HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 10/09/2018 Selectmen Minutes October 9, 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
Attorney Jim Lampke
Jennifer Oram, Recording Secretary
Chairman Kennedy called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Roll Call Vote: Kevin McCarthy-Present, Paul Schubert-Present,Chairman Diane Kennedy-Present,Jack
Keniley-Present, Steve Gaumer-Present.
Chairman Kennedy asked for a motion to go into Executive Session under 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 the Sajjan matter and the Fire union contract.
The Board will come out of Executive Session and continue with the open meeting.
Selectman Keniley moved to go into Executive Session and Selectman Schubert seconded the motion.
A roll call vote was taken:
Roll call vote:
Selectman Gaumer—Aye
Selectman Keniley—Aye
Chairman Kennedy—Aye
Selectman Schubert-Aye
Selectman McCarthy-Aye
Where a vote of 5-0 was taken,The Board entered into Executive Session.
The Board Came out of Executive Session and reconvened the open meeting at 7:20PM.
Public Comments— None
1
Selectmen Minutes October 9, 2018
Licenses/Permits/Events
One-Day Liquor License—Holly Hill Farm—New Date—The applicant needs to change this date due to
their caterer having to reschedule the event to November 3, 2018. Selectman Schubert moved to
approve the date change. Selectman McCarthy seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(5-
0).
One-Day Liquor License—South Shore Arts Center—Director of the South Shore Art Center, Patrice
Maye, reviewed the "Rojo: Paint the Town Red, a celebration of Street Art to Support the SSAC". The
event is being held on October 26, 2018 at 365 North Main Street. Chairman Kennedy suggested they
confirm if they will need a police detail for parking and suggested they reach out to the neighbors.
Selectman Keniley moved to approve the One-Day Liquor License. Selectman Schubert seconded the
motion; Selectman Gaumer abstained from the vote. The vote was 4-0-1.
Event-South Shore Community Center Nursery School Halloween Fair—Paula Murphy, Program
Director of the South Shore Community Center reviewed this event on behalf of Ann Madden, Director
of the SSCC Nursery School. The annual event will take place on October 21, 2018. Selectman Keniley
moved to approve the event and waive the application fee. Selectman Schubert seconded the motion
and the vote was unanimous (5-0).
Event—South Shore Community Center—Jingle Bell Walk—Paula Murphy reviewed this event for the
Board. This is the 24th Annual Jingle Bell walk and takes place on Friday, November 23, 2018, the day
after Thanksgiving. Selectman McCarthy moved to approve the event and waive the event application
fee. Selectman Keniley seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (5-0).
Event—Recreation Department Thanks for Giving Road Race—This annual Road Race takes place on
Thanksgiving morning,June 22, 2018, and starts at 9AM on Highland Avenue. Selectman Gaumer
moved to approve the event. Selectman Keniley seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous
(5-0).
Public Hearing—New Liquor License—Nguyen's Kitchen 1, d/b/a Nguyen's Kitchen—156 King Street
Chairman Kennedy read the public hearing notice aloud. Out of an abundance of caution, Selectman
McCarthy will recuse himself from this hearing.
Attorney Peter Pasciucco addressed the Board on behalf of his clients Thu Nguyen and Khanh Nguyen.
The Nguyen's are both chefs and are planning on opening an Asian Fusion Restaurant at 156 King Street.
They are going to renovate the kitchen, but the rest of the property is move-in ready; they hope to open
in December. They are proposing to be open 11AM — 10PM, Monday—Saturday and 11AM—9PM on
Sunday. Chairman Kennedy asked that they familiarize themselves with the Cohasset Liquor Regulations
and to keep communication open with the Selectmen's Office. Selectman Gaumer wished them luck and
stated that it will be good location for them. Selectman Gaumer moved to approve the Liquor License
application. Selectman Schubert seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (4-0).
Public Hearing—Sajjan Appeal—Liquor License—Chairman Kennedy read the notice that was sent to
Mr. Sajjan aloud and introduced Town Counsel, James Lampke. Attorney Lampke then swore in Mr.
Joginder Sajjan, owner of Cohasset Village Wine & Spirits. Attorney Lampke then reviewed the history
of this appeal. What is before the Board this evening is the denial of the renewal back in 2015 for the
2016 license period. If the Beard should deny the renewal,the ABGC may then epen the transfer
nplicati n +h-,+yd_;;sfiled fee in 2013. Attorney Lampke asked Mr.Joginder if he was the Manager on
2
Selectmen Minutes October 9, 2018
the license. Mr. Sajjan stated that he is not his wife, Debra Sajjan, is the Manager. She is ill and could
not be here this evening. In addition, his Attorney is out of state and he is requesting a continuation of
the hearing. Selectman Gaumer asked for the name of Mr. Sajjan's Attorney so that the Board can
notice the attorney of the continuation of the hearing. Mr. Sajjan stated it is an Attorney Jean Richard
from Braintree. Attorney Lampke suggested the Board continue the hearing to a reasonable time
period. The Manager of record will need to be in attendance at that hearing. The hearing will be re-
noticed. Selectman Schubert moved to continue the hearing to Wednesday, November 7, 2018 at
7:OOPM. Selectman Keniley seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(5-0).
