Back to Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes 2008
March 4, 2008
Regular Session 7:30 pm
Ms. Tully, Mr. Riley, Ms. Burns
The Advisory Committee convened in joint session with the Board to hear the presentation of the Community Preservation Committee.
Community Preservation Committee Update
Mr. Edmundson explained that the Committee had worked to streamline the projects to be considered by the town meeting. One question the Committee has deal with is how to distinguish between public sector and private sector applicants. In choosing between the project proposals the Committee requests relevant factors and requires financial information from applicant.
Preservation of Historic Documents
Mr. Kelleher explained that the first article concerns the preservation of historic documents. The cataloging of historic documents throughout the town and the creation of a plan to preserve and digitize these documents would cost approximately $40,000. This multi year project was requested by the library and the Town Clerk. Mr. Corcoran identified this as a master planning process and a way to identify and catalog the documents, perform preservation studies and, finally, digitization of the documents which would make them available to researchers locally and around the world. Mr. Corcoran noted that a key to obtaining grants from just about any source is a planning study. The requested study would provide a good understanding what needs to be done, how to preserve documents and how to make them available without any further damage to the originals. Ms. Burns commented that money is being spent on the historical look of the Town; this project would preserve the actual history of the Town.
Inventory and Preserve Liberty Plain Cemetery Gravestones
The Committee has received a request to fund the inventory and preservation of gravestones at Liberty Plain Cemetery. There was some investigation of financial status and the Committee is comfortable that this private non-profit corporation is in need of funds to preserve the gravestones. There are many veterans buried in the cemetery; the gravestones are in poor repair; and they need to be conserved in the short-term. The recommended appropriation is $15,000 for conservation of the stones and $6,000 to inventory them. The Fanin Lehner consultancy gave an estimate for the project which would include documentation of the lettering and wording on the 17th, 18thg and 19th century marble, slate and granite markers, establishing techniques for repair of the stones and the actual repair of 25 of the 180 stones in the cemetery. The Liberty Plain Cemetery is in the historic district.
Hingham Market Sign
Ms. Dewey explained the project for restoration of the Hingham Market Sign that was donated by residents of Hingham, England. Although already restored once, the sign is in a serious state of decay. The plan is to restore the sign and to make a replica of composite material to place outside while keeping the original sign in a sheltered spot. It is estimated that the restoration will cost $4,340 and the replica $6,280. Mr. Friedman questioned whether a 23 year old sign is historic. Ms. Dewey said the sign was culturally significant. Mr. Edmundson noted that there is nothing that mandates something must be of a certain age to be historically significant.
Preservation of Markers
The Committee further recommended the preservation of markers that were along the old stagecoach route. The preservation of these five markers would be similar to the preservation of the bronze plaques done last year.
Removal of Utility Poles on North Street
The proposed removal of utility poles on North Street was originally presented as an improvement to the historic landscape. Town counsel has opined that this qualifies under the CPA. The discussion at CPC meeting was supported by neighborhood input and the Light Plant suggested that this might be a community project that the Light Plant would fund to some extent. Mr. Rabuffo explained that the Light Plant is voting on the lighting of the Lincoln Statue.
In 1946 the wires were placed underground in the Downtown. The Selectmen’s goals for 2007 and 2008 were to investigate the removal of poles and wires in various sections
of own. The total cost of burying the utilities is approximately $429,000. This figure does not include the cost for customers to reconnect their services once the wires are underground. There is $250,000 in mitigation from the Shipyard project as well as some additional funding leaving a shortfall of $200,000. The reconnections would be over the next two years and the fees would be handled through a direct payout or betterment similar to a sewer betterment. There is a possibility that the Light Plant may assist in these fees. The majority of the reconnection fees will be from electrical; the phone company has included the fees.
The Committee found this to be a good investment because there is a fair amount of leverage. This amounts to a $600,000 project for which Community Preservation Committee is paying $200,000. Some other towns, notably Brookline and Newton, have looked at this and developed a 30 year plan.
Housing Loan Program
Mr. Watson explained that a previous town meeting had approved a housing loan fund. The Housing Partnership developed a program and drafted an RFP. With the creation of the Affordable Housing Trust it seemed advisable to transfer the operation of the loan program to the Trust. Mr. O’Brien said the Affordable Housing Trust is chartered to create loan programs, etc. and he feels this is a good mechanism for running the loan program.
