HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - TM - 04/22/2013 - Annual Town Meeting Index—Annual Town Meeting
April 22, 2013
1. Annual Town Report—Adopted
2. Reports of Committees—Adopted
3. Supplemental Appropriations for Fiscal 2013 —Adopted
4. Creation of Stabilization Funds—Adopted
5. Allocation of Funds for one time cost—Adopted
6. Operation Budget for Town, Enterprise, OPEB Trust and Stabilization Funds—Adopted
7. Capital Improvements Budget—Adopted
8. Home Rule Petition to Amend the Town Manager's Act—Adopted
9. Union Contracts—Adopted
10. Rescission of Authorized but Unissued Debt—Adopted
11. Adoption of Local-Option Meal and Hotel Tax—Defeated
12. Home Rule Petition to Create Sewer Districts—Adopted
13. Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 91 Liability—Adopted
14. Additional Real Estate Exemptions—Adopted
15. FY 14 Community Preservation Projects—Adopted
16. Temporary Moratorium, Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers—Adopted
17. Zoning Bylaw Amendment— Section 2.1 Definitions—Definition of Height—Adopted
18. Zoning Bylaw Amendment— Section 5.4: Area Regulations: - Adopted
19. Zoning Bylaw Amendment—Section 2.1 Definitions and 4.2 Table of Use Regulations: -Adopted
Annual Town Meeting—April 22, 2013
At the Annual Town Meeting held on Monday April 22, 2013 at the Cohasset High School
Sullivan Gymnasium the following articles were contained in the warrant and acted upon as
follows.
Checkers sworn in by the Town Clerk, Carol L. St. Pierre at 6:00 p.m. were Elizabeth Anderson,
Abigail Alves, Jody Doyle, Kelly Grech, Debra Krupczak and Rebekah Mattey. Tellers were
appointed and sworn in by the Moderator, Daniel Evans.
The Moderator called the meeting to order at 6:48 p.m. and a quorum of 100 was present at that
time. The registered voters checked in on the voting list totaled 386. Precinct 1 — 198 voters and
precinct 2— 188.
Citizens recited the pledge of allegiance. A moment of silence was observed for citizens listed in
the memoriam of the town report and the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing.
Voted unanimously to dispense with the reading of the call of the Meeting and Return of service
having been examined by the Moderator and found to be in order.
Article: 1 Annual Town Report
To act upon the reports of the various Town Officers as printed in the Annual Town Report for
2012, or take any other action related thereto.
MOVED that the reports of the various Town Officers as printed in the Annual Town Report for
2012 be accepted and filed with the permanent records of the Town.
Motion adopted unanimously.
Article: 2 Reports of Committees
To hear the reports of any Committee heretofore chosen and act thereon, or take any other action
related thereto.
Reports were heard from Peter Pescatore for the Advisory Committee and Tanya Bodell on the
Alternative Energy Committee.
MOVED to accept the reports as delivered.
Motion adopted unanimously.
Article: 3 Supplemental Appropriations for Fiscal 2013
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, borrow pursuant to any applicable statute
and/or transfer from available funds, and transfer from the Community Preservation Fund, a sum
or sums of money, to be expended by the Town Manager, needed by various departmental
budgets and appropriations to complete the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013 or to decrease or
otherwise adjust any budget line item as appropriated by the town at the 2012 annual town
meeting held on May 5 and 15 or the December 10, 2012 Special Town Meeting, or fund and
other deficits, or to take any other action related thereto.
MOVED that six hundred and eleven thousand, four hundred and eighty-five dollars ($611,485)
be hereby appropriated for the items set forth below amending the amounts appropriated by the
Town pursuant to the 2012 annual town meeting held on May 12th and 21"or the December 10,
2012 Special Town Meeting, which funds after transfer are to be expended by the Town
Manager, to supplement certain departmental budgets and appropriations and to fund other
deficits set forth below to complete the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013 as follows:
FY 2013 Supplemental Appropriations
General Fund
Additional Appropriations:
Account#'s Line Item/Department Amount
145 5200 Treasurer/Collector Expenses 5,750.00
151 5200 Town Counsel 60,000.00
161 5200 Town Clerk 125.00
210 5120 Police Overtime 101,895.00
210 5200 SSREC 38,140.00
220 5120 Fire Overtime 173,000.00
295 5200 Harbormaster Expenses 7,000.00
422 5780 Purchase of Cemetery Lots 8,500.00
422 5250 Gas/Diesel 5,000.00
541 5200 Gas/Diesel 1,200.00
25 175 Planning Board deposits 1,883.00
402,493.00
Funding Sources:
Account#'s Line Item/Department Amount
141 5200 Assessors Expenses 5,000.00
210 5100 Police Personnel Services 63,676.00
220 5100 Fire Personnel Services 185,000.00
512 5100 Board of Health Personnel Services 7,970.00
914 5200 Health Insurance 10,500.00
720 5900 Debt Service 101,000.00
21 201 Waterways Improvement Fund 7,000.00
21 122 Insurance Proceeds> $20K 22,347.00
402,493.00
Community Preservation Fund as recommended by the CPC
Additional Appropriation:
Account#'s Line Item/Department Amount
24 5200 Administrative Expenses 7,000.00
Funding Source:
CPC Unreserved Fund Balance 7,000.00
Water Enterprise Fund
Additional Appropriation:
Account#'s Line Item/Department Amount
65 5200 System Maintenance 135,000.00
Funding Source:
Water Enterprise Retained Earnings 135,000.00
General Fund
Additional Appropriations:
Account#'s Line Item/Department Amount
161 5200 Town Clerk 3,875.00
423 5200 Snow &Ice Removal 39,270.00
426 5200 Facilities 23,847.00
66,992.00
Funding Sources:
Stabilization Fund 66,992.00
A 2/3's vote required. Motion adopted unanimously.
