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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 02/19/2019 Selectmen Minutes February 19, 2019 Selectmen's Meeting Town Hall-Selectmen's Office 41 Highland Avenue Cohasset, MA Selectmen Present: Diane Kennedy, Chairman Kevin McCarthy Paul Schubert Jack Keniley Steve Gaumer Others Present: Christopher Senior,Town Manager Chairman Kennedy called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Roll Call Vote: Kevin McCarthy-Present, Paul Schubert-Present, Diane Kennedy-Present,Jack Keniley-Present, Steve Gaumer-Present. Pledge-Recited Public Comment-None Eagle Scout Project Request-Pran Teelucksingh of Troop 28 presented his proposed plan for his Eagle Scout Project that aims to build a trail with two benches along the water at Straits Pond. The goal of the project is to preserve Cohasset's scenery and environment, while allowing the public to have easy access to it. He needs approval from the Board of Selectmen before he can ask for approval from the Conservation Commission. Motion by Selectman Schubert to approve the Eagle Scout project as presented,seconded by Selectman Keniley and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Speed Limit Discussion-Chief Quigley stated the purpose of the policy is to provide guidelines for reviewing and establishing posted speed limits within the Town of Cohasset. The intent is to ensure that safe speed limits are set and to strike a balance between safety and the efficient flow of traffic. This would apply to public roads excluding State Highways. Chief Quigley explained the process of the petition from receiving it from citizens to reviewing it by the Traffic Safety Officer. He is asking the Board to look the over the draft document and come back with any suggestions. Selectman Gaumer asked that private roads that have betterments would still be included. Mr. Senior will talk with DPW and get more info and come back to the Board. Chairman Kennedy will put on an agenda at the end of March or early April. Boards/Committees-Open Space and Recreation-Applicant Sue Cunningham-47 Norfolk Road and Chairman of Open Space and Recreation Committee Pete Pescatore were present. Ms. Cunningham gave an overview of her background and why she is interested in becoming a member. Motion by Selectman Schubert to appoint Sue Cunningham to the Open Space& Recreation Committee, seconded by Selectman McCarthy and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Chairman Pescatore reminded everyone of the upcoming events the Committee has planned. They are still looking for volunteers. Mr. Senior thanked Mr. Pescatore for his work on the committee. Affordable Housing Trust-Interview-Applicant Tom Meade-711 Jerusalem Road was present and gave an overview of his background in Real Estate Finance. He also mentioned he has a pending appointment 1 Selectmen Minutes February 19, 2019 by the Governor to the Cohasset Housing Authority. Selectman Gaumer asked if that would be a conflict. Mr. Senior responded that he didn't believe so, but he will investigate. Discussion-Affordable Housing Steering Committee Representative-Chairman of Elder Affairs Paul Kierce stated the Committee is requesting a seat be available on the Affordable Housing Trust for a member of the Affordable Housing Steering Committee. They feel that since their committee is made up of liaisons from other boards/committees they should have the same. Chairman Kennedy stated the Steering Committee is a study committee that makes recommendations. The Affordable Housing Trust is almost the lender for the trust. Selectman Gaumer added that the Steering Committee was developed as an advocacy role. The trust has a fiduciary responsibility to administer the properties. Advocacy and fiduciary do not mix. The trust should be entirely independent. Selectman McCarthy asked if a good compromise would be a non-voting(ex-officio) member. Mr. Kierce agreed that would be fine. They are just looking for a link. Mr. Kierce added that he does not see the Steering Committee as an advocacy role. He stated a while back they brought forward a project for 808 Jerusalem Road partnering with Habitat for Humanity and nothing has happened to move the project forward. Mr. Senior will get an update from town counsel on the bylaw and if they can put ex-officio on the trust. Chairman Kennedy stated the next step would be to put on an agenda in March. She asked if the Board wanted to appoint a member of the board to the Trust tonight. Motion by Selectman Schubert to appoint Selectman Gaumer to the Affordable Housing Trust as a representative from the Board of Selectmen,seconded by Selectman McCarthy and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Chairman Kennedy advised everyone that they still need more applicants for the Trust. Certificate of Acceptance 585 CJC Hwy-Mr. Senior advised the Board that the town now owns 585 CJC Highway and the Board needs to formally accept it. Chairman Kennedy asked for a Motion to accept the real estate parcel known as 585 Chief Justice Cushing Highway, Cohasset,the acquisition of which was authorized by the vote of Town Meeting on December 10, 2018. Motion moved by Selectman Schubert, seconded by Selectman Gaumer. Roll Call Vote;Steve Gaumer-Aye,Jack Keniley-Aye, Diane Kennedy-Aye, Paul Schubert-Aye, Kevin McCarthy-Aye. Complete Streets Presentation-Review for Adoption-Director of Planning Pete Matchak gave the Board an overview of what the Complete Streets program is,the purpose of it, how the funding works and the prioritization plan process. He provided the Board with a draft policy proposal. The next steps are; adoption of the policy, project identification and prioritization plan development and submitting to MassDOT. After a lengthy discussion, the Board agreed to review the policy and send any comments back to Tracey Connors. The Chairman