HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 03/31/2020 Selectmen Minutes March 31, 2020
Board of Selectmen
Tuesday,March 31, 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.
Chairman McCarthy called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. He stated the meeting is being held
remotely under the Town's Declaration of Emergency. All votes will be taken by roll call vote.
This meeting is being live streamed on Facebook and on Cohasset 143TV. Roll Call Vote: Diane
Kennedy-Present, Paul Schubert-Present, Kevin McCarthy-Present, Keri Thompson-
Present, Jack Creighton-Present.
Pledge-Recited.
Update on the Public Emergency-Fire Chief Robert Silvia stated they have been meeting
collectively since this emergency started. He thanked everyone for the collaboration. He stated
his crew is trained and ready and has plenty of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The
Governor has extended the social distancing until May 41h. He explained what this means and how
important it is for everyone to follow it. He emphasized that the social distancing is for when
people leave their home for essential reasons and does not mean it is ok to gather in groups. Police
Chief William Quigley discussed the planning his crews have been doing since February. In March
all personnel were issued PPE, they installed extra sanitizing stations, limited non-essentials
functions and assigned temporary Lieutenant/Sergeant positions. In April they will put a plan in
place for 12-hour shifts, contingency plans for temporary food/housing, low priority calls will be
taken via phone,Detectives and School Resource Officer will patrol force in uniform if necessary,
command staff will continue to keep separate and they do have a plan in place if the SSRECC is
impacted. Director of Emergency Management Glenn Pratt thanked everyone for their great work.
He discussed how the Senior Center is helping residents by delivering meals and are a liaison to
the food pantry. He thanked Facilities and DPW for their work in sanitizing buildings and helping
where needed. Recreation, Library and Safe Harbor are keeping the community engaged with
virtual activities. Mr. Pratt thanked the IT department for their tremendous help. He is working
with FEMA and MEMA on a regular basis. He has been in contact with local grocery stores. He
thanked everyone that has signed up to volunteer during this time.
Temporary change in public meeting posting-board from Town Hall to Town Website-Mr.
Senior asked the Board to vote to allow postings of Board/Committee meetings to be posted on
1
Selectmen Minutes March 31, 2020
the Town Website instead of the Town Board @ town hall since the staff is limited due to the
emergency declaration. Motion by Selectman Schubert to allow Board/Committees to post
meetings on the Town Website instead of the Town Board at Town Hall until the Declaration
of Emergency has expired, seconded by Selectman Thompson. Roll Call Vote: Diane
Kennedy-Aye, Paul Schubert-Aye, Kevin McCarthy-Aye, Keri Thompson-Aye, Jack
Creighton-Aye.
New Dates for Town Meeting/Town Election-Mr. Senior advised the Board after speaking
with counsel, the Town Clerk and the Town Moderator, that he is suggesting that Annual
Town Meeting and Annual Town Elections be postponed until June 22, 2020 and June 27,
2020. Town Counsel has stated that the deadlines cannot be moved for election papers.
The last day to object or withdraw nomination papers are April 8, 2020. Any person
interested in running for a position that did not turn in their nomination papers by 3/23/2020
will have to be written in on the ballot. Selectmen Schubert asked for a motion pursuant
to Section 1 of Chapter 45 of the Acts of 2020 and because of the State of Emergency
declared by the governor pursuant to executive order 591, Declaration of a State of
Emergency to Respond to COVID-19, and the Board of Selectmen's March 16, 2020
Declaration of Emergency, the Annual Town Meeting scheduled for May 4, 2020 is
hereby rescheduled from Monday, May 4, 2020 to Monday June 22, 2020 and the
Annual Town Election is rescheduled from Saturday, May 9, 2020 to Saturday, June
27, 2020. Motion moved by Selectman Creighton and seconded by Selectman
Thompson. Roll Call Vote: Jack Creighton-Aye, Keri Thompson-Aye, Paul Schubert-
Aye. Chairman McCarthy and Selectman Kennedy recused from the vote as their
terms expire at the election.
State Emergency Legislation-Discussion-Mr. Senior advised the Board that there are currently a
couple of bills that are currently being discussed at the State level. There is one that potentially
could move property tax collection deadlines and waive penalties for late payments. There is
another to extend the deadline for filing property tax exemptions and deferrals from April 1 to June
1. He is waiting to hear more on this and will let the Board know.
Extend public event permit freeze until May 4, 2020-Mr. Senior advised the Board there are a
couple of events that were permitted between now and May 4th. He asked the Board to vote to
extend the event permit freeze, as the Governor has. Motion by Selectman Kennedy to freeze
all event permits until May 4, 2020, seconded by Selectman Schubert. Roll Call Vote: Jack
Creighton-Aye, Keri Thompson-Aye, Kevin McCarthy-Aye, Paul Schubert-Aye, Diane
Kennedy-Aye.
Town Manager Update-Mr. Senior advised the Board he has been working closely with Senator
O'Connor and Representative Meschino's offices and they have been very receptive and helpful.
He recommended that the Board set the next two meetings for April 14th and April 28th and
continue to do regular business. There are a couple of liquor licenses that need to be addressed.
He suggested they be put on the agenda on April 28th. Mr. Senior stated he has been meeting
regularly with Finance Director Don Piatt. As of now and for the short term, finances are okay.
2
Selectmen Minutes March 31, 2020
Residents are paying bills and they hope that continues. They are starting to look at the budget for
FY21. Mr. Senior reminded the Board that the Town was awarded a grant for the Town Common
project and they can begin work. This may be a good time to start since schools and the churches
are closed. Selectman Kennedy reminded the Board that we told the surrounding businesses and
residents that we would check back and see how the new traffic flow/parking was working. After
a brief discussion, the Board asked Mr. Senior to follow up.
Selectmen Comments-Selectman Kennedy thanked everyone for all their work over the past
month. Everyone is coming together as a community. She thanked the town leadership for the
great work under very trying circumstances. Selectman Schubert reminded everyone to check on
their neighbors. It will be a couple of tough weeks coming up. He reminded everyone to wash
their hands. Selectman Thompson stated it is great that when the weather is good everyone can go
outside and get fresh air however,people should not be walking or hanging in groups. She gave a
shout out to all the small local businesses for continuing to find ways to feed everyone. She
encouraged everyone to support them if they are able. Selectman Creighton stated he has great
concern and respect for the first responders. The average citizen in town has performed heroically.
Chairman McCarthy stated this emergency was totally unexpected and he thanked Chris Senior
for a great leadership during this stressful and dangerous time. He stated Mr. Senior has done a
great job in leading the Town.
Motion by Selectman Kennedy to adjourn, seconded by Selectman Thompson. Roll Call
Vote: Jack Creighton-Aye, Keri Thompson-Aye, Kevin McCarthy-Aye, Paul Schubert-Aye,
Diane Kennedy-Aye.
The meeting adjourned at 8:16 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kevin McCarthy, Chairman
3