June 26, 2007
Regular Session 7:40 PM
Ms. Tully, Mr. Riley, Ms. Burns
Approve minutes of special meeting June 1, 2007.
John Hersey presented the Selectmen with pictures of trees located at 269 North Street, 310 Cushing Street, and 69 Rhodes Circle. Mr. Hersey claimed theses trees are deteriorating and should be cut down before a serious accident happens. Ms. Tully requested him to leave the pictures and the Board would review them at the same time the shade tree policy was evaluated.
Grant of Location/Public Hearing - Keyspan Energy Delivery - Francis O'Leary, Keyspsan Permit Representative explained this petition is to extend a section of gas main on Cushing Street to supply natural gas to house #59. Mr. Manning, resident of 59 Cushing Street stated that the water table is very high in his area and a gas powered generator is needed to provide continuous pumping to protect him home. No one appeared in opposition and it was,
Voted - to approve the Grant of Location request of Keyspan Energy to install and maintain approximately 80 feet of 8-inch gas main in Cushing Street. This extended section of main will originate in the vicinity of house #54 and continue to house #59 to supply gas at #59. This vote is subject to the stipulations of the Department of Public Works, listed in their letter of June 12, 2007.
Grant of Location/Public Hearing Keyspsan Energy Delivery - Francis O'Leary, Keyspsan Permit Representative explained this petition is to increase the pressure and upgrade the service on Spring Street. No one appeared in favor or opposition. Mr. Riley wanted assurance that the street would be repaired properly. He inquired about the use of flowable fill. Mr. O'Leary advised Keyspan does not use flowable fill as it has an adverse effect, it pits the PVC piping making it difficult to detect leaks. Mr. Riley reported that on a recent job site near the Lincoln Statue, the patch settled down 4 or 5 inches, creating an unacceptable noise level to residents. The DPW has been calling on a daily basis to Keyspan but have got nowhere. Mr. O'Leary promised to have his field personnel contact the Hingham Department of Public Works concerning this matter.
Voted - to approve the Grant of Location request of Keyspan Energy to install and maintain approximately 450 feet, more or less, of 2-inch gas main in Spring Street. This upgraded main will be connected to an existing 2 inch gas main at the intersection of School Street and Spring Street and continue in an easterly direction until completion at House #30. This vote is subject to the stipulations of the Department of Public Works listed in their letter of May 31, 2007.
Police Policies and Guidelines - Deputy Police Chief Taylor B. Mills explained that in perusing this document, he noted that it had been some time since they have been updated. He pointed out that it is really quite an important document, especially in training new officers. Deputy Chief Mills mentioned that not many guidelines changed a great deal but obviously a few have taken place. The format is in compliance with the Mass. Police Accreditation Standards. The Board had previously reviewed these polices changes and thanked Deputy Chief Mills for his efforts in pursuing this matter.
Voted to accept the revised Police Policies and Guidelines as submitted by the Police Department.
Voted - to sign the South Shore Regional Services Consortium Bid Contract Subscription Form to extend the current contract of W. B. Mason Co., Inc. for General Office Supplies and Copier & Printer Toners. The term of the contract extension is from July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008.
Voted - to recommend a transfer from the Reserve Fund to the Veterans Ordinary Allowances Fund in the amount of $38,487.
Voted - to recommend a transfer from the Reserve Fund to the Accounting Expenses account in the amount of $2,000.
Voted - to recommend a transfer from the Reserve Fund to the Library Expenses account in the amount of $11,010.
Voted - to recommend a transfer from the Reserve Fund to the Legal Services Account in the amount of $29,500
Voted - to recommend a transfer from the Reserve Fund to Medicare Taxes in the amount of 10,000.
Country Club Management Committee - Reserve Fund Transfer was requested in the amount of $185,776.
Voted - to hold this request until the end of the fiscal year after all transfer requests have been acted on. At that time the exact amount of the balance in the reserve fund will be known and then can be transferred into their budget. This budget will still most likely run in a deficit.
Lease of Downtown Alleyway - Ed Brown , owner of the Snug Restaurant talked about his plans to build an outdoor patio on the tunnel cap which runs behind his restaurant. He has hired an architect and submitted the plans to the Building Commissioner and plans to start the permitting process in July and will begin construction as soon as possible. He plans to convert a window in the rear of the restaurant into a doorway for the waiters to enter/exit the patio. The patio will give him a chance to recoup some of his business that drops off during the summer. Mr. Riley, due to past complaints, questioned how the noise level would be controlled. Mr. Brown advised he addressed all previous complaints as requested with the Police Department. He is replacing the front windows with double pane glass, which should help filter the noise from inside the pub. Mr. Brown said he plans on having outdoor speakers but the sound would be very low-keyed background music, not the same as inside the pub. The interior noise level will not bellow out to the patio, as the door will remain closed, as there is central air conditioning. Mr. Brown mentioned that he could police the noise level himself.
Voted - to award the lease for the alleyway located between 116 and 118 North Street to B E & E Inc. d/b/a The Snug.
Voted - to sign a waiver to the Release Agreement between the property owner and the MBTA for the property located at 223 South Street.
Voted - to sign the Administrative Consent Order with the Department of Environmental Protection regarding closure of the Landfill.
Voted - to grant the Hingham Municipal Light Plant permission to erect a temporary anemometer at the Hingham Landfill.
Voted - to notify Chief Duff that it is the Board's intention to renew his employment contract.