Article: 4 Creation of Stabilization Funds
To see if the Town will vote to establish the following
• Water Capital Stabilization Fund for the Water Enterprise Fund
• Water Debt Stabilization Fund for the Water Enterprise Fund
• Sewer Capital Stabilization Fund for the Sewer Enterprise Fund
• Sewer Debt Stabilization Fund for the Sewer Enterprise Fund
• Facilities Stabilization Fund for Town Owned Property
per Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40 Section 513, or take any other action related thereto
MOVED that per Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40 Section 5B the following
Stabilization Funds be hereby established:
• Water Capital Stabilization Fund, to provide a source of funds for capital projects related
to the public water supply in the town,
• Water Debt Stabilization Fund to provide a source of funds to pay for debts incurred for
improvements to the water system infrastructure for the Water Enterprise Fund,
• Sewer Capital Stabilization Fund to provide a source of funds for capital projects related
to the public sewers in the town,
• Sewer Debt Stabilization Fund to provide a source of funds to pay for debts incurred for
improvements to the sewer system infrastructure for the Sewer Enterprise Fund,
• Facilities Stabilization Fund to be used as a source of funds to repairs and improvements
for Town Owned Property.
A 2/3's vote required. Motion adopted unanimously.
Article: 5 Allocation of Funds for one time cost
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds, or borrow
pursuant to any applicable statute a sum of money from free cash in the treasury of the Town for
funding the Stabilization Fund, Other Post-Employment Benefits Trust Fund, Capital
Stabilization Fund, Advisory Committee's Reserve Fund, Human Resource Audit, Policies and
Procedures Town-wide, and connecting the Light Keepers House to Sewer, or take any other
action related thereto.
MOVED that the following transfers made from Free Cash in the treasury of the town:
• Five Hundred Sixty-Three Thousand Nine Hundred and Forty-Two Dollars ($563,942) to
the Stabilization Fund and;
• One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) to the Other Post-Employment Benefits
Liability Trust Fund and;
• One Hundred Sixty-Five Thousand Dollars ($165,000)to the Capital Stabilization Fund
and;
• Forty Thousand Dollars ($40,000) to be expended by the Town Manager for professional
services including$25,000 for Human Resource municipal audit and development of
personnel policy and other personnel legal requirements, and $15,000 for development of
policies and procedures manuals for departments subject to the approval of the BoS and;
• Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000)to be expended by the Town Manager for the
costs for professional services and construction of a sewer connecting the Light Keepers
House to the town's sewer.
A 2/3's vote required. Motion adopted unanimously.
Article: 6 Operating Budget for Town, Enterprise, OPEB Trust, and Stabilization Funds.
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate funds to fix salaries and compensation of
Elected Officers, and to see what sums the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer
from available funds or otherwise, for the payment of Personal Services, Expenses, Capital
Outlays, Debt Service, OPEB Trust Fund, Capital Stabilization, Stabilization Fund, and
otherwise, of Town Departments, Water and Sewer Enterprise Funds, and to modify the FYI
Salary and Wage Classification Table, and Compensation and Classification Schedule, or to take
any other action related thereto.
PART A
Funded from Town-Wide General Budget
Town General Budget (salaries & expenditures) $10,024,500
School General Budget(salaries & expenditures) $16,237,032
Shared Budget Expenses (CTO, debt,pension, insurance etc.) $9,443,494
Funded from Water Enterprise Budget
Water Enterprise Budget (salary, expenses, capital, debt, etc.) $4,586,481
Funded from Sewer Enterprise Budget
Sewer Enterprise Budget (salary, expenses, capital, debt, etc.) $2,484,667
PART B (requires 2/3 vote)
Funded from Town-Wide General Budget
Transfer to OPEB Trust Fund $50,000
Transfer to the Town Stabilization Fund $250,000
Transfer to the Capital Stabilization Fund $694,782
Funded from Sewer Enterprise Budget
Transfer to the Sewer Betterment Stabilization Fund $13,949
Transfer to the Sewer Capital Stabilization Fund $112,888
Transfer to the Sewer Debt Stabilization Fund $104,499
MOVED that Thirty Five Million Seven Hundred Five Thousand and Twenty Six Dollars
($35,705,026)be appropriated for the Fiscal Year 2014 Annual Town Budget to be allotted as
follows: $ 82,597 for salaries of elected Town Officials consisting of the Town Clerk$ 72,080
Clerk, Board of Registrars (4) at $329.00; $1,316; Moderator, $1.00; Selectmen, Chairman,
$1,500.00; Members (4) at $1,000.00, $4,000.00; Board of Assessors, Chairman, $1,300.00;
Members (2); at$1,200.00, $2,400.00; and the remaining $ 35,622,429 for Personal Services,
Expenses and Capital Outlays, interest on Maturing Debt and other charges for various
departments, and to meet the appropriation, the following transfers are made: and $35,109,830 is
raised from taxation and other general revenues of the Town; and further
$ 90,852 from Sewer Enterprise Revenue,
$ 90,852 from Water Enterprise Revenue,
$ 65,338 from School Construction Surplus Fund,
$ 33,698 from Reserve for Community Preservation Debt,
$ 234,456 from Capital Stabilization Fund,
$ 5,000 from Wetlands Fund,
$ 75,000 from Title V Betterment Fund,
MOVED that Four Million Five Hundred Eighty-Six Thousand Four Hundred and Eighty-One
Dollars ($4,586,481)be hereby appropriated from the Water Enterprise Fund Revenues for FY14
Water Enterprise Annual Budget for Expenses of Four Million Five Hundred Eighty-Six
Thousand Four Hundred and Eighty-One Dollars ($4,586,481)to be jointly expended by the
Water Commission and Town Manager.
