January 2, 2007
Regular Session 7:34 pm
Mr. Edmundson, Ms. Tully, Mr. Riley
Public Hearing - Pole on South Street
Mr. Regolino, representing Verizon, explained that the company would like to locate a new pole on South Street. The original pole and guy wire were removed by CBB during the track installation. There is a guy wire currently connected to a tree and that will be connected to the new pole. This new pole will maintain the integrity of the poles going down South Street. Mr. Tokadjian said Hingham Light is in support of this petition and noted that the wire is well above the height required by the T for the operation of the Greenbush line.
Voted - to approve a Grant of Location on the joint petition of Verizon New England Inc. and the Hingham Municipal Lighting Plant, No. 12/06 dated 11/15/2006, to locate one new pole #21S off South Street approximately 42 feet northerly of existing Pole 21, South Street.
Public Hearing - Pole on High Street
Mr. Tokadjian explained that this petition is similar to the Verizon petition insofar as the Light Plant is requesting a pole for a guy wire on High Street across from the intersection of High and Friend Streets. There has been a problem with the pole located on the island because the top of the pole is leaning in response to the pressure of the wires. The old support pole will be removed from the island and the guy wire will run across the street.
Voted - to approve a Grant of Location on the petition of the Hingham Municipal Lighting Plant, No. 12-18, dated December 18, 2006, to locate one new Pole #4/1 on High Street, approximately forty feet in the northerly direction from Pole #4 towards Woodbridge Road.
Under old business the Board revisited the discussion of the liquor license renewal and transfer of Hingham Bay Club LLC d/b/a Hingham Bay Club. Mr. Tocchio advised the Board that he was present to answer any questions relative to the transfer of the license that had been discussed at the last meeting. At the last meeting it was voted to renew the license for six months because the owner was unable to give much information about the new restaurant. Since that time it has become clear that it is not possible to issue a six-month license. The amended vote will accomplish the Selectmen's plan to review the building and business type and will meet the requirements of the ABCC.
Voted - to amend the vote approving the application to transfer the Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License of Hingham Bay Club LLC, d/b/a Hingham Bay Club, 349 Lincoln Street to Samuels & Associates Hingham, LLC d/b/a Samuels & Associates Development, LLC, Larry G. Guilmette, Manger, subject to the approval of the ABCC, by adding the following condition: This transfer approval is conditioned upon the applicant returning to the Board of Selectmen in July 2007 with a more detailed plan showing dimensions, entrances/exits, etc. The Selectmen will exercise their option whether or not to issue the license pending the completion of the premises according to an approved plan.
Budget Discussion
Mr. Edmundson suggested that this year rather than reading all the budget numbers the Board would first consider any changes from the line items requested by the various departments and then vote the subtotal for the category. The record reflects the detail.
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
Recommended
122 SELECTMEN
Payroll 376,079
Expenses 38,310
New Equipment 0
Total 414,389
132 RESERVE FUND 432,858
135 TOWN ACCOUNTANT
Payroll 330,787
Expenses 54,890
New Equipment 0
Audit 40,000
Information Technology 76,684
Total 502,361
141 ASSESSORS
Payroll 271,113
Expenses 10,870
New Equipment 0
Consulting 32,500
Map Maintenance 6,000
Total 320,483
145 TREASURER/COLLECTOR
Payroll 249,066
Expenses 43,813
Tax Titles 10,000
Total 302,879
151 LEGAL SERVICES 168,000
159 TOWN MEETINGS
Payroll 2,692
Expenses 26,833
Total 29,525
161 TOWN CLERK
