HANSON — The town’s Police Department has seen many changes in the past year and a half, according to Police Chief Michael Miksch in his quarterly report to the Board of Selectmen on Tuesday, June 15.

Many of those changes are due to the passage of the Police Reform Act, some of which was passed as emergency legislation.

“The governor signed it and they expected us to have everything done the next day,” Miksch said. “That was impossible. Some of them are being implemented in, but one of the first things that needed to be taken care of was a re-do and review of our Use of Force policy.”

Miksch said the effect of that provision wasn’t that bad for Hanson because the department had an up-to-date policy, meaning only minor changes were needed.

“I never thought I’d have to put into a policy that you can’t choke somebody, but I did,” he said. “I thought it was common sense — something that people should understand in Massachusetts. None of us had been trained that way.”

He said in the more than 26 years he has been a police officer that — choke holds, carotid artery holds — has never been taught to us,” Miksch said. “So, we never said, ‘Don’t do it,’ because you were never taught to do it in the beginning.”

The policy was updated in any case, with Lt. Mike Casey doing a lot of that work.

Grants made available to departments across the country through an executive order by President Biden also carried requirements for certain terms of service and policies, one of which governed use of force. The department had to undergo a state accreditation process to prove they had made such policy revisions.

The department received a letter on June 14 that its use of force policy met both federal and state standards. Miksch said his department also incorporates the policy in training between two and four times a year.

Officers will also need to be certified under the reform act. One effect of the requirement has Miksch busy with administrative tasks and he foresees some budgetary impact in future years, but for now the department is in good financial shape.

Personnel changes have also been dealt with and he thanked the town for approving the override to save officers’ jobs.

“We went to regional dispatch a year ago — last June,” he said. “With that, I lost three very dedicated civilian employees who, I’m very happy to say, have actually found other jobs and are working.”

One was moved to serve as Miksch’s administrative assistant and another was transferred to the police academy.

Sgt. Gene Andrews hired just before COVID hit last year, retired after more than 30 years on the department.

“Normally, we’d bring those people in with their families and thank them and bring in the new officers and swear them in,” Miksch said. “When Sgt. Andrews retired, it opened up a promotion and I was very proud to promote Jared Meegan as sergeant who, of course, is banished to midnights where all new sergeants go.”

Four new officers were hired in order to keep the station open after the civilian dispatchers were let go to regionalize that operation. Officers Corey Arsenault and Mario Thompson, who were present or former part-time officers in Hanson as well as Bobby Mansfield, from Oak Bluffs Police and Rick Bekerian from Hopedale were also hired. Officer Chris Dominguez left the department when he was offered a better salary from Braintree.

“Internally, there’s been a lot of changes,” Miksch said. “There’s been a lot of adapting, but overall, it’s going well.”

On a somewhat humorous note, Miksch said a lock is being installed on the door to the police station for the first time ever.

“There is no lock,” he said. “[It’s a] good and a bad thing. We never needed it — there was always somebody there to say, ‘Hi!’ We plan on keeping someone there to say, ‘Hi!’ but unfortunately, because of the nature of operations within the department, there’s a desk officer when you walk in, now.”

Whitman School Committee member Dan Cullity announced his resignation from the panel, effective June 30, during the Wednesday, June 9 meeting. He had already sent a letter to the committee indicting his intention to resign due to family issues that would limit his ability to devote significant time to the responsibilities of the office.

“It would not be fair to the district if I could not give it 100 percent,” he said, reading from the letter. “It was a tough decision that I was making.”

Cullity said his wife and family are his top priority.

“My biggest regret here is not seeing the fully funded kindergarten and, really, that’s a missed opportunity,” he said noting full-day pre-K is now the focus of lawmakers. “Every child deserves an education, not just the ones who can pay for it.”

He wished the rest of the committee success, hoping they have a great year.