Sign November 6, 2018 State Election Warrant—Chairman Kennedy announced information regarding
early voting,then read aloud the State Election Warrant before the Board signed it. Selectman Keniley
moved to sign the November 6, 2018 State Election Warrant. Selectman Gaumer seconded the
motion and the vote was unanimous (5-0).
Budget Update—Finance Director, Don Piatt—Finance Director, Don Piatt, addressed the Board. All
three of FY18's budgets the General Fund, Water and Sewer, ended up with revenue surpluses. He then
reviewed the amounts of turn-backs by type of turn-back(Expenditures,tax title and tax deferral, motor
vehicle excise, licenses/permits and healthcare). Selectman McCarthy asked what the "free cash"would
be used for. Mr. Senior stated he will make recommendations for those funds during the Special Town
Meeting Warrant review later this evening.
For FY19,the Town has already collected $180k in tax liens. Everything on the revenue side is looking
good. They have received FEMA grants from the storms in 2013;those will go right to free cash as they
can't be appropriated where they are five years old. Selectman Keniley asked Mr. Piatt how SoftRight
was working for him. Mr. Piatt said that it was fine, but at some point the Town will need a
replacement.
Special Town Meeting Warrant Discussion— Mr.Senior reviewed the Draft STM Warrant. He does not
expect to have many supplemental appropriations and as of now, there are no unpaid bills. He
recommends funds from Free Cash go to the following: the General Stabilization Fund,the Capital
Stabilization Fund,the Special Education Fund (there is a limit on the amount for the SPED fund, he will
need to confirm what that limit is) and the OPEB Trust Account. Mr. Senior then reviewed the capital
items they are hoping for approval on including Poll Pads for the elections and hiring a consultant to
update the Town's Hazard Mitigation Plan. The Planning Board has an article asking the Town to
approve to designate 5 roads as Scenic Roads per the Town's Scenic Road Bylaw.There is a place holder
on the warrant for any possible work on the Town Hall. For the Town Hall article,the Staff is preparing
an Executive Summary that will go with the study that was completed by a third party. The Executive
Summary will outline and prioritize what needs to be done now and what can wait. Town Engineer,
Jason Federico, will come before the Board on October 23rd to present it. The estimated cost for all of
the repairs is a large, seven-figure number. Another article is for the Acquisition of Real Property,
Counsel is drafting that now. Attorney DeRensis has suggested an additional article that would allow the
Town to create booklets that properly communicate ballot questions to the community. They will look
at other communities who have adopted this process; the Board has a month to consider these possible
additional articles.
3
Selectmen Minutes October 9, 2018
Selectmen Goals&Obiectives—Chairman Kennedy reviewed the process she and Selectman Keniley
followed to rank the Board members'top Goals and Objectives. They would like to bring a facilitator in
to go through the list and plug the items into a grid. The Board agreed to get someone to facilitate a
final meeting to prioritize the Board's Goals and Objectives.
Budget Message—Chairman Kennedy stated that she had not received any edits on the language of the
budget message. It's very similar to previous annual messages. One addition to this message is specific
language in regard to Capital priorities. After some discussion, Chairman Kennedy said she would make
some final tweaks to the message,with Selectman Gaumer's input, and approve it at the Board's next
meeting.
Contract Ratification—Mr.Senior reviewed the terms of the Fire Contract. He stated they had reached
an agreement.The base increase will be 2%,there were tweaks to vacation time, a cap was placed on
reimbursement on personal items lost or destroyed. He recommends the Board adopt the MOU;the
union has already ratified the contract. Selectman Schubert moved to approve the contract.
Selectman Keniley seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (5-0).
Town Manager Update- Mr. Senior reiterated that they have completed the Town Hall study. They
have also compiled the first version of the 5 and 10 year Capital Plans. The Cunningham Bridge has had
a soft opening, but will need to close for two weeks to complete final work with a crane. Selectman
Gaumer asked how the Town will be informed of the closure; Mr. Senior stated that information is
disseminated via Facebook and the Town's Website.
Selectmen Update -Selectman Gaumer said the score for the Red Sox was 4-0 at the bottom of the 5tn
He also asked if there could be some sort of agreement to keep one lane open for the Cunningham
Bridge, even if the Town had to pay for the Detail Officers. Chairman Kennedy noted that the 2 Smith
Place project will be placed on the October 23 d agenda for a conversation about Town interests.
Minutes -Selectman Schubert moved to approve the minute of September 19, 2018. Selectman
Gaumer seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(5-0).
Adiournment- Motion by Selectman Gaumer to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Selectman
Schubert, and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Meeting adjourned at 9:54PM
Respectfully submitted,
Diane Kennedy,Chairman
Documents
One-Day Liquor License for Holly Hill Farm (change of date)
One-Day Liquor License application for the South Shore Arts Center event on 10.26.18
Event application for the South Shore Community Center Nursery School Halloween Fair 10.21.18
Event application for the South Shore Community Center Jingle Bell Walk on 11.23.18
Event application for the Recreation Department's Thanks-for-Giving Road Race on 11.22.18
New Liquor License Application for Nguyen's Kitchen 1.
Public Hearing notification letter to Sajjan, LLC
Information Packet on Sajjan Appeal
Warrant for November 6, 2018 State Election Warrant
Budget Reports for FY18 Year End and the first quarter of FY19
Draft STM WarrantDraft Minutes for 9.18.18
4