Back to Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes
March 1, 2010
Regular Session 6:40 pm
Ms. Burns, Mr. Rabuffo
Questions from the Public
Mr. Dietterich read a letter protesting the proposed Barnes/Old Colony Hill Historic District warrant article.
Warrant Articles
Capital Outlay By-law: Mr. Asher presented a revision to the current By-law regarding the Capital Outlay Committee.
Vote- to support the Capital Outlay By-law Article
Gardner Terrace Street Acceptance: Brian Davis one of the principals of the company that developed the street spoke in favor of the acceptance of the street. Ms. Burns noted that from the emails from the Planning Board, Board of Health, Fire Department and Department of Public Works all agreed that any concerns had been addressed and the roadway is recommended for acceptance.
Vote - to recommend the laying out of Gardner Terrace, a way beginning at a point in the intersection of Gardner Street, extending 400 feet, more or less, in a southerly direction as shown on plan entitled: “Roadway As-Built Gardner Terrace, Hingham, Massachusetts, prepared by Sitec, Inc., 400 Faunce Corner Road, Dartmouth, MA, dated September 28, 2009.
Windsong Way: Joseph Kennedy developer of Windsong Way informed the Board that the issues raised at last year’s street acceptance hearing had been addressed. Ms. Burns noted that the DPW had inspected and approved the roadway but the Fire Department expressed concern about a bush that was right by the hydrant. Mr. Kennedy agreed to deal with the matter and return to the Board.
Voted - to continue the street acceptance hearing for Windsong Way until 7 pm March 2, 2010.
Elimination of Certain Administrative Positions in the Town: Mr. Reeves said this article was a direct result of the Hingham schools sending out an email that was copied to him saying that forty teachers were going to be fired and freshman sports eliminated. The teachers are the ones that affect the families. Mr. Reeves said that many municipalities have done this elimination of certain positions. For example, Winthrop eliminated the Chief of Police and the Deputy did the job until the chief was replaced at a later date. This article is intended to save the people who do the work.
Mr. Reeves said that several of the positions in the article are handled through egregiously expensive contracts. Some contracts have an article on funding saying that the amount is subject to town meeting approval which, he said, gives the Board an opportunity to renegotiate contracts with a hammer. Mr. Rabuffo questioned Mr. Reeves’ history of management. Mr. Reeves replied he had none. Ms. Burns pointed out that the elimination of those positions would create an enormous unemployment liability, which amounts to paying your department heads a large portion of their salary not to work, instead of paying them to work..
Vote - to not support the Article for the elimination of Certain Administrative Positions
Increase Board of Selectmen to Five Members: Mr. Reeves suggested that this article is intended to bring two more brains and take away the opportunity for two people to control the Board of Selectmen. With this number of Board members Mr. Reeves felt the Town would be able to work without a town administrator.
Vote - to not support the Article for a Five Member Board of Selectmen
Government Study: Ms. Ward said this was the article submitted in 1990 and again in 1999. As of today the population has increased 4.7% and the budget has increased 69% in that same period. The article recommends a committee of citizens to review the efficiency and effectiveness of town government. Mr. Rabuffo said that an odd number of members would seem to make more sense – seven seems right. Ms. Burns said she thought this is an excellent idea, and a responsible approach to looking for improvements in the structure of town government.
Vote - to support the Article for a Government Study Committee made up of seven citizens of the Town.
Traffic Light at Cushing and Main Streets: Mr. Manning said this intersection is the most dangerous unregulated intersection in the Town. There were 57 accidents during that past 10 years and for that reason would like a traffic signal at this locaton. Dennis Friedman said he had served on the last Traffic Safety Study Committee and the review covered three major intersections on Route 228 at its intersection with Gardner Street, Cushing Street and High Street. At that time the recommendation was made for a light at Main and High Streets. Mr. Friedman said the data did not support the need for a traffic light at Cushing Street since accidents have not increased.
Vote - to not support the Article for a Traffic Light at Cushing and Main Street
Sale of the South Shore Country Club: Mr. Manning said he had proposed the sale of the Town owned country club to afford some tax relief to the taxpayers. Mr. McGrail said the 220 permit holders represent a small fraction of those that use the club. There are approximately 5,000 daily golfers and 40,000 rounds of golf played on a pay as you go basis. There are also 225 juniors from Hingham who play there. The Hingham boys and girls golf teams play there for free; as does the Notre Dame Academy team. There are 150-200 weekly bowlers who use the facility. . It was noted that due to the nature of the conservation protections on the Club, sale for private development was impossible without a vote of the State legislature, a highly unlikely event. In addition, it would require the town to reimburse the state for the state funds which were contributed to its purchase. Mr. Manning pointed out that the Club has returned over five million dollars to the Town’s coffers over the course of the Town’s ownership.
Vote - not to recommend the Article for the Sale of the South Shore Country Club
Audit Committee: Mr. Rabuffo reviewed the recommendation for a permanent audit committee.
Voted - to support the Audit Committee article.
Skateboard Park: The insurance liability questions have been answered by the town’s insurance carrier. The skateboard park, if built according to EPA standards, will not create any great exposure to accidents.
Voted - to withdraw the skateboard park article.
The Board announced it would discuss the article dealing with the extension of the Shipyard TIF Agreement on Friday, March 5.
Meeting adjourned 8:55 pm.
Betty Foley, Clerk