HANSON — Selectmen have voted 5-0 to amend language in a warrant article on the Oct. 3 special Town Meeting warrant to fund a recreation director position for January through June 2017.

Selectman Bruce Young said a professional recreation director should be hired, as Town Meeting voted to do in 2015, under the Recreation Commission as it stands.

The original wording of the article sought to authorize selectmen to issue a request for proposals for Camp Kiwanee management.

“This other Recreation Commission is down the line if it happens, that’s a whole other ball game,” he said. “Don’t get confused by the words ‘goals and objectives.’ … We agreed to consider it. We never agreed to adopt it.”

Young said that was the cause of his reaction to seeing the article in the warrant at the Aug. 23 meeting, and he apologized for his behavior when he walked out of that meeting.

“The timing of that article could not have been worse,” Young said. “We’re addressing that concern right now.”

Young’s amendment changed the article to request that Town Meeting transfer $35,000 from Recreation retained earnings to fund the recreation director position for the remainder of fiscal 2017 under the control of the Recreation Commission.

Town Administrator Michael McCue noted the change only provides funding unless or until Selectmen or a reconstituted Recreation Commission chooses to go forward. McCue would interview applicants, forwarding a list of recommendations to a Recreation Commission for a vote on hiring.

“It puts it on the table,” said Wes Blauss, noting Kiwanee is already fully booked for weddings in 2017. “We could at least start looking to 2018, restoring some balance.”

The Tuesday, Sept. 6 vote, greeted with loud applause, was among a handful of adjustments to the warrant — including the incorporation of two groups of articles and the deletion of two school repair projects — that Selectmen Chairman James McGahan stressed is normal practice for the warrant review process.

“I get a sense that most people think these articles, as they are written, are what they are,” McGahan said. “That’s not the case. The language of these articles changes … what they are, are place-holders that hold a spot so we can modify the language as we get closer to Town Meeting.”

The Selectmen’s vote on the recreation director position followed McGahan’s PowerPoint presentation on what the Open Space and Recreation Plan’s goals might accomplish. After his presentation, questions and comments from the overflow crowd in the Selectmen’s meeting room were then taken.

“There has been much said about this and it’s taken on a life of its own,” McGahan said. “There might be some confusion toward this article with the ongoing investigation that’s going on at Camp Kiwanee. Essentially, I’ve been told that the timing is bad. That’s on me.”

McGahan initially suggested the article should be pulled. But he later agreed with Young’s suggested language change.

A former Recreation Commission member, Kevin Cameron, expressed concern that, even as a half-year salary, $35,000 might be too low.

“I come from the hospitality industry, so I know of what I speak,” he said.

During his presentation, McGahan stressed that he was assigned to work with the Open Space Committee on a plan for the town, which would allow Hanson officials to apply for grants, once that plan is filed with the state. Meetings on the goal to review the current recreational and parks committees set by a previous Board of Selectmen in 2008 were held, including public visioning sessions on June 22 and Aug. 1.

“We had a goal here and the goal has been lingering for seven years,” McGahan said. “It made sense to me.”

Beach Director Margaret Hickey said she did not understand the consideration of the new goals, as the Recreation Commission has been doing its job.

“Why add another couple of groups to the mix? I just think it would make it more complicated,” she said.

McGahan said a new director would still be hired because Town Meeting voted for it last year.

Each “town department and stakeholder organization” was invited to the visioning sessions, he said, but the Recreation Commission members said they never received that invitation. McGahan noted that the June and August visioning sessions were also advertised to the public in the Express.

Communication
error

Former Recreation Chairman James Hickey said he never received an invitation despite holding regular meetings with McCue.

McGahan said the invitation had gone to previous Recreation Chairman, David Blauss, adding that the Recreation Commission was responsible, as all town boards are, to inform all other departments of changes in their officer organization.

“When you went to the June meeting and didn’t see Dave Blauss or any other member of the Recreation Commission members, a simple text — you knew I would be there,” Hickey said of the selectmen and McCue he has been in contact with by phone.

Former Recreation Commission member Susan Longergan also noted that in 416 meetings she attended, Selectmen never attended one until December 2015.

“You couldn’t pick me out of a crowd and I’ve been on the board for 16 years,” she said. “I’ve never seen this plan. … We have never written a letter [about reorganizations], we have never known to write a letter, so maybe this board could have come to one of our meetings and said, ‘Hey, we’re looking for a letter from you, where is it?’”

Many residents speaking at the meeting expressed concern over the suggestion that a vendor be hired — as one of three possibilities, including a town hire or a contractor — to manage Camp Kiwanee.

“I think that is what makes it a scare — that it would lose its identity,” Diane Cohen of Pleasant Street said of an outside vendor’s ability to hire its own staff.

