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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 09/18/2018 Selectmen Minutes September 18, 2018 Selectmen's Meeting Town Hall-Selectmen's Office 41 Highland Avenue Cohasset, MA Selectmen Present: Diane Kennedy, Chairman Kevin McCarthy Steve Gaumer Paul Schubert Jack Keniley Others Present: Christopher Senior,Town Manager Chairman Kennedy called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and asked for a roll call vote: Steve Gaumer-Present,Jack Keniley-Present, Diane Kennedy-Present, Paul Schubert-Present, Kevin McCarthy-Present. Chairman Kennedy asked for a motion to go into Executive Session-Exemption#3-To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the public body and the chair so declares. The Board will discuss Bound Brook litigation. The Board will return to open session. Roll Call Vote: Kevin McCarthy-Aye, Paul Schubert-Aye, Diane Kennedy-Aye,Jack Keniley-Aye,Steve Gaumer-Aye. The Board went into Executive Session at 6:32 p.m. The Board came out of Executive Session at 7:37 p.m. Public Comment-Fire Chief Robert Silvia advised the Board the Town has been approved for the Safer Grant for$313,000. This will enable him to hire 2 additional firefighters and staff each shift with S firefighters most of the time; this will help control overtime costs. Selectman McCarthy thanked Chief Silvia for applying for this grant. Investment Report Update 6/30/18-Treasurer/Collector Paula Linhares reported the Town's investments ended positively for the quarter. She discussed the Expendable Trusts, Permanent Trusts and OPEB. The Board had a brief discussion on why municipalities have limited investment options. Selectman Gaumer suggested the Board have a longer discussion on a future agenda and reach out to State representatives. Licenses/Permits/Events/Agreements-Sailing Club boat storage license-Chairman Kennedy stated the Board discussed this request at the 9/4/18 meeting. The request is to store Sailing Club boats on town property, on the grass adjacent to the Lightkeepers parking lot. The Board asked that the applicant notify the Lightkeepers and they responded they are fine with this. Mr. Senior stated it is a one-year license. The boats need to be removed in May. Motion by Selectman Keniley to approve the license for storage of boats until May 2019, seconded by Selectman Schubert;the vote was unanimous (5-0). Cable Advisory Committee-Special Counsel Contract-Chairman Kennedy stated the Board will postpone this discussion. They are waiting on more information. Approval of Lease for Champion Program (Recreation-Before/After School program)-Mr. Senior updated the Board. After discussing with Counsel, the plan is to craft a license instead of a lease. 1 Selectmen Minutes September 18, 2018 Counsel is reviewing further. They are looking to run the program from October 22, 2018 through the end of the school year. There is a 4-6 week permitting process through the State that must be started to begin the program on 10/22/18. After a brief discussion, the Board agreed to let Mr. Senior complete the agreement. Motion by Selectman Gaumer to authorize the Town Manager Chris Senior to complete a facilities agreement for the Champion Program to be run through the remainder of the 2018-19 School Year. The agreement is subject to an executive summary review by the Board of Selectmen prior to signature, seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Filming Request-Fox Sports-9/22/18-Paul Canney-10 Black Horse Lane is requesting to film on the Cohasset Common on 9/22/18 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. They are filming a Thursday Night Football pre-game opening "tease". They will have a crew of 6-10 people. They would like to use the town hall parking lot. Motion by Selectman Schubert to approve Fox Sports filming on the Cohasset Common on 9/22/18 from 10 a.m.to 1:30 p.m., seconded by Selectman Keniley and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Committee Appointment-Harbor Committee-Yacht Club Rep.- Motion by Selectman Schubert to appoint Elizabeth Baker to the Harbor Study Committee as the Yacht Club Representative to fill an unexpired term until 2019,seconded by Selectman Keniley and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Committee Updates-Affordable Housing Steering Committee-Chairman Robert Jeffers gave the Board an overview of their work. He discussed the current housing situation, the Committee mandate and next steps. He stated the Committee is advocating the Selectmen designate 808 Jerusalem Road for Affordable Housing. They have discussed with Community Preservation Committee and are interested in designating funds for the project. They have met with Habitat for Humanity and began discussions. Habitat for Humanity Presentation-Executive Director Martine Taylor& Director of Program Services Noreen Browne gave an overview of their program. They discussed a recent project in