Back to Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes 2008
February 12, 2008
Regular Session 7:30 pm
Ms. Tully, Mr. Riley, Ms. Burns
Voted - to approve the minutes of January 8, January 15 and January 22. 2008.
Residential Tax Exemption
Ms. Tully said the Board had heard many comments from residents, received emails, phone calls, etc. She thanked residents for their responses. Ms. Burns said her proposal was to look at all the exemption programs that are not currently at the maximum allowable amount. The Board began with the residential exemption because that was a program that had not been considered previously. The Board has looked at it, discussed it and received a great deal of comment. Comments were heavily opposed to the proposal. It was noted that in many cases the residential exemption works directly against its purpose – the people who need help would not receive benefit from it. Ms. Burns remarked that many people had pointed out that the value of a home does not necessarily bear any relation to income. Also it was felt there was possibility that it would pit citizens against each other. Ms. Burns recommended that the Board not proceed any further with consideration of the residential exemption. Ms. Burns said that when she came to Hingham the economic diversity was greater than it is right now. She would like to keep that diversity. Mr. Riley said he applauded Ms. Burns for the effort to find ways to make the town more affordable for citizens and to make it easier for people to stay. In looking into the program he found there were a number of absentee landlords and rental units in those communities currently offering the residential exemption. Ms. Tully also commended Ms. Burns for taking the initiative to see what is out there. It has gotten many people interested. Comments have been overwhelming against the program because no means test. This has been a worthwhile discussion but there is no need to go further since this does not appear to suit our needs. Ms. Tully said a letter would be sent to everyone who sent something to advise people what is available. Ms. Malme thanked everyone for thinking about the property tax exemptions. She noted that there was a mailing sent out last week on the “Circuit Breaker” and how to apply for it. She also encouraged residents to take advantage of having a representative who is interested in this issue and propose expansion beyond seniors in the future.
Capital Outlay Committee
Mr. Mooradian, Chair of the Capital Outlay Committee, reviewed the Committee’s recommendations for capital expenditures during Fiscal 2009. The recommendations include $50,000 for information technology replacement, $20,000 for an engineering study of the Route 3A rotary, $5,000 for the Beal Street playground, $182,000 for police vehicles, $120,000 for replacement portables radios and $18,000 for an outboard motor for the harbormaster. Also recommended was $210,000 for a town-wide communications system, $15,450 for replacement fire turnout gear, $21,000 for an a fire administrative vehicle, $20,000 for replacement fire hydrants, $124,000 for a DPW replacement dump truck with a sand a plow package, $15,500 for a replacement compressor, $40,000 for a brush chipper, $20,000 for repairs to the Plymouth River School tennis courts and $10,000 in repairs to town playing fields.
The Committee also recommends $37,000 for renovations and repairs to the sewer pump stations and $20,000 for an engineering study of the Mill Street station. $330,500 was recommended for relocation of the golf course maintenance facility and pro shop as well as a new approach to the golf course. The Committee recommends $10,000 as the town’s share of a state grant for the purchase of a new van for the Department of Elder Services, $10,705 for the replacement of the postage machine, $12,000 for the purchase of shared use vehicle for Town Hall departments, $20,000 for the replacement of carpeting and stair treads in Town Hall, $20,000 for general Town Hall repairs and $6,000 for the purchase of a portable camera equipment to tape meetings.
Recommendations for the library included $9,832 for replacement carpeting in certain areas, $21,000 for an emergency generator, $15,000 for technology replacement and $30,000 to assist in maintaining the book collection. The Committee recommended $29,457 for replacement of the Recreation Department’s Hersey Street playground and $19,300 for replacement fitness room equipment, which will be funded by fitness room revenues.
School Department recommendations include $60,000 for carpeting replacement as well as $10,000 for ceiling fans and entrance reconstruction at South School, the painting and installation of locks on the lockers at the High School at a cost of $23,500, $150,000 for information technology replacements, $95,100 for enhancements to security systems, $20,00 for furniture and equipment, $9,000 for musical instruments, $56,000 for replacement of the Student Information System, $15,000 for replacement of the television studio and $12,000 for replacement of the gas pumps at the depot.
Mr. Baxter asked why the money for town floats had been deferred. He explained that they floats were in poor shape and needed attention to keep them functioning and safe.
DPW Contracts
Mr. Stigliani advised the Board that the articulating tractor is for plowing sidewalks and also has a mower attachment.
Voted - to accept the bid of C.N. Wood Company, on the recommendation of the DPW Superintendent, for an Articulating Sidewalk Tractor in the amount of $93,900. The Trackless was both ranked the highest and priced the lowest.
