
Solid Waste Update - On June 29th Mr. Read met with the members of the Cape Cod Solid Waste Contract Advisory Committee (“CCSWCAC”) to review the Request for Expressions of Interests for the provision of solid waste and recycling services for communities located on Cape Cod and in southeastern Massachusetts.~ The request process was handled by the Barnstable County Purchasing Department on the communities’ behalf. Nine responses were received.~ During the meeting, the list was pared down to 5 firms including Covanta SEMASS, Town of Bourne (ISWMF), Cape Rail, Waste Management and E.L. Harvey and Sons. The Committee will be reviewing the options.
Conservation Department – Due to the reduction in hours, the Conservation Agent will be available Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Wednesdays following a Conservation Commission meeting the agent’s hours will be adjusted accordingly. The Conservation Agent will also be available for appointments Thursday & Friday on an emergency basis only.
At the conclusion of the Town Administrator’s report, Mr. Amico and the Board members thanked all the Planning Board members and Noreen O’Toole for their service to the Town.
III NEW BUSINESS
Vote Conservation Restriction Birchbark Road – Mrs. Marini explained that the Conservation restriction is the final step in the acquisition of property located on Birchbark Road which is owned by Brian Simonelli. Pursuant to a settlement made by a previous Board of Selectmen, Mr. Simonelli will grant a Conservation Easement and pay to the Town the sum of $10,000.00. In accordance with the settlement agreement, Mr. Simonelli purchased an adjacent lot which had been in tax title. Mr. Simonelli paid the back taxes in the amount of $8,700.00. The additional lot provides Mr. Simonelli with access to his property and per the settlement agreement, Mr. Simonelli was granted permission to construct a house on the remainder of the original lot. The Conservation Commission is
scheduled the approve the Conservation Restriction at its meeting on July 26th.
MOTION by Flynn, second by Egan to accept the Conservation Restriction Easement as presented. Voted 5 - 0
Resignations:
Noreen O’Toole, Town Planner – As Planner & OCPC Transportation Rep.
Peggy O’Toole Driscoll – Finance Committee ~ Moderator’s appointment
Kenneth Munstis – General By-law Committee ~ Chose not to be Reappointed
Edward Bates – Parks & Fields ~ Chose not to be reappointed
David Nagle – Planning Board
Philip Lindquist – Planning Board
Gerard LeBlanc – Planning Board
Chairman Amico acknowledged the resignation from Peggy O’Toole and the decision from Kenneth Munstis and Edward Bates declining appointment to their respective committees. Chairman Amico thanked the individuals for their service.
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to accept with regret Noreen O’Toole’s resignation as the Old Colony Planning Council’s Transportation Representative.
Mr. Howard inquired whether there is anyone available to write grants now that Noreen O’Toole has resigned. Mr. Read indicated that there is no one at this time.
Mr. Soper inquired whether the appointment as the OCPC Transportation Representative required planning experience. Mr. Read indicated he would check.
Review Cell Tower Proposal – Mr. Read read the following memo
Dear Members,
Following the issuance of an RFP on the aforementioned subject, our office received one (1) bid from Bay Communication of Mansfield, MA for the purpose of constructing and operating a telecommunications tower up to 175’ feet in height, and the installation and operation of personal wireless services equipment on such tower, on approximately 2,000 square foot portion of the Town-owned parcel of land located at 505 Liberty Street, Hanson, Massachusetts, for a period of up to twenty (20) years. The Town-owned parcel of land is the site of Fire Station, is shown on Assessors Map 81 as Lot 15, and contains +/- 5.9 acres, in accordance with bidding documents prepared by the Town of Hanson. The proposer’s annual rent for the first year is $24,000.00.
I have reviewed the bid documents along with Town Counsel and we concur that the bid specifications have been adequately met by the proposer. Counsel has noted that while the proposal does not include a copy of Bay Communication’s most recent audited annual financial statement and evidence of Dun & Bradstreet or equivalent rating, the Delaware Sec. of State’s records indicate that the proposer is a new entity (incorporated only in January 2011), which is why audited financial statements and ratings were not submitted (since there may be no ratings or annual statements yet).
As a result, I recommend that the Board of Selectmen vote to accept the proposal and authorize me to proceed with contract negotiations and to further negotiate the terms of the lease.
Should the Board decide to vote the aforementioned recommendation in the affirmative, the proposer would then submit (simultaneously) applications to the Board of Appeals for a Variance and Special Permit for their review and approval.
Mr. Flynn inquired about the esthetics and whether the cell tower could be in the form of a flag pole. Mr. Read advised that the style and specifics would be determined during the permitting process. Mr. Soper was concerned that the proponent is a new entity just starting out in January 2011. Mr. Read indicated that this was a company created from former company. The lease would be 20 years and a bond would be required.
MOTION by Egan, second by Flynn to accept the bid from Bay Communication for the cell tower and authorize Mr. Read to proceed with contract negotiations. Voted 5 – 0
Indian Head Plaza – Chairman Amico thanked Water Superintendent Neal Merritt for his efforts in getting the water break fixed at the Indian Head Plaza, in spite of the fact it was a Brockton Water issue.
IV OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS – None Heard
V ONE DAY LIQUOR LICENSES ~ Camp Kiwanee
Paul Nichol, Hanson, MA Thurs., July 21st 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. - Dinner
Kathy Aborn, Jefferson, MA Sun., July 31st 3:00 p.m. to 10:30 – Wedding
MOTION by Howard, second by Egan to grant the One Day Liquor Licenses as submitted. Voted 5 - 0
VI APPROVE MINUTES
June 21, 2011
MOTION by Egan, second by Howard to approve the minutes of June 21, 2011 as printed. Voted 5 - 0
VII COMMITTEE REPORTS – Energy Committee – Mr. Howard reported that the Energy Committee is moving forward. They are waiting for the engineering at the old police station and fire station. He also reported that the solar panels which had been ordered several months ago are not available. Mr. Armstrong is seeking another vendor for the stock. Mr. Howard also suggested that the back land at the Plymouth County Hospital site might be a good site for a solar panel farm. Maquan School Building – Mr. Amico indicated that a walk through with the potential project managers was conducted and bids are due on July 20th. The next meeting is scheduled for August.
VIII EXECUTIVE SESSION - Chairman Amico announced that the Board would be going into Executive Session to discuss strategies regarding pending litigation where an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigation. The Board will come out of Executive Session only to adjourn. So moved by Howard, second by Egan. Roll Call Flynn aye, Howard Aye, Amico Aye, Egan Aye and Soper Aye. Voted 5 – 0.
7:57 p.m. Brief Recess
8:05 p.m. Returned to open session.
IX ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Howard, second by Egan to adjourn. Voted 5 - 0
8:05 p.m. Meeting Adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Meredith Marini,
Executive Assistant
Approved and Voted 4 – 0
July 19, 2011
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