Back to Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes 2008
Regular Meeting
June 17, 2008 at 7:00 PM
Mr. Riley, Ms. Burns, Mr. Rabuffo
Voted by roll call vote to go into Executive Session to discuss collective bargaining issues.
7:50 PM Regular Session
Superior Officer’s Contract - Personnel Board members Nelson Ross and Marie Harris announced the settlement of the Collective Bargaining Agreement for Superior Officers. This is a three-year agreement running from 7/1/07 to 6/30/2010. Economic changes include a salary adjustment of 3%, which retains the equity between patrol officers, sergeants, and lieutenants at 18-½%. The shift differential for a sergeant taking over command of a Lieutenant’s full shift increased to $40.00. Effective July 1, 2008 the clothing allowance will increase to $900. The clothing allowance for the Administrative Lieutenant and the Prosecuting Officer shall be based on the amount of $800.00. Stipends of $500 per year were granted to the Public Information Officer and Training Supervisor/Coordinator. Mr. Ross commented that the negotiating process was smooth and productive.
Voted - to sign a Memorandum of Agreement between the Town of Hingham and the Hingham Police Superior Officers Union for the period July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2010.
Request for a Stop Sign on Planters Field Lane - Deputy Police Charles Souther explained that the Traffic Committee had reviewed this request and recommended that a Stop Sign be placed on Planters Field Lane at the intersection of Wompatuck Lane/Park Circle/Planter Field Lane. Christine Smith of Park Circle remarked that she had submitted a prior request in 2001. This request had initially been approved by the Traffic Committee and the Board of Selectmen in 2001, but was withdrawn due to the objection of area residents. At that time a crosswalk was installed but it hasn’t slowed down the traffic. Ms. Smith and Paula Griffin of Planters Field Lane expressed concern for the school children walking to Foster School as drivers speed up hill, negotiate the left hand turn at 40 miles and hour. Robert Falvey thought another stop sign would be over-kill as the majority of the traffic is going straight ahead. He recommended a modified sign to read, “stop before turning left” so that the drivers traveling straight on would not have to stop. Mr. Riley advised that in the interest of safety for the number of children who walk this busy roadway, without the benefit of a sidewalk, a stop sign makes a lot of sense. Ms. Burns and Mr. Rabuffo agreed.
Voted - that the Traffic Rules and Orders of the Town of Hingham, adopted by the Board of Selectmen on May 31, 1939, and subsequent amendments thereto, are herby amended as follows:
ARTICLE V. SECTION 1 – STOP SIGNS
STREET STOPPED AT INTERSECTION OF DIRECTION
Planters Field Lane Wompatuck Rd/Park Circle/Planter Field Lane Northerly
The above Stop Sign will make this intersection a 3-Way Stop, as there are existing stop signs on Wompatuck Road and Park Circle for southerly traffic flow.
Logan Airport Community Advisory Committee Update – Mr. Boland the Town’s representative on the CAC Committee reported that Phase I, Logan Runway 1432 certainly was contentious, but has turned out better for the South Shore that most of us thought possible. Phase I identified measures designed to minimize noise impacts from aircraft over flights arriving at and departing from the new runway and to potentially improve noise levels around the airport. These measures were deemed feasible based on operational, safety, and technical criteria. Mr. Boland advised that during Phase II, the identified measures would be subjected to more detailed technical analysis to determine the significance of any environmental impacts. Runway use patterns and taxiway noise levels will also be assessed. October 2009 is the projected date for implementation of the remaining procedures. Phase II recommendations are expected to be implemented by 2011. These will then be the subjects of an environmental document prepared by the FAA. Mr. Boland was pleased to report that Hingham will eventually experience a reduction in pollution levels and over flights of about 50% and the planes will be flying 3,000 feet higher. A new kind of navigational equipment will be used to find ways to direct air traffic away from the South Shore. Mr. Boland’s presented a draft of a letter to be sent to the FAA Project Manager, by June 30, 2008, requesting that they carefully monitor the Phase II Boston Airport Noise Study process. Mr. Boland wanted to ensure that there wouldn’t be any short cuttings. Mat MacIver, a former CAC member noted that Mr. Boland has spent a lot of time and energy answering inquiries and attending meetings and that is gratifying that we are in a good place. Ms. Burns commented that this has been a long haul and will go on even longer but the progress is continuing. The Board thanked Mr. Boland for his presentation.
