June 6, 2006
Regular Session 7:35 pm
Mr. Edmundson, Ms. Tully, Mr. Riley
Questions from the Public
Mr. Heap of North Street said that he had sent a letter about the Town Brook flooding. The pipe for the brook extends from South Shore Country Club to about 192 North Street and then the water bottlenecks around 178 North Street. Many residents in the area have flooding problems. Mr. Heaps asked what the Town could do in terms of widening and deepening the waterway between 178 and 192 North Street where properties are impacted by the fast flowing water from the country club. Residents at 190 North Street spoke of flooding problems that had worsened significantly over the past few years. The garage at that address is not usable due to water. Mr. Riley said it was his understanding that the section under discussion had never been piped. Mr. Cristello advised that the town attempted to get the pipe to extend from the area where it goes under ground to the country club. The state would not allow that to happen because they consider the area a flood plain and won't do anything to disturb the flood plain. The DEP and ACOE did not adopt the approach suggested by the town. Mr. Stigliani said that it might be possible to widen a channel to assist the residents somewhat. The residents were encouraged to call the DPW if the stream seemed to be obstructed. Mr. Fernandes, someone from the Department of Public Works and some one from Conservation will go out to see what can be done. If that does not make a difference the Town would like to see if there is a possibility of getting the state to approve more changes.
Burtons Grill
Representatives of the restaurant said they would like to locate six tables and eighteen seats in an area in front of the building. Stanchions and chains that could be removed for the winter would separate this seasonal area. The storefront will be changed to include a service door. Mr. Riley asked if the 18 seats would impact the parking situation and put the restaurant in non-conformance.
Voted - approve the application of Burton's Grill of Hingham, LLC d/b/a Burtons Grill, Kevin Harron, Manager, a 96 Derby Street to expand the Restaurant Common Victualler All Alcoholic licensed premises to include an outdoor patio with nine tables, seating not more than 18 persons, subject to the approval of the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission.
Shade Tree Hearing Appeal
Mr. Stigliani said this issue dates back to the Board of Appeals decision on the Boston Golf project, which included some changes to Cushing Street and the removal of three shade trees. The shade tree hearing was held and although there was some opposition to removal of the trees the decision was made to approve the removal. The trees do impede the view when leaving Old County Road but some residents voiced the opinion that the speed on Cushing Street, not the trees, is the problem. Lt. Souther said Cushing Street is more heavily used every day and with the addition of a clubhouse for Boston Golf on Old County Road there will be more traffic. Mr. Riley said that he was a member of the Planning Board at the time the permit was granted to Boston Golf. The town's engineer felt very strongly that the trees should be removed. Mr. Shields, a resident of Old County Road, urged removal of the trees. Mr. Al-Nakhara noted that the way Cushing Street is graded there would not be much improvement in sight lines if the trees were removed. Other area residents suggested a stop sign or traffic light on Cushing Street. Capt. Mills commented that the trees are growing, speeds are growing and cars are shrinking. The smaller vehicles have more difficulty at this intersection. Mr. Smith commented that children wait at the bus stop at the intersection. It is his feeling that the trees provide safety. Other residents commented on both for and against the removal of the trees. The Board agreed to visit the intersection with an engineer to view the trees and traffic issues. The police will provide an accident history of the intersection before the next meeting.
Voted - to continue the shade tree appeal hearing to the meeting of June 20, 2006.
Ms. Montgomery reported that the Town had received four bids for the Bond Anticipation Notes and got a very favorable net interest cost. These are renewal notes that will be used to pay off a note coming due on June 20. Ms. Montgomery said the money would be used for the following purposes: Route 3A force main, Phase 2 of the Weir River Sewer District, and the Country Club irrigation project.
