Back to Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes 2008
Regular Meeting
March 11, 2008 @ 7:30 PM
Ms. Tully, Mr. Riley, Ms Burns
Appointment of Three Police Officers - Chief Mills explained the Police Department has completed the process of interviews, extensive background checks, and reference checks for all the eligible candidates. Upon completion of the interviews he felt that the following three candidates are ready to become Hingham Police Officers for the subsequent reasons:
Justin Burns had been interviewed in the past and through his perseverance professionally and in the classroom has established a steady pattern of growth and maturity. He has worked with several law enforcement agencies since first interviewing but has kept his focus steady on becoming a member of the Hingham Police Department. Mr. Burns offers an added measure of experience not usually present in recruits.
Jeremiah Sullivan is a first time recruit candidate with the Hingham Police Department but is know through his participation in our Citizen’s Police Academy, his volunteer work in the community and his work on the waterfront as an Assistant Harbormaster. He has obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice while working to pay his tuition, demonstrating his advanced maturity and focus on his chosen profession.
Daniel Leary also is a first time recruit. However, his academic and personal achievement speaks volumes about his focus, commitment and maturity. Mr. Leary will earn his Master of Business Administration Degree this spring, with honors, from Wagner College and he is currently volunteering in the Athletic Department as an assistant strength coach. Additionally, Mr. Leary offers a modicum of Spanish language ability that he is interested in expanding upon.
Chief Mills mentioned he has complete faith and utter confidence that his officers have given due diligence to the background checks and interviews of these candidates and recommended that the Board appoint these men as police officers for the Town of Hingham.
Mr. Riley and Ms. Burns agreed with the Chief that these three candidates were the most qualified.
Ms. Tully did not vote, as she was not present for the Selectmen’s interviews
Mr. Riley and Ms. Burns,
Voted - that the Board of Selectmen, while acting in the capacity of Appointing Authority for the Town of Hingham extends to:
Daniel Leary
Justin Burns
Jeremiah Sullivan
a conditional offer of employment as a permanent police officer for the Town of Hingham. This offer is contingent upon the successful passing of all required medical and psychological screening examinations and all other requirements related to, but not necessarily limited to the following:
A. Successful passing of the required medical examination;
B. Successful passing of the required physical abilities test (PAT);
C. Successful passing of the required psychological screening process;
D. Successful passing of all other requirement for entrance into the police academy;
E. Entering into a satisfactory agreement with the Town of Hingham relative to payment of the $2,300 recruit training fee;
F. Any and all other requirements as mandated by law or regulation.
G. The first day of employment will coincide with the next available police academy as determined by the Police Chief
Public Hearing to Discontinue a Section of a Public Way. Mrs. Tully announced that this hearing has been continued to the next Selectmen’s meeting.
Mr. Riley recused himself
Ms. Tully and Ms. Burns
Voted - to continue the Public Hearing to consider whether or not to discontinue a section of a public way within the town layout that abuts the east side of Station Street and the south side of North Street at the intersection at North and Station Streets to March 18, 2007 at 7:50 PM, or as soon as the matter may be reached.
FY 2009 School Budget – Present: Superintendent Dorothy Galo, Chrisanne Gregoire, School Committee Chair and David Killory, Director of Business and Support Service. Ms. Galo advised they have worked hard to adjust their budget and have achieved a responsible budget that includes the highest priority, new initiatives and minimal reductions. Previously a budget was proposed in the amount of $35,743,868 representing a 6.57% increase. The budget was adjusted as of January 31, which the School Committee has unanimously approved in the amount of $35,204,147, representing a 4.96% increase. A considerable cutback in the new initiatives list, the elimination of cheerleading which has a low enrollment, funding for new textbooks, hopefully funding for these books can come from the FY 08 budget, personnel savings from unexpected leaves of absence, continuing education, building rental and rental of fields contributed towards the budget reductions. The Selectmen thanked the School Department for their hard work in trimming their budget. The Board realized it was difficult but they had to say no to other departments also.
Voted - to recommend a School Department budget of $35,204,147.
Voted - to recommend a Capital Outlay Budget of $2,423,634. The Board felt this was a realistic budget compared to the last five years.
Voted - to recommend an appropriation of $654,917 for Article 4. Michael Puzo of the Personnel Board explained that this amount would allow for contracts not yet finalized, obligations for remaining units, reclassifications, and non-union personnel.
Voted - to recommend a revised FY 2009 Police Department salary budget of
$4,030,944.
Voted - to recommend a revised FY 2009 Fire Department salary budget of $4,077,611.
Voted - to recommend a revised unclassified budget of $414,899. Mr. Cristello mentioned that this was due to estimated insurance costs which, could be built up or drawn down.
Voted - to recommend a revised health insurance budget of $3,950,000
Discussion on the following Warrant -Articles
Sewer Department – Mill Street Station. Michael Salerno, Chairman of the Sewer Commission and John Asher of the Advisory Committee seeking support of this Article. An inspection in November, 2006 revealed corrosion in the pump chamber walls and floor, however, no active leaks were seen and the pump chamber was dry. In February 2007, there were signs of ground water leakage into the pump chamber at a pipe penetration. A follow up inspection in November 2007 showed significant deterioration since the February 2007 inspection. Sewage appeared to be leaking from the wet well through the influent pipe where Pump No. 2 had been removed for service. The station currently is operating with only one corroded pump; therefore, it cannot be removed for maintenance. There is standing water, which is a concern for the Personnel. The Sewer Commission had obtained a second opinion confirming that the station is in need of replacement as it has extended its useful life. Mr. Salerno expressed concern that failure of the operating pump will result in sewage backup and costly emergency repairs and pumping. An estimate is currently being prepared for the replacement of the station by CDM and should be available before Town Meeting. A submersible station has been recommended. Mr. Salerno felt this type of station would be more effective in dealing with the grease problem. The existing building can be used to house a new generator, electrical control, and the wet well can be retrofitted during the replacement project, reducing the cost from $450,000 to $380,000.
