September 20, 2005
Regular Session 7:52 PM
Mr. MacIver, Ms. Tully, Mr. Edmundson
Voted - to approve the minutes of July 26, 2005 (Mr. MacIver abstained)
Voted - to approve the minutes of June 7, June 9, 21, 23, July 14 and August 9, 2005.
Police Department Commendations
Chief Carlson advised that on May 31 of this year a break and entry occurred on Holly Street. Officers Richard Amonte, Philip Emmott, Anthony Marcella and Detective David Galvin responded and acted expeditiously and professionally in a manner that exemplified the highest standards of policing. More recently, a call was received from the Elm Street neighborhood regarding a suspicious person on private property. Because of the history of overnight break-ins in the area Officer Simonelli called for K-9 officer from Weymouth in addition to deploying officers to best locate the individual. Officer Simonelli intercepted the male walking down the street. Officer Emmott positioned himself in such a way to prevent the suspect from fleeing. When Officer Simonelli began to question the suspect he attempted to flee. Officer Emmott tackled him and was able to subdue the fleeing felon. Chief Carlson commended both officers for representing the highest ideals of law enforcement.
Chief Carlson noted that Sgt. Peraino is attending railroad safety school. He will bring that information back to share with the school safety officers.
Public Hearing - Restaurant Common Victualler All Alcoholic Beverages License of the Aloha Restaurant
Mr. MacIver opened the hearing. He noted that this license has not been used since June 2004. There was no one present to speak on behalf of the current licensee. According to the return receipt from the Postal Service Mr.Chan did not receive notification of this hearing until September 19. In order to allow Mr. Chan every opportunity to address them, a motion was made to continue the hearing.
Voted - to continue the public hearing on whether to cancel the Restaurant Common Victualler All Alcoholic Beverages License of Aloha Inc, d/b/a Aloha, Stephen K. W. Chan, Manager, 198Whiting Street to October 4, 2005 at 7:35 PM, to allow Mr. Chan additional time to consult with his attorney.
Chief Duff advised the Board that the ambulance, which was bought in 1990 and has 190,000 miles on it, broke down. One estimate to repair it came in at $12,000 and approximated that it would last 12-18 months; the second estimate suggested not to repair the vehicle. The Fire Department located a used ambulance, formerly owned by the Town of Wayland, that has only 50,000 miles on it which could be purchased and fitted out for $15,000. Chief Duff recommended the ambulance replacement program be reconsidered because the vehicles are getting much more use than anticipated. The 1990 ambulance had 190,000 miles on it and the 2000 ambulance has already accumulated 130,000 miles.
Voted - to recommend a transfer from the Reserve Fund to the Fire Department Motor Vehicle Capital Outlay Account in the amount of $15,000
The Town has a spare engine that is used many times during the year. While on way to a training exercise in Barnstable the engine on the spare vehicle failed. There is no choice but to repair it. Chief Duff explained that with the repair work the town could expect another 8 to 10 years from the vehicle.
Voted - to recommend a transfer from the Reserve Fund to the Fire Department Motor Vehicle Capital Outlay Account in the amount of $23,500
Chief Duff noted that Matt O'Connell earned his Eagle Scout award by marking 75 houses in town with house numbers. The Fire Station Open House will be October 8 this year. Firefighter James Sheard has been redeployed to the Gulf after being home for one day. The firefighters ball is October 15. Chief Duff reminded everyone that those using alternate fuel sources should have the chimney inspected and anyone using wood should have the chimney cleaned at least once a year.
Mr. MacIver noted that the Board had received a memo from Ted Alexiades noting the increased fuel and utility costs will add significantly to this year's budget.
Continuation of Discussion of Snowplowing of Brewer Way and Olmstead Drive
Mr. Murphy said that of the private ways currently plowed by the town many are either dirt roads or washboard roads. He noted that both Brewer and Olmstead Roads are in better condition than those roads. It was noted that in 1981 there were 137 private ways being plowed, in 1985 there were 45. The list changes annually due to the condition of the road. The unaccepted subdivision roads being plowed are those subdivision roads built to town standards but not yet accepted. The Selectmen's Policy states explicitly that the town will not plow a subdivision road if a Planning Board decision or a covenant places that responsibility with the homeowners. The Planning Board approval for this subdivision included a variety of waivers pertaining to the construction of subdivision roads. Mr. Edmundson asked if recent buyers were not aware of the provisions requiring homeowners to be responsible for plowing the roads. Jason Price, President of the Association, said it is not that there was a lack of awareness as to the need to supply plowing services but rather a naiveté as to what was involved. Part of the problem is the efficiency and timing of when the roads are being plowed. This is a safety and health factor.