Capitalization of the Affordable Housing Trust
Mr. O’Brien reviewed the provisions of the Affordable Housing Trust and explained that the Trust had requested $500,000 in funding from the Community Preservation Fund. The deliberations of the Community Preservation Committee resulted in a recommendation of $225,000. Mr. Reardon explained that the Committee was reluctant to transfer the higher amount since the balance in the Community Housing Reserve is presently $106,000. The recommendation of the Committee was to transfer that amount plus this year’s estimated 10% for affordable housing, an approximate total of $225,000, to the Affordable Housing Trust.
Mr. Edmundson noted that this could set a precedent. The Trust has requested funds for programs that have not been planned in detail. A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the need for the ability to act quickly in the areas of both open space acquisition and affordable housing opportunities. Ms. Burns remarked that this wass a valuable discussion on how to deal will Community Preservation Committee funds on all three fronts.
Housing on Nokomis Road
Mr. Linsky advised the Boards that the first Habitat House in town cost $50,000; the second cost $105,000; the third house is projected to cost $145,000. The Hingham Habitat Committee has requested $85,000 to partially fund the third house. Mr. Linsky explained that any money given to the Hingham Habitat Committee would be used for Hingham project.
Mill Pond Outfall
The Harbor Development Committee has requested the transfer of $50,000 from the Whitney Wharf Project Funding for the engineering and design of the harbor walk project along the water side of the bridge over the Town Brook outflow.
Amonte Property
This proposed open space acquisition, known as the Amonte property, on Rockland Street is a 3.3 acre parcel near the Weir River and within the ACEC. The property would be purchased for open space purposes for $492,500 .
Historic Districts Extension
Mr. Ford gave an overview of the historic districts extension article. Mr. Higgins, Scoutmaster of Troop One, asked for an exception of the property at 164 Leavitt Street which is the Boy Scout House property. Various residents spoke in support of excluding the scout property from the proposed district. Mr. Overlee submitted a letter in support of the exclusion of the scout property from the district because of the unique characteristics of this one room utilitarian, basic structure. The representatives of the Scout Troop expressed concern about the expense related to being in the district. Within a historic district, any exterior renovations that are visible from the public way are subject to the HDC review. Ms. Young pointed out that there is an opportunity to apply for a certificate of hardship and an individual or group with a hardship is exempted from the HDC review process. After considerable discussion of the issue by both sides Mr. Ford suggested that the structure, rather than the property, be exempted from the district.
The Advisory Committee left the meeting.
Special Legislation re: Civil Service Maximum Age
Michael Hickey has submitted a petition article for special legislation to exempt him from the Civil Service Maximum Age provision. He explained to the Board that he turned 33 in March of 2007 and took test in May. At the time he took the test he did not realize that Hingham was not one of the communities that subtracted up to three years spent in the military from a candidates age. Mr. Hickey said he had gathered support from member of the Police Department for his petition. The Board said they would take this under consideration and urged Mr. Hickey to do as much research as possible prior to going to the Advisory Committee.
OPEB Funding
This article would transfer funds to the Other Post Employement Benefits Trust. This will most likely stay as a warrant article for future years to provide an appropriation which, hopefully, would be invested by the state agency that specializes in investing pension funds. Legislation needs to be passed at the state level to allow this investing and at this point that has not happened. For the time being the treasurer will invest any funds. The Board took the matter under advisement.
40R Funds
It was suggested that since the 40R District is near Beal Street, the 40R funds should be used for traffic improvements on Beal Street. . The top coat of asphalt may be covered by this article.
Greenbush Land Conveyances
This would allow the Selectmen to act to acquire or transfer various properties for Greenbush construction. The article authorizes the Selectmen to enter into agreements to convey an easement and accept parcels. They will have to ensure that there are no environmental issues. The areas involved include an easement to the head house through the alleyway to Town Brook. All the properties( the wye property and areas currently under the sidewalk or street) come to the Town.
Voted - to recommend favorable action on the Greenbush Land conveyances article.
Selectmen/Town Administrator Reports
Mr. Riley mentioned Ms. Collins’ request for lighting the Lincoln Statue. This evening she delivered a letter signed by over twenty residents in the Fountain Square area recommending lighting the statue. The Hingham Light Plant is agreeable to the idea of installing the light and adding the bill to the Town’s street lighting bill. Ms. Burns asked if there were any energy efficient way of lighting this statue and noted that this would be a good opportunity to demonstrate leadership in this area. Mr. Cristello reported that 58 children were cared for at babysitting sponsored by the Recreation Department during the special town meeting last night. He commended Kathy Clarkson for a job well done.
Meeting adjourned 11:05pm.