“I don’t think the people who volunteer their time are as concerned with the risk as they are with the reward,” another resident said. “You give it to an outside person, they have no connection to it. … It becomes a money-making venture no one has any ties to and then all it is, is functions.”

Questions were also asked about how a recreation director would be overseen.

“Who would do the hiring of this person and how would we be sure it would be someone who would advocate for recreation?” a resident asked.

McGahan said the Recreation Commission would do that, saying at that point he supported withdrawing the article.

“I think the timing is bad, and I didn’t see that coming,” he said.

McGahan assured residents the current Recreation Commission would be invited to be part of the new panel, but that the commission’s mass resignation of the current commission is a problem.

“We’re not talking about doing away with the Recreation Commission,” McGahan   said. “We’re basically better managing cabins, functions, weddings, security and business. It changes the way we do things, but still puts control with the Recreation Commission.”

The Board of Selectmen would appoint the new commission, as in the past.

The board also approved Young’s request to change the Memorial Field Commission article to request a change, by the legislature, from elected to appointed membership in order to preserve that board instead of incorporating it into any expanded Recreation Commission.

“The Veterans’ Agent assures me that, if it moves in this direction, that there will be people willing to step forward to be appointed by the Board of Selectmen to oversee this,” McCue said. “It’s probably the best solution for this issue.”

Selectmen’s Administrative Assistant Meredith Marini explained the other article changes came at the suggestion of the town accountant in an effort to streamline the Town Meeting process. School repair articles formerly numbered 20-28 were merged into a matrix under Article 18 and two articles regarding the Middle School univents and a rooftop unit at Indian Head School were deleted until May, as they were not yet on the district’s capital improvement plan. Funding sources were also changed for articles regarding the Water Department and a septic project at Camp Kiwanee.

WHITMAN — Expecting a 75-percent turnout for the Tuesday, Nov. 8 presidential election, Town Clerk DawnVarley has asked for, and received, Selectmen’s support for safety procedures she plans to institute at Town Hall on that date.

The measures have been used before in high-turnout elections and center on restricting parking and charitable solicitations.

Varley said she had already discussed the moves with Town Administrator Frank Lynam, Police Chief Scott Benton and Council on Aging Director Barbara Garvey.

The deadline for registering to vote in the presidential election is Wednesday, Oct. 19.

“I urged everyone to register to vote,” Varley said.

With final details concerning use of the Council on Aging bus still to be finalized, Town Hall employees and election workers will be required to park at the police station on Election Day to free up Town Hall parking for voters. Employees and election workers will be shuttled to Town Hall.

Parking along South Avenue from Day Street to the center of town will be limited to a half-hour on a temporary basis.

“We have 10,000 voters now,” Varley said. “The only thing that could cut [traffic] down is something new that’s going on — early voting.”

The 150-foot “no electioneering” rule around Town Hall will be enforced, including fundraising efforts by Dollars for Scholars and other groups.

“I usually let people inside for other elections — like the Mothers Club and things like that — but this time I’m not going to allow any solicitation,” she said. “I think it’s too much traffic.”

She stressed there will also likely be exit pollsters and poll watchers present, over neither of which she has any control.

Benton said he agreed with the parking restrictions and noted he will add a “floating” officer to the detail usually assigned to the polling place on election days.

Early voting is also in place for the first time this year and Varley has asked the Finance Committee for $2,000 to cover those costs, as she is asking some of her election workers to help with that process between Monday, Oct. 24 and Friday, Nov. 4. She said the state has not yet released the needed forms, envelopes or details of what the process will entail as yet.

Early voting will be conducted in the Town Hall Auditorium and Varlet plans to provide locked ballot boxes to keep ballots secure. While the law only requires early voting to be conducted during Town Hall hours, Varley plans to be open Fridays as well as from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29.

The state is providing incentive grants to encourage towns to provide extra early voting hours.

Municipalities with between 5,000 and 10,000 voters can get $500 to be open at least four weekend hours, with a $50 bonus for each additional two-hour increment they stay open during the weekend, according to Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin’s office.

Absentee voting will also be conducted as usual.

Varley also reminded residents that 16-year-olds may register to vote, even though they cannot cast a ballot until they turn 18.

“They’re trying to get the voter numbers up, but it just adds pressure to my office because we have to keep track of them for two years,” she said. “Who knows if they’re going to be in the same location in two years?”

Anyone with questions on their registration status, order absentee ballots or other election concerns may visit sec.state.ma.us.ele.

The town has received 34 applications for the assistant town administrator’s position, all based on an online posting before the position is advertised in print.

“We have a lot of interest in it,” said Selectmen Chairman Carl Kowalski. “We have a lot of qualified people that have showed some interest.”

The application deadline is Sept. 22.

Selectmen opted not to fill Selectman Lisa Green’s open seat based on the time constraints for a special election. The board members felt the could continue with the vacancy, created when Green resigned to apply for the position of assistant town administrator.

