Board of Selectmen Meeting of July 20th, 2020

Dear fellow Hanoverians:

I am delighted that Selectwoman O’Connor continues to partner with “Around
Town on the Web”. She shares ATOTW’s interest in “just the facts”, and I
am personally grateful that she is willing to volunteer her time to get
that message across. From time to time, Vanessa will be sending
information that ATOTW will then send to all of you! Read on!

“Please see below for a brief summary of highlights from last night’s Board
of Selectmen Meeting. The below reflects my notes from the meeting and does
not reflect the thoughts or opinions of the Town of Hanover or the other
members of the Board of Selectmen. Please contact me at
vanessa.oconnor@hanover-ma.gov or 781.826.5000 x1053 with any questions.

The video recording of the meeting is posted here:
http://atotw.com/maillist/lt.php?tid=BY5sfvRjy9aVuw3YRyL56HSp7Yl3ldaok2eB1seHgetoqLt7nDNIRqoN783ZLADJ

ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS: Dave Delaney was elected Chair of the Board and
Rhonda Nyman was elected Vice-Chair. Going forward, the Board will
continue to meet on Mondays at 6:00 p.m. Below please find the tentative
schedule for the remainder of 2020:
Monday, August 31 at 6:00 p.m.
Monday, September 14 at 6:00 p.m.
Monday, September 21 at 6:00 p.m.
Monday, October 5 at 6:00 p.m.
Monday, October 19 at 6:00 p.m.
Monday, November 2 at 6:00 p.m.
Monday, November 16 at 6:00 p.m.
Monday, December 7 at 6:00 p.m.
Monday, December 21 at 6:00 p.m.

SELECTMEN FORUM: As part of the meeting the floor was opened for a
Selectmen Forum where the Selectmen were given the opportunity to bring
topics to the Board. Selectman Nyman made a statement relating to a letter
that was circulated prior to the election in June. I expressed the need for
both the Board of Selectmen and the Town of Hanover to issue anti-racism
statements, implement a social media policy for town employees, elected
officials and volunteers and to emphasize that social media platform groups
(such as “Hanover Connect” and “02339”) are not affiliated with the Town of
Hanover and certain racist and bigoted statements made on that platform in
no way represent the Town of Hanover. Selectmen Barry expressed his
thoughts on Senate Bill 2820 (the police standards reform bill in the MA
Senate) and led a discussion about COVID-19 related vehicle purchases
related to the MIH program.

FY2019 AUDIT: The Town of Hanover’s FY2019 audit documents were presented
to the Board by Erica Lussler, a manager with Melanson Heath, an
independent auditor. As it has in years past, Hanover received a clean
opinion, which is the best opinion available. Additionally, Hanover
received no recommendations for improvements from the auditor for the first
time in recent memory. Finally, our Unassigned Fund Balance (the sum of the
General Fund Unassigned Fund Balance and General Stabilization Fund)
position continues to grow and is at 11.8% of Operating Expenditures. For
context, bond rating agencies like to see an assigned Fund Balance of at
least 5% to 10% and we are well above that threshold. Cheers our Finance
Department for their hard work!

TRANSFER STATION: DPW Director Victor Diniak updated the Board on
implementation of the new transfer station policy. The policy is being
followed, stickers are being checked and C&D remains closed. The Board
discussed whether to revisit C&D disposal and Mr. Diniak recommended that,
if the Board do so, the fees charge cover the cost paid by the town. The
Board agreed to meet at the Transfer Station to discuss changes that could
be made to the layout of the Transfer Station if C&D disposal were to be
reinstated.

**UPDATE: The Board of Selectmen will meet next Tuesday, July 28th at 7:00
a.m. at the Transfer Station (118 Rockland Street) with a rain date of
Wednesday, July 29th at 7:00 a.m.**

APPLICATIONS FOR LICENSES: The Board approved an application by the owners
of The Draft on 53 (637 Washington Street) to expand their liquor license
to include adjacent function rooms and two outside patios (one of which is
already up and running pursuant to the ABCC’s June 1, 2020, order allowing
all licensees for on-premises consumption of alcohol to commence outdoor
table service through November 1, 2020). The Board also ratified an outdoor
license approval for Brothers Grill and Bar (778 Washington Street) which
had been previously approved by the Town Manager.

For more information about this post, please contact:
Vanessa A. O’Connor, Esq.
Selectwoman
Town of Hanover
550 Hanover Street
Hanover, MA 02339
(o) 781.826.5000 x1053″

For “Around Town on the Web”,
Cathy H-B


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