Back to Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes
May 18, 2010
Regular Session 7:10 pm
Mr. Rabuffo, Mr. Riley
Mr. Rabuffo extended the Board’s sympathy on the passing of Carol O’Donnell, wife of Town Moderator Tom O’Donnell, who passed away last Friday.
Continuation of the Public Hearing/Grant of Location on the Request of National Grid to install gas main
In Cottage Street and Ship Street
Mr. Rabuffo reported that after a meeting earlier this week the Town and National Grid had an agreement in principle. Mr. Peter Nagle of National grid indicated that the utility is interested in continuing to be a good corporate partner with the Town. Mr. Riley noted that it had been a longstanding practice to work cooperatively. There is an abutter notification process. It is expected that work could commence a week from Monday if the agreement between the Town and National Grid is signed.
Voted - to approve the Grant of Location petition of Nationalgrid to install and maintain approximately 1, 535 feet of 2 inch plastic gas main in Cottage Street beginning at an existing 3 inch gas main in Fearing Road and continuing to completion in Cottage Street approximately 880 feet of the North Street intersection. This approval is contingent upon a signed Agreement between the Town of Hingham and Nationalgrid. This approval is also subject to the stipulations outlined in the letter of the DPW, dated April 12, 2010.
Voted - to approve the Grant of Location petition of Nationalgrid to install and maintain approximately 1,425 feet of 8 inch plastic gas main in North Street. The main will be connected to an existing 6 inch gas main in Otis Street and continue down North Street to completion at South Street. This approval is contingent upon a signed Agreement between the Town of Hingham and Nationalgrid. This approval is also subject to the stipulations outlined the letter of the DPW, dated April 9, 2010.
Voted - to approve the request of the School Department, submitted by David Killory, to consult counsel.
Voted - to grant a temporary liquor license for South Shore Conservatory Parents Committee, for a party to be held at Old Ship Parish Hall, on June 4, 2010, from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM.
Voted - to grant a temporary liquor license to House of Prayer Lutheran Church
for their Annual Oktoberfest to be held September 25, from 11 AM to
6 PM and Sunday from noon to 5:00 PM.
Selectmen’s Reports
This was the first day of the budget quarterly reviews. The budgets are in good shape coming out of the third quarter. There is one potential issue in staffing for 2011 which hopefully will be resolved. Mr. Rabuffo said there was a great breakfast event at Elder Services this morning. The Snug has applied for a lease for the patio and there has been an agreement in principle and we are waiting for the lawyers to put the language together.
Beal Street Crosswalks
There have been concerns and discussions about the raised crosswalks on Beal Street. The Board had voted to introduce traffic calming measures to slow down traffic exiting Route 3A and traveling down Beal Street. No traffic studies or counts have been done since the installation of the crosswalks. Mr. Riley noted that the reconstruction of that section of Beal Street was part of the mitigation from the reconstruction of the Hingham Shipyard. The Planning Board had recommended mitigation measures that included the possibility of a traffic signal at the intersection of Sgt. William B. Terry Drive and Beal Street. The traffic engineer suggested the two raised crosswalks currently in place and a third at the intersection of North, West and Beal Streets.
Mr. Sylvester said the crosswalks and markings were installed in compliance with the plans from the traffic engineer. Brian Curtis owner of the Lincoln Plaza said that when the bumps were first installed he went airborne over the speed hump at 35 miles per hour. Commuters use the roadway through the plaza rather than Terry Drive. He said he would be in favor of a traffic signal at the corner of Terry
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Drive and Beal Street because that would discourage the morning commuters from cutting through the plaza. He said the speed humps are made for gated communities. Mr. Curtis urged the Board to consider making the traffic signal a fully functioning light.
Peter Stathopoulos characterized the raised crosswalks as a failed experiment. He expressed concern about emergency vehicles using the roadway and said he sees no need for the traffic light. Jim Watson agreed with the intention to divert as much traffic along Route 3A as possible. Mr. Riley said the islands make a more pleasant look and there will be a white line painted to delineate a bike lane on this portion of Beal Street..
Mr. Rabuffo summed up the discussion by saying the intent is right – slow it down and keep traffic on Route 3A but any solution must take consider the law of unintended consequences. The traffic light is the ultimate solution because it will permit the road to be used appropriately by the motoring public and pedestrians. The plan is to get the light installed first to see if the raised crosswalks on Beal Street are necessary. The bumps are not doing what was intended so the alternative may be the light.
Richard Leatherbee asked if the speed limit of 20 on one section of Beal Street was reasonable to expect. He recommended raising the speed limit to 30 mph and enforcing it. The Board said the question is should there be a fully functioning traffic light, a flashing light, etc. Mr. Riley suggested that the bumps should remain but be lower; Mr. Rabuffo said he is not there yet.
The Board voted, by roll call vote to adjourn to executive session for purpose of contract negotiation and not to return to open session this evening.
Mr. Riley – yes
Mr. Rabuffo – yes.
Betty Foley, Clerk