ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
May 5, 1997
Moderator Charles Mann called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. in Memorial Auditorium, Indian Head School with Richard Powers, Michael Regan and Edward Gronlund appointed and sworn in as tellers.
A brief recess was called to allow voters to be checked into the meeting, and was reconvened at 7:38 p.m.
Town Counsel was Barbara Saint Andre from Kopelman and Paige.
There were 189 voters present.
The colors were presented by Boy Scout Troop 34 and the meeting was led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Boy Scouts Matthew Amico, James Munstis, Michael Hillstrom, Scott Trefethen, Michael Pennini, Jason Pietroski, Jon O'Callaghan, Jason Sourdiffe and Zach Wassmouth.
A moment of silence was observed for deceased members of the community and the late Horace Atwood, former Building Inspector.
The Hanson school principals were presented, for permanent display, a gift of a 175th Anniversary painting of the Town Hall, painted by resident and artist, Kathleen Ferrara.
The meeting was recessed at 7:45 p.m., to reconvene upon the dissolution of the Special Town Meeting.
The meeting was reconvened at 8:40 p.m.
ARTICLE 1: To hear reports of the various Town Officers, Committees, Special Committees, and act thereon.
Proposed by the Board of Selectmen
Explanation: The Reports voted on are those published in the 1996 Town Report.
Finance Committee recommends.
VOTED Aye to hear reports of the various Town Officers, Committees, Special Committees with the following correction: on page 30, "Deaths 1997" should read "Deaths 1996".
ARTICLE 2: To see if the Town will vote to approve the Capital Improvement Program as presented to the Board of Selectmen by the Capital Improvement Committee or take any other action in relation thereto.
Proposed by the Board of Selectmen and
the Capital Improvement Committee
Finance Committee recommends.
VOTED Aye unanimous to approve the Capital Improvement Program as presented to the Board of Selectmen by the Capital Improvement Committee.
ARTICLE 3: To see if the Town will authorize the Treasurer/Collector to enter into compensating balance agreements during Fiscal 1998 as permitted by Mass. General Laws, Chapter 44, Section 53F or take any other action in relation thereto.
Proposed by the Treasurer/Collector
Explanation: Every year this article is voted. It simply allows the Treasurer/Collector to maintain accounts using credits instead of money to pay for banking charges.
Finance Committee recommends.
VOTED Aye unanimous that the Town authorize the Treasurer/Collector to enter into compensating balance agreements during fiscal 1998 as permitted by Mass. General Laws, Chapter 44, Section 53F.
ARTICLE 4: To see if the Town will vote to fix the Salary and Compensation of all Elected Officers and Committees of the Town as follows:
FY97 FY98
MODERATOR $ 321.00 $ 331.00
SELECTMEN
Chairman 1,724.97 1,777.00
Member 1,221.19 1,258.00
Member 1,221.19 1,258.00
Member 1,221.19 1,258.00
Member 1,221.19 1,258.00
TOWN CLERK 31,858.00 35,020.00
TREE WARDEN 995.00 1,025.00
ASSESSORS
Chairman 1,724.97 1,777.00
Member 1,221.19 1,258.00
Member 1,221.19 1,258.00
HIGHWAY SURVEYOR 45,013.00 46,364.00
WATER COMMISSIONERS
Chairman 1,724.97 1,777.00
Member 1,221.19 1,258.00
Member 1,221.19 1,258.00
Member 1,221.19 1,258.00
Member 1,221.19 1,258.00
BOARD OF HEALTH
Chairman 1,724.97 1,777.00
Member 1,221.19 1,258.00
Member 1,221.19 1,258.00
or take any other action in relation thereto.
Proposed by the Board of Selectmen
Explanation: The above represents a 3% increase for FY98 and an adjustment for the Town Clerk.
Finance Committee does not recommend as written.
VOTED Aye voice to fix the Salary and Compensation of all Elected Officers and Committees of the Town as printed in the Warrant with the following amendment:
FY98
Town Clerk $40,000.00
ARTICLE 5: To determine what sums of money the Town will appropriate and raise by taxation, transfer from Free Cash, transfer from Town Ambulance Funds, Water Department Revenue, Conservation Notice of Intent Fund, Overlay Surplus, and Stabilization Fund to defray charges and expenses of the Town, including Debt and Interest and to provide for a reserve fund for the 1998 fiscal Year or take any other action in relation thereto.
