A listing of what people are doing in the towns of Hingham, Weymouth, Hull, Scituate, and Cohasset. We update frequently. Read our hard copy paper just the way we publish it: http://tinytowngazette.com
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• The $200,000 legal budget was overspent by $100,000. It took $57,000 in legal fees to fire Mike Coughlin for no cause.
• Police Chief Mark DeLuca spoke against the dark police station. Will this be held against him when they go to sign his contract after town meeting? If the police station goes dark, where will they put the people they arrest at night? In their trunks?
• The citizens’ petition article to hire public works superintendent and make water and sewer a 5-member advisory board (last article on the Saturday ballot) lost on a voice vote but people throughout the hall said they felt it was close. It looked like it would be close to others in the hall, also – because shortly before the vote town officials were texting their friends for help and the E-20 support team arrived promptly. All town boards voted against this article.
• Article 1 was a non-binding resolution/report submitted by the Town Manager asking Town Meeting to support town official’s move to “stop the (financial) bleeding.” Numerous citizens applauded officials for their hard work, but added these criticisms:
Chartis Tebbetts said she would like the budget planning group to examine a possible override if we want to continue only “balancing” the budget.
Ronnie McMorris asked the meeting to postpone the article as she felt it was not properly before the meeting.
Susan Kent told town officials it was their job to control the finances of the town – “This is what you’re supposed to do,” she said, wondering why they felt it necessary to have town meeting vote on a resolution.
Agnus McCann said the resolution was lacking a goal. She wondered if the “unstated” goal were level service funding. If so she said she was worried the town would not be able to keep the things we have (maintain buildings, etc.).
David McMorris said the resolution could hamstring future board. “Flexibility needs to be built in (into the resolution).
Selectman Paul Carlson noted that the resolution was not binding.
Selectman Chair Peter Pescatore noted that from 2005-2012 the town’s budget had increased 3.9%.
• Complaints about the Governance committee were that it never held a public hearing, early morning meetings (7:30 a.m.) were difficult to get to (Agnus McCann).
• People receiving standing ovations for their service to the Town were Debbie Cook, conservation commission (interesting that the three selectmen who fired her all stood and applauded her). Also, Al Moore, planning board and Ralph Parencello, housing authority.
• Articles 16, 17 18 were all voted down. They were the Meals and Hotel Tax Stablization fund, the Acceptance of Local Option Hotel Tax and Local Option Meals Tax. The funds to be generated were to fund facilities and buildings maintenance. The stabilization failed on a 73/42 vote and the rest failed on voice votes. Ronnie McMorris said it was a matter of fairness. She felt all taxpayers should share in maintenance, not just restaurants and hotels. Joe Campbell, manager of Cohasset Harbor Inn and Atlantica also spoke against the articles. “This tax affects two businesses in Cohasset.” It was noted that if the Town voted the local option meals tax residents would be paying a 0.75% tax on all prepared food purchased in Cohasset.
• Ted Carr’s political signs are all over public property. He’s been asked to remove them from the same several times. I observed the same just driving up Pond Street. Earlier in the week Carr’s signs were at the water department.
• Acting Town Manager Mike Milanoski, is making over $130,000 a year – more than any of our last 3 town managers. This wasn’t discussed at town meeting but that’s where I learned it.
The continuation of Town Meeting is Monday, May 21 at 7.
Article 21, Citizen’s Petition to Reorganize Water & Sewer Management Simplified
by Karen Quigley
It’s really not complicated. There are a number of steps that need to be taken that make it seem complicated, but what Town Meeting is being asked to vote is not.
1. Vote to make the water & sewer commissions a combined, 5-person advisory board appointed by the Troika which puts it on the same level as Advisory and Capital Budget.
2. Vote to create the position of Public Works Supervisor.
It won’t take effect immediately. The goal is to put into motion, on a specific time frame, the steps that need to happen and which are going to a year to complete. The specifics will be brought back for vote at the next Town Meeting and a ballot vote at the 2013 elections.
It doesn’t mean the utilities will be operated in house. It simply puts the day-to-day management and oversight of our utilities in the hands of a qualified professional. It does, however, create the management necessary if/when Town Meeting so voted.
It doesn’t require but also provides the opportunity to have professional management of the DPW and Facilities.
The enterprise funds remain as they are pending recommendation by the DOR as part of their Financial Management Review slated to begin in July.
The elected officials serve out their terms, by law, and then they could remain as appointed officials.
We, as a town, must look to the past to learn from our history and use those lessons to ensure our future. Those that fail to learn from history, are doomed to repeat it.
Please Vote YES on Article 21 at tomorrow’s Town Meeting.
Karen Quigley is the main proponent of Article 21.
She is a former selectman and lives at 27 Clay Spring Road.
It’s a strange time of the year.
Citizens come together and make decisions about town issues.
