Back to Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes
July 28, 2009
Regular Session 6:30 pm
Ms. Burns, Mr. Rabuffo, Mr. Riley
The Board voted by roll call vote to adjourn to executive session for purpose of discussing pending litigation and collective bargaining.
Mr. Rabuffo - yes
Mr. Riley – yes
Ms. Burns – yes
The Board announced that it would return to open session at approximately 7:00 pm.
The Board resumed open session at 7:00 pm.
Joe Devlin, representing for Bertucci’s Restaurant Corporation, explained to the Board that this request is for an approval of a stock transfer in the grandparent organizations. Bertuccis Corporation is giving its stock to its lenders in lieu of monthly payments. The lenders have opted to become part owners rather than receive regular monthly payments. Nothing will change on the local level.
Voted - to approve the request of Bertucci’s Restaurant Corporation d/b/a Bertucci’s Brick Oven Pizzeria, 90 Derby Street, Deborah Collins, Manager, for a Transfer of Stock of their Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverages License, subject to the approval of the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission.
Public Hearing – Restaurant Beer, Wine and Cordial License GKS Corporation
Mr. Tocchio explained that the restaurant experience of the applicants. The proposed restaurant is to be located directly across from the cinema in the Shipyard development. It is expected that the restaurant will contain 59 seats, some of which maybe outside during warm weather months. The proposed manager has passed both Safe Serve and TIPS certification. There will be 4-5 employees per shift. The employees will also participate in the online training program. Hours of operation will be lunch and dinner. The restaurant will open at 11 AM and the closing time will be shortly after the last movie. Mr. Tocchio suggested that it would be acceptable to have a follow up after a year of operation to ensure compliance with the requirement that all servers be TIPS certified. The restaurant will specialize in Italian Bistro food with Sicilian pizza, calzones, pasta dishes, desserts and coffees for the theater crowd.
Voted - to approve the application of GKS Associates, LLC d/b/a Pizzapaloozza, Hingham, Building I, 19 Shipyard Drive, Stephen Yanoff, Manager, for a Restaurant Common Victualler Wines & Malt Beverages With a Cordials Permit, subject to the approval of all town boards and the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission. Subject to the floor plan as filed and operating hours of 11 am – 12 pm.
Interview for Temporary Sergeant Position
David Jones advised the Board that he grew up in Hingham, was involved in the Boy Scouts, graduated from Hingham High School, went to Massasoit and then received a Bachelor’s Degree from Curry College. He worked in security at Beth Israel/Deaconess Hospital. His experience there included child custody, parental kidnapping and extensive training in mental health units. Officer Jones said he also worked on the campus police force at Curry. He has worked for the Town of Randolph as an auxiliary and special police officer. During his initial hiring interview he said he saw himself as a patrol supervisor and that still holds true today. Officer Jones said he feels he can help other officers make good decisions and better themselves.
Most difficult situation he has encountered involved a stalking case he worked on recently. Officer Jones explained that a young woman had been harassed and stalked for a number of years. The most difficult situation emotionally was when working the day shift a woman who had doused herself with gasoline and set herself on fire got out of a car after driving from Scituate to Hingham. He met with the woman’s family after that. Officer Jones said the most important aspect of community policing is getting people involved in different ways such as Citizens’ Police Academy. He has taught classes for academy and taken citizens on ride-alongs. Officer Jones reported that he is Interested in getting an Explorer Post program for the Scouts in town for ages 14-21. This program includes Fire and EMS as well police service.
Officer Jones explained that there may be discussion as to the different ways of dealing with a situation. For example, on a car stop when the officer makes a decision to issue a ticket or tow a car and he or she is required to explain why that decision was made. His supervisory experience includes his work at Beth Israel, acting as a field training officer in Randolph as well as a field training officer in Hingham. Officer Jones said that he has filled in for the patrol supervisor in Hingham and thoroughly enjoyed doing that. He likes being with people and being able to help people succeed in what they are doing. At the hospital he received extensive training in supervising and while working for Hingham he earned a certificate from Roger Williams in training. He sees an open mind and the ability to see things impartially as the most important character asset for an officer. Officer Jones said that as a supervisor of other officers it is necessary to be even handed, fair and show no favoritism. Any favoritism, real or imagined, must be eliminated. During his tenure at the hospital Officer Jones instituted a rotational program and successfully resolved an issue which had existed for a number of years.
Scott Tracey advised the Board that this his fourth summer on the force and he looks forward to coming to work every day. Recently he received accident reconstruction certificate. The most difficult situation he had been involved in recently was responding to a call when he did his best to revive someone and it did not look good. Officer Tracey was in the military for 10 years. He said has what it takes to lead by example and that others can look to him for decision making process, etc. When questioned as to his experience as a team leader he advised that he had worked for terminal operations and command control. He said that in police work you are a leader everyday based on experience and education. Officer Tracey said that a supervisor must remember that everyone is your customer, whether you work with them as a victim of crime or a defendant. He said that people make mistakes and it is important to learn from them. He said he has had issues where he made a snafu on a citation but he learned from it. Officer Tracey feels that the most important character asset of a police officer is to do everything well, be well rounded and know how to talk to people. Officer Tracey said he handles things well. He said the most important aspect of community policing is a good relationship with the public and a sense of partnership. He said that many people do not know what the police do and the Citizens’ Police Academy, motorcycle program and Family Fun Day help inform the public.