One of the vendors who extended a contract with the Department of Public Works into this fiscal year requested an increase due to the increased cost of fuel. Mr. Stigliani noted that this helps the contractor a little bit but still allows the Town to get a very good deal. Mr. Riley agreed that the increase in the cost of fuel has outstripped the market. He noted that some of these machines use 200-300 gallons per day.
Mr. Riley questioned awarding a contract to Gil Land. The Board decided to table the matter for further investigation into the matter.
Voted - to agree to a 15% increase in automotive equipment rental rates for the following equipment: rubber tracked excavator, tracked excavator, loader, 24 ton grader, 18 ton grader and 8.5 ton dozer.
Voted – to sign contract extensions for the following services and materials bid by the DPW in January of 2006, valid through December 31, 2008.
Bid Items #24: Crushed Stone – Lorusso Corporation
1 ½” Delivered - 14.95/Ton, 1 ½”/Picked up $10.95/Ton.
¾”/Delivered - $14.95, ¾”/Picked up. - $10.95/Ton.
Bid Item #25: Tailings – Lorusso Corporation
6-9/Delivered - $14.95/Ton, 6-9/Picked up - $10.05/Ton.
Bid Item #32: Granite Curbing
William Stone Company – 16” x18” Straight Random Lengths, $11.75
16”x18” Curved 10’ Radius and Over, $16.20
Type SB Slope Edging Random Lengths 2’ and Up, $5.50
Straight Curb Inlets, $135.00
Curved Inlets 10’ Radius and Over, $185.00
Type A Curb Corners 2’ or less, $100.00
Granite Highway Bounds, Labeled H.H.B., $80.00.
Voted - to sign the Contract Agreements, as recommended by the DPW Superintendent, for the following services and materials:
BID ITEM #6 – AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT RENTAL
EQUIPMENT VENDOR RATE
Backhoe ¼ yard Pagliaro Excavating Corp. $ 70/hr
Gradall Gallant Grader Services $175/hr
8 Ton Bulldozer Gallant Grader Services $130/hr
9 Ton Bulldozer Gallant Grader Services $150/hr
7 Ton Grader Gallant Grader Services $100/hr
10 Wheel Dump A. J. Barbuto $ 70/hr
Pagliaro Excavating Corp. $ 70/hr
18 Wheel Dump E. L. Margetts & Sons $105/hr
10 Ton Vibrating Roller Gallant Grader Services $ 80/hr
30 Ton Excavator Pagliaro Excavating Corp. $125/hr
40 Ton Excavator Gallant Grader Services $150/hr
50 Ton Excavator Iaria Brothers $225/hr
50 Ton Excavator w/7500/lb hoe Gallant Grader Service $165/hr
BID ITEM #8 – PULVERIZED BITUMINOUS CONCRETE
Mass Pavement Reclamation $.73/ton
BID ITEM #9 – MOBILE CRUSHING OF ASPHALT & CONCRETE RUBBLE
Northgate Recycling $5.50/Ton
BID ITEM #10 – MODIFIED THIN LIFT
Aggregate Industries $88.50/Ton
BID ITEM #20 – BITUMINOUS CONCRETE MATERIALS
Aggregate Industries $48.95/T/Picked up
T. L. Edwards $54.45/T/Delivered
BID ITEM #21 – PERFORATED HDPE PIPE/PVC PIPE
Ferguson Water Works
4” Perforated Pipe $0.88
4” Perforated Pipe $2.04
8” Perforated Pipe $3.52
8” Perforated Pipe $5.60
12” Perforated Pipe $12.47
BID ITEM #31 – PIPE SUPPLIES
Ferguson Water Works
4” Pipe $0.88
4” Snap Coupling $1.12
6” Pipe $2.04
6” Snap Coupling $2.61
8” Pipe $3.52
8” Snap Coupling $3.56
10” Pipe $4.95
10” Snap Coupling $4.89
12” Pipe $5.51
12” Snap Coupling $7.76
15” Pipe $7.07
15” Snap Coupling $10.00
l8” Pipe $10.91
18” Snap Coupling $15.48
24” Pipe $16.33
24” Snap Coupling $23.30
These items were not covered by any of the Contract Extensions for previously bid items by us or the South Shore Regional Services Consortium. Due to increases in fuel and other costs, many of the vendors chose not to extend their previous contracts.