Duxbury and showed a presentation of the houses. They discussed the Business and Community partnership opportunities. The Board had a brief discussion and would like information about land acquisition and permitting process. They would also like to know how this project would fit in with the Master Plan. Motion by Selectman McCarthy to authorize the Town Manager to explore the options of designating the Town owned lot at 808 Jerusalem Road as affordable housing and report back to the Board, seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Alternative Energy Committee-Chairman Steve Girardi &Vice Chairman Marie Caristi MacDonald were present. Mr. Girardi stated they have been working on the street light conversion and have been working with MAPC to solicit bids/get final prices which they hope to have by the end of the month. There are 488 street lights that the town now owns. The Board had a brief discussion about the cost savings to the town. Mr. Girardi stated he has also been working with Chief Silvia to help address the power problems in town and start a discussion with National Grid. Selectman McCarthy asked that he be included in the conversations. Harbor Study Committee-Chairman of Harbor Committee Tim Davis stated they have been working with Harriman on the Harbor Study. Once that is complete, he expects the Harbor Study Committee will need to be recharged. He discussed the objectives for the study. He discussed issues for governance, the Parker Avenue ramp, coordination of the Harbor Development and potentially obtaining governance for Scituate property in Cohasset Harbor. 2 Selectmen Minutes September 18, 2018 PEB Committee-Chairman Tim Davis stated PEB is a very difficult and complicated issues and that is why cities and towns haven't figured out a solution. The PEB Committee will be proposing strategies for solving the issue but it will require everyone to make sacrifices. The issue must be addressed now, or it will impact the future of hiring, staffing and services, and result in additional taxation.The Board had a brief discussion about pensions. Draft Budget Message-Chairman Kennedy stated she drafted the budget message, based on previous budget messages, and aligning it with the issues raised at the Board's Goals&Objectives meeting. She asked that the Board review it and suggest changes prior to the meeting on 10/9/18 when it will be voted on. The Board had a brief discussion. Town Manager's Update-Mr. Senior advised the Board they received an invitation to attend the Wreath Laying Ceremony tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. at St.John's Brig memorial in Central Cemetery. Mr. Senior noted that the Cunningham Bridge will be open to traffic on Friday, September 21"at 5 p.m. He added that the project is not completely done and there will be partial road closures for a short period of time. The State is planning a ribbon cutting ceremony sometime in October with the Governor. First Draft Warrant for Special Town Meeting-Mr. Senior stated that no Citizens Petitions were submitted. He reviewed the articles with the Board. The budget transfer numbers are not yet available/at this time. There are no unpaid bills currently. There are a couple of one-time projects for which we'll seek funding:Town Clerk is looking to rent Poll Pads to see how they work before purchasing;. there are also a few facilities maintenance projects There is an article on adopting five Scenic Roadways. The rest of the articles are housekeeping articles. Selectmen Comments-Selectman Gaumer read aloud a letter he received from a resident regarding weeding of the sidewalks on Forest Avenue. Mr. Senior will follow up with DPW. Selectman Kennedy also stated there is a driveway on Forest Avenue that has gravel over the sidewalk that should be cleaned up. Selectman Schubert stated National Grid replaced a gas line on Sohier Street that has had a chronic slow leak. Selectman Kennedy asked if there is anything the Board should be aware of with the FEMA flood maps. Mr. Senior will follow up with Brian Joyce. Selectman Schubert stated North Carolina's emergency management system used the new FEMA maps and they reported they were accurate. Mr. Senior advised the Board that Detective Harrison Schmidt and Assistant Chief Dockray were in Lawrence last week to help with the emergency there. Chairman Kennedy reminded the Board to rate the Goals& Objectives and submit to Tracey. Minutes—9/4/18&9/11/18-Motion by Selectman Keniley to approve the minutes of 9/4/18& 9/11/18,seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Motion by Selectman Gaumer to adjourn the meeting,seconded by Selectman Keniley and the vote was unanimous(5-0). The meeting adjourned at 10:02 p.m. Documents Investment Report&Summary Sailing Club storage request Filming Application Harbor Committee update 3 Selectmen Minutes September 18, 2018 PEB Committee update Draft Budget Message Draft Warrant Minutes 9/4/18 & 9/11/18 4