Board of Selectmen - Minutes

October 2, 2007

Regular Session 7:30 pm

Ms. Tully, Mr. Riley, Ms. Burns

Voted - to approve the minutes of July 30 and August 7, 2007

Thaxter Street Shade Tree Appeal

Mr. Pattavina explained that there is a lot of shade on the front of his house and both of the trees in question hang over the house and made the house dark. He said there are many trees on the street and the removal of these two would allow more light to enter his house. He also expressed concern over the amount of sway in the tree itself. Mr. Stigliani explained that he had noticed a hearing on the request for shade tree removal. There were no other Thaxter Street residents in attendance. The discussion at the hearing centered around the issue of shade. Mr. Stigliani noted that the trees are healthy and there is not any apparent reason to remove them. Ms. Burns noted that the Norway maple is very tall and the growth is above the wire line. Mr. Riley said he could go along with the removal of the hickory tree but the maple tree should stay. Ms. Burns and Ms. Tully agreed.

Mr. Stigliani mentioned that there is a replication fee of $200 per inch to cover removal and replacement costs related to the tree. In many cases trees are removed and the replacement tree is located somewhere else in the town. The policy was adopted to cover the cost of removal and replacement as well as to discourage the removal of trees for no particular reason. Ms. Tully advised Mr. Pattavina that it was a big step to overrule the original decision and it would be difficult to make a change in the removal and replacement fee.

Rock Salt Bid

Mr. Stigliani explained that the Town participates in a joint salt bid with 12 other towns. The Town awards at least two contracts so that there is a second source of supply if the lowest bidder is not able to deliver.

Voted - to sign a contract with American Rock Salt Company for rock salt, calcium chloride, at a price of $50.20 per ton, delivered.

Voted - to sign a contract with Eastern Minerals Inc. for rock salt, solar or calcium chloride, at a price of $52.68 per ton, delivered.

Wompatuck Road/Beach Lane Changes

Ms. Tully said that the Board had received many comments and letters after the last meeting and that only new ground would be covered this evening. Mr. Gaskell said the

objective of the plan was to open the land, mitigate the most frequent flooding problems, have reasonable costs, and to make sure that it complies with Federal wetlands rulings.

After the last meeting the concerns regarding the size of trees, the amount of asphalt and the catch basin/snow issue were incorporated into the planning. Mr. Gaskell recommended that the asphalt be cut back and the vegetative strip removed. This is not a parking area just the roadway that was there before. There will be 600 sq. ft. less asphalt than the last plan; the snow removal will be easier because the catch basin will be able to take care of the most frequent of the recurring drainage problems; and the existing vegetation will remain on the dune and will be extended down the property line. The vegetation will be varied and much narrower than what presently exists. The addition of a second catch basin was considered but the new layout will allow plowing the snow to the side away from the catch basin and allow water to flow to the existing basin. Instead of 8-foot arborvitae, there will be 2 or 3 foot arborvitae. The cobblestones and outlet pipe shown on the plans are previously permitted items requested by the homeowners.

Ms. Burns noted that the new estimate does not reflect any planting costs. She expressed concern about 8 or 10' trees in this place because it is a small place. She said shrubs (three to five feet) would do well. Mr. Riley asked if these plants were saltwater-friendly. Mr. Gaskell said that they are picked for a brackish atmosphere and that there is a habitat value in the planting mix proposed Ms. Tully said the total cost is $24,000 plus the 20% contingency. The most costly items are tide gate valves, manholes and catch basins, drains and covers and water supply concrete pipe. The most common theme on both sides was drainage and two-thirds of the costs are drainage related.

Mr. McPherson said that they have an Order of Conditions from the Conservation Commission. In order to complete the project they need the road and access across the public way. The original order was issued in September 2006, amended in May 2007, with a three-year window for completion. Bids for the work are being submitted now. Ms. Fitzgerald expressed concern that the space would not be utilized because the McPhersons had not finished the project. Residents asked if there would be a sign indicating public access. Ms. Burns suggested 'Town of Hingham, public welcome".

Ms. O'Connor said she likes the plan and the sign but worries about the timeline. Mr. Riley said he felt that Sitec had done a great job and that this is a good compromise. He agreed with Ms. Burns on the shrubs and suggested something lower than arborvitae. Once the permit is received from the Conservation Commission everything , with the exception of the shrubs, could be done. When the Frye-McPhersons complete their work the shrubs could be planted.

Voted - to adopt the revised plan entitled Wompatuck Road Mini Park by Sitec Environmental dated October 2, 2007 and authorize the Department of Public Works to submit it to the Conservation Commission for permitting and for work to begin as soon as the permit is issued.

Verizon Cable Franchise License

Ms. Burns said she has been seeing Verizon trucks for some time and asked where the project stands. Mr. Colon explained that the project from the central wire center at the rotary began in January 2007 and by the end of November all of the area households will have been served. This includes about 9700 Hingham lines. Verizon is ready to begin the cable negotiation process with the Town. On average, by the time franchise has been granted (6-12 Months) 80% of the aerial homes are built out. State law allows up to 6 years for build out. Mr. Colon suggested the Board petition the DTE to grant waivers for certain processes - the requirement to advertise in trade journal and the 60-day advertising requirements. He explained that the waivers for advertising in national trade journals had been granted to others and the time requirement for advertising has been waived entirely in some cases. By the time a contract could be settled 80 percent of the community would be done. Verizon has contacted developers such as Avalon and Samuels to begin discussions. Mr. Colon noted that underground homes are the most challenging build out in any community. Fiberoptic cable already passes 30% of the homes served by overhead wires.

