February 15, 2005
Regular Session 7:35 PM
Ms. Tully, Mr. MacIver, Mr. Edmundson
Capital Outlay Report
Mr. Pyles reviewed the recommendations of the Capital Outlay Committee noting that there were many competing needs and not all could be met. The Committee made recommendations and raised issues for further discussion. It was suggested that a group be formed to discuss what type of facilities, such as tennis courts, etc. should be available and maintained in town. It was noted that this was the first year that the Country Club has been included in the capital outlay process. The committee recommended various expenditures for the School Department including the demolition of East School.
There is one other large project not considered in the report of the Capital Outlay Committee – that is the ice rink. The Committee is working with the Advisory Committee on this and is not ready to make recommendation.
Mr. MacIver said he was interested in looking at what happens within the larger context of ways and means, Town debt and what will happen over the next five to ten years. The debt curve is going down but a big bulge of projects is coming up. Mr. Edmundson questioned the priority given to the demolition of East School. The Committee explained that some of the beams are starting to crack and part of the building is likely to collapse. If the building were to collapse it would raise the price significantly due to asbestos removal. In the past the South Shore Country Club has funded its own capital needs and it intends to continue to do so but the Capital Outlay Committee will scrutinize expenditures in advance. The DPW athletic fields were not included because it did not come before the Committee. Mr. Edmundson commented that there must have been a communication breakdown since the Board’s goals were very clear that the athletic fields and fire station were high priority. Ms. Tully remarked that the GAR Hall painting price seems high.
Real Estate Tax Exemption
Mr. Partridge advised that of the several real estate tax exemptions are administered by the Board of Assessors there are currently 32 people who receive a $500 exemption under 41C. The proposed warrant article would likely add approximately 13 people to the current list and the total exemption would increase to a $29,000. The Board of Assessors sees people on a daily basis that are really experiencing difficulties because their social security income doesn’t cover the expenses. Mr. Partridge reviewed various scenarios such as increasing the exemption amount, lowering the age of eligibility and increasing the income level for eligibility and the financial impact to the Town. The impact to the Town is that the exemption amount it will come out of the overlay account. Mr. Edmundson asked which factor would make the biggest difference to residents – age, exemption amount or income level. Many people miss the income level by $1,000 or so. The dollar amounts of allowable income and estate value have not changed in the past 18 years. Mr. MacIver agreed that this makes a compelling argument that an adjustment is probably overdue and this is something that he could support on the face of it. Ms. Tully agreed but shared Mr. Edmundson’s concern that lowering the age to 65 may not be necessary. The Board asked Mr. Partridge to investigate whether every section of the law had to be accepted or if it was possible to choose parameters.
Mr. Edmundson recused himself from the meeting.
The Board of Assessors has requested a Reserve Fund transfer to hire an outside appraiser to do an appraisal on Black Rock since they have filed at the Appellate Tax Board. Boston Golf will be coming along soon and the Board of Assessors would like to avoid the Appellate Tax Board. The Board received three responses to its request for proposals.
Voted - to recommend a transfer from the Reserve Fund to the Assessors Revaluation Services Account in the amount of $20,000.
Mr. Edmundson rejoined the meeting.
Public Hearing Pole Relocation on Hersey Street
The resident at 92 Hersey Street wanted to remove a tree located on private property that was holding a guy wire to a pole on the edge of the street. The solution appeared to be relocation of the pole from the street side of the sidewalk to the inside on the sidewalk. The Light Plant went back and looked at other possible options including relocating pole to the other side of the driveway but that increased the spacing between poles to the 150- 160 feet range. There were no residents to speak in favor or against the petition.
Voted - to approve the Grant of Location on the joint re-petition of the Hingham Municipal Lighting Plant and Verizon New England, plan marked HMLP, No. 28-09-2004, Dated September 28, 2004, to relocate Pole #21, on Hersey Street, approximately 6 feet in a northwesterly direction toward the back of the sidewalk
Public Hearing re: Installation of a New Conduit and Manhole System
When Erickson contacted the Light Plant about their needs for development they began to investigate what was needed for development in the South Hingham Area. This would address Erickson, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Black Rock and the Derby Street Shoppes and would take some of the burden off what we have right now. Initially, the Light Plant looked at going above ground but because of the number of circuits, underground seems to be the best. Light Plant representatives have spoken to the DPW and Police Department and addressed the Conservation Commission concerns. The duct bank will be four feet wide and five feet with a manhole every 500 feet. Construction will be on the edge of road as much as possible. Approximately one mile would in the public way. It is expected that at the rate of 100 feet per day it would take roughly three months in the public way, then the work area would turn down Old Ward Street. Work would start in the middle of April.
Voted - to approve the Grant of Location on the petition of the Hingham Municipal Lighting Plant, plan marked HMLP, No. 2004-66, Dated 1-10-05, to install a new conduit and manhole system from the corner of French Street and Hobart Street to the corner of Ward Street and Old Ward Street, and down Old Ward Street to the intersection of Black Rock Drive, subject to the list of provisions of the DPW Superintendent including a signed agreement from the Lighting Plant agreeing to cover all expenses associated with the reconstruction project. (Length of system is approximately 7,000 feet)
Disposition of Town owned Land
Mr. Perry explained that the proposed article would require that the recommendations for use be included in any town meeting article authorizing the sale of a property. Mr. MacIver commented that anything that serves to clarify intention is a good thing. If the proposed use conflicted with current zoning Town Meeting authorization would have to be contingent upon a zoning article. Mr. Edmundson asked if this couldn’t be done now on a case-by-case basis. And if it is the intent to have a specific deal in place prior to going to town meeting. Ms. Hobbs said neighborhood and town boards would decide uses. The Board noted that such an article would shackle town meeting. What are the consequences of making this a requirement? The intent when these properties were authorized at town meeting was money. The Board said it would be helpful to find out if any other town has done something like this. Another way of controlling the outcome would be to look at more restrictions on the rfp process. The Board indicated they would like more time to develop additional information.