Payroll 148,869
Expenses 6,411
Total 155,280
162 ELECTIONS
Payroll 12,370
Expenses 10,620
New Equipment
Total 22,990
171 CONSERVATION
Payroll 172,434
Expenses 13,850
Total 186,284
175 PLANNING BOARD
Payroll 106,062
Expenses 12,145
Total 118,207
176 BOARD OF APPEALS
Payroll 85,853
Expenses 7,160
Total 93,013
177 BARE COVE PARK
Payroll 13,949
Expenses 5,925
Total 19,874
191 HERSEY HOUSE
Expenses 7,123
Total 7,123
192 TOWN HALL
Payroll 153,690
Expenses 391,328
New Equipment 0
Total 545,018
193 GRAND ARMY MEMORIAL
HALL 12,371
Total 12,371
TOTAL GENERAL GOVERNMENT 3,330,655
PUBLIC SAFETY
210 POLICE DEPARTMENT
Payroll 3,874,628
(Overtime $314,200) 0
Expenses 307,578
New Equipment 0
Total 4,182,206
220 FIRE DEPARTMENT
Payroll 3,737,834
(Overtime $259,000) 0
Expenses 293,985
New Equipment 0
Total 4,031,819
240 DISPATCH SERVICES
Payroll 460,655
(Overtime $61,736) 0
Expenses 5,600
New Equipment 0
Total 466,255
241 BUILDING COMMISSIONER
Payroll (Includes Deputy Comm.) 240,107
Expenses 7,325
Total 247,432
244 WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Payroll 9,666
Expenses 1,072
Total 10,738
291 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Payroll 5,631
Expenses 3,193
Total 8,824
292 ANIMAL CONTROL
Payroll 50,514
Expenses 9,950
Total 60,464
295 HARBORMASTER
Payroll 106,389
Expenses 34,130
New Equipment 0
Total 140,519
299 PUBLIC SAFETY UTILITIES
Emergency Water 297,300
Street Lighting 140,000
Total 437,300
TOTAL PUBLIC SAFETY 9,585,557
PUBLIC WORKS AND FACILITIES
410 ENGINEERING 105,618
420HIGHWAY/REC/TREE & PARK
Payroll (Overtime $37,989) 1,606,935
Expenses 339,331
New Equipment 0
Snow Removal 247,819
Resurfacing 306,500
Total 2,500,585
430 LANDFILL/RECYCLING
Payroll (Overtime $16,719) 403,395
Expenses 1,093,792
New Equipment 0
Hazardous Waste Collection 0
Total 1,497,187
440 SEWER COMISSION
Payroll (Overtime $12,807) 283,219
Expenses 190,283
New Equipment 0
Engineering 10,000
MWRA Charges 1,351,108
Debt Service 109,246
Hull Intermunicipal Agreement 75,000
Total 2,018,856
The total sum of $2,018,856 shall be funded from Sewer Revenue
TOTAL PUBLIC WORKS 6,122,246
HUMAN SERVICES
510 HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Payroll 262,840
Expenses 19,650
Total 282,490
540 ELDER SERVICES
Payroll 163,525
Expenses 61,207
New Equipment 0
Tax Work-Off Program 12,000
Total 236,732
543 VETERANS' SERVICES
Payroll 39,219
Expenses 6,800
Benefits 141,000
Total 187,019
545 WOMANSPLACE
CRISIS CENTER 2,500
546 SOUTH SHORE WOMEN'S
CENTER 3,500
TOTAL HUMAN SERVICES 712,241
CULTURE AND RECREATION
610 LIBRARY
Payroll 1,072,019
Expenses 273,684
New Equipment 0
Total 1,345,703
630 RECREATION COMMISSION
Payroll 146,521
Expenses 5,239
Total 151,760
650 TRUSTEES OF BATHING BEACH
Payroll 17,973
Expenses 5,825
New Equipment 0
Total 23,798
691 HISTORICAL COMMISSION
Payroll 46,082
Expenses 5,585
New Equipment 0
Total 51,667
692 CELEBRATIONS 9,500
TOTAL CULTURE & RECREATION 1,582,428
ENTERPRISE FUND
720 COUNTRY CLUB
The total sum of $1,455,282 shall be 1,445,282
funded from Country Club revenue
In addition, the Country Club is authorized to distribute to the General Fund $400,000 from RetainedEarnings
TOTAL ENTERPRISE FUND 1,445,282
DEBT SERVICE
710 DEBT SERVICE
Includes $4,242,832 from debt exclusions and $802,864 within the tax levy 5,045,696
TOTAL DEBT SERVICE 5,045,696
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
900 GROUP INSURANCE 4,161,239
910 CONTRIBUTORY RETIREMENT 2,751,045
911 NON-CONTRIBUTORY PENSIONS 14,177
912 WORKER'S COMPENSATION 210,000
913 UNEMPLOYMENT 25,000
914 MANDATORY MEDICARE 462,000
TOTAL EMPLOYEE BENEFITS 7,623,461
UNCLASSIFIED
915 INSURANCE
Property and Liability 436,649
940 CLAIMS AND INCIDENTALS 13,250
940 GREENBUSH 0
TOTAL UNCLASSIFIED 449,899
GRAND TOTAL 68,962,205
Voted - to send a letter to Governor Elect Patrick, Senator Hedlund and Representative Bradley urging restoration of the Sewer Debt Service Assistance funding.
