Town of Hull - 07/23/2002 Minutes

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07/23/2002 Minutes


	Hull Board of Selectmen Minutes July 23, 2002 The Hull Board of Selectmen meeting was called to order at 7:31pm on Tuesday evening, July 23, 2002 at the Hull Municipal Building, 253 Atlantic Avenue, Hull, Massachusetts Present: John Reilly, Chairman; Thomas Burns, Vice Chairman; Regina Burke, Clerk; Leonard Hersch, and Gerald McLaughlin, Members. Also present were Philip Lemnios, Town Manager and James Lampke, Town Counsel. 7:30 pm - 7:40 pm - Public Open Forum David Walsh appeared before the Board to request a copy of the Langsam Report stating that it was paid for with taxpayers' money. Reilly told Walsh that the report deals with personnel and other issues which makes it exempt from mandatory disclosure, and that it is in the Town's best interest to not officially release the report. The members agreed to follow the advise of Town Counsel. Lampke said he understands the feelings of Walsh and others, but the Board, on behalf of the Town, has the obligation to protect rights, and employees have privacy rights. He added that significant parts are not for public disclosure. Also participating in the discussion were Rod Young, of the Hull Times, and Sandy Nickerson. Walsh said he will petition the Supervisor of Public Records and Attorney General asking to obtain a copy. MOVED-Hersch: To release the document NO SECOND MOVED-Burke: To abide by Town Counsel SECOND-McLaughlin VOTE: UNANIMOUS in Favor Reilly asked the Board to curtail the public forum because it puts the Board in an awkward position of being reactive. He also said not knowing what the subject matter will be it leaves the members unprepared to address the issues. Reilly said he prefers to eliminate that part of the agenda. Hersch said he totally agrees, and added that any person is welcome to be placed on the agenda. MOVED-Hersch: To terminate the public forum SECOND-McLaughlin VOTE: UNANIMOUS in Favor Page 1 of 5 Selectmen Minutes, 7/23/02 Page 2 of 5 8:04 pm - Diane Kizner and Charles Miller re: Appointment to Beach Management Committee Kizner said she is a summer resident from Southboro and lives at 51 C Street. When asked if she can make winter meetings she responded in the affirmative. Charles Miller of 65 Beach Avenue has lived in Hull since 1966, he said, and has attended Town Meetings. MOVED-Hersch: To appoint Diane Kizner and Charles Miller to the Beach Management Committee. SECOND-McLaughlin VOTE: UNANIMOUS in Favor 8:00 pm John Meschino re: Railroad Beds John Meschino appeared before the Board with a plan to landscape the railroad bed from north of S Street to south of T Street. He told the Board that he has been in discussion with the Conservation Commission, Open Space Committee, Planning Board, Chief of Police, Fire Chief, and Superintendent of Streets and that everyone agrees with the plan, which leaves a 10' opening at each entrance and will be fenced with post and line. Approximately six residents were present and spoke; some expressed concerns and others spoke in support. Hersch suggested that there should be a public hearing in which abutters are notified. Meschino said he is not trying to impose anything on anybody, he is just trying to be a goodwill ambassador. MOVED-Hersch: To refer the matter to the Open Space Committee to hold a public hearing and to notify the abutters in accordance with Town Counsel's advise and to report back to the Board of Selectmen. SECOND-Burns VOTE: UNANIMOUS in Favor 8:15 pm Straits Pond Watershed Association-re: CPR Grant Application Lawry Reid was present to seek approval of the CPR (Coastal Pollution Remediation) Grant for technical assistance for two watersheds, the Atlantic Avenue area and Richards Road. MOVED-Hersch: To approve submission of the CPR Grant. SECOND-McLaughlin VOTE: UNANIMOUS in Favor The Board recessed at 9:08 pm and returned at 9:17 pm. Selectmen Minutes, 7/23/02 Page 3 0f 5 8:45 pm - Sandra Nickerson re: Beach Conditions Nickerson was present to complain about the condition of the beach at Kenberma because of littering. She said she brought the matter to the attention of the police who she alleged said they don't enforce “no litter” signs. Reilly asked what she is asking of the Board to which she answered to communicate with the police and patrol the beach. Lemnios told Nickerson that the beaches are cleaned on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Fridays, but they have 20 beaches to clean and there are limitations on what they can pick up. He also said the Town can purchase equipment, but they are not allowed to use it on the beach. Reilly said to send a copy of the letter to the Police, Beach Management, and Highway. 