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Advisory Committee
April 10, 2007 Meeting Minutes

Town of Hingham
Advisory Committee
April 10, 2007 Meeting Minutes

Present:  Port, Bierwirth, Allinson, Alvarado, Barclay, Burns, Ellison, Farrell, Kiernan, Lauter, Manning, O'Meara, Reardon, Seelen

Chair Linda Port called the meeting to order at 7:34PM in the Town Hall Building.

The Committee approved the minutes of the March 13, 2007 meeting. 

The Advisory Committee voted favorably on two Reserve Fund Transfers:

• $50,000 to the Public Works Capital Outlay account for the replacement of the gazebo at the Harbor.
• $9,925 to the School Capital Expense account for a new generator at the central fueling depot.

The Advisory Committee voted unanimously to reopen Warrant Article 21:  Housing Trust.

Laura Burns presented new information on the Housing Trust Warrant Article.  Bond Counsel has approved the language that in effect will allow the trust to borrow against its own assets, but not to obligate the Town.  Also, a minor change suggested by Tom O'Donnell.  He noticed that the proposal called for initial terms for the trustees of one, two, or three years, but that the statute limits terms to two years. The change eliminates any initial three-year term. After initial terms, the terms were to be two years anyway.

The Advisory Committee voted favorably to approve the amended Warrant Article 21:  Housing Trust.

Tony Kiernan presented clarifications to Warrant Article 44:  Retirement - Service Credit for Call Firefighters and Warrant Article 45:  Retirement - Lincoln and Shaw Special Legislation.

The Advisory Committee voted unanimously to reopen Warrant Articles 44 and 45.

The Advisory Committee voted favorably on Warrant Articles 44:  Retirement - Service Credit for Call Firefighters. 

The Advisory Committee voted no action on Warrant Articles 45:  Retirement - Lincoln and Shaw Special Legislation. 

David Ellison informed the Committee of a minor word change allowing "if necessary, petition the Great and General Court for special legislation to authorize such action" to Warrant Article 47:  West Corner Culvert Replacement Right of Way.

The Advisory Committee voted unanimously to reopen Warrant Articles 47:  West Corner Culvert Replacement Right of Way.

The Advisory Committee voted favorably on the amended Warrant Articles 47:  West Corner Culvert Replacement Right of Way.

The Advisory Committee voted favorably on Warrant Articles 23:  Lease of Beal Street Fields and Field House.

Joe Bierwirth provided an update for the Advisory Committee and led a lengthy discussion on Warrant Article 24:  Otis Street Parking Lot. 

Lou Alvarado recused himself and left the room for the discussion and vote on the Otis Street Parking Lot warrant article.

The Advisory Committee voted no action on Warrant Articles 24:  Otis Street Parking Lot.

Bill Reardon led a lengthy discussion on Warrant Article 19:  667 Main Street (Baker Property).  Members of the CPC and Planning Board, abutters and the general public participated.

The Advisory Committee voted no action on Warrant Articles 19:  667 Main Street.

• No action:  8 votes
• Abstain:  Joe Bierwirth 
• In favor:  Bill Reardon, Laura Burns, David Ellison and Irma Lauter
• Linda Port, Chair and non-voting, asked to be recorded in the minority view.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:08AM.

Respectfully submitted,

Irma Lauter
Secretary