Hull Board of Selectmen
Minutes
June 21, 2005
The meeting of the Hull Board of Selectmen was called to order at 7:35 pm on Tuesday evening, June 21, 2005 at the Hull Municipal Building, 253 Atlantic Avenue, Hull, Massachusetts.
Present: Christopher Olivieri, Chairman; Joan Meschino, Vice Chairman; John Reilly and John Silva, Members. Also present were: Christopher McCabe, Town Manager and James Lampke, Town Counsel.
Not Present: Ronald Davy, Clerk
MINUTES
Moved-Meschino: To approve the minutes of April 26, 2005 as presented
Second-Olivieri
Vote: Three ayes; one abstention (Silva)
(This motion was rescinded later in the evening for a correction in regard to the naming of the West Corner Bridge after William McNamara, on a motion by Reilly, seconded by Silva)
7:30 pm Larry Bingaman, Aquarion Water Company – re: North Cohasset Connection
Larry Bingaman, Senior Vice President of Operations appeared before the Board to discuss the mingling of North Cohasset water with Hull’s water supply.
Bingaman spoke first about the recent misunderstanding in regard to a memo circulated by Aquarion in regard to the use of fire hydrants, and he explained that the memo went to all communities served by Aquarion and it was not intended as an accusation that Hull has opened fire hydrants.
Bingaman told the Members that Aquarion would be distributing water to Linden Ponds, a large development for persons at least 55 years old and that to do so additional water supply is required. He said that there have been public meetings and outreach programs; that a Customer Advisory Council (CAC) has been formed that includes three Hull residents; that Aquarion has allocated $940,000 to improve the system of which 8% would be spent in Hull; that $75,000 has been allocated for Hull for replacing services. Meters, hydraulic analyses, and lead survey; repairs are being made to Stoney Beach Road and Driftway; and that the Cohasset waster will be pumped into the Turkey Hill Storage tank in an amount that is less than 10% at full storage.
Member of the Cohasset Water Department were present and acknowledged that there was at one time water quality issues, but since that time they have invested fifteen
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Selectmen Minutes, 6/21/05
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million dollars on improvements, and are planning to allocate another four million. The water is now in compliance and taste tests conducted did not reveal any noticeable differences.
8:00 pm School Building Committee Update
Reilly discussed the School Building Committee and said he would like to see it return to the original number of members which was seven and consisted of John Reilly, Selectmen, Town Manager, Superintendent of Schools, Member of the School Committee, Member of the Advisory Board (Charles Ryder), Former Member of Sewer Commission and Board of Selectmen, Tom Burns; and John Silva, Board of Selectmen who replaced former member, Leonard Hersch. The at-large Members are Pat Finn and Paul Dunphy.
Reilly raised an issue in regard to a local newspaper article criticizing the School Building Committee having to do with oversight of the contractor’s work. He said the article was not true. That Committee has a punch list and has withheld payments for each item on that list. He added that the Town also has a performance bond. Reilly explained that the rules on contracting are very strict and that the only recourse the Committee has is to hold out money, and that the article was very unfair to the Committee, Reilly said. He added that none of these issues have been a secret. Now there is now a new law that will allow for pre-qualification of new contractors in the future.
Town Council explained that Special Counsel, Robert Garrity (A construction law Attorney) was brought in early before the Memorial School was started to advise the Town as needed. He added that the flavor of the newspaper article was off as all defective items were documented and the Town is not allowed to stop a contractor, and can only withhold payments, The punch list still needs to be done on the completed work, Lampke said.
8:30 pm Green Hill Residents re: Straits Pond – Canceled
CORRESPONDENCE
1. Unanimously approved the request of The Newport Road Celebration Committee to block of a section of Revere Street from Stafford Road to Newport Road for a block party on July 3, 2005 from 3 pm to 9:00 pm, with an approval memo from the Chief of Police, on a motion by Reilly seconded by Meschino.
