Back to Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes 2008
December 16, 2008
Regular Session @ 7:00 PM
Mr. Riley, Ms. Burns, Mr. Rabuffo
Employee Recognition Awards Joan Newell and Eileen McCracken of the Employee Recognition Awards Committee announced that Isobel Bellenis, head of the Audit Visual Department at the Hingham Public Library was selected for the Productivity and Efficiency Award. Doris McCann was selected for the Customer Service Award. Ms. Bellenis was nominated by several employees. She is always looking for ways to provide new services for the residents. The movie night with popcorn, which turned out to be incredibly the most popular event at the Library’s was initiated by Ms. Bellenis. Several parents nominated Ms. McCann because she greets every child with a smile, decorates her bus for all occasions, and has a Webkins day care center on her bus. One parent had stated that “when Doris pulls up, it’s a great way to start the day”. The Selectmen will send a letter of congratulations to these employees. The Board also thanked Ms. Newell and Ms. McCracken for their work in the selection process.
Bonds for Lincoln School – Ms. Burns announced that Jean Montgomery, Treasurer Collector reported that the bid was awarded to Eastern Bank for the issuance and sale of obligation bonds to purchase the Lincoln School Apartments on the basis of their net interest cost of 1.2880%. The extremely low interest is due to the town’s AAA rating. This is a one year issue General Obligation Note in the amount of $6,700 with a maturity date of December 23, 2009. James O’Brien representing the Affordable Housing Trust reported that within a period of two weeks, there was a list of 62 items that had to be completed. Only four or five items remain and will be completed by the anticipated closing date of December 23, 2008.
Voted: to approve the sale of a $6,700,000 2.50 percent Bond Anticipation Note, 2008 Series C of the Town dated December 23, 2008, and payable December 23, 2009 (the “Note”), to Eastern Bank at par and accrued interest plus a premium of $81,204.00.
Further Voted: that in connection with the marketing and sale of the Note, the preparation and distribution of a Notice of Sale and Preliminary Official Statement dated December 10, 2008, and a final Official Statement dated December 16, 2008, each in such form as approved by the Town Treasurer, be and hereby are ratified, confirmed, approved and adopted.
Further Voted: that the Town Treasurer and the Board of Selectmen be, and hereby are, authorized to execute and deliver a material events disclosure undertaking in compliance with SEC Rule 15c2-12 in such form as may be approved by bond counsel to the Town, which undertaking shall be incorporated by reference in the Note, as applicable, for the benefit of the holders of the Note from time to time.
Further Voted: That the Town Treasurer and Finance Director are authorized to file an application with The Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Municipal Finance Oversight Board to qualify under Chapter 44A of the General Laws any and all bonds or notes of the Town authorized by Article 1 of the Warrant at the Town Meeting held on October 27, 2008, and to provide such information and execute such documents as the Municipal Finance Oversight Board of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts may require.
Further Voted: that each member of the Board of Selectmen, the Town Clerk, the Town Treasurer and the Finance Director be and hereby are, authorized to take any and all such actions, and execute and deliver such certificates, receipts or other documents as may be determined by them, or any of them, to be necessary or convenient to carry into effect the provisions of the foregoing votes.
Local Action Units – Back River Townhouses Mark Kablack representing Back River LLC presented an application for five, single-family affordable units for the Selectmen to sign before submittal to the DHCD. Mr. Kablack pointed out that the LLC had complied with the Selectmen’s request to modify the application to include households with children and that three of the affordable units be given local preference. Having done this he said it was imperative that this application process be brought to conclusion. The deeds for the affordable units will carry a rider stating these units are affordable in perpetuity. James O’Brien of the Affordable Housing Trust informed the Board that the Trust had looked at this application very carefully and found it very satisfactory. Mr. O’Brien advised that Engler Associates will be handling the lottery and is a well qualified agent. The Affordable Trust will be monitoring this process.
Voted - to sign the Local Action Units application for the Back River Townhomes as approved by the Hingham Affordable Trust.
Financial Update – Mr. Rabuffo expressed his concern that the town could be facing as much as a $9 or $10 million revenue shortfall for FY 2010. Mr. Rabuffo explained that projected revenues from all sources, including property taxes, are $79.3 million. The total expenses were based on department budget requests amounting to $83 million. The $83 million figures covers all town contractual obligations, a 3% increase in school costs, salary line increases, and a 10% increases in health care costs. It also represents a 150 percent reduction in capital outlay with a projected reduction in state aid. The following 10 items are exclusions from these calculations:
Mr. Alexiades, Finance Director pointed out that our fund balances stood at $8,332k or 11.5% of total expenditures for FY 2007. Moody’s suggest that the number needs to be at 20% or $16,600k. At least 2.0 million should be contributed to the fund in 2010 to begin to reverse that trend. He requested the board to come up with a primary goal, which is to see what we have to do to balance the budget and closed the gap between $70 million in projected revenues and $83 million in budget requests. Mr. Alexiades expressed concern that if we don’t take steps to close this gap the town could lose itstheir AAA Bond Rating and the ability to borrow money would be greatly affected. Mr. Rabuffo said that the Department Heads including the School Department have agreed to work with the Selectmen in taking a hard look at these budgets. Mr. Riley mentioned that it will not be an easy task, but we need to try and reduce some of these costs, even as expenses continue to rise. Mr. Burns said we need to make choices and budget discussions will continue in following meetings.
