January 19, 2006
Special Session 8:04 PM
Mr. MacIver, Mr. Edmundson, Ms. Tully
Voted - to approve the minutes of November 23, 2005
(Ms. Tully and Mr. Edmundson)
Voted - to approve the minutes of December 8, 2005
(Mr. Edmundson and Mr. MacIver)
Voted - to approve the minutes of December 13, 2005 and January 3, 2006
Mr. Kelsch invited the Board to attend the Lincoln Day celebration on February 4, 2006 and asked that they issue a proclamation calling that day, Lincoln Day 2006. Ms. Tully noted that the proclamation was beautifully written by Bill Salisbury.
Light Plant Long Range Strategic Planning Committee Report
Mr. Edmundson explained that in September 2004 it was decided that it would be helpful to the town to establish a committee to consider the long range needs of then light department. Mr. Ryan advised that the committee focused on five areas: governance, policies and procedures, maintenance operations and growth, a town wide energy policy and communications.
A majority of the study committee recommended enlarging the board by adding two more members to be appointed by the Board of Selectmen. Retaining the three elected members and adding two appointed members might be the best long-term improvement since it would allow the appointment of people with more professional skills and experience than someone who might be elected. Ms. Granahan expressed the minority view, which she said was based on her philosophy, that the electoral process is the heart of municipal power. She also noted that it would be necessary to change the charter in order to have appointed members of the board.
The policies and procedures of the Light Plant were discussed. A company policy manual currently exists however it is recommended that this be updated and expanded. Possible topics for inclusion in the manual are the establishment of schedules for the frequency of inspections and maintenance, a description of the billing/accounting and budget process, a five year capital plan, a personnel manual, interdepartmental coordination and community relations. Mr. Edmundson noted that another topic is the question of equity and how related should the town practices and procedures be to those of the light plant.
The committee also noted that deregulation has totally changed the way the electricity is generated and delivered and will continue to evolve. For that reason it is recommended that a power purchase manual be made with guidelines addressing the use of power supply contracts and periodic audits. Risks are the power contracts in the future. The Light Plant has short-term (5 years at best and more typically 2 or 3 years) power contracts as well as contracts that extend through 2019. The HMLP also owns a portion of the Braintree and Taunton plants and is entitled to a certain amount of generation. Ms. Raphaelson recommended an energy portfolio. She noted that the power supply contracts are in flux and a mistake could have a huge financial impact. For this reason, the Committee was trying to put things in place that would allow things to run smoothly if Mr. Tzimorangas were not there. Because these are complex there are consultants who could guide the board in a power purchase manual. The Board has to set the policy.
The need for a town-wide energy policy was identified an area needing work where both the Light Department and town could have a role. This would create some stability for the town. The policy would involve building codes, land use, etc. and extend to private buildings as well as public buildings. Many cities and towns have created a town-wide policy. Hingham has taken an initial step with the recent "Green RFP" task force.
After a review of the present practices the committee identified communication as an issue that may create an opportunity for bridging the separation between the town and light department. Some of these opportunities would be the scheduling of joint meetings with the Board of Selectmen as well as regular communications with the ratepayers. Mr. Edmundson noted that a lot of the things in terms of better communication and better exchange of financial information on a timely basis have been improved.
Mr. Ryan noted that most of the recommendations being made would have to go back to the Light Plant for implementation.
Mr. Foskett responded to the recommendation that the Light Board work with the Town's Personnel Board on personnel by saying it was not broken, so why fix it? He said there are no labor issues at this time and the pay scales have to be competitive with those of skilled utility workers elsewhere. Mr. Edmundson noted that equity within the Town is important and, for those areas where there is no Town comparison, the Personnel Board has a group of towns with which they compare positions. Mr. Edmundson remarked that it may be important to the citizens of the Town to know that there is a similar philosophy in the light department, the school department and general government.
Mr. Tzimorangas advised the Board that most municipal light plants are better than investor owned utilities. The system is highly reliable and efficient. He explained that as far as rates are concerned Hingham does not generate so it will never be the lowest. Mr. Edmundson said that there are ways the town and Light Plant can work more closely to gain efficiencies. Mr. Ryan agreed saying the committee had concluded there ought to be conversations on such issues.
Mr. Edmundson suggested the each Selectman would read the report in detail. Then take the recommendations the Board feels are most pertinent and send them to the Light Board and ask for a more formal response from them. Mr. Edmundson offered to draft a response that the Board could review and finalize a letter to the Light Board by February 7 meeting.
Voted - to renew the Second Hand Precious Metals License of Norman McCulloch, d/b/a Antiques of Hingham, 20 Broad Cove Road.
Voted - to renew the Dance Hall License of Norman McCulloch, Broad Cove Ballroom, 20 Broad Cove Road.
Voted - to renew the Auctioneer's License of Scott McCulloch, to conduct auctions at Broad Cove Ballroom.
Voted - to grant Congregation Sha'Aray Shalom two one-day liquor licenses:
1) February 4, for an engagement celebration for Canton Weiss.
2) March 25, 2006, for a spring fling fundraiser.
Hours for both events will be from 6 PM to 11 PM.
Voted - to grant Cherrywood Barbeque & Bakery Inc of Norwell, a one-day liquor license for a fundraiser at the Lutheran Church, House of Prayer, 916 Main Street, on January 29, 2006, from 4 PM to 9 PM.
Correspondence
Letter was received from Liberty Pole residents requesting a Traffic Committee review of roads in Liberty Pole. The study of various roads done last year by Ms. Tully was forwarded to Coler & Colantonio. The firm has reviewed this and put forward an overall policy that DPW will implement. Ms. Murphy of S.R. Weiner contacted Ms. Tully requesting a letter from the Board to the Board of Selectmen in Reading explaining the process at the Derby Street Shoppes. Mr. MacIver remarked that he did discuss this one of the Reading selectmen before the letter was sent. The Board noted that this was not an endorsement of the Reading project but just a comment on Hingham's experience. Ms. Tully said at the recent trade show there were some interesting things on traffic calming and pedestrian poles that flash yellow as well as interesting possibilities for lights and tunnel cap design items. Mr. Edmundson said he enjoyed the session eminent domain that he attended on Saturday. Two memos were received regarding a zoning article that was submitted to the Selectmen on January 10. This involves a process that will be complex. The Planning Board did put in a placeholder and a similar request that was honored in prior years. Since there is a precedent of allowing this in the past, the Board will go forward with this article for this spring. It is the policy of the Board of Selectmen to no longer accept placeholders. The Board indicated this is a clear policy statement to all boards and committees that no placeholders will be accepted in the future. These deadlines are important. There is always the ability to make exceptions. The reasons for making an exception would be a sense or urgency and something that does not have a lot of possible contention and disagreement. And his is how we practiced in the past.
Mr. Reardon noted there are times when a placeholder has been useful The board has the authority and discretion to open the warrant if an urgent issue should arise.
Voted - To adopt as a policy of the Board of Selectmen that the Board of Selectmen will not longer accept placeholder from town elected or appointed boards.
Mr. MacIver attended the seminar on the new School Building Assistance Program at the MMA Annual Meeting. The Community Preservation Committee meeting on Tuesday night had a large turnout of people with the interest in the fields article. Mr. Cristello noted that the Globe announced the open house on the permitting process to be held on Tuesday the 24th from 5-7 pm. This happened once before and we had a fairly good turnout. The Board will have a tunnel tour tomorrow at 8 am. Mr. Cristello also met with Senator Hedlund and Commissioner Peters today regarding the Fisheries and Wildlife property abutting Bare Cove Park.
Meeting adjourned 10:10 pm.
Betty Foley, Clerk