December 14, 2004
Regular Session 6:35
Ms. Tully, Mr. Edmundson, Mr. MacIver
Revision of Grant of Location to Verizon
Chris Weld, representing CBB, explained that there are 3 duct banks that run through the middle of Central Street. One is abandoned, the other two carry large bundles of copper wires. One of those duct banks could remain as is for tunnel installation ; the second is in the way. The first solution was to lift up the cables and put them on the roof of the tunnel. Verizon rejected that as too risky (cost was $300,000) Second solution was to relocate the cables entirely and upgrade the system to fiberoptic. The relocation of the cables is not significantly more expensive than the first solution. The upgrade, however, will cost a significant amount of money. The public would be paying for the upgrading of Verizon’s system. This improvement would take nine months and cost $1.3 million. The original solution would take 3 months. The town has the right to order the utility to move the lines at their expense. CBB has offered $650,000 toward the cost of the program if Verizon insists on solution #2, but will not bear the entire expense.
Verizon representatives Henry Gamsby and Bruce Bader offered two alternatives: (1) place new cable and splice cables currently there at a cost of $2 million and a year or (2) use fiberoptic and electronics at a price of $1.3 million and significantly less time. Verizon has met with CBB and asked them to sign a contract. It is Verizon’s position that moving facilities is a reimbursable project. The company has done planning for this, invested money already in securing rights of way and purchases of equipment. Mr. Bader explained that Verizon is not attempting to upgrade the network but is planning on replacing existing infrastructure with the type of equipment being used today. Verizon met with CBB in Braintree and was told that CBB was seeking reimbursement approval from the MBTA.
Mr. Edmundson asked if the delay caused by this project would be concurrent with other work on the project as a whole or would it delay the running of the train. Mr. Bader indicated it could potentially delay the train. Mr. Bader stressed that this is not a betterment but technology that provides plain telephone service. It is electronic vs. copper. Hingham probably has some of the oldest cables in the commonwealth. The fiberoptic cable being placed will only go to certain areas in the network. It does not replace all of the copper cable but it would be less costly to repair than copper for those customers. There are approximately 10,000 pairs of lines that would have to be spliced at a risk of interruption of service and collateral damage. Verizon explained that when they splice they are careful. The alternative of lifting of the cable had a high probability it will be taken out of service. In the central artery every cable network was changed over to fiber. Mr. Weld said there was the misconception that this is a federally funded project – it is not. The federal project guidelines state that the relocation is a reimburseable expense. Mr. Gamsby reiterated that it was his understanding that this is a reimbursable project and Verizon is entitled to be reimbursed. Ms. Tully explained that it is unusual for a project of this size to be state-funded, but this one is. Mr. Toomey said that he would appreciate Verizon’s counsel’s view on this. There is a legal question that needs to be researched on all sides. The Board said it would take this matter under advisement and wait to hear from Verizon.
Voted - to continue this discussion to the meeting of January 4th, 2005.
Public hearing onf transfer of Common Victualler All Alcholic Beverages License of the Cove.
Mr. O’Hanley, representing David Littlefield the owner of Salsa’ of Hingham, explained that Mr. Littlefield is seeking to transfer the existing license for the location. Mr. Littlefield has owned and operated Salsa’s in South Boston for the past six years. He would run this location as a family-oriented restaurant that would be open from 11 AM to 1 AM. The assistant manager, bartenders and waitstaff will all be trained to make sure all the letters of the law being followed.
Voted - to approve the application for the transfer of the Restaurant Common Victualler All Alcoholic Beverages License of DSIA, Inc., d/b/a The Cove, Kevin Griffin, Manager, 211 Lincoln Street to Salsa’s of Hingham, Inc., David Littlefield, Manager, subject to the approval of all Town Boards and the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission.
Voted - to approve the request of Salsa’s of Hingham, Inc., to pledge their Common Victualler All-Alcoholic Beverages License and inventory to Kevin Griffin, transferor of DSIA, Inc., d/b/a The Cove.