HANSON — No one seemed to walk away satisfied with the outcome of the Board of Selectmen’s Tuesday, Aug. 23 discussions on the Recreation Commission’s recent mass resignation and conveyance of Camp Kiwanee oversight to Town Administrator Michael McCue.

Selectmen did not vote on accepting the resignations and, while at least three members indicated a willingness to wait for Labor Counsel Leo Peloquin to complete his investigation, or audit review, none offered to rescind their resignations.

“You can accept my resignation or not accept it, but I will not serve on the Recreation Commission any longer,” said former Recreation Chairman James Hickey.

Selectman Bruce Young angrily walked out of the meeting about an hour later — before business had been concluded.

His action came during a discussion before the special Town Meeting warrant was closed, changing his vote on placing an article seeking a request for proposals (RFP) on management of Camp Kiwanee.

“I don’t like what’s going on here,” Young said before he walked out. [See related story, opposite page]

The evening started with a large group of former Recreation Commission members, ex-caretakers and their supporters — holding signs and small red Solo cups — seeking public support outside Town Hall. The cups were in reference to the heated exchange in April between Young and then-interim Town Administrator Richard LaCamera over alleged improper drinking going on at the camp. LaCamera walked out of that meeting, leaving his resignation on his desk.

Signs for support

The sign-holders filled the Selectmen’s Meeting Room for the vote on the Recreation Commission’s resignations, asking questions about the process, status of the review and how McCue would oversee the camp.

“Typically, we don’t speak about resignations, we have not in the past,” said Selectmen Chairman James McGahan. Resignations are usually voted on with no comment other than an occasional expression of regret.

When the vote to accept resignations came up, there was no second made to the motion, so no vote was taken.

“I want to make it clear that, consistent with this board’s prior position, the board is not going to entertain discussion about the substance of the ongoing investigation into Camp Kiwanee,” McGahan said. “It’s not posted on the agenda. I can’t talk about that because we’d be in open meeting violation.”

He noted some town departments have run into problems doing that in the past, and pledged to hold an open meeting to fully discuss Peloquin’s report when it is complete. McGahan said he wanted to see that review completed by the end of September.

“I have asked Leo to make damn sure its done by the end of September,” he said.

The report will also be made public as is required by state law, according to Young, including all minutes of executive session discussions.

“The goal of the board and the town has been and continues to be to ensure that Camp Kiwanee is operated appropriately,” McGahan said. “Notwithstanding the recent developments, we intend to see to it that the scheduled events and programs take place.”

He said the town would appreciate the help of staff and volunteers in meeting that goal.

McGahan cautioned the audience would be gaveled down if “things got out of hand,” and did so on a few occasions, including prior to Young’s later walkout.

One resident asked if the resignations were accepted before the investigation concluded, it wouldn’t be doing a disservice to “our good citizens” on the Recreation Commission. Another wondered how McCue would run Camp Kiwanee. It was also asked if a vote on the resignations could be postponed.

McGahan countered that the board should move ahead with a vote and, when the positions came open again, members who resigned could reapply. He also declined to comment on what would be done if the investigation bore out a single person’s improper actions.

The lack of a vote left that situation a bit confused.

“How can we expect people to fill these positions if we allow the current Commission to resign?” asked Whitman resident Lillian Dignan, a former longtime Hanson resident.

“I don’t know,” McGahan said. “To me, that’s not germane to accepting the resignations.”

Young added that Selectmen are obligated by town bylaws to appoint a Recreation Commission, noting that the town administrator would step in to manage Camp Kiwanee on a temporary basis.

“That’s a stopgap measure,” Young cautioned. He did not second the motion to accept the resignations, and said he would not vote for it in hopes that the members — other than Hickey — would withdraw their resignations. The statement was met with loud applause.

At least four of the seven-member commission would have to return to resume oversight of the camp functions.

“I think this an unfortunate hot mess,” said Hanson resident Kimberly King, who has experience serving with an appointed authority, the Plymouth County Mosquito Control Board. “I think both sides have legitimate concerns, but I find it extremely upsetting that the Recreation Commission would just throw in their resignations before asking to go on the agenda in a public meeting to have this discussed.  … Good people make mistakes and I think that’s where a lot of this comes from.”

Former commission member Susan Lonergan said that couldn’t be done because Selectmen are not part of the investigation and they were instructed by an attorney not to talk about it with them.

McCue’s role

For his part, McCue was not particularly eager to oversee Camp Kiwanee, but said remaining staff members had indicated they will stay on and he would only be signing contracts or invoices and dealing with any personnel issues that might arise.

Teresa Santalucia asked if McCue would consult with the Recreation Commission on any problems that might crop up.

“We’ve run into a kind of gray area,” McCue said. “The board still has a letter of resignation from all these people in front of them. Until a majority of those people — if they so choose — rescind those resignations, I don’t have a board with whom to speak. … If there was a board to speak with, I wouldn’t be doing this.”

