Back to Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes
May 20, 2008
Regular Session 7:35 pm
Mr. Riley, Ms. Burns, Ms. Rabuffo
Voted - to approve the minutes of April 15, 22, 28, 29 and May 2, 2008.
Fourth of July Button Design Contest
Ms. Blackmur informed the Board that the theme for this year's July 4th Parade is "Hingham Celebrates Learning." She presented the winners of the annual button design contest to the Board:
Third Prize - Alessandra Weaver, Foster School
Second Prize – Emma White, Plymouth River School
First Prize - Brianna Pungitore, Foster School
The Board congratulated all three students for their designs.
Public Hearing – Boston Golf Club Management LLC Storage of Propane
Ms. Stearns advised the Board that the Boston Golf Club is seeking approval for an additional 2500 gallons of underground storage for propane gas. Capt Damstra said the area is fairly well spread out and all three tanks will be underground. The Fire Department will oversee the installation of the tanks. The Board asked Ms. Stearns to explain the need for additional storage. She noted that the clubhouse is using the existing 2,000 gallon storage. There are now additional buildings and they will also require tanks for heating. There is no natural gas main in the area so that is not an option for heat. No one spoke in opposition to the application.
Voted - to grant BGC Management LLC (Boston Golf Club), 289 Whiting Street a
License to keep and store 2,500 additional gallons of propane gas in two underground tanks. This license increases the total capacity of propane storage to 4, 500 gallons. (The propane gas will be divided between two 1,000 gallon tanks, one 500 gallon tank, one two thousand gallon tank).
Voted - to appoint the following as Special Police Officers:
Mark Brennan Michael Murray
Kenneth Corson Michael Parker
Russell Erikson Aaron Smith
Daniel Galvin Thomas Steen
Jonathan Gordon Joan Sullivan
Ronald Lincoln James Wells
Joseph Mayer Brian Willard
Joseph McCracken
Voted - to appoint the following for one-year terms on the respective committees:
Fourth of July Parade Committee
Mary Ann Blackmur Mary Power
Alden Carpenter, MD William Ramsey
Susan Hagstrom James Drew
Ruth Potter Susan Drew
Virginia Spannagel James P. Murphy
Cynthhia Tonucci Nancy MacDonald
Doris McCann Kristen Dunlap-Maxwell
Wendy Lorenson Wilson Margaret Costello
Lewis Scotton
Memorial Bell Tower
Kenneth W. Drescher Pete Shaw
Joan R. Getto Betty Shaw
Michael Shilhan Nancy Stimson
John McKendry Justine Thurston
Shirley Newsom Dorcas Wagner
Veterans Council
Edward Barr Nicholas Jermyn (for Keith Jermyn)
Robert Beal Stephen Kelsch
James Claypoole Scott McMillan
Michael Cunningham William Ramsey
Arthur Smith Larry St. Laurent
Charles Bernier Daniel Evarts
Andrew McCawley
Assistant Harbormasters
Robert Jenks Zachary A. Crossen
Michael Murray Joseph P. Driscoll
Michael Hickey Benjamin A. Matthews
Mark F. Brennan Michael D. Reilly
Kirstin L. Capaccioli Ross T. Wlodvka
Board of Appeals Alternates
Robert R. Bersani William Ramsey
Joseph Freeman Mario Romania, Jr.
William M. Koplovsky Jamey Tesler
Victor Popp
Voted - to appoint Megan Buhr to the Hingham 375th Anniversary Committee
Aquarion Water Rate Increase Request
Mr. Bingaman explained that the Aquarion Water Company is seeking a rate increase and filed with the Department of Pubic Utilities on May 14, 2008. He said the case for a rate increase is driven by the significant improvements to the infrastructure since the last increase in 2001 and that Aquarion has worked very hard to keep costs under control. The proposal will also include recommendations for a conservation rate, a connection fee and a customer assistance program for low income customers. The company is proposing a rate that would result in a total cost of $2.03 per day for the average customer. Another proposal is to establish a rate that would increase when consumption exceeded 9,000 gallons per quarter. Additionally, Aquarion is requesting a one-time connection fee of $2,500 to hook up to the system which is considerably less that the connection fees in Rockland or Weymouth. The fire protection charge would also increase from $287,000 per year to $325,000.
Mr. Bingaman explained that there will be a public hearing process during June or July as well as written questions to which Aquarion will have to respond. There will also be an audit of the books during the summer. Mr. Bingaman said that if the rate request goes the full adjudication route it might take until March of 2009; it could be sooner if a settlement is reached. Ms. Burns asked how the conservation block rate would be advertised to residents. Mr. Bingaman said that public outreach would consist of information on the website, insert in bills and education in the schools. He noted that the low income assistance is also a new program and would be paid for by the company. In other areas served by Aquarion, an independent non-profit agency administers the program to those who meet the criteria. Aquarion has not yet chosen a non profit to administer this in Massachusetts.
Several residents questioned the fact that 75% of the current bill seems to be surcharges that are not related to actual water consumption. Mr. Bingaman said that the DPU had approved the surcharge which pays off the debt for the water treatment facility as well as the operating and maintenance of the water treatment facility. He said that the requested 21% increase would apply to both the base rate surcharge and the water usage rate. Mr. Berry asked why the surcharge was increasing if the cost of the borrowing for the treatment facility was not increasing. Mr. Bingaman reiterated that this was a composite rate increase request.
Chief Duff asked if the DPU would review the proposed fire service charge as well. Mr. Bingaman explained that the DPU requires information on a 12 month period (test year) when the application is filed. The test year is 2007. Mr. Rabuffo noted that a test year is a standard technique employed by the DPU to judge the reasonableness of the case.
