Hull Board of Selectmen
Minutes
January 27, 2004
The meeting of the Hull Board of Selectmen was called to order at 7:40 pm on Tuesday evening, January 27, 2004 at the Hull Municipal Building, 253 Atlantic Avenue, Hull, Massachusetts.
Present: John Reilly, Chairman; Leonard Hersch, Vice Chairman; Christopher Olivieri, Clerk; and Gerard McLaughlin, Members. Also present were: Christopher McCabe, Town Manager and James Lampke, Town Counsel.
Not Present: Thomas Burns, Member
MINUTES
MOVED-McLaughlin: To approve the minutes and executive session minutes of January 6, 2004 as presented.
SECOND-Olivieri
VOTE: Unanimous in Favor
7:30 pm Conservation Law Foundation - re: $35,000 Grant Award
Erik Hutchins, Peter Shelley and Jason Burton of the Conservation Law Foundation appeared before the Board to announce the award of a $35,000 Grant for the Straits Pond Restoration Project. They said that the funds are being provided through the Restore America's Estuaries/CFL Partnership with the NOAA Restoration Center. He said that the grant award will be used to fund the design for the restoration of the Rte 228 bridge at West Corner, and associated work on Straits Pond. Detailed studies are necessary, such as bathymetry, substrate mapping, and topographic survey in order to seek implementation funds.
Lawry, Reid, of the Watershed Committee presented the check to the Board and gave a special thank you to Samantha Wood, who was unable to attend the meeting.
Reilly thanked the CLF, Reid and all of the Boards and Committees, involved for their very hard work. He also thanked those involved from Hingham and Cohasset and Representative Bradley and Senator Hedlund for their support.
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Selectmen Minutes, 1/27/04
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Keith Bossung-re: Aquarion Water Company
Keith Bossung of the Aquarion Water Co. appeared before the Board to discuss some of the problems that occurred during the recent spate of freezing weather.
He said that the fluctuating weather of severe cold and then warming has caused many pipes to freeze, then break and as it warms cause serious water leaks. The problem, Bossung said, is that many of the homeowner's pipes, and some of the company's pipes are not deep enough for this frost that has gone down to 3 ½ to 4 ½ feet. The suggested depth is 5' or more. He added that there has not been enough snow to provide an insulating effect. The company used over 200 man hours working with the freeze-ups. Bossung suggested that the home occupant run water from one faucet in a pencil-like stream during freezing weather. He cautioned residents to know where the shut-off is and to watch for discoloration which is an indication of
freezing. He also reminded everyone that drains can also freeze.
McLaughlin expressed concern over a resident on W Street without water and was assured that the company had done everything they could to help. Bossung said they offered to supply her with water through a hose set-up, but she refused.
Bossung said that the water company is working to replace mains that are not deep enough in the street, and homeowners need to consider the depth of their pipes.
Fire Chief Robert Hollingshead, who was present during the discussion, thanked Bossung and the company for all of the work that they did and for their assistance during the gas shut off problem.
8:00 pm N. E. Resort Management, LLC dba Clarion Nantasket Hotel, 45 Hull Shore Drive - re: Change of Manager
Present for the meeting to change the manager were Ferdinand Kiley, Barbara Kiley and Elio Ricci, the new manager of Raffael's.
The Chairman opened the discussion by saying the board has received a favorable background report from Captain Donald DiMarzio.
Ricci said he is the owner and manager of Raffael's in Quincy, a family-run business, that he will be closing in June and bringing to Hull. He said he would be managing the restaurant, function rooms and apartment restaurant services.
In response to a question from McLaughlin asking if he plans to have the dinner theater, Ricci responded, yes.
Selectmen Minutes, 1/27/04
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MOVED-McLaughlin: To approve the change of Manager to Elio Ricci.
SECOND-Olivieri
VOTE: Unanimous in Favor
8:15 pm Bermaken Hotel, L.L.C. dba Bermaken Hotel, Stephen Wilkins, Mgr., 102 Revere Street Lodging House - New Owner
Present for the change of ownership meeting were Stephen Wilkins, Dorothy Tan and Ellen Richard. Both Richard and Wilkins said they had previous experience with lodging house management.
The Chairman said the lodging house had passed all the inspections and Town Counsel explained that they must have sufficient and proper management at all times and should designate a resident manager.
MOVED-McLaughlin To approve the new owners with the stipulation that each principal provide a telephone number and that they designate a resident manager to be on premises and as a contact person to be kept on file with the Town Clerk.