Voted - to send a letter to the FAA, as drafted by Mr. Boland, suggesting that the
FAA produce a report quarterly on the accuracy of the departure routes as defined in the various alternatives with specific emphasis on the difference in shoreline crossing altitudes compared to those same altitudes prior to implementation of the route changes. Also request radar tracks for the routes superimposed on an accurate map of the land mass below compared to the RNAV files which were incorporated as part of the Phase I agreements.
Voted - to recommend a transfer from the Reserve Fund to the Police Dept. Vehicle Fuel account in the amount of $14,000.
Voted - to recommend a transfer from the Reserve Fund to the Harbormaster’s Repair and Maintenance of Grounds account in the amount of $4,900.
Voted - to recommend a transfer from the Reserve Fund to the Harbormaster’s Repair and Maintenance of Equipment in the amount of $3,931.
Voted - to recommend a transfer from the Reserve Fund to the Harbormaster’s Salary Account in the amount of $4,200.
Voted - to recommend a transfer from the Reserve Fund to the Town Hall Salaries account in the amount of $5,718.
Voted - to recommend a transfer from the Reserve Fund to the Legal Expense account in the amount of $150,478.
Voted - to recommend a transfer from the Reserve Fund to the Engineering Expense account in the amount of $21,935.
Voted - to recommend a transfer from the Reserve Fund to the Veterans’ Benefits account in the amount of $70,000.
Voted - to recommend a transfer from the Reserve Fund to the Bare Cove Park Fuel Expense account in the amount of $150.00
Voted - to recommend a transfer from the Reserve Fund to the Elections Expense account in the amount of $3,586.
Voted - to recommend a transfer from the Reserve Fund to the Elections Salaries account in the amount of $2,525.
Voted - to recommend a transfer from the Reserve Fund to the Debt Service Interest – School account in the amount of $68,000.
Voted - to recommend a transfer from the Reserve Fund to the Debt Service Wastewater Management Plan account in the amount of $24,308.
Voted - to recommend a transfer from the Reserve Fund to the Medicare Taxes account in the amount of $5,900.
Voted - to recommend a transfer from the Reserve Fund to the DPW Snow Removal account in the amount of $363,109.
Voted - to recommend a transfer from the Reserve Fund to the DPW Expense Account in the amount of $38,357.
Voted - to recommend a transfer from the Reserve Fund to the Hingham Public Library Expense Account in the amount of $6,000.
Voted - to sign a final contract extension with W. B. Mason for General Office Supplies and Copier & Printer Toners for the period July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009.
Voted - to sign a three-year Employment Agreement between the Town of Hingham and the Fire Chief effective July 1, 2008.
James Toomey, Counsel for the Town was present for the following Orders of Taking and Easement Discussions:
Voted - to sign an Order of Taking, as presented by Counsel for the Town, by eminent domain for municipal purposes a parcel of land approximately 6.6 acres located on the westerly side of Hersey Street, described in Deed of Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Company to John R. Hersey and recorded in Plymouth County Registry of Deeds.
Voted - to sign an Order of Taking by eminent domain for municipal purposes for the following:
A temporary easement for access, erosion protection and to match existing slope on plans titled “Preliminary right of Way Plans, West Corner Culvert Replacement”; and
A permanent easement for maintenance as shown on plans titled “Preliminary Right of Way Plans, West Corner Culvert Replacement”, subject to revision of plan. (Mr. Stigliani, DPW Superintendent advised that Grace Brook drainage would be corrected as part of the scope of this project.)
Shipyard Drive – Mr. Toomey, advised this is the final piece to go along with final real estate transactions to abandon various area and parcel out to the various developers. Prior Town Meeting approval was received.
