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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 01/14/2020 Selectmen Minutes January 14, 2020 Selectmen's Meeting Town Hall-Selectmen Office 41 Highland Avenue Cohasset, MA Selectmen Present: Kevin McCarthy, Chairman Paul Schubert Diane Kennedy Keri Thompson Jack Creighton Others Present: Christopher Senior,Town Manager Chairman McCarthy called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Roll Call Vote: Diane Kennedy-Aye, Paul Schubert-Aye, Kevin McCarthy-Aye, Keri Thompson-Aye,Jack Creighton-Aye. Chairman McCarthy asked for a motion to go into Executive Session Exemption#3-To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the public body and the Chair so declares. The Board of Selectmen will discuss Cohasset v. Sullivan, et al (unauthorized filling of property in violation of the Wetlands Protection Act). The Board will return to open session. Motion moved by Selectman Schubert, seconded by Selectman Kennedy. Roll Call Vote: Diane Kennedy-Aye, Paul Schubert-Aye, Kevin McCarthy-Aye, Keri Thompson-Aye,Jack Creighton-Aye. The Board went into executive session at 6:32 p.m. The Board came back into open session at 7:00 p.m. Pledge-Recited. Public Comments-Russell Bonetti-20 Parker Avenue advised the Board that Community Preservation Committee will have their annual public meeting on 1/27/2020 at 7 p.m. Employee Handbook Review-Director of Human Resources Miriam Johnson stated the Employee Handbook was written for the employees who are not covered by collective bargaining agreements, employment contracts or are elected officials. It replaces the terms of the Personnel Bylaw. She reviewed the updated sections. The Board had a brief discussion. Motion by Selectman Kennedy to approve the Employee Handbook as presented, seconded by Selectman Thompson and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Motion by Selectman Schubert to move Topics not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chairman 48 hours in advance to the next item on the agenda, seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Topics not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chairman 48 hours in advance-Mr. Senior advised the Board they received a request to film in the Town of Cohasset by Painless Television. They are requesting to film on 1/27/2020 and a couple of days in February. They are filming at the Historical Society properties at 4 Elm Court. Chief Quigley has advised Mr. Senior he has no issue with the proposal. Selectmen Kennedy suggested that the Board review current event/film applications as it has been a number of 1 Selectmen Minutes January 14, 2020 years since these were reviewed/created. Motion by Selectman Kennedy to approve the filming application by Painless Television contingent on approval by public safety,seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Housing Production Plan (HPP)-Next Steps-Affordable Housing Steering Committee-Director of Planning Lauren Lind explained the HPP is a locally-adopted, state-approved planning document that assesses housing needs and capacity to meet it, identifies areas of town suitable for housing development, establishes clear goals and develops policy recommendations to advance the goals. Cohasset began working on the HPP in the fall of 2018. The hope is that the HHP will go to the Planning Board and Board of Selectmen in February for approval and then it would go to the state for approval. Chairman of Affordable Housing Steering Committee Robert Jeffers gave an overview of Chapter 40B. The next census will be conducted in April 2020 with the data released in 2021. Since the last census in 2010, Cohasset's Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI) was at 9.4% (under the recommended 10%). Mr. Jeffers expects Cohasset will need to add at least 20 additional units. If the Town shows progress towards this,they can get safe harbor status for a year. Mr.Jeffers reviewed the housing& demographics in Cohasset, development opportunities and housing goals and strategies. The Board had a brief discussion. Chairman McCarthy asked what was going on with 808 Jerusalem Road (town-owned property). Mr. Senior stated when the previous planner left,the project got sidetracked. Chairman McCarthy stated he wants to put extra emphasis on this and move it along. Mr.Senior stated the document of trust is being worked on now and then the Affordable Housing Trust can vote on it and put it into place. Chairman McCarthy advised Mr.Jeffers to reach out to the Board if they need anything. Board/Committee Appointments-Master Plan Implementation Committee-Applicant Jennifer Boylan 45 Sohier Street gave an overview of her background. Motion by Selectman Thompson to appoint Jennifer Boylan to the Master Plan Implementation Committee as a citizen-at-large for a 3 year term, seconded by Selectman Creighton and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Chairman of Open Space and Recreation Committee Peter Pescatore was present and stated the Committee met earlier tonight and Tom Callahan will be the representative to Master Plan Implementation Committee. Motion by Selectman Kennedy to appoint Tom Callahan to Master Plan Implementation Committee as the Open Space& Recreation Representative,seconded by Selectman Thompson and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Safe Harbor Update-Program Director Nicole Balaschi reviewed their vision and mission. She discussed how