Back to Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes
May 5, 2009
Regular Session 7:35 pm
Ms. Burns, Mr. Rabuffo, Mr. Riley
Mr. Rabuffo commended Mr. Riley for his leadership during the past year. He then moved that Ms. Burns be appointed chairman.
Voted - to appoint Laura M. Burns, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen.
Ms. Burns also thanked Mr. Riley for his leadership and Mr. Rabuffo for his energy and approach to problem solving during these difficult times.
Downtown Marketing Plan
Ms. Sullivan reported that the bike racks were in and the sites had been chosen – Station Street, the parking lot by the hardware store, the corner across from Nona’s, by the Post Office and South Street by Coldwell Banker. She noted that there are other areas where bike racks could be used and there are grant programs available for these racks. Ms. Sullivan pointed out that the benches were originally going to be purchased under the downtown earmark grant but there were sufficient people interested in sponsoring benches to put out benches in the downtown area. These benches seem to be heavily utilized and there are one or two locations where additional benches could be placed. Because there are still people interested in sponsoring benches, the decision was made to place more benches around town – two at the Common, one at the Community Center, one on the tunnel cap behind the Square Café and at Lincoln Park. Presently the committee is looking at the harbor area for additional bench locations. Mr. Riley noted that it is encouraging that so many people have shown interest in the benches.
Ms. Sullivan presented the marketing packet developed while she served as the economic development consultant for the downtown, a position which was also funded through the downtown earmark. The packet includes a map showing retail, services, restaurant and residences in the downtown. Also included is a video featuring the downtown and what it has to offer.
The Board announced that they would review the marketing package and vote on it at the next meeting. Ms. Sullivan noted that there are a number of businesses who do come looking for information but there is no formal clearing house. She had been going to write up a job description for an economic development person for the town but since there was no funding available at this time, she did not follow through. It is possible that once created this could be a self funding position.
Farmer’s Market
Mark Cullings, president of the Hingham Farmers’ Market, introduced Bill Marshall the new manager of the Farmers Market. He will be an onsite manager. Mr. Cullings explained that he was at this meeting to request the Board’s support for expansion of the Farmers Market to a second day, Wednesday. This market would be held on the Tunnel Cap area in the Downtown. Mr. Cullings noted that the Board had indicated a desire to have more events in the Square in order to build the social matrix of the area. The concept of the Farmers Market on the tunnel cap is not a new one. There had been discussion of moving the market entirely from the bathing beach to the downtown but the vendors would not be anxious to see that. The Farmers Market is the third oldest in the state and historically was held on two days, Wednesday and Saturday.
The Farmers Market views this as an experiment. Hopefully this would begin on June 10 and continue for 13 weeks. Chief Duff has agreed with the proviso that there is a twenty foot lane down the center of Main Street; Chief Mills has been supportive and has assigned Sgt. Horte to the market; The Hingham Journal ran a poll and the response was quite positive; and Hingham Institution for Savings will provide parking for vendors behind the bank. The size of the market will likely be between 15 and 20 vendors. The maximum size will be determined as things go along. Many vendors use 10 x 10 canopies- this would allow 10 vendors on a side. Mr. Cullings hopes that some of the smaller vendors who do not use these canopies may expand onto the tunnel cap itself.
There are 11 vendors of food and produce who have indicated an interest in participating in the Wednesday market. There are also a number of artisans also interested in participating.
Mr. Rabuffo commented that things have come a long way. He suggested that Mr. Cullings give the Board an update after the first couple of weeks of operation of the Wednesday market. Mr. Riley had two concerns: one, the idea of a craft fair or artisans
because he felt it was important to keep the businesses in the Square thriving and the arts and crafts may impact some of the local businesses; the second item was entertainment, as mentioned in the letter – what would this entail? What type of music?
In response Mr. Cullings said that in his experience competition breeds business. There would be a quota on the percentage of crafters allowed to participate in the market. The local businesses have met some of the crafters, seen their products and are now offering them in local stores. The music and entertainment would be respectful of the town – small combos, jazz ensembles, harpist, or folk music would be fine. Mr. Riley expressed concern about electric guitars, etc. for music. He also said he would like to see consensus with the Downtown merchants as to what would be an appropriate percent of crafters.
Ms. Burns said that she felt the crafters would be an addition but agreed with the suggestion that Mr. Cullings consult with the Downtown merchants. He said that one merchant expressed concern about a vendor selling cut flowers but no other concerns as to product lines have been expressed. Mr. Paicos indicated that he had attended the meeting of the business association when the idea was proposed. He suggested that there be an approval with the condition that a letter be received from the Downtown Association indicating that there was no issue with this. Ms. Burns suggested that the street closing be approved for the Farmers Market for these dates with the proviso that the Downtown Merchants are consulted as to the participation of artisans and crafters.
