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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 05/12/2020 Selectmen Minutes May 12, 2020 Board of Selectmen Tuesday, May 12, 2020 @ 7:00 p.m. Virtual Meeting —143TV and Zoom Selectmen Participating: Kevin McCarthy, Chairman Paul Schubert Diane Kennedy Keri Thompson Jack Creighton Others Participating: Christopher Senior, Town Manager William Quigley, Police Chief Robert Silvia, Fire Chief Glenn Pratt, Director of Emergency Mgmt. Pam Fahey, Health Agent Nicole Balaschi, Director of Safe Harbor Chairman McCarthy called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Roll Call Vote; Diane Kennedy-Present, Paul Schubert-Present, Keri Thompson-Present, Jack Creighton-Present, Kevin McCarthy-Present. Chairman McCarthy asked for a moment of silence for Richard Silvia a 7t" generation resident and former Selectmen who passed away last week. Update on Public Emergency-Chief Silvia advised the Board the mandatory wearing of masks in public went into effect on last Wednesday. It appears that everyone is abiding by this. Yesterday the Governor released the framework for reopening in 4 phases to be announced next week. Phase 1 will allow limited places to open with severe restrictions. This will include social distancing with hygiene protocols. Chief Quigley stated they had a very busy and productive week working hand and hand with other town departments on heading into the recovery phase. They are helping local businesses get ready to open back up with restrictions. They have been helping JJ's Ice Cream with traffic issues. They will be reopening with a drive through. They have been in talks with the Sandy Beach Association to figure out how to allow them to open. There is a lot of collaboration and they are awaiting guidance from the State. They have been experiencing a rise in domestic violence. When someone is arrested, they are held longer then they normally would be and they are doing video arraignments. There are a lot of logistical and space issues, which has been challenging. They have been working with Safe Harbor with arrests that involve drugs or alcohol. Glenn Pratt reported they are still meeting every morning. They have had coordination with the Senior Center and taking care of seniors and folks at risk. They just got ahead of the burn rate of PPE this week. Michelle Leary has been building up the stock. There was a group that started meeting today to plan the reopening of town hall. Selectman Schubert asked if they will have enough PPE by the Flu season in November. Mr. Pratt said they should have about 25,000. Pam Fahey stated she has been working with essential businesses. Starting on 5/18/2020,with the Governors guidance,she will begin to work with other businesses and discuss the protocols and plans to reopen. DPH is cautioning that they will continue to monitor and if cases start to rise again, they will have to go back to Phase 1. Ms. Fahey stated people are asking about the antibody testing which is dubious at best. It is not a great quality control at this point. A person will be a positive or negative but won't know when they had it. People should be cautious with the test. Nicole Balaschi and Ann Marie Whilton have been working with keeping curbside alcohol delivery safe and only for people 21 years and older. They have started a bottle lock campaign with Curtis Liquors since alcohol consumption is up. They now have medicine pouches available that destroy outdated or unused prescription drugs. Nicole Balaschi stated they are trying to come up with more innovative ways to keep in touch with youth. They will continue to come up with programs that are comfortable with the youth. Investment Policy Updates to Incorporate Prudent Investor Rules-Treasurer/Collector Paula Linhares advised the Board that the Advisory Committee has approved the changes. Chairman McCarthy stated the Board has reviewed and discussed these three times. Motion by Selectman Kennedy to approve the current Cash & Investment Policy as presented, seconded by Selectman Schubert. Roll Call Vote; 1 Selectmen Minutes May 12, 2020 Diane Kennedy-Aye, Paul Schubert-Aye, Keri Thompson-Aye,Jack Creighton-Aye, Kevin McCarthy- Aye. FY21 School Department Budget-Director of Finance&Operations Michael MacMillan reviewed the FY21 budget priorities, enrollment, special education and critical needs with the Board. The Board had a lengthy discussion. Annual Town Meeting-Review/Vote on Warrant Articles-Article #7-Supplmental Appropriation for Fiscal 2020-Motion by Selectman Kennedy to recommend Article #7 Supplemental Appropriation for Fiscal 2020 to ATM, seconded by Selectman Schubert. Roll Call Vote; Diane Kennedy-Aye, Paul Schubert-Aye, Keri Thompson-Aye, Jack Creighton-Aye, Kevin McCarthy-Aye. Article#8-Stabilization &other Special Funds-Motion by Selectman Schubert to recommend Article #8 Stabilization & other Special Funds to ATM, seconded by Selectman Thompson. Roll Call Vote; Diane Kennedy-Aye, Paul Schubert-Aye, Keri Thompson-Aye,Jack Creighton-Aye, Kevin McCarthy- Aye. Article #12-Allocation of Funds for One-time Cost-Motion by Selectman Kennedy to recommend Article #12 Allocation of Funds for One-time Cost to ATM, seconded by Selectman Schubert. Roll Call Vote; Diane Kennedy-Aye, Paul Schubert-Aye, Keri Thompson-Aye, Jack Creighton-Aye, Kevin McCarthy-Aye. Article #15-Veterans