Voted - to accept a permanent non-exclusive easement, to Avalon Shipyard, LLC, Samuels & Associates, Hingham LLC and MS Rialto, HCM Marinas, LLC, Hingham Shipyard Marina, formerly known as Sea Chain Marina LLC and Rocky Beach LLC a permanent non-exclusive easement, in common with the rights of Grantor and others, to use the surface of the area “Easement Area” shown as Shipyard Drive on plan entitled “Shipyard Drive Relocation Plan, 349 Lincoln Street, Hingham, MA” dated November 4, 2003, as modified by that plan entitled “Shipyard Drive Roadway Easement Modification, Hingham Shipyard, 349 Lincoln Street in Hingham, Massachusetts (Plymouth County) prepared by BSC Group and recorded in the Plymouth Registry of Deeds as Plan 357 of 2007 in Plan Book 53, page 174 to pass and to repass on foot and in motor vehicles, or such plan as approved by Roger Fernandes. This easement is subject to the terms and conditions of that certain Memorandum of Agreement between Grantee and Sea Chain LLC dated June 29, 2004, as amended and in effect.
Voted – to discontinue those portions of Former Shipyard Drive not located within the Easement of the location of New Shipyard Drive (Abandoned Tracts) as a public road and discontinued for the common convenience and necessity as follows:
Whereas, the Board of Selectmen have determined that the construction of New Shipyard Drive is complete and that any and all property interests of the town in the Abandoned Tracts should now be granted and reconveyed to Samuels & Associates, Hingham LLC, MS Rialto Hingham, MA, LLC, HCM Marinas LLC, Hingham Shipyard Marina, LLC and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation as the only abutters to such portions of Shipyard Drive.
Affordable Housing Trust – Jim O’Brien inquired if the Samuels Company had anything to do with the abandoned easement on the old railroad bed. He has questions concerning access to the Selectmen’s parcel on Beal Street. Mr. Toomey pointed out that this is entirely a separate issue. Mr. Riley suggested that Mr. O’Brien meet with all parties involved and have a surveyor working on it.
Baler Building Replacement – Mr. Stigliani, DPW Superintendent explained that constant roof repairs have been made and the roof is still leaking and rotting. The building was originally designed for a baling system. Its present use is for the recycling of plastic and cardboard. The evaluation committee has rated the pre-engineered steel modular building bid submitted by Cape Building System as the most highly advantageous. Mr. Stigliani agreed with the Committee’s recommendation that the Town contract with them for the Base Building Renovations, including alternates one, two and three, as further discussion with the vendor about this is required. The Committee also felt that more information on the cost of abandoning the existing floor drain is necessary before accepting the fourth alternate. Mr. Stigliani pointed out that bid was well within the appropriation and the funding for this project was included in the FY 08 Capital Budget.
Voted - to sign a contract with Cape Building Systems, Mattapoisett, MA, for the renovation of the existing Baler Building at the Hingham Recycling and Transfer Station, including Alternates one, two and three in the amount of $398,600.
Light Plant Request pending with Department of Public Utilities – Kevin Bulman, Light Board member, was present to discuss the Selectmen’s letter of March 18, 2008 to the Department of Public Utilities requesting that the petition of the Hingham Municipal Plant pending before them be denied. The Light Plant had made a request to the DPU to move funds that were collected for their employees pension costs, into their general depreciation account. It was noted in this letter that the town has recommended that the placement of these pension assets be placed into the Town’s OPEB Trust Fund for the express purpose of reducing the Light Plant’s portion of the OPEB liability. Mr. Bulman asked the Board to withdraw their objection. He commented that in 1981, the Light Plant set money aside for future obligations, and that eight other communities have such a depreciation fund. However, the Town objected. The Light Board wanted clarificationwhether or not the monies could be kept in a separate depreciation fund. Mr. Bulman commented that years have gone by and after joint meetings; the discussions being that the Town doesn’t think the Light Plant can legally do this. Mr. Bulman pointed out the Light Plant contacted the DPU because they wanted to g et more money on their interest, wanted to raise more money, wanted it to grow faster and everybody got involved. Mr. Bulman emphasized the question is can the Light Department use the money until the depreciation fund is working and that is the only question the DPU can answer – yes or no. The Selectmen agreed to send a letter to the D.P.U. and it was,
Voted, to send a letter to be sent to the DPU stating the Board has withdrawn their objections listed in their letter of March 18, 2008 relative to Comment Docket 08-2.
Voted, by roll call vote to go into Executive Session to discuss pending litigation and not return to Open Session.
John Riley – yes
Laura Burns – yes
Bruce Rabuffo - yes
Adjourned Regular Session: 10:45 PM Marilyn Harrington Clerk pro tem