South Shore Country Club - The Selectmen had asked The Country Club to provide an update on their business plan. Jay McGrail, Superintendent advised that in order to raise more revenue, the Country Club is allowing golfers to play this winter, as weather permits. Last Monday, he said, that over 100 golfers used the course. Matthew Havens, Chairman of the Country Club Management Committee noted that having an in house operation has allowed them the flexibility to remain open this winter. Mr. McGrail felt the golf operation was improving and will be soon able to develop some reserves to fund the much needed capital projects. For many years the CCMC returned money back to the Town annually to pay off the bond and provide the town with revenue. However, in 2006, there was a budget deficit and a reserve fund transfer was needed. Since then, the CCMC had to obtain permission from the Town Accountant to make purchases or pay bills. The Selectmen would like to see some revenue sharing again. The Committee feels it would be at least five years of investment and maintenance expenditures before any revenue could be returned to the Town, as the maintenance has been neglected over the years. Mr. Havens advised the Committee is trying to formulate a sustainable method of sharing revenue from the Country Club with the Town. The Committee would like to see that the care and custody control be returned to them. Ms. Burns suggested that a town meeting article to revise the By-law relating to the management of the facility might be in order. The next step is to take what has been learned from the 2006 Facilities Study Committee and explore returns on the investment of the facility. Mr. McGrail advised there is no more negativity with the revised CCMC. It is a team effort with team players and he is confident that by working together they will come up with ways to increase revenues so they can examine the long-term feasibility of the existing structures which include the pro-shop, swimming pool, bowling, tennis, and restaurant and catering. The management committee would like to see the pool become an in-house operation. The Board was glad to see that progress is being made.
Request of Nick Bonn, 3 Otis Street to use town land to repair his floats. Mr. Rabuffo informed the Board that Mr. Bonn told him that his floats are sinking and need to be repaired. If the temperature holds he would like to make the repairs at the end of this week. The Selectmen agreed provided, a written request is submitted and it is done under the supervision of the Harbor Master.
Voted - to grant permission to Nick Bonn, 3 Otis Street to use town land for the purpose of preparing his floats under the supervision of the Harbor Master.
Voted - to renew the Automatic Amusement Device License of Anthony Martone, A.R.M., Inc. d/b/a South Shore Sports Center, 55 Recreation Park Drive. This license is restricted to the 15 devices listed on the license.
Voted - to renew the Class I, Sellers Agent License, to sell and buy second-hand motor vehicles for Best Chevrolet Inc, 128 Derby Street.
Voted - to renew the following Alcoholic Beverages License for the year 2009:
RESTAURANT COMMON VICTUALLER/ALL ALCOHOLIC -
AR.M. Inc. d/b/a South Shore Sports Center, 55 Recreation Park Dr., Anthony Martone, Manager
Asian Fusion Inc d/b/a Asian C, 48 Whiting Street, Shun Li Chen, Manager
BE&E Inc, d/b/a The Snug , 116 North St., Ellen Nally Brown, Manager
Bertucci’s Rest.Corp d/b/aBertucci’s Brick Oven Ristorante, 90 Derby St, Deborah Collins, Manager
Black Rock Golf Club, LLC , 25 Clubhouse Drive, Alojz Noskovic, Manager
Burtons Grill of Hingham, 96 Derby Street, Kevin P. Harron, Manager
CCMC d/b/a South Shore Country Club, 274 South St., Nora Berard, Manager
Curry, LLC d/b/a Muang Thai, 74 North Street, Elmer Curry, Manager
Eat Well, Inc., d/b/a Tosca , Manager, 14 North St., Arthur DeCarli, Manager
Eat Well, Inc., d/b/a Caffé Tosca, 15 North St., Gregory Accera
Kay’s Harbor Corp. d/b/a Stars on Hingham Harbor, 2-4 Otis St, Edward A. Kane, Manager
KMC, LLC, d/b/a Rustic Kitchen, 94 Derby Street, Suite 217, James Cafarelli, Manager
Linden Ponds Inc d/b/a Linden Ponds, 300 Linden Ponds Way, Tomas O. Gonzales, Mgr.