Proposed by the Board of Selectmen
Finance Committee recommends.
VOTED Aye, the following FY 98 Budget Appropriations:
(The source of funding is raise and
appropriate unless otherwise noted)
FY98
FIXED COSTS
1. 710-5914 Maturing Debt $ 116,000
2. 710-5912 Debt Exclusion 535,000
3. 750-5915 Interest Exp. Debt 154,406
4. 750-5925 Interest Debt Exclusion 154,930
5. 911-5174 Plymouth County Retirement 51,645
42,557 Overlay surplus
187,500 Free Cash
6. 914-5172 Town Benefits 264,780
7. 945-5740 Town Insurance 139,000
8. 913-5173 Unemployment 8,000
________
TOTAL FIXED COSTS 1,653,818
TOWN SERVICES
9. 132-5201 Reserve Fund 30,000
10. 125-5790 Town Vehicles 50,000
11. 122-5432 Printing 6,000
12. 155-5303 Computer 49,500
13. 155-5341 Postage 18,000
14. 151-5301 Legal 65,000
15. 122-5271 Copier Supplies 6,200
16. 155-5300 Engineering 10,000
16A. 155-5302 Demolition 10,000
17. 155-5310 Town Audit 12,000
_______
TOTAL TOWN SERVICES 256,700
UTILITIES & MAINTENANCE TOWN BUILDINGS
18. 197-5201 Utilities 120,000
19. 192-5113 Town Hall Custodian 10,182
20. 192-5201 Town Hall Expenses 7,000
21. 210-5795 Police Dept. Bldg. 7,000
22. 220-5795 Fire Dept. Bldg. Mainten. 5,000
23. 541-5116 Elder Affairs Custodian 9,636
24. 541-5795 Eld. Aff. Bldg. Mainten. 8,000
25. 610-5116 Library Custodian 8,504
26. 610-5795 Library Bldg. Mainten. 2,590
________
TOTAL TOWN BUILDINGS 177,912
TOWN GOVERNMENT
27. 114-5113 Moderator Wages 331
28. 114-5201 Moderator Expenses 0
29. 122-5111 Selectmen Wages 38,809
30. 122-5114 Selectmen Clerical Wages 312,925
30A 122-5114 Retirement Buy-out 6,468
31. 122-5201 Selectmen Expenses 4,700
32. 124-5112 Executive Secretary Wages 65,268
33. 124-5201 Executive Secretary Expenses 1,200
34. 131-5790 Finance Committee Expenses 1,000
35. 135-5112 Town Accountant Wages 44,905
36. 135-5201 Town Accountant Expenses 1,000
37. 141-5111 Assessors Board Wages 4,293
38. 141-5113 Assessors Other Wages 47,389
39. 141-5201 Assessors Expenses 7,865
40. 145-5112 Treas/Collector Wages 46,509
41. 145-5201 Treas/Collector Expenses 6,450
42. 145-5201 Treas Contracted Charges 25,124
43. 145-5380 Treas/Coll Prospectus 0
44. 161-5112 Town Clerk Wages 40,000
45. 161-5201 Town Clerk Expenses 4,785
46. 162-5114 Election Wages 2,100
47. 162-5790 Election Expenses 2,950
48. 163-5113 Registrars Wages 8,692
49. 163-5201 Registrars Expenses 6,265
50. 171-5790 Conservation Expenses 900
51. 172-5112 Conservation Agnet Wages 11,960
52. 172-5201 Conservation Agnet Expenses 500
53. 175-5201 Planning Board Expenses 2,000
54. 176-5201 Appeals Board Expenses 645
55. 186-5112 Town Planner Wages 47,402
56. 186-5790 Town Planner Expenses 2,500
57. 241-5112 Building Inspector Wages 36,300
58. 241-5113 Bldg Inspector Other Wages 502
59. 241-5201 Building Inspector Expenses 3,499
60. 242-5112 Gas Inspector Wages 2,766
61. 242-5201 Gas Inspector Expenses 410
62. 243-5112 Plumbing Inspector Wages 3,731
63. 243-5790 Plumbing Inspector Expenses 500
64. 244-5112 Sealer of Weights Wages 1,063
65. 244-5790 Sealer of Weights Expenses 500
66. 245-5112 Wire Inspector Wages 11,052
67. 245-5790 Wire Inspector Expenses 1,000
68. 293-5112 Animal Control Wages 18,723
69. 293-5790 Animal Control Expenses 4,100
70. 297-5112 Tree Dept. Wages 1,026
71. 297-5790 Tree Dept. Expenses 1,100