Oftentimes it’s hard to get a quorum on a Saturday morning in Cohasset. It’s always better for Town Meeting when it rains.
Some years “the hive” is swarming. The HUM starts a week or so before TOWN MEETING.
At first there’s a quiet HUM.
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Homeowner wishes to give away
a 3ft.high by approximate
40 ft. long patio fence.
TAKE IT AWAY!
This fence might be available again. If you’re interested contact us at tinytown@comcast.net and I’ll call the homeowner.
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by Mike Coughlin, former Cohasset Town Manager
In government there is an old practice when you want to kill reform you study it to death. Last week I read with great interest about the proposal by the Interim Town Manager (ITM) to place an article before Town Meeting to study the “legalities of combining water and sewer” for a total of $20K. Aside from the fact that the ITM is telling us that we can not afford to keep the police station open at night– why the need for another study?
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Phil Lemnios, Hull Town Manager, was the guest speaker at a meeting of the Hingham Water Supply committee. We thought his insights on his exposure to several methods of water operations was noteworthy. Lemnios said he could see an inter-municipal water agreement as best benefiting all involved towns.
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MARCH 28, 2012 A posted meeting of the Hingham Water Supply Committee (Committee) was held on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 in the North Central hearing room, 210 Central St., Hingham, MA.
The meeting was called to order by Mr. Mullen at 7:30PM.
MEMBERS PRESENT Sam Mullen, Chairman
Kirk Shilts, Secretary
Tom Burbank, Member
Paul Cappers, Member
Maureen Doran, Member
Roger Sullivan, Member
OFFICIALS PRESENT Harry Hibbard, V.P. Massachusetts Operations, Aquarion Water Co. (Aquarion)
Clinton Sanko, Aquarion Water Co.
John Walsh, Aquarion Water Co.
Peter DeCaprio, Chairman, Cohasset Water Commission
Ted Alexiades, Hingham Town Administrator
AGENDA Mr. Mullen reviewed the posted agenda with the Committee.
Thereafter, the agenda was established as posted.
HINGHAM BOARD OF SELECTMEN: Mr. Alexiades presented to the Committee on behalf of the Hingham Board of Selectmen to discuss their proposed Warrant Article to conduct a feasibility study about acquiring the rights and assets of the Hingham Water Co., currently owned by Aquarion. Town Special Counsel Atty. Kerry Ryan accompanied Mr. Alexiades.
Mr. Alexiades said the motivation behind the study was precipitated by the current rate increase.
Mr. Alexiades said the Article seeks $500,000 to complete an acquisition study within one-year. He believed the study is needed to make an informed decision about the financials (management structure & infrastructure) surrounding Hingham’s current water service. He added the largest cost component of the study is potential litigation; and the degree of litigation will depend upon the level of cooperation that Aquarion provides.
Mr. Alexiades stated the town last studied acquisition in 1985 and $55,000 was appropriated for this purpose. He also said the Hingham Municipal Light Plant commissioned its own $20,000 study a few years ago to determine how the Light Plant could potentially purchase and operate the Water Co. He added that copies of both studies are available in the Selectmen’s office.
Mr. Alexiades believed the study would be expected to address Mr. Sullivan’s concern related to the state DEP approving the multi-town aspect to any eventual purchase of the Water Co. by the Town.
Atty. Ryan discussed the Town of Oxford acquisition suit. He said Oxford involves an ‘eminent domain’ action with compensation based on ‘fair market value’. With Hingham, the statute allows the town to purchase the Water Co. assets ‘outright’ with compensation based on ‘original costs’. He mentioned that that an adversarial tone has developed between Oxford and Aquarion.
Mr. Alexiades believed that there are a number of benefits to be obtained by acquiring the Water Co and it would be worth conducting the study to determine whether those benefits were likely to be obtained. He said the process of acquisition would not be a ‘take over’, but rather moving forward on the town’s statutory right.
COHASSET WATER COMMISSION: Mr. DeCaprio presented to the Committee to discuss water-supply related issues in the town of Cohasset. He presented as a member of the Cohasset Water Commission and not on behalf of the Commission.
Mr. DeCaprio stated his belief that all municipal services within Cohasset, including water service, should be outsourced to larger corporate or regional entities due to the town’s limited economy of scale. He thought the same would be true for most small towns including possibly Hingham.
Mr. DeCaprio said the task of operating a water system is complex, due in large part to extensive regulatory oversight. He said it was a ‘disaster’ when Cohasset town employees ran the water system. Engineering deficiencies within their system and poor management decisions required the town to bail out the water department a few years ago, which resulted in a 30% rate increase. Cohasset customers currently see annual cost increases of about 4.5%. He said Cohasset presently has the most expensive water in the state. He mentioned the “Tighe & Bond” study as a good guide for comparing water rates.
Mr. DeCaprio said operating the Cohasset system is presently contracted to American Water Co., whose contract is about to expire. Cohasset Town Meeting will soon discuss four proposals for awarding and/or extending the next contract. He said the commission’s goal is to build a 10% return into the concession contract and allow the operator to assume all benefit/risks.
