July 1, 2020 by Carol Britton Meyer (photos by Joshua Ross)
Newly-elected Selectman William Ramsey was welcomed to the board by fellow members Mary Power and Joseph Fisher Tuesday night. He is filling the seat formerly occupied by Karen Johnson, who did not run for another term.
"I want to thank the community for giving me this chance to serve on the board," Ramsey said during the teleconference meeting. "It's an honor and an exciting opportunity, and I look forward to working with [you both] and to serving the citizens of Hingham."
The board also reorganized, with Power appointed as chairman. "I'm looking forward to a good year," she said.
When Town Administrator Tom Mayo gave his weekly COVID-19 report, stating that according to Massachusetts Department of Public Health statistics, the number of cases continues to trend downward, Ramsey encouraged "folks to remain vigilant and to keep themselves and their families safe."
Volunteers needed
In other business at the meeting, Power encouraged interested citizens to fill out a talent bank application -- available on the town website -- for various openings on town boards and committees.
These include the Town Meeting-approved public safety and senior center building committees and the tree bylaw committee. "Among these three, there are 19 seats to be filled," Power said. The Selectmen, in conjunction with Town Moderator Michael Puzo, will conduct interviews, matching residents' interests and talents to the various positions.
"Some boards and committees meet a couple of times a year, and others, a couple of times a month," or according to other schedules, Power said. "The town does a lot of its business with the assistance of volunteers. We're particularly eager to get the two building committees up and running. It's important work and time-sensitive."
These three committees relate to the creation of a tree preservation by-law committee to review the town's current by-laws to encourage the preservation of trees on private property; a proposed new public safety facility on Lincoln Street; and a potential expanded and improved senior center.
Country Club: lost revenue recouped
The selectmen approved a $50,000 reserve fund transfer for South Shore Country Club to cover lost revenue due to the COVID-19 crisis. The shortfall was initially estimated at $200,000, but since the season recently got underway -- later than usual due to COVID-19 restrictions related to golf courses -- all but that amount has been recouped.
Because the SSCC operates as a self-funding enterprise fund, the club expects to pay the money back at a later time, according to Executive Director Kevin Whalen. "We lost most of March and also April," he said. That said, depending on future revenue, that $50,000 figure could decrease, according to Whalen.
Code of Conduct
The board also reconfirmed the Selectmen's Code of Conduct crafted by the then-Town Administrator By-law Committee in 2015, which Power referred to as "a set of standards or rules of the road" for the board.
The five-page document is posted on the Selectmen's link on the town website. Fisher noted that "one thing lacking is the important role played by the assistant town administrator." This position is occupied by Michelle Monsegur, whose services to the town Fisher called "invaluable." The board will consider amending the code of conduct at some future point to address that concern.
Goals and objectives
In the coming months, the Selectmen will discuss their Fiscal 2021 goals and objectives. Suggestions include ensuring effective overall town government during the pandemic and sensitivity to racial and cultural issues in Hingham, continuing to work toward more affordable housing, and creating more bike paths townwide.
Ramsey said one of his goals is to "try to get our local economy open again while keeping everyone safe."
Memorial Bell Tower
The up-to $106,000 Memorial Bell Tower (located next to the Old Ship Meeting House) bell ringing components project is underway, funded by Community Preservation Act and Hingham Greenbush Historic Preservation Trust Fund money.
The Selectmen authorized Town Administrator Tom Mayo to sign an agreement between the town and and B.A. Sunderlin Bellfoundry, LLC, located in Virginia, for repair work on six of the 10 bells in the tower. This is the only foundry in the United States that is qualified to do this type of work, project supporters say.
Hingham’s Memorial Bell Tower houses 10 English Change Ringing Bells cast by the former Whitechapel Foundry in London. They were cast as direct copies of the bells contained in the bell tower in Hingham, England, the original home of many of this town’s early settlers. The work is expected to be completed in about an eight-month timeframe.
The Historical Commission is responsible for maintaining the bell tower, and there's also a Memorial Bell Tower Committee.
Bell ringers climb the 70 feet to the Hingham Memorial Bell Tower, gathering in a circle to pull long, thick ropes attached to wheels far above that allow giant, bronze bells to arc and ring across town.
The bell ringers appreciate the town's and community's support and are excited about the project moving forward.
"When the work is completed, will the selectmen be able to go there to ring the bells?" Fisher quipped.