they identify protective and risk factors. She reviewed their goals and what they have accomplished to date. She discussed the growth of the youth involvement. She noted they have also increased their parent involvement. She reviewed trainings the Coalition has participated in. She reviewed surveys around youth substance use and noted some reduction. She discussed the increase in vaping use. She reviewed some of the upcoming events. Licenses/Permits/Events-Earth Day 4/25/2020-Chairman of Open Space and Recreation Peter Pescatore reviewed the plan for the 2"d Annual Earth Day Cleanup Day on April 25, 2020 from 9 a.m.to 2:30 p.m. Motion by Selectman Kennedy to approve the Earth Day Cleanup Event on April 251h from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.,seconded by Selectman Thompson and the vote was unanimous (5-0). MS Walk-Mr. Senior advised the Board the MS Walk has been running this event in Cohasset for over 15 years. All departments have approved the application and plan. Motion by Selectman Thompson to 2 Selectmen Minutes January 14, 2020 approve the MS Walk for 4/25/2020 from 8:30 a.m.to 1 p.m.,seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Moratorium on Cohasset Harbor Commercial Permits/Trailer Parking Restrictions-Chairman McCarthy stated the Board asked Mr. Senior to work on a moratorium. Mr. Senior stated the Town has been working on a Harbor Plan and will be working on the town dock and a lift system.With proposed changes in the Harbor, he has worked with Attorney Lampke to allow the Town a little time to address infrastructure issues around the Harbor. This moratorium would not affect any existing permits, only new permits. Motion by Selectman Creighton to approve the moratorium on Cohasset Harbor Commercial Permits/Trailer Parking as presented,seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Tree City USA-Approval of Tree Policy-Mr. Senior advised the Board they are still working on the policy with Attorney DeRensis. He will bring back to the Board on February 11tn All Facilities Sticker Rate Schedule 2020-Mr. Senior advised the Board the Director of DPW is still working on a proposal. The Town's rates are lower than surrounding communities and the cost of recycling has gone up. They will bring proposal back to the Board in a few weeks. Susan Davis-257 Atlantic Avenue asked if the Board could look into and discuss the number of stickers the Sandy Beach Association sells to out of town residents. The SBA is a non-profit and are selling 160- 180 stickers to residents that are not Cohasset residents for profit. Chairman McCarthy thanked Ms. Davis for her comments and asked Mr. Senior to reach out to the SBA for comments for a future discussion. Open Warrant for Annual Town Meeting-5/4/2020-Mr. Senior stated Annual Town Meeting is set for 5/4/2020. All information is available on the town website. The deadline for Citizen's Petitions is February 19, 2020. Motion by Selectman Creighton to open the Warrant for Annual Town Meeting on May 5, 2020, seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Town Manager Update-390 Chief Justice Cushing Highway Affordable Housing Units-Mr. Senior stated there is a proposed project at 390 CJC Hwy in the Stop and Shop Plaza that would include 20 units which would include 5 affordable housing units (the 20 units would count toward SHI). The plan is being presented to the Affordable Housing Trust for approval and then to the Board of Selectmen for approval on 1/28/2020. The plan would then go to MA Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)for approval. On a separate track, there is an issue with the septic system in that area (Feng Shui) and the DEP has ruled that the project must have an onsite sewer system or tie into the Town's sewer system. Mr. Senior distributed a map showing the sewer coming out on Route 3A and running down to an existing pump station at Tupelo Road. The developer would pay for the work. With onsite sewer there could be issues and potential contamination of the town's water supply. The Sewer Commission has concerns and is not interested in this. Mr. Senior is working on an article for Annual Town Meeting to expand the sewer in that area. Chairman McCarthy stated this will be a big conversation with many folks involved. Selectman Kennedy stated to clarify the last time this was on the warrant the Selectmen voted not to recommend however,the article was pulled anyway. Mr. Senior stated the project is being monitored closely. Selectman Creighton asked if the Staszko project was brought up tonight because of sewer or affordable housing. Mr. Senior stated the project at 390 3 Selectmen Minutes January 14, 2020 CJC Hwy was brought up because affordable housing is one of the Board's goals. Chairman McCarthy asked that any questions regarding this project go to Mr. Senior. Mr. Senior stated he spoke last week at the Northeast Energy and Commerce Association conference. He was invited by AEC Chairman Tanya Bodell. They discussed How Municipalities are Powering Up. There were many conversations about microgrids. AEC will be discussing microgrids at a future meeting. Selectman Comments-Selectman Creighton reiterated the need for a Teen Center and reminded the Board it should be a priority. Motion by Selectman Schubert to adjourn, seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous(5-0). The meeting adjourned at 9:36 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kevin McCarthy, Chairman 4