Selectmen vote ‘no action’ on light plant substation warrant article; approve hike in some transfer station disposal fees

While all three board members agreed that there's merit to the proposal to install another transmission line, underground, to provide additional power as needed to help prevent a potential widespread outage, they don't think the warrant article is ready for prime time.

In addition, board members Chair Mary Power, Joseph Fisher, and William Ramsey are not convinced that this is the right location. They are also concerned that there are unanswered questions and that the proposal hasn't been socialized enough to address it on the floor of Town Meeting.

Residents living in the neighborhood have repeatedly expressed concerns about the effects such a structure would have on their property values as well as potential safety issues.

The warrant article asks citizens to authorize -- but not require -- the town to transfer the management and control of that parcel of land for the purpose of building the new substation -- at an estimated cost of between $50 and $55 million dollars.

Because the light plant is not authorized to borrow money, the town would do so on HMLP's behalf. The cost would be borne by ratepayers, but the financial impact has not yet been spelled out.

Neighbor Natalie Whittemore said that six homes in the area would be "adversely impacted" if the substation is built at the proposed location. "The cost to all of us has to be factored in as a potential reason to look at other sites," she said.

Hobart Street resident Philip Resca noted that throughout his many years in town, he hasn't experienced any power-related "reliability risks." He also agreed that the article needs to be vetted more and that it's not ready to go before Town Meeting.

In response to a question from a board member, HMLP General Manager Paul Heanue said there would be no benefit in holding off on the warrant article. "Nothing good will come out of waiting any longer," he said.

Heanue noted that there had been four 50 m.p.h. windstorms in the past few weeks, and that these types of weather events are expected to continue in this area, posing the risk of a major outage due to potential storm damage.

Resident Keith Jermyn, a licensed electrician -- supports the project, pointing to the recent catastrophic outage in Texas as an example of "the conditions that can occur after a grid goes down."

Increase in some disposal fees

Due to huge increases in recycling costs, the Selectmen last night approved an earlier proposal presented by DPW Supt. Randy Sylvester to help close the gap by increasing the fees currently charged for disposal of large appliances, electronics, furniture, and other items -- effective May 1.

The estimated increase in revenues is $151,875, which comes at a time when the town is seeking new revenue sources.

In many instances, Hingham charges lower disposal fees than fellow members of the South Shore Recycling Cooperative, and this was another reason the board supported the fee changes.

Disposal fees for large appliances and electronics would increase to $15 per item (currently no charge). Those disposing of furniture would be required to pay by credit card to go over the scale for the pieces to be weighed, with a minimum $15 charge. Securing a bulky waste permit ahead of time would no longer be required.

There will also be a change in the commercial sticker fee for out-of-town users to $150 per year and an increase in the construction and demolition/bulky waste fee for commercial users.

There would be no change in landfill sticker fees, which will remain free for the first permit per household, and $25 for each additional one.

Selectman Joseph Fisher said that while mindful of the additional financial impact these increases will have on some citizens, town departments -- including the DPW -- need to cover their costs.