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Advisory Committee
October 16, 2007 Meeting Minutes

APPROVED
Town of Hingham
Advisory Committee
October 16, 2007 Meeting Minutes
Hingham Town Hall
Present: Committee Members Bierwirth, Allinson, Asher, Barclay, Ellison, Farrell, Friedman, Innis, Johnson, Kernan, Lauter, Manning, O'Meara, Port, Seelen.
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1. Chair Joe Bierwirth called the meeting to order at 7:37 PM.

2. The Committee reviewed and approved the minutes from the September 18, 2007 meeting.

3. School Building Project Update:

Members of the School Building Committee, the School Board and the School Department attended the meeting. Alan MacDonald of the Building Committee reported on the status of the project as the follows:

• At the request of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), the School Superintendent has formally advised that the Town's priority for seeking financial assistance from the MSBA this year is the new elementary school.
• The drawings for the elementary school are 100% complete and ready to issue for bids.
• The Town's current goal for the completion of the new elementary school remains September, 2009.
• David Killory of the School Department has prepared timelines showing required milestones for achieving the desired completion date, including MSBA financing decision by 1/31/08, Special Town Meeting approval of project soon thereafter, and construction commencement by 4/1/08. 
• A meeting was held with a representative of the MSBA on 10/16 to review the status of the Town's application and to express the Town's concerns about the time line for project completion. The MSBA representative would not commit to the 1/31/08 financing decision deadline at this meeting, but stated that the MSBA will keep Hingham informed as its decision-making process develops. The Building Committee hopes to have an update for the 11/4/07 Town Forum.
• Proceeding with bidding and construction of the new elementary school prior to receiving a reimbursement decision from the MSBA could jeopardize the Town's chances of receiving any reimbursement. 
• The Middle School will now be a completely separate project for purposes of requesting financial assistance from the MSBA, so all current MSBA-mandated procedures for project programming, design and construction will be required.  
• The Building Committee will not seek financial assistance from the MSBA for costs associated with the Foster and Plymouth River portions of the master plan.

Linda Port stated that she could not participate in deliberations concerning MSBA-related matters since her firm provides legal services to the MSBA.

4. Central Fire Station Building Committee Update:
Members of the CFS Building Committee and Chief Mark Duff attended the meeting. Paul Murphy of the Building Committee reported that the project is currently on budget and on schedule, and that Substantial Completion is expected by 12/31/07. The Chief anticipates occupying the building soon thereafter.

5. Preview of Potential Zoning Articles:
Jerry Seelen updated the Committee on the process for consideration and review of proposed Zoning By-law amendments. Jerry reported that the Planning Board is currently aware of 7 proposed amendments, with more possible. Each amendment would be a separate article in the Town Meeting Warrant, and all proposed amendments must be on record by 12/1/07, after which date the Planning Board will schedule formal hearings to deliberate on each amendment. The Planning Board has tentatively scheduled an informal discussion of proposed amendments for their meeting of 11/5/07; Jerry and Dick Innis will attend.

6. Hingham Municipal Lighting Plant (HMLP)
David Ellison and Jon Asher are acting as Advisory Committee liaisons with HMLP. One of their goals is to establish a cooperative and productive working relationship between the Advisory Committee and HMLP. David reported that a first meeting had taken place with HMLP General Manager John Tzimorangas and Light Commission Chairman Kevin Bulman. The meeting included discussion of the following issues:

• Redundancy and reliability: A second substation may be required in the next three to five years.
• Serving commercial clients as they come on line: e.g., BCBS, the Shipyard and Linden Ponds.
• Rate stability management.
• The development of the formula for HMLP's payments to the Town in lieu of taxes (PILOT) in coming years.  
• Establishing a resolution to HMLP's OPEB (Other Post-Employment Benefits) obligations. The Town is encouraging HMLP to consider consolidating its programs with those of the rest of the Town to more effectively manage these long-term employee retirement obligations.

David and Jon will update the Committee periodically on HMLP news.

7. Municipal Employee Health Insurance
Dennis Friedman noted that municipalities are now able to join the state's health insurance program (Group Insurance Commission, or GIC), and he questioned whether the Town is pursuing this and whether it would save the Town money. Ted Alexiades stated that it appeared that it would be a cost effective move and that the Town is pursuing it. However, there are some issues that need to be resolved related to existing Town commitments to employees, and the periodic (annual) window of opportunity for joining the program may be limited. Ted expects it will be at least another year before this option can be exercised.  

8. Town Forum
Joe Bierwirth noted that the annual Town Forum is scheduled for 11/4/07. Three topics specifically on the agenda for discussion are the South Shore Country Club, the school projects and potential Community Preservation Committee proposals. All are encouraged to attend and participate.

9. South Shore Country Club
Ted Alexiades reported that the pool at the Country Club is not in immediate danger of being closed and that a plan is being developed to allow the pool to at least break even financially.

10. Financial Forecast
Ted Alexiades reported on the first overall budget forecast meeting:

• The first budget projection shows a deficit of approximately $1.2 Million; this is greater than the usual deficit at this time in the cycle ($700,000).
• Motor vehicle excise tax receipts have stopped growing.
• The projection does not include the customary $400,000 transfer from the Country Club, since this transfer is unlikely this year.
• The projection does not assume any increase in valuation of the Shipyard property (and associated tax revenue increases) due to status of construction. Conversely, it does not include any building permit receipts from Shipyard projects, though some permit receipts are likely.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 PM.
The next Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for 11/13/07, 7:30 PM.

Respectfully submitted,
Jerry Seelen, Secretary