Three Selectmen to Five
Mr. Perry with so much going on in town additional members would permit the Board to focus on more activities and the Town probably needs a broader board. In some instances a member has had to recuse himself or herself from consideration of a particular issue. Mr. Edmundson noted that he has experience as a member of the School Committee (7 members) and the Board of Selectmen (3 members) and has found that there are trade offs. There are a lot of advantages in a smaller board. There is less likelihood of “politics” with a smaller board. It would be more appropriate to do what the town has done in the past to evaluate this and any other changes in the structure of government – get a group of people to study and evaluate. Mr. MacIver noted that Hingham has had five selectmen in the past and it was changed to three. Three members are not allowed to discuss with each other because of the number; if you have a five-member board smaller units of two can discuss things and form alliances. Many five-member boards have a town manager. Ms. Tully said she feels there is an advantage to not being able to talk to each other except in open session. She also feels diffuse responsibilities result in a feeling of responsibility for the whole picture. There is another process, a government study committee, that is the usual manner of reviewing the structure of government.
Public Works Building Committee
Mr. Garrity explained that from a budget perspective the Committee is seeking funding for the cold storage building – about $816,000. Site development and demolition had priced out at 300,000. The DPW sought independent bids and received ones back that were approximately half of that. The building and foundation estimate is $344,000. Site development and demolition of concrete foundations is estimated to be $319,000. There is about $370,000 from prior appropriations. The Conservation Commission would like to see one less field and a detention basin for all stormwater as opposed to the original plan to direct stormwater from the DPW site toward Town Brook and the stormwater from fields to a holding tank under the parking lot. Mr. Garrity noted that the Committee lost seven months when abutters brought an appeal saying the Rivers Act had been triggered. It is difficult to do a project of this type out of Free Cash. It can be done this year because there won’t be a lot building. Building 104 can be demolished after the new cold storage building is built; once that is done the fields cam be built. The Community Preservation Committee is recommending $110,000 for finishing the design for all the fields. At the 2006 Annual Town Meeting the Committee might be asking for money to build out the field project. The size of the buildings has been reduced for most of the project. Mr. Garrity explained that the Committee had asked CPC for $500,000 a year for each of two years. CPC was reluctant to give more money because it was not permitted. Mr. MacIver noted that there was resistance based on the degree to which the plan was formed and the allocation of funds to projects before they were permitted.
Ms. Tully recused herself.
Mr. Edmundson said there is also time for CPC to work on this before they come to see the Board. He also questioned losing the other field. He asked Mr. Garrity to come back to the Board if the DPW Committee decided that the Conservation Commission proposal is the better solution and urged that they not give up a field easily. Mr. MacIver agreed saying that he did not get a sense at the meeting that all options had been given adequate consideration. Gale’s design would capture all the water from the DPW up to the 100-year storm. At the 100 year storm the flow would be directed to Town Brook (1% of the flow) and all of this would go away from the ACEC. The Conservation Commission thought there might be ledge under the parking area that has been proposed to locate the drainage pool.
Chief Johnson has requested a Reserve Fund transfer which would allow the institution of a second ambulance on a trial basis for the remainder of the current fiscal year. Salary would come out of current appropriation. The money the chief is seeking would provide for exhaust extraction systems for the outside stations, stainless steel sinks for decontamination, etc.
Voted - to recommend a transfer from the Reserve Fund to the Fire Department Expenses schedule in the amount of $28,500.
Voted - to continue the public hearing on the alteration of a grant of location for Verizon until March 1, 2005
Voted - to grant request for counsel as submitted by the Board of Appeals
Voted - to grant request for counsel as submitted by the Community Preservation Committee
Voted - to grant a one day liquor to Temple Sha’Aray Shalom for a fundraiser to be held on March 12, 2005.
Six Month Financial Report
Mr. Alexiades advised that property tax collections are strong and within forecasted amounts as are motor vehicle and excise taxes. There is a little more budget flexibility since building permits and licenses are already ahead for forecast and investment income is above projections for 2005.
On the down side, snow and ice expenses are well over budget. Public safety overtime is also over budget but it is expected overall wages will be within budget by the end of year. Because of rising utility costs and the snow and ice expenses the Advisory Committee will have tough time with reserve fund transfers this year.
Mr. Alexiades recommended that the town add an additional bond counsel. Ropes and Gray has a great deal of expertise in dealing with municipal issues.
Voted - to appoint Ropes & Gray LLP as a bond counsel for the Town.
The debt for Weir River Sewer Betterment Fund is ready to make a principal payment.
Country Club will make a payment $129,0000 instead of 160,000 in principal payment
Mr. Edmundson said he would like to see a little education session on what the implications would be of taking on debt for the various projects coming down the line. In particular where do things stand as compared to the Town’s guidelines for long term debt, etc.
Voted - to recommend a revised FY2006 General Fund Debt budget amount of $5,235,783.
Meeting adjourned 10:30 PM.
Betty Foley, Clerk