Voted- to recommend support the replacement of the Mill Street Pumping Station in the amount of $380,000.
Energy Policy Committee Article - Currently this is only a temporary committee to benchmark the energy footprint and to develop a plan to understand and control energy consumption, raise public awareness, and reduce the Town’s impact on the environment. The Board agreed a permanent committee should be established.
Voted - to support the Article to appoint a permanent Energy Policy Committee with seven members.
Special Legislation Article– Police Service Maximum Age – a citizen’s article requesting that Special Legislation be enacted to permit Michael Hickey to be placed on the Civil Service List not withstanding the maximum age requirement.
Voted - to support the Article to enact Special Legislation to permit Michael Hickey to be placed on the Civil Service List.
The Selectmen postponed discussion on the following Articles until next week:
Conservation By-Law
40R Funds for Beal Street Improvement
OPEB Funding
Reserve Fund
Wire Betterments Article has been withdrawn
Community Preservation Articles – Philip Edmundson, William Reardon, John Gall, Jim Watson and Andrea Young presented the Selectmen with an update.
Otis Street Article Mr. Edmundson advised that the Harbor Development Committee is no longer actively pursuing purchasing Old Salt Marina as the owner has an agreement with another party. Mr. Bohn informed the Board he has started negotiations to purchase the property.
Voted – to place this Article on hold.
Mr. Edmundson reported that tonight the CPC Committee voted unanimously to purchase the Amonte property on Rockland Street. The Committee also voted to acquire the Mobil Property at 24 Summer Street, in the amount of $492,000, and plans to work actively through Counsel for the Town to negotiate an agreement. The Board will discuss these Articles at their next meeting.
Restoration/replication of the Hingham sign at the Library – This sign was given to the Town by Hingham England, an exact replica of their sign. The Committee had discussed whether the sign should be moved to an indoor location or located in a more prominent location. They were concerned about the continuing deteriorating of the sign.
Ms. Burns requested that the people of Hingham, England be contacted to see how they preserve their sign. The Selectmen advised that this site was chosen by the people of
England and is a connector to their heritage. The Board agreed to support restoration, not replication, of the existing sign.
Voted – to support Article to appropriate $76,120.00 from the Community Preservation Historic Resources Reserve for the following purposes:
$10,620 for the Restoration of the Hingham sign at the Library
$4,000 to inventory and preserve five historic town markers
$21,500 to inventory and conserve gravestones at the Liberty Plain Cemetery
$40,000 for a study to determine preservation needs for historical Hingham documents and artifacts.
Voted - to support the Article to appropriate $200,000 from the Community Preservation Historic Preservation Reserve to place underground all existing telephones, cable, electric and other wire services located on a portion of North Street in the downtown area.
Voted - to support the Article to appropriate a sum of money from the Committee Preservation Funds for South Shore Habitat for humanity to build a single-family home in the amount of $85,000.
Voted - to support the Article to transfer $175,000 to the Hingham Affordable Housing Trust, the sum appropriated by the 2006 Annual Town Meeting for a pilot loan program for affordable housing proceeds to be administered by the CPC from the Community Preservation Housing to the Hingham Affordable Housing Trust.
Voted - to support the Article to appropriate $225,000 from the CPC Housing Reserve and transfer such sum to the Hingham Affordable Housing Trust to provide for the creation and preservation of affordable housing in Hingham.
Voted - to recommend a transfer from the Reserve Fund to the Assessors Revaluation Services account in the amount of $16,668.
Voted - to grant request for counsel as submitted by the Recreation Department.
Voted - to appoint Susan Luery to the Cultural Council for a three-year term expiring in 2011.
Voted - to grant Congregation Sha’aray Shalom a temporary liquor license for March 15, 2008 for their Annual Spring Fling.
Voted - to grant the Silent Chef Inc a temporary liquor license for a Home Coming to be held at Notre Dame Academy on May 3, 2008.
Selectmen’s/Town Administrator’s Report – Mr. Riley reported that he has been attending the Community Preservation Committee’s meetings and was present during the discussion to purchase the Mobil Station and he is hopeful that it comes to fruition. Ms.
Burns had attended a recent meeting of the Bare Cove Corridor Committee with all involved parties. Ms. Burns feels these meetings have been very successful as everyone is aware of what is going on and various people have been assigned jobs. Ms. Tully announced she was pleased to see so much participation in the recent Special Town Meeting and Special Election. Mr. Cristello mentioned that he is waiting to talk to the owner of the Merchants Parking Lot before the proposed new regulations are acted on. These proposed regulations would recommend a 2 hour parking limit for visitors, and the merchants/employees, subject to geographic location, would be issued stickers for parking. Mr. Cristello also advised that comments on the Notice of Change Project are being drafted for the Naval Air Station Development Project. The town is requesting that a sidewalk be built on Abington Street. Senator Hedlund and Representative Bradley will be monitoring this project.
Marilyn A. Harrington
Adjourned: 9.25 PM Clerk pro tem