Hull Board of Selectmen
Minutes
October 29, 2002
The Hull Board of Selectmen meeting was called to order at 7:41 pm on Tuesday evening, October 29, 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 Chris McCabe, Town Manager, and James Lampke, Town Counsel.
The Chairman called for a moment of silence in memory of Linda DiVito, who passed away following a long illness. She was the wife of Joseph DiVito, and daughter of former Police Chief Robert Shannon.
LICENSES
Unanimously approved a common victualer license to Pemberton Bait & Tackle, Inc. William J. Dwyer, 173 Main Street on a motion by Burke, seconded by McLaughlin.
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Read a notice from the Treasurer-Collector that personal property and real estate taxes are due at the Town Hall on Tuesday November 5, 2003.
Noted a letter in opposition to the Early Retirement Incentive Program from Roberta Ridolfi, 15 G Street.
NEW BUSINESS
McLaughlin expressed his concern over what he termed a traffic snarl during the last election at the Memorial School and thought it should be addressed prior to the next election. He also said he thought there are not enough handicap parking spaces.
Police Chief Donald Brooker, who was present, said he doesn't see a problem, and said that Dr. Reynolds, School Superintendent, will be designating parking spaces for staff, leaving more available spaces on L Street.
7:45 pm - Timothy J. Cruz, District Attorney - re: Internet Safety Program
The Chairman and the Members welcomed District Attorney Cruz who had requested to outline his new program for internet safety. He said Plymouth County has initiated the program following a study on “internet luring” which resulted in alarming statistics.
Cruz told the Board that Bridgewater has been utilizing the program as part of the D. A. R. E. curriculum for over a year, and he invited Hull to participate.
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Selectmen Minutes, 10/29/02
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After Cruz left, Hersch asked Brooker why Hull no longer has a DARE program, to which the Chief replied that the reason is executive session information. Hersch suggested a member be designated to speak privately with the Chief about the reasons.
MOVED-Hersch: To designate the Chairman to discuss the matter with the Chief and report back to the Board.
SECOND-McLaughlin
VOTE: UNANIMOUS in Favor
MINUTES
MOVED-Burke: To accept the minutes of August 6, 2002 as presented.
SECOND-Hersch
VOTE-UNANIMOUS in Favor
MISCELLANEOUS
Burns raised the issue of the kill switch in the Selectmen's meeting room being cut off at the last session while the Members were still in session. Reilly responded that he thought it was cut off when he had gaveled a recess. Burns asked that they get rid of the kill switch. Reilly responded that once a recess is called it is no longer an open meeting, even though the public may still be present in the room.
8:15 pm - Early Retirement
Reilly opened the third meeting on M.G.L. Chapter116, Acts of 2002, the Early Retirement Incentive Program (ERI) for a vote of the Board to accept or reject the program.
McCabe presented a financial analyses (on file) that showed a $931,363. shortfall in the upcoming FY03 and FY04 budget.
Kathryn Riley of the Stone Company, who had issued a report at the last meeting on the subject, stated that the unfunded portion of the pension fund of 1.4 million requires a yearly appropriation of $90,000. She also said a limited supply of State funds should send up a red flag.
Opposed to accepting ERI were Jim Tobin and Martin Silverman of the Finance Committee, who said the Finance Committee was unanimously opposed, and Dr. Kathleen Reynolds, Superintendent of Schools. All expressed deep concerns over the financial burdens that lie ahead.
Supporting the ERI were Police Chief Donald Brooker and Kenneth Resnick, a Hull Firefighter and part time Town Accountant, who cited his figures and said that according to his figures there would be a salary savings of $200,000. to $300,000. per year.
Reilly asked the Town Manager if he anticipated any layoffs. McCabe responded that a hiring freeze was more likely than layoffs.
Selectmen Minutes, 10/29/02
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Hersch said it was strictly a loss to the Town financially, and a loss of years of experience. Hersch commented that the Stone report, the Segal report and McCabe's report confirmed the 1.5 million dollar cost so that ERI is not cost effective.
When asked by the Members, McCabe said he did not favor acceptance because there are no savings when positions need to be refilled. He advised the Members that the Town is in no position to accept any new programs.
MOVED-Hersch: To not accept the provisions of the Early Retirement Incentive Program.
SECOND-Burke
VOTE: Four, Ayes; One, Nay (McLaughlin)
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In other business Hersch requested a joint meeting with the Planning Board to discuss new zoning for the waterfront district.
Meeting adjourned at 9:35 pm.
February 4, 2003
Approved
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