Back to Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes 2008
October 28, 2008
Open Session 6:30 PM
Mr. Riley, Ms. Burns, Mr. Rabuffo
6:31 PM
Voted - by roll call vote to go into Executive Session to discuss pending litigation.
Mr. Riley, yes
Ms. Burns, yes
Mr. Rabuffo, yes
Open Session 7:50 PM
Public Hearing/Grant of Location on the petition of Verizon New England Inc, to install and maintain conduit in Indian Rock Road and Kress Farm Road. Paulette Alty, Verizon Engineer, said this petition is necessary to provide new Verizon Fios telecommunications service on fiber optic cable to the residents of Kress Farm Development. The Selectmen questioned the necessity of digging up both sides of the street. Ms. Alty pointed out that this is out of the ordinary, however, due to the location of existing utilities in this subdivision it is necessary to cross the traveled way, from the odd numbered side of Kress Farm Road to the even numbered side in several locations to provide service to both sides of the street. Ms. Alty assured the Board that Verizon would be responsible for any road repairs resulting from the fios installations within the Town.
Voted, to approve the petition for a Grant of Location to Verizon New England, Inc. to install and maintain approximately 2,912 feet of 1 ¼ inch conduit with hand holes and cable from pole #18 on Leavitt Street to Kress Farm Road and Indian Rock Road, in accordance with Plan marked Verizon No. 10/08-18 dated 10-08-2008. This petition is granted subject to the stipulations of the Department of Public Works.
Public Hearing/Grant of Location on the petition of National Grid to install and maintain approximately 550 feet, more or less of 6 inch gas main and 1,430 feet more or less of 2 inch gas main in Beal’s Cove Road from the 6 inch gas main in Beal Street at Back River Road southerly to the Beal’s Cove Development. Mr. Riley pointed out that the town’s interest is in the public way which is the proposed 550 feet in Beal Street. Mr. Harold Cooper, representative of Nationalgrid agreed and said the abutters in the Beal’s Cove apartments. This request would enable the residents to install gas heat. The Selectmen questioned when would this work be started and finished as the deadline for street opening permits is November 15th. Mr. Cooper said Nationalgrid would start as soon as the grant of location is approved and would leave the roadway in good condition.
Voted, to approve the request of Nationalgrid to install and maintain approximately 550 feet, more or less, of 6 inch gas main in Beal Street, as shown on Plan marked Nationalgrid, Engineering Design, Proposed Scope of Work, 200 Beal Street, Hingham dated 10/08/2008.
Back River Townhomes Local Action Unit Application – Present, Mark Kablack and Brad Soule, representing Back River Park LLC and Back River Land LLC, affiliates of Thomas J. Hastings Co., LLC. Previously they had previously forwarded preliminary drafts of their Local Action Unit Application (LAU) to the ZBA, James Toomey Counsel for the Town, and DHCD. Mr. Kablack and Mr. Soule pointed out that the purpose of this meeting is to request the Board of Selectmen to review and approve the materials they presented and execute the appropriate application forms and forward them to DHCD for further processing. Mr. Kablack advised that of the five designated affordable units, one of them is ready to be marketed, and the others are nearing completion. They would like to begin the marketing and lottery process for these units as soon as possible. The Selectmen commented they would like to see residents, employees, and parents of Metco students have a chance. Mr. Kablack commented that local preference will be offered for three of the units and the other 2 units will be available to all eligible applicants.
Mr. Riley expressed disappointment that the units were not distributed throughout the complex instead of all facing Beal Street. Mr. Riley also questioned the size of the affordable units. Mr. Soule said the affordable units are smaller than some of the other units. The other units in the complex have a mix of large and smaller units also. Mr. Soule also said that there is 1220 square feet living area and an attached garage which meets and exceeds most standards of Hingham. Mr. Kablack said that Engler Associates would be handling the application process for the affordable units. The Board decided to take this matter under advisement until discussions can be held with the Affordable Housing Trust.
Mr. Rabuffo announced that in view of heating costs, and Fridays are only half days, in terms of efficiency and to show appreciation to employees, it was,
Voted, to close Town Hall on November 28, 2008, December 26, 2008, and January 2, 2009.
Selectmen’s Reports – Ms. Burns attended an informative conference sponsored by the Mass. Selectmen’s Association. It was an informative meeting that discussed many topics including municipal insurance and bond rating. It was pointed out that municipalities that do not have a good bond rating are considered to be bad risks and their cost of bonding is increased. Towns that manage well can really benefit. Mr. Rabuffo commented that Hingham is one of only 13 towns have AAA rating.
Mr. Rabuffo thought the Management Letter received from the auditors was outstanding and it would be discussed at the next meeting. He also mentioned that 12 finalists have been selected for Town Administrator. The interview process will begin sometime next week and a final recommendation will be announced November 20, 2008 in public session.
Mr. Riley remarked on the well attended October 28, 2008 Special Town Meeting to purchase the Lincoln School Apartment and thanked all speakers.
Beal Street Playing Fields – Mr. John Hersey expressed concern that the fields were still in terrible condition. Mr. Riley wanted it on record that the Board sent a letter to Mr. Hastings to remind him that part of the agreement to build Back River LLC was to construct the playing fields with a one year warranty for the fields. Mr. Rabuffo is aware that the warranty is up in a few days and does not want the town to lose out. This matter is also being discussed with Mr. Hoffman.
Adjourned: 8:55 PM Marilyn Harrington
Clerk pro tem