Hull Board of Selectmen
Minutes
October 19, 2004
The meeting of the Hull Board of Selectmen was called to order at 7:55 pm on Tuesday evening, October 19, 2004 at the Hull Municipal Building, 253 Atlantic Avenue, Hull, Massachusetts.
Present: John Reilly, Chairman; Gerard McLaughlin, Vice Chairman; Leonard Hersch and Joan Meschino, Members. Also present were: Christopher McCabe, Town Manager and James Lampke, Town Counsel.
Not Present: Christopher Olivieri, Clerk
A moment of silence was observed for the passing of Rita Bowes, former Member of the Hull Planning Board and community activist; Robert Guiney, a long time resident and Boston Police Officer; and E. Rojean Booker, a life-long resident.
7:30 pm Paul Paquin - re: Reappointment to Conservation Commission (Cancelled as term has not expired)
7:45 pm John Meschino and David Ray - re: Reappointment to Conservation Commission
Reilly said the reason for asking those up for reappointment to appear was to have an opportunity for the Board to thank them for their service to the town.
John Meschino, a Member of the Commission for ten years, and David Ray, recently appointed to fill a vacancy appeared before the Board.
MOVED-Hersch: To reappoint John Meschino and David Ray to serve until 2006
SECOND-McLaughlin
VOTE: Three, ayes; one abstention (Meschino)
MOVED-McLaughlin: To adopt the Halloween hours as recommended by Police Chief Donald DiMarzio as 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Sunday, October 31, 2004
SECOND-Meschino
VOTE: Unanimous in favor
In response to a letter from Civil Service requesting more information on the reasons why the applicant with the highest score was not selected as the new Hull Police Chief, Meschino asked the Members of the Board to please think carefully about how long
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Selectmen Minutes, 10/19/04
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they think the Police Department should be in flux. She said that although the letter is not an outright denial that it is an indication. Meschino said she has concerns about the length of time some of the Board Members would pursue the matter, as there is a presumption in law for the top candidate.
Reilly said he disagreed that the letter was a denial and said the letter is just seeking additional information that the Board will provide.
Hersch commented that it was the same exercise in futility as was the appointment of Acting Chief, and he interprets the letter as a denial.
McLaughlin said that the majority made a decision and should stand by it and he agrees with Reilly. He said that he is disturbed with a regulatory body requesting more information, and we can do this when there is a denial, then it is appropriate.
A discussion ensued on the reading of the statue by Reilly with a response from Meschino that laws are implemented by regulations.
8:00 pm Sheila Connor - re: Appointment to Conservation Commission (Rescheduled)
8:15 pm Randall Parrott - re: Appointment to Conservation Commission (Withdrawn)
8:30 pm Jim Reineck - re: Appointment to Conservation Commission
Jim Reineck, a resident of Hull since 1976 expressed his interest in environmental and development issues, and is in the process of securing permitting himself, so has a view of the Commission's work from both perspectives. He holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree from Northeastern University.
TOWN MANAGER
McCabe reported that the advertising had been completed for positions on the Government Study Committee and except for Roger Jackson (A Member of the previous Committee) there were no other applicants. The Committee is to consist of one selectmen, Gerard McLaughlin; one Advisory Board Member, Charles Ryder; and seven residents at large.
McCabe also reported on the Housing Committee established to study ways of acquiring affordable housing to consist of a Member of the Board of selectmen, Joan Meschino; a Member of the advisory board, Housing Authority and two residents at large.
Selectmen Minutes, 10/19/04
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Following the news release he received four applicants for the two position of resident, Vinny Harte, Harry Hibbard, Jr., Anne Lane, and Jennifer Berardi-Constable, and has not heard from the Housing Authority nor the advisory Board.
8:45 pm Jack Hill, Jr. - re: Applicant for Conservation Commission
Jack Hill, a recent new resident, is interested in serving on the commission and feels he can be a significant contributor. Hill owns a chimney and masonry business.
Reilly told both of the applicants at tonight's meeting that the Board will make the appointments following the other interview that was rescheduled.
Although the Board had offered a No Action motion at the Special Town Meeting on the Pay As You Throw Article, a citizen offered a substitute motion that the voters approved authorizing the expenditure of $70,000. McCabe sought guidance from the Board, and a discussion was held on the survey conclusions that showed there was not enough interest in signing up for the program and that any contract entered into would need to be paid by the taxpayers if there were not enough people to sign up, which was the reason the Selectmen had wanted a No Action vote.
McCabe spoke to the matter of sharing green certificates with the Weir River Estuary Park Committee and said he supports the concept, but does not know if it is legal and that we would be the first community in the state, creating a precedence.
McLaughlin said he takes a dim view of expending rate payers or taxpayers money on one group over another; Hersch said he thinks it is a misuse of ratepayers money to use assets for other than ratepayers.
Meeting adjourned at 9:34 pm.
DECEMBER 7, 2004
APPROVED
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