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Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Hingham Town Hall
7:00 P.M.
Members Present: Bill Reardon, Phil Edmundson, Gary Tondorf-Dick, Sarah Dewey, Jim Watson, John Kelleher, Dan Coughlin
Absent: John Riley, Sally Weston,
Chairman Bill Reardon called the meeting to order at 7:05 P.M.
The minutes from the September 30, 2009 meeting were approved as written.
Administrator’s Report
Andrea Young discussed the status of the RFB for the Hingham Centre Cemetery fence. The Cemetery Corp. is paying for a consultant who will prepare a new RFB and manage the bidding process. The project manual and specifications will be prepared to allow the work to be completed in phases, with fence sections, posts and footings priced per piece.
Mobil Station Update
Chairman Bill Reardon gave an update on the site of the former Mobil station. $35,000 of the original appropriation remains to finish the project.
Applications for 2010 Funding
• Project proponents provided a brief project overview of their respective projects.
• Fort Hill Veterans’ House – John Yazwinski and Jim Wells from Father Bill’s/Mainspring in partnership with the Hingham Housing Authority plan to build a new house on the site that will provide six units of housing for veterans. Mr. Yazwinski emphasized that in order to obtain State funding it is important to show that there is local support for the project.
• 80 Beal Street – Jim O’Brien discussed the 3 acre property on Beal Street and the plan to renovate the existing building, which was previously a group home. The rest of the land may be developed further. The Housing Trust is requesting $150,000 to enable the purchase of the property. The funds will be returned to CPC after the sale of the property.
• Thaxter Park Boilers – The Housing Authority is requesting funds to replace 3 boilers. Bob Keyes emphasized the need for assistance from CPC because they don’t anticipate any help from the State. Lizzie Eldredge asked if the State would replace a broken boiler. Mr. Keyes responded, “Maybe, maybe not but they will bring in a temporary unit costing $1,000 per day. The State has no money”.
• Memorial Bell Tower – Alec Macmillan described the current condition of the bells and of the tower itself and referenced option #4 in the proposal from Whitechapel Foundries as the preferred treatment to restore the bells and mitigate the impact of the ringing bells on the tower.
• The Historical Commission is asking for $265,000 to complete this work and plans to seek another $100,000 in funding from another source. Next year is the 100th anniversary of the Bell Tower.
• Bare Cove Fire Museum – Lisa Andre gave a brief overview of the project to restore the ammunition depot in which the museum is housed. The work required includes asbestos abatement, a new roof and painting the brick and concrete block. Ms. Andrea said that the inability to control the moisture in the building because of its current condition jeopardizes the collection. The museum leases the building from the Town.
• Samuel Litchfield House – Jay McGrail reviewed the proposal to restore the building, which he stated is sound. Phase 1 is to save the building by making it secure and weather-tight. Mr. McGrail said that the plans for future use of the building are not yet clear; perhaps it could be used for meetings and would be available to anyone in town. Using the house for affordable housing as well as restoring and selling the property with restrictions were suggested. Mr. McGrail said that the CCMC would entertain all ideas.
• Time Capsule – Lizzie Eldredge briefly described that funding would be used to purchase a container and to fill the time capsule with documents and artifacts pertaining to the Town’s 375th anniversary celebration.
• Foundry Pond Restoration Project – Cliff Prentiss reported that the pond dates back to 1790-1800 and was part of an industrial complex until 1880-90. In recent years there has been a huge reduction in the number of fish in the pond caused by the buildup of sediment. One half of the 5 acre surface area is full of sediment.
• Noonan Property – Mike Pollard said that the price for the property last year was $585,000, and that he has not discussed price again with the owner but plans to do so. The property has not changed since the OSAC first proposed for purchase. Mr. Pollard emphasized the environmental importance of the property.
• Nosiglia Property – Suky Berry described the property and Mr. Nosiglia’s interest in selling the property to the Town. An appraisal has not been done on the property, no price has been discussed but Mr. Nosiglia is amenable to payout over several years. The site map shows the possibility of three houses in addition to the one owned by Mr. Nosiglia.
• Sawmill Pond – The purchase price of the property owned by David Chase is $100,000. Ms. Berry said that if the town acquires the property, Mr. Chase will build a wetlands educational center for use by the schools.
Assignment of Project Managers
The Chairman and members agreed on the following assignments:
Veterans’ House – Dan Coughlin
Nosiglia and Chase Properties – Sarah Dewey
80 Beal – Phil Edmundson
Foundry Pond - Bill Reardon
Time Capsule - John Riley
Thaxter Park, Litchfield House – Sally Weston
Noonan Property - Jim Watson
Fire Museum – John Kelleher
Role of the Project Manager
Bill Reardon reviewed the responsibility of project managers to prepare project proponents for the initial meetings and reviews by CPC, AdCom, Selectmen and then Town Meeting, if applicable. Project managers are also responsible for monitoring project progress and expenses of projects approved by Town Meeting.
The next CPC meeting is on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at 7:00 P.M.
Site visits to Nosiglia, Noonan and Chase properties, the Bell Tower and Foundry Pond will take place on Saturday, November 14th. Andrea Young will email the schedule.
Chairman Reardon adjourned the meeting at 9:25 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Andrea Young
Administrator