MOVED that Two Million one Hundred Seventy-Four Thousand Six Hundred and Sixty-Seven
Dollars ($2,174,667)be hereby appropriated from the Sewer Enterprise Fund Revenues and
Three Hundred and Ten Thousand Dollars ($310,000) from sewer retained earnings for FY14
Sewer Enterprise Fund Annual Budget for Personal Services in the amount of Forty-Seven
Thousand one Hundred and Seven-five Dollars ($ 47,175) and Expenses Two Million Four
Hundred Thirty-Seven Thousand and Four Hundred Ninety-Two Dollars ($ 2,437,492) to be
jointly expended by the Sewer Commission and Town Manager.
MOVED that the sum of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000)be appropriated for deposit into the
OPEB Trust Fund; and the sum of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000)be
appropriated for deposit into the Stabilization Fund; and the sum of Six Hundred Ninety-Four
Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty Two Dollars ($694,782)be appropriated for deposit into
the Capital Stabilization Fund; and to meet this appropriation, these funds are to be raised and
appropriated from taxation and other general revenues of the Town.
MOVED that the sum of Thirteen Thousand Nine Hundred and Forty-Nine Dollars ($13,949)be
appropriated for deposit into the Betterment Stabilization Fund; and the sum of One Hundred
Twelve Thousand and Eight Hundred and Eighty-Eight Dollars ($112,888) be appropriated for
deposit into the Sewer Capital Stabilization Fund; and the sum of One Hundred and Four
Thousand Four Hundred and Ninety-Nine Dollars ($104,499)be appropriated for deposit into the
Sewer Debt Stabilization Fund; and to meet this appropriation, these funds be hereby
appropriated from the Sewer Enterprise Fund Revenues.
A 2/3's vote required. Motion adopted unanimously.
Resolution offered by Helen Nothnagle, Chair of the Cohasset Housing Authority, in honor
of Ann "Nancy" Barrett.
Whereas, Ann"Nancy" Barrett was elected to the Cohasset Housing Authority in 1999 and
served with distinction for three 5-year terms until her death in 2012, and
Whereas,Nancy, as a resident of harbor View at 60 Elm Street was always available to be a
spokesperson for other residents and to transmit their concerns to the management, and
Whereas, during her term of office, the Cohasset Housing Authority brought about a major
renovation of the existing 64 units of housing for the elderly and young disabled, and
Whereas,Nancy was born in Cohasset Hospital on Ripley road and graduated from Cohasset
High School in 1951, she was a true "Townie"who devoted her retirement years to improving
the lives of seniors in our community.
NOW THEREFORE LET IT BE RESOLVED that the citizens of Cohasset, assembled at the
Annual Town Meeting here by acknowledge and affirm their appreciation to the family and
friends of Nancy Barrett in memory of her many years of dedicated service to the Town of
Cohasset.
Given under our hands and the seal of Town of Cohasset on the 22nd Day of April in the year
Two Thousand Thirteen.
Resolution adopted unanimously.
Article: 7 Capital Improvements Budget
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, borrow pursuant to any applicable statute
and/or transfer from available funds including Capital Stabilization Fund, a sum of money to
fund various capital improvements, capital projects and/or capital equipment for the various
departments,boards, commissions and agencies of the town, as listed below, or take any other
action related thereto.
Funded from Capital Stabilization Fund for FY13
TW IT Technology Upgrades Phase lb FY13 $70,000
TW IT Continued Building Interconnectivity FY13 $30,000
TW IT Inspections/Permit/Health Tracking Software FY13 $30,000
TW IT GIS implementation Project FY13 $35,000
DPW Radios FY13 $15,000
Facilities Generator Upgrades FY13 $50,000
DPW Street Lights Purchase FY13 $36,500
Police Finger Print Scanner FY13 $15,000
School Bus (FY12 funding) additional funds FY13 $9,000
School HS gym Roof Air Handler repair FY13 $15,000
$305,500
Funded from Capital Stabilization Fund for FY14
TW IT Technology Upgrades Phase lc FY14 $70,000
TW IT Safety and Security Upgrades Phase 2 FY14 $25,000
Fire Heart Monitor/Defibrillator FY14 $35,000
Police Cruiser FY14 $35,000
Engineering Treat's Pond Flood Relief FY14 $30,000
Finance SoftRight License FY14 $34,606
$229,606
Debt Funded from Capital Stabilization Fund
Fire Ambulance FY14 $230,000
DPW One Ton Dump Truck FY14 $75,000
$305,000
MOVED that eight hundred forty thousand and one hundred and six dollars ($840,106) be
hereby appropriated to be spent by the Town Manager for the purpose of paying for the
following items;
Funded from Capital Stabilization Fund for FY13
TW IT Technology Upgrades Phase lb FYI $70,000
TW IT Continued Building Interconnectivity FYI $30,000
TW IT Inspections/Permit/Health Tracking Software FYI $30,000
TW IT GIS implementation Project FYI $35,000
DPW Radios FYI $15,000
Facilities Generator Upgrades FYI $50,000
DPW Street Lights Purchase FYI $36,500
Police Finger Print Scanner FYI $15,000
School Bus (FY12 funding) additional funds FYI $9,000
School HS gym Roof Air Handler repair FYI $15,000
$305,500
Funded from Capital Stabilization Fund for FY14
TW IT Technology Upgrades Phase lc FY14 $70,000
TW IT Safety and Security Upgrades Phase 2 FY14 $25,000
Fire Heart Monitor/Defibrillator FY14 $35,000
Police Cruiser FY14 $35,000
Engineering Treat's Pond Flood Relief FY14 $30,000
Finance SoftRight License FY14 $34,606
$229,606
it being understood that the amount appropriated is one number and not the individual parts, and
further that the Town Manager is hereby authorized to distribute such appropriation in such a
manner as may be needed to accomplish the above list of items,provided however, that each
item contained in the list set forth above is undertaken and that any excess funds are available
because one or more of the listed items cost less than was estimated and not because an item
intended to be purchased is not so purchased; and to meet this appropriation Five Hundred and
Thirty-Five Thousand One Hundred and Six Dollars ($535,106)be hereby transferred from the
Capital Stabilization Fund of the Town; and further
MOVED that Two Hundred and Thirty Thousand Dollars ($230,000)be hereby appropriated to
be spent by the Town Manager for the purchase of Ambulance for the Cohasset Fire Department:
and to meet this appropriation the Treasurer of the Town with the approval of the Board of
Selectmen is hereby authorized to borrow said $230,000 as general obligations of the town and
to issue bonds and notes of the town therefore; and further
MOVED that Seventy Five Thousand Dollars ($75,000)be hereby appropriated to be spent by
the Town Manager for replacement of a One Ton Dump Truck for the Department of Public
Works, with trade in, sale, or other disposition of the existing truck hereby so authorized, and to
meet this appropriation, the Treasurer of the Town with the approval of the Board of Selectmen
is hereby authorized to borrow said $75,000 as general obligations of the town and to issue
bonds and notes of the town therefore.
