Back to Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes 2008
July 29, 2008
Regular Session, 7:48 pm
Mr. Riley, Ms. Burns, Mr. Rabuffo
DPW Collective Bargaining Agreement
Michael Puzo, representing the Personnel Board, spoke of the successful agreement reached with the DPW Teamsters Local 25. After a series of negotiation meetings, the contract was ratified in July. The Memorandum of Agreement is for three years, retroactive to July 1, 2007 and runs until June 30, 2010. Highlights of the agreement are a general wage increase of 3% a year, changes in the provisions for comp time, sick leave, personal days, longevity and clothing allowance.
Voted - to sign a Memorandum of Agreement between the Town of Hingham and Teamsters Local Union 25 for the period July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2010.
Mr. John Hersey spoke in detail about the condition of a public shade tree at 231 Prospect Street about which he had called the police on Sunday, July 20. On Tuesday, July 22, he asked Interim Town Administrator Betty Foley to intercede and have it taken down. Mr. Hersey praised Ms. Foley for her quick response and the tree was taken down that day. Ms. Foley interjected that the tree was already scheduled to be taken down that day by the DPW. Mr. Hersey was grateful for Ms. Foley’s aid and response on three issues recently. Further, he said there was a limb of a tree on Garrison Road that was jeopardizing the public and wanted it removed. He also wants citizens to warn residents about these dangers.
Robert Falvey suggested that one of the Selectmen’s goals should be to start their meetings on time for scheduled appointments. Mr. Falvey had written a letter five weeks ago and had not had a written response from the Board, although he had had a conversation with Betty Foley. He wanted to know what the Selectmen’s policy was for getting back to residents. He listed several items that need attention: the fence at Broad Cove, the wall at the Harbor, area around Foster School, weeds everywhere, signs, and painted lines on West and North Streets. Mr. Falvey would like to know what the Selectmen’s policy is in getting back to citizens. Superintendent of Public Works Joseph Stigliani said that these are all jobs that are done by temporary summer help.
Ms. Burns said that we try to get back in a week, that there were a lot of items on Mr. Falvey’s list and that we can’t do everything on the list. Mr. Rabuffo said that he, along with Mr. Falvey, also observes conditions around town and that he tries to get back in a week. Mr. Falvey said the two major things were Foster School area and the fence on Lincoln Street at Broad Cove. Mr. Riley said that improvements have been made on Downer Ave. He then asked Mr. Stigliani to come up with a list of signs that need replacing and put it on the budget.
Baler Building Update
Cape Building Systems Proposed Contract Agreement provides for replacing the exterior wall panels on the sides of the building, rather than painting. This is an addendum to the current contract in the amount of $398,600 for roof replacement, renovation of the office and bathrooms and ADA accessibility improvement work and falls within the current budget. Mr. Riley asked about the tight tank installation. Mr. Stigliani explained that they could not go with a septic system because of environmental reasons and that with a new roof, there would not be water in the building.
Voted - to sign an agreement with Cape Building Systems of Mattapoisett, MA for the replacement of all existing exterior wall panels on the Baler Building at the Transfer Station in the net amount of $65,000.
Contract Extension, Bituinous Concrete Paving
Mr. Stigliani said that this extends the present contract until December 31, 2008. The bid price
is subject to a fuel adjustment surcharge which is currently $5.61 per ton. This bidding is done by the MAPC for the consortium.
Voted - to sign a Proposed Contract Extension extending the Town’s Contract with Aggregate Industries until December 31, 2008.
Route 228 Speed Limit Changes
The Town had petitioned MassHighway for a slight change in the regulations for Route 228 (Main Street) to drop the speed 5 mph over .4 miles. in the school area. MassHighway has not as yet submitted a schedule of dates for the work.
