August 9, 2005
Regular Session 7:40 PM
Mr. MacIver, Ms. Tully, Mr. Edmundson
Voted - to approve minutes of March 1, 2, 8, 15, 22, April 5, 12, 16 and May 3, 2005.
Mr Hastings has found some contamination on the property that would be transferred to him in return for the land adjacent to Bare Cove Park. Mr. Hastings explained that the development agreement set forth certain items that had to be done by certain times. Presently everything is moving along on schedule. The legislation has passed the House and is in the Senate. The appraisals have been done. There are a few solvable issues as to restrictions on the properties. The environmental assessment that was required has uncovered a considerable amount of buried foundations and debris. These structures have been marked, photographed, etc. There is a small older foundation on the parcel he is giving to the town. There was an oil spill in the condominium complex next door some years ago. The observation wells, and groundwater samples have been good so far and to the best of their knowledge it appears that there is no contamination on the site. Mr. Hastings presented the Board with four sets of plans for the town ball fields - existing conditions, lighting plan, drainage and irrigation plan.
Mr. Edmundson remarked that it is important to note that the conditions there may require the expenditure of town funds which the Board does not have the authority to spend without a second town meeting. This would extend the objection period to September 16, and September 26 for the response and the final date to October 4. The Town meeting did not authorize funds for anything like this type of clean up. This is an important issue and the first step is to quantify that issue.
Voted - to sign the second amendment to the development agreement between the Town of Hingham and the Thomas J. Hastings Co. LLC.
Mr. MacIver reported that Congressman Delahunt was successful in securing a large grant for the shipyard as a national intermodal transportation center.
Continuation of Discussion on High, Free and Main Streets
Mr. MacIver explained that when the Board last discussed this matter there was no intention to take a vote on "a light" that evening. There was some discussion that the light be made part of the Phase II portion of the Route 228 Project. Under perfect circumstances, the earliest a light could be installed under that scenario would be three years down the line. Aside from the question of timing, the acceptance of the project into the Footprint Roads Program could be jeopardized by the addition of a traffic light. Ms. Tully said that it was found that the recommendation for a light could jeopardize the TIP funding so it would be wise to apply for capital funding in next year's budget. This still needs to go to Town Meeting for funding so we are a good year away before anything can happen. As far as the recommendation for another sign at the intersection, this could impede already difficult sight lines. She recommended painting SLOW on the asphalt in both directions. The standard cost for a traffic light is considered to be about $100,000. Mr. Edmundson said the added benefit to going to Capital Outlay would mean getting the affirmation of the town meeting vote. Mr. Edmundson asked that the roundabout recommendation for Cushing Street be studied.
Mrs. Chapin noted that there was another accident at High Free and Main last week and asked if it would it be possible to have a police officer at that intersection during peak hours. Mr. MacIver said there does not seem to be a correlation with the presence of a police officer and the number of accidents. Mr. Suomola noted that a traffic light with an adaptive system would be significantly more expensive than the $100,000 under consideration. Mr. Clarke asked if in the reconfiguration of the intersection at High Street could be changed back to the old configuration. Mr. McSweeney reiterated the need for a police presence at the intersection at high volume times. Ms. Tully said the Board recognizes the problems and will work with the police and DPW to implement some measures until the lights get implemented. Mr. MacIver said he would take this to the police chief and report back.
Voted - to request funds in the next capital budget for installation of a traffic light at High, Free and Main Streets.
Introduction of new Assistant Superintendent of Public Works
Mr. Stigliani introduced Randy Sylvester as the new Assistant Superintendent of Public Works. Mr. Sylvester previously ran the Aquarion treatment plant for 18 years. He was initially hired on a probationary basis three months ago and has already gotten involved in a number of things. Mr. Sylvester will assist with the transition to the new building. He is also taking the transfer station under his wing and has a plan to reorganize and make things function more efficiently.