The School Committee was scheduled to meet jointly with Whitman Selectmen on Tuesday, June 15 to discuss the process of appointing someone to fill the vacancy. [See story, page one]

“We know that’s a tough decision and we appreciate your commitment to the committee and we understand,” Chairman Christopher Howard said. “At least, I understand. For me, family always comes first.”

The Regional Agreement contains a provision that explicitly covers this type of situation, Howard said. If a vacancy arises, Selectmen and remaining committee members from the town concerned appoint a member within 30 days who will serve until the next election.

“Our collective charge at this point is to try and make sure that that group comes together,” Howard said, noting he wanted to limit discussion since the issue was not posted on the agenda.

The School Committee recognized Facilities Director Ernest Sandland as the recipient of this year’s Dr. John F. McEwan Do What’s Right for Kids Award, which recognizes an “unsung hero(s)” who is/are a member of the district staff or team demonstrating extraordinary vision, creativity, competence and execution of his or her job responsibilities. Margaret McEwan presented the award.

The award carries a cash award he can use for professional development or a project that benefits his department.

“John believed that a school is not a building, but a community of support that maximizes personal growth and development for all students and staff,” she said. “By providing a safe and protected learning environment to deliver in-person learning for students and staff, by improving the design of air flow with the installation of the I-Wave [ionized air filtration system]… and by reconfiguring classroom and office setup for social distancing during the COVID pandemic, I know that John truly valued Ernie Sandland.”

She said Sandland knew air quality would be an issue as soon as the pandemic began and started to research safe and effective ways to help with the problem.

“Due to Ernie’s early diagnosis, research and persistence, all classrooms and buildings were equipped before students arrived at the beginning of the school year,” she said, as many other school districts faced supply delays. It also helped with the agreement to a memorandum of understanding with the WHEA on working conditions for teachers during the pandemic.

The School Committee approved a new bus contract with First Student, done through a collaborative bid with Abington, according to interim Business Manager John Tuffy. The contracts were drawn up between the bus company and each individual town.

“We went out for a three-year bid with the fourth and fifth years being optional, and solely an option of us (W-H) as to whether we’d accept a fourth and fifth year,” Tuffy said. “That’s a decision to be made down the line.”

The bid process was open for a month, resulting in three inquiries, two organizations asking for bid packages and one bid — from current provider First Student. Tuffy said the package was affordable based on what was budgeted by the district and includes a first year increase of 5.7 percent; and increases of 3 percent in years two and three as well as increases of 3 percent if the district chooses to extend the contract to years four and five. He called the increases in line with what he has seen in other districts and were lower than the rate of increase after the last contract process when the first year increase was 9 percent; the year two and three increases were 4 percent and the last two years saw 3 percent increases.

Tuffy’s interpretation of contract language leads him to believe changes can be made later, if needed.

“I think there will be an additional conversation in the future pertaining to busing, but that doesn’t mean that we can hold off here,” Howard said.

Tuffy said the district is charged for the bus, not the number of runs a bus makes.

In other business, the committee discussed the establishment of a strategic plan working groups to work through the summer in an effort to coordinate budget efforts for next fiscal year. Some sessions would be open to the public.

“If we’re going to put the time in, it needs to turn into action,” Howard said. “It gives us a degree of organization and clarity.”

The first session will be an open meeting from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, June 23.

WHITMAN — Articles urging a ban on single-use plastic check-out bags and polystyrene food containers and beverage cups, sponsored by petition from students at WHRHS Environmental Awareness Club were approved at the Wednesday, June 2 annual Town Meeting.

The article borrowed from similar efforts passed in Hanson two years ago. The Whitman article provides businesses until January 2022 to prepare and gives the Board of Health discretion to permit more time for businesses up to six additional months.

The Bylaw Study Committee had voted to recommend that the article be passed over for further study to be brought before a future Town Meeting.

Former Town Administrator echoed that suggestion, arguing that it only came to the town 45 days ago. He wanted to give the town more time to research it.