The Board noted that as a developer you would get a higher price for a property if all services are provided, such as plowing. Conversely, if certain services are not provided, the price will be lower. Mr. Hastings was trying to achieve a certain aesthetic and departed from the Planning Board Rules and Regulations and waived the right to street acceptance. Mr. Smith of Olmstead Drive the roads are the same width as Pinecrest Road. Ms. Hale noted there have been a couple of serious runs at street acceptance in the past and they were turned down. Mr. Stigliani said that there are a number of the things that would present problems if the road were to be plowed or accepted. The decorative lights, decorative walls, the decorative benches, and overhanging ornamental trees are problematic as are many things in the layout such as cobblestones, brick paths, etc. Mr. Cristello said the last time street acceptance was proposed it was determined it could not be done that year. It was suggested that the residents contact the office, come in and go over things. The neighbors never followed through. The biggest problem is the stone supports to the roadway that, as a maintenance issue, are a huge item. The Board recommended that the residents get street acceptance petitions in by October 1. Mr. Edmundson said he would rather not supply plowing as a modification of the policy. Mr. MacIver said he would be very wary of any change in the policy but would be willing to work hard to try and solve the problems that lie in the way of acceptance. The Board is not willing to undertake plowing private ways while the process moves along.
Budget Shortfall
Mr. Cristello reported that in the worst case scenario the Town/School could be $355,000 over budget on fuel and electric expenses. He reported that the Hingham Municipal Light Plant is doing some audits of various town buildings to try to find some ways to conserve. Chief Carlson has already begun discussion about downsizing police vehicles to V-6s.
Mr. Stigliani reported that the salt bids are rising but the South Shore Regional Purchasing Consortium gives the Town better bargaining power. The one problem is availability. The practice of contracting with two suppliers allows the Town to go to a second supplier if the other does not have product available.
Voted - to sign an agreement with Eastern Salt Company for rock salt at a price of $40.20 per ton, delivered.
Voted - to sign an agreement with American Rock Salt Company for rock salt at a price of $40.79 per ton, delivered.
Voted - to sign an agreement with Eastern Salt Company for solar salt at a price of $40.20 per ton, delivered.
The Selectmen recently received an email regarding the mishandling books by a transfer station employee, which they asked about. Mr. Stigliani explained that arrangements had been made with Hands Across the Water to collect books. Residents have been dropping off large numbers of books to the point that books are tumbling out of the container onto the ground. While under the terms of this agreement the Town is not required to handle the books, it is necessary to move some of them in order to close the container for the night. Various options to improve the collection arrangements are being considered but matters are complicated by the fact that representatives of Hands Across the Water package their truck by hand.
Voted - to recommend a transfer from the Reserve Fund To the Board of Health
Repair & Maintenance of Vehicles Account in the amount of $1,975.
Voted - to approve Quincy Community Action Programs' offering American Dream Downpayment Initiative Funds for Hingham through June 2006.
Project Turnabout/Bare Cove Park Project
At the Planning Board the design review engineer suggested that the Beal Street fields be rearranged. Mr. Cristello said he is quite sure that the field users will be unwilling to make those changes. The Town cannot fund the clean up of environmental issues discovered by Mr. Hastings because the Town does not have the means to fund it. There is a significant expense involved and, the way it stands, the Board does not have the authority to spend the money even if it were available. The developer will have to pay for the clean up or walk away from the project.
Voted - to grant approval to the Town Ball Fields Plans and Specifications on a plan titled Town Ball Fields Work Plan dated August 9, 2005 by Coler and Colantonio.
Voted - to respond to the objections of Thomas Hastings Companies, LLC to the environmental conditions existing on or under the Park Parcel as outlined in Mr. Issadore's letter of July 27, 2005.
Voted - to appoint William Koplovsky as Hingham's representative to the Advisory Board of the South Shore Tri-Town Development Corporation.
Ms. Tully reported that Ms. Burns suggested not sending out the entire book for the State of the Town Forum but to send a mailer instead. There was another accident at High, Free and Main Streets last Friday. The Selectmen have requested Coler and Colantonio give an estimate for a traffic light at that location. Ms. Tully said she would urge finding money to do something on this before town meeting. Mr. Caputo of Coler and Colantonio will be at the next meeting. Ms. Tully suggested a menu approach with the costs of the different ornamental features listed separately. Mr. MacIver noted that the Canneys just raised $75 for victims of Hurricane Katrina and an anonymous donor matched that sum. The Town received the GFOA award for excellence in financial reporting again this year. There was a meeting with downtown merchants and Cashman. The plan is to finish Central Street late this month and move to the Main Street section. The bad smell in the downtown area was due to a vent that was not installed during construction. The merchants have requested to go back to a once a month meeting at the Square Café. Mr. MacIver attended the monthly meeting of the South Shore Coalition. Marc Draisen and Susan Lucas spoke about governance of the MPO and federal funds. Comments for a change in governance are due in October. Mr. Clarke noted that the Town took a drainage easement 12' wide and 400' long which it was to maintain. The drainage is not working properly. Mr. Stigliani and Mr. Prentiss will go out and look at the drainage easement.
Meeting adjourned 10:05 PM.
Betty Foley, Clerk