A 2/3's vote required. Motion adopted unanimously.
Article: 8 Home Rule Petition to Amend the Town Manager's Act
To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Selectmen to file with the General Court a
petition for the enactment of a Home Rule special act to amend the Cohasset Town Manager Act
and to request the Town's representatives to the General Court to introduce a Special Act set
forth below; and further to authorize the General Court, with the approval of the Board of
Selectmen, to make constructive changes in language as may be necessary or advisable towards
perfecting the intent of this legislation in order to secure passage, or to take any other action
related thereto, as follows:
1. AN AMENDMENT TO THE ACT PROVIDING FOR A TOWN MANAGER IN THE
TOWN OF COHASSET
Section 1. The Cohasset Town Manager Act set forth in Chapter 34 of the Acts of 1997, as
amended by Chapter 421 of the Acts of 1998 and Chapter 330 of the Acts of 2000 (hereinafter
referred to as the "TM Act") is hereby amended as set forth in this amendment act. Except as
hereinafter amended, the TM Act shall continue in full force and effect.
Section 2. Section 2 of the TM Act is hereby amended by deleting said Section 2 in its entirety,
and the following new Section 2 is hereby substituted:
SECTION 2. Designation of Elected Officials
(a)Upon the effective date of this act, the registered voters of the town of Cohasset shall, in
accordance with any applicable laws, by-laws, votes of the town, or inter local agreement
continue to elect the following:
i. selectmen,
ii. town moderator,
iii. town clerk,
iv. school committee members,
v. trustees of the Paul Pratt Memorial Library,
vi. assessors,
vii. board of health members,
viii. Cohasset Housing Authority members,
ix. planning board members,
x. recreation commissioners,
xi. sewer commissioners, and
xii. water commissioners.
(b) The powers, duties and responsibilities of elected and appointed officials shall be as now or
hereafter provided by applicable provisions of General Laws, special acts, by-laws and votes of
the town, except as otherwise expressly provided herein.
(c)Notwithstanding the election by the voters of the town of the officers named in this section,
such officers shall be available to the town manager for consultation, conference and discussion
on matters relating to their respective offices. The town manager may require all such officials,
except the selectmen, to prepare reports for the town manager necessary for the administration of
any of his responsibilities.
Section 3. Section 3 of the TM Act is hereby amended by deleting said Section in its entirety,
and the following new Section 3 is hereby substituted:
SECTION 3 Powers and Duties of the Board of Selectmen
(a) The executive powers of the town shall be vested in the board of selectmen, who shall have
all the powers given to boards of selectmen by the General Laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.
(b) The board of selectmen of the town of Cohasset shall consist of five (5)persons elected by
the voters of the town. The term of each member of the board of selectmen shall not exceed three
(3) years or until a successor takes office. The board of selectmen shall annually elect a
chairperson from among its members.
(c) The board of selectmen shall serve as the chief goal-setting and policy-making body of the
town and as such shall not normally administer the day-to-day affairs of the town. The board of
selectmen shall set guidelines and policy directives which are to be implemented by the town
manager and by other officers and employees appointed by or under its authority. The board of
selectmen shall have the power to enact rules and regulations to implement policies and to issue
interpretations of the rules and regulations.
(d) The board of selectmen shall exercise, through the town manager, general supervision over
all matters affecting the interests or welfare of the town.
(e) The board of selectmen shall appoint the town manager, town counsel, independent auditor
and assistant or special counsels and all members of committees, boards, and commissions
except those positions that the town bylaws provide are to be appointed by the Troika(as
hereinafter defined), that are elected by the voters, or that,unless provided for by this Act, may
be otherwise appointed by town by-law, or the General Laws of the Commonwealth. The Board
may make appointments to all positions and committees the Board creates for special or general
purposes. For purposes of this act the Troika shall be defined as a group made up of the town
moderator, who shall be the chairman of the Troika, chairman of the board of selectmen, and
chairman of the advisory committee.
(f) The board of selectmen shall have oversight of such boards, committees, positions, or
commissions appointed by the board of selectmen.
(g) The board of selectmen shall have the responsibility and authority for licenses and other non-
personnel related functions as provided by the General Laws and the by-laws of the town of
Cohasset.
(h) The board of selectmen shall be responsible for and shall approve the form and content of all
town meeting warrants before they are submitted to town meeting for deliberation.
(i) The board of selectmen shall be responsible for establishing and maintaining a written process
for the preparation of the budget. The selectmen shall issue annually one or more written budget
messages including fiscal guidelines and the timeline for budget makers at the beginning of each
budget cycle or at a time established by the town by-laws.