“I want to recognize that a number of students have really worked at this, and I’m impressed with their commitment to their community and to sustainability, but, regrettably I’d like to make a motion to pass over this article,” Lynam said.

There was also some question about whether the students could speak at Town Meeting, but a previous article had resolved that issue, permitting non-voters to speak on articles they sponsor.

School Committee member Christopher Scriven spoke in favor of the article moving forward, asking what specific aspects of the articles were not clear.

“We don’t know what the businesses in town are prepared to do, or how easily or quickly they can make that transition,” Lynam said, also advocating that town counsel review and approve whatever language is used.

Selectman Justin Evans initially spoke for the students, before a point of order on the previous article’s passage opened the door for them.

“It may not seem like a big deal to you because plastic bags have been around as long as many of us can remember, but doesn’t it seem a bit sad that you frequently see the evidence of this problem when trying to enjoy a walk in our town?” Evans quoted from a statement the students wrote. “We’ve all seen a bag stuck in a tree or a coffee cup along the side of the road in a bush … it poses a risk to the natural world around us, one that we don’t feel we can responsibly ignore.”

Resident Shawn Kain made a motion to allow the students to speak, which was approved by the Town Meeting.

“Passing these articles would help improve our environment so greatly, even if we can’t see the effects now,” said Riley Getchel of Whitman, president of the environmental club. She noted that she is constantly reminded of the issue by a plastic bag stuck in a tree near her house.

“By making more environmentally friendly decisions, I’ve had a cleaner conscience, knowing I’m doing my part to protect the planet that provides for us,” said student Sarah Regan, who noted other materials could easily be swapped out for plastic.

Plastic also contaminates water supplies, never completely breaks down and effects 60 percent of towns in the state.

DPW Highway Superintendent Bruce Martin agreed that article is a great idea, because neither the bags nor the polystyrene cups and containers can go in recycle bins.

HANSON — The board of Selectmen, met in a joint session with the Economic Development Committee on Tuesday, June 1, discussing the proposed South Hanson Village Rapid Recovery Program, funded by a grant offered by the Mass Dept. of Housing and Community Development (DHC).

Selectman Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett also serves on the EDC. The full video meeting can be viewed on the WHCA-TV YouTube page.

The committee has been working with Planner Deb Pettey to apply for the state grant, which provided funding to hire Stantech Consultant Phil Schaeffing.

“There’s a lot of talk on social media about  of the Main Street corridor. “I just want to remind everybody, we’re talking about privately-owned property…we do try to encourage compliance.”

She said Stantech was going to boil down all the brainstorming done so far into an action plan, and that Tuesday’s meeting was an update on the consultant’s work so far.

“This is a project,” she said, warning against dreams of a quick-fix. “It’s a process that’s going to require cooperation from the businesses. It’s going to require support from the citizens. This is our first step.”

The grant would cover Main Street to Elm Street and Schaeffing,  who is an urban planner, said the Boston design firm was interested in the basic needs for the area and developing actionable recovery plans tailored to economic challenges.

There are 43 communities involved in the grant program, with Hanson’s centering on the Commuter Rail area. The June 1 meeting was the conclusion of the first phase of the program. It will be followed by webinars, consultations and discussions with subject matter experts before a final plan is presented in September.

Recommendations will be made in the public and private realms, revenue and sales, administrative capacity, tenant mix and the potential role of cultural/arts in town.

“We’re putting together, essentially, a road map that says, ‘Here are the projects, here are the potential funding sources, here are some of the responsible parties for these different projects … and kind of a time frame for it,’” Schaeffing said of the planning grant.

Priority areas for recommendations are: a community events and business resource guide, tech aide and outdoor events to showcase local businesses, with improved pedestrian and bike safety and improving the appearance of vacant buildings and business facades in the long term.

“We gave the overall study area a C,” Schaeffing said of sidewalks as well as crosswalks in the Commuter Rail area where pedestrian safety is concerned. Street lighting, meanwhile, earned an F. Signing also earned an F.