David Petitti told the Board that he is 42 years old, from Hingham, and his family still resides in Hingham. He has worked as a police officer in Town for 15 years. Officer Pettiti said that his adoption as an infant has been an asset in dealing with kids who have difficulties. His experience allows him to relate to people with family difficulties and his adoption has been a gift in building strong family values. Both his mother and mother in law are cancer survivors and he feels this has helped him relate to people on their level and to put a personal touch on things. He believes in giving a piece of yourself to people in need.
The most difficult situation he has dealt with are deaths in the home. Officer Pettiti explained that in those situations one wants to be compassionate yet there are duties that must be performed - it is a fine line. He also said that missing children can be difficult and challenging. Officer Pettiti has 17 training certificates and has been training new officers for the past 14 years. During a press interview another officer said he had trained him to treat people as he would want to be treated. He said the most important quality for a supervisor is being a good listener. Officer Pettiti said that as a supervisor he functions as the bridge between the patrol force and the superior officers. He also noted that patrol supervisors have the benefit of being able to attend supervisory training and this is very beneficial.
Officer Pettiti said the most important character asset is integrity. He noted that If you don’t have that you don’t have anything. He said that Hingham is unique in its community policing and noted that if you can remove the image of the uniform, people will open up to you more. This effort makes people comfortable with coming forward on a serious issue. Officer Pettiti said his career goal is to process through the ranks as they become available.
Voted - to sign a contract with W. B. Mason for general office supplies and copier paper as well as copier and printer toners for the fiscal 2010 year
Mr. Riley recused himself for the following discussion.
The Conservation Commission agreed to allow Mr. Riley to install a pipe on the property in order to allow more usable property up front and the rear of the lot will be covered by a conservation easement in return for that consideration.
Voted – to sign a Conservation Easement for property located at 269-271 North Street.
Mr. Riley returned to the meeting.
Voted - To approve a transfer from the FY2009 Engineering Expenses account to the Engineering Salaries account in the amount of $124.
Voted - to appoint Kevin Paicos the Hingham Representative to the Plymouth County Health Group.
Voted - to appoint Betty Foley the Alternate Representative to the Plymouth County Health Group.
Voted - to approve request for counsel as submitted by the Sewer Commission.
Selectmen Reports
Mr. Rabuffo said the Interim Audit Committee is down to three finalists. The Committee will be holding final interviews on Thursday, August 6, at 4:00 PM. There has been a long outstanding issue as to how to maintain the new playing fields. The estimated cost for the Department of Public Works is $23,000 per year. The contractor’s obligation ends in September. Mr. Rabuffo said that at a meeting held this morning it was decided to start the process to give this field complex to the Recreation Commission to manage the property as far as scheduling. This issue is something to think about. There is not any money to sustain the fields. Mr. Rabuffo said that he was bringing this to the Board’s attention because there are many issues surrounding the fields.
Mr. Riley said the Harbor Task force had another successful meeting last night. He asked the Board if they would consider taking $300 out of the engineering fund to assist Katy Lacy with researching deeds, and the town’s role in the harbor properties. The Planning Board thought that there might be a need to look at zoning changes in the future to allow for an expansion of uses at the in the harbor area. In going through the history of the Harbor there is documentation that in 1973 the Town purchased the mudflats behind the Mobil station .for the site of a Town-owned future marina. The purchase was from the Mobil Corporation. Ms. Burns asked if there had been any discussion about naming the park down at the harbor after Seaman Foss. The Mobil property would be the parkland and could be Veterans’ Park as well.
Ms. Burns reported that the deadly culvert at World’s End has been removed. The company that is doing the work is still there but the immediate hazard has been removed. Mr. Paicos said there is still one section left to be removed. Ken Corson, acting harbormaster, is acting as a focal point to keep in touch with citizens and make sure that concerns are being addressed before the beach is reopened. The permanent permitting of the project will be ongoing for a year.
Ms. Burns said that correspondence had been received from the Linds on Lincoln Street. In their letter they asked the Board to review the Historic Districts Commission make up, area of control, etc. Mr. Riley said he would like some time to consider a response. He noted that this is an all volunteer board. The architect requirement itself is very difficult and some thought is necessary to respond. Mr. Rabuffo said that this is one side, he would like to hear the other side, perform an analysis and study the matter. The Board members will research on their own and report back. Ms. Burns said that what is being asked is very large. She noted that it is unfortunate when citizens have an unhappy experience with a permitting board and that she is hopeful the discussion will go on between the parties. Ms. Burns also remarked that she is not sure that a major review of the commission is called for since the Board has not had a number of complaints.
Mr. Rabuffo said he would like more information on the cable TV educational piece. He would like to see what the high school is teaching in the cable area. Mr. Rabuffo noted that people are about to get larger bills and they need how to the money is to be spent.
The Board voted by roll call vote to adjourn to executive session for purpose of discussion of collective bargaining, pending litigation, real estate and not to return to open session this evening.
Mr. Rabuffo - yes
Mr. Riley – yes
Ms. Burns – yes
Open session adjourned 8:45 p m.
Betty Foley, Clerk