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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 05/19/2020 Selectmen Minutes May 19, 2020 Board of Selectmen Tuesday, May 19, 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 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. Pledge-Recited. Update on the Public Emergency-Chief Silvia gave the Board an update on the Governor's Phase I of reopening plan. He reminded everyone to wear masks when they are unable to stay 6 feet apart from others. They are continuing to discuss the beaches and how to handle them. 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 continue to get ahead of the burn rate of PPE and building up stock. The group is meeting weekly for the plan to reopen town hall. Pam Fahey reported working with businesses to prepare for some type of reopening. They have also been discussing reopening of some fields. The Board had a brief discussion. Chief Quigley reported that with warmer weather things are getting busier. They have been working collaboratively with Board of Health and Senior Center. Motion by Selectman Kennedy that the Town of Cohasset's fields and courts will be re-opened pursuant to guidance released from the State of Massachusetts effective May 26, 2020,seconded by Selectman Thompson. Roll Call Vote; Diane Kennedy-Aye, Paul Schubert-Aye, Keri Thompson-Aye,Jack Creighton-Aye, Kevin McCarthy-Aye. Cohasset Historical Commission-Placement of Plaque-Chairman of Cohasset Historical Commission Jackie Dormitzer showed renderings of the plaque that the Board discussed at their meeting in December. The plaque marks the site of a fishermen well used there during the 19t" century for Cohasset's fishing fleet. The Board had a brief discussion. Motion by Selectman Schubert to approve the placement of the plaque from the Cohasset Historical Commission in honor of the fisherman at Sidney Square as presented tonight, seconded by Selectman Thompson. Roll Call Vote; Diane Kennedy-Aye, Paul Schubert-Aye, Keri Thompson-Aye,Jack Creighton-Aye, Kevin McCarthy-Aye. Annual Town Meeting-Review/Vote on Warrant Articles-Alternative Energy Article-Chairman of AEC Tanya Bodell reviewed the article which would authorize the Board of Selectmen to enter into lease agreements for a site on roofs/buildings or other portions of building real estate for solar power electric generation facility. The other part of the articles would be to allow the School Committee to enter into lease agreements for schools building properties. Town Counsel has reviewed and commented on the articles. The Board has a brief discussion about power outages in the Town. The Board decided to have 1 Selectmen Minutes May 19, 2020 the School Committee hear the presentation tomorrow night and then vote on the article at the 5/26 meeting. Article 24 Reciprocal Easements-124 Elm Street-Chairman of Planning Board Clark Brewer and Planning Director Lauren Lind reviewed the article. Selectman Creighton disclosed that the firm for the applicant has done work for him in 2019. Attorney Paul DeRensis reviewed his edits to the article. He stated the article should not be on the warrant, it should be on the warrant at Special Town Meeting. He recommended the Board hold off on the article. They are in the middle of a pandemic and putting this article forward is not the best use of voter's time. Applicant George McGoldrick stated he had no issue with town counsels' edits. He would like to have the article on this warrant for ATM as timing is important to this project. Motion by Selectman Kennedy to put Article#24 Reciprocal Easements at 124 Elm Street on the Warrant for ATM, seconded by Selectman Schubert. The Board had a longer discussion. Selectman Thompson suggested they wait to vote until the Planning Board votes on it. Selectman Creighton stated he is not opposed to the project but now has 2 Planning Board members that sent out emails today stating they would like to rescind their votes. He believes the Selectmen should wait and see what happens at tomorrow night's Planning Board meeting before they move forward. Selectmen Kennedy withdrew her motion. Motion by Selectman Creighton to have the Planning Board review and recommend Article 24 Reciprocal Easements-124 Elm Street, seconded by Selectman Thompson. Roll Call Vote; Diane Kennedy-Aye, Paul Schubert-Aye, Keri Thompson-Aye, Jack Creighton-Aye, Kevin McCarthy-Aye. Water Rate Amendment Article-Motion by Selectman Thompson to remove the Water Rate Amendment Article from the Warrant for ATM, seconded by Selectman Creighton. Roll Call Vote; Diane Kennedy-Aye, Paul Schubert-Aye, Keri Thompson-Aye,Jack Creighton-Aye, Kevin McCarthy-Aye. Article#8 Capital Improvements Budget-Chairman of Capital Budget Sam Wakeman reviewed the proposed projects. Everyone was good about taking a hard look and scaling things back. The did miss a $42,000 Heavy Haul Tractor payment, which has been added. There is $2 million in the Stabilization fund left. Motion by Selectman Schubert to recommend Article#8 Capital Improvements Budget to