72. 430-5112 Disposal Area Wages 29,419
73. 430-5113 Disposal Area Expenses 875
74. 430-5191 Disposal Area Expenses 163,680
75. 511-5111 Health Board Wages 4,293
76. 511-5113 Health Board Other Wages 24,487
77. 511-5201 Health Board Expenses 3,300
78. 511-5882 VNA Services 2,287
79. 541-5112 Elder Affairs Wages 36,295
80. 541-5113 Elder Affairs Other Wages 16,005
81. 541-5201 Elder Affairs Expenses 7,580
82. 541-5882 Elder Affairs VNA Services 11,000
83. 543-5113 Veterans Agent Wages 9,307
84. 543-5114 Veterans Clerical 5,152
85. 543-5790 Veterans Expenses 500
86. 543-5770 Veterans Benefits 20,000
87. 544-5790 Care of Soldiers Graves 1,000
88. 610-5112 Librarian Wages 40,000
89. 610-5114 Library Other Wages 16,757
90. 610-5201 Library Expenses 37,472
91. 632-5113 Recreation Wages 29,657
________
TOTAL TOWN GOVERNMENT 1,290,273
EDUCATION
92. 320-5320 Whitman Hanson Regional 3,872,454
93. 330-5790 South Shore Vo-Tech 597,908
94. 330-5320 Other Tuition & Transp. 60,000
95. 310-5331 Non-Mandated Busing 100,498
__________
TOTAL EDUCATION 4,630,860
PUBLIC SAFETY
96. 210-5112 Police Chief Wages 55,918
97. 210-5113 Police Other Wages 805,507
98. 210-5201 Police Expenses 20,400
98A. 210-5202 Civil Defense-Aux. Pol. 0
_______
SUB-TOTAL 881,825
99. 215-5115 Com. Center Dispatchers 126,940
100. 215-5201 Com. Center Expenses 5,007
100A 215-5850 Lease Purchase Radio Equip 18,378
_______
SUB-TOTAL 150,325
101. 220-5112 Fire Chief Wages 71,875
102. 202-5110 Firefighters-F/T Wages 478,459
140,412 Ambulance Funds
103. 220-5113 Firefighters-P/T Wages 33,508
104. 220-5201 Fire Dept. Expense 34,000
104A 220-5850 Equipment Outlay 42,000
________
SUB-TOTAL 800,254
105. 420-5112 Highway Surveyor Wages 46,364
106. 420-5113 Highway Dept. Wages 219,807
107. 420-5201 Highway Expenses 19,375
107A 420-5850 Loader Lease Payment 14,874
108. 420-5210 Town Gasoline 53,125
109. 420-5840 Highway Road Repair & Drain. 20,000
110. 420-5292 Highway Snow Operation 60,200
111. 420-5532 Street Signs & Lines 10,000
112. 420-5533 Street Sweeping 7,000
_______
SUB-TOTAL 450,745
TOTAL PUBLIC SAFETY 2,283,149
SUB-TOTAL $10,292,712
WATER DEPARTMENT
113. 450-5111 Board Members Wages 6,809
114. 450-5112 Water Superintendent 42,000
115. 450-5113 Water Other Wages 149,507
116. 450-5114 Water Dept. Clerical 29,728
117. 450-5201 Water Expenses 359,290
117A 450-5850 Truck Lease Payments 11,904
117B 450-5301 Approved Legal Exp. 20,000
118. 450-5925 Water Dept. Debt & Interest 213,235
________
TOTAL 832,473
GRAND TOTAL $11,125,185
The meeting recessed at 9:59 p.m. and reconvened at 10:00 p.m.
ARTICLE 6: To see if the Town will vote to appropriate and raise by taxation a sum of money to pay a legal judgement or take any other action in relation thereto.
Proposed by the Board of Selectmen
Explanation: This is payment number 5 of 10 payments to satisfy $107,000 judgement against the Town. This payment is $13,281.24.
Finance Committee recommends.
VOTED Aye unanimous to appropriate and raise by taxation $13,281.24 to pay a legal judgement.
ARTICLE 7: To see if the Town will vote to appropriate and raise by taxation a sum of money for the Capital Improvement Fund or take any other action in relation thereto.
Proposed by the Capital Improvement Committee
Finance Committee recommends.