“Some of the key takeaways are a real need to make improvements, particularly to support pedestrian activity — improvements to sidewalks and providing amenities that don’t exist today, like street trees for shade in the summer and pedestrian lighting,” Schaeffing said of a recent survey of business owners and residents of the area.

Commuter Rail costs — $10.50 for a one-way Zone 6 ticket, or $340 per month — was another issue Schaeffing spoke of, especially in light of the potential long-term impact of COVID on business.

“There are a number of businesses — 63 in Hanson Village — it’s kind of hard to tell, because some of them are kind of hidden inside buildings that don’t necessarily have signage,” he said.

A handful of residents attended the meeting virtually to ask questions. One resident, viewing from home, asked how new businesses could be attracted to town.

Schaeffing said that, while different types of businesses have different needs, one help would be in creating the business environment where companies complement or support each other.

“Another is to figure out as a town what do we want this area around the Commuter Rail station to be?” he said. “Do we want sort of main street-type businesses to fill in some of the vacancies here, or do we see this as a service/commercial corridor?”

FitzGerald-Kemmett said the EDC has also heard from businesses that some of Hanson’s zoning bylaws “may not be super business-friendly.”

Another resident asked if grant or funding options have been looked into as a method of outreach to businesses to improve exteriors.

“We really need to figure out what we want to see as a town down there,” said Planner Deb Pettey, echoing what Schaeffing said. She said she has looked into block grants, but said Hanson is in a predicament where grants are concerned because of the town’s higher income compared to other competing communities.

Selectmen Chairman Matt Dyer suggested that an economic anchor and a New England-themed recreation option are ways that the town — and the Final Plymouth County Hospital Reuse Committee in particular — are examining to draw people to the area.

Selectmen meeting

Selectmen voted to rescind the COVID state of emergency in town, effective June 15 in coordation with state guidelines ending on that date as vaccination goals are met. The board voted to extend outdoor dining permits until Dec. 1, however.

“I try to look for silver linings and in COVID, this was a silver lining, to try to help all these restaurants expand their footprint outside because there’s a lot of people even still who don’t feel comfortable eating inside,” FitzGerald-Kemmett said, noting that all restaurants in town said they had benefitted from it.

Dyer said the state would have to pass legislation before the towns are able to do so on a permanent basis.

Selectmen voted to approve a cannabis delivery service at Impressed LLC, meaning a potential additional $7 million, of which the town could impose a 3 percent local option tax, on top of the 3 percent tax the state collects and sends to the town, potentially meaning $420,000 annually for Hanson. The company had written a letter to the board requesting such consideration.

In fiscal 2020, recreational cannabis sales generated $122 million in taxes to the state, of which, $30.5 million was in sales taxes and $14.4 million in local tax options, according to Town Administrator Lisa Green.

“This is definitely a substantial revenue generator for municipalities that we really should consider supporting,” said Green, who said there is no time limit mentioned for the fee, which is on top of the impact tax. The Cannabis Control Commission would still have to approve the company’s application. The company will not be doing direct retail business in Hanson.

“People are going to be allowed to deliver cannabis to Hanson whether we allow Impressed LLC to do it or not,” FitzGerald-Kemmett noted, pointing to state law permitting it.

She also requested that the town seek an updated financial forecast from Impressed LLC.

“It’s a commerce entity,” Green said. “You really can’t stop them.”

Dyer asked about the potential for Selectmen getting a tour of the Impressed LLC business, which Green’s office said has been offered as an invitation to the board.

Selectman Jim Hickey, who had voted against the warrant article at last month’s Town Meeting, changed his position citing the potential funds for the town.

“I was wrong,” he said.

“You weren’t wrong, you just got more educated,” Selectman Kenny Mitchell said.

