Back to Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes
December 16, 2009 @ 7:00 PM
Ms. Burns, Mr. Rabuffo, Mr. Riley
The following budgets were heard:
Planning Board, ZBA, Conservation, Building, and Historical Commission – Katy Lacy, Planning Administrator explained the combination of these departments and how the 8.35% cut of these budgets in the aggregate was made. The Board asked a number of questions concerning the status of the new community planning department.
Veterans’ Services – Michael Cunningham, Veterans Agent, reviewed the budget noting that claims had increased in recent months leading to the budget increase. The Town Administrator noted he had recommended the restorations of $250,000 of expenses.
Town Clerk/Elections – Town Clerk, Eileen McCracken noted the cuts she had made in her budget including furlough days and a reduction in clerical hours. The Board asked several questions.
Ms. McCracken also reported on the two recipients of the Employees of the Year Award.
Treasurer/Collector – Jean Montgomery explained the comparison work she had done with communities of a similar size to Hingham and their Treasurer/Collector staffs. She concluded that her staff is very comparable, and so her only choice to attaining a 5% budget reduction was to reduce staff. Ms. Montgomery also reviewed a number of other ideas which could raise revenues by increasing department fees.
Bare Cove Park – Patricia Coyle, Treasurer of the Bare Cove Park Committee reviewed the changes needed to attain the 5% budget reduction goal.
GAR Hall – Keith Jermyn reviewed the reductions to the utility budget needed to reach the 5% budget goal.
Fire Fighting Foam – Chief Duff and Deputy Chief Olsson appeared to advise the Board that the Town had been offered a fully operational fire-fighting foam trailer through Homeland Security, a federal grant. The Board asked a number of questions concerning future maintenance of the trailer.
Voted unanimously - to accept the donation of the foam trailer.
Adjourned: 9:45 PM
Kevin Paicos
Town Administrator