9:00 pm - Public Hearing - Richard M. Guerrera re: Request to Store a Trailer Reilly called the public hearing to order at 9:34 pm on a request to store a trailer at 14 F Street, and swore in witnesses. The hearing recessed at 9:39 pm. Hersch suggested a letter from the Kenberma Business Association in regard to “a meter-ticketing problem” be noted for the record and referred to the Hull Police Department on what he termed an overzealous police officer. Trailer Hearing resumes at 9:44 PM The applicant presented photos and a copy of the Assessors map and said he is requesting permission for a 1999 Allegra motor home, 28' long. The motor home, he said, is his wife's uncle who is visiting with them, so it is in use and comes and goes. The applicant agreed to amend the request by amending the setbacks from 3' to 5' following a neighbor, Karen Nelson of 11 E Street, who said she is not opposed to the motor home but is concerned about the storage of propane. MOVED-Hersch: To approve the storage of the motor home to October 15, 2002 SECOND-McLaughlin VOTE: UNANIMOUS in Favor Hearing closed. A request from Elizabeth A. Fleming for the Board to grant an easement to her property, which consists of two houses, that runs from Stoney Beach Road to the fence on Atlantic Avenue playground. She stated there is ample parking, but no access. The letter also stated that she has discussed the matter with Lemnios and Parent, who have agreed. She also enclosed a map. Selectmen Minutes, 7/23/02 Page 4 of 5 MOVED-Hersch: To approve the easement conditioned upon a layout of a plan to be provided by Mr. Parent and an agreement to be drawn by Town Counsel. SECOND-McLaughlin VOTE: UNANIMOUS in Favor Unanimously appointed Gerald McLaughlin as an alternate member of the Plymouth County Advisory Board on a motion by Hersch, seconded by Burke. Unanimously approved subject to having a police detail the request of Dawn Michienzie to hold a company outing at 55 Harborview Road with parking at Pemberton on Saturday, July 27^th from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm on a motion by Burke, seconded by McLaughlin. Unanimously approved the request of Katherine Tirrell to be married within the gazebo at the Hull Yacht Club on Saturday evening, June 14, 2003, on a motion by Burke, seconded by Hersch. Unanimously approved the request of James and Denise Stanley to block off the area in the E Street section between Cadish and Central Avenue for a block party on August 3^rd (rain date 4^th) between 2pm and 9pm, on a motion by Burke, seconded by McLaughlin. On a request from Janet Bennett, Town Clerk, the following vote was taken. MOVED-Hersch: That in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 54, section 24 notice is hereby given that effective September 17, 2002, the polling place for precincts 1, 2, and 3 will be housed at the Memorial Middle School Cafeteria. SECOND-Burns VOTE: UNANIMOUS in Favor Reilly commented that a letter requesting a meeting with the Selectmen from Attorney David Kellem on behalf of the O'Briens would be considered in executive session. Under new business, McLaughlin asked the Mass. Highway Department be contacted in regard to the unsightly condition of the George Washington Boulevard Bridge trash barrels. He also discussed parking at the reservation area and that timed parking should be considered from Bridgeman's to the Dream Machine. Hersch expressed his concern that the crossing lights at the temple are not working. MOVED-Hersch: As Traffic Commissioners have Lemnios put in a process to include traffic light repair or rereplacement. SECOND-Reilly VOTE: UNANIMOUS in Favor Hersch than discussed a letter to the editor he read in last week Selectmen Minutes 7/23/02 Page 5 of 5 MOVED-Hersch: To direct Chief Brooker to investigate. SECOND-Reilly Lemnios told the members that the employee has already requested an investigation to clear his name. Lampke commented that the request has been made and the Board will be notified of the report but it will be handled by the Town Manager. Hersch withdrew his motion MINUTES MOVED-Hersch: To accept the minutes of May 21 and May 28, 2002 as presented SECOND-McLaughlin VOTE: UNANIMOUS in Favor MOVED-Hersch: To meet every Tuesday in August for part Town Business and part for the hiring of a new Town Manager. SECOND-McLaughlin VOTE: UNANIMOUS in Favor MOVED-Burke: To go into executive session to discuss strategy in litigation. SECOND-McLaughlin ROLL CALL VOTE: Aye, McLaughlin; Aye, Burns; Aye, Reilly; Aye, Burke; Aye, Hersch. The Board moved into executive session at 10:55 pm and thereafter adjourned.