VOTED Aye unanimous to appropriate and raise by taxation $130,000.00 for the Capital Improvement Fund.
ARTICLE 8: To see if the Town will vote to transfer from the Capital Improvement Fund a sum of money to purchase and install two gasoline tanks and pumps, wiring, associate equipment and site work at the Town Highway Dept. or take any other action in relation thereto.
Proposed by the Capital Improvement Committee
Finance Committee recommends.
VOTED Aye unanimous to transfer from the Capital Improvement Fund $65,250.00 to purchase and install two gasoline tanks and pumps, wiring, associate equipment and site work at the Town Highway Dept.
ARTICLE 9: To see if the Town will vote to transfer from the Capital Improvement Fund a sum of money to purchase one 2 1/2 ton dump truck or take any other action in relation thereto.
Proposed by the Capital Improvement Committee
Finance Committee recommends.
VOTED Aye unanimous to transfer $65,250.00 from the Capital Improvement Fund to purchase one 2 1/2 ton dump truck.
ARTICLE 10: To see if the Town will vote to transfer from the Capital Improvement Fund a sum of money for the construction of new drainage at various sites in Town or take any other action in relation thereto.
Proposed by the Capital Improvement Committee
Finance Committee recommends.
VOTED Aye unanimous to Pass Over.
ARTICLE 11: To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money for architectual services for plans and specifications and for constructing an addition, remodeling, reconstructing and/or making extraordinary repairs to the Town Hall, Police Station, Library/Senior Center and Fire Station, including original equipment and furishings and landscaping, paving and other site improvements incidental or directly related to such addition, remodeling, reconstruction or repair, to determine whether this appropriation shall be raised by borrowing or otherwise, or take any other action in relation there to.
Proposed by the Town Hall Feasibility Study Sub Committee, The Capital Improvement Committee, Board of Selectmen
Finance Committee recommends.
VOTED Aye 87, Nay 22 (2/3's achieved) that $1,750,000.00 is appropriated for architectural services for plans and specifications and for constructing an addition and remodeling, reconstructing or making extraordinary repairs to the Hanson Town Hall, including original equipment and furnishings and landscaping, paving and other site improvements incidental or directly related to such addition, remodeling, reconstruction or repair; that to meet this appropriation the Treasurer with the approval of the Board of Selectmen is authorized to borrow $1,750,000.00 under G.L. c.44, s.7; and that the Board of Selectmen is authorized to take any other action necessary to carry out this project.
VOTED Aye at 11:10 p.m. to recess until Tuesday, May 6, 1997 at 7:30 p.m. in the Memorial Auditorium, Indian Head School.
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
May 6, 1997
Moderator Charles W. Mann called the meeting to order at 7:45 p.m. in Memorial Auditorium, Indian Head School with Richard Powers, Edward Gronlund and Philip Wyman appointed and sworn in as tellers.
Town Counsel was Jeanne McKnight from Kopelman and Paige.
There were 102 voters present.
ARTICLE 12: To see if the Town will vote to appropriate and raise by taxation, transfer from the stabilization fund or transfer from free cash a sum of money to fund a market feasibility study for a Town owned golf course to be located on a site to be determined in the Town of Hanson, or take any other action in relation thereto. Said study will include an analysis of potential sites, a market and financial feasibility analysis, presentation of various financing alternatives, management structures, and environmental/ ecological considerations. The study results will be presented to Town Meeting prior to any further expenditure of funds.
Proposed by the Golf Course Study Committee
Finance Committee recommends.
VOTED Aye, voice to raise and appropriate the sum of $20,000.00 to fund a market feasibility study for a town owned golf course to be located on a site to be determined in the Town of Hanson.
ARTICLE 13: To see if the Town will vote to appropriate and transfer from Ambulance Fee Collection Fund a sum of money to Article 5, line 13, postage of the May 1997 Annual Town Meeting or take any other action in relation thereto.
Proposed by the Treasurer/Collector
Finance Committee recommends.
VOTED Aye unanimous to appropriate and transfer from the Ambulance Fee Collection Fund the sum of $1,000.00 to Article 5, Line 13, Postage of the May 1997 Annual Town Meeting.
ARTICLE 14: To see if the Town will vote to authorize the continuation of the revolving fund established under the provisions of General Law Chapter 44, Section 53E 1/2 for the use of the Police Department. Such funds to be used for the purpose of Police Department operations including the purchase, repair and maintenance of Police Department property and equipment which is covered by contract and cruiser purchase.
