November 21, 2006
Regular Session 7:30 PM
Mr. Edmundson, Ms. Tully, Mr. Riley
Voted - to accept the minutes of October 10, 2006
Voted - to appoint Tod McGrath a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals for a three year term expiring in 2009. This appointment is effective upon Mr. McGrath's resignation from the Planning Board.
The Board suggested a deadline of December 8th for the receipt of resumes from individuals interested in filling this position. The Board was hopeful that a replacement for Mr. McGrath could be appointed prior to the end of the year.
Public Hearing/Grant of Location on the petition of Keyspan Energy on Lincoln Street
Mr. O'Leary explained that this request is to provide gas service to 169 Lincoln Street, the former police station. Ms. Tully asked that construction not begin until 9 AM since this is a heavily traveled commuter road in the morning. Mr. O'Leary assured the Board that at least one lane of the road would remain open at all times. The construction should be completed by 3:00 PM each afternoon.
Voted - to approve the petition of Keyspan Energy Delivery to install and maintain a 2-inch gas main in Lincoln Street to service 169 Lincoln Street. The main will originate from an existing 3 inch gas main with the State layout of Route 3A (Lincoln Street) and continue for approximately 40 feet in the south bound travel lane of Lincoln Street where it will cross over to the north bound travel lane entering the residential Town layout portion of Lincoln Street to the easterly shoulder of the travel way, from this point it will be installed in the shoulder of the road for approximately 285 feet to completion. It is understood that this approval is only for approximately 285 feet, the section of this main which is in the town layout. The remaining portion of this main is in the State layout requiring a permit from Mass. Highways.
Central Fire Station Special Town Meeting Warrant Article
Ms. Ferrante said the in April 2003 the Central Fire Station Building Committee was formed and funds were appropriated. In 2004 more money was appropriated. A total of $4,898,000 was appropriated by 2005. Since January 2005 the committee has worked diligently; the Historic Districts Commission voted unanimously to support the side bay addition; and permitting issues have been resolved. The total cost of the project after this long process is $6,479,032. The additional appropriation needed is $1,539,082.
Ms. Ferrante explained the increased cost of the project: incremental square footage will cost approximately $116,000; the swing space expense has been included at a price of $100,000; there is an additional $168,000 from the renegotiation of the architect's contract - $100,000 due to the extended term on the project and $68,000 directly attributed to the historic process. The requirements of the Historic Districts Commission add $49,470 to the project; the cost of rebidding the project was split with the architect - the Town share is $12,000; the increase in construction cost is $1,135,685. Construction costs have escalated dramatically over the past 20 months. Ms. Ferrante noted that the Central Fire Station Building Committee has worked hard to create a building that met the needs of the department. Both chiefs felt it was the right place and that activities should be housed in a centralized location. Ms. Ferrante said this is the smallest possible addition to meet the needs of the department.
Ms. Tully remarked that the cost increase is not something that comes as a surprise. The second bid process proved that the bid was good. Mr. Riley said there would be 7,040 square feet of new space in addition to the present square footage resulting in 17,200 total square footage. Mr. Edmundson asked why Center Hingham instead of the outlying area. If main facility were moved to one end of the town the response could be 12 minutes to certain areas of the town. Items that are not used at all times are most logically stored in the center of town. Chief Duff said the headquarters should be in center and reviewed the functions such a station should accomplish. This station would serve the neighborhood, as well as the entire town, it also serves as a location for the shift commander for the town, houses administrative offices, and a training headquarters in the center of town allows everyone to come into the center when necessary. This also serves as the maintenance headquarters, emergency management headquarters, allows fire prevention capabilities, houses the marine unit, trailers, dive team, fire boat, and serves as the backup center for dispatch. The new building will also serve as the Town's emergency operations center. Town Hall functions could be relocated across the field at the fire station in an emergency. In the 1988 Town report it was noted that the Central Station should be replaced on the current site. The Hoyt report in 1993 highlighted the abysmal conditions in the fire station. It was quite clear that the Central Fire Station needed attention. Since that time we have known that the fire station project was waiting. Recent events have proved the need for emergency management capabilities. The Chief said the department needs are much more than any need for a peripheral station. Headquarters needs should be located in the Center location. There may be a need at some time to either expand or relocate the South Hingham fire station but this would be a response station, not a headquarters and training station. The Fire Department has, over the years, looked at issues of regionalization, location of stations, etc. The steady answer has been that the Central Fire Station is a key component of the Town's ability to deliver these services.
Ms. Tully noted that Robert Barr who was one of the original members of the committee made his living advising communities where to locate stations. This issue was looked at from the beginning.
Chief Duff said the Fire Department is four or five years away from the need for a new satellite station which would also mean 12 more people. In the future, the need for a peripheral South Hingham station would have to be looked at and the Chief said he would recommend a study at that time. The central area of town has the old wooden buildings that are most in need of fire protection and fire fighting capabilities. The proposed project is the minimum needed. To say that we could or would build something lesser would be a very difficult situation. Mr. Carey said that there is no fat in the project and this has been documented through the plans, etc. If the town does not want to spend the money the town will have to redefine what they want for public safety. Mr. Riley asked if these bids are within the scope and why the increased cost? He noted that if he hired an architect he would first go to the Historic Districts Commission. Mr. Riley said he would like to know why things when up $1.5 million. Ms. Ferrante reviewed the various cost increases.
