December 4, 2007
Regular Session 7:00 pm
Ms. Tully, Mr. Riley, Ms. Burns
South Shore Habitat for Humanity
Jack Linsky from South Shore Habitat for Humanity asked the Selectmen to sign the lease for the Nokomis Road property.
Voted - to sign a lease with South Shore Habitat for Humanity , Inc. for a 23,923 sq. ft. parcel of land on Nokomis Road.
Mr. Linsky also asked the Board and Mr. Cristello to sign a stud that will be used in the threshold of Nokomis Road. He also announced that Habitat will be selling cider and cookies at Christmas in the Square and there will be a future fundraiser planned involving stud sales. Mr. Linsky also requested that the Board waives building fees related to construction of the house on Nokomis Road
Voted - to waive building permit fees for the Habitat for Humanity House to be constructed at 30 Nokomis Road
The Board heard the following budgets:
Bare Cove Park
GAR Hall
Historical Commission/Districts
Board of Appeals
Conservation Commission
Planning Board
Treasurer/Collector
Town Clerk/Elections
Tax Classification Hearing
The Board opened a hearing on the tax classification for FY2008. Mr. Partridge, the Director of Assessing, recommended to the Board a single tax classification as has been the recommendation for many years by the Board of Assessors. The Board asked for comment for and against the recommendation. There were none.
Voted - to continue to tax all classes of property at a single rate.
The Board heard the following budgets:
Assessors
Recreation
The Board called the joint meeting with the Recreation Commission to interview and select a candidate to replace Kristen Parnell who resigned due to a recent change in her work requirements. The first candidate interviewed was Scott Bosworth, 129 Fort Hill Street. Mr. Bosworth reviewed some of his previous experience including six years on the Advisory Committee and as a current member of the Bare Cove Park Committee. He is the cross country coach at Milton Academy. He owns his own business. The Boards asked him a number of questions. The next candidate was Tory Dolan, 40 Park Circle. Ms. Dolan was a school teacher. She has always been involved in fitness and recreation. She currently teaches at the Recreation Center and coaches softball and basketball. The Boards asked her a number of questions. Chairman Tully asked the Selectmen's liaison, Laura Burns, to make a motion.
Voted - to appoint Scott Bosworth to fill a vacancy on the Recreation Commission and to serve until the next Town Election on May 3, 2008.
(Four in favor, Messrs. Jones, Keyes and Thorne opposed)
The Board heard the following budgets:
Accounting
Debt Service
Employee Benefits
Selectmen
Legal
Town Meeting
Hersey House
Engineering
Unclassified
Voted - to sign a resolution requesting assistance from ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection Campaign.
Voted - to grant permission for a temporary sign near the Downtown clock to the Hingham Downtown Association for events scheduled around the holidays.
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 grant request for counsel as submitted by the Community Preservation Committee and the Harbor Development Committee.
Voted - to grant a temporary liquor license to Congregation Sha'Aray Shalom to sell wine at their concert on December 8, 2007 from 8 PM to 10:30 PM.
Selectmen/Town Administrator's Reports
Mr. Riley reported he attended a School Committee meeting and voted on a collective bargaining agreement. Ms. Burns reported on attending the Hingham Affordable Housing Trust Committee and their discussion of a 40R warrant article. Ms. Tully and Ms. Burns both attended the swearing in ceremony last week. Mr. Cristello reported that the North, West and Beal intersection would be resurfaced on Monday and the stop condition would shift from West Street to North Street. The Hingham Police will be stationed at the intersection to assist motorists in getting used to the new design. He and Ms. Burns attended a meeting with representatives of the FRA, MBTA and DPW on Tuesday morning. They recommended some changes to signage, traffic signals and pavement markings to improve the safety of the South and Fort Hill grade crossings. Mr. Cristello will be meeting with Mr. Eng tomorrow to go over the proposed changes.
Meeting adjourned 10:20 pm.
Charles J. Cristello
Town Administrator