Voted - That all action taken by the Town Treasurer in advertising for public sale the $3,337,000 Bond Anticipation Note (Municipal Purpose Loan of 2006), No. R-1, dated June 20, 2006, payable June 20, 2007 (the "Note") of the Town, issued in anticipation of bonds authorized pursuant to Chapter 44, Sections 7(1) and 7(25), of the Massachusetts General Laws, as amended and supplemented, and by votes of the Town duly adopted under Article 19 of the Warrant at the 2002 Annual Town Meeting, Article 31 of the Warrant at the 2003 Annual Town Meeting and Article 16 of the Warrant at the 2004 Annual Town Meeting, as further described in Exhibit A attached hereto which by reference thereto is hereby incorporated in and made a part of this vote, and all action taken in connection with the sale, issuance and determination of the details of any bond anticipation notes heretofore issued to finance or refinance any of the projects being refinanced by the Note be and hereby are ratified, approved and confirmed in all respects;
That the Note shall be dated as of June 20, 2006; shall mature on June 20, 2007, and shall be in such form, of such denomination and contain such other details as the Town Treasurer and a majority of the Board of Selectmen shall determine or approve by their execution of the Note;
That the Note shall not be subject to redemption prior to its stated date of maturity;
That the Note shall originally be issued by means of a book-entry system evidencing ownership and transfer of the Note; and in the event of failure or termination of the book-entry system, U.S. Bank, National Association, in Boston, Massachusetts, shall issue replacement notes in the form of fully registered certificates and shall act as Transfer Agent and Paying Agent therefor;
That the Note shall bear interest payable at maturity and is hereby sold and awarded as follows:
Purchaser NoteNo. Amount Interest Rate Premium
Sovereign Securities Corporation LLC R-1 $3,000,000 4.25% $18,480.00
Eastern Bank R-1 337,000 4.25 $1,957.97
That the Town Treasurer be, and hereby is, authorized to execute and deliver a Material Events Disclosure Certificate generally as described in the Official Statement relating to the Note and to incorporate by reference thereto in the Note such Material Events Disclosure Certificate both in such form as the signatories may approve by their execution thereof, and the obligation of the Town contained in such certificate is hereby approved and confirmed;
That the Board of Selectmen, the Treasurer and the Town Clerk be and hereby are, and each of them severally is, authorized to take such action, and to execute and deliver such certificates, receipts, or other documents as may be determined by them, or any of them, to be necessary or convenient to carry into effect the provisions of the foregoing vote; and
That the Town Treasurer is hereby authorized to prepare and deliver the Note to the aforesaid purchaser or order against payment in full of the agreed purchase price."
Interviews for Police Patrolman
David Langill, a lifelong resident of the town with an Associates Degree in Law Enforcement Policy, is currently employed by Rockland as an officer in the schools and a dispatcher. He advised the Board that being a police officer is the only thing he ever wanted to do. Mr. Langill characterized himself as a people person with good community policing skills yet able to do the other end when things happen. He said he is a good report writer and has court experience. He would like to learn a second language because it would be useful. Mr. Langill finds all aspects of policing interesting. In Rockland he is paid through the school department and the position is not under Civil Service. His most difficult experience was when a note was found that someone was going to bring weapons into school. There was an arrest made on the case.
John Walden advised the Board that he grew up in Hingham, went to Endicott College, dropped out, worked in landscaping, returned to school and currently works at the Division of Youth Services in Brockton case worker. He has worked at DYS for two years as a member of the floor staff monitoring behavior on a daily basis. Mr. Walden said he has w anted to be an officer since he went back to school and majored in criminal justice. He was a group leader in an after school program and enjoys his current job. His involvements in community activities include being an umpire in the Babe Ruth League. Mr. Walden had an internship with a South Carolina police department and found everything about the job was interesting. He particularly like working with the detective unit.
Michael Cavanaugh, a graduate of Hingham High School and UMass Dartmouth with a degree in business management, said he was impressed with the officers he had worked with especially the state police. He characterized himself as a mellow person who can listen but can also put the orders out there. His strengths include his ability to get along with people and his well-rounded, broad-spectrum background of a business degree and community service. He particularly likes the community-policing concept because it lets people know that you are more than a police officer. His goal would be to move up within the department to the position of sergeant or lieutenant. He would also be interested in the DARE program later on since he enjoyed working with kids from New Bedford setting up summer sports camp opportunities while performing community service in college.
Seth Dunlap, a lifelong Hingham resident, advised the board that in addition to his full- time position as a shift supervisor at a glass company in South Boston his is also a special patrolman with town of Rockland. His father was a patrolman for the town during the mid 70s. Mr. Dunlap said he enjoys helping people and this would be an opportunity to give back to the community. He feels his strength is that he enjoys doing paperwork; his weakness might be motivation. The police position in Rockland allows him to work alongside full time officers, with full arrest powers, etc. It is a non civil service, non-union position. Mr. Dunlap expressed strong support for community policing noting that it should have been a policy from day one. He also noted that professionalism is most important in a police officer since you reflect yourself and the integrity of the town.
Mr. Keyes advised the Board that he was aware of bills totaling over $4,000 for consultation with town counsel. He felt that a group of the recreation commissioners have consulted town counsel to handle items and questioned this process.
The Board has reviewed the major intersections in town and is attempting to be consistent in the treatment of intersections. Residential roads that intersect major arterials will have stop signs placed at the intersection.
