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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 05/05/2020 Selectmen Minutes May 5, 2020 Board of Selectmen Tuesday, May 5, 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 Nancy LaFauce, Director of Elder Affairs Jason Federico, Field Engineer Chairman McCarthy called the meeting to order at 7:04 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 Town Common Project-Field Engineer Jason Federico advised the Board they met with surrounding neighbors on Thursday. It was a well-attended positive meeting. The surveyors will be out next week to layout the project for the contractor. They will then receive a start date from the contractor. It should be a 6-week project once it is started. Update on the Public Emergency-Chief Silvia stated as of tomorrow the Governor has made wearing a mask mandatory in any public places. Chief Quigley stated they had a busy weekend with the warm weather. They are enforcing the parking at Sandy Beach. Glenn Pratt stated they are sanitizing all public safety and DPW vehicles on a regular basis. They are placing signs throughout the town reminding residents to wear a mask. Pam Fahey stated she has been working with the grocery stores and the managers have been great. They are following all of the safety guidelines. She has also been working with other businesses including golf, pool, salon and restaurants to talk about future re-openings and how they would work in a safe manner. There are a large group of new presumptive positive cases. The Town is using the State Contacting Team to help. The Department of Public Health is looking into a third round of money to help towns. Nancy LaFauce stated they have been working at Elder Affairs with helping seniors stay safe by delivery meals, taking and delivery food pantry orders and continuing the Meals on Wheels program. They are doing their best to keep things normal. They are active on Facebook with public service announcements, exercise programs and group talks. She thanked all the volunteers that have been helping. Annual Town Meeting-Review/Vote on Articles-Article#3-Water Rate Amendments-Jason Federico discussed the existing debt service, capital improvements, capital recovery fees and water rates. He discussed the issues with the pipelines (which are over one hundred years old) and the consequences if they are not replaced. The water rates will increase 2.5% over the next 7 years. The bottom line is quarterly bills will be increased by$10. The Board had a lengthy discussion. Motion by Selectman Schubert to put Article#3-Water Rate Amendments on the Warrant for Annual Town Meeting, seconded by Selectman Kennedy. Roll Call Vote; Diane Kennedy-Aye, Paul Schubert-Aye, Keri Thompson-Aye, Jack Creighton-Aye, Kevin McCarthy-Aye. 1 Selectmen Minutes May 5, 2020 Article#24-Schematic Design for Town Hall-Chairman of Town Hall Building Committee Phil Lehr advised the Board they have had 2 meetings in April via Zoom. They have hired a new Owners Project Manager. They had a walkthrough with the architect in April. The Covid-19 has changed they way they are thinking about space. They currently have $200,000 from CPC that will allow them to continue their work through the summer and into the fall. At this point they do not need to have an article on the ATM Warrant. They have enough money and will have a better idea for the STM in the fall. Article#25-Transfer 808 Jerusalem Road to Affordable Housing Trust-Selectman Kennedy as liaison to AHT stated they have been continuing with the work of the Affordable Housing Steering Committee. The AHT fund was set up and funded. They are looking to transfer the property located at 808 Jerusalem Road to AHT for the purpose of creating affordable housing. The Board had a brief discussion. Motion by Selectman Schubert to put Article#25 Transfer 808 Jerusalem Road to the Affordable Housing Trust, seconded by Selectman Thompson. Roll Call Vote; Diane Kennedy-Aye, Paul Schubert- Aye, Keri Thompson-Aye, Jack Creighton-Aye, Kevin McCarthy-Aye. FY21 Budget Review-Treasurer/Collector Paula Linhares stated revenues are in good shape. Real estate taxes are at 91.3% and motor vehicle is at 87%. Water and Sewer are doing fine at this point. They will continue to watch closely. Director of Finance Don Piatt review two options with the Board for FY21 Covid budget adjustments and proposed offsets. The State is reviewing the Cares Act for a 2nd round for lost revenues. At this point he is not sure what will happen. He will be presently the proposed budget to the Advisory Committee Thursday night. Motion by Selectman Schubert to send budget options to the Advisory Committee for their opinion,seconded by Selectman Creighton. Roll Call Vote; Paul Schubert-Aye,Jack Creighton-Aye, Keri Thompson-Aye, Kevin McCarthy-Aye, Diane Kennedy-Aye. Town Manager Update-Mr. Senior advised the Board the School Committee is meeting tomorrow and the Advisory Committee is meeting on Thursday to vote on the budget. Mr. Senior stated he is still waiting on information from the Governor regarding recreation and summer activities. Selectmen Comments-Selectman Kennedy reported the Community Volunteer link is up on Facebook and asked that everyone share it. She reminded the Chairman that the Board should discuss Board/Committee process discussion soon. Selectman Schubert reminded everyone when the fields reopen to be careful and use personal protective equipment. The Town should prepare for this and ask everyone in town and businesses to help get the word out. Selectman Thompson reminded everyone of the upcoming Annual Town Meeting and Annual Elections. Selectman Creighton asked Mr. Senior for an update on the aquaculture and if he has met with consultant Leslie-Ann McGee. This impacts the town severely and town counsel needs to be involved. Mr.Senior responded that he gave the Board an update last week and the Board agreed to put on an agenda in June. Scituate has a pause on any action regarding aquaculture. He has confirmed this with the town manager. He stated he did speak with Leslie-Ann McGee and is waiting on materials from her. Once he receives the materials, he will have a conference call with her and town counsel. Chairman McCarthy stated the Board will get an update at a meeting in June. That is when the Board will give directive. Motion by Selectman Schubert to adjourn,seconded by Selectman Thompson. Roll Call Vote; Diane Kennedy-Aye, Paul Schubert-Aye, Keri Thompson-Aye, Kevin McCarthy-Aye. The meeting adjourned at 9:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, 2 Selectmen Minutes May 5, 2020 Kevin McCarthy, Chairman Documents Town Common Map ATM Draft Warrant FY21 Budget Info 3