2. Read a request from Patricia Twigg, for appointment to the Hull Housing Authority.
3. Read letter of complaint from Justin Doyle of Mountford Road in regard to trash removal.
Selectmen Minutes, 6/21/05
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4. Read letter from Jerri Weiners of Central Avenue in regard to sand on streets.
5. Read a letter from Acting Commissioner Steve Prithcard of the DCR in regard to the schedule of bathhouse openings and staffing.
TOWN MANAGER
McCabe said the Weir River Watershed Association in Partnership with the Surfrider Foundation and Hull Performing Arts are seeking a 10-year lease of the building at 333 George Washington Boulevard “The Green Building”. In lieu of rent the proposal will provide for general upkeep of the building as well as providing much needed water and sewer connections.
Town Counsel said that similar to other town-owned property the lessees must provide liability insurance and indemnification on the property.
Moved-Meschino: To lease the property as requested
Second-Reilly
Vote: Unanimous in favor
McCabe presented a conceptual plan for the proposed Pemberton Pier marine fueling facility. The estimated cost was $198,000 for a 10,000gallon tank and the above ground tank will be placed on a 10’ x 30’ concrete pad near the boathouse and ramp. A grant is expected from the Seaport Advisory Council in the amount of $140,000.
Moved-Silva: To instruct the Town Manager to go forward with the plan and report back to the Board with a proposal.
Second-Reilly
Vote: Unanimous in favor
Report on Christine and Battery Roads was held until the 28th and the reappointment of Department Heads was taken under advisement.
The Board recessed at 10:25 pm and returned at 10:45 pm.
Appointments
Moved-Meschino: To reappoint Virginia MacDonald and Donald Gillis to the Board of Health
Second-Silva
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Substitute motion-Reilly: To reappoint Donald Gillis for a term ending in 2008, and to appoint Barbara Cannon for a term ending in 2007
Second-Silva
Vote: Unanimous in favor
Moved-Meschino: To reappoint Virginia MacDonald for a term ending in 2006
Second-Silva
Vote: Unanimous in favor
The Chairman asked that the two positions of Board of Appeals that need to be appointed and one associate be advertised.
The Board discussed the status of the following Boards and Committees: Cable TV, five members; Conservation Commission, two openings. Council of Aging, nine Members; Disability Commission three expired terms; Historical Commission, seven members, two vacancies; Historic District Committee five members, two alternates, six openings; Park & Recreation Committee, five Members, 3-year terms, all expired; School Building Committee, two alternates; War Memorial, Three expired terms Weir River Estuary, all terms expired in 2002 and No place for Hate and Water Resource Committee alternate.
MOVED-Reilly: To advertise the positions
Second-Meschino
Vote: Unanimous in favor
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
Reilly raised issues on the Straits Pond stating that midges are a problem and that raising the salinity, and leaving the flushing gates open has allowed for the increase in midges. There is no proof that salinity kills midges, Reilly stated, and the algae has an unpleasant smell.
Silva said the gates should be opened and closed every day as there is scum all over the pond, Paul Shea of the Cohasset Conservation Commission complained of the pond depth being too low, the algae, scum and fish kill and said it is worse than last year; and Lawry Reid explained that the gates were left open to capture neap tides, the salinity level is 25.5 so there is no explanation for midges.
Reilly expressed his concern of a conflict he sees with the close involvement of the Conservation Administrator with the Watershed Association, that he heard the goal was to turn to pond into a marshland
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Pemberton Pier lease discussion was held for executive session.
Also mentioned to Town Manager was a request from Larry Cowen and C. Anne Murray of Summit Avenue for maintenance of a retaining wall.
Moved-Silva: To go into executive session to discuss the sale. lease value or disposition of real property and strategy in litigation.
Second-Meschino
Roll call vote: Aye, Meschino; aye, Silva; aye, Reilly; aye, Olivieri.
The board moved into executive session and thereafter adjourned. At 12:00 am.
October 11, 2005
APPROVED
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