0) The board of selectmen shall review the annual proposed budget prepared by the town
manager and make changes as the Board deems advisable. The town manager shall present the
budget which incorporates the changes of the board of selectmen to the town meeting.
Section 4. Section 4 of the TM Act is hereby amended by deleting said Section 4 in its entirety,
and the following new Section 4 is hereby substituted:
SECTION 4. Appointment of the Town Manager
(a) The board of selectmen shall create a search committee to assist in the selection of candidates
for the position of town manager. The candidates shall be persons of demonstrated ability with
administrative experience in public management or business administration who are qualified by
reason of education and experience. The town shall from time to time, by bylaw, establish
qualifications for the position of town manager. The board of selectmen, by a majority vote of its
full membership, shall appoint a person to perform the duties of town manager. The town
manager shall be a citizen of the United States.
(b)No selectman or former selectman within fifteen(15)months of holding such office shall be
eligible to be appointed to the position of town manager.
(c) The board of selectmen may enter into a formal contract with the town manager. They may
set contract terms which shall have precedence over any personnel by-laws.
(d) The town manager may be appointed for successive terms of office, no term of which shall be
more than three years or until a successor takes office. Before entering upon the duties of his
office, he shall be sworn in the presence of a majority of the members of the board of selectmen,
to the faithful and impartial performance thereof by the town clerk or a notary public.
(e) The town manager shall execute a bond in favor of the town of Cohasset for the faithful
performance of his duties in such sums and with such sureties as may be fixed and approved by
the board of selectmen, the cost for which will be borne by the town.
(f) The board of selectmen shall set the compensation for the town manager, not to exceed an
amount appropriated by the town meeting.
Section 5. Section 5 of the TM Act is hereby amended by deleting said Section 5 in its entirety,
and the following new Section 5, Section 5A, Section 5B, Section 5C, Section 5D, Section 5E
and Section 5F, are hereby substituted:
SECTION 5. Removal of Town Manager
(a) The board of selectmen,by a majority vote of its full membership, may remove the town
manager. At least thirty(30) days before such removal shall be effective, the board of selectmen
shall file a preliminary written resolution with the town clerk setting forth reasons, if any, for the
proposed removal, a copy of which resolution shall be delivered to the town manager.
(b) The town manager may reply in writing to the resolution and may request, in writing, a
public hearing. The request for hearing must be received by the town clerk no later than ten (10)
days after the town manager's receipt of the resolution. If the town manager so requests, the
board of selectmen shall hold a public hearing not earlier than ten (10) days nor later than twenty
(20) days after the filing of such request.
(c) Following the public hearing or, if none, at the expiration of thirty(30) days following the
filing of the preliminary resolution, the board of selectmen may adopt a final resolution of
removal.
(d)As part of the preliminary resolution, the board of selectmen may suspend the town manager
from duty.
(e)Nothing contained herein shall limit the authority of the board of selectmen to suspend or
remove the town manager as provided by state law.
(f)Any suspension may be with or without pay.
SECTION 5A. Absence or Vacancy of Town Manager
(a) During a temporary absence, not to exceed 30 days, the town manager shall designate by a
letter filed with the chair of the board of selectmen, an administrator to perform the duties of the
office. Such delegation shall be limited to those matters not allowing of delay during the
manager's absence.
(b) If, in the sole opinion of the board of selectmen, the town manager's designee is unable
effectively to perform the duties of the office during the temporary absence of the town manager,
the selectmen shall have the absolute right to appoint a person to perform the duties of the office,
which duties shall be limited to those matters not allowing of delay during the town manager's
absence.
(c) During an absence of the town manager for 30 or more days, due to disability, illness, or
other circumstance, the board of selectmen shall appoint an acting town manager for the duration
of any extended absence. Such designation will cease upon the return of the town manager.
(d) If the individual serving as acting town manager is a town officer or employee, the individual
shall return to the position held prior to being appointed as the acting town manager.
(e)No member of the board of selectmen shall serve as acting town manager.
(f) If the board of selectmen determines, by majority vote of the full membership, that the town
manager will be unable to resume the duties of the job for any reasons, including but not limited
to resignation, termination or illness, the office of town manager shall be filled as soon as
practicable by the board of selectmen who may appoint an acting town manager who may serve
until a town manager is appointed.
(g) Irrespective of the duration of the absence of the town manager, the board of selectmen shall
determine the powers and responsibilities of any acting of temporary town manager.
SECTION 5B. Administrative Responsibilities of the Town Manager
(a) The town manager shall be the chief administrative officer of the town and shall be
responsible to the board of selectmen for the effective management of all town affairs placed in
the town manager's charge by this act, by the board of selectmen, by by-laws, or by vote of town
meeting, and for the implementation of town policies placed in the town manager's charge by the
board of selectmen.
(b) The town manager shall supervise all town departments with the exception of the School
District and direct day to day affairs of the town.
(c) The town manager shall be responsible for seeing that the budget is administered as adopted
by town meeting and in accordance with the General Laws, this act and the town by-laws.
(d) The town manager shall advise the board of selectmen of all matters requiring action by
them or by the town.
(e) The town manager shall oversee the town's personnel system and staff in accordance with
the town by-laws as amended, personnel evaluation policies and practices, enforcement of labor
contracts, labor relations, collective bargaining and state and federal equal opportunities law
compliance functions of the town.
(f) The town manager shall attend all meetings of the board of selectmen, except when excused,
having the right to speak but not vote; and attend all annual and special town meetings and shall
be permitted to speak when recognized by the moderator.
(g) The town manager shall administer, either directly or through a person or persons appointed
by him in accordance with this act, all provisions of General Laws and special acts applicable to
the town, all town by-laws, and all regulations established by the board of selectmen.