ATM,seconded by Selectman Kennedy. Roll Call Vote; Diane Kennedy-Aye, Paul Schubert-Aye, Keri Thompson-Aye,Jack Creighton-Aye, Kevin McCarthy-Aye. Article#16 Committee Preservation Committee-Chairman of CPC Russ Bonetti reviewed the projects. Motion by Selectman Kennedy to recommend Article#16 CPC 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#21 Acquisition of Easement at 2 Smith Place for Culvert-Mr. Senior advised the Board that James Brook flows underground through culverts at 2 locations where there are insufficient easements which need to be corrected. The Board had a brief discussion. Motion by Selectman Kennedy to recommend Article#21 Acquisition of Easement at 2 Smith Place for Culvert 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#4 Operating Budget-Mr. Senior and Finance Director Don Piatt reviewed revenues with the Board. They do not know about money from the State or Federal government yet however, the Cares Act will help. They have allotted $750,00 so far. This is for expenses that occurred from March 1" 2 Selectmen Minutes May 19, 2020 through December 31, 2020. Any remaining monies will be returned unless the feds approve money to be used for revenue loss. Motion by Selectman Schubert to recommend Article#4 Operating Budget to ATM, seconded by Selectman Kennedy. Roll Call Vote; Diane Kennedy-Aye, Paul Schubert-Aye, Keri Thompson-Aye,Jack Creighton-Aye, Kevin McCarthy-Aye. Annual Town Meeting/Town Election Update-Town Clerk Carol St. Pierre reviewed the preparations they are making for the Town Elections with plexiglass separators for tables and voting booths. She will have people sanitizing between voters.They are sending a letter to all households urging them to vote early by mail. She is encouraging voters to bring their own pens. Selectman Thompson stated that Pembroke reported a 77%decrease in voters today. She thanked Ms. St. Pierre for all her work in making it safe for voters. She is still worried. There is an undue burden on the Town Clerk and the voters. Ms. St. Pierre stated she is following the election law. Annual Town Meeting-Mr. Senior advised the Board they have been having lots of conversations regarding ATM. They are working to make things as safe as possible. ATM will be at the South Shore Music Circus parking lot as a drive-in movie type of event. They are talking about potentially moving to 6 p.m. while it is still light out and there are no bugs. They also have to allow for weather issues. He will keep the Board informed. Board/Committee Process Discussion -Mr. Senior stated several years ago they worked on streamlining the process by developing an online application process. They will prepare a list of open positions, along with a press release as they have done over the past couple of years. The Board had a brief discussion. Town Manager Update-Mr. Senior advised the Board the Planning Board is looking to have a joint meeting on June 3rd at 6:30 p.m. for the Housing Production Plan and the Hazard Mitigation Plan. There will be two consultants at that meeting. Mr. Senior advised the Board he has been speaking with the Sandy Beach Association and public safety Chiefs to try and figure out how the beach will operate this summer. He will put on the agenda next week for a bigger conversation. He will also update the Board on Regional Sewer discussions. Chairman McCarthy reminded the Board that Mr. Senior's annual review is scheduled for June 23rd. They need two people on a sub-committee. The Board agreed that Selectmen Kennedy and Thompson will serve on that sub-committee and report to the Board with a process for doing so on June 9tn Selectmen Comments-Selectman Schubert thanked all town residents for doing their part in wearing masks and keeping social distancing. Selectman Thompson gave a shout out to Craig McLellan for spearheading the senior pictures on the Town Common. Selectman Creighton asked if the Town could work on the gas leak on Sohier Street while the schools and Music Circus is closed. He asked if National Grid is willing to do this. Chief Silvia stated National Grid is aware of the issue and it is on their to do list. He will know more next week and will follow up with the Board. Minutes-Motion by Selectman Thompson to approve the minutes of 4/28/2020, seconded by Selectman Schubert. Roll Call Vote; Diane Kennedy-Aye, Paul Schubert-Aye, Keri Thompson-Aye,Jack Creighton-Aye, Kevin McCarthy-Aye. Motion by Selectman Thompson to approve the minutes of 5/5/2020,seconded by Selectman Schubert. Roll Call Vote; Diane Kennedy-Aye, Paul Schubert-Aye, Keri Thompson-Aye,Jack Creighton- Aye, Kevin McCarthy-Aye. 3 Selectmen Minutes May 19, 2020 Motion by Selectman Creighton to adjourn, seconded by Selectman Thompson. Roll Call Vote; Diane Kennedy-Aye, Paul Schubert-Aye, Keri Thompson-Aye,Jack Creighton-Aye, Kevin McCarthy-Aye. Meeting adjourned at 10:31 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kevin McCarthy, Chairman Documents Reciprocal Easement-124 Elm Info 2 Smith Place Article Info AEC Article Proposal Minutes4/28/2020 &5/5/2020 4