That prompted School Committee Chairman Bob Hayes, attending the meeting on another matter, to suggest asking if any Recreation Commission members wished to stay on until a report comes back.

“You’re putting them on the spot right now,” Hickey said.

McGahan said that was not the intention of asking who might wish to stay on.

“It’s your choice,” he said.

After a brief recess of discussion among the commission, three — Lonergan, Janet Agius and Sheila Morse — said they would wait until the investigation was completed before going ahead with their resignations.

“We have to work together on this,” Lonergan said. “We have to be heard and we haven’t been heard.”

Resident, and former Recreation Commission member, chairman and longtime Camp Kiwanee volunteer Joseph Baker asked how McCue would be able to manage the facility.

“Do you know how to pump the toilets? … How are you possibly going to manage the camp?” Baker asked. “This is a great asset to the town and now what we’re doing is causing this big [crap] storm. … How is this guy going to run the camp? He doesn’t know a thing about the camp.”

“We’re going to do the best we can on this,” McGahan said.

“What is the alternative?” Young said. “We don’t have four members who are willing to rescind their resignations.” Selectmen voted 5-0 to convey the oversight of operations to McCue.

WHITMAN — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) plan to redesign two intersections along Route 18/Bedford Street found that at least one local businessman is not happy with what he has heard so far.

James Loring, owner of TLC Auto Sales & Service at 746 Bedford St., told state and regional officials during a public hearing Tuesday, Aug. 16 that he would take legal action if the plan encroached on his property in any way. His concern was that the plans would take 300 square feet from the corner where he displays the vehicles he sells.

“I’m greatly concerned,” said Loring, who has owned his business for 36 years ago and also operates a realty office at the Route 27 intersection. “I’ve got a ton of questions, but you’re not going to take my land. I’ll fight you to the bitter end for every square inch.”

Loring was assured after the hearing that the plans would not involve any taking of his land, and only required a temporary easement to allow workers to enter his property line to do sidewalk construction.

The sidewalk on that side of the intersection would stay exactly where it is now, according to Design Consultant Greg Lucas of BETA Engineering Group in Norwood.

“We’re not widening into your property, we’re not taking your property,” Lucas said. “Not a square foot. [The easement] is just to allow them to do the sidewalk work and to allow them to patch the asphalt — so they can do the work and then they leave.”

Town Administrator Frank Lynam told Loring after the meeting that he would email a copy of the design plan for him to review.

The MassDOT Highway Division held the design public hearing at Whitman Town Hall Auditorium on a proposed project to improve safety and traffic flow at the intersections of routes 18 and 14 and routes 18 and 27. Project Manager Muazzez Reardon facilitated the sparsely attended hearing in which only Lisa Szamreta of the MassDOT Right of Way Bureau, Lucas, Selectman Daniel Salvucci and Loring spoke.

Reardon advised that, since the design phase is not yet complete, not all questions could be answered at the hearing. A form was provided in hand-out materials for audience members to submit comments or questions to the Highway Division.

The project, expected to cost $3.2 million is still in the design phase to be concluded in 2017, with construction not expected to begin until 2018. Little traffic disruption is anticipated during construction, officials said.

“The reason that we brought this issue to Old Colony Planning Council was because both our police chief and our fire chief had concerns,” said Salvucci, who also represents Whitman on the OCPC Joint Transportation Committee.

Lucas outlined the need for the project and how it is being designed to meet those needs.

“Crash rates are higher than the statewide average,” Lucas said of the two intersections, explaining that at the Bedford and Auburn streets (18/14) intersection the rate is 1.31 crashes per million or 46 over the last three years. The state average is .8 crashes. At the Route 27 intersection the rate is higher at 60 crashes over three years.

Among the problems are a lack of left-turn lanes and protected movement for left turns — that is, a green arrow light when all opposing traffic is stopped by a red light. Pedestrian accommodations, such as crosswalks and sidewalks, also need to be improved.

The design calls for new traffic signals with a protected left turn arrow, an exclusive left-turn lane as well as sidewalk, crosswalk and drainage improvements and a dedicated bike lane.

Salvucci asked if the new intersection design would permit right turns on red light. Lucas replied that would be allowed at some locations.

“Both intersections have school bus [traffic],” Salvucci noted. He also pointed out the problem with truck traffic on Washington Street because of truck route designation at Route 14. Whitman is already looking  into posting signs to restrict trucks from Washington Street.

Lawn areas and landscaping disrupted by construction will be replaced after work is completed.

“Affected property owners will be contacted by personnel from the Right of Way Bureau or consultants representing them,” Szamreta said. Permanent and temporary easements may be required, she said, but the number has not been determined, noting the MGL Chapter 79 protects property owners’ rights, as well as federal regulations where they apply.