Tax Benefits & Exemptions-Motion by Selectman Thompson to recommend Article#15-Veterans Tax Benefits & Exemptions to ATM, seconded by Selectman Schubert. Roll Call Vote; Diane Kennedy-Aye, Paul Schubert-Aye, Keri Thompson-Aye, Jack Creighton-Aye, Kevin McCarthy-Aye. Article #16-Former Prisoners of War or Spouses Tax Exemption-Motion by Selectman Schubert to recommend Article #16-Former Prisoners of War or Spouses Tax Exemption to ATM, seconded by Selectman Thompson. Roll Call Vote; Diane Kennedy-Aye, Paul Schubert-Aye, Keri Thompson-Aye, Jack Creighton-Aye, Kevin McCarthy-Aye. Article#19-To Change the Name of the Cohasset Board of Health-Motion by Selectman Kennedy to recommend Article#19-To Change the Name of the Cohasset Board of Health to Cohasset Board of Public Health to ATM, seconded by Selectman Schubert. Roll Call Vote; Diane Kennedy-Aye, Paul Schubert-Aye, Keri Thompson-Aye, Jack Creighton-Aye, Kevin McCarthy-Aye. Article#20-Home Rule Petition to Change the Name of the Board of Selectmen-Motion by Selectman Thompson to recommend Article #20-Home Rule Petition to Change the Name of the Board of Selectmen to Cohasset Select Board to ATM, seconded by Selectman Creighton. Roll Call Vote; Diane Kennedy-Aye, Paul Schubert-Aye, Keri Thompson-Aye,Jack Creighton-Aye, Kevin McCarthy- Aye. Article #21-Rescission of Unused Borrowing Authorization-Motion by Selectman Kennedy to recommend Article #21-Rescission of Unused Borrowing Authorization to ATM, seconded by Selectman Thompson. Roll Call Vote; Diane Kennedy-Aye, Paul Schubert-Aye, Keri Thompson-Aye, Jack Creighton-Aye, Kevin McCarthy-Aye. Article #23-Zoning Bylaw Amendment for Flood Plain & Watershed Protection District-Motion by Selectman Thompson to recommend Article #23-Zoning Bylaw Amendment for Flood Plain & Watershed Protection District to ATM, seconded by Selectman Kennedy. Roll Call Vote; Diane Kennedy-Aye, Paul Schubert-Aye, Keri Thompson-Aye, Jack Creighton-Aye, Kevin McCarthy-Aye. 2 Selectmen Minutes May 12, 2020 Article #24-Transfer of 808 Jerusalem Road to the Affordable Housinq Trust-Motion by Selectman Creighton to recommend Article #24-Transfer of 808 Jerusalem Road to the Affordable Housing Trust to ATM,seconded by Selectman Kennedy. Roll Call Vote; Diane Kennedy-Aye, Paul Schubert- Aye, Keri Thompson-Aye, Jack Creighton-Aye, Kevin McCarthy-Aye. Alternative Energy Committee-Proposed Article to Lease Sites for Microgrids/Fund Study-Chairman of AEC Tanya Bodell gave an overview of the article. They are asking the Board to recommend approval of a warrant article to lease sites at potential microgrids for solar and storage and to fund a technical study to asses a potential microgrid site in town. The Board had a lengthy discussion. Chairman McCarthy asked that Town Counsel Paul DeRensis works on drafting an article and the Board will discuss again at the meeting on 5/19/2020. Town Manager Update-Mr. Senior advised the Board they have been working with the schools to honor the senior class since the schools are shut down. They are trying to postpone graduation and the prom. They are working on doing a drive-in style recognition. They are looking to put banners of the seniors on the Town Common in a tasteful way for a week or two. They are asking the Board for permission. There are about 100 students and SC Member Craig MacLellan is organizing. The Board had a brief discussion and agreed that it would be a great idea. Mr. Senior will advise Mr. MacLellan. Mr. Senior stated they are having difficulties at the RTF and they need to go back to having a police detail. The Town Clerk's office has processed over 2000 all facilities stickers online. Mr. Senior has been working with the Sandy Beach Association and talking about how to operate the parking lot this season. Selectmen Comments-Selectman Kennedy thanked everyone that has been working hard during these difficult times. Selectman Schubert thanked everyone in town that is social distancing and wearing masks. The Town is running remarkably well. Selectman Thompson advised everyone that there is still time to register to vote online. The deadline is June 51h. Chairman McCarthy asked how the balloting is controlled. Mr. Senior stated it is controlled by state guidelines. Voting by mail is broader than it has been. The Town is not allowed to do things different. Attorney DeRensis stated that some clerks are sending ballots to everyone and having them check a box and the Clerk will send a ballot. Several clerks are taking the initiative. Selectman Thompson stated she has built a website to help with this and she will be launching soon. Selectman Creighton stated he has been in talks with others about re-opening the Harbor in a safe way and maintain social distancing. Attorney DeRensis advised the Board the State is discussing options for Town Meetings. They have talked about a drive-in option; some towns are delaying until August and others are discussing a virtual option as town meeting members with pre-registration for voters to attend virtually. Motion by Selectman Creighton to adjourn, seconded by Selectman Kennedy. Roll Call Vote; Diane Kennedy-Aye, Paul Schubert-Aye, Keri Thompson-Aye, Jack Creighton-Aye, Kevin McCarthy-Aye. The meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kevin McCarthy, Chairman Documents Investment Policy FY21 School Budget ATM Draft Warrant AEC Proposed Article Info 3