Voted - to allow the Farmers Market to close Main Street between South to North Streets with a 100’ fire lane from June 10 – September 7 with the understanding that they will come back to the Board with consensus from the Downtown Association supporting the inclusion of arts and crafts.
Voted – to appoint Betty Foley, Clerk to the Board of Selectmen.
Voted - to approve a temporary liquor license to the South Shore Conservatory of Music for their Evening Under the Stars Concert Series on the following dates: July 11, July 25, August 1, and August 8, 2009.
Voted - to approve a temporary liquor license to the Broad Cove Ballroom, for a wedding reception, to be held May 16, 2009.
Selection of Audit Firm
Mr. Rabuffo explained that when he first joined the Board the Town had been using the same audit firm for 18 years. It has been his experience that it is not a good idea to have the same firm, year after year. In discussing Mr. Paicos said that it was his experience that this was not uncommon. The normal practice to select an audit firm is to have an independent committee and to ask them to make a recommendation. Mr. Paicos suggested that the Board consider Mr. Alexiades’ suggestion to request a few members of the Advisory Committee members serve as an interim audit committee. In particular, Mr. Rabuffo thought Mr. Manning and Mr. MacCune would be very helpful in searching out an audit firm for the Town’s audit this year. Mr. Paicos mentioned that it has always been his practice to recommend rotation of audit companies on a regular basis. Because the auditor needs to work closely with those being audited, there is a tendency to develop close relationships. The audit is conducted according to standards developed by GASB. One firm may emphasize one thing; a second firm may have a different focus. A change every three to five years is good business practice. Mr. Paicos suggested that the Board think long and hard before establishing an audit committee. He noted that the short term audit committee is an excellent suggestion. It could be made up with two Advisory Committee members, one Selectman, the Town Administrator and one member from either the Library or the Affordable Housing Trust. Mr. Paicos said, ideally, the auditor would have been appointed a couple of weeks ago but there is still time for appointment. Mr. Riley said he would be in favor of a five member committee and also that the fifth member be from the Affordable Housing Trust.
Mr. Rabuffo disagreed with appointment of a member of the Housing Trust but rather some one independent. Ms. Burns noted that Advisory Committee members would have to serve on the committee as ex officio members.
Voted - to appoint a temporary audit committee to include the following members: Jack Manning, Greg MacCune, Kevin Paicos, Bruce Rabuffo, and a citizen to be named at a later date.
Playing Fields on Bare Cove Park Drive
Ms. Burns noted that the new recreational fields on Bare Cove Park Drive have been constructed and are beginning to grow. A recommendation has been received from Chief Mills to name those fields after Chief Steven D. Carlson. Mr. Riley said that he had known Steve Carlson his entire life and that he had given a tremendous amount of himself to the Town. Mr. Rabuffo commented that the Chief had always said we need to give our youth a place to be. Ms. Burns said that she felt that this would give him great pleasure.
Voted - to name the Playing Fields on Bare Cove Park Drive, the Steven D. Carlson Fields.
There will be a ceremony planned for a Sunday in June.
Voted- to sign a Water Main Extension and Acquisition Agreement between the Town of Hingham and Aquarion Water Company joined by CTA Construction Company for the Elementary School located at 2 Collins Street.
Voted - to approve the minutes of October 18, October 24, October 28, October 30, November 10, and November 13, 2008.
Selectmen/Town Administrator’s Reports
Mr.Rabuffo congratulated the winners of last Saturday’s election and said he was very pleased that the override passed. The quarterly budget reviews began today. The Thaxter Park boilers discussions are underway and Mr. Paicos has a meeting with the Housing Authority Director on Thursday. The information developed will aid in talking to people on Beacon Hill.
Mr. Riley thanked everyone who came out and voted and participated in the override vote. Mr. Riley reminded everyone that the Talent Bank Applications that were included in the Annual Town Meeting Warrant book and are also available on the town’s website.
Ms. Burns noted that on May 17 at 2:00 o’clock there will be a presentation of “Spanning Generations” at Linden Ponds. This will be the first annual event of this type. Ms. Burns also advised that a letter was received today from Sue Eddy saying that the Town has received a $50,000 contribution from the Shipyard owners for police and fire equipment purchases. This was for the upgrade of radio equipment.
Mr. Riley said that since the election he has had a number of inquiries about the new Recreation Commissioner and if there was any conflict of interest in her functioning as an independent contractor. Mr. Paicos noted that it is good practice for an individual to request an opinion from Town Counsel about this type of situation. The Ethics Commission then has five days to agree or disagree with Town Counsel’s opinion.
Voted, by roll call vote to adjourn to executive session for purpose of real estate and contract discussions and not to return to open session this evening.
Mr. Riley – yes
Mr. Rabuffo – yes
Ms. Burns - yes
Open session adjourned 9:30 pm.
Betty Foley, Clerk