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TOWN OF HINGHAM
Planning Board
FIFTH AMENDMENT TO NOTICE OF DECISION
Site Plan Approval for Hingham High School Athletic Complex Renovations Phase II:
Request to Modify Use Schedule and Traffic and Parking Plan
Applicant: Hingham School Committee
210 Central Street
Project Site: 17 Union Street - Hingham High School
Hingham Assessor's Map/Lot: 90-0-112; 100-0-63; 100-0-61; 101-0-8
Date: June 8, 2015
BACKGROUND
The Planning Board issued a Notice of Decision, dated March 11, 2013
("Original Decision"), as amended by Amendments to the Notice of
Decision, dated March 25, 2013; July 10, 2013; September 12, 2013; and
October 7, 2013, in connection with the Application of the Hingham
School Committee ("Applicant" or "School Committee") for Site Plan
Review under Sections I-H and III-B.8 of the Hingham Zoning By-Law,
subject to and with the benefit of the provisions of Massachusetts
General Laws (MGL) Chapter 40A, Section 3 commonly known as the "Dover
Amendment."
PROCEEDINGS
A public hearing of the Planning Board was duly noticed and held on
April 13, 2015 and June 8, 2015 for the application to modify the
Hingham High School Parking and Traffic Plan for Large Events (Exhibit A
to the Original Decision), and also modify the Schedule and Conditions
governing the Use of Field Lights and Amplified Sound at the Hingham
High School (HHS) athletic field complex or "Use Policy" (Exhibit B to
the Original Decision). The April 13, 2015 Planning Board hearing was
conducted by Gary Tondorf-Dick, Sarah Corey, Judy Sneath and Walter
Sullivan, and the June 8, 2015 hearing was conducted by Sarah Corey,
Judy Sneath, Walter Sullivan and William Ramsey. Special Counsel Susan
Murphy was present for the Planning Board at the June 8, 2015 hearing.
At the April 13, 2015 meeting the Applicant team was led by Ray Estes,
and also present was Superintendant of Schools Dr. Galo, Margaret
Conaty, Athletic Director, and Carol Falvey, School Committee. In
attendance for the Applicant on June 8, 2015 were: School Committee
Chairman Andy Shafter, School Committee Vice Chairman Liza O'Reilly,
School Committee Members Ed Schreier, Carol Falvey, Ray Estes, Hingham
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Galo, and Margaret Conaty, Athletic
Director. Sue Rizzo appeared on behalf of Hingham Youth Football.
Police Chief Peraino was present at the meeting of April 13, and, Chief
Olsson was present at the June 8, 2015 hearing.
DISCUSSION AND FINDINGS
Mr. Estes presented the application to the Board at the April 13, 2015
hearing, explaining the proposed changes to the use schedule were
intended to extend the time that the lights could be on in the evening,
increase the number of evenings that amplified sound was allowed and the
end time for sound in the evening, enable Hingham Youth Football to do
play by play announcing, and include dance programs/cheer programs into
the halftime shows of some Hingham High School sporting events.
Subsequent to the April 13, 2015 Board meeting, the School Committee
held multiple meetings in order to review the proposed changes with the
abutters and general public, and submitted requested modifications to
the usage policy and large parking event policy. The Board also received
correspondence from the Hingham Police Department regarding the large
event parking policy, and from residents both in support and opposition
to aspects of the revised usage policy. After presentation and review
of the proposed usage and event parking policies, the Board found that
the proposed changes for Hingham Public Schools use of the lights and
sound at the multi-purpose field and the proposed modifications to the
large event parking policy were reasonable under the Dover Amendment,
and that the proposed changes to use of the multi-purpose field by
Hingham Youth Football were also reasonable.
VOTE AND CONDITIONS
It was Moved, Seconded and SO VOTED to modify the Site Plan Notice of
Decision for the Hingham High School Athletic Complex Renovations Phase
II, dated March 11, 2013 ("Original Decision"), as amended by Amendment
to Notice of Decision, dated March 26, 2013; July 15, 2013; September
12, 2013; and October 8, 2013, as follows:
1. By amending the "Hingham High School Parking and Traffic Plan for
Large Events", attached as Exhibit A to the Original Decision, by adding
additional examples to the definition of "Typical Large Event" and by
deleting and replacing the provisions under "Staffing" (as set forth in
the revised "Hingham High School Parking and Traffic Plan for Large
Events" policy approved by the Board and attached hereto as Exhibit A
and incorporated herein by reference); and
2. By replacing in its entirety the "Schedule and Conditions
governing the Use of Field Lights and Amplified Sound at the Hingham
High School (HHS) athletic field complex", attached as Exhibit B to the
Original Decision, with a revised schedule consistent with the proposed
revisions voted by the School Committee on June 1, 2015, and submitted
to the Planning Board on June 3, 2015, as further revised and approved
by the Board (a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit B and
incorporated herein by reference).
Except for these changes, all other provisions of the Notice of Decision, as amended, shall remain in full force and effect.
_____________________________
Walter Sullivan Jr.
Clerk, Hingham Planning Board
EXECUTED this ____ day of June, 2015
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Plymouth, ss June _____, 2015
Then personally appeared Walter Sullivan Jr., Clerk of the Hingham
Planning Board, and acknowledged the foregoing to be the free act and
deed of said Board.
___________________________
Mary F. Savage-Dunham, Notary Public My Commission Expires: October 29, 2021
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