Back to Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes
Regular Session
February 26, 2010 @ 9:05 AM
Ms. Burns, Mr. Rabuffo and Mr. Riley
Chairperson Ms. Burns called the meeting to order at 9:05 AM in the East Hearing Room. There were no questions from the public.
Shipyard Economic Development Incentive Program
There was discussion with representatives of Samuels & Company (overall developers of the Shipyard) concerning its economic status; the progress of the development; and the merits of the existing Tax Incentive Fund (TIF).
The Board concluded that, in fact, the TIF process was working towards its goals of economic development and that benefits were occurring on behalf of the Town and neighboring communities. The Board asked the developers to continue to work with the Community Planning Department.
Proposed Amendment to the General By-Laws concerning False Alarms
Police Chief Taylor Mills reviewed for the Board the negative impact false alarms were having on the safety of Hingham citizens and the costs to the Town in police response to emergencies. The Chief further described the other costs of diverted resources; the differences between residential and commercial false alarms; the impact of repeated faulty false alarms; false alarms due to property owner actions; and the growing number of false alarms in Hingham. He distributed the results of a Police Department study of false alarms by address. There then ensued a discussion of various proposals to reduce the number of false alarms through a series of actions and fines. The Chief put forth a process for amending the Town By-Laws through a ten step escalating series of fines to encourage property and business owners to comply with police guidelines for proper use and operation of alarm systems. There was general agreement to a process of using the Dispatch Center to monitor the false alarm reductions by address. In a 12 month period, after alarm registration and after there had been recorded three (3) separate false alarms at a location, the alarm user would be assessed fines at a rising scale.
Voted, unanimously to accept the Chief’s proposals – one for residential and one for commercial alarm users.
Voted, residential users would incur a fine beginning at $30 for the 4th false alarm and ending at $150 for the 10th false alarm.
Voted, a fine schedule beginning at $100 for the 4th false alarm user for a commercial alarm user and advancing to $300 for the 10th false alarm.
Further voted, that the Chief and/or his designee meet with those who have a 10th false
alarm.
Amend General By-Laws re: Harbor By-Law
Chief Mills and Harbormaster Ken Corson brought forth an extensive revision to Article 15 of the Town By-Laws. The current law would be replaced in its entirety, and there would be as well a new mooring plan and fee schedule accompanying these proposals.
Since more work needed to be done on this preliminary proposal, the Board took no action at this time.
Town Meeting Warrant Distribution
Chairperson Burns put forth an amendment to Article 2 of the General By-Laws, Section 5 (a) and 5 (b). The amendment would change the distribution of paper copies of the Warrant and enhance use of electronic version. The amendment discussion suggested further modifications in the timeline for distribution and discussed how the public would access paper copies if needed. The Board discussed the savings the Town would realize ($5600) if adopted.
Voted unanimously, to support Ms. Burn’s amendment to change the distribution of paper copies of the Annual Town Meeting Warrant and enhance the use of electronic version.
Voted unanimously, to petition the Great and General Court of the Commonwealth to enact Special Legislation authorizing a place on tax bills whereby taxpayers may check off to donate or pledge monies to assist Hingham Veterans.
Voted further, to create a Hingham Veterans Council Assistance Fund, monitored by the Town Finance Director and subject to audit by the Town Auditor of the purpose of providing support to Hingham Veterans and their dependents.
Adjourned: 11:25 AM Bruce Rabuffo
Selectman