(h) The town manager shall have access to all information necessary for the proper
performance of the duties of town manager in accordance with the town bylaws, not including
however attorney-client privileged information which is provided to or by the board of
selectmen, unless the board specifically authorizes such access. Notwithstanding the preceding
sentence, the town manager and any person acting under his supervision, direction, or control
shall have no authority to access the electronic communications of any town officer or employee,
or information maintained in a personal work area or computer of any such officer or employee,
unless such access has been approved in advance by the board of selectmen or by a member
designated by the board to act on such matters.
(i) The town manager may, without notice, cause the affairs of any division or department,
except the School District, or the conduct of any officer or employee thereof to be examined.
0) The town manager shall keep the board of selectmen fully informed regarding all
departmental operations, fiscal affairs, general problems, and administrative actions, and to this
end shall submit periodic reports to the board of selectmen.
(k) The town manager shall coordinate the activities among boards, commissions, and
committees, concerned with long-range municipal planning, including physical or economic
development, and environmental or resource protection of the town.
(1) The town manager shall be responsible for the maintenance all town buildings, property and
facilities except those under the jurisdiction of the housing authority, sewer commission and
water commission unless requested by those agencies. He shall, to these ends, develop, keep and
annually update a full and complete inventory of all property of the town, both real and personal.
(m) Subject to section 3H of this act, the town manager shall be responsible for the preparation
of all town meeting warrants in accordance with the town by-laws and distribute, or cause to be
distributed, copies of town meeting warrants to the residences of all registered voters of the town
(n)Upon request and with the approval of the board of selectmen, the town manager shall
prosecute, defend, or compromise all litigation to which the town is party.
(o) The town manager shall keep full and complete records of his office and annually submit to
the board of selectmen, unless requested to do so more frequently, a full written report of the
operations of the office.
(p) The town manager shall devote his full working time to the duties of the office, and shall not
engage in any business activity during his term, except with the written consent of the board of
selectmen.
SECTION 5C. Financial Responsibilities of the Town Manager
(a) The town manager shall be the chief financial officer of the town.
(b) The town manager shall be responsible for controlling all appropriated budget expenditures,
which includes the power to approve or reject all warrants including payroll for the payment of
town funds prepared by the town accountant in accordance with the provision of section 56 of
chapter 41 of the General Laws.
(c)Annually, the town manager shall be responsible for the preparation of the proposed budget
to be included in the Annual Town Meeting Warrant. The proposed budget shall be prepared in
accordance with the most current budget process by the date set pursuant to Section 3(i) of this
act as approved by the board of selectmen.
(d) The town manager shall submit to the board of selectmen by the date established pursuant to
Section 3(i) of this act a written proposed budget for the ensuing fiscal year.
i. The proposed budget shall detail all estimated revenue from all sources, and all
proposed expenditures, including debt service, for the previous, current, and ensuing five
(5 )fiscal years.
ii. The proposed budget shall detail all estimated expenditures for current operations
during the ensuing fiscal year, detailed by agency, department, committee, purpose, and
position.
iii. In addition, the town manager shall prepare a written proposed capital improvements
budget for the ensuing fiscal year and a five (5) year forecast and include both as part of
the proposed annual budget.
iv. For the purpose of preparing the budget for the ensuing fiscal year, the town manager
shall include an estimate of revenues to be collected and free cash available at the close
of the current fiscal year, including estimated balances in special accounts.
v. The town manager shall report on the estimated funds required to be levied and raised
by taxation to defray all expenses and liabilities of the proposed budget together with an
estimate of the tax rate necessary to raise such amount and include the information in the
proposed budget.
vi. The town manager annually shall submit a town departmental and organizational
structure.
(e) The town manager shall submit a preliminary budget and capital plan to the board of
selectmen, the advisory committee and the capital budget committee pursuant to the budget
process set forth in Section 3(i) of this Act. The preliminary budget and capital plan must be
submitted no later than seventy(70) days prior to the date of the annual town meeting.
(f) To assist the town manager in preparing the proposed annual budget of revenue and
expenditures, all boards, officers, and committees of the town, including the school committee,
shall furnish all relevant information in their possession and submit to the town manager, in
writing in such form as the town manager shall establish, a detailed estimate of the
appropriations required and available funds.
(g) The town manager shall keep the board of selectmen informed regarding the availability of
federal and state funds and how such funds might relate to unmet long-range needs.
(h) The town manager shall be responsible for filing all grant applications.
(i) After the close of each fiscal year and after the certification of free cash by the Massachusetts
Department of Revenue, the town manager, as soon as practicable, will cause to have prepared
audited financial statements. Upon completion of the audit, the town manager will promptly
distribute the statements to the board of selectmen, chairman of the advisory committee and
chairman of the capital budget committee.
SECTION 5D. Appointment Powers of the Town Manager
(a) The town manager shall appoint upon merit and fitness alone, and may remove, the police
chief, fire chief, director of finance subject to the selectmen's approval by a majority vote of its
full membership whose contracts and any changes thereto must be approved by the board of
selectmen.
(b) The Board of Selectmen shall appoint members of the conservation commission under
chapter 40, section 8C of the General Laws.
(c) The town manager shall appoint and may remove all Department Heads not included in
Section 51)(a) of this act, as that term may be defined in the town organization chart established
from time to time by town meeting of the Town of Cohasset, and all employees under the direct
supervision of the town manager. In addition, the town manager shall appoint and may remove
all officers, subordinates and employees for whom no other method of selection is provided in
this act, except employees of the school department.
(d)Appointments made by the town manager in Section 51)(c) of this act shall become effective
fifteen(15) days following the date of written notice of the appointment is filed with the board of
selectmen unless the board of selectmen shall, within that period, by a majority of its members
present and voting, vote to reject the appointment or removal.
