Trash vote a cliffhanger

May 4, 2008

Hold the tax increase and pass the recount. Those words began streaming from Town Hall last week almost immediately after voters, by a tally of 679 to 676, narrowly passed a $650,000 Proposition 2½ override to keep the town's trash-collection program intact. If upheld, the override would raise taxes $116 per year for the average homeowner. "Nothing is settled yet," said Town Clerk Linda Adams, who has been approached by residents demanding a recount. Also, because six Abington servicemen serving overseas have until Tuesday to get their votes in, "there remains a potential for change" in the results, she said. If the override is rejected, the Board of Health could turn to a pay-as-you-throw trash program. - Robert Carroll

ORGANIC FARM GETS READY TO GROW - Holly Hill Farm kicks off its 2008 season this month with a spring plant sale that includes more than 20 varieties of tomatoes and other organically grown vegetables, annuals, herbs, and perennials. The 6-acre farm, which has been certified as organic since 2000, runs workshops on organic gardening and holds programs for local schools, and provides produce for local restaurants and shops. In 2002, the nonprofit Friends of Holly Hill Farm was formed to support the educational programs. This season's first workshop - on salad gardening - will be held at 1 p.m. May 18 at the farm at 236 Jerusalem Road. The plant sale will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 17, 18, 24, and 25. More information may be obtained by calling the farm at 781-383-1455. - Johanna Seltz

AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROPOSED - A revised plan for a 6-acre site at Railroad Avenue and St. George Street calls for affordable housing to be part of the project. The developer, Silvia and Silvia Associates Inc., told selectmen last week that the company plans to build 46 apartments in one-, two-, and three-bedroom units, plus 7,000 square feet of commercial space on a site zoned commercial. The developers are seeking feedback from town officials before applying for approval under Chapter 40B, the state's affordable housing statute. - Robert Knox

MORE CHARGES FOR SCHOOL COUNSELOR - Troubles continue for suspended elementary school adjustment counselor Susan Daly. Daly, who has been on unpaid leave since being charged in January with drug possession, pleaded not guilty Monday in Plymouth District Court to child pornography charges. Police said they filed the charges based on content found on a computer owned by Daly and seized during a raid in January at her Plympton home. "I'm horrified by this," said Daly, who was released on personal recognizance. "I'm innocent. It's being blown out of proportion. My lawyer will tell you so." Attorney Jack McGlone, who is representing Daly, 47, could not be reached for comment. Daly in January pleaded not guilty to charges of possessing marijuana and prescription pills, and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. She said two teenagers live with her. Daly worked at both the Center and Sylvester elementary schools. - Robert Carroll

FROM GAS STATION TO OPEN SPACE - The town will buy the Mobil service station at the rotary on Route 3A with the intention of tearing it down and providing an open view of Hingham Harbor. Town Meeting voted last week to spend $1.85 million of the town's Community Preservation Act fund to buy the property. Opponents argued that it was poor use of public money and would deprive the town of commercial property tax revenue; supporters said it was a unique opportunity to acquire waterfront land. An earlier proposal to take the land by eminent domain was shelved when the town and Mobil reached an agreement on the sale price. Town Meeting also approved spending $200,000 in Preservation Act funds to help pay for the installation of underground utility lines along North Street in Hingham Square; $85,000 to help South Shore Habitat for Humanity build an affordable house on Nokomis Road near Foster Elementary School; $175,000 to set up a loan program to help low-income residents repair their homes; and $492,500 to buy 3.3 acres near the Weir River on Rockland Street for conservation purposes.

- Johanna Seltz

COLLECTING HAZARDOUS WASTE - Household hazardous waste collection day for residents is to be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Holbrook Junior-Senior High School. At no charge, residents may dispose of oil-based paints, solvents, gasoline, automotive fluids, pesticides, photo chemicals, pool chemicals, cellphones, and thermometers. Each of the chemicals should be in the original containers or clearly marked, according to Town Administrator Michael Yunits. A $5 fee covers tires, computers, fax machines, electronic printers, and audio equipment. For $10 each, residents may submit monitors, copiers, fax machines, microwave ovens, and televisions up to 25 inches in diameter. For $20, they may drop off air conditioners, dehumidifiers, and televisions from 27 to 35 inches. The fee for large copiers, televisions larger than 35 inches, or projection TVs is $40. TVs with built-in disc or tape systems would cost an additional $5. - Franci Richardson Ellement

