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Members Present: Keefer Welch, Matthew Havens, Brian Elsden
William Friend
Others Attending: Laura Burns, Bruce Rabuffo, John Riley, Nora Berard, Betty Foley, Jack Manning and Dan Walsh.
With a quorum present, the meeting was called to order at 6:05 pm.
Keefer Welch, chairman of the committee, opened the committee’s joint meeting with the Town of Hingham Board of Selectmen (“BOS”)by reminding everyone present of the reason for the meeting-to discuss the future management of the South Shore Country Club (“SSCC”) and the role of the Country Club Management Committee (“CCMC”) in the governing process and financial affairs of the SSCC. He then outlined the issues he felt needed to be resolved.
Keefer Welch’s review of the current management situation and the issues it presented was followed by a comprehensive presentation by Laura Burns, during which she reviewed the recent history of the SSCC, including the financial problems that had occurred in FY 2007, and explained the reasons for the temporary steps taken to remedy these financial problems. Ms. Burns then discussed the alternative paths available for governance of the SSCC, once the temporary situation is concluded, and provided her recommendations.
A general discussion with regard to the issues, alternatives and recommendations followed. This discussion included concerns with regard to the meaning of the phrase “care, custody and control” which is in Article 37 of Hingham General By-laws, the need for development of a long term business and capital plan and an examination of each of the separate business segments of the SSCC, as well as a review of current operating results compared to the approved budget for the SSCC.
During the course of these discussions it was agreed that town counsel should be asked to provide a legal opinion with regard to the meaning of “care, custody and control” which could help define the role of the CCMC in the day to day governance of the SSCC (as prescribed by the Town of Hingham By-laws). The group also spent considerable time reviewing and suggesting revisions to a Charge proposed by Laura Burns to provide guidance and direction from the BOS to the CCMC regarding the management and operation of the SSCC. It was agreed that the Charge, should be revised to incorporate the revisions agreed upon and revisited at a later date.
Following this discussion there was a short review of the legal dispute between the SSCC and the contractor retained to install its golf course irrigation system.
Upon conclusion of this review, on motion duly made and seconded, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
William K. Friend