(e) Within the fifteen(15) day period, the board of selectmen may, by a majority of its members
present and voting, vote to waive its power to reject an appointment pursuant to Section 51)(d) of
this Act, whereupon the appointment shall become effective immediately.
(f)All appointments by the town manager not included in Section 51)(a) or 51)(c) of this Act
shall become effective immediately.
(g)Any employee not protected by civil service law or union contract shall have the right to
appeal the town manager's decision to discharge to the board of selectmen. The appeal shall be
initiated by filing a written notice of appeal with the town manager within ten (10) calendar days
after receiving a written notice of discharge. The appeal shall be conducted pursuant to
processes and procedures as may be established from time to time by the town by-laws.
(h) The town manager, subject to any applicable provisions of the General Laws relating thereto,
may assume, temporarily, the duties of any office which the town manager is authorized to fill by
appointment, subject to approval by the board of selectmen.
(i) The town manager may appoint such ad hoc committees as he deems necessary.
SECTION 5E. Collective Bargaining
(a) The town manager or a negotiating committee authorized by the board of selectmen shall
negotiate collective bargaining contracts on behalf of the board of selectmen, which contracts
shall be subject to approval, ratification and execution by the board of selectmen.
(b) The board of selectmen may authorize use of additional counsel and/or persons to assist the
town manager or negotiating committee in the negotiations at their request.
SECTION 5F. Procurement
(a) The town manager is the chief procurement officer and shall be responsible for purchasing
for all town functions and departments,pursuant to chapter 30B of the General Laws, and all
other applicable statutes,procedures, and by-laws.
(b) The town manager may, at the request of the school committee, delegate such duties for
school department purchasing
SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon passage
Or to take any other action related thereto.
MOVED that the Board of Selectmen is hereby authorized to file with the General Court the
following petition for the enactment of a Home Rule special act to amend the Cohasset Town
Manager Act and the Town's representatives to the General Court is hereby requested to
introduce a Special Act set forth below; and further the General Court,with the approval of the
Board of Selectmen, is hereby authorized to make constructive changes in language as may be
necessary or advisable towards perfecting the intent of this legislation in order to secure passage,
as follows:
1. AN AMENDMENT TO THE ACT PROVIDING FOR A TOWN MANAGER IN THE
TOWN OF COHASSET
Section 1. The Cohasset Town Manager Act set forth in Chapter 34 of the Acts of 1997, as
amended by Chapter 421 of the Acts of 1998 and Chapter 330 of the Acts of 2000 (hereinafter
referred to as the "TM Act") is hereby amended as set forth in this amendment act. Except as
hereinafter amended, the TM Act shall continue in full force and effect.
Section 2. Section 2 of the TM Act is hereby amended by deleting said Section 2 in its entirety,
and the following new Section 2 is hereby substituted:
SECTION 2. Designation of Elected Officials
(a)Upon the effective date of this act, the registered voters of the town of Cohasset shall, in
accordance with any applicable laws, by-laws, votes of the town, or inter local agreement
continue to elect the following:
i. selectmen,
ii. town moderator,
iii. town clerk,
iv. school committee members,
v. trustees of the Paul Pratt Memorial Library,
vi. assessors,
vii. board of health members,
viii. Cohasset Housing Authority members,
ix. planning board members,
x. recreation commissioners,
xi. sewer commissioners, and
xii. water commissioners.
(b) The powers, duties and responsibilities of elected and appointed officials shall be as now or
hereafter provided by applicable provisions of General Laws, special acts, by-laws and votes of
the town, except as otherwise expressly provided herein.
(c)Notwithstanding the election by the voters of the town of the officers named in this section,
such officers shall be available to the town manager for consultation, conference and discussion
on matters relating to their respective offices. The town manager may require all such officials,
except the selectmen, to prepare reports for the town manager necessary for the administration of
any of his responsibilities.
Section 3. Section 3 of the TM Act is hereby amended by deleting said Section in its entirety,
and the following new Section 3 is hereby substituted:
SECTION 3 Powers and Duties of the Board of Selectmen
(a) The executive powers of the town shall be vested in the board of selectmen, who shall have
all the powers given to boards of selectmen by the General Laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.
(b) The board of selectmen of the town of Cohasset shall consist of five (5)persons elected by
the voters of the town. The term of each member of the board of selectmen shall not exceed three
(3) years or until a successor takes office. The board of selectmen shall annually elect a
chairperson from among its members.
(c) The board of selectmen shall serve as the chief goal-setting and policy-making body of the
town and as such shall not normally administer the day-to-day affairs of the town. The board of
selectmen shall set guidelines and policy directives which are to be implemented by the town
manager and by other officers and employees appointed by or under its authority. The board of
selectmen shall have the power to enact rules and regulations to implement policies and to issue
interpretations of the rules and regulations.
(d) The board of selectmen shall exercise, through the town manager, general supervision over
all matters affecting the interests or welfare of the town.
(e) The board of selectmen shall appoint the town manager, town counsel, independent auditor
and assistant or special counsels and all members of committees, boards, and commissions
except those positions that the town bylaws provide are to be appointed by the Troika(as
hereinafter defined), that are elected by the voters, or that,unless provided for by this Act, may
be otherwise appointed by town by-law, or the General Laws of the Commonwealth. The Board
may make appointments to all positions and committees the Board creates for special or general
purposes. For purposes of this act the Troika shall be defined as a group made up of the town
moderator, who shall be the chairman of the Troika, chairman of the board of selectmen, and
chairman of the advisory committee.
(f) The board of selectmen shall have oversight of such boards, committees, positions, or
commissions appointed by the board of selectmen.
(g) The board of selectmen shall have the responsibility and authority for licenses and other non-
personnel related functions as provided by the General Laws and the by-laws of the town of
Cohasset.
(h) The board of selectmen shall be responsible for and shall approve the form and content of all
town meeting warrants before they are submitted to town meeting for deliberation.