It’s going to be a busy week between Monday, May 31 and Sunday, June 6. Here’s a glance at the calendar on the wall:

Memorial Day

Whitman veterans will be gathering by 10 a.m., Memorial Day, Monday, May 31 at American Legion Post 22, 33 Legion Parkway, setting off to visit all four Whitman Cemeteries starting with High Street. They will then travel to Zion, St. James and Colbrook cemeteries for ceremonies before ending with a ceremony at Whitman Park.

A breakfast will be served at Post 22 after the ceremonies.

Hanson will be conducting a Memorial Day service at Fern Hill Cemetery at 9 a.m., Monday, May 31. The 22nd Mass, Vol. Infantry honor guard, American Legion flag-lowering and Don Teague on bagpipes during the event. Prayers, speakers and Scouts honor the nation’s war dead. The names of Hanson veterans who have died in the past year will be read.

Town Meeting

Whitman’s annual Town Meeting has been changed to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 2 in the Town Hall auditorium as town buildings will reopen to normal pre-pandemic hours on June 1.

Graduations

WHRHS Scholarship Night will be streamed on June 1 over Whitman-Hanson Community Access TV.

W-H Community Evening School graduation is at 6 p.m., Thursday, June 3. It will be held indoors in either the Performing Arts Center or library.

High School commencement, 6 p.m., Friday, June 4. Each student receives six tickets for the reserved seating area during the outdoor ceremony, with the doors opening to general admission at 5:15 p.m.

South Shore Tech’s graduation is slated for 10 a.m., Saturday, June 5 at the school’s football field. The rain date is 2 p.m., Sunday, June 6. Graduates are limited to one car per family and streaming coverage will be available for those unable to attend. Two student speeches and an administrator address are planned.

As with last year’s graduation, students will form a procession by shop to receive their diplomas.

HANSON — Voters will see a proposed $1.8 million proposition 2 ½ override vote on the annual Town Election ballot on Saturday, May 15.

After an often-contentious Town Meeting held at the WHRHS gym on Monday, May 3, which drew more than 200 Hanson residents, budgets that can go into effect with or without the override were approved.

“We need the override to pull us out of a deficit that will not go away,” Finance Committee Chairman Kevin Sullvan said.

The crowd described by Town Moderator Sean Kealy as “larger than usual” observed a moment of silence for all residents lost during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Barbara Arena was designated as deputy moderator, who with her assistants, helped ensure no one who wished to speak was missed as Kealy was not on a raised dais did not want to miss any resident who wished to speak.

The Town Meeting voted to approve two versions of the fiscal 2022 budget, one totaling $29,508,290 as recommended by the Finance Committee, to take effect if the Proposition 2 ½ override fails and one totaling $31,363,245 to go by should the override be passed at the ballot box.

“We’re voting on two budgets,” Kealy explained. “One budget if the article does not pass and Article 5 if the override does pass.”

Former Selectman Bruce Young advocated an amendment to the budget under discussion of Article 4, based on the argument that the override is necessary because of the schools, not public safety or other departments. He urged moving the budget requests to department request level and take the difference from the school department, where it belongs.

“I can’t sit here in good conscience and support a budget like this, knowing that the reason for the financial crisis … is basically because of the passage last year of the amendment to the regional school agreement that took us from the percentage of pupils method to this year to the statutory, or wealth-based method of assessment,” Young said. “The override belongs in the department where the reason lies. That’s the only reason my amendment is being made.”

Finance Committee Chair Kevin Sullivan suggested people take caution before voting yes on Young’s amendment. He explained that the town had voted for the statutory method last year, despite its not being recommended.

“I don’t like the thought of people losing their jobs. It’s not a pleasant thing,” he said. “We had to make some tough decisions. We went through this budget, given the guidance that the overwhelming population of the town presented us with. We made these cuts, not lightly … I think if we have to cut these public servants, it means trouble for our town.”

But, Sullivan also warned that, if they start changing line items, it opens up a quagmire where it would have to go back to the School Committee and would lead to a 1/12 budget and a super town meeting.

“We carved this budget with care,” he said.