SCHOOL LAYOFFS PLANNED - The school system will have to lay off 13 teachers and staff next year as officials struggle to get by with less money. The proposed school budget of $12,770,000 is 2.6 percent less than this year's. Town Meeting will vote on the plan tomorrow. Hull currently employs 118 teachers and another 48 staffers. Among the jobs being cut are a kindergarten teacher at the Jacobs School; a guidance counselor, custodian, and gym teacher at the high school; and a special-education teacher at the middle school. The cuts will eliminate seventh-grade foreign language classes and the high school industrial arts program. The schools also will spend less on supplies and charge 50 cents more for school lunches. Superintendent Kathleen Tyrell apologized for the cuts when she presented the budget to the School Committee last month. - Johanna Seltz

RECOUNT POSSIBLE - Dennis Randall edged John Haas by three votes, 386 to 383, for a seat on the Board of Selectmen in the town election on April 26, but Haas has taken out papers for a recount. He must collect 10 signatures from each of the town's four precincts and return them within 10 days of the election to the Board of Registrars. If the board certifies the signatures, it will hold the recount. Selectwoman Sandra MacFarlane also won reelection for a three-year term on the board with 643 votes. In a contest for an unexpired two-year term on the Board of Selectmen, Paul Gallagher won with 787 votes over Norman Harbison, with 297 votes, and Mauro Mazzilli, with 121 votes. - Robert Knox

FESTIVE LAUNCH FOR NEW REC FACILITY - The town on June 14 will formally dedicate the new Recreation Department facility at 900 Ferry St. The event, which is scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., will include a cookout reception and tours of the grounds at Coast Guard Hill, according to the recreation director, Ned Bangs. For more information, call the Recreation Department at 781-834-5543.

- Emily Sweeney

DAVIS WINS SEAT ON PARK BOARD - John J. Davis won a spot on the Milton Park Commission , with 1,233 votes in the annual town election, defeating Brendan A. Doyle, who received 872 votes. Also, Eugene S. Boylan, Gregory T. Buchanan, and Mary C. Regan were elected trustees of the library. Selectwoman Marion V. McEttrick and Treasurer Kevin G. Sorgi were unopposed in their reelection bids.

- Matt Carroll

CLUB TAKES SECURE MEASURES - A nightclub facing a disciplinary action from the Board of Selectmen following a stabbing and fight has installed a metal detector to screen for weapons and has expanded police details. Selectmen last week continued the disciplinary hearing for the Vault Room at 326 North Main St. until June 9 because the club's lawyer was traveling. In a letter to selectmen, club owner Tad Bonvie detailed new security measures in place since the stabbing on March 30. In addition to the detector and police details, the Vault Room pledged to allow fewer people inside, installed security cameras, and stops sales of alcohol at 1:20 a.m. - David Connolly

BATTLE BREWS OVER COMMISSION DECISION - Water Commissioner Thomas Hannigan, who was accused of participating in a kickback scheme, has been elected chairman of the commission, outraging at least one public official who said the move keeps the town under a negative light. Selectman Michael Zupkofska plans to ask voters at Town Meeting tomorrow to vote no on any warrant articles related to the Water Commission - requests amounting to some $3 million for capital projects - "to send a message we do not condone Hannigan's actions and ask him to resign." Hannigan this year was accused in a report from the state inspector general's office of being a "conduit for kickbacks" between a contractor and another town official. No charges were filed. Hannigan has refused to heed calls that he resign.

- Milton J. Valencia

HARRIS REELECTED - Selectman Shawn Harris defeated two challengers to win another term in the town election on April 26. Harris collected 1,473 votes to 1,055 for School Committee member Maura C. Curran and 41 for Carol A. Perry. In other races, Robert B. Vogel edged James Alan Boynton, 1,136 to 1,102, to claim an open seat on the Planning Board. And Mary Patricia Brennan outpolled Herbert M. Kuendig, 191 to 56, in the race between two write-in candidates to fill the remaining two years of an alternate Planning Board seat that had been vacant because of a resignation. Meanwhile, Advisory Committee chairman Anthony V. Vegnani was elected without opposition to claim the selectmen's seat formerly held by Paul Reidy, who retired.

- John Laidler

BOOK DRIVE GOES OVER THE TOP - Students from the Academy Avenue Primary School delivered 638 donated books last week to Children's Hospital and the pediatric unit of South Shore Hospital. The book drive was the brainstorm of parent Kristin Archibald, whose youngest son, Thomas, has health problems and spends a lot of time at Children's. "Every time we go in for a test or procedure, he gets a prize and his favorite prizes are books," Archibald said. "The last time we were there, we noticed the book supply was running low. I'm on the Academy Avenue school council and the principal, Jim Lucia, is very big on teaching the kids to give back, at a very early age." The first-grade teachers and students jumped at the idea of a hospital book drive and set a goal of collecting 100 new books. The final tally was so big that they decided to give some to South Shore Hospital as well. "What we learned is every book will make a difference to a child," Archibald said. "I'm hoping kids will learn that it doesn't have to be a big project to make a difference. One book will make a difference, and we all can make a difference."

- Johanna Seltz