(i) The board of selectmen shall be responsible for establishing and maintaining a written process
for the preparation of the budget. The selectmen shall issue annually one or more written budget
messages including fiscal guidelines and the timeline for budget makers at the beginning of each
budget cycle or at a time established by the town by-laws.
0) The board of selectmen shall review the annual proposed budget prepared by the town
manager and make changes as the Board deems advisable. The town manager shall present the
budget which incorporates the changes of the board of selectmen to the town meeting.
Section 4. Section 4 of the TM Act is hereby amended by deleting said Section 4 in its entirety,
and the following new Section 4 is hereby substituted:
SECTION 4. Appointment of the Town Manager
(a) The board of selectmen shall create a search committee to assist in the selection of candidates
for the position of town manager. The candidates shall be persons of demonstrated ability with
administrative experience in public management or business administration who are qualified by
reason of education and experience. The town shall from time to time,by bylaw, establish
qualifications for the position of town manager. The board of selectmen, by a majority vote of its
full membership, shall appoint a person to perform the duties of town manager. The town
manager shall be a citizen of the United States.
(b)No selectman or former selectman within fifteen(15)months of holding such office shall be
eligible to be appointed to the position of town manager.
(c) The board of selectmen may enter into a formal contract with the town manager. They may
set contract terms which shall have precedence over any personnel by-laws.
(d) The town manager may be appointed for successive terms of office, no term of which shall be
more than three years or until a successor takes office. Before entering upon the duties of his
office, the Town Manager shall be sworn in the presence of a majority of the members of the
board of selectmen, to the faithful and impartial performance thereof by the town clerk or a
notary public.
(e) The town manager shall execute a bond in favor of the town of Cohasset for the faithful
performance of his duties in such sums and with such sureties as may be fixed and approved by
the board of selectmen, the cost for which will be borne by the town.
(f) The board of selectmen shall set the compensation for the town manager, not to exceed an
amount appropriated by the town meeting.
Section 5. Section 5 of the TM Act is hereby amended by deleting said Section 5 in its entirety,
and the following new Section 5, Section 5A, Section 5B, Section 5C, Section 51), Section 5E
and Section 5F, are hereby substituted:
SECTION 5. Removal of Town Manager
(a) The board of selectmen,by a majority vote of its full membership, may remove the town
manager. At least thirty(30) days before such removal shall be effective, the board of selectmen
shall file a preliminary written resolution with the town clerk setting forth reasons, if any, for the
proposed removal, a copy of which resolution shall be delivered to the town manager.
(b) The town manager may reply in writing to the resolution and may request, in writing, a
public hearing. The request for hearing must be received by the town clerk no later than ten(10)
days after the town manager's receipt of the resolution. If the town manager so requests, the
board of selectmen shall hold a public hearing not earlier than ten (10) days nor later than twenty
(20) days after the filing of such request.
(c) Following the public hearing or, if none, at the expiration of thirty(30) days following the
filing of the preliminary resolution, the board of selectmen may adopt a final resolution of
removal.
(d)As part of the preliminary resolution, the board of selectmen may suspend the town manager
from duty.
(e)Nothing contained herein shall limit the authority of the board of selectmen to suspend or
remove the town manager as provided by state law.
(f)Any suspension may be with or without pay.
SECTION 5A. Absence or Vacancy of Town Manager
(a) During a temporary absence, not to exceed 30 days, the town manager shall designate by a
letter filed with the chair of the board of selectmen, an administrator to perform the duties of the
office. Such delegation shall be limited to those matters not allowing of delay during the
manager's absence.
(b) If, in the sole opinion of the board of selectmen, the town manager's designee is unable
effectively to perform the duties of the office during the temporary absence of the town manager,
the selectmen shall have the absolute right to appoint a person to perform the duties of the office,
which duties shall be limited to those matters not allowing of delay during the town manager's
absence.
(c) During an absence of the town manager for 30 or more days, due to disability, illness, or
other circumstance, the board of selectmen shall appoint an acting town manager for the duration
of any extended absence. Such designation will cease upon the return of the town manager.
(d) If the individual serving as acting town manager is a town officer or employee, the individual
shall return to the position held prior to being appointed as the acting town manager.
(e)No member of the board of selectmen shall serve as acting town manager.
(f) If the board of selectmen determines, by majority vote of the full membership, that the town
manager will be unable to resume the duties of the job for any reasons, including but not limited
to resignation, termination or illness, the office of town manager shall be filled as soon as
practicable by the board of selectmen who may appoint an acting town manager who may serve
until a town manager is appointed.
(g) Irrespective of the duration of the absence of the town manager, the board of selectmen shall
determine the powers and responsibilities of any acting or temporary town manager.
SECTION 5B. Administrative Responsibilities of the Town Manager
(a) The town manager shall be the chief administrative officer of the town and shall be
responsible to the board of selectmen for the effective management of all town affairs placed in
the town manager's charge by this act, by the board of selectmen, by by-laws, or by vote of town
meeting, and for the implementation of town policies placed in the town manager's charge by the
board of selectmen.
(b) The town manager shall supervise all town departments with the exception of the School
District and direct day to day affairs of the town.
(c) The town manager shall be responsible for seeing that the budget is administered as adopted
by town meeting and in accordance with the General Laws, this act and the town by-laws.
(d) The town manager shall advise the board of selectmen of all matters requiring action by
them or by the town.
(e) The town manager shall oversee the town's personnel system and staff in accordance with
the town by-laws as amended, personnel evaluation policies and practices, enforcement of labor
contracts, labor relations, collective bargaining and state and federal equal opportunities law
compliance functions of the town.
(f) The town manager shall attend all meetings of the board of selectmen, except when excused,
having the right to speak but not vote; and attend all annual and special town meetings and shall
be permitted to speak