Mr. DeCaprio said the Cohasset system has a $4.7 million revenue base from approximately 2,300 customers. He estimated the value of the Cohasset system at $36 million based on the simple financial equation of 9x cash flow.
Mr. DeCaprio said Aquarion serves 316 Cohasset households. These same homes also have Hull municipal sewer service. He added Cohasset would like to purchase these 316 customers from Aquarion and already has a service connection to this portion of Aquarion’s system.
In discussing Cohasset’s often-maligned water quality, Mr. DeCaprio said constant movement of water within the pipes is a key to improving quality and requires circular interconnections. He said dead-end runs are the most problematic. He also identified the difference between a predominately surface water source like Cohasset and the more pristine well water source that most towns, including Hingham, utilize.
Mr. DeCaprio said Cohasset has the potential extra capacity to supply 300,000g/d for out-of-basin use, and an extra 1,000,000g/d capacity for in-basin use. He added that Scituate is within the same watershed basin as Cohasset.
AQUARION UPDATE: Atty. Hibbard mentioned that Aquarion has scheduled a community outreach on Tuesday, April 10th at the Hingham Middle School to assess customer concerns.
Atty. Hibbard confirmed that Aquarion was kept in the dark regarding Oxford’s intent to file suit. He said a large percentage of the Oxford litigation centers on determining matters relative to costs as well as the natural defensive reaction from being unexpectedly pulled into court action.
Atty. Hibbard stated that Aquarion was currently polling their customers on the proposed feasibility study issue and its cost to the community. Ms. Doran stated her household was polled, which she herself participated. She thought the poll was somewhat “heavy-handed” by its questions that seemed to frame a pre-determined perspective.
Atty. Hibbard reiterated that even though his company did not see the need for the proposed feasibility study, Aquarion would continue to cooperate with the town and offer all financial information that is available.
Atty. Hibbard believed that the state DPU would likely issue their decision on Aquarion’s current rate case at the end of this week.
NEW BUSINESS:
• COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP Dr. Shilts discussed the matter of committee member attendance. He mentioned that a particular member has been chronically absent for seven of the last eight meetings dating back to 2008 and asked if anyone knew why.
Thereafter, Atty. Mullen will contact committee member Connelly to discuss his absenteeism and committee responsibilities.
MINUTES The Committee reviewed the meeting minutes of January 25, 2012.
Thereafter, a Motion was made by Mr. Burbank and Seconded by Ms. Doran and it was VOTED (unanimous);
To approve the meeting minutes of January 25, 2012 as drafted.
SCHEDULE The next meeting of the Committee is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at 7:00pm.
ADJOURNMENT The March 28, 2012 meeting of the Hingham Water Supply Committee meeting adjourned at 9:48PM.
This is a water question. If you choose to participate, your answers are due at the Gazette on May 11 at 5 p.m. They will be published in both the Tinytown Gazette and Tinytown Unleashed. Mr. Carr may actually vote on this article on Tuesday, May 8th if Cohasset Selectmen choose to do so. If so, he should not have a problem with discussing the issue with voters on my very popular, well-read blog and newspaper, which he really enjoys reading. You can both have as many words as you wish.
Mr. Carr’s question: You’re dealing with a lot of ‘dark-outs,’ these days. After reading a draft of the Annual Town Meeting warrant, we have learned that we are dealing with yet another black-out. Selectmen have approved a question on the Selectmen’s warrant, the Selectmen’s warning to the public, that asks Town Meeting to give up its rights and to turn those rights over to the interim town manager, members of the water commission and other special/secret people who will negotiate Cohasset Water concession terms on our behalf. You have had many discussions regarding the adjournment of Annual Town Meeting to May 21st. But it appears if Annual Town Meeting votes Yea on Article 32 no May 21st meeting needs to take place. You’re on the inside. Please explain what is happening here.
Mrs. Gjesteby’s question: What should the Selectmen’s role be, here? The Cohasset Water commissioners will not have any bid responses back until the day of Annual Town Meeting or the Monday following ATM. Should this article even be on the warrant? Should Selectmen be sponsoring an article on THEIR WARRANT asking Town Meeting to give up its rights to see the controversial Water concession? What should the Advisory Committee’s role be in this case?
No. 1. There will be two town managers at annual town meeting. Interim Town Manager Mike Milanoski will preside over the meeting but former town manager Mike Coughlin will be sitting at Milanoski’s elbow – giving a live critique of articles and motions.
No. 2. Karen Quigley’s citizens’ petition – an article (Article 21) asking the town to take charge of its water and sewer commissions is more than timely. “Who knows what will happen with the hammer of the mighty Commonwealth coming down,” Sewer Chair John Beck told advisors last week.
Yeah, stupid us. Again.
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