Voted - to adopt the Special Speed Regulations numbered 824 and 824-A, dated August 22, 1973 and November 5, 1973 respectively, amended as follows:
The following speed limits are established at which motor vehicles may be operated in the areas described:
Route 228 – Southbound
By striking out the clauses reading: 1.94 miles at 40 miles per hour
0.62 miles at 35 miles per hour ending at
Route 53; the total distance being 7.46 miles
and inserting in place thereof: 1.90 miles at 40 miles per hour
0.66 miles at 35 mils per hour ending at Route 53; the total distance being 7.46 miles
Foundry Pond Dredging
Conservation Agent Clifford Prentiss spoke about the history of Foundry Pond. In 1986 Foundry Pond dam was repaired with federal funds with the town paying for engineering and construction supervision. The dam which was failing was reconstructed in the 90’s with money voted at Town Meeting. .Moneys were also voted to dredge the pond. Permitting to complete the work was begun by the staff but increasing work load forced the project to the back burner. Permits previously gained have lapsed. We have been urged by Marine Fisheries to have enough water for fish to go upstream and spawn. There is approximately 12,500 c.y. of sediment to be removed which can be used in Bare Cove Park. Engineering and permitting is estimated at $79,000. There is an elaborate system of permitting with many agencies involved. The Commission will go back to Town Meeting for CPC funds for phase 2 and moneys for the actual work which was previously voted would also need to be reaffirmed by Town Meeting. .
Laura Burns was concerned that because permits had lapsed because of the work load before, has the Con Comm the time to undertake this project again. Every day demands will overshadow the project again. Mr. Prentiss replied that it will be contracted out this time. Mr. Rabuffo asked if there are other projects like this. Mr. Prentiss replied that perhaps Triphammer Pond. It is $49,435 total for this phase and the permitting for phase 2 is $39,000.
Voted - to authorize the Conservation Commission to expend the balance of funds from Article 14, 1997 ATM with supplemental funds from the Conservation Fund to complete the work of the dredging of Foundry Pond, Phase I.
Voted - to sign a three year contract for ambulance billing services with Comstar, Inc.
Voted - to waive the Building Department fee for the demolition of Building 104.
Voted - to approve the request for assistance of legal counsel for the Historic Districts Commission.
Voted - to appoint Stanley Hersey, Keith Jermyn, David Bennett, Jr. and Kevin Bulman as Alternate Inspectors of Wires for the ensuing year.
Voted - to appoint Francis Yetman as Plumbing & Gas Inspector for the ensuing year.
Voted - to appoint Brian McPherson, Francis Yetman, Jr., George Rittershaus and Timothy Curtin as Alternate Plumbing & Gas Inspectors for the ensuing year.
Selectmen’s Goals
Mr. Rabuffo. Same process as last year – discuss, assign to individual selectman. The Finance Director has involved the department heads in zero-based budgeting and the process will start earlier this year. The goal of zero-based budgeting is for the Selectmen to get into the budget starting at the ground up and understand how the budget is being spent. There were small savings last year on the expense side. This year salaries will also be examined. This is an opportunity for the departments to explain what they do and maybe what they are not doing. The second phase of this would be to see how we relate to other towns. He has also talked to the Planning Board regarding #4.
#3 (Bruce) Implement zero-based budget policy.
#4 (Bruce) Begin the process of renewing and revamping the Master Plan
Laura stated that last year we raised income level for elderly exemptions. She will come back in a few weeks with other ideas. Laura will pursue 2A which is to hire a grant writer to seek out moneys to relieve department heads of the responsibility of looking for funds. She also explained that performance contracting is to contract with one firm to look for energy savings with costs covered by the savings, rather than doing it ourselves. Mr. Rabuffo said that the Light Plant is looking at this also and would work with us.
#1 (Laura) Tax Relief – exemptions and education
#2 (Laura) Revenue enhancements: (a) increase the business tax base by identifying desirable businesses and recruiting them: (b) hire a part-time grantwriter; (c) investigate energy savings through performance contracting.
Faced with a rate increase from Aquarion, Laura recalled that a Hingham Journal editorial suggested having a “water summit” and see what the issues are. How much water is there? How much development can we support without knowing how much water there is. There is a state agency that is developing a tool to find out about water problems. She said she was part of a “housing summit” a few years ago and that 7 out of 10 goals from that meeting were accomplished. Bruce attended the water rate increase hearing recently in Hull. We pay 58% more for water from Aquarion than from the MWRA, and the MWRA pays 100% more than Hawaii which has a desalinization plant.
#5 Investigate water supply conditions. This goal was not specifically assigned to any one Selectman.
September 16, 2008 will be the next update on goals.
Selectmen’s Report
Ms. Burns attended a town meeting type forum in Hull at which the Governor spoke. She was impressed with his responses. Asked whether there are any plans for more help from the State for Special Education, he said the 2nd part of his Readiness project was how to pay for it. Mr. Rabuffo met with friends in Cohasset and Hull and found that we are all trying to solve the same problems and should meet and discuss where we can benefit each other.
Adjourned 9:32 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Betty Tower, Clerk pro tem