HANSON — Selectmen Tuesday, Aug. 9 approved two goals for developing open space and recreation plans, paving the way for a working session on the latter between members of the board, Town Administrator Michael McCue and representatives of the current recreational and parks committees.

The goals, formulated seven years ago by a previous Select Board have been dusted off to ensure consistency in terms of management and style in how things will be handled, according to Selectmen Chairman James McGahan.

“These were two goals that were part of the open space and rec plan and that committee is looking for approval of those two goals or at least a review and agreement or amendment of additional goals,” McGahan said at Tuesday night’s meeting. “I think it’s time.”

The goals, which would allow the town to apply for grants, are expansion and improvement of recreational opportunities as well as protection of natural resources and biodiversity. They involve a review of recreational and parks committees (Recreation, Parks and Fields, Memorial Field and Town Forest) and considering the consolidation of two or more of the committees under a newly created Recreation Committee. There would also be an effort to improve the General Bylaws to be consistent with state regulation of off-road vehicle issues and to participate in state efforts to regulate use on a regional level.

McGahan noted that membership of the Memorial Field and Town Forest committees have dwindled over the years. He said merging the committees would permit a new Recreation Committee to expand into activities outside Camp Kiwanee.

“Basically we’d have to redraft its intent,” he said, which would have to go before Town Meeting.

“If we’re going to get into a discussion about this, I tend to agree with you that you would want the possibility — like other towns do it — where the Recreation Committee would take care of town-wide [events],” said Recreation Committee Chairman James Hickey. “But I also think that, if this was to go through, the Recreation Committee now as it stands would have to have [its] name changed to the Camp Kiwanee Commission, where it would strictly deal with Camp Kiwanee and Cranberry Cove.”

Hickey thought town events, such as the bicentennial celebration and annual Memorial Day parades, would be perfect projects for a new Recreation Committee. He added that Camp Kiwanee would be the only recreation facility generating revenue, and additional recreation demands would strain those funds.

McGahan said another possibility would be “vendoring out” Camp Kiwanee management, including the liquor license responsibility now borne by the town and inspectional responsibilities.

“It’s something to consider as an option,” he said during the meeting.

“We’ve got a board of volunteers who are doing the best job they can, but with turnover within the board things don’t always follow procedure,” he said Wednesday.

McCue suggested the working session of the boards involved as an “unofficial bandying about” of ideas in a “roll-up-the-sleeves” setting.

Selectman Bruce Young agreed that such a session would be a constructive one.

“That would also give us the chance to work with the representative of the Recreation Committee on firming up and establishing what the duties and responsibilities of a professional recreation director,” Young said.

Resident Audrey Flanagan also urged the working session because members of the individual Recreation, Parks and Fields, Memorial Field and Town Forest committees are passionate about what they are doing.

“Right now, the first step in the process is agreeing to these goals that were set for us seven years ago by a different board,” McGahan said.

“These are preliminary discussions,” Selectman Kenny Mitchell agreed. “Anything we do is going to take a process, it’s not going to happen overnight.”

Phil Clemons, one of three members of the Town Forest Committee, said that as the town forest has become a conservation property, it is redundant.

“We crave not being on the committee anymore, because there’s really nothing to do,” Clemons said. “That would be the easiest thing of all to have it just fade away.”

The natural resources goal simply coordinates town goals with state regulations.

“I’ve had a lot of people calling me concerned that motor bikes and ATVs are [being driven] where they should not be,” McGahan said July 26. “Obviously we want to enforce our state regulations for those.”

Selectman Don Howard said Tuesday night that he does not believe there is space in town for permitting off-road vehicles and insurance requirements would be prohibitive.

WHITMAN — Lisa Green has resigned from the Board of Selectmen, effective July 29, in preparation for submitting an application for the vacant assistant town administrator position.

Whitman has been without an assistant town administrator since Greg Enos left in April to take a human resources manager job in Ashland.

“While we haven’t fully pinned it down yet, we know we’re going to be seeking an assistant town administrator and she wants to be in the running for that,” Town Administrator Frank Lynam said. “We haven’t fully determined yet how we’re going to fill this job. Obviously we’re going to be advertising and seeking qualified candidates.”

Selectman Chairman Carl Kowalski agreed.

“We haven’t decided what we’re going to do with the position yet,” he said. The board meets next on Aug. 30. “At that point we’ll discuss the procedure for applying for the position, I expect she will be one of the applicants and I expect her to do well during that process, although I have no idea who else is going to apply.”

Kowalski said Green has been “a terrific selectperson while she’s been on the board, using her experience and ability as a lawyer for the town and for its citizens,” noting he is sorry to see her go, but that the process for hiring a new assistant town administrator would be an interesting one.

In compliance

Green said Sunday that her resignation was timed to keep in compliance with state Ethics Commission rules requiring a 30-day period in which she has not served as a selectman.

