Back to Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes 2008
February 28, 2008
Special Meeting @ 6:30 PM
Mr. Riley and Ms. Burns – Ms. Tully absent
The Selectmen interviewed each of the following applicants on the Civil Service List for the position of Police Officer. All were asked a series of questions about why they wanted to become a police officer, what capacity within the Department they would like to fill, if given a choice, what was the most difficult situation they have faced, the most important aspect of community policing, example of demonstrating initiative in the past, skills of professional development do they want to improve, what civic and community activities they were involved in, and why they feel that they are the best candidates for the job.
Mark Leeper advised he has lived in Hingham for 23 years and graduated from Hingham High School. He was interested in community policing as Sgt. Michael Peraino, the High School Dare Officer, was a role model for him. He is studying criminology at Suffolk University. His special skills are liking people. He would like this position to be a career not a job. Mr. Leeper is very interested in community policing and becoming active in the community and would knock on doors, talk to residents, business owners, and agencies in town. He hasn’t focused on community or charitable work due to juggling work and school. If appointed, he would try to create a schedule to find time for family and set priorities, so no task is left undone, at home or on the job.
Daniel Leary has lived in Hingham for 22 years and graduated from Hingham High School. He is an undergraduate student at Wagner studying marketing and previously had received BS degree in business management. He is an award winning athlete, council leader, student representative, and captain of the football team. He has always wanted to become a police officer. He advised he is in great condition, a hard worker, self-motivated, and a leader by nature. The most difficult situation he has faced is the passing of his father two years ago. He is cognizant of physical requirements for many varied sporting activities. He developed and conducted sports training workouts and conditioning regimens for various sports. He also, as a physical trainer, conditioned and trained children to enhance core physical development, speed, agility, strength and flexibility. His personal self-drive helped himself and his family, as he does not give in to hardship. He believes actions speak louder than words.
Justin Burns – has been a resident for 14 years, graduated from Hingham High School. He is working presently for the City of Boston as a Special Police Officer. He still hasn’t given up his passionate desire to become a Hingham Police Officer. The most difficult situation he faced was seeing a person going into cardiac arrest. He would be very interested in becoming a canine officer. He is also interested in community policing, which he is practicing in Boston. He attended the Hingham Police citizens Academy. Received an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice, graduated from the Mass. Criminal Justice Training Council Reserve Intermittent Police Academy, received Diversity Training with Randolph Police and graduated from Boston Police Special Officer Training Academy. He would like to walk around, get to know people, relieve their intimidation and gain the trust of the citizens. Mr. Burns coached youth sports and attended many civic gatherings.
Ann Taira has been a para legal for 7 years. She would like to be a police officer to have a hands on ability to help people. She would like to make Hingham safer and happier place for everybody. She is attending Northeastern University. She would like to earn a bachelors degree and eventually finish up with a master’s degree. She is not familiar with community policing policy. Her worst situation was witnessing a bad accident and seeing a severely injured person and not being able to help. She has not been involved in any civic activities. She has two children, ages 2 and 6. Ms. Taira would like to try all aspects of the job, as she believes ever aspect is important. As a Dare Officers position, she would like educating students to not drive and drink. She would also be interested in traffic enforcement. She is for zero tolerance. Ms. Taira thought her best qualification was compassion and caring.
Jeremiah Sullivan is a senior at UMAS, majoring in Criminal Justice. He works with people on a daily basis. He would like to work in the canine unit. He would be open and accessible to residents and would like to have direct contact with them so as to understand their concerns. His most difficult situation to handle was in balancing 2 jobs and 2 classes. He has taken a step back to allow more time and not take so much on. He thought that it was very important in acting professionally while working on a broad spectrum with different types of people. His civic duties consist of attending a Hingham Police Citizens Academy, being an intern in the Quincy Police Department, had a minor role, for the Police Lieutenant, but learned a lot of different aspects of the police department. His community service involved working as a volunteer for the Hingham Food Pantry and a community service trip with St Paul’s Church, to help disabled children in San Antonio. Presently he is coaching Lacrosse for freshmen and sophomores. He hopes to earn a master degree, as he believes you can never be trained or prepared enough for every situation. Mr. Sullivan thought his best qualification for the job was that he was a good listener and wanted to work with people to help solve their problems. His liability was that sometimes he over commits.
Benjamin Zahner – has lived in Hingham his whole life. He has always looked up to police and fire fighters as authority figures. It has been his dream all his life to become a police officer. He did not do well in school, however, after psychological help, and attendance at a private school, he returned to Hingham and drastically improved his grades. He worked at construction for a year and took a class at Quincy College in criminal justice. He was immature but stated that he has definitely matured in the past few years. He likes being outside, working with people, and making life safer for residents. His best qualification was interacting with people and gaining their respect. He would like to set an example for residents to become good citizens. His most difficult situation was losing his uncle who inspired him to become a police officer. He also helped him mother get through this. He thought zero tolerance policy was completely fair. He advised he is a huge perfectionist, therefore, missing out on things right away, but he plans to work on this issue. He wants to make people feel comfortable, listen to their input, and not humiliate people. Mr. Zahner asked what expectation the Selectmen had for recruits. Ms. Burns’s response was, high moral standards, trustworthy history, advance by increasing skills, experts in areas of crime. Mr. Riley concurred with Ms. Burns but added honesty.
Request of Maxx, LLC d/b/a The Boston Golf Club, Inc. to appoint a new manager for their Club Common Victualler All Alcoholic Beverages Licenses. Robert Pescatore explained that he is general manger for food and golf operations. He has been in the business for over 20 years. He has received certification in a Safe Serve Course and TIPS Training. He explained that there would be 35 dining seats and 35 porch seats and the operation will mostly be geared around lunch. There will be no functions.
Voted - to appoint Robert Pescatore, manager of the Maxx, LLC d/b/a The Boston Golf Club, Inc. for their Club All Alcoholic Beverages License, subject to the approval of the ABCC.
Voted - to appoint F. Peter Fee to the ad hoc Harbor Parking Task Force.
Voted - to appoint Mary Ann Blackmur to the Hingham 375th Anniversary Committee.
Selectmen’s Reports – Ms. Burns reported she met with the residents of Linden Ponds for a presentation on the upcoming override for the School Department. She also mentioned that legislation has been filed, to create a new voting sub-precinct in South Hingham to include Linden Ponds residents, but is presently in Committee, as the language needs to be changed to read that voting will not be limited to Linden Ponds residents.
Marilyn A. Harrington
Adjourned 8:05 PM Clerk pro tem