September 6, 2005
Regular Session 7:08 PM
Mr. MacIver, Ms. Tully, Mr. Edmundson
Joint Session with the Planning Board
Mr. MacIver noted that discussion at last year's State of the Town Forum and the election season revolved around planning and development issues. The three major issues to be addressed include a downtown revitalization plan, a precinct plan for the Beal Street neighborhood and local/regional transit issues. Mr. Rabuffo explained that the Development and Industrial Commission estimates a total cost of $7 million, half of which would be for a parking garage, to complete the revitalization plan. To date $1.3 million in funding has been identified. The Town is seeking a PWED grant in the amount of $1.0 million and has accompanied State officials and representatives of Mass Highway on a walking tour of the area proposed for improvements. Mr. Rabuffo also suggested that the creation of a business development position which would conduct market studies on how to complement existing businesses and how to market. Ms. Murphy brought up the parking issues in the downtown. The plan for the Station Street lot looks excellent. There will be lost spaces because not parking will be allowed on the tunnel cap due to vents. Mr. McGrath noted that the Selectmen, Planning Board and Development and Industrial Commission might want to look at acquiring by eminent domain a parcel for parking. Mr. MacIver said the Massachusetts General Law authorizes the Planning Board to create districts (precincts) within the town. Mr. Healey noted that Beal Street traffic would be increasing dramatically due to the development at that end of town. The question arose whether it was the traffic of speed of traffic that was problematic. Currently the Beal Street roadway is at 50% capacity. Speed is an issue that can be mitigated.
Joint session adjourned 8:30 PM.
Public Hearing - Transfer if Restaurant Common Victualler All Alcoholic Beverages License of Red Sauce
Mr. Cassis, attorney for Croma USA, explained that Croma would be taking over the Naked Fish/Red Sauce restaurants in Quincy, Watertown, Newton and Hingham. Corma on Newbury Street in Boston has been open since May of last year. The restaurant will be changed only cosmetically. Croma will be hiring a general manager for each location and the hours will probably be until 10 PM weekdays and 11 on weekends.
Voted - to approve the transfer request of the Restaurant Common Victualler All Alcoholic Beverages License from Naked Restaurants Inc d/b/a Red Sauce, Aldo Zegarelli, Manager, 48 Whiting Street to Croma USA-Hingham, LLC d/b/a Croma, Paul Spivak, Manager, 48 Whiting Street.
Voted - to grant the request of Naked Restaurants Inc, d/b/a Red Sauce to close due to the pending transfer.
Fire Chief Duff Update
Chief Duff advised the Board that although Hingham has an emergency plan there is no way that public safety could manage issues 20,000 plus people. It is necessary that people have an individual plan as well. The Hingham plan is being placed on the web. The Chief said it is not unreasonable to think that if Hingham is hit by a category 3 hurricane we could be two weeks without power. Ms. Tully explained that it necessary to have at least one "plug into the wall" phone - mobile phones will not work during a power outage. The Fire Department 9/11 observance will take place on Sunday at 1:00 to be followed by a reception for the Fire Department Chaplain E. Gardner Jones.
Interviews for Zoning Administrator (continued)
David Twombly informed the Board that he had worked in higher education for 19 years and has been on the Planning Board in Hull for past six years. Both of those situations required a lot of leadership skills as he serves as chairman of the Planning Board and was the Registrar and Director of Planning in his position in higher education. Mr. Twombly explained that he is used to dealing with confidential issues. His skills include being a good listener and bringing consensus to an issue. He is also skilled in research and has had considerable managerial experience at Northeastern and Wheelock. Mr. Twombly said that his style would be to work in team environment with all departments and get all the feedback possible. The biggest challenge would be putting all the information together. He would keep current with changes by using the professional development budget to attend as many conferences as possible. Mr. Twombly also mentioned the UMass planning website and state website as good resources.
Jane Santosuosso, a resident of Braintree, has worked for five years at DHCD interpreting zoning for municipal officials and the public. She is tired of the commute to Boston and would like to work locally. Ms. Santosuosso said her strengths were that she is organized and enjoys reading bylaws and applying a situation to case law. She views her weakness as sometimes having trouble delegating because she wants things done in a particular fashion. It is always difficult to pass bad news. Ms. Santosuosso said she could be of assistance in reviewing the Zoning By-laws for consistency with state law. She views the position of Zoning Administrator as that of an ambassador to the Zoning Board. In that role she would be able to eliminate the excess information and give the necessary information to the Board. Ms. Santosuosso noted that she enjoys the whole picture of land use and would be thrilled to be working with other land use boards.
