May 9, 2006
Regular Session 7:30 PM
Mr. Edmundson, Ms. Tully, Mr. Riley
Credit Union Lease
Ms. Tully recused herself.
Mr. Cristello mentioned that the 2005 Town Meeting authorized a lease of a portion of Building 132 at 19 Fort Hill Street. During that process the Advisory Committee had expressed concern that the Town not be bound to a long-term lease given the uncertainty of the use of the property in the long term. The RFP was issued some months ago and the Hingham Federal Credit Union was the only one to submit a proposal. Mr. Riley said he had reviewed the lease and had some concern regarding access to the building during construction of the DPW and fields project. Mr. Cristello advised that language had been added to the proposed lease that would address that issue. The town meeting vote said the property could be put out to bid. The Town checked with a couple of realtors to determine market rates. This lease amount is somewhat below market rate but the building is not in a downtown or commercial area and it is a short-term situation.
Voted - to sign a lease with the Hingham Federal Credit Union for a portion of Building 132 at 19 Fort Hill Street.
Ms. Tully rejoined the meeting.
Update on Department of Public Works Contracts
Mr. Stigliani reported that all the consortium contracts were being renewed at the previous year's price except for the pavement, which has gone up by $4.73 per ton. The other companies may bring up the fuel adjustment as well but at this point it looks as if they will not. There was some question if Landers would be allowed to do this work since they have been removed from the state bid list due to problems on state jobs. There was a ruling that since this was an extension the company could compete.
Voted - to sign contract extensions for Department of Public Works goods and services as bid by the South Shore Consortium.
RFP for Property Adjacent to Hersey House
Mr. Cristello advised that the issuance of the request for proposals was a condition of the settlement agreement with the McDowells. It was said that the RFP would be issued within 10 days of town meeting.
Voted - to issue and request for proposals for the 35,566 square foot parcel of land known as a portion of Key 143 on Assessors' Map 60 off Hersey Street.
Fourth of July Parade
A.W. Perry has made a significant contribution to the 4th of July parade by donating $2500 to the Selectmen's Golf Tournament. The Committee informed the Board that the parade route would be the same as in previous years.
Beautification Commission
The Beautification Commission represented by Shirley Rydell advised the Board that the design for that area of the tunnel cap on South Street abutting the Hingham Cemetery is complete. The park will have an area paved with brick the center of which will have a planter full of annuals. The paved area will be surrounded by plantings and shade trees. They Beautification and Garden club have budgeted $32,000 for the project. If there are enough funds left over the group will plant the area at the intersection of North and South Streets. This plan conforms to the document developed by the Cecil Group and has the support of the Cemetery, the Downtown Association and the Development and Industrial Commission.
Voted - to approve the plans for a park on the tunnel cap as proposed by the Beautification Committee.
Voted - to grant Request for Counsel as submitted by the Fire Department
Voted - to grant Request for Counsel as submitted by the Planning Board
Voted - to grant an Auctioneers License to Frank Kaminksi to conduct an estate auction.
Voted - to grant one-day liquor licenses to South Shore Conservatory for the Evenings Under the Stars concert series on the following dates: July 8, July 15 and July 22, 2006.
Housing Partnership
Mr. O'Brien explained that the environmental impact study had been conducted at the Beal Street site and the Housing Partnership has prepared an RFP. The Form A plan has been drafted and needs to be approved by the Board of Selectmen. The Housing Partnership is also seeking up to $7,000 from the Inclusionary Zoning Fund for an environmental assessment and appraisal of the Selectmen's parcel. Mr. Riley said he had some recommended changes to the RFP. Mr. O'Brien said he would be willing to meet with Mr. Riley prior to Friday morning's meeting to discuss the changes. The changes in the RFP will also be discussed at the meeting of May 23, 2006. The exact area of the 50 ft frontage to Beal Street has been left to the developer. There is no frontage issue because it is all one property and all of the land is under the control of the Board of Selectmen. The various tracts are distinguished because of varying uses.
Voted - to authorize the expenditure of up to $7,000 from the Inclusionary Zoning Fund for environmental assessment and appraisal of the Selectmen's parcel.
