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Departments: Board of Selectmen

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Please see the Board of Selectmen's response to the Proposed MBTA Service Cuts (1/11/2012)

In order to serve you more effectively, the Hingham Board of Selectmen invites you to complete a survey to share your thoughts about our town's government.

Board of Selectmen

Laura M. Burns
burnsl@hingham-ma.com

Bruce Rabuffo
rabuffob@hingham-ma.com

Irma Lauter
lauteri@hingham-ma.com

DUTIES

The Board of Selectmen is composed of three members who are elected for three year terms. As the Chief Elected and Executive Officers of the Town, the Selectmen are vested with all the municipal authority not specifically retained by the Town's legislative body, Town Meeting, or other elected boards. The Selectmen appoint a Town Administrator who is responsible for the daily management of the Town.

The Selectmen issue the warrants for Town Meetings; initiate legislative policy by inserting articles in Town Meeting Warrants; and then implement the votes subsequently adopted. They adopt town administrative policies; review and set fiscal guidelines for the annual operating budget and the five-year capital improvement program and make recommendations to Town Meeting. The Selectmen appoint department heads and members of most official boards and commissions; hold public hearings on important town issues and periodic conferences with agencies under their jurisdiction and with community groups; represent the Town before the General Court; act as Police Commissioner; and enforce Town By-Laws and regulations.

The Selectmen also serve as the licensing board responsible for issuing and renewing over 70 licenses in more than 20 categories, including common victualler, limousine, liquor, inflammables, special events and entertainment.

Application for One Day Liquor License

The Board of Selectmen meets every Tuesday, unless otherwise posted, at 7:00 PM in the North Hearing Room at Town Hall. The meetings are broadcast on tape the following evening (Wednesday) at 7:00 PM on Comcaset Channel 10 and Verizon Channel 30.

2011 Annual Report

The economy is continuing to show slow signs of recovery as we prepare for Fiscal Year 2013. However, the pace is slow and the Town will continue to conservatively manage its way through this time of transition.

The Board is pleased to report that despite a series of economically challenging budget years the recommended budget for Fiscal Year 2013 is structurally sound. It is the culmination of several years of effort in belt tightening. Two years ago this Board of Selectmen set three goals for the budget process. These goals were (1) halting the downward trend in fund balance; (2) ceasing the practice of using the Town's fund balance to fund capital needs; and (3) appropriating to a trust fund to meet the liability for retiree health care benefits in the future. We are able to report that these goals are being met: (1) the Town's fund balance has climbed to a level more consistent with our Financial Policy; (2) the recommended appropriations for capital expenditures are from the tax levy; and (3) The recommended budget funds the liability for retiree health care (OPEB) at 100% of the Annual Required Contribution.

The Board is cognizant of the economic realities our citizens face each day. In view of this, there will be several articles proposed at the 2012 Annual Town Meeting to bring a measure of relief to certain seniors and military reservists.

The Board has been active in efforts to support the development and redevelopment of the South Hingham Overlay District. The successful redevelopment of this area would generate increased revenues without the costs associated with residential development. This effort is consistent with the Town's master plan.

The Board voted to implement the provisions of Health Insurance Reform as provided in the Municipal Relief Act. A strong spirit of cooperation among the various members of the Public Employee Committee and the Town resulted in an agreement on a revised health insurance program. The new insurance offering will result in lower rates for active employees and non-Medicare eligible retirees. A portion of the rate savings will be available to members to offset the impact of certain higher co-pays. The reduced cost of health insurance to the Town is reflected in the recommended Contributory Group Insurance appropriation in Article 6. The reduction in health care costs is expected to save the Town $600,000 in FY 2013 and to help keep costs lower going forward.

The April 2011 Town Meeting approved $600,000 for a Feasibility Study for a new Middle School under the Massachusetts School Building Authority's (MSBA) Model School Program. At the October 2011 Special Town Meeting the voters approved final design and construction funding for the new middle school to be built on the site of the current school at a cost of $60,910,920. The anticipated reimbursement from the state is at 43.87%. The citizens also appropriated $935,000 to fund construction costs for Phase I (track reconstruction and tennis court repair) and design fees for future work on the high school fields.

The pace of activity around the harbor has picked up. The Fall Special Town Meeting also authorized the Trustees of the Bathing Beach to pursue special legislation for a renovated bathhouse and snack shop; a new coffee shop has opened in the building near the Town Pier; and the Community Preservation Committee recommends, and this Board supports, a pedestrian bridge connecting the Iron Horse Park area to Whitney Wharf.

The Town has completed the regionalization of public safety dispatch services. The Towns of Hingham, Hull, Norwell and Cohasset are now providing dispatch from a state of the art facility located in the Hingham Town Hall. This facility was built and furnished with funds provided by state grants. Animal Control services are currently shared with the Town of Hull and the Towns of Hingham and Scituate are sharing Veterans Services led by our Director of Veterans Services, Keith Jermyn.

Finally the Board extends its thanks to our staff, all the Town employees and the countless volunteers who are so generous with their time and talents to service the Town.

John A. Riley
Laura M. Burns
L. Bruce Rabuffo