Voted - that the Traffic Rules and Orders of the Town of Hingham, adopted by the Board of Selectmen on May 31, 1939 and subsequent amendments thereto, are hereby amended as follows:
STOP SIGNS
STREET STOPPED INTERSECTION STREET STOPPED INTERSECTION
Accord Lane Whiting Street Home Meadow Lane Main Street
Accord Pond Drive Whiting Street Knoll Road Whiting Street
Autumn Circle High Street LeClair Drive Cushing Street
Bonnie Brier Cir. Rockland St. Lewis Court Hersey Street
Berkley Circle High Street Manatee Road French Street
Blue Sky Drive Hobart Street Manor Drive Summer Street
Bradley Hill Road Lincoln Street Marion Street Downer Ave.
Bucket Mill Lane High Street Maryknoll Drive Charles Street
Burr Road Central Street Mill River Lane Prospect St.
Button Cove Road Summer Street Newtowne Drive Hersey Street
Captain Thompson Ln Prospect Street Nichols Road French Street
Carleton Road High Street Nichols Road High Street
Charles Everett Way Fort Hill Street Old Colony Road Summer Street
Cherry Street Rockland Street Partridge Drive French Street
Coolidge Road Hersey Street Peter Hobart Drive Whiting Street
Country Drive Whiting Street Pine Grove Road Main Street
Craig Lane Prospect Street Pinecrest Road High St.
Crooked Meadow Lane Main Street Pond Street Pleasant Street
Del Prete Drive Hersey Street Ringbolt Road Rockland St.
Dwiggins Pathe Fort Hill Street Sanborn Road Central Street
Farms Hills Lane Whiting Street Sherman Way Fort Hill St.
Forest Lane Prospect Street Smith Road Hobart Street
Fontainbleau Dr. Union Street Squirrel Hill Lane 174 North St.
Fulling Mill Lane So. Pleasant St. Stanford Drive High Street
Green Street Water Street Station Street Mill Street
Harbor View Drive Thaxter Street Stoddard Road School Street
Harvard Drive High Street Triphammer Road Union Street
Hazelwood Drive 118 Whiting Street Weir River Ext. Rockland St.
Hazelwood Drive 130 Whiting Street Whitcomb Avenue High Street
Hemlock Street High Street White Horse Road High Street
Hillside Terrace West Street Woodbridge Road Cross Street
Mr. Cristello reported that Verizon has been making moves towards entering the cable business. As they have started to do that, they have decided they don't want to the standard franchising process but want to go to the state for an expedited review process and get a response in 30 days. The MMA has asked communities to go on record as opposing what Verizon is trying to do.
Voted - to oppose Verizon's effort to impact local cable franchising rules.
Voted - to grant permission to the Lions Club to use the harbor area for the annual fireworks display on June 30, with a raindate of July 2.
Voted - to reappoint Robert Montgomery to the Council on Aging for a three-year term ending in 2009.
Voted - to reappoint Matthew Havens to the Country Club Management Committee for a three-year term ending in 2009.
Voted - to reappoint Donald Kidston to the Development and Industrial Commission for a five-year term ending in 2011.
Voted - to appoint Warren Nottleson to the Harbor Development Committee for a three year term ending in 2009.
Voted - to reappoint Virginia Tay and Willis Ertman to the Historical Commission for a three-year term expiring in 2009.
Voted - to reappoint Francis Gaul to the Scholarship Fund Committee for a three-year term expiring in 2009.
Voted - to appoint Philip Edmundson as Hingham's representative to the Plymouth County Advisory Board.
Selectmen/Town Administrator's Reports
Mr. Riley will attend the Senior Center luncheon on Friday to present the Boston Post cane. Mr. Edmundson said the Board is watching the progress of the state budget and is hopeful that the Town will get more money than anticipated. The Board may choose not to use the full allotment and not assess the full 2 ½ % increase in taxing at this time. The taxing authority is allowed to bank that taxing capacity and use it at a later time. It appears that the Town may fare much better than our best estimate as presented at town meeting. Mr. Cristello reported that he had attended the MPO meeting last Thursday and the good news is that Hingham is still in the 2007 plan for Rte 228. If it remains this way for two more meetings the Town is pretty much assured of funding. There must be a 25% design hearing. Then the project can go directly to 100% because the town was at 100% back in 1999.
Mr. Keyes said he is looking for $9,000 for transportation funds for the Marine Band for the parade.
The board voted by roll call vote to adjourn to executive session for the purpose of discussing real estate and litigation, and will not to return to open session.
Ms. Tully - yes
Mr. Riley - yes
Mr. Edmundson - yes
Open session adjourned 10:05 pm.
Betty Foley Clerk