June 1, 2007
Special Session 9:10 am
Ms. Tully, Mr. Riley, Ms. Burns
The Board reviewed last year's goals:
The comprehensive energy policy objective this will continue on to the current year at Ms. Tully's suggestion since this has not come to full development.
Pedestrian friendly roadways are still being worked on but progress has been made. The Town now has a sidewalk inventory and a sidewalk line item in the budget.
Business Outreach - Mr. Edmundson had a meeting with business leaders and discussed Town issues with them. Ms. Tully will call him to see if this had been a worthwhile event. If so, perhaps this should become an annual event done in conjunction with the Hingham Business Council and coordinated by the Chair.
Historic Preservation - Mr. Riley said he would like to continue this goal to look at ways to be proactive about keeping structures as historic as possible through zoning or tax incentives.
Increased recycling - The Board collaborated on an enforcement procedure for people who were violating recycling rules. Ms. Tully suggested investigating "Pay as You Throw" during the coming year.
Further benchmarking - Ms. Tully noted that the review is done, the information has been gathered and sent in and the group is awaiting results.
Harbor Plan - Mr. Riley said that this is an area that will require a lot of work and he would like to see this continued.
Feasibility of bike path. - The plan for a bike path along the railway is not going to work but the Town will continue to work with the Hull on bike path from Hull through Hingham.
Consider Alternatives for Cellular antennas - This has been completed with the adoption of an amendment to the Zoning By-law at the 2007 Annual Town Meeting.
Zoning enforcement officer- Mr. Riley said that this can be removed from the list. Mr. Morgan feels the current staffing level will allow him to do more zoning enforcement.
The Board discussed goals for the coming year and voted on the suggested items. The FY 2008 goals are as follows:
1. Property tax relief - The Board will explore various programs available for property tax relief including education of the homeowner and instituting available exemptions.
2. Public safety communications - Centralize public safety communications under public safety dispatch.
3. Early vetting of large developments - Design vetting process for large developments by the Board of Selectmen, Planning Board and Zoning Study Committee.
4. Traffic issues - Work with MassHighway to improve conditions at the Route 3A rotary and Exit 15.
5. Televise meetings - Increase the quality and quantity of televised meetings.
6. Closure of the landfill - Design and fund closure of the landfill.
7. Bury overhead wires - Develop a master plan for burying wires and Set up a committee to study the feasibility of burying wires
8. Overview of the Bare Cove corridor - Coordinate various projects along the Bare Cove corridor, e.g., DPW, Recreation, Housing Authority, Housing Partnership, School and Bare Cove Park.
9. Review of Town shade trees - Inventory the condition of existing shade trees and develop a policy for new shade tree plantings.
Other topics that did not receive as many votes but will be considered included finishing the downtown streetscape, establishing the affordable housing trust fund, increasing town meeting attendance, exploring tax revenue options, civil discourse, a central facility for fleet maintenance, exploring regional capital outlay for large items, zero based budgeting, streamlining permitting, traffic education, exploring "Pay as You Throw" and post retirement benefits.
Meeting adjourned 11:05 am.
Betty Foley, clerk