Hull Board of Selectmen
Minutes
March 4, 2003
The Hull Board of Selectmen Meeting was called to order at 7:35 pm on Tuesday evening, March 4, 2003 at the Hull Municipal Building, 253 Atlantic Avenue, Hull, Massachusetts.
Present: John Reilly, Chairman; 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.
7:30 pm - Edward Parent, Jr. - re: Police Report (Canceled)
CORRESPONDENCE
In response to a memorandum from State Senator Bob Hedlund that included the Governor's FY 2004 budget, McCabe said that it is a net decrease of $733,860 and that means a budget reduction to Hull of $1,100,000. McCabe said it is his plan to be conservative and not depend on any additional funds from the State.
MOVED-Hersch: That the Selectmen share the same position as Town Manager.
SECOND-McLaughlin
VOTE: UNANIMOUS in Favor
Unanimously accepted with regret the resignation of Brian S. McCarthy as a member of the Board of Assessors and asked for a letter of thanks to be sent to McCarthy on a motion by McLaughlin, seconded by Hersch.
A memo from Town Clerk, Janet Bennett requesting a vote of the Board to place the newly vacated Board of Assessor seat on the Ballot was read.
MOVED-McLaughlin: To notify the Town Clerk to place the following vacancy on the ballot
for the May 19, 2003 Annual Election: A member of the Board of
Assessors to serve a term of 2 years.
SECOND-Hersch
VOTE: UNANIMOUS in Favor
MINUTES
MOVED-Hersch: To accept the minutes of December 10, December 17, 2002 and January 7, 2003 as presented.
SECOND-Burke
VOTE: UNANIMOUS in Favor
Page 1 of 4
Selectmen Minutes, 3/4/03
Page 2 of 4
TOWN MANAGER
McCabe reported that he had several responses to the RFP on the “Green Building” on George Washington Boulevard: Hull Seaside Animal Shelter; Weir River Estuary Park/Watershed Committees; Surf Riders Association, and Hull Performing Arts. He said there is unfinished business on the animal shelter and that he is waiting for a formal opinion on whether that use fits the deed restriction for wildlife use.
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Steve Lathrop, who is the Town's representative on the Citizen's Advisory Committee and FAA's noise study for Logan Airport expansion appeared before the Board, stated that he expects to attend eight meetings in May or about two meetings per week, and is willing to continue as a representative to the Citizen's Advisory Committee dealing with the FAA Noise Study. He said that it will involve many more hours and that he cannot afford to continue to do so on a volunteer basis and would like some compensation for his time. He estimated about $3,000.
The discussion was postponed to later in the evening.
8:00 pm - Continuation of Parking Issues
Dennis Zaia and other members of the Parking Study Committee, and several other business persons were present to continue the discussion that began at the last meeting.
Reilly, as did other members, praised the Committee for its work and the comprehensive study it produced. In response to a comment from the audience, he said he wanted to clarify what took place. He thanked Zaia for his offer to step in and take charge of the study, but he added he does not want anyone to think the Board of Selectmen established the Committee as there had been no advertisement for members.
Zaia said the Committee has approached Ray Riddle about using his rear parking lot for employees in the area and that there might be a possibility of using the Knights of Columbus parking lot for employees if the Committee approaches the organization.
McLaughlin said he is opposed to parking meters year round but agrees with different time limits.
Reilly commented that the main problem seems to be with the employee parking.
Police Chief Donald Brooker said that the only way to create adequate parking is with turnover. He added he has prepared a written response but that it is not yet ready.
The meeting recessed at 9:23 pm and returned at 9:49 pm.
The discussion with Lathrop continued. Jim Tobin, a member of the Finance Committee, said that the Town is in financial straits and people may be laid off so he opposed spending any additional funds.
Selectmen Minutes, 3/4/03
Page 3 of 4
Town Counsel Lampke said it is not unusual to pay a consultant a stipend, but due to the pending litigation the discussion should be held in executive session as it relates to and impacts the Town's litigation strategy.
Following a brief discussion of the merits of having the representation because of the pending lawsuit Town Counsel reminded them that the discussion relates to litigation dealing with the Town's overall strategy of the litigation, and dealing with the various areas of concern, merits, strengths and weaknesses of the lawsuit.
The members agreed to continue the discussion in executive session with the Finance Committee member present.
TOWN MANAGER
McCabe said that during a conversation with Representative Garrett Bradley he was told that since no one knows what is going to happen to the MDC there is a possibility that the town might be able to acquire some of the property, or make some other arrangement more beneficial to the Town. McCabe said that Bradley advised that this is an opportune time to send a letter and explore the matter.
MOVED-Hersch: To authorize McCabe to explore the possibilities with the MDC
SECOND-McLaughlin
VOTE: UNANIMOUS in Favor
MaCabe submitted a letter indicating his reappointment of John MacLeod as Operations Manager of the Hull Light Plant and sought the Board's waiver of its 15-day right to review the appointment.
Hersch commented that the document was not complete as it did not include the salary. McCabe responded that he followed the process of the former Town Manager and will be happy to provide that information now and in the future.
Hersch said he does not have a problem with the salary but that he thought the vote should be postponed because the Board should know what it is voting to do.
MOVED-Burns: To waive the fifteen day right to oppose the nomination.
SECOND-Burke
VOTE: Three in Favor; Two opposed (Hersch and Reilly)
MOVED-Burns: That appointments or reappointments will contain the salaries within the document when presented for
a waiver.
SECOND-Burke
VOTE: UNANIMOUS in Favor
Selectmen Minutes, 3/4/03
Page 4 of 4
MOVED-Burke: To go into executive session to discuss strategy in litigation, disposition of
real property, and collective bargaining.
SECOND-Burns
ROLL CALL VOTE: Aye, Hersch; Aye, Burke; Aye, Reilly; Aye, Burns; Aye, McLaughlin
The Board moved into executive session at 10:29 pm and thereafter adjourned.
May 13, 2003
APPROVED
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