Back to Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes
January 7, 2012
Special Session 9:00 am
Mr. Riley, Ms. Burns, Mr. Rabuffo
Ms. Burns asked Representative Bradley to update the group on the latest information relative to the proposed MBTA service cuts. Rep. Bradley reported that he had spoken to Transportation Secretary Davey regarding the proposed cuts in bus and ferry service to the South Shore area. He said this is really the start of a process that will consist of a number of public hearings and site visits. Rep. Bradley reviewed the history of public investment in the ferry service and intermodal transportation hubs. These investments include a grant for rehabilitation of Pemberton Pier in Hull and the PWED grant for the Hingham Shipyard.
Joan Meschino, MBTA Advisory Board member from Hull, urged everyone to look at a long term solution noting that 2014 is going to be a crunch year. Martha Bewick pointed out that the ferry subsidy includes debt and interest but the Greenbush numbers show only the operating deficit.
John Stobierski of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce pointed out that the MBTA proposal is based solely on the cost of service and does not consider the effect on Mass Development and DHCD projects or private companies such as Avalon Bay, Samuels & Associates, the Massachusetts based builders of high speed catamarans. The ripple effect on these organizations would adversely impact thousands of jobs. Hull Selectman Domenic Sestito suggested enlisting volunteers to help with the campaign to save the ferries. There would be a Steering Committee consisting of a representative from the towns of Hingham, Hull, Cohasset and Scituate.
Meeting adjourned 10:25 am
Betty Foley
Assistant Town Administrator
Approved: January 17, 2012