November 29, 2005
Regular Session 7:05 PM
Mr. MacIver, Mr. Edmundson, Ms. Tully
Blackfin Common Victualler All Alcoholic Beverages License
Mr. Ambrose advised that he is currently working with three separate candidates for the transfer of the business including one strong local candidate. Although the business is currently closed the Board noted that it is the normal course of events to allow an extension of time for the proper review of any prospective business owner.
Voted - to grant Anthony J. Ambrose, Manager, Chop House Associates, LP d/b/a Blackfin Chophouse and Raw Bar, 1217 Main Street, a three month extension, to transfer his Restaurant Common Victualler All Alcoholic Beverages License. This extension would end March 31, 2006 and would allow Mr. Ambrose time to negotiate with three prospective purchasers.
Donna Mayberry Greenberg Employee Recognition Awards
Ms. McCracken announced that the Employee Recognition Award Committee had received several nominations this year. Due to the pool of good candidates the decision process was a difficult one. The Customer Service Award is being presented to Jim Dow, Sewer Department, for his service to sewer customers and the general public. The Efficiency Award is being presented to Sue Letizia Eddy in recognition of her usual outstanding service as well as the extraordinary service during the time the Zoning Administrator's position was vacant and she fulfilled the responsibilities of both positions.
This year there was also a group nominated and it was felt that they could be placed in either category. The Committee is recommending a one-time special one time award be made to the invisible part of the very visible emergency response team, the dispatchers who all work together as a team. Any single person would be at a disadvantage in this type of recognition.
Fire Department Update
Chief Duff advised the Board that the exam for the four new lieutenants who were appointed to acting positions in August will be in March 2006. Captain Olsson has been acting Deputy Chief and that exam is also scheduled for March. Medical emergency calls are up about 10% and the second ambulance went on line in April. The SAFE Program has been reinstituted through a grant. The 2005 Annual Town Meeting authorized a capital expenditure of $340,000 for the purchase of a new fire engine. Chief Duff said he had been able to obtain an engine at a very competitive price but that the prices are scheduled to increase in mid-December.
Voted - to award the bid for a new pumping engine to Greenwood Motors of Attleboro in the amount not to exceed $320,000.
The National Incident Management System is an approach to incident management that is applicable across all disciplines. Chief Duff explained that it is much like incident command that has been used in the fire department for many years. The fire department has already sent a couple of firefighters to school for this.
Voted - to adopt the National Incident Management System to be used at all emergency operations in the Town.
Budgets
The following budgets were heard
Fire
Building Department
Police
Mr. Morgan reported that he is attempting to get permits out as fast as possible, most within the 30 days. The Board requested that the current tracking system be modified to include a date in and date out field.
Voted - to sign a Notice of Lease with South Shore Habitat for Humanity for the property located at 270 Rear Central Street.
Voted - to grant Request for Counsel as submitted by the Board of Health.
Voted - to waive the Board of Appeals application fees for the Central Fire Station Building Project.
Voted - to sign the application to the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, for the transfer of property in Bare Cove Park which has been declared surplus by the General Services Administration.
Voted - to accept the proposal of Thomas J. Hastings LLC for 2.72 acres on Beal Street, shown as Key 44 on Assessors' Map 69 and known as a portion of Bare Cove Park subject to the terms of the Development Agreement.
Mr. Cristello reviewed the terms proposed by the Hingham Credit Union and noted that either party can get out of the lease within a year.
Voted - to accept the proposal from the Hingham Federal Credit Union for the lease of a portion of Building 132 located at 19 Fort Hill Street.
Voted - to adopt the Town website policy.
Voted - to sign a contract with the Town Administrator.
Correspondence
Mr. Edmundson noted that the 25th anniversary of Congregation Sha'Aray Shalom is being celebrated this coming weekend. Lincoln Day will be celebrated on February 4th this year. A letter of commendation was received for Mike Mullin, Jeff Mullen, Scott Chapelle and Nick Trinchera for their hard work replacing the drainpipe at Governor Long Bird Sanctuary.
Reports
Ms. Tully spoke about an article to create a building committee for this year's warrant. She also mentioned that the current zoning by-law for accessory apartments requires on-site parking or parking on contiguous property. The Planning Board would like to look at a change to this - possibly to allow parking at the Station Street lot for apartments in the Downtown area. Mr. Edmundson advised that he had communicated with the Light Plant Strategic Planning Committee encouraging them to come to a conclusion and saying that the Board looked forward to seeing them soon. Mr. MacIver advised that the Community Preservation Committee meetings are going through the initial part of the project review process and looking into an elderly housing loan program for maintenance of houses. Mr. Edmundson asked if the committee is talking about whether to advocate for a higher CPC tax. No changes could be made in the rate until now. Mr. MacIver will email committee and ask that the topic be on the agenda for the next meeting. Mr. Cristello said that the Army Corps of Engineers will uphold the position on solid steel fencing. He also noted that DHCD has indicated that the agency will count 25% of the Erickson units as affordable. There are many factors that go into making that 25% count but it does not require any action by the Town.
Meeting adjourned 10:20 pm.
Betty Foley, Clerk