When a homeowner wants to get onto the network, the copper wire will be replaced by the fiberoptic for voice, data, and video needs. There will be an 8 hour talk time battery back up. The video serving office at the rotary is moving forward. Verizon will be ready to deliver video when the contract is approved or shortly thereafter. The contract negotiation period is shortening up to about less than a year. Mr. Colon said the industry as a whole is moving away from providing studios there may be cash contributions to assist with community access.

Parking Regulations for Downtown

Mr. Rabuffo said he was a member of the downtown parking taskforce. The approach to parking has been divided into two parts: the Square and the Station Street parking lot. The Square, according to two studies, has ample parking for the current mix of businesses downtown. The plan is to create a system where customers came first though the creation of handicap spaces, fifteen minute spaces, loading zones and a two hour limit. The all day parking would be moved to either the Merchants' Lot or the Station Street Lot. The number of signs needed to accomplish this is an issue.

The plan calls for 15 minute parking around the Post Office, 8 strategically located handicapped spaces and two loading zones - one on South Street and one on Central Street. It is suggested that the Police Department could begin addressing the downtown parking issues with the issuance of warnings throughout the end or the year. At the same time there will be a sheet sent explaining the plan.

Voted - to accept the time limited designated parking spaces for the downtown parking scheme as written below.

Voted - to amend the Traffic Rules and Orders of the Town of Hingham, adopted by the Board of Selectmen on May 31, 1939, and subsequent amendments thereto as follows:

ARTICLE V. SECTION 7 - TIME LIMITED IN DESIGNATED PLACES

MAIN STREET

North Street to the corner of the northeast corner of #90 Main Street (Old Ship Church)

Both sides Main Street designated two hour parking.

15 Minute Parking: One space on Main Street at southeast corner of South Street, a single parallel space before the Old Derby Academy driveway.

NORTH STREET

15 Minute Parking: One space on North Street 61 ft. east of Main Street on south side of

North Street.

15 Minute Parking: One space on North Street 40 ft. east of Fearing Road on north side

of North St.

15 Minute Parking: One space on North Street 80 ft. east of Fearing Road on north side

of North St.

Remove one parking spot on North St located at the driveway to #164 North Street 30 feet west of Central Street

SOUTH STREET

15 Minute Parking: One space on South Street at the northwest corner of

Central Street.

No Parking: on the south side of South Street, from house # 24 to North Street

ARTICLE V. SECTION 6 - SERVICE ZONES

SOUTH STREET

Loading Zone: One space on South Street starting 100 ft. east of Main Street and

ending 175 east of Main Street. Designated times: 8 A.M. to 12

Noon. 2 hour parking 12 noon to 6 P.M.

CENTRAL STREET:

Loading Zone: The east side of Central Street from North Street south to the end of the tunnel cap entrance. Designated times: 8 A.M. to 12 Noon.

2 hour parking 12 noon to 6 P.M.

HANDICAPPED PARKING SPACES : Total number of on-street handicapped spaces in the Square area does not change. There will be 8 as follows:

1. On Fearing Road at the corner of North St

2. On North St at the west corner with Fearing Rd.

3. On North St east of the 'Post Office' crosswalk

4. On Main St just past the driveway entering Hingham Institution's drive-through bank.

5. On Main St just before the driveway exiting Hingham Institution's drive-through bank.

6. On Main St. on the diagonal, at the south side of the driveway entering the municipal parking lot.

7. On Main St., on the diagonal, at the southwest corner with South Street, adjacent to the sidewalk bump-out.

8. On Central St, in the newly created municipal lot on the west end of the tunnel cap. This space is van accessible.

Other Business

Voted - to set the employee mileage reimbursement rate at $.40 per mile.

Voted - to grant request for counsel as submitted by the Planning Board.

Voted - to grant request for counsel as submitted by the School Department.

Voted - to appoint Joseph McCracken and Daniel Galvin to the position of special police officer.

Voted - To appoint Robert S. Bucey and George W. Ullrich to the Public Works Building Committee.

Voted - To appoint Barbara B. Wollan and Edward J. Johnson to the 375th Anniversary Committee.

Voted - To appoint James Rodgers to the Weir River Estuary Park Committee.

Selectmen/Town Administrator Reports

Ms. Burns advised that she had been working with the South Shore Country Club on the restaurant lease. There was a meeting with Paul Hart and an agreement in principle has been reached that is exciting to all parties. The Country Club Management Committee will be meeting next week and one of the topics is that the country club is on the Town Forum agenda. Mr. Riley reported that Mr. Cristello, Ms. Sneath and Ms. Lacy met with representatives of the MBTA regarding the scheduling of the buses. They were receptive to ideas about the 220 bus and the 714 from Hull. The plan is to wait until the train is up and running before adjusting schedules. Mr. Cristello expressed concern about the fact that the traffic light at Summer Street will not be ready when train service begins. Mr. Eng advised that this is still in design. Mr. McCourt said that Mass Highway has the power to require the T to supply a detail officer if the traffic becomes a problem. There was a site visit with environmental officials about the Home Meadows. At that visit it was noted that there has been a great dying back of weeds and shrubs in the area. Ms. Burns met with the Town Manager and Selectmen Ron Davy from Hull to discuss what opportunity there was for cooperation between the towns. For example the off shore wind turbine could be an opportunity for both towns. Other possibilities for cooperation include large capital purchases and sharing of employees for various departments, etc. Mr. Cristello reported that he spoke to Jeff Dirk about the Beal Street Corridor and trying to incorporate a design for Adams Court and eliminate the back exit. Mr. Dirk will bring in a plan to show how this could be accomplished.

Meeting adjourned 10:00 pm.

Betty Foley, Clerk