“The law is very restrictive and they are very clear that I have to be off the board for 30 days in order for the Board of Selectmen to even consider my application [for assistant town administrator],” she said. “It was a very difficult decision. I enjoyed being a selectman for about five years now and I enjoyed working with all the other board members. It’s been a great positive learning experience.”

Her term would have expired in May 2017.

“I think Lisa has a lot to offer, however, we have to conduct a search and interviews — not a world-wide search, but we’re going to advertise,” Lynam said. “We’re going to see who applies. She’s certainly got a lot of things going for her. … She understands the system.”

Lynam said he finds Green’s legal background appealing.

Green said she would enjoy serving the town on a full-time basis rather than part time. She has served as a selectman for five years and is an attorney for the Commonwealth working for the Social Security Administration in claims investigation. She has stressed her interest in the management of the town.

“I do have a law degree,” she said. “I have been involved in a lot of things with Whitman in the last five years.”

She citied her participation in contract negotiations, among other projects that have “improved the well-being of the citizens of the town.”

She also said she has respectful and positive working relationships with Town Hall staff and could be helpful in securing grants for improving the town.

“I put my full heart into everything that I do,” Green said, noting that while her fellow selectmen — who have not been in contact with her, likely out of respect for ethics regulations — were probably not surprised by her decision.

“They know the position was open and they knew I had expressed interest,” she said. “It was an honor to serve the citizens of Whitman and I thank them for putting faith in me for the last five years and we’ll see what the future holds.”

The board voted on July 12 to review and update the job description of the assistant town administrator position and the approach to take in seeking a new person for that job. Selectman Lisa Green recused herself from the discussion because she is interested in applying for the job.

Job description

Lynam said the position remains a vital one as he currently has $163,009 in projects pending for the Green Communities grant to deal with, as well as three projects under the Community Compact — $25,000 for a wage and personnel study, $15,000 for solar energy project analysis and some $10,000 for the reuse plan for the old Regal property — in addition to other management duties.

“We are approaching a year with four contracts up for renegotiation,” he added. “I don’t think there’s any question in my mind that the town is best served by maintaining the position of the assistant town administrator and I would like the board to consider moving in that direction.”

Voters at the May Town Meeting approved the line item to continue funding the position’s salary.

“I think we need to look at the description of it,” Selectman Dan Salvucci said of the assistant town administrator post. “We felt as if we needed one before, and it seems we still need one. … Do we want someone that will step into [Lynam’s] shoes eventually, or do we want somebody that just wants to be a good assistant?”

Kowalski and Selectman Scott Lambiase volunteered to work with Lynam on reviewing the job description and salary — about $63,000 — offered.

“Clearly, we want to hire someone who’s capable of functioning in my role when I’m not here,” Lynam said. “My biggest concern right now … surrounding towns are compensating people at a much higher level than we are.”

He noted one of the factors in Enos’ decision to leave was the then-$61,000 salary, which is less than some of the department head with whom he was asked to work in a management or administrative role.

The town is negotiating with the Collins Institute at UMass, Boston to conduct a broad-based wage and personnel survey of Whitman town employees in part because of Lynam’s concern about salary parity with other communities as well as job descriptions and expectations.

“I don’t think this survey will prevent us from making a reasonable analysis here,” he said. “But I think we have to talk about it a little bit and recognize we’re not going to hire somebody at the funding that the line presently has.”

Depending on the hiring cycle, there may be sufficient funds available to offer more money to start, but another Town Meeting vote would have to follow to increase the salary going forward if that is done, according to Lynam.

Selectmen, meeting next on Aug. 30, should have more information from the job description subcommittee’s work, with an eye toward hiring someone by the end of September or early October.

HANSON — The Board of Selectmen Tuesday, July 26 welcomed a new firefighter to the official ranks of the Hanson Fire Department, as well as new department chaplain.

Hired in July 2015, firefighter Eric Adams has recently completed his probationary period, Chief Jerome Thompson reported. Adams grew up in Whitman, graduating from WHRHS in 2006 and has been in the EMS field for seven years and a paramedic for two.

He graduated from recruit training at the Mass. Fire Academy with Class No. 237 in December.

“Out of the seven new members we’ve hired in the last 24 months, this is position number five,” Thompson said. “As with the others, he’s been a great addition to our department.”

Adams’ father Daniel pinned on his new badge after Town Clerk Elizabeth Sloan administered the oath of office.

“If I poke him, is there anybody here who can help us out?” Daniel Adams joked as he did the badge-pinning honors.

The Rev. Kwang H. Lee, vicar of St. Joseph the Worker Church in Hanson, was sworn in as chaplain. He had been awarded his helmet during Firefighter Memorial Sunday observances in June.

Thompson said Lee, who has been a priest for five years and assigned to St. Joseph for about a year, had expressed interest in the chaplaincy — a position he did not believe had been used at the Hanson Fire Department before.

