January 12, 2006
Special Session 7:35 PM
Mr. MacIver, Mr. Edmundson, Ms. Tully
Questions from the Public
A woman who identified herself as an owner of several certificates to the Hingham Bay Club asked the Board to consider refusing any extension of the liquor license to the Bay Club until such time as the owners of the Bay Club resolved the issue of outstanding gift certificates.
Guy Stadig asked the Board if they had heard from the state regarding the possible reduction in the interest rates charged on real estate tax deferrals for elderly homeowners.
Old Colony Montessori School
Mr. Perez, the chair of the expansion committee for Old Colony Montessori School, explained that school currently covers grades K-3 and hopes to open a new block of grades 4-6. The School has been located on Derby Street since 1974 but it became apparent within the past couple of months that it might be necessary to add significant space two years from now. Although they do not have a definitive plan, the supporters of the school would like to get the current Derby Street property rezoned from residential to office park or light industrial because they have been advised that financing and fundraising would be considerably easier if the property was rezoned. The opportunity to buy the additional piece of property came up about 6 months ago. Ms. Tully remarked that allowing the warrant to be opened for a submission is not something the Board does easily and she would want to see why this serves the community as a whole before thinking about opening the warrant. Mr. Edmundson asked when there would be a plan available. He explained that one of the reasons for the early deadline on zoning articles is there is a greater process for zoning than some other issues. It would be helpful to know when you would be in a position to say, "here's our plan". Mr. Edmundson explained that the deadline exists for a very good reason and it would have to be a compelling case to make an exception. Mr. Perez said that part of the plan is the divesture of the property that is the current site of the school in order to make things happen. Mr. MacIver asked the implications of delaying a year and suggested that the school also consult the Planning Board. The Board indicated they would only make an exception to the deadline for a compelling reason and that fundraising reasons are not, of themselves, compelling.
Traffic Signal Design
Representatives of Coler & Colantonio presented their recommended design for a two-phase system with only two mast arms that would be adaptable for future changes. It is also recommended that there be a right hand turn lane on the southbound side of Main Street because that is the highest traffic flow. When Route 227 is reconstructed there will be pedestrian lights installed. The lights will be phased to allow longer green times on Main Street than on High and Free Streets. The phasing can be adjusted. Motorists approaching High and Free will trigger an eventual light change. The schedule assumes that funding will be accomplished through the capital outlay process. Mr. Smith who lives on corner of High Street expressed concern about the redesign of the intersection to allow a right hand turn lane and faster turns from Main onto High Street.
Proposed Cell Tower on Aquarion Property on Main Street
There is a cell tower proposed for the Aquarion property on Main Street. Mr. MacIver noted that there had been considerable discussion of the cell tower issue about five years ago and a lot of information was developed at that time. The issues of emission and environmental health are not the purview of the Town. Mr. Bingaman said Sprint had approached them last year about a monopole cell tower noting a significant lack of cell coverage on Main Street. The monopole would require about a dozen trees be removed but it will be hidden quite well. The average tree height is 85 feet and the monopole is planned to be 120 feet which would be above the tree line. There will be a demonstration of the proposed height of the pole on Saturday. From 9-11 am the pole will be at 120 feet and from 11 am to 1pm at 140 feet. Mr. Bingaman said there are no water quality issues that go along with a cell tower on a water tower and revenues will be applied to offset any rate increases. Aquarion is doing this in the spirit of being a good corporate citizen. Mr. Edmundson asked if there are any other spots on the Aquarion property that might be considered. Mr. Bingaman explained that since this is the highest point on the property it minimizes the height of the monopole and the higher the pole, the large the base. Both Sprint and Aquarion identified the location as the preferred one. Mr. Bingaman did not know the duration or terms of the agreement. The land will be leased from Aquarion by Sprint but there is a plan to sublease to two other carriers as well. If there are more carriers it will require a 140 foot pole and exterior boxes on the pole. The revenue from all carriers would be applied to rate increases. Representative Bradley suggested that the Board locate a tower and retain the revenue directly. Mr. Edmundson said it is possible that we may not be able to do anything in the town forest. When the overlay district was set up it was known there was a problem in that part of town. There was discussion of the Light Plant - at one time there was a company called Riccochet who had the technological ability to put devices on the light poles, etc. But they went bankrupt just prior to the scheduled hearing. Mr. Edmundson said he would be willing to reach out to the Light Plant and get an update.
