1. Chair Joe Bierwirth called the meeting to order at 7:31 PM.
2. The Committee reviewed and approved the minutes from the 1/15/08 meeting.
3. Financial Issues
Joe reported that the projected shortfall for FY '09 is now approximately $1.2M.
4. Warrant Articles
Joe reported that all warrant articles are submitted as of this date, and that  Committee votes must be complete, with associated comments, by 3/18/08.
5. School Building Project Update
Mike Barclay reported that the MSBA will try to provide a tentative decision on the town's request for partial reimbursement for the new school project by 2/5/08. The Selectmen voted to schedule the override ballot vote for 3/1/08, though this might change based on the schedule of the Special Town Meeting, which is currently anticipated to occur 2/25/08.
Ted Alexiades will complete his analysis of the tax impact of the proposed debt exclusion, plus the tax impact of the probable 2009 operating cost override, once cost figures are finalized by the School Department. The analysis will incorporate the Department's assumption of full-day kindergarten, plus any other significant new initiatives, that the new elementary school is intended to accommodate. 
Joe noted that, based on the schedule for Special Town Meeting, the Committee must vote on the override(s) no later than Thursday, 1/31/08; if a vote is not taken at the regular Tuesday meeting, a separate meeting will be called for Thursday.
6. Zoning Report
Jerry Seelen reported that 7 zoning amendment articles are being proposed this year, 6 by the Planning Board and one by the Selectmen. Jerry anticipates that Advisory Committee consideration of these articles will occur at three separate Committee meetings, two for the Planning Board articles, and one for the Selectmen's article, which concerns the establishment of a 40R (Smart Growth) Overlay District. Planning Board hearings on the amendments are scheduled for 2/4/08 and 2/11/08. Anyone interested in learning more about the 40R article in particular is encouraged to attend the 2/11 Planning Board hearing.
7. Residential Tax Exemption
Joe reported on the Residential Tax Exemption program currently being considered by the Selectmen. This program may be enacted by the Board of Selectmen without a vote at Town Meeting, so no official vote by the Advisory Committee is required. However, Joe suggested that the Committee might consider an informal discussion of the topic.
8. Fire Department Report
Chief Duff and Deputy Chief Olsson, along with Jack Manning, presented the budgets of the Fire Department and Emergency Management. Chief Duff updated the Committee on the following significant Fire Department issues :
- The new Fire Station is ready for occupancy. The administration will move in this week, and the apparatus will move in within a few weeks. The project is under budget. There will be a formal dedication ceremony on 4/16/08, 1:00 PM.
- The Fire Department performed a zero-base-budget exercise for its expenses and found that some line items changed value, but that the overall bottom line did not change substantially.
- The Department has had difficulty in filling authorized full-time positions, and there is a scarcity of available paramedics. The Chief has requested extra money for FY'09 to help with education and training of paramedics; he recognizes that the additional funds most likely will not be available.
- The new labor contract will move Hingham's FD wages up to the middle range of our benchmark towns, which should make it easier to hire and retain staff.
9. DPW Report
Irma Lauter, along with Joe Stigliani and Randy Sylvester of the DPW, presented the Public Works budgets. Irma noted that due to this year's budget constraints, the additional money requested by the Department would not be recommended.
Randy presented spread sheets illustrating the Town's improving record of recycling and related disposal cost control at the land fill. Randy also noted that the land fill closing will be completed by 12/08.
Irma recommended that the Public Works budgets be at the top of the list for next year's zero-base-budget exercise.
10. South Shore Country Club
Amy Farrell, along with Nora Berard and members of the Country Club Management Committee, Development Committee and staff, presented a report on the current conditions at the Country Club. Nora reported that the 2007 golf season was a success, and that the food service contract (with a division of the Lantana organization) is also working out well.
Lou Alvarado reported on the proposed capital facility enhancement projects included in the budget. These projects are intended to improve the club members' experience at the facility, with the goal of consequent revenue increases. The enhancements will be undertaken this year only if revenues meet expectations. Dennis Friedman asked that the Committee report back next year on whether the enhancements lead to the anticipated financial returns.
The Country Club will not be able to return money to the General Fund in FY '09. The current goal is to try to resume payments to the General Fund in FY '10.
Ted reported that the pool is in better physical condition than previously thought. The town is considering running the operation with its own forces rather than paying the YMCA; Ted believes this will save money without sacrificing quality.    
The Advisory Committee voted favorably on the South Shore Country Club operating budget.
11. Public Safety Budgets
The Advisory Committee voted favorably on the Fire Department and the Emergency Management operating budgets, and on the Harbor Master and Building Commissioner expense budgets, all as shown in Attachment A. A vote on the Building Commissioner Payroll budget was deferred until Ted can provide an answer to the questions related to the increase in full-time salaries. 
 
12. Public Works Budgets
The Advisory Committee voted favorably on the following Public Works budgets, as shown in Attachment A.
- Engineering
- Highway, Recreation, Tree & Park
- Land Fill, Recycling

The meeting was adjourned at 11:03 PM.
The next Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for 1/29/08, 7:30 PM. Meetings will continue thereafter on a weekly basis, Tuesday evenings, 7:30 PM, unless otherwise scheduled.

Respectfully submitted,
Jerry Seelen, Secretary