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Advisory Committee
January 16, 2007 Meeting Minutes

Town of Hingham
Advisory Committee
January 16, 2007 Meeting Minutes

Present:  Port, Allinson, Alvarado, Barclay, Burns, Ellison, Farrell, Friedman, Kiernan, Lauter, Manning, O'Meara, Seelen

Chair Linda Port called the meeting to order at 7:32PM in the Town Hall Building.

The Committee reviewed and approved the minutes of the January 9, 2007 meeting.

Laura Burns informed the Advisory Committee that the discussion and vote on the Recreation Commission budget would be postponed.  Two Commissioners report that they have not had ample time to review the budget.

Tom Campbell, Recreation Commission Chair, introduced Commission members, Director Kathy Clarkeson, and Program Manager, Mark Thorell.  Director Clarkeson presented an overview of Recreation Programs.

Chair Linda Port thanked Kathy on behalf of the Advisory Committee for her efforts.

The Advisory Committee voted favorably on FY2008 budgets for the Health Department; Public Works (except the Sewer Commission expense line item and the Engineering budget as noted below); Womensplace Crisis Center; South Shore Women's Center; Veterans' Services; Celebrations; and, Weights and Measures as shown on Attachment A. 

The Advisory Committee approved the Historical Commission payroll budget of $35,817.  The Advisory Committee did not approve the additional $10,265 recommended by the Selectmen because the additional funding is coming from the CPC administrative fund, and will not appear in the payroll line item of the Historical Commission.

Questions remain on three budgets items:

. After the favorable vote on the Historical Commission payroll line item, an additional question was raised regarding the payroll budget. *
. The "level funded" Sewer Commission budget, shows an increase of $8,000 in expenses recommended by the Selectmen.  The natural gas fuel dollars do not match the worksheet included with the budget.
. The new position under the Public Works - Engineering budget requires additional justification.

Chair Linda Port led a discussion of the process for review of CPC initiatives.

Jerry Seelen reported that there could be as many as ten (10) warrant articles of a Zoning nature.  Many are a result of the study committee formed to review current processes.

Ted Alexiades provided an update on the activities of the South Shore Country Club Management Committee.  The Committee is continuing to refine the financials.  The SSCC Facilities study has identified maintenance needs that total approximately five million dollars. 

The meeting was adjourned at 10:14PM.