“Looking at some the things we face today, we thought it would be a great idea to have that on our department,” Thompson said. “The fire department chaplain provides spiritual and emotional support to firefighters and their family members when necessary, but this service will also be available to our community members whether during a medical emergency or fire or maybe a natural disaster.”

He noted that Lee has been visiting firefighters at the station to talk with them and “kind of get to know the lingo.” He has also attended Barnstable Fire Academy to observe the training process.

Lee is also working with the Mass. Corps of Fire Chaplains to be trained in critical incident stress management skills.

Thompson presented Lee with his badge after he was sworn in by Sloan Tuesday night.

New ambulance

Thompson also briefed selectmen on the Fire Department’s recent operations and capital plans — including a request he is considering for the October special Town Meeting to transfer funds from ambulance receipts to pay for a new all-wheel-drive ambulance next year. That would also include a new stretcher system.

“We’re currently looking at different chassis for our next ambulance,” he said. “That makes the ambulance 4-wheel-drive, it’s more of a rugged chassis.”

Department personnel test-drove a model at the station Tuesday.

“Right now we’re weighing all the pros and cons,” he said, stressing that ambulance runs are paid for through patient insurance and noted there is a process through which indigent residents may apply for a waiver.

Current ambulances will be rotated into support services such as gear for the dive team and the oldest vehicle will be donated to the Highway Department.

“It’s a testament to your maintenance program,” said Selectman Bill Scott.

Work on the station’s septic system still needs to be done, with plans due for review by the Board of Health in August, with the aim of completing work in the fall.

“If we can get that completed in the fall, we can go ahead and the second capital plan we already have the funding for is the parking lot,” Thompson said.

The reconfiguration and renovation of the front of the fire station has been completed, Thompson said. That work, much of which was done by firefighters, helped improve department operations.

He also reported his department has responded to 1,109 calls for service as of 5 p.m., July 26 — 707 were EMS-related with 13 of those for opioid-related incidents in Hanson.

Total calls for service are down slightly over the same period last year, he said, but multiple calls are up.

Two important training programs for which Thompson credited funding from selectmen and the Finance Committee, were a May pump-operating training — designed to reduce risk of damage to trucks and the water supply system — and a live burn exercise in June at the Barnstable Fire Academy.

“Even though we’ve seen a decrease in fires, we still need that hands-on training to work on our techniques and look at fire behavior and keep ourselves as safe as possible,” he said.

The department also plans to stay involved in the community with non-emergency events.

Firefighters have trained Cranberry Cove lifeguards in waterfront safety and, through a grant will continue school fire safety programs. They also participated in water day at DARE Camp held at WHRHS this week.

HANSON — The School Committee and the Maquan and Indian Head Priority Repairs Committee each voted unanimously on Wednesday, July, 13 to accept a low bid of $207,000 from Gibson Roofs Inc., of 369 Winter St., Hanover for the Maquan Elementary School roof repair project.

Voters at Hanson Town Meeting had approved $322,000 for the project, so officials estimate the town could see a return of about $100,000 after Gale Engineering’s fee is factored in.

Selectman Bruce Young, who has chaired the repair committee, noted the savings could serve to fund other capital projects in town.

The Hanson Board of Selectmen met Tuesday, July 19 to vote its support for the bid. The votes will allow the roofing project, which is estimated to take two weeks to complete, to begin within 10 days of the contract signing for completion by Aug. 26.

The first day of school is Monday, Aug. 29.

After the vote, Selectmen Chairman Jim McGahan and School Committee Chairman Bob Hayes signed the contract with Gibson at the July 19 meeting.

“I want to pass along our sincere thanks to everyone involved at the School Committee in getting this done,” McGahan said. “It didn’t look like it was going to happen that way … a number of people stepped up.”

Both the School Committee and Selectmen noted that, while not required, the selectmen’s support was wanted.

“The Regional School agreement authorizes the School Committee to make decisions on these types of projects,” Young said on July 13. He noted that the town and school district entered into an inter-municipal agreement for the Indian Head roof project, which had never been done before. That agreement required a vote from both the School Committee and Board of Selectmen as well as a special committee to work through plans and specifications.

“It was a nice thing, it was an elaborate thing, but given the controversy on the Indian Head School, and the whole school vote, the inter-municipal agreement was a good thing — and you’ve already run by all the good things that have happened and the School Committee and Board of Selectmen coming together to make that happen — but we don’t have an inter-municipal agreement on the Maquan School,” Young told School Committee members. “The onus lies on the School Committee to make final approval of awarding the bids and going forward.”

Hayes said he would attend the July 19 selectmen meeting for a vote and to have them sign it in any case to ensure all boards are on the same page. Both were done Tuesday night.