Voted - to appoint the following members of the Affordable Housing Trust for a term expiring in 2008:
Bill Fideli
Gary Ludwig
Lee Vigil
Laura Burns
Voted - to appoint the following members of the Affordable Housing Trust for a term expiring in 2009:
Robert Bone
James O'Brien
Gretchen Condon
Frederick Copeman
Voted - to appoint the following Assistant Harbormasters for the upcoming year:
Mark Brennan
Kirstin Capaccioli
Zachary Crossen
Joe Driscoll
Ben Matthews
Michael Reilly
Jeremiah Sullivan
Ross Wlodyka
Voted - to appoint Joseph Fisher to the Board of Appeals for a three-year term ending in 2010.
Voted - To appoint the following as Alternate Members of the Board of Appeals for a one-year term:
Robert R. Bersani
Steven David
Joseph Freeman
William M. Koplovsky
L. Bruce Rabuffo
William Ramsey
Mario Romania, Jr.
Jamey Tesler
Victor Popp
Voted - to reappoint Thomas Hall to the Contributory Retirement Board for a three-year term expiring in 2010.
Voted - to appoint Carolyn Nielsen and Todd Bernstein to the Conservation Commission for a three-year term expiring in 2010.
Voted - on the recommendation of the Planning Board, to reappoint Scott Ford to the Historic Districts Commission for a three-year term expiring in 2010.
Voted - on the recommendation of the Planning Board, to reappoint Benedict Wilcox as an alternate member of the Historic Districts Commission for a three-year term expiring in 2010.
Voted - to appoint Philip J. Edmundson to the Community Preservation Committee for a term expiring in 2008.
Voted - to form a committee to plan a 375th Anniversary Celebration for the Town.
Voted - to grant a temporary liquor license to the Nativity of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church for a Taverna at Glastonbury Abbey on Saturday July 7 and July 8, 2007.
Selectmen's/Town Administrator Performance Goals
Ms. Tully set the following dates for her goals:
Cable Televised Meetings by September 1, have an outline of how many rooms needed for cable televised for meetings, by November 1, have proposals for costs, by January 30, have in place a long-term plan on how to implement televising the meetings according to the budget
Public Safety - Ms. Tully advised she does not have a plan in place yet to centralize the public safety communications system under public safety dispatch. Due to Chief Carlson being out ill and the renovations at the Central Fire station, she has not been able make contact with Chiefs to see what exactly is needed. She will be looking into funding including grants to improve communications between public safety departments.
Benchmarking should be completed by August 30, for the police. Commence the fire department benchmarking goal as of September 1.
Sidewalk Inventory - needs to implement in terms of cost estimate of full assessment - should have final inventory ready by August 1.
Ms. Burns reported the status of her goals:
Property Tax Exemptions - would like to educate residents by sending out notices listing tax exemptions, deferral and credit programs in next Selectmen's newsletter. She plans on asking the Journal to print the list of exemptions each year. Plans to see if senior renters can get a credit on their state income taxes. Come up with ideas to publicize at Linden Ponds on an annual basis. Consider expanding exemptions and consider adopting the residential exemption allowing the Selectmen to exempt from property tax an amount up to 20% of the average assessed value of a home in Hingham. She will hold public hearings to allow for comments. Check with the Assessor's Office for a report on the impact of this exemption at various levels and on various assessments. She will carefully take into view the impact to the Town.
Bare Cove Park - Ms Burns reported she has set up an overview committee of all involved town board and committees that will meet quarterly to keep everyone apprised of the various project developments in the Park. The first meeting was very well attended. She will also address the access issue.
Mr. Riley - advised he has three goals, consisting of early vetting of large developments by the Selectmen, Planning Board, and Zoning Study Committee.
Overhead wires.
He will talk to John Tzimorgans of the Light Plant to develop a master plan for burying wires and set up a committee to discuss the viability of burying the wires underground.
Shade trees - Mr. Riley will work with the DPW and Beautification Committee to try to inventory the condition of existing shade trees and develop a policy for new shade tree plantings.
Harbor Plan - Mr. Riley pointed out that this project cannot be accomplished overnight. He will seek public output of what the people would like. Talk to architects, check the pilings and parking lots. He sought permission from the Board to setup a sub committee, and the Board agreed to this request. Mr. Riley is also looking into the possibility of creating a revenue making restaurant and marina. He will consult with the Harbor Development Committee.
Mr. Cristello
Traffic Issues
Route 3A Rotary and Exit 15. Mr. Cristello advised a meeting would be set up with MassHighways concerning the rotary. The approach to the rotary and the reduction to one lane will be discussed. He has a meeting with the District Highway Engineer tomorrow to discuss Exit 15. Representatives of Linnar, developers of the former Weymouth Naval Air Station, will be present to talk about their final environmental impact report. Mr. Cristello also wants to see improvements discussed to discourage the great volume of traffic that would be created on Exit 15. Abington And Gardner Streets will be significantly impacted. Linnar has said they will work with the town on some traffic funding improvements to Abington Street.
Closure of Landfill - Mr. Cristello's goal
The Selectmen voted earlier in this meeting to sign the MassDEP Administrative Consent Order and Notice of Noncompliance. Mr. Cristello felt it is important to set up a timetable to implement the design and fund closure of the landfill before foreclosure. He explained that some money was put aside, however, a complete estimate has not been determined yet.
The Board will discuss the goals further at a September meeting.
Selectmen/Town Administrator Reports - Mr. Riley attended the Bicentennial of the New North Church. Ms. Burns attended the Veterans Summit at GAR Hall yesterday and felt it was successful. Ms. Tully attended the pandemic meeting and reported there was some very helpful information. She learned about the 911 reverse system in case of an emergency. Mr. Cristello reported Route 228 Phase II is still on schedule for funding for the upcoming year. This project was not one of the ones that were held by Mass. Highways. The bid should be awarded hopefully by next Spring.
Adjourned 9:30 PM Clerk pro tem