Public Hearing – Linden Ponds Club All Alcohlic Beverages License
Mr. Tocchio explained that the Board had discussed the Linden Ponds All Alcoholic license last March. The first community building is now open. This license would be for a facility open to residents only and their guests who sign in. It is more restrictive than the usual common victualler license. This allows Linden Ponds to offer alcoholic beverages as an amenity, not a profit center. Two or three nights a week there is a cocktail hour. All employees are barcode certified. There is a total of 392 potential seats where alcohol could be served. There are 20 servers, one bartender and one bar. Three additional community buildings will be coming on line in the next 7 years. Since all buildings will be connected the ABCC looks at it as one premise. There is a locked storeroom that contains a cage to hold alcoholic beverages that is also locked.
Voted - to approve the application of Linden Ponds, Inc., d/b/a Linden Ponds, John Ravagno, Manager, 300 Linden Ponds Way, for a Common Victualler All Alcoholic Beverages License, subject to the approval of all Town Boards and the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission. This license is site specific.
The following budgets were heard:
Elder Services
Bathing Beach
Recreation
Library
Veterans/ Weights and Measures
Celebrations
Voted - to appoint Edna English a Trustee of the Hingham Public Library to fill an unexpired term ending in 2006.
Voted - to renew the following Common Victualler Licenses:
Atlantic Bagel and Coffee, 282 Main Street
Baha Fresh Mexican Grill, 92 Derby Street
Bare Cove Gourmet, d/b/a Bare Cove Kitchen, 69 Water Street
Brewed Awakening, 19 Main Street
Brigham’s, 37 Main Street
Broadcove Auction, Inc, 20 Broad Cove Road
Bruegger’s Bagel Bakery, 211 Lincoln Street
Cinnamon Bear Café, LLC., 73 South Street
Corporate Chefs, Inc., 175 Beal Street
d’angelo Sandwich Shop, 12 Whiting Street
F & Y Coffee and More, 28 George Washington Boulevard
Hingham Yacht Club, 211 Downer Avenue
Hingham Yogurt, Inc., d/b/a Nona’s, 19 Main Street
JRH, Inc., d/b/a Submarine Galley, 39 Station Street
McEachern’s Fish Market, 236 North Street
North Street Pizzeria, 74 North Street
Panera Bread, 92 Derby Street
Pilgrim Skating Arena, 75 Recreation Park Drive
Que Pasta, 6 North Street
Starbucks Coffee Company, 184 Lincoln Street
The Scoop, 24 Station Street
Victoria’s Sub Shop, 244 Hull Street
White’s Fine Cakes and Pastry, 100 Derby Street
Whiting Street Donuts, Inc., d/b/a Dunkin Donuts
Whole Foods, 94 Derby Street
State of the Town Forum Review
Ms. Tully said the Board was attempting to create a memo to follow up with the Boards that might need to take action based on the general discussion. The broad conclusion was that the school issues had to be addressed by the School Committee. Mr. Edmundson said the universal, or near universal, direction of the discussion is something to be noted but he was concerned about getting down too many layers.
The Planning Board and Board of Selectmen need to develop a new vision for development. Mr. MacIver said 40R is the state’s offering to local communities to craft a vision around smart growth. Mr. Edmundson said the relevant question is do we support that vision?
Other issues that need follow up included Water Policy Management Plan (including the state watershed policy should be part of the discussion) and a vision for town traffic encompassing all ages and modes of transportation and how it will be different 10 years from now.
Selectmen/Town Administrator’s Reports
The Green RFP memo to be sent out in the near future. Mr. MacIver advised that the Housing Partnership will be presenting preliminary conclusions to the RFP exercise. Mr. Edmundson expressed condolences on the passing of Ken Doble who has done much for the town. Ms. Tully said that she hoped the street reviews would be done by the end of the week. Town employee party at the country club last Friday night a lot of fun. Ms. Tully will also be meeting with people at the Office of Commonwealth Development regarding district increment financing.
Meeting adjourned 9:40 PM.
Betty Foley, Clerk