“We have no interest in delaying this, but we want to move it along properly,” said Hanson Town Administrator Michael McCue said July 13. “We want to get it done, but we want to make sure we’re not missing the crossing of  a t or the dotting of an i.”

Hayes agreed.

W-H School District Business Services Director Christine Suckow said a pre-construction meeting with Gale Associates was to be held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, July 26 at the school to, among other matters, determine the construction period services cost for Gale.

An additional meeting will be held mid-job as well as a final close-out meeting when the work is completed.

Construction meetings are open public sessions.

“We needed to get the vote on the Maquan roof and the proposals came in today,” said Hayes. “We need to get this roof approved and under way before school starts.”

Hayes reported that about 30 bid packets went out to interested companies with nine returned.

“That was not unusual,” Hayes said of the handful of bids received. “When the bid goes out, it goes out on the state list and everybody just automatically takes packets and then some figure out it’s not a project that they want to get involved in.”

Most of the nine bidders made a trip out to Maquan to examine the project site.

The school district has worked with Gibson on roofing projects in the past.

“I wanted all parties to be well aware of what’s going on, and I want to thank all parties,” Hayes said. “I know the Maquan and Indian Head Priority Repairs Committee worked very hard from the onset … I want to thank them for everything they’ve tried to do for the school district.”

He also thanked Hanson Selectmen for their work on what has been a sometimes “tedious” task.

“We’re making great progress by working together,” Hayes said.

Town clerks across the state are preparing now for the first year in which early voting will be permitted in state elections.

Former Gov. Deval Patrick signed the election reform law on May 22, 2014 to allow early voting in state biennial elections, starting 11 business days before an election and ending two business days before Election Day. This year, that means early voting will begin Monday, Oct. 24 and conclude on Friday, Nov. 4.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8.

“It won’t be for the primary [Sept. 8],” Whitman Town Clerk Dawn Varley said. “It won’t be for town elections or anything else.”

The hard part for town clerks is planning when they have no idea what to expect by way of participation, but they are setting up centralized voting locations in Whitman and Hanson town halls. Varley is also working to determine how many election workers she may need to use. Hanson Town Clerk Elizabeth Sloan, meanwhile, said she has no funds to hire any extra help.

The state is not providing additional funding to provide extra poll workers.

As of right now, Whitman is planning to limit voting to the centralized location of Town Hall, where voting usually takes place, and during normal business hours due to the lack of funds for the staffing that expanded hours would require, according to Varley.

“This is the first year, too,” she said. “We’re not sure what it’s going to entail.”

Larger communities may be allowed to move early voting locations around.

“I don’t have the staff and money to do that,” Varley said, who has asked the Finance Committee for $2,000 for additional election workers. “I plan on hiring my election workers to do it.”

“I don’t have extra people to put on,” Sloan said. “If it’s really crazy I would have to ask the Finance Committee for extra money to try to get it. … I’m going to play it by ear to see how it goes.”

The problem with added help becomes the time involved in training anyone that might be hired, Sloan noted.

Varley will have a space for early voting in her office, but has not seen the ballots yet, so there is no information on whether the early voting ballots will be a different color — or how long they will be.

“I’ve heard the November ballot, potentially, is going to be two pages, because of the questions,” Varley said. “They haven’t determined that yet.”

Then there is the number of ballots with which clerks’ offices must contend.

“We’re going to have an absentee ballot, an early voting ballot, we’re going to have a regular ballot, then there’s the possibility of an 18-month-rule ballot,” Varley said.

The latter would provide for residents who have moved out of town within the previous 18 months to cast a ballot for presidential candidates and other federal races listed — providing they are not registered in another town and sign an affidavit.

“It’s still a work in progress,” she said. “We’ll see how this year goes and take it from there.”

Hanson, too, is setting up a voting location for early voting.

“Our central voting location is going to be the Town Clerk’s office like it always is for absentee [voting],” Sloan said. “It’s just going to be busier because we’re going to have absentee and early voting at the same time.”

Sloan has ordered extra voting booths in order to set up a voting area of four booths in the Town Clerk’s office in addition to the current area outside the office where absentee voting is conducted. Those booths, too, are being expanded to supply two to four booths there.

“You really don’t know what it’s going to be like,” Sloan said. “It’s the first time, so we’ll have to wait and see.

The election reform law also permits early registration for 16 and 17-year-olds to pre-register to vote, although they would not be permitted to cast ballots until age 18. For more information on registering to vote, visit the Secretary of State’s website at sec.state.ma.us.

“It’s a very user-friendly website,” Varley said. “They can register to vote, check ‘Where do I vote?’ and all the information for absentee voting is there.”

The law also requires the state to audit 3 percent of precincts during presidential election years to make sure voting machines are working correctly. It establishes a task force to pin down the cost and administrative requirements of the early voting provision and examine other voting issues such as same-day voter registration.

A Republican-backed provision for voter ID cards was rejected by lawmakers.