Revised Town Website and GIS
Mr. Becker explained that the existing website design has outgrown its architecture. It is not Section 508 compliant - screen readers are unable to take page information and output it to sound; editing and updating is limited; and website statistics are unavailable. Mr. Rose of TK Rose Web Solutions has created a number of municipal websites. The new website design has been a coordinated effort with Mr. Rose, the Town and the Library. There are over 100 people in town receiving services from Perkins and the redesigned site will allow their screen readers to work; online tax payments will be available; there will be a subscription list whereby individuals will have the ability to sign up for a given subject such as agendas or newsletters; and updating of the website will be done on the department level. Mr. Corcoran noted that a great deal of Library service is being delivered remotely by way of computer, and they were particularly interested in the 508 compliance issue. The updated look is clean, loads quickly and is easy to navigate. The new site should be up and running in approximately two weeks. The Board sought assurances that although the ability to edit the web pages would be decentralized there would be some record of who edited what. Mr. MacIver would like to put up a welcome message from the Board of Selectmen. Mr. O'Driscoll demonstrated the capabilities of the new GIS system developed by Coler and Colantonio. He noted that because this was done locally there are not the large license fees that would typically be found in most "commercial" programs.
Weir River Estuary Park Committee Requests
Ms. Burbank urged the Board to consider a comprehensive approach to work going on in the Rockland Street, George Washington Blvd area. The state is coming in 2006 to repair the Rockland Street Bridge. The Committee's request is to change the location of the utilities in order to allow kayaking at all tides. The sidewalk on Rockland Street goes from West Corner to the Rockland Street Bridge and stops. There needs to be a sidewalk that goes down to George Washington Blvd. The Weir River Estuary Park walk travels Rockland Street to George Washington Boulevard but there is no crosswalk at Muzzis' Corner to allow access to the sidewalk on George Washington Boulevard. There should also be a crosswalk at the Courthouse. Currently, there are no storm drains on Rockland Street from Meadow Street to Muzzis' corner; Canterbury Street and Ringbolt Road do not have catch basins. The catch basin installed under Powers Lane is blocked, as is the one on the corner of Kilby Street. There is seepage percolating between the old and new surfaces on Rockland Street. Ms. Burbank urged the Board to support the Weir River Estuary Park Committee requests.
Voted - to support the request of the Weir River Estuary Park Committee for crosswalks at the following locations:
Across George Washington Blvd at Hingham Courthouse
Across George Washington Blvd at the Rockland Street light
Across Rockland Street to Kilby Street and across Kilby Street
Across Rockland Street at West Corner
And to support the following request to the State Highway Department: A comprehensive project plan and implementation to complement the Rockland Street Bridge Reconstruction Project that includes environmentally friendly drainage provisions for this fast developing area, sidewalk repair, pedestrian crosswalks and bicycle lane lines, repavement of Rockland Street and maintenance plans for a visual appreciation of the health of the resource.
Mr. Edmundson presented the Mission of the South Shore Country Club Ad Hoc Long-Range Planning Committee
Voted - to approve the mission of the South Shore Country Club Ad Hoc Long Range Planning Committee.
Mr. Edmundson presented a proposed letter to the Light Plant Long Range Strategic Planning Committee outlining suggested areas critical to a comprehensive study on the Light Plant.
Voted - to waive the Building Permit fees for the Habitat for Humanity House to be constructed at 266 Central Street.
Voted - to approve the Request for Legal Counsel from the Board of Health pertaining to the proposed Dennis Road Extension Subdivision plans.
Voted - to grant two one-day liquor licenses to Jay Tolman for an MDA Telethon fundraising party at the Community Center on September 4 and 5.
Voted - to grant a one-day liquor license to Norman McCulloch for a dance to be held August 10, 2005 at Broad Cove Ballroom.
Voted - to renew the Dance Hall License of Norman McCulloch, Broad Cove Ballroom, 20 Broad Cove Road.
Voted - to renew the Auctioneer License of Norman McCulloch, Broad Cove Ballroom, 20 Broad Cove Road.
Voted - to grant the request of Stars on Hingham Harbor Restaurant to increase their entertainment from one weekday night to two weekday nights. The hours of entertainment would remain the same, from 8:00 p.m. midnight.
Selectmen/Town Administrator's Reports
Mr. Cristello advised that he had signed an application for maintenance dredging of Hingham harbor in order to get on the list as a high-priority community. Mr. Edmundson advised that municipalities may charge up to $5,000 for a liquor license. Hingham currently charges restaurants $1500 and this is on the lower range of the scale. He also noted that the fee schedule for these licenses has not changed since 1990. The Board would be interested in finding out if it is possible to charge more in the first year or if the fee could vary in accordance with size of the establishment. Mr. Edmundson reported that he had visited with the Governor's Office to discuss the Erickson Project. It is to be hoped that something good will come out of that. Mr. Cristello advised that Cashman is willing to work a double shift downtown in order to get out of the way before the holiday season.
Meeting adjourned 10:20 PM
Betty Foley, Clerk