Hull Board of Selectmen
Minutes
January 14, 2003
The Hull Board of Selectmen meeting was called to order at 7:35 pm on Tuesday evening, January 14, 2003, at the Municipal Building, 253 Atlantic Avenue, Hull, Massachusetts.
Present: Thomas Burns, Vice Chairman; Regina Burke, Clerk; Leonard Hersch and Gerard McLaughlin, Members. Also present were Christopher McCabe, Town Manager and James Lampke, Town Counsel.
Not Present: John Reilly, Chairman.
7:30 pm - James G Chandler, Jr. and Michael R. McConnell - re: Applicants for reappointment to Board of Appeals
Vice Chairman, Thomas Burns opened the meeting with an interview of James Chandler. Michael McConnell could not be present.
MOVED-Hersch: To reappoint James Chandler for the three-year term as a member of the Board of Appeals.
SECOND-McLaughlin
SUBSTITUTE MOTION-Burke: To reappoint James Chandler and Michael McConnell to the Board of Appeals for three-year terms.
SECOND-McLaughlin
VOTE: UNANIMOUS in Favor
7:45 pm - David A. Marsocci - re: Applicant for Alternate on Board of Appeals
David Marsocci was interviewed by the Board for the position of Alternate Member of the Board of Appeals. Marsocci is a Real Estate Attorney, he said.
MOVED-Hersch: To appoint David Marsocci as an alternate member of the Board of Appeals for a three-year term.
SECOND-Burke
VOTE: UNANIMOUS in Favor
CORRESPONDENCE
Unanimously approved a request from Matt & Gail Monahan for the use of the Gazebo for their wedding on May 17, 2003 subject to conditions of the Hull Police Chief, on a motion from Burke, seconded by Hersch.
Page 1 of 4
Selectmen Minutes, 01/14/03
Page 2 of 4
The Board requested the Town Manager to seek a description of the area (Nantasket Avenue & Hull Shore Drive) the MDC is planning to have designated as an Historic District, that is being opposed by the Board of Selectmen.
8:00 pm - Safety Officer Neil Reilly - re: Barrier at Windemere Lagoon
Officer Reilly said that in response to a letter from a resident of her concern that there is a lack of barriers around the lagoon causing a safety problem on Nantasket Avenue near the Fitzpatrick Way Bridge presently being used as a detour during the repairs of that bridge, he viewed the site and agrees that something should be done. Of especial concern, he said, are the school busses which would not normally travel that route. The total length, Officer Reilly said, is two tenths of a mile.
MOVED-Hersch: To erect necessary guardrail from 955 Nantasket Avenue to Fitzpatrick Way as recommended by the Hull Police and Fire departments.
SECOND-Burke
VOTE: UNANIMOUS in Favor
A discussion followed on the cost, and on who will pay, the Town or the state as part of the cost of bridge reconstruction. Burns commented that the need for a guardrail would not be an issue without the bridge reconstruction.
McCabe said he will get an estimate from the Highway Superintendent, Skip Parent, and look to see if there are Chapter 90 funds. He also said he needs to research to see if the area is a wetlands, to which Hersch replied that conservation should be subordinate to public safety.
8:30 pm - Pat Finn - re: Request to be reappointed as Alternate on Board of Appeals
Following a discussion on Finn's absences, which Finn explained was because of the need to recuse himself from pending matters, a motion was made.
MOVED-McLaughlin: To reappoint Patrick Finn as an alternate to the Board of Appeals to a three-year term.
SECOND-Burke
VOTE: UNANIMOUS in Favor
TOWN MANAGER
McCabe informed the Members that the Library Contract is ready to be signed, but he is not ready to present the Fire Contract at this meeting, as it is not ready at this time.
Hersch objected to discussing the 24 hour shift in executive session stating he wants an open vote because the taxpayers have a right to know how Members vote. McCabe agreed that the taxpayers have a right to know and that it is his policy when presenting union contracts to Town Meeting to present a detailed analysis.
Selectmen Minutes, 01/14/03
Page 3 of 4
CHARTER SCHOOL
A lengthy and detailed discussion was held on the State's method of funding Charter Schools, on how the assessment to the Town is calculated, and whether or not the Town has been over charged.
In addition to the Selectmen and Town Manager, others participating in the discussion were John Silva, Chairman of the Hull School Committee; Dr. Kathleen Reynolds, Hull School Superintendent; Cornelius Kane, Attorney/Citizen and Jim Doherty, Citizen.
Burns objected to having the discussion without the presence of the Charter School principal, and he was assured that the subject matter pertained only to the State's funding process and not to the individual Charter School.
Matters discussed were how enrollment figures were calculated and the baseline data function in enrollment; access to names of students actually attending; McCabe's discussion with the Department of Education (DOE); the fact that Hull's assessment is the second highest in the State; the ability of the Hull School System to absorb the students for a lot less than the $1,442,000., and Kane's claim that the statute differs from the DOE's practice.
MOVED-Hersch: To set up a meeting with the School Committee and Board to discuss the issue.
SECOND-McLaughlin
VOTE: UNANIMOUS in Favor
Michael Munhall, Executive Director of the Charter School on Nantasket Avenue, who was in the audience said he is willing to cooperate with the Selectmen in any way including enrollment. He was assured that the discussion concerned the DOE's policies and not the local Charter Schools.
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McCabe told the Members that he had held a public meeting last Saturday on the Green Building. He said that he was told by Judeth Van Hamm that the Weir River Estuary Park Project will take about two years to complete, but that in the interim the building could be used by non-profits.
What need to be resolved, McCabe said, are the permitted uses because of the deed restriction, which Lampke said establishes the use as relating to wildlife.
The Board recessed at 9:33 pm and returned to open session at 9:50 pm.
TOWN MANAGER, CONTINUED
McCabe said that he has been advised by Jay Szklut, Community Development Director, that reprogramming the CDBD funds in order to retain Family Support Services is not possible. The position is presently funded through February, McCabe said.
Selectmen Minutes, 01/14/03
Page 4 of 4
MOVED-Hersch: To authorize the Town Manager or the Chairman to sign the extension to
April 3, 2003 on the purchase and Sale Agreement re: 301 Nantasket Avenue.
SECOND-Burke
VOTE: UNANIMOUS in Favor
McCabe submitted the Library Union Contract to the Selectmen for signatures.
Meeting adjourned at 9:56 pm.
March 18, 2003
APPROVED
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