Back to Advisory Committee Minutes
June 22, 2010 Meeting Minutes
Hingham Town Hall
Present: Committee Members Seelen, Manning, Asher, Eldredge, Ellison, Farrell, Friedman, Innis, Johnson, Lauter, MacCune, Marwill, Mooradian, O’Meara
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Chair Jerry Seelen called the Advisory Committee meeting to order at 7:30 PM.
The Committee reviewed and unanimously approved the minutes for June 8th 2010.
Karen Johnson, liaison to the Fort Hill Veterans’ Housing ad hoc group, updated the Committee regarding progress by Father Bill’s & Mainspring, Inc. (FBMS) in meeting the three contingencies required for release of the $250,000 in CPC funding authorized by Town Meeting.
With respect to the Tenant Selection Plan and the Service Plan (contingencies #1 and #2), Karen explained that Dan Coughlin, the CPC liaison and Chair of the ad hoc group, is facilitating discussions by and among FBMS, the Veterans’ Council, the Veterans’ Agent, and the Housing Authority. Drafts of both plans are under negotiation and review.
In addressing the third contingency—satisfaction of all Town permitting requirements—FBMS is currently seeking an educational exemption from the Town Zoning By-Law under the Dover Amendment (M.G.L. c40A, Section 3).
The Committee expressed concern about the Town establishing a precedent for a broad application of the Dover Amendment given that the primary purpose envisioned for the 111-113 Fort Hill Street property was the provision of affordable veterans’ housing and not the provision of educational services. Several Committee members suggested that FBMS attorneys provide a legal memorandum justifying the application of the Dover Amendment to the project, including citations of relevant court cases or other precedents.
Karen will verify that the Building Inspector makes the first determination of whether this intended use of the property is exempt by right under the Dover Amendment and whether the Zoning Board of Appeals has the final decision-making authority.
If this use does not fall within the Dover Amendment, FBMS might still qualify for zoning relief either under M.G.L. c40B or as a Local Initiative Project.
Karen also briefed the Committee on her research into the Town’s contracting process. The Committee expressed concern that—in light of recent contract experience—the current process lacks consistent subject-matter-expert review prior to execution of Town contracts. Of particular concern are unaddressed business risks for which the Town might be liable.
Acknowledging its non-executive ‘legislative’ mission, the Committee agreed that a draft recommendation should be formulated for subsequent delivery to the Town Administrator, Board of Selectmen, and the newly-formed Audit Committee.
The Chair requested that Committee members forward any suggestions or concerns regarding recent contracts to Jon Asher, who will work with Karen in preparing the draft recommendation.
The Chair resumed the review of proposed changes to the current Town Financial Policy which had begun during the June 8th meeting.
The Committee again spent considerable time discussing the appropriate Fund Balance target levels, particularly in light of concerns that attempts to meet savings targets might result in layoffs and/or the loss of critical Town services. There was general agreement that achieving a Fund Balance target is a multi-year process, which will necessarily take into account the Town’s overall financial and budget position as well as service levels.
Finance Director Ted Alexiades emphasized that the Financial Policy is a guideline and not a by-law having the force of law.
A straw-poll affirmed leaving the Fund Balance target level at 14%-18%.
The Committee voted unanimously in favor of the amended Financial Policy, which will be conveyed to the Board of Selectmen and School Committee for their review and feedback with the objective of finalizing the Policy by the start of the FY12 budgeting cycle in September.
The following Reserve Fund Transfers were reviewed and approved by the Committee.
| Department | Rationale |
Amount |
Veterans’ Benefits |
Higher-than-budgeted benefit payments to qualifying veterans and family members under M.G.L. c115 |
$42,000. |
Celebrations |
Unanticipated price increases for Veterans’ Day and Memorial Day flags, flowers, and catering |
$3,338. |
Legal Services |
Underfunded FY10 budget |
$35,000. |
Selectmen Salaries |
Under-budgeted Town Administrator salary and partial funding for unfunded FY10 Benefits Coordinator |
$17,910. |
Town Meeting Expense |
Special Town Meeting and a third night of Annual Town Meeting expense |
$10,413. |
Town Meeting Salaries |
Special Town Meeting and a third night of Annual Town Meeting salaries |
$1,449. |
Claims & Incidentals |
Unbudgeted partial payment of a commercial ambulance fee |
$97.34. |
The Chair informed the Committee that of the $883K originally budgeted for the FY10 Reserve Fund, ~$343K remains unspent and will be added to the Town’s Fund Balance.
A copy of the latest FY10 Reserve Fund Transfer summary is attached.
The Chair informed the Committee that the Moderator had appointed two new Committee members, Mary Power and Thomas Pyles, to fill the vacancies created by the completion of six years’ service by both Irma Lauter and Jerry Seelen.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:13 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Jonathan R. Asher, Secretary
