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Hull Board of Selectmen
Minutes
September 23, 2003
The meeting of the Hull Board of Selectmen was called to order at 7:33 pm on Tuesday evening, September 23, 2003 at the Hull Municipal Building, 253 Atlantic Avenue, Hull, Massachusetts.
Present: John Reilly, Chairman; Leonard Hersch, Vice Chairman and Thomas Burns, Member. Also present were: Christopher McCabe, Town Manager and James Lampke, Town Counsel.
Not Present: Christopher Olivieri, Clerk; and Gerard McLaughlin, Member
MINUTES
MOVED-Burns: To accept the executive session minutes of September 16, 2003 as presented
SECOND-Hersch
VOTE: Unanimous in Favor
7:30 pm - Athletic Field Turf Committee - re: Synthetic Field Costs Analysis
Reilly told the over twenty persons present that the sub-committee of the School Building Committee voted six to nothing to support installation of the new synthetic turf at the High School.
The Athletic Turf Committee, Dennis Blackall, Chairman, presented written documents, including the presentation made to the School Committee, “Natural Turf or Synthetic Turf,” and a “High School Field Turf Comparison Key Factors Chart.” He told the Board that the Advisory Board did not make a recommendation.
According to the chart, he estimated the cost of the natural turf at $385,000. and the Synthetic Turf at $925,000. (See chart on file for reimbursement and/or financing costs)
Proponents of the installation of the synthetic turf argued that the synthetic turf, proposed to last eight years, would ultimately recoup the costs by the savings on maintenance costs. They also argued that the turf is guaranteed for eight years and is projected to last 18 years.
Opponents, including Jim Tobin, member of the Advisory Board, argued that the Town does not have the funds to expend because of the financial crisis. They also argued that there is no proof that it will last eighteen years as it has not been in place anywhere for that long a period of time.
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Selectmen Minutes, 9/23/03
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Although the Board had scheduled a Special Town Meeting, the argument was made that the monies for the turf, if that decision is made, should be by debt exclusion and that the future not be mortgaged, because there is no guarantee that we will ever receive the State reimbursement for the school rebuilding projects as promised.
MOVED-Burns: To cancel the Special Town Meeting
SECOND-Hersch
VOTE: Two in favor; one, opposed (Reilly)
Motion Passed
Reilly explained to those present that the Townspeople can petition a Special Town Meeting with 200 signatures.
8:00 pm Stephen Lathrop - re: Progress on Logan Airport Noise Study
Stephen Lathrop appeared before the Board to provide a status report on his work as the Selectmen
He presented documents to the Board and asked that there be an executive session to which the Chairman continued the appointment until later in the evening.
The Board recessed at 8:50 pm and returned to open session at 9:09 pm.
8:30 pm Interviews for Appointment as Interim Police Chief - Canceled
CORRESPONDENCE
1A - Unanimously approved the request of Police Chief Donald Brooker for the appointment of Thomas W. McCarthy, Donald F. Babbin, and Anthony J. Holmes as Special Police Officers to serve without pay to expire at 12:00 midnight on December 31, 2003, or sooner, at the Selectmen's discretion, on a motion by Burns, seconded by Hersch.
1B-Accepted unanimously a letter from Chief Brooker suggested that in response to a recent seminar by the Ethics Committee, that he is sending a disclosure letter to the appointing Authority reminding them that in the issuance of gun licenses, family members, close friends, or business associates may be applicants, on a motion by Burns, seconded by Hersch.
Selectmen Minutes, 923/03
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1C-Unanimously approved on the request of Chief Brooker installing stop signs on Prospect Street at the intersection of Halvorsen Avenue Westbound and on Halvorsen Avenue at the intersection of Prospect Street Westbound on a motion by Burns, seconded by Hersch.
1D-A discussion was held on the Police Chief
It was suggested that the Town-owned lot on Park Avenue be cleared and to use that land for parking for the residents.
MOVED-Hersch: To clear the Town-owned lot on Park Avenue to be used for parking
SECOND-Burns
VOTE: Unanimous in Favor
Unanimously approved calling for a Civil Service Requisition Form to obtain a certified list from which to appoint a permanent Police Officer, on a motion by Burns, seconded by Hersch.
Unanimously accepted a donation to the Animal Control Officer a donation of $337, a gift from the Hingham High School Class of 1939 reunion to be used for the purpose of supplementing the animal control budget on a motion by Hersch to set up a fund, seconded by Burns.
Acknowledged two Public Safety Dispatchers, Sandra L. Russell and Diane D. Gosselin the Police Chief has complimented them letter for distinguishing themselves relative to a subject who committed an unarmed robbery of the Rockland Trust Company on August 30, 2003.
Read aloud and Scheduled for appointment for public commendation Sergeant Gregory M. Shea, Detective Ronald E. Sweeney, Officer David E, Saunders and Officer Louis C. Costa for their actions during a highly intense, rapidly moving and critical investigation effectuating the arrest if a subject who had committed armed robbery of Siro's Restaurant on September 15, 2003 at or about 2318 hours as described in a letter of commendation from Police Chief Brooker, on a motion by Burns, seconded by Hersch.
Noted a letter from the Mass. Department of Revenue of preliminary certification of FY 04 assessments for all classes of property.
Selectmen Minutes, 9/23/03
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TOWN MANAGER
McCabe discussed a memo from the Harbormaster in regard to boat and trailer storage at the James Avenue parking lot. He requested notifying the property owners that the property needs to be removed or it will be towed.
Requested that he would like as many Members as possible to attend the scheduled Conservation Commission meeting next Monday dealing ith the Town's request for an amendment of the Order of Conditions on the Main Street project.
McCabe commented on the Town having received $100,000. in room tax this past year, which is considerably more than ever before.
Continued Stephen Lathrop
Lathrop told the Board that the Noise Study is on tract and an agreement has been reached with the three principal parties on sufficient funds for the study. He said he was stunned that Massport went to Washington to meet with the FAA, which then reduced the sum and approved only 40% of the agreed budget. He added that the CAC is concerned and will be seeking the support of members of the congressional delegation. He repeated his request for an executive session.
MOVED-Burns: To go into executive session to discuss strategy in litigation and collective bargaining.
SECOND-Hersch
ROLL CALL VOTE: Aye, Hersch; Aye, Burns; Aye, Reilly.
The board moved into executive session at 9:40 pm and thereafter adjourned.
NOVEMBER 25, 2003
APPROVED
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