September 7, 2006
Regular Session 7:30 pm
Mr. Edmundson, Ms. Tully, Mr. Riley
Mr. Hersey said he had been up at the Transfer Station collecting signatures for five and a half days. He said that he had run into a couple of problems but other than that it was uneventful.
Ms. St. Leger asked how the conservation officer let the wetlands problems at the Country Club get so far without taking action. According to Mr. Richardson's recent letter there has been significant damage to the wetlands and three different brooks at the South Shore Country Club. Mr. Edmundson replied that he had reached out to Mr. Richardson on several occasions but his calls have not been returned. This evening he sent a letter to him inviting him to come to the Selectmen or Conservation Commission's meeting. Mr. Edmundson that he would not necessarily take such a letter at face value. Ms. Tully noted that the South Shore Country Club Committee is making an effort to get the wetlands delineated in order to rectify any problems that may exist. The important thing is that the committee works to get things marked and that no further damage be done to the wetlands.
Housing Partnership Update
Mr. O'Brien said the 21 E study had been done and there is a small subsurface problem that needs to be cleaned up. The Committee has received a proposal to remove and remediate the area. The funds given the town by developers of Canterbury Estates as outlined by the Inclusionary Zoning By-law will be used for this purpose. The soil will be removed to a licensed contamination site and the surrounding area cleaned.
Voted - to authorize the expenditure of $25,000 from the Inclusionary Zoning Fund for environmental clean up of the Selectmen's parcel.
Straight Beach/Beach Lane Discussion
Ms. Vigil and Ms. Fitzgerald explained that over the past 13 years proposals have been made to the Board for unencumbered access to the beach. Residents of 2 Beach Lane were issued permission to build a berm. The neighbors are requesting the regrading and removal of the berm at the end of Wompatuck Road. Ms.Vigil asked that public property be returned to the public. The proposed improvements include remove gravel dune and berm, addition of some seating, flowers and opening up the property. The gravel hump has built up through deposition, migration, etc. Ms. Fitzgerald noted that the original permit had been exceeded and the berm went into the public way rather than just in front of 2 Beach Lane.
Mr. McPherson explained that the proposal currently in front of the Conservation Commission is to build a stone revetment totally on their property (about three feet above grade). The bushes at the end of the road were planted in 1993 in order to keep the soil from eroding. This planting was done at the recommendation of the Tree and Park workers. Ms. Frye explained that the dune was originally constructed because the property is the lowest spot with hills on either side that drain onto their property. In 1993 experts recommended the soft solution. Last year there were three ocean floods when the water surrounded the house or nearly around the house. They looked at the possibility of a hard seawall or the stone revetment. Since there are seawalls on either side of the Frye/McPherson house it is necessary that there be some protection for the house. It was suggested that the reason why there is water in the road and why it collects there, is something that needs to be addressed. When the tides are really high the water comes up behind the dune and goes down the street drain. The water also comes up the street drain because there is no check valve to keep water from coming up the drain line from the marsh. Various area residents spoke encouraging the area be made more open; others reamarking that they had never seen anyone denied access. Mr. Humphries, a coastal geologist, said the value of the dune is valid and it should probably remain for protection but the bushes do not offer erosion control. Ms. Frye said there are a lot of birds populating the plantings. These are in an open area with nicely maintained vegetain that they do not claim to own.
It was noted that this is a public access issue and the plantings are clearly within the public way and blocking access to the public way and to the beach.. Mr. Cristello said he agreed with the petitioners. The dune was placed on town property without prior approval. When the Selectmen learned of it they asked the DPW if it had any value to the Town and the DPW felt that it protected the road. At that time it was not expected that the dune would last very long. The Frye McPhersons are doing the right thing to protect their own property but this warrants another filing with the Conservation Commission. As far as the town property at the end of the road, Ms. Tully commented that it is the Board's responsibility to speak to various departments in Town to see what works. Mr. Riley suggested there is a solution to the sewer cover issue. There is a cover within a cover that should solve the problem. He also expressed concern about the integrity of the asphalt that has had water trapped by the dune as well as the liability to the Town caused by the plantings. He said the Town should look at ways to restore the area to the way it was. Mr. Edmundson in terms of the dune itself, he leaves it to the experts to determine what will reduce erosion and flooding. I agree that the plantings should be moved or eliminated. This is an unusual property that needs to be held to a high standard. This will be an open process and Mr. Cristello will continue to work with the neighbors to reach a solution. Mr. Riley agreed with Mr. Boland as far as the need to put signage there to make people aware of the public access.