Police Patrolman Interview
Scott Tracy, a resident of East Bridgewater, informed the Board that he is a veteran of the Air Force and has been police officer since 2002. Mr. Tracy is currently a junior patrolman in Halifax. The town runs a two-man shift. The most difficult issues he has encountered are death notifications. His strengths are an ability to get along with everyone, keep emotions at home and remain professional. He viewed the chance of coming to Hingham as an opportunity to move to a more proactive force. Mr. Tracy is a graduate of Massasoit and is now back in school concentrating on a Bachelor's Degree down the road he hopes for a Master's. In ten years he hopes to have the Master's, be a School Resource Office and a sergeant.
The Traffic Committee has recommended that the parking regulations be amended to allow overnight parking on the north side of South Street from Main to North Streets. This would be done on a trial basis. Mr. Edmundson said if this were to be expanded he would recommend that there be some sort of sticker program for downtown residents.
Voted - to amend the Traffic Rules and Orders of the Town of Hingham, adopted by the Board of Selectmen on May 31, 1939, and subsequent amendments thereto, be and hereby are further amended at Article 5, Section 10, No All Night Parking as follows:
To allow overnight parking on a portion of South Street from Main Street to North Street in the designated areas on the north side of South Street from Main Street to North Street. Parking will not be allowed during snow and emergency conditions. This amendment is for a trial period beginning November 15, 2005 and ending April 15, 2006.
Mr. Cristello advised the Board that the proposed contract for the Fire Chief includes a stipend of $4,300 which will disappear after the end of the contract. This position was included in the pay and classification study of a few years ago and the compensation was compared to that of other towns.
Voted - to sign a three-year employment contract with Fire Chief Mark Duff.
Voted - to grant a one-day liquor license to Edward Fitzwilliam for a benefit fundraiser to be held September 10, 2005, from 3 PM to 7 PM, at 65 Lazell Street.
Voted - to grant a one-day liquor license to South Shore Catering Group, Inc. for a golf tournament to be held September 19, 2005 at the South Shore Country Club.
Voted - to grant a one-day liquor license to Silent Chef Inc for a wedding reception to be held at Old Derby Academy on September 24, 2005.
Voted - to appoint Joseph Fisher an alternate member of the Zoning Board of Appeals for the coming year.
Voted - to appoint the following members of the Community Preservation Committee for a three year term:
Mathew E. MacIver
Judy Cole
Selectmen/Town Administrator's Reports
Since there are engineering plans from Coler and Colantonio for a light at High, Free and Main Streets and they have the most recent intersection changes, it is recommended that the contract be given to them to update the existing information. The Board noted that there have been several questions about the light - is it an adaptive traffic signal, etc. Coler & Colantonio will look into those questions. Mr. Edmundson remarked that the price of fuel going up might have a material impact on this year's budget. Fortunately the Town has some contract protection for fuel oil and gasoline. The only question is supply. Presuming that the vendor can supply the fuel there would be additional expense. It would be helpful to quantify how much we could be in the hole for increased fuel costs and what the impact would be. Mr. MacIver reported that he had welcomed 29 new teachers and gave the convocation address. Mr. Cristello has been asked to take a look at where we stand with Greenbush grading, particularly with the Bowl and Board block and the Snug block, because there was a flood event after a fairly minor rain event. Mr. MacIver suggested that someone from Cashman to explain the hydraulics. The source of the sewer odor in the downtown area is not yet solved. Roger Fernandes confirmed that CBB has made modifications to the grading in back of the buildings along the tunnel cap to create a channel of some sort and they have given out sump pumps. There is a long-term fix that won't be built for some time.
Voted - by roll call vote to adjourn to executive session, not to return to open session, for purpose of discussing matters related to real estate
Ms. Tully - yes
Mr. Edmundson - yes
Mr. MacIver - yes
Open session adjourned 10:05 PM.
Betty Foley, Clerk.
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