Maxx, LLC d/b/a The Boston Golf Club, Inc., 31 Old County Road, Robt. Pescatore,Mgr.
Ninety Nine Restaurant of Boston, LLC, 428 Lincoln Street, Teresa M. Masure, Manager
Nino’s Steak & Chop House, LLC, 415 Whiting Street, Nino Crugnale, Manager
Ocean Kai, Inc., 300 Lincoln Street, David Chin, Manager
Pepper Dining Inc., d/b/a Chili’s Grille & Bar, 6 Whiting St., Cristina McShain, Manager
Salsa’s Restaurant Inc, 211 Lincoln Street, David A. Littlefield, Manager
Samuels & Associates Hingham LLC d/b/a Samuels & Assoc. Dev. LLC, 349 Lincoln St.
Siam Enterprises, Inc, d/b/a Jack’s Cafe, 6 Crow Point Lane, Wanpen S.J. Collins, Manager
Sons of Italy Lodge #1850, 39 Kilby Street, Anthony M. Sestito, Manager
Thompson’ Tavern, Inc., d/b/a Liberty Grille, Manager, 8 North St., J. Christian Thompson, Mgr.
Three Squares A Day Café, Inc. d/b/a The Square Café, 150 North St., Patricia A. Libby, Mgr.
Webber Restaurant Development, LLC, d/b/a Scarlet Oak Tavern, 1217 Main Street, Thomas Totman, Mgr
COMMON VICTUALLER WINES AND MALT BEVERAGES
Hingham Yacht Club, 211 Downer Avenue, Mary Ann Shea, Manager
Crow Point Pizzeria Inc., 191 Lincoln Street, Athanasios Gikas, Manager
RETAIL PACKAGE GOODS STORE/ALL ALCOHOLIC -
A.G.T. Inc., d/b/a Queen Ann Wine & Spirits, 1 Whiting St. Nicholas V. Trifone, III, Mgr.
Derby Street Wine & Spirits, 94 Derby, Suite 103, Michael Lorigan, Manager
G&B Inc. d/b/a Euro Mart, 26 Whiting St, Bechara Simon Bellan, Manager
E&S Group Inc. d/b/a Hingham Liquors, 118 North St. Joseph V. Ierardi. Manager
Packaging Center, Inc, d/b/a Stop & Shop, Mgr, 400 Lincoln St., Michael Keany, Manager
RETAIL PACKAGE STORE WINE & MALT BEVERAGES
Bare Cove Gourmet Wine Annex, Inc., 79 Water St., Carolyn Craine, Manager
Manaba, Inc. d/b/a Main St Market & Deli, 484 Main St, Viktoria Patel, Manager
Hingham Wine Merchant, LLC, 74 North Street, Duncan S. Routh, Manager
Hat Trick Six Inc., d/b/a The Cracker Barrel, 613 Main Street, Paul LeBlanc, Manager
Richard Abbadessa-Victoria Abbadessa Forman d/b/a Victoria’s Beer & Wine, 244 Hull
Voted - to renew the following Common Victualler Licienses:
F & Y Coffee and More
Brewed Awakenings
D’Angelo Sandwich Shop
Cohasset/Atlantic Ventures Inc. d/b/a Atlantic Bagel & Coffee
Starbucks Coffee Company – Lincoln Street
Brighams
North Street Pizzeria
JRH Inc. d/b/a Sub Galley
Broad Cove Auction, Inc.
Bruegger’s Bagel Bakery
Corporate Chefs, Inc.
Whiting Street Donuts, Inc. d/b/a Dunkin Donuts
Pilgrim Skating Arena
Hingham Yogur
Whites Fine Cakes and Pastry
Baha Fresh Mexican Grill
Whole Foods
Panera Bread
Starbuck Coffee Company, Derby Street
The Upper Crust
Selectmen’s Reports. Ms. Burns reported she attended a Smart Growth Meeting with Planning Administrator Katy Lacey. The focus at this meeting was on growth rather than energy. Ms. Burns said that Kevin Paicos, the newly appointed Town Administrator hopes to wrap up his employment in Ashburnham shortly. Mr. Paicos will start in Hingham on a part time basis in January. Mr. Rabuffo attended a Development and Industrial Commission Meeting. The large scaled proposed projects for South Hingham were discussed. It was agreed that a Master Plan should be in place before any more development is permitted in South Hingham. Ms. Burns and Mr. Riley concurred with that decision. Mr. Riley mentioned that he was pleased to see that the CCMC is working together without any negativity.
Adjourned: 8:55 PM Regular Session
Voted by roll call vote to go into Executive Session to discuss real property and not return to open session.
Mr. Riley - yes
Ms. Burns – yes
Mr. Rabuffo -yes
Adjourned: 8:55 PM
Marilyn A. Harrington
Clerk pro tem