Central Fire Station Building Committee Update
Ms. Ferrante reviewed the history of the Central Fire Station Building Project proposal and permitting. Filed sub bids were opened yesterday and the project appears to be on budget with respect to the new estimate. The General Contractor bids are to be opened on September 20. It is likely that a special town meeting will be needed rather than wait for the annual town meeting. Ms. Tully thanked the committee and echoed the comment that this is the best possible solution to provide what the fire Department needs. The ultimate cost will known in a little over two weeks when the general contractor bids are opened. Chief Duff is happy with the design and feels that the department can function well with this design. Ms. Boland said that as a committee member she is concerned that it has been 13 months to get to this point and now it is necessary to seek additional funds. She suggested a standing building committee. Mr. Edmundson said that the Board has considered a standing building committee but the in the past the work comes and goes. He remarked that what has happened with the Central Fire Building Committee is unusual. The committee has acted prudently and did not ask for additional funds until there has been a very good number. Ms. Young asked for a breakdown of cost increases. The Fire Department will operate out of two fire stations for the 12-14 month duration of the project. The quarters are going to be very tight but working out of buildings that were designed as fire stations is a plus. Mr. Riley expressed concern about other projects coming forward that would be expensive and asked the committee to return to the architect and ask where cuts could be made to save some money. Ms. Boland asked if the Town had looked at town-wide vehicle maintenance. Mr. Boland expressed concern about a Hingham Journal article that accused the neighbors and the Historic Districts Commission for delaying the project saying he found this extremely disappointing. Should it be necessary, a special town meeting will be scheduled around October 16.
Hersey House Discussion
Ms. Tully said she had reviewed the comments relative to Hersey House made by the Historic Districts Commission and subsequently spoke to three members of the commission. Ms. Hall noted that the mission of the commission is to preserve the buildings, not the landscaping. Mr. Hastings explained the need for moving the house onto a new foundation and the reason to relocate it to a new foundation rather than moving and then moving it back. The reason for moving is drainage. Mr. Hastings explained that original response to the request for proposals was 20 units plus the Hersey House and now there are 18 total. The Town will be sacrificing some revenue in terms of the sales price but the product will be very good. Mr. Hastings indicated a willingness to work with the Historic Districts Commission on the Hersey House. Ms. Young said that Mr Raymond said that the addition in the back was not worthy of being maintained but that the Greek Revival style should be maintained. Ms. Tully commented that Mr. Raymond had commented to her that the house would more suitably be located parallel to the street. Mr. Hastings asked that Mr., Riley recuse himself due to conflicts as a North Street neighbor and a property owner developing property on Beal Street. Mr. Riley said he had spoken to town counsel and he had recused himself from the Turnabout project when it was in front of the Planning Board. In regard to the other issues, the 40B has been withdrawn for the North Street property and the property on Beal Street in under agreement. Mr. Hastings said he felt that Mr. Riley still had a financial interest in the property on Beal Street. Ms. Tully expressed her disappointment with the concept of putting off the Hersey House discussion. Mr. Edmundson noted that allegations have been made that need to be addressed in view of possible legal ramifications. Mr. Isadore offered some reasons for going forward this evening. Mr. Edmundson said he felt it would be in the best interest town to get Mr. Toomey's advice.
Green Energy Action Plan
Mr. Edmundson asked that each member of the Board review his memo and determine which items were most important. After discussion the Board felt that total energy consumption reduction goals were most important. The Selectmen have the power to give great example by placing recycling bins at the various ball fields and a paper recycling bin at town hall. The High School was just built and there is currently an energy audit being done. Mr. Edmundson noted that the Green RFP Committee was a good step but there is a long way to go. There are a number of people and clubs within the town that could bring their expertise to the process. Mr. Edmundson suggested that the Board should try to put forth an ad hoc committee for the rest of the year to give the Board some insight as to the next step. This will be discussed in more detail at the next meeting.
Voted - to sign a Utility Agreement with SeaChain LLC for Roadway and Traffic Improvements to Lincoln Street (Route 3A) as revised to include $5 million insurance.
Voted - to sign a Utility Agreement with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for Roadway and Traffic Improvements to Lincoln Street (Route 3A)
Voted - to grant Request for Counsel as submitted by the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Voted - to appoint Nanette Walsh a member of the Development and Industrial Commission for a term ending in 2011.
Selectmen/Town Administrator's Reports
Ms. Tully noted that Plymouth has a by-law that states dogs that have been banned in other towns will not be allowed to move into town. Ms. Tully suggested that this might be an article for town meeting. The permit tracking software is still not done so the money has been put in the capital budget for next year. Ms. Tully reported that she had spoken to Ms. Murphy about the Shipyard and the need for something that is a draw if the movie theater is not to be. Ms. Murphy suggested trying to attract LL Bean to the shipyard because they could have a retail outlet and do water front activities. Mr. Riley said he, too, had spoken to LL Bean and would like to see the selectmen, the town planner, a representative from Congressman Delahunt's office and someone from the National Park Service to talk to people from LL Bean. Ms. Tully advised that she has met twice on the benchmarking that is being done with the police department. The group is developing the list of towns and deciding what information should be gathered. Mr. Riley said he is aware that there is still an opening on the Bare Cove Park Committee and he has made contact with a young man who is interested. Ms. Tully said she is always interested in new people but feels the question is whether John Swanson has some historical knowledge that the committee needs. It is very unusual for a committee to come to the board to ask for a person to be appointed. Mr. Edmundson agreed.
Voted - to reappoint John Swanson to the Bare Cove Park Committee for a term of one year.
Mr. Edmundson commented on the passing of Jay Cross and Ann Reardon and Polly Starr noting all three were great losses to the town. Mr. Cristello mentioned that the Town is now in the three-year cycle to negotiate a renewal contract with Comcast. There is a veteran member who had agreed to come back after a few years away from the committee.
Meeting adjourned 10:45 PM.
Betty Foley, Clerk