Hull Board of Selectmen
Minutes
August 19, 2003
The meeting of the Hull Board of Selectmen was called to order at 7:41 pm on Tuesday evening, August 19, 2003 at the Hull Municipal Building, 253 Atlantic Avenue, Hull, Massachusetts.
Present: John Reilly, Chairman; Leonard Hersch, Vice Chairman; Christopher Olivieri, Clerk; Thomas Burns and Gerard McLaughlin, Members. Also present were Christopher McCabe, Town Manager and James Lampke, Town Counsel.
MINUTES
MOVED-Hersch: To approve the minutes of July 8, 2003 as presented
SECOND-Olivieri
VOTE: Unanimous in Favor
7:30 pm Public Hearing - Janet Petersen dba The Daily Grind Coffee Co. 175 George Washington Boulevard Common Victualer NEW
Janet Petersen told the members she plans to open an 18-seat coffee house with a drive-through in Mid November.
Burns requested that a plan be presented to the Board showing the drive-through. Hersch commented that the plan has been submitted to the Police Chief, Fire Chief and Building Commissioner.
No one offered an objection.
MOVED-Hersch: To approve the new common victualer license to Janet Petersen for 175 George Washington Boulevard and applicant is to provide the Selectmen with a plan for the drive-through.
SECOND-Olivieri
AMEND-Burns: Except approval for the drive-through
VOTE: Unanimous in Favor
7:45 pm Public Comments - re: Synthetic Athletic Field at High School
McCabe told the Board he made an error in printing a news release stating the Selectmen had approved the use of the synthetic turf at the High School. He said that the Town had appropriated $37M in March of 2000 and that the vote did not mention any particular school, but that he is not comfortable spending that money, but that there are surplus monies. He is aware, he said, that the Selectmen have not voted to support the turf installation, nor has the School Building Committee and he will issue a revised press release this week.
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8/19/03
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Dennis Blackwell of the Hull High School Turf Committee, provided a written report on which he discussed estimating the capital costs of $500,000-$700,000. (low quality/high quality); operation and maintenance estimation for a natural field per annum $21,700, as opposed to the synthetic field with an eight-year warranty. He estimated the tax implications at an annual increase on average of $99 for lower grade and $144. for higher grade. Blackwell also presented an estimate of a 15-yr bond schedule with principle and interest total cost of $1,051,250.
The synthetic turf has been in place at the Milton High School for over a year, and unlike the original artificial turf this new kind is more like grass, very safe and with little or no maintenance, Blackwell said.
Charles Ryder and James Tobin of the Finance Committee expressed their concerns over the financing and expenditure of monies for that purpose.
Speaking in support were Dr. Kathleen Reynolds, Superintendent of Schools; Dr. John Silva, School Committee Chairman, and Joseph Carroll of 873 Nantasket Avenue.
Following a discussion of the pros and cons Reilly said that the Board will decide on a date for the Special Town Meeting later in the evening.
8:00 pm Cable Advisory Committee - re: ComCast (Cancelled, will reschedule)
8:30 pm Steve Lathrop - re: Airport Noise Study Progress Report
Steve Lathrop, Hull's representative to the Airport Noise Study Group, appeared to give a status report stating he expects the process to take about a year. In response to a question from Burns, Lathrop said scheduled meetings vary from three in one week to one in three weeks.
Lampke said the State Supreme Judicial Court has accepted direct appellate review of the Town's case within the last ten days, which shows the significance of the legal issue.
CORRESPONDENCE
1. Read a memo from Aquarion Water Co. from Keith Bossing, Vice President stating that the recently donated funds were intended to support the band concerts at the Bernie King Pavilion.
2. A letter from Harriet Thorpe seeking an appointment to the Yard Waste Study Committee.
3. A letter from Steve Silberberg seeking an appointment to the Yard Waste Study Committee
4. A letter from Timothy Love seeking an appointment to the Yard Waste Study Committee
Reilly requested that appointments be scheduled for the Yard Waste Study Committee (Article 29, '03 Town Meeting) and to include the three letters of request to serve.
Selectmen Minutes, 8/19/03
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TOWN MANAGER
McCabe discussed the Main Street project and identified the request that had been made to the Conservation Commission for an amendment to the Order of Conditions, which had been denied without the applicant being present, as the main cause of the delay. The Conservation Commission is requesting the installation of a sluice gate rather than the planned flapper valve. He said he is working with the Commission, but in the meantime is concerned hat the $2.8 million dollars allocated by the State could be lost as it is not earmarked.
MOVED-Hersch: To authorize the Town Manager to contact Senator Hedlund and request the funds be earmarked.
SECOND-Olivieri
VOTE: Unanimous in Favor
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Reilly said a request has been received in regard to the odor emanating out of Straits Pond caused by decomposing weeds and grass, and the lack of completion of Cohasset's connection to the sewer system.
MOVED-Hersch: To direct the Town Manager to contact Cohasset Town Manager to get estimates from contractors to rid the pond of weeds, grass and the odor.
SECOND-McLaughlin
VOTE: Unanimous in Favor
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MOVED-Hersch: To schedule Dr. Reynolds for an executive session to discuss the Charter School enrollment.
SECOND-Olivieri
VOTE: Unanimous in Favor
The meeting adjourned at 10:06 pm.
Reilly stated that he forgot to set the Town Meeting date and wants everyone to know it will be October 27th at 7:30 pm. The Board will ratify that date at the next meeting, he said.
October 21, 2003
APPROVED
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