Mr. Riley said the Board would be taking the matter under advisement.
Town Administrator Search Process
Ms. Burns reported that the Human Resources Director had prepared a tentative timeline for the Town Administrator search process. One of the first things to do is to set up a search committee and to ask that group what they would think about the hiring of a consulting or search firm to aid in the process. The Board of Selectmen needs to review and approve the updated job description. Mr. Basler has drafted a job description which both Mr. Rabuffo and Ms. Burns have marked up and commented on. Mr. Riley will be preparing some suggestions on that draft as well. .Mr. Rabuffo noted that 16 years is a long time and that is when the job description was written. He suggested a search that included extending the net try to find some one across a network that does not include just existing town administrators and managers in the Commonwealth. Mr. Riley concurred noting that the Town has an annual budget of about $74 million which requires a lot of managing. The Board mentioned several possible nominees for the Search Committee. The names mentioned included Tod McGrath, Phil Edmundson, Nelson Ross, Michael Puzo, Linda Port, Alison Ferrante, Roger Sullivan, School Superintendent Dot Galo, David Killory, Kathy Reardon, Edna English and Bill Reardon. The Board agreed to attempt to reach people to see if they are interested in serving on the committee. The Board will meet Friday morning at 10 to appoint the Town Administrator Search Committee. The Board hopes to wrap things up with the appointment of a new Administrator in September.
Voted - to grant request for Counsel as submitted by the Sewer Commission
Voted - to grant request for Counsel submitted by the Zoning Board of Appeals
Voted - to set the summer meeting schedule as follows:
June 3 & 17 Regular Sessions
June 10 Goal Setting
July 8 & 29
August 5 & 19
Voted - to approve the request of the South Shore Conservatory for a Special Liquor License for their Annual Evening Under the Stars Concert Series to be held on July 12, 19, 26 and August 2, 2008.
Reports
Ms. Burns advised that she and Mr. Rabuffo attended Elder Services Volunteer Recognition Luncheon which was quite impressive. The number of volunteers and the energy and enthusiasm was wonderful and inspiring. The Affordable Housing Trust held a strategy meeting and set priorities for the next year. Ms Burns reported that there were three first priority items: (1) to continue the affordable housing development on the Selectmen's parcel; (2) to put together and issue an RFP for the loan program approved a couple of years ago by town meeting; and (3) to work on the pending sale of the Lincoln School Apartments which represents 60 units of senior affordable housing. Ms. Burns said that this building is a model of how to do it right and all the credit goes to Glastonbury Abbey. The goal of the Housing Trust would be for the Town to purchase it from the Abbey and continue to program as it is. If the Town were not to exercise its right of first refusal the building could be sold subject to the affordable restrictions which would expire in a about 10 years and a private party could convert those units to market rate units at that time. If the Town were to exercise its option there is exceedingly complicated the financing which comes through the state and there is a special program that will finance the continuing affordability of these units.
Ms. Burns said the other priority is a new program to develop something along the lines of a buyback program. Properties on the market would be bought and resold with affordable restrictions which would insure that the houses stay small and affordable. Other towns, such as Arlington, have implemented similar programs. The Trust hopes to come up with a model that it thinks will work. Ms. Burns noted that the annual town meeting approved an allocation 50% of the Trust's funds to this purpose. The Trustees also made a decision to hire a graduate student intern for the summer who is interested in housing. This would allow some good expertise for small money. .
Mr. Riley thanked Ms. Burns for all her efforts in the area of affordability.
Mr. Rabuffo said that Livestrong Day which was a celebration to those who have survived cancer was a very emotional experience. The Police Chief shared his experience with his daughter's fighting of cancer at the age of 11months. Mr. Rabuffo reported that the Tunnel Cap Committee has been working on concluding the $100,000 grant from the Commonwealth for the downtown. The Tunnel Cap Committee has been finalizing the purchase arrangements and will be reporting back to the Board. He also advised that this morning he had spoken at the Hingham Business Council where there were about 4o people n attendance. The participation at the recent elections and the Annual Town Meeting was quite low. Mr. Rabuffo suggested that the newsletter might be a way to solicit input from the residents as to what they think we should do about it. Kitty Ward drafted a brief survey for that purpose. Mr. Rabuffo said that yesterday there was discussion of the dispatch center and the issue of regionalization. Chief Duff said Hingham Hull Cohasset and Norwell have been meeting to discuss the possibilty of combining dispatch services for all the towns. This would be a good candidate for grant money since the grant agencies look very favorably on regional solutions.
Mr. Burns noted that last Friday the MMA held a leadership academy on regionalization. There are many amazing examples of regional solutions yet it is still an uphill battle to do the job. The first priority is to make sure that citizens get the service they deserve. Ms. Burns said she was very excited about regionalization of the dispatch function. The obstacles are great but the possible savings are enormous. The public safety benefits are also great. For example, there could be a routine medical call at West Corner and the Hull ambulance is closer. Ms. Burns traveled to the conference with Selectmen Quigley from Cohasset. During the ride they were talking about what could be regionalized. One possibility might be the indoor pool that some people in Cohasset are raising funds for. Mr. Rabuffo thanked every department that he had visited thus far for their time and efforts. Mr. Riley noted that the Moderator and the Board are still doing interviews for those interested in serving on committees such as Bare Cove Parkm the Council of Aging, the Energy Action Committee, Harbor Development, Historic Districts of the Historical Commission. Mr. Rabuffo expressed the Town's wishes for a speedy recovery for Senator Kennedy.
Meeting adjourned 9:10 pm.
Betty Foley, Clerk