Public Hearing – Street Acceptance of Hill Top Road
Mr. Tocchio said the amount of the necessary roadwork outstanding is somewhere less that the $12,000 still being held under the bond. There is a portion of one of the resident’s decorative walls extending into the right of way and the resident is willing to take it down. If the weather permits this would happen before town meeting. If this work were not done before town meeting, a portion of the bond of $37,000 would be left in place. Mr. Tocchio indicated that the final form of the access road is being negotiated. These issues will be resolved and don’t have anything to do with the acceptability of Hill Top Road. Mr. Meyer indicated that Hill Top Road will be separate from Baker Hill
Road and that the fire access will be blocked off normal traffic. Ms. Gilbert said the neighborhood had indicated a preference for a gate and cobblestones. Mr. Stigliani noted
that there are a couple of large dead trees that are in the layout that should be removed before the Town accepts the road.
Voted - to continue the hearing until April 15 at 8:00 pm.
Public Hearing - Street Acceptance Cranberry Lane and Rosewood Lane
Mr. Lincoln explained that this is a belated application for road acceptance and there is a short punch list. The major issue with a decorative wall and some reasonably minor issues. There are a few catch basin repairs, leveling issues, etc. that, to the best of his knowledge, can be completed before Town Meeting. There is a grading issue on a driveway and retaining wall that is in the way. Mr. Regan of 21 French Street said there is a fairly substantial grade change and it would be very difficult to address. In order to do so it would require removal of approximately 30 yards of loam. Mr. Regan said he was not interested in changing the wall. Mr. Riley acknowledged that the wall went in years ago but stressed that the Town could not accept the roadway with the wall in it. He said this is something that will have to be worked out with Mr. Matthews and Mr. Lincoln.
Voted - to continue the hearing until April 15 at 8:00 pm.
Park Circle Sidewalk
Mr. Baynes explained that almost all the children in the neighborhood walk down Park Circle to Foster School and it is not a safe area in which to walk. For that reason, he submitted a petition article for the Annual Town Meeting warrant. Ms. Tully explained that there is a process whereby the Department of Public Works would assess the layout and determine whether there is sufficient layout. Many things such as telephone poles, trees and fire hydrants would have to be moved to install a sidewalk. Mr. Cristello suggested that best approach is to get everyone along the path to sign on and then the Town could do some engineering and determine if this is something people want, if it is feasible, and what the cost would be. This could be done through the DPW and the Capital Outlay process. He noted that there have been situations where there are no takings of land or easements and neighbors still object. Ms. Smith said she had gone to the Traffic Committee and the members agreed that it was not a good situation. Ms. Tully said that the Board would have the Traffic Committee look at this area again.
Voted - no action on the Park Circle Sidewalk article.
Energy Committee
Ms. Burns said that this article could provide leadership for the entire community. She noted that it would be a good idea if this were a permanent town meeting committee. Mr. Baynes said that members of the existing task force come from a variety of perspectives - one of the works for Nstar, another for an ethanol plant, Mr. Baynes and another member are more interested in the “green” aspect. Mr. Riley remarked that this initiative was the result of one of the selectmen’s goals. One of the problems the town faces is consumption of energy for vehicles and schools, etc. There is much that can be done in town buildings and vehicles before trying to get residents to practice energy conservation. The Board recommended that the Energy Committee be a seven member committee with two non-voting, ex-officio members. The Board took the article under advisement until such time as the task force had an opportunity to review the recommendations.
Scenic Road
Mr. Macmillan explained that Union and Lazell Streets had been designated as scenic roads under the Scenic Road Act. He remarked that the limitations are relatively modest. Basically, it is the intention to involve the Planning Board before cutting major trees or interfering with stone walls. The intention is to retain the rural feel of these roadways. South Pleasant runs into Lazell Street. The Scenic Roads Act requires a hearing and favorable hearing by the Planning Board. Ms. Davis said both the Planning Board and
Historical Commission have both voted in favor of this article. She also noted that it leads to a state park, abuts a 13 acre pond and one of the two remaining silos in town.
A resident of South Pleasant Street expressed her concern that the trees on that roadway are being killed by excessive salt and the utility companies coming in and cutting down the canopy.
Historic Districts Extension
Mr. Ford and Ms. Young explained that the proposed extension of the existing Hingham Centre Historic District was first put forward 15 years ago. The task force reviewing this proposal has worked with the HDC since April of last year. The meetings were productive and there was a questionnaire distributed to residents of the proposed district. The Commission tried to get word out on the proposed district by way of meetings on Spring Street and Leavitt Street. A public meeting was held in November. The proposed area contains 12 from the 1700s, 25 homes from the 1800s and 17 from the early 1900s. There was a group comprised of the boy scouts who, unfortunately, did not receive notice of the meeting. A separate meeting was held for them. The Commission also gave a presentation to the Advisory Committee. The Boy Scouts sent a letter; the Commission sent a response to that letter.