Voted - to designate Melissa Tully to vote on behalf of the Town at the MMA Annual Business Meeting January 13, 2007.
Voted - to grant Request for Counsel as submitted by the Sewer Commission
Voted - to grant Request for Counsel as submitted by the Fire Chief.
Voted - to grant a temporary liquor license to Paul C. Hart for a Wedding
on January 5, 2007 from 5: 00 PM to 10:00 PM at the South Shore Country Club.
Voted - to grant a temporary liquor license to Paul C. Hart, for the Hingham Ladies Club Brunch, on January 9, 2007, from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 PM. at the South Shore Country Club.
Voted - to appoint Mario Romania, Jr. as an Associate Member of the Zoning Board of Appeals for the ensuing year.
Several weeks ago a letter was received from the MBTA asking whether or not the Town would support a late train from Boston. It would seem that a train might be coming through Town at 11 or 11:30 in the evening. Mr. Edmundson said his initial reaction is against this since there will be a many challenges anyway and a late night train will cause a lot of disruption to people along the train line. There is not a regular commuting group who need a late night train. Ms. Tully suggested that the Board get more information on the proposal. Mr. Riley said his main concern would be the noise factor, especially in West Hingham. The Board delegated Mr. Cristello to get more information over the coming days; the Board will then consider a response.
State of the Town Forum
Mr. Edmundson said that this year the speaker will be Tim Reardon went to high school in Hingham works for MAPC. There will also be a School Department presentation and energy committee presentation, after which the meeting will open up to questions and discussion. The open discussion session will be steered into sections regarding development, traffic, etc. then schools and energy.
Mr. Riley remarked that he thinks the Board is being ignored regarding sign by-laws in the downtown area, in particular the Brewed Awakenings store. Non-accessory signs promoting commercial activities are prohibited. A commercial venture (Brewed Awakenings) cannot give sign space to another commercial venture. No more than 25% of a window can be covered. Mr. Morgan has apparently contacted the developer and Brewed Awakenings. It does not seem that anyone is in any hurry to correct it. If it is not resolved by next week Mr. Morgan could be asked to come in to see the Board. The business owner could also be invited to discuss the matter and explain why it is still there. Ms. Tully said that she had represented the Board in accepting the plate from the USS Abraham Lincoln. This china plate was made from the original mold, which has since been broken.
Mr. Cristello reported that he is sitting on the municipal advisory group for the Plymouth County health care group. There is an improving the relationship with the county and with the plan. The plan is fairly healthy with a decent fund balance. Sunoco has expressed interest in purchasing the former roadway behind the Sunoco station at the Derby Street Shoppes. Mr. Edmundson suggested that the idea be explored. Mr. Cristello advised that some years ago Mr. Shaw had requested the Board to adopt a section of the statute that would allow him to get creditable service for his services as a call firefighter he has indicated that he plans to ask town meeting to consider this. Mr. Riley asked about the Comcast negotiation time frame. Mr. Cristello remarked that the more imminent matter is Verizon's approach for a cable license. The Town will most likely be seeing a Verizon request for license. Mr. Riley suggested that the Cable Committee request that any future work be underground. Mr. Edmundson recommended that the Cable TV Committee be asked to come before the Board.
Meeting adjourned 9:00 pm.
Betty Foley, Clerk