Interviews for Temporary Police Sergeant
David Horte introduced himself as a 19-year veteran of the police department who was a Hingham Boy Scout and a graduate of SUNY Cobleskill with 11 years experience in the traffic division and training in traffic crash reconstruction. He is also involved in the regional response team, SWAT team and dive team. Mr. Horte advised the Board that he had developed great interest in supervision while serving as a patrol supervisor. He noted that he felt cool headedness is a quality necessary in a sergeant and that he has always maintained that type of demeanor. The aspect of his present job that he finds quite satisfying is working with and helping people. When asked about his feeling on parking violations, Mr. Horte said that the department tries to be a little more lenient at particular events such as those at the high school. In other situations it is the job to ticket cars. Officer Horte said his strengths are his years of experience, his several specialties, and coolness under fire. When asked about any weakness he said he tends to be a perfectionist and it will be a challenge to learn to delegate more and concentrate on supervising. Mr. Horte said he is excited to come to work each day and views himself as fortunate. He asked the Board which issues they felt would affect the town and the police force in the foreseeable future.
David Pettiti advised the board that he resident of the town, a product of Hingham schools, BC High, and is completing his degree from Newbury College this year. He said he has great pride in what he does. He has been a police officer for 12 years and has strived to learn as much as he can during that time. He is presently a Field Training Officer and in this capacity has a new officer assigned to him for his or her first three months. In addition, Officer Pettiti has availed himself of Chief Carlson's new program "Moving Forward" which is an excellent preparation for someone who wants to move up through the ranks. As a sergeant, the biggest challenge would be the behind the scenes administration - scheduling, budgeting, etc. He said he tends to take on a lot of responsibility and involve himself as much as possible in all aspects of the job. What he finds most satisfying about his current position what he gets back. Officer Pettiti gave an example of an incident of a child being harassed at school and how he was able to bring things to a satisfactory conclusion. He noted that if he can touch one life a year it is worthwhile. When asked about his approach to parking violations, Officer Pettiti said that it has been his experience to try to educate first by talking about alternative parking measures, etc. Tickets are a last resort. Mr. Pettiti said trustworthiness, reliability and leadership in a crisis are most important in a sergeant. He feels that he is particularly lucky and fortunate because his adoption taught him to appreciate his upbringing and because of his position as a police officer in town.
Steven Dearth told the Board that he had been employed as a Hingham police officer for 13 years. During that time he has walked the beat in Hingham Square, been on the bicycle patrol, traffic division and served as a Field Training Officer. He is now the
senior Field Training Officer. He said he brings a lot of integrity and respect to the job - respect for the people in the community, his superiors and subordinates. And while he may not always please people, he treats people with respect. Officer Dearth said he always seeks out training to prepare himself for future roles. He just completed a bachelors' degree in criminal justice as well as a criminal justice certificate in management. When asked about what aspect of his current position he finds most satisfying he said he gets a lot of satisfaction out of serving the people of the town. During his career he has been involved in the Citizens Police Academy, the Citizens Police Alumni, installing car seats, and proposing programs involving community partnerships. The "Buckle Up" sign campaign, which includes 38 signs, is an example of this community partnership type program. Mr. Dearth was also instrumental in the formation of the designated driver program with local businesses. He sees the biggest challenge as a sergeant to be the number of new officers (14 officers have less than 6 years experience). His personal challenge is that he tends to over-invest himself in work. When asked about his approach to parking violations Officer Dearth noted that parking and traffic are by nature conflictive but they are issues that must be addressed. The biggest thing is to treat people with respect. He feels that he is both lucky and fortunate because of his healthy family and that he looks forward to coming to work.
Mr. Edmundson explained that the process would be to vote on this appointment on Friday morning. He encouraged people to write or email the selectmen.
Selectmen/Town Administrator's Reports
Ms. Tully noted that last winter the Board sent out the first issue of Update from Town Hall. The second issue will be going out with the tax bill mailed at the end of June. She asked the other members of the Board to think about what should be included in the upcoming mailing. Mr. Riley reported that he had attended the dedication of the Donna Powers Park. Mr. Edmundson noted a letter from a person on Derby Street regarding a connection to the sewer in Weymouth. The goal setting process will be at a meeting in early June. Mr. Edmundson requested that people email the Board regarding those items they feel should be on the list of objectives. He also asked Ms. Tully and Mr. Riley to consider which committees or departments they would like to be liaison for. Mr. Cristello reported that the work on North Street would begin after the fourth of July. The plan is to get work done during the summer and have all work done by Labor Day.
Meeting adjourned 9:35 pm.
Betty Foley, Clerk