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Wednesday April 15, 2009
Hingham Town Hall
7:00 P.M.
Members Present: Phil Edmundson, John Riley, Judy Sneath, Gene Babin, Bill Reardon, Sarah Dewey, Jim Watson, John Kelleher, AdCom Liaison David Ellison
Chairman Phil Edmundson called the meeting to order at 7:10 P.M.
The minutes from the February 26, 2009 meeting were approved as amended.
Disposition of Remaining 2009 Project Applications
The Committee voted not to fund the following projects, submitted during the 2008-2009 round of funding: The Fort Hill Veterans’ House, Noonan and Bennett property acquisitions, Beal Street wetlands delineation.
Unspent Appropriations Whitney Wharf
Chairman Edmundson described the procedure, voted by the Committee at the February 26, 2009, to return unspent funds to the CPC General Fund.
Bill Reardon stated that the state match will be 29% this year, lower than originally thought. He reviewed CPC finances and recommended taking back the $27,966.21 remaining in the Whitney Wharf Fund.
Chairman of the Harbor Development Committee Nick Amdur said that Harbor Development recognizes the economic situation of the Town. “Without CPC, Harbor Development would not have Whitney Wharf or the Harbor Master Plan. We (Harbor Development Committee) don’t like returning the money, but we understand. It is the Town’s responsibility to figure out how to maintain the park and determine what to do about the deteriorating fence. Although we can advocate a position, the Selectmen have to decide. CPC should decide how to manage its money".
The Committee voted unanimously to return the Whitney Wharf unspent funds to the CPC General Fund.
Community Housing Allocation
Bill Reardon recommended revising the vote, taken at the last meeting, to put $4,500 into the Community Housing Fund and to place it into the CPC General Reserve instead. He said, “The recommendation of the Selectmen and the Advisory Committee is not to fund the boiler replacements for Thaxter Park because they believe it is the State’s responsibility to do so. The $88,000 allocated to that project will remain in the Community Housing Fund.
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Town Meeting
The Committee briefly discussed project presentations for Town Meeting. Chairman Edmundson will make opening remarks and review CPC finances, and will then discuss the first three projects. Project Managers will respond to questions if needed. The Cushing property acquisition will take more time. Sarah Dewey will make the presentation.
Chairman Edmundson then talked about the Thaxter Park boilers. He said that recent information from the Housing Authority indicates that people have not had to leave their apartments due to broken down boilers. What we don’t know is the state’s meaning of failure (with respect to boilers). Judy Sneath reminded the Committee that “we never had a chance to look at their finances”, and that is information that we still don’t have. The Chairman said that Town Administrator Kevin Paicos is adamant that the State should pay for the boilers. He then suggested that as an interim measure, CPC could purchase heaters that may be used in an emergency. Mr. Edmundson said that Jim Watson to talk with HHA Director Gail Neibaur about addressing the political question – that the state is not providing the necessary support. He recommended that the Committee wait until before Town Meeting to determine whether or not to go ahead with the boiler article.
Regarding the article to reduce the CPA surcharge, Bill Reardon suggested that in his presentation, the Chairman should look back at all the CPC projects and show how the CPC has supported the needs of the Town.
Chairman Edmundson adjourned the meeting at 8:50 P.M.
The CPC will meet at the High School prior to Town Meeting, on Monday, April 27th at 6:15 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Andrea Young
Administrator