The School Committee can return items that had been reduced if the budget is returned to them.

John Zucco of Glenwood Place, said Sullivan’s statement means the School Committee runs the town.

“The School Committee doesn’t control us, it’s just the facts of belonging to a regional school district,” Sullivan said.

Whitman has agreed to the number, he added.

“We didn’t do this lightly,” he said of the Finance Committee’s recommendation. “Unfortunately, this is where we are. We need this override to pull us out of a deficit that will not go away. It will only get exponentially worse year after year.”

Frank Milisi of Brook Street argued that the regional school district brings “massive amounts of aid from the state,” but agreed that the two towns should have equal representation on the School Committee.

But he also noted that Whitman has to “pay a piece of this bill.”

“To say that this whole situation is because of the school budget is not an accurate representation,” Milisi said. “Did the school budget do something to make this happen? Yes, but it’s definitely not the only reason for this to be happening.”

School Committee Chairman Bob Hayes concurred with the Finance Committee and the Board of Selectmen. He said it is easy to say the situation is the School Department’s fault or to blame another town, referring to Whitman.

“These two towns have the lowest tax rates on the South Shore,” Hayes said. “I’m not in favor of huge tax rates, either, but if you want to continue services, there’s something of a misnomer that there’s something in this — it’s about a $1.85 million override for a municipality.”

Hayes said the school district has lost tons of employees over recent years, a situation getting worse all the time, while everyone blames the schools for budget problems.

“Police and fire have the same issues,” he said. “We are doing the same job — we service the biggest amount of people in town at 4,000 students roughly, employ the biggest number of people. …We need to continue on supporting all of our services.”

Joe O’Sullivan of West Washington Street moved the question, but Young was allowed to speak again before that happened. If the override passes, he promised to put a vote yes sign on his lawn.

Selectmen Chairman Kenny Mitchell said the town’s bills are $31,366,000 to run the town, there is only $29,516,000.

“The override must go through in order to maintain town services,” he said, urging voters to reject Young’s amendment, speaking as an individual, said there is a possibility of a super town meeting if the override fails and that it require a two-thirds vote of the entire School Committee to pass a budget. The school budget was approved by an 8-2 vote.

“If you watched the meeting, the two opposed wanted, likely, a higher budget,” he said. “The likelihood of a budget coming back to the School Committee and being reduced by $3 million-plus is extremely low.”

The $3 million-plus figure represents the $1.3 million reduction to the operating assessment Young advocated, almost $2 million more in the whole budget would be affected, Howard explained.

Young’s motion was rejected by voters, with the original $29,508,290 budget Article 4 approved.

Article 5 was also passed after another heated debate between Young and Sullivan, with the $31,363,245 bottom line, including the $1.85 million override passes.

Sullivan said the override was aimed to prevent starting the next fiscal year in a deficit.

“Our job is to ensure the financial well-being of this town, looking at where we are and where we’re going,” Sullivan said. “The School Committee made some small cuts — in the grand scheme of their budget, they are small cuts — these cuts may not be there next year, so we looked at setting us off on a level footing for next year.”

Sullivan said the number presented to the town was what the Finance Committee felt was needed to put Hanson on a level footing next year, with any unencumbered balances going into free cash the following year.

Young expressed umbrage that $305,000 was being added to the School Committee’s certified assessment at Town Meeting. He sought to amend it to reflect the School Committee’s certified assessment of $12,646,118.

Town Meeting voters rejected Young’s amendment and approved Article 5 as presented in the warrant.

HANSON — The Board of Selectmen on Tuesday, April 27, voted to appoint Katherine M. Feodoroff of Mead, Talerman & Costa LLC as Town Labor Counsel for an indefinite term.

Feodoroff said she looks forward to the added responsibility especially during the “complicated time” Hanson is now going through.

At the same time, the board discussed policy revisions to access to town counsel in an effort to control legal costs. Feodoroff will now review the policy and the board will return to the issue next month.

