March 7, 2006
Joint Session 7:30 pm
Mr. MacIver, Ms. Tully, Mr. Edmundson
The Board met in joint session with the Advisory Committee.
Senator Hedlund and Representative Bradley updated the Board and members of the Advisory Committee on the Governor's budget process. The health care debate is continuing.
Ms. Hill presented the School Committee's final budget. The School Building Article was discussed. Option I was of the recommended alternatives was presented. The plan would be to construct a new elementary on the site of the old East School, to complete partial renovations at both Foster and Plymouth River Schools and the full renovation/ expansion of the Middle School. It is expected that the full architectural and design fees will be approximately $1.7 million.
Voted - to recommend a FY2007 School Department budget of
Payroll $25,448,626
Expenses $6,163,271
Capital $353,000
Voted - to recommend the formation of a School Building Committee to arrange for design and bidding for a new elementary school as well as schematic design of renovations for Foster and Plymouth River Schools and expansion to the Middle School and appropriation of $1.7 million for this purpose.
Joint session adjourned 9:10
Regular Session opened 9:12
Mr. Puzo reported the Personnel Board settled the agreement between the Town and the police patrolmen with the assistance of JLMC. The 2006 Report of the Personnel Board includes changes to personnel by-law that are basically ministerial. The Personnel Board expects to continue work on a comprehensive restatement in its entirety of the Personnel By-law. Mr. Puzo explained that there are internal inconsistencies that need to be resolved in the upcoming year. There are provisions in the by-law that relate to union employees that should really be incorporated by reference. The changes this year include performance evaluations for probationary employees, changes for people who work 40 hours week, etc.
Voted - to support the recommendations of the Personnel Board for salaries of Town Officers.
The Personnel Board also recommended that the sum of $20,000 be appropriated for any amendments to the Personnel By-law, i.e., reclassifications, etc.
Voted - to support the amendments to the Personnel By-law as recommended by the Personnel Board and to recommend an appropriation of $20,000 for purpose of this vote.
Capital Outlay Recommendations
The revised report of the Capital Outlay Committee removes the building commissioner's vehicle for this year; adjustments the amount for school capital; and includes money for the public works cold storage building. This building was included on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee. The additional money will mean that substantially all of the project would be funded. Mr. Edmundson asked whether the vote would say that the Town may seek to sell the DPW facilities on Hersey St and in Hingham Centre to help defray the cost of the project. Mr. MacIver noted that this would be consistent with the policy followed for years. When and if the Board does make a recommendation to the Town, the proposed use of the properties to be sold must be submitted to the town.
Voted - to recommend a Capital Outlay Budget of
Not subject to borrowing $1,705,400
User rates/borrowing $6,952,467
Total $8,657,867 (including the school amount)
Mr. Cristello noted that based upon more recent information it is reasonable to reduce the Reserve Fund and Health insurance budgets.
Voted - to recommend the following revisions to budgets:
To revise the previously approved health insurance budget to $3,618,469.
To revise the previously recommended Reserve Fund budget to $420,250.
Treasurer/Collector
The change from an elected to an appointed Treasurer/Collector is one that has been mulled over for many years. Government study committees have recommended this change. The sense is that the Treasurer/Collector should be a professional not subject to the vagaries of the electoral process.
Voted - to support the warrant article to have the elected Treasurer/Collector become an appointed Treasurer/Collector. This position would be appointed by the Board of Selectmen.
Voted - to place the following question on the ballot for the April 29, 2006 Town election:
Shall the Town vote to have its elected Treasurer/Collector become an appointed Treasurer/Collector of the Town?
Mr. Cristello reported that the Shipyard demolition is planned to start in April and construction will follow. The Bay Club has reimbursed the gift certificates in full for the purchase value of the certificate. The Bay Club has requested an extension of the time allowed to transfer the Restaurant Common Victualler All Alcoholic Beverages Licenses to a new entity. This gives the owners of the Bay Club an extension to allow them to tear down the building and rebuild it.
Voted - to grant Steven Tannenbaum, Manager, Hingham Bay Club LLC, d/b/a Hingham Bay Club, 349 Lincoln Street, an extension to transfer his Restaurant Common Victualler All Alcoholic Beverages License. This extension will end December 31, 2006 and will allow time to negotiate with prospective purchasers.
Meeting adjourned 9:40 pm.
Betty Foley, Clerk