Mr. Gentry explained that the committee and architect went to Historic Districts twice before things were close to finalized. Ms. Comrack said that she is concerned that we are now at $6.5 million without change orders. Ms. Boland noted that it has been said several times that our equipment has to be customized but this is common. She agreed the station needs to be renovated but the question is how much - the station is good.
Ms. Tully said she is in support of this project because it is in the best interest of the Town and long overdue. There has been no renovation in 65 years. She thanked the committee for the hard work and reviewed the expertise of the members of the committee. She concluded that this is the program that will keep our citizens safe and this is the cost of building the fire station.
Mr. Riley also thanked the committee but expressed concern that it if residents are concerned about development, costs like this just fan the flames. He said that when he ran for office he asked for a tour of the Hingham Schools and saw firsthand the overcrowding in Plymouth River and Foster Schools. I believe that we will be asked to build a new school and at this time there is not any state money available. For that reason he cannot support the request for the fire station.
Mr. Edmundson said he is convinced of the need for the station and that the historic nature of the building is worth preserving. Furthermore he believes that is the consensus of the town to preserve the building instead of tearing that down and building a new structure. This additional amount will not result in any tax increase. Mr. Edmundson noted that he shared Mr. Riley's concern about the school but feels that the projects must be looked at separately. The Town has to face up to the fact that there is a seriously deficient fire headquarters that needs to be rebuilt.
By majority vote:
Voted - to recommend that the Town transfer $1,539,082 from available funds to be expended under the direction of the Central Fire Station Building Committee for professional fees, construction of buildings, additions and/or renovations and purchasing of equipment and furnishings for the Central Fire Station including other costs incidental and related to carry out this project and its finances.
Mr. Edmundson and Ms. Tully in favor; Mr. Riley opposed.
Request for Funds from the Housing Authority
Mr. Watson explained that the Hingham Housing Authority is feeling that they are getting into more than they can deal with on the Scotland Street house. There are a range of costs for several items that are beyond the ability of the Housing Authority to pay. Mr. Watson requested the Board authorize the expenditure of Inclusionary Zoning Funds for the purpose of testing and mitigation of any conditions discovered by the testing in order to bring the property to rentable condition.
Voted - to authorize the expenditure of up to $11,000 from the Inclusionary Zoning Fund by the Hingham Housing Authority for the following items: lead paint testing, well water testing, radon testing, mitigation of any conditions discovered by the aforementioned tests and appliances and labor to bring the Housing Authority property on Scotland Street up to rentable condition.
Bare Cove Park
Mr. Cristello explained that the Bare Cove Park Committee asked Gale to look at 14 buildings for demolition. As part of demolition project Diversified Environmental evaluated the buildings for hazardous materials. Five buildings and pads were all clean, 8 out of 9 buildings on the south side of the park had asbestos containing material. Mr. Luker, an LSP with Gale Associates, reported that there were hundreds of pounds of asbestos-containing debris. Initially there was a very high estimate for removal of the material. This removal is complicated by the fact that these buildings were demolished in the late 70s and the trees, etc. have grown back. The buildings are also located within close proximity of the wetlands. The regulations concerning this type of clean up are presently being revised. The abatement plan will call for removal of what can be seen. The soils will then be analyzed to see if there is asbestos in the soil. If asbestos is found then it may be possible to cap the area. Phase I will be to remove the asbestos. There will then be an opportunity to look at the new regulations before entering phase II of the project. Under the present regulations there would be five years to clean up the site and file a Response Action Outcome. The proposed schedule calls for asbestos removal done this winter, starting in December and being completed by the end of January. Since this is considered an imminent hazard it needs to be removed as soon as possible. The real danger would be those walking though the debris. Asbestos is a naturally occurring fiber that does not dissolve and it does not threaten the groundwater. The Diversified estimate of November 17 was for $317,000 plus 10% contingency and a 10% engineering fee. The Advisory Committee asked for us to get quotes which will be in hand prior to the special town meeting. Mr. Edmundson asked who did this work badly and if there would be any recourse. Mr. Cristello advised that there is an investigation as to who did the work and what insurance that may have been in effect at the time this work was performed.
Mr. Riley asked about the responsibility of the federal government in this matter. Mr. Cristello said the Town will continue to pursue the ACOE for any occurrence that can be traced back to them. In this instance the way the program works is that if a building is hazardous at the time of conveyance the government takes it down and cleans it up. They took down a lot of buildings before the Town got the land but they left a lot of buildings that were usable. Those buildings became a Town responsibility.
Voted - to recommend that the Town transfer $378,000 from available funds to be expended under direction of the Board of Selectmen for the removal and/ or clean up of hazardous materials and debris at Bare Cove Park together with other costs incidental and related to carry out this project.
Voted - to appoint Lillian Colbeck a member of the Council on Aging for a term expiring in 2009.
Voted - to grant a one-day liquor license to Ralph Fasano for a Christmas party to be held at the South Shore Country Club on December 2, 2006.
Voted - to grant a one-day liquor license to Michael Stokes for a dinner party to be held at the South Shore Country Club on December 8, 2006.
Voted - to grant Hingham Community Center three one-day liquor licenses for their Annual Cabaret Show to be held at the Hingham Armory, January 25 to January 27, 2007.
Meeting adjourned 9:40 PM.
Betty Foley, Clerk