July 30, 2007
Regular Session 7:40
Ms. Tully, Mr. Riley, Ms. Burns
Ms. Tully spoke of the recent passing of Chief Carlson. She said that he was the consummate gentleman and will leave a void in town government and in our hearts.
Voted - to approve the minutes of June 4, June 12, June 26 and July 10, 2007.
Old Business
Mr. Cristello reported that the Harbor Development Committee heard Lincoln Maritime's plans and the Committee will submit comments. Representatives of both the Harbor Development Committee and Lincoln Maritime will be at a Selectmen's meeting in the near future.
Mr. Cristello also advised that he had spoken to Deputy Chief Souther regarding coyotes and the Deputy Chief said that there had been a change in the hunting season but he that would check into any further changes in the law.
Questions/Comments from the Public
Mr. Hersey said he was of the opinion that the Conservation Commission is not taking good care of the trees under its responsibility.
Veterans Benefits Gift Account
Mr. Claypoole, co-chairman of the Veterans Council, requested that monies that had been contributed for veterans' benefits for November 11th and Memorial Day celebrations be transferred to a separate gift account. On occasion there are requests made that do not fit into the usual category. Recently, a soldier's wife was evicted and did not have the money to pay rent until state benefits came through. The creation of a gift account would allow the Veterans Council to help out. The account presently has about $2,700 in it. When a request is received Mr. Cunningham will seek the approval of another member of the committee to make sure that everything is valid. Once these two individuals have concurred, that the amount can be submitted to the Town Accountant who will issue a check. Mr. Claypoole said the committee would also like a petty cash account with a balance of about $100 to pay for taxi fares, etc. The monies for both accounts have been privately raised and no public funds are being appropriated.
Voted - approve the creation of a Veterans Beneficial Gift account and petty cash account as requested by the Veterans Council. These accounts will consist of privately raised funds.
There is money remaining in the Veterans Memorial Account that could be used to decorate the memorial in front of the building. Mr. Claypoole requested that the Veterans Council be giving the domain over the memorial. Ms. Burns asked if the present structure of the fund would allow the veterans to spend the monies for the maintenance of the memorial. Mr. Claypoole assured the Board that it does. The Council is interested in the plantings around the memorial, etc. not the entire front of town hall. The Board agreed to this arrangement.
Beal Street Playing Fields
Mr. Cristello said that at this time the Town does not want to attract people to the Beal Street fields while they are getting established. The field users are anxious to postpone the placement of playground equipment until such time as they are established. Ms. Clarkson will bring in an equipment representative to discuss what types are appropriate and what surfacing.
Voted - to inform Hastings LLC that the requirement of a playground structure referenced in the Development Agreement can be satisfied with a payment of $5,000 to allow the playground structure to be chosen at a later date.
Voted - to be a participating community in the American Dream Downpayment initiative administered by Quincy Community Action Programs, Inc.
Route 228 Traffic Control Agreement
Mr. Cristello explained that the traffic control equipment will be used in the manner originally proposed at South Elementary School and no changes will be made without talking to Mass Highway. Once this agreement is signed the project is ready to go forward. The signals and controls will be in keeping with those at High, Free & Main.
Voted - to sign a Traffic Control Agreement with Mass Highway for the proposed reconstruction of Route 228.
Voted - to adopt a resolution in support of the Mass Recycles Paper! Campaign.
Voted - to grant request for counsel as submitted by the Sewer Commission.
Voted - to appoint Taylor Mills as Acting Police Chief.
Voted - to appoint the following to the Beautification Commission:
Miriam Tod, Kathleen Norman and Jerry Elsden for terms expiring
in 2008; Shirley Rydell, Joan Hansel and Avis Studley for terms
expiring in 2009; Alyce Nobis, Rosemarie Durkin and Laura Spaziani
for terms expiring in 2010.
Voted - to appoint Elaine Marcell as an alternate member of the Historic Districts Commission for a three-year term ending in 2010.
Voted - to sign the closing documents for the Hersey House rear property.
Reports
Mr. Riley attended the School Committee meeting about the wages for custodians and bus drivers. There was also a discussion about the new elementary school being a green building. Mr. Riley had asked if the school would be LEED certified but the answer was not clear. Ms. Tully noted that the Green RFP Task Force said that the Town may want to be LEED certifiable but not necessarily go through the process since this is very expensive. Ms. Burns said she had spoken to two members of the Advisory Committee who are liaisons to the DPW Building Committee regarding the idea of a permanent building committee. Not so much one committee who builds all the buildings in town but a small group of people who write down all the things that went well and those that did not go as well so the next committee can read it. This might save time and aggravation for committees in the future. Ms. Tully noted that this also came out of the Green RFP Committee as a suggestion. She suggested forming a committee to see what other towns do and make some suggestions as to what would work in Hingham. Mr. Riley said this might be worth discussing but he is not sure that a building committee is necessary. Ms. Burns said a 375th anniversary committee would be formed. She also reported that Mr. Hersey given her a book on how to form a hazardous tree management policy that seemed like a valuable document and she will make notes. Mr. Cristello said the Wompatuck Road/Beach Lane mini-park would be discussed at the meeting of August 7th.
Meeting adjourned 8:40 pm.
Betty Foley, Clerk