Mr. Edmundson recused himself.
Easement for Boston Private Bank
When underground service became more common the Light Department did not want the responsibility for the line from the pole to the residence or business. In this case, the bank needs an easement to connect underground from the transformer to the business. To require a town meeting vote to grant such an easement would be very onerous to homeowners and business owners. The Town got permission to do easements this way. The bank has made a $3000 contribution to the Town.
Voted - to grant S. John Hajjar, Trustee of Central Street Realty Trust, 7-9 Central Street and his or their successors an underground electrical easement to construct, install, repair, renew and maintain underground electrical connections and facilities in the public way on South Street to connect to the Town's transformer, as shown on plan marked Utility Easement, South Street, Hingham, Massachusetts, dated November 28, 2005, prepared by Merrill Associates, Inc. in accordance with the agreement between the Town and Boston Private Bank.
Mr. Edmundson rejoined the meeting
Voted - to sign an Agreement between the Town of Hingham and Hingham Campus, LLC for the installation of traffic controls signals at the intersection of Cushing and Whiting Streets.
Voted - to sign an Agreement Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Town of Hingham for the installation of traffic control signals at the intersection of Cushing and Whiting Street.
Voted - to renew the Class II License of Bay State Car Locators d/o Leon N. Arbeene, Jr., 187 Downer Avenue with the restriction that cars and parts would never be sold from this location.
Voted - to approve the request for counsel as submitted by the Board of Appeals
Selectmen/Town Administrator's Reports
Ms. Tully attended a meeting with the Business Improvement District people as well as the Hingham Development and Industrial Commission, Joe Stigliani, and Greenbush representatives. Ms. Tully remarked that the Town needs to set some sort of policy on snow removal and this will probably require some public education. She also attended the Planning Board meeting regarding the proposed zoning change of Official and Open Space setbacks. There was considerable discussion and it might be advisable to create categories so that Town Hall and the Library would be different from Bare Cove Park, etc. Ms. Lacy is doing an inventory of open space. The Planning Board also discussed zoning change to overlay district regarding parking and accessory apartments. A recent Hingham Journal article about development in town echoed calls for a moratorium on construction. The Town is not in a position to do that since it has a viable master plan and the zoning is up to date. Ms. Tully suggested a joint letter with the Planning Board to the newspaper explaining that such a moratorium was not an option.
Mr. MacIver concurred that an explanation from the Selectmen and Planning Board would be helpful. He advised that he is working with Suky Berry on the Bare Cove Park Committee proposals to clean up existing foundations, as well as with Bob Garrity and the sports contingent on the proposal for getting the athletic fields through the design, engineering and permitting process. This will be a fairly constrained year for capital investment. A recent letter from MPO indicated that the year long survey of voting procedures resulted in the recommendation to do nothing. There will be the same system, no geographic representation and no term limits. The one recommendation was that another town be added to the representation. This essentially adds another seat to a system that is broken. There are several area towns that are equally disappointed with the lack of response.
Mr. Edmundson reported that the Long Range Strategic Planning Committee for the Light Plant would be at the meeting next Thursday. The Dave Ramsdell of the Long Range Planning Committee for the Country Club will come in to give a preliminary update either just before or just after February vacation. Chief Carlson has been elected president of the Southeastern Massachusetts Police Chiefs Association. The MBTA is saying that the request for solid steel fence is a violation of the MOU. The MBTA advised the Board last Friday that Hull Street would be closed in two weeks. The Town has been asking for an overall project schedule for over a year. Yesterday we received a schedule saying the Home Meadows culvert would be replaced next week and that project has not even started. The MBTA has promised this schedule for months.
Meeting adjourned 9:55 pm.
Betty Foley, Clerk