SECOND-Olivieri
VOTE: Unanimous in Favor
TOWN MANAGER
McCabe said that there is a serious problem on Beach Avenue between Revere and Lewis Streets with the encroachment of the dunes onto the streets narrowing the roadway to a dangerous degree, and that the matter needs to be addressed He said the short term solution is that the light plant will identify and relocate poles, that the dunes need to be cut back and the sand placed on the beach, and possibly select a few dune openings to be closed with ramps as an experiment. He asked the Board to institute a winter parking ban.
Fire Chief Hollingshead, who had submitted a memo and plan showing the area and homes involved, said the roadway is supposed to be 50' and now there is scarcely enough room for two cars to pass. During the winter the highway has to plow a single line.
Police Captain DiMarzio said there are 41 homes involved with five that have no parking. He added that there would be no enforcement of the ban until the signs are in place and all parties duly notified.
MOVED-McLaughlin: To approve no parking as outlined in the Fire Chief's memo and that signs will be in place and adequate notice given to residents who are to be handled with consideration because homes not having access are entitled to consideration.
SECOND-Olivieri
VOTE: Unanimous in Favor
Selectmen Minutes, 1/27/04
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Hersch commented that the problem should have been addressed when the Superintendent of Streets raised the issue a while back, and Reilly asked Captain DiMarzio to be flexible with the residents having parking problems.
(Town Manager Continued Page 5)
8:30 pm Steve Lathrop - re: Airport Update
Steve Lathrop, the Board's representative to the Airport Noise Study Committee said he asked for the appointment to give the Selectmen an update and to answer any questions that Members might have.
He said that almost completed is the final application for grants for Phase I; that the appeal has been heard and a decision is expected within 40 days; and that the completion of the assignment should be concluded by June 30th. He added that the noise study is not adversarial but collaborative and will be able to continue.
LICENSES
Unanimously approved a renewal of a Fortune Tellers License to Eleanor Townsend, 65 C Street on a motion by McLaughlin, seconded by Hersch.
Unanimously approved a one-day All Alcoholic License for February 14, 2004 from 7:00 pm to February 15, 2004 at 1:00 am to the Knights of Columbus 440 Nantasket Avenue on a motion by Hersch, Seconded by Olivieri.
8:45 pm Government Study Committee
Roger Jackson, former Chairman of the Government Study Committee, appeared before the board to request that it recreate that Committee, which expired following the last Annual Town Meeting. During the discussion the consensus of the Board was it would list the specific areas to be studied.
MOVED-Reilly: To establish a Government Study Committee consisting of nine members, one each appointed by the Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee and the additional seven to be from the public-at-large with the Town Counsel and Town Manager as support staff.
SECOND-Hersch
VOTE: Unanimous in Favor
Hersch said that because Jackson owns the newspaper in Hull he thought it would be inappropriate for him to serve on the new committee.
Selectmen Minutes, 1/27/04
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TOWN MANAGER
McCabe notified the Board that the Town has taken ownership via Tax Title Foreclosure of the Straits Pond Lot 28, Map 50 (the island) owned by Martin Coleman, III, and that he needs to insure and secure the property.
McCabe presented his letter of reappointment of John MacLeod as Operations Manager-Light Plant a for term running from January 1, 2004 thru December 31, 2004 at a salary of $98,132.25
MOVED-Hersch: To waive the Board's right to reject the appointment within 15 days.
SECOND-Olivieri
VOTE: Unanimous in Favor
McCabe asked the Board's pleasure for Civil Service Examinations for fire and police chiefs through an assessment center that uses a value of 40% credit for Human Resource evaluation, 20% for education and 40% for the written examination, or just use the standard highest mark from the written examination.
MOVED-Reilly: To approve the use of the Assessment Center
SECOND-McLaughlin
VOTE: Unanimous in Favor
Unanimously approved authorization for the Chairman to sign a letter to DCR (formerly MDC) Human Resources notifying them that the Civil Service Process for the Appointment of a Fire Chief or Police Chief shall be the Assessment Center.
Main Street Project & Miscellaneous
McCabe informed the Board that the MHD wants the catch basin on Main street to be replaced with a vault at a cost of $10,000; that James Lampke would be Acting Town Manager from February 17th through February 23 while he is on vacation' and that he is in the process of seeking bids for lawn mowing/landscaping for the L St. Playground, Town Hall and Memorial.
MOVED-McLaughlin: To go into executive session to discuss disposition of real estate and not to reconvene in open session
SECOND-Olivieiri
ROLL CALL VOTE: Aye, McLaughlin; Aye, Reilly; Aye, Olivieri; Aye, Hersch.
The Board moved into executive session at 10:10 pm and thereafter adjourned.
February 24, 2004
APPROVED
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