“Since Leo Peloquin left, we’ve had some issues — I’ll just say it — with labor counsel,” said Selectmen Chairman Kenny Mitchell, who said he has been working with Feodoroff for six weeks on personnel issues.

With interim Town Administrator Lisa Green coming on board, he said some direction is required from labor counsel.

“Kate is great,” Mitchell said. “She gets right back to me. She explains things so you can understand it — in layman’s terms. … I think it’s the right move.”

Selectman James Hickey agreed, citing the marijuana grow facility issue as one she explained in terms that were understandable.

“I understood it because I read it about 10 times, but Kate put that very important question into simpler terms so that everyone could understand it,”  he said. “This isn’t going to come out right, but she doesn’t talk like a lawyer — she just talks like people talk.”

Selectman Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett concurred, stressing Feodoroff’s responsiveness, but expressed concern that “it’s kind of a one-off appointment.”

There was no search/interview process, as has been the case for other appointments, FitzGerald-Kemmett said of what she was concerned was a Band-Aid approach. The board had also discussed and decided not to retain the same firm for general and labor counsel work.

“I really can’t express how much I appreciate working with Kate, but … do we have a responsibility to do some due diligence around cost?” she asked. “Do we have some responsibility to take a look at fee arrangements?”

Hickey said he views the move as one to get the town through the COVID-19 crisis, and then go through the RFP process for hiring new full-time labor counsel.

“We sat down, we had everyone’s information, and we did those interviews with all the firms we were looking at, and we did do our due diligence and we went trough the entire process — and we still made a mistake,” he said of the last labor counsel hire. “Now, with the way COVID is going, we can’t do that.”

FitzGerald-Kemmett said she read indefinite to mean “pretty much forever,” but said, if the board’s intention is to revisit the issue as Hickey said, she would be “100-percent on board with this.”

Mitchell argued that Selectmen could look at cost, but that a town administrator’s working relationship with a firm is important.

Green said she became familiar with Feodoroff during sewage negotiations between Whitman and Brockton. Green is also a lawyer.

“Having a town counsel who is very knowledgeable and responsive is always extremely helpful, especially when something comes up where you need help right away,” Green said.

Selectman Matt Dyer said he agrees that for the immediate situation, Feodoroff should be hired in that role.

“We’ve got to have a little bit of direction on this, as far as contacting town counsel,” Mitchell said, noting that past practice has been to go through the town administrator or board chairman, but nothing was on paper.

“I’m not suggesting that Selectmen can’t contact town counsel — I’m not suggesting that at all,” Mitchell said. He wants the chairman or town administrator to know what is being asked so the question and its answer is known by the entire board to control duplication of effort.

Weekends and after hours calls should be limited to the town administrator or chairman, he said.

“We really need to scale it down as far as cost,” he said. “I think, if the policy is broken then the chairman should put it on the agenda for the next meeting and it should be discussed publically. I mean, we’re all adults here.”

If the inquiry is about the board chairman, and there is concern about confidentiality, then the vice chairman and the town administrator should be informed, Mitchell argued.

Hickey and Dyer agreed it was a good idea.

“You can’t have the chairman of the drainage committee contacting Kate about some crazy problem,” Hickey said. “We need to cut our legal costs, big time.”

FitzGerald-Kemmett agreed on most points, but is a bit hesitant about it because the town administrator works for the board and administrators usually have a close working relationship with town counsel.

“You could run into a political situation where you are stonewalled and you’ve got no recourse to do anything to get the legal advice that you need,” FitzGerald-Kemmett said, admitting that would be a rare circumstance. She also said she would expect the chair to talk to anyone who overstepped one-on-one, but in a “public, humiliating way.”

Other boards should be required to obtain a vote of the board before consulting town counsel. Mitchell agreed on that point.

“I’d like to see this tweaked a little bit,” she said.

She liked the idea of keeping a log and informing the rest of the board of information sought to limit duplication of effort.