The following receipts generated through the operation of the Police Department shall be credited to the revolving fund:
A. Receipts from the courts' imposition of fines, fees and costs for violations cited by the Police Department.
B. Receipts from preparing Police reports.
C. Receipts from licenses issued by the Police Department.
D. Receipts from payment of fees and fines for violations of the parking and alarm system by-law.
The Chief of Police is authorized to expend from the fund for its stated purpose without further appropriation subject to the restrictions contained in General law Chapter 44, Section 53E 1/2 an amount not to exceed $40,000. Expenditures shall not be made or liabilities incurred in excess of the balance in the fund at any given time, or take any other action in relation thereto.
Proposed by the Chief of Police
Finance Committee recommends.
VOTED Aye unanimous to authorize the continuation of the revolving fund established under the provisions of General Law Chapter 44, Section 53E 1/2 for the use of the Police Department. Such funds to be used for the purpose of Police Department operations including the purchase, repair and maintenance of Police Department property and equipment which is covered by contract and cruiser purchase.
The following receipts generated through the operation of the Police Department shall be credited to the revolving fund:
A. Receipts from the courts' imposition of fines, fees and costs for
violations cited by the Police Department.
B. Receipts from preparing Police reports.
C. Receipts from licenses issued by the Police Department.
D. Receipts from payment of fees and fines for violations of the parking
and alarm system by-law.
The Chief of Police is authorized to expend from the fund for its stated purpose without further appropriation subject to the restrictions contained in General Law, Chapter 44, Section 53E 1/2 an amount not to exceed $40,000. Expenditure shall not be made or liabilities incurred in excess of the balance in the fund at any given time.
ARTICLE 15: To see if the Town will vote to authorize the continuation of a revolving fund under the provisions of G.L. Chapter 44, Section 53E 1/2 for the use by the Hanson Board of Assessors, such funds to be used for the purchase of maps. The receipts generated through over the counter sale of these maps shall be credited to the revolving account. The Board of Assessors is authorized to expend from the fund for the stated purpose without further appropriation subject to the restrictions contained in G. L. Chapter 44, Section 53E 1/2 an amount not to exceed $1000.00. Expenditures shall not be made, or liabilities incurred in excess of the balance of the fund at any given time or take any other action in relation thereto.
Proposed by the Board of Assessors
Finance Commitee recommends.
VOTED Aye unanimous to authorize the continuation of the revolving fund established under the provisions of General Law Chapter 44, Section 53E 1/2 for the use of the Board of Assessors, such funds to be used for the purchase and maintenance of maps. The receipts generated through over the counter sales of these maps shall be credited to the revolving account. The Board of Assessors is authorized to expend from the Fund for the stated purpose without further appropriation subject to the restrictions contained in General Law Chapter 44, Section 53E 1/2, an amount not to exceed $1,000.
ARTICLE 16: To see if the Town will vote to authorize the continuation of a revolving fund under the provisions of G.L. C. 44, s53E 1/2 for the purpose of Hanson Senior Center/Library operations including purchase, repair and maintenance of equipment, additional utility expense and janitorial reimbursement. The following receipts generated shall be credited to the fund:
Receipts from deposit and hourly use charges imposed upon any group or individual that has with prior approval agreed to the use and fee regulations as set forth by the Council for Elder Affairs and the Board of Library Trustees.
The Council for Elder Affairs or the Board of Library Trustees is authorized to expend from the account for its stated purpose without further appropriation subject to the restrictions contained in G.L. c. 44 s53E 1/2 an amount of money not to exceed $3,000.00. Expenditures shall not be made, or liabilities incurred in excess of the balance of the fund at any given time.
or take any other action in relation thereto.
Proposed by the Council for Elder Affairs and
Library Trustees
Finance Committee recommends.
VOTED Aye unanimous to approve Article 16 as printed in the warrant.
ARTICLE 17: To see if the Town will vote to authorize the continuation of a revolving fund established under the provisions of Massachusetts General law, Chapter 44, section 53E 1/2 for the use of the Trustees of Memorial Field. Such funds to be used for the purpose of maintaining and making improvements to Memorial Field. The receipts generated through use of field fees and gifts shall be credited to the Revolving Fund. The Trustees of memorial Field are authorized to expend from the Fund for the stated purpose without furthe | 
