Hull Board of Selectmen
Minutes
September 24, 2002
The Hull Board of Selectmen meeting was called to order at 7:35 pm on Tuesday evening, September 24, 3003 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 was
Acting Town Manager, and Town Counsel, James Lampke.
7:30 pm - No Place for Hate re: October 6
Pam Wolfe and Sumner Goldberg appeared before the Board to announce that this year's “Take a Stand in the Sand” event may include ten towns and two cities (Quincy and Brockton), which have expressed an interest in participating.
Wolfe said that the event, which spells out the theme phrase with people standing on the beach, will be a banner affair with six bands, two Mickey Mouse characters, balloon animals and free ice cream and slush.
The Board commended the groups efforts and indicated their continued support of the Town.
7:35 pm - Jay Szklut re: Community Development Grant
Jay Szklut, Community Development Director, informed the Selectmen that the FY 2003 Community Development Block Grant of $700,000. would be allocated, with the approval of the Board, as follows: Housing Rehabilitation, 435,297; Wellspring, 84,828; Family Support, 44,980; Truancy Program, 43,320; Adult Education (Wellspring), 13,426; and Administration, 78,149.
MOVED-Hersch: To approve the allocation of the $700,000. Community Development
Block Grant as listed in the Director's memo dated September 24, 2002.
SECOND-Burke
VOTE: UNANIMOUS in Favor
7:45 pm - Tax Classification Hearing
David Beck, Assistant Assessor, presented his Board's recommendations to the Selectmen for determining the fiscal year 2003 tax burden among the following classes of property: 1) Residential - recommends “not to split” to shift burden to commercial as there isn't enough; 2) open space discount - recommends “no” as there is none; 3) residential exemption - recommends “not be adopted” as it shifts the burden unfairly; 4) small business exemption - recommends it “not be adopted” as there are only ten eligible from the 107 commercial class properties.
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Selectmen Meeting, 9/24/02
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MOVED-Hersch: To adopt the recommendations of the Board of Assessors on FY 2003
tax classification not to adopt #1, #2, #3, #4 as presented in a
document dated September 24, 2002
SECOND - Burke
VOTE: UNANIMOUS in Favor
Beck told the Selectmen that his office will be mailing explanations to the taxpayers through the Light Company of the abatements available. Also, that the office has a brand new web page.
He described the progress of the new reassessment. He said they have hired Patriot Properties to do the professional reassessment of all properties and that there are three personnel now in the field.
8:00 pm - Jack Rhodes re: Applicant for War Memorial Commission
John J. Rhodes, III, past Commander and currently the Board of Directors President of the VFW James Richardson Post appeared before the Board seeking to fill a vacancy on the War Memorial Commission.
A letter of recommendation was sent to the Board from the present Commander William Lebhrez informing the Members that Rhodes, a Vietnam Veteran, was approved by a vote of the Post.
MOVED-Hersch: To appoint John Rhodes to the War Memorial Commission
SECOND-McLaughlin
VOTE: UNANIMOUS in Favor
CORRESPONDENCE
A Discussion was held on notice from the Town Clerk of the absenteeism of Daniel Evans from the Hull Historic District Commission's meeting, and a citation of the bylaw governing absences.
Hersch said he thought that there might be extenuating circumstances. He also said he was amazed to hear the Richard Cleverly had resigned from that Commission.
Hersch suggested that because there are problems between two homeowners and the Commission, the Board should ask them in to either open or executive session.
MOVED-Hersch: To send a letter stating that they are welcome to come before the
Board prior to this Board taking any action.
SECOND-McLaughlin
VOTE: UNANIMOUS in Favor
Selectmen Meeting, 9/24/02
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8:15 pm - Surfside and Kenberma Parking
The meeting, attended by about 28 merchants and a few residents, was called to discuss parking in the Kenberma and Surfside areas, and to make a decision on whether the parking meters, usually removed on Labor Day, but still in place, should be removed or remain in place permanently.
Dennis Zaia of the Hull Chamber of Commerce said that the Chamber is engaged in a study which should be completed by Thanksgiving.
Police Chief Donald Brooker listed the number of meters and locations throughout the Town and said he surveys both areas on a regular basis.
Two problems addressed by speakers were employee abuse of parking spaces, and construction at both sites.
Mike Lyons of Hull Glass Plus in Surfside said that since the construction of the hotel is completed the problem has lessened, and that the hotel has been very cooperative.
Fred Kiley, who is still in the construction phase of the Kenberma project said he thought that once the building is finished that there will be adequate parking.
There was no consensus between the merchants who spoke, either in Surfside or Kenberma some wanting to keep the meters; others wanting them removed.
MOVED-Hersch: That on September 30th all meters are to be removed.
SECOND-Reilly
SUBSTITUTE MOTION-McLaughlin: To remove the meters on October 8th and return to the original schedule and to form a committee with the Chamber of Commerce to study the matter.
SECOND-Burns
Reilly requested that the Study Committee report back to the Selectmen by February 16, 2003.
VOTE: Four, ayes, one, nay (Hersch)
Substitute motion passed.
The Board recessed at 9:40 pm and reopened at 9:50 pm.
Selectmen Meeting, 9/24/02
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OTHER BUSINESS
Chief Brooker requested that the Board approve the lateral transfer to Dedham at the request of Officer Daniel J. Duchini. Brooker said that he lives in Dedham and has been a good officer.
MOVED-Hersch: To approve the lateral transfer of Officer Daniel J. Duchini
SECOND-Burke
VOTE-UINANIMOUS in Favor
Brooker also requested that Officer Henry T. Colligan fill the position vacated by Duchini pending the receipt of a permanent appointment list.
MOVED-Burke: To appoint Office Henry T. Colligan pending receipt of a new list.
SECOND-Hersch
VOTE: UNANIMOUS in Favor
Brooker also reminded the Board that the one applicant, from the gender specific list, has not yet been interviewed by the Board. Reilly told him to set up the appointment with the Town Clerk.
The Police Chief reported license violations at Le Calypso. Lampke said he would have the Chief look into the use of the second floor and the purported lack of an approved manager. He added that the Building Commissioner has issued a cease and desist order on the use of the second floor.
Burke suggested proceeding with the investigation on errors and omissions but wants an interpreter to be available at the show cause hearing as the owner is from France and may have difficulty with the language.
Reilly read a letter in regard to ticketing handicap cars at parking meters. The Board instructed the Chief not to tag handicapped or disabled veterans at meters, to which Brooker responded that very often placards are not used and that the older placards are no longer valid.
Lampke reported that the legislature has passed and the Governor has signed the legislation permitting the long-term lease of Nantasket Pier.
A recent issue involving the clean up of algae from Straits Pond and Seaweed from Nantasket Beach was raised because a dispute occurred between the workers and Conservation Administrator, who impeded the clean-up project for health reasons. A meeting has been scheduled for October 8th. Highway Superintendent will be on Vacation and has delegated Michael White, Foreman to be present.
Meeting adjourned at 10:330pm.
_November 2, 2002_
APPROVED
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