Back to Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes
October 13, 2009
Regular Session 7:05 pm
Ms. Burns, Mr. Rabuffo, Mr. Riley
Mr. Hersey raised the issue of a sign designating a parking spot for a particular vehicle at various fields in town. The Board reported that the parking spaces had been auctioned off for a limited period of time as a fund raiser. Mr. Hersey reported that he had seen a number of illegal signs throughout the town. The Transfer Station has been the site of many of these signs. Ms. Burns suggested that the Transfer Station could have a bulletin board for such signs.
Ms. Barbara Farnsworth has been named Director of the Year by the Massachusetts Department of Councils on Aging. She is a member of the Massachusetts Society of Councils on Aging legislative committee. Mr. Rabuffo said that everyone speaks quite highly of the things she has done at the COA. Mr. Riley commented that one of his sisters was the Director of the Cohasset COA and through her he became aware of the time necessary to do a good job. Ms. Farnsworth credited her staff for their efforts in making the COA successful.
Selectmen and Town Administrators Reports
The Interim Audit Committee met to review the progress of the new audit firm. They did have a process issue that they felt would strengthen the financial processes. The firm was also able to make some recommendations on a permanent audit committee. They said the Chief Financial Officer, the Town Administrator, Board of Selectmen and Advisory Committee members should not be on the committee. A letter was received from Samuels regarding the Beal Street traffic signal. This item will be put on the agenda soon. The Country Club Management Committee has reached a final exit agreement with Lantana for the restaurant and banquet facility.
Public Hearing on Two Dogs Owned by Megan and Robert Ullman
The Board called to order the public hearing. Ms. Burns said the Ullmans had requested an additional 6-8 weeks to compile their response to the incidents referenced in the letter. There are two incidents where people were bitten and there are also reports in between those dates when the dogs were in the Ullmans’ place of business although the owners had been requested not to bring the dogs to the business. Mr. Rabuffo said that he find it insulting that the Ullmans are not present this evening and he would lobby that they come in sooner rather than later. Ms. Burns said that the hearing could be limited to the two biting incidents rather than all seven incidents. Mr. Paicos suggested that he Board consider the two biting incidents. He said that by narrowing the incidents to only the two bitings and it would not be necessary to give a six week continuance. It is his recommendation that the continuance be granted for a much briefer time.
Voted - to continue until October 27 at 7:30 pm the public hearing concerning two dogs owned by Megan and Robert Ullman.
Mr. Rabuffo reported that he attended the ceremony in the Fort Hill Cemetery that celebrated the 130th birthday of Seaman Foss. There were members of the Foss family and a number of citizens in attendance. The Town Engineer had a meeting with the resident in Back River regarding the lights at the Beal Street fields. The lights meet the standards as indicated on the lighting chart supplied the Board when the fields were being constructed.
Mr. Riley reported he had recently attended a successful meeting of Harbor Development Task Force. There was discussion of three possible locations for a potential revenue generating marina or restaurant. This matter will be discussed again tomorrow night and there will also be discussion of future zoning changes in the area that would allow for a restaurant.
Ken Corson said as a part of the dredging process there was some funding that allotted for biological testing that did not need to be done. In place of htat the money could be used for optimization of the mooring plans and the dingy dock. This is all funded 100% by Waterways and has been approved by Waterways. The plan is to use computer programs and human input. After the dredging and depth measuring a revised plan will allow for maximizing the number of boats without overcrowding the harbor. There will be more transient mooring with this plan. There will also be a few moorings for larger boats. Once this is designed the Harbormaster’s Office will be able to manage this plan without additional assistance.
Voted - to authorize the Harbormaster to proceed with the Hingham Harbor Maintenance Project Plans and Dinghy Docks at Town Pier Additional Services as covered in Amendment #1.
Ms. Burns suggested that the Board schedule a meeting, perhaps a Friday morning workshop, to work in the presentation for the Economic Summit. The Board agreed to meet on Friday at 10:30 am.
The new Ethics Law requires the appointment of a Municipal Liaison to the Ethics Commission to coordinate all the training and recordkeeping. Everyone has to go on line and complete the test. The Town Clerk will have to keep a record.
Voted - to appoint David Basler as the Municipal Liaison to the Ethics Commission for purpose of training paid and unpaid municipal employees in the Conflict of Interest Law.
Voted - to sign Change Order #1 to the Harbor Maintenance Dredging Project .
Meeting adjourned 8:25 pm.
Betty Foley, Clerk