will put on a future agenda. Preliminary Warrant Overview-Mr. Senior reviewed the first 12 articles. He explained the projects for Allocation of Funds for One-Time Cost. There are placeholder articles on the warrant for rescinding voluntary check offs. He is waiting for official notice from Elder Affairs and the Schools. Prudent Investor Rule-Treasurer/Collector Paula Linhares explained the Town if considering proposing a Home Rule Petition for legislation allowing trust funds of the Town to be invested in accordance with the Prudent Investor Rule. This would allow a broader range of investment vehicles than currently allowed under MGL. There has been attempts to pass bills at the state level allowing a local option to do the same. Motion by Selectman Gaumer to put the article for Home Rule Petition for Legislation to Adopt Prudent Investor Rule on the warrant for Annual Town Meeting as amended by the Board tonight,seconded by Selectman Keniley and the vote was unanimous(5-0). 2 Selectmen Minutes February 19, 2019 Relocation of James Brook-35-39 South Main Street-Wayne Sawchuk-432 Beechwood Street explained his proposal. The article would authorize the Board of Selectmen to modify abandon, relocate, or accept new easements for existing and future utilities, and passage of pedestrians and vehicles, and streetscape improvements in the rear of 45 South Main Street. The intent is to replace a 200-foot section of the James Brook Culvert from the town parking lot to South Main Street. The existing sewer main will be relocated as well as the gas service. An 8' easement will be granted to the town. The Board agreed that they need more time to consider the proposal and a site visit would be beneficial. Electric Billing Aggregation-AEC-Steve Wenner and Mary Jo Larson were present on behalf of the Alternative Energy Committee. The proposed article is a two-step process. The first step is to seek out and negotiate electric services for Cohasset municipal facilities, residences and businesses at discounted rates. The objective is for residents to save on electricity bills and to offer inexpensive options for the purchase of renewable energy. The second step requires town meeting approval to accept and implement an aggregation plan. All residents will have the opportunity to participate or opt out. Selectman Gaumer stated he didn't like that a resident would have to opt out. The Board had a brief discussion and suggested more details are needed. Town Manager Update-Management Contracts Update-Mr. Senior advised the Board the Police & Fire Chief's contracts are up for renewal. He doesn't expect any issues. He has started getting the new Human Resource Director, Miriam Johnson involved in the process. Mr. Senior stated architects from McGinley Kalsow&Associates will be on site tomorrow to start looking at the roof of town hall. This was approved at Special Town Meeting. Selectmen Update-Chairman Kennedy stated the Town Manager's contract expires in January and the Board needs to start discussions for the new contract. Chairman Kennedy asked if the Board wanted to have the Chair and Vice Chair start that process. Motion by Selectman Schubert to go forward with the process of renewing the Town Manager's contract,seconded by Selectman Keniley and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Selectman McCarthy advised the Board they had a great first meeting with National Grid to discussed power issues in the town. They showed a lot of interest and willingness to cooperate. They started discussing building up and relocating grid structures and modules. They are in the process of scheduling a follow up meeting at their main operating center in Brockton. They covered a lot of technical info. They will have another meeting in April after town meeting. Selectman Schubert stated there are a lot of meetings lately working on the Harbor Plan, Master Plan and Open Space Plan. Town Planner Pete Matchak has been great with everything and working hard. Selectman Schubert stated the Governor of NJ announced they have the best schools in the country,which is not true. He has reached out to the Secretary of Education to let them know. Selectman Keniley stated the Affordable Steering Committee had several meetings and has been discussing housing needs and making good progress. Once the Trust is in place it will help. The Harbor Plan probably will not be ready for Annual Town Meeting. The draft plan is on the town website. He encouraged everyone to look at and submit their input. Now is the time for everyone to get involved. Selectman Gaumer stated Capital Budget is moving along with the budget process. They have a total of over$3 million in requests. Mr. Senior advised the Board he received word that the Town's Health Care Coverage is going down 3.5%and that will free up$200,000 which he will recommend putting into Capital. The Capital Budget process has been moving along well this year. Chairman Kennedy stated there is a Regional Sewer Meeting on Wednesday, February 27th at 6:30 p.m. at the Willcutt Commons. The Board will post the meeting in case there is a quorum. The meeting is open to the public. Mr. Senior stated 4 students from LIMass 3 Selectmen Minutes February 19, 2019 Amherst are coming to Cohasset on March 13, 2019 and will be conducting an all-day assessment of town hall. He thanked Brian Host for the help in putting this together. Minutes-Motion by Selectman Gaumer to approve the minutes of 1/22/19, seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Motion by Selectman Gaumer to adjourn,seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous (5-0). The meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m. Documents Eagle Scout Project Speed Limit draft Application Affordable Housing Trust-T. Meade Application Open Space & Rec.-S. Cunningham Complete Streets draft policy Draft Warrant Minutes 1.22.19 4