There was some concern about inclusion of the fields and the Commission reached out to Tom Hoffman. They did decide that it was not in the best interest of the Town to include Union Street at this time. Mr. Riley noted that he wholeheartedly supports this district because it is needed to protect the Town’s interest. Ms. Burns asked, aside from Troop One, how the reception had been from residents. Mr. Ford said the response was quite positive. There was only one resident who objected and his objection was deeply rooted in any governmental controls on his property.
Voted - to support the Hingham Centre Historic District Extension article as written.
Light Plant Investment Income
Several years ago the Light Plant investments for retirement benefits for Light Plant employees was put under the control of the Treasurer. Last year there was an article to return the interest to the Light Plant as the result of their money being held by the Treasurer. Part of the money is now with the Hingham Contributory Retirement System in order to fully fund the Light Plant retirement liability. The remaining amount of the funds hopefully will be used to fund OPEB. There seems to be a desire by the Light Department to keep it in a separate fund. The only question is how to invest the money and who invests the money.
Voted - to support the light plant investment income article as written.
Benefits for Surviving Children of Deceased Retirees.
Mr. Alexiades noted that there are a number of benefits that are not consistent within the retirement system. He used a hypothetical example where if two employees were to go to a fire and one employee were to die and the second became disabled, the disabled person’s child would receive a benefit of $700 while the dependents of the deceased employee would receive $300. This article would address that inconsistency.
Voted - that the Town appropriate the sum of $200,203 to the Hingham Municipal Lighting Plant in order to return investment income earned by the Town on funds invested for the Hingham Municipal Lighting Plant.
Lease of South Shore Country Club Restaurant
Ms. Burns said that Lantana is anxious that the lease be signed. It starts April 1, 2007 and runs for three years. Ms. Burns noted that a favorable arrangement was secured for the Town and that there is a wonderful working relationship with Lanatana due to the Management Committee. Mr. Riley thanked Ms. Burns and Mr. Alexiades for their hard work on this.
Voted - to sign a lease with Seacoast Catering for the banquet facilities at South Shore Country Club
Voted - to sign a letter of agreement regarding the implementation of the lease of the restaurant and banquet facilities at the South Shore Country Club.
Local Aid Resolution
Mr. Cristello said that the MMA had suggested that towns request the local representative and senator reach an early local aid resolution and that they lock in the governors numbers early again this year. He noted that having this number before town meeting is very important to the budget process.
Voted - to support an early local aid resolutions for fiscal 2009.
Voted - to grant the request for counsel as submitted by the Open Space Acquisition Committee.
Voted - to grant a temporary liquor license to Hingham Sports Partnership for a fundraiser to be held at Loring Hall, March 30, 2008.
Selectmen/Town Administrator Reports
Mr. Riley said that he and Ms. Tully attended the Lincoln Day celebration and it was a very occasion honoring public service. He said it would be nice to bring in a larger group of people. Mr. Riley also reported that the first meeting of the Harbor Parking Task Force had been held. The meeting was well attended and there was an interesting discussion. Ms. Burns said she had been unable to attend the Lincoln Day Celebration due to illness. Yesterday she met with representatives of the Garden Club and they suggested that the Town sign an agreement with the Garden Club for the area between North and South streets. The agreement is being worked on. The Club members mentioned a letter sent in April of 2007 asking what the park should be named. They had suggested some possibilities: Founders Park, Founders Landing or Peter Hobart Park. The Garden Club preference was Founders Park. Ms. Tully said she felt Founders Park was a wonderful name. The Board took the matter and consideration saying there would be a vote on this at the next meeting. Mr. Cristello said the Plymouth County Health care transition document is well on its way. It is being reviewed by a well known attorney. The fund surplus is now up to $11.5 million. All the member communities have taken the vote and things are moving along.
Mr. Riley suggested that it would be advisable to have the Trustees of the Bathing Beach
represented on the Harbor Parking Task Force.
Voted - that there be member of the Trustees of the Bathing Beach be on the Harbor Parking Task Force.
Ms. Tully noted that the traffic accident study report showed the High, Free and Main Street intersection down to 3 or 4 accidents. She suggested that all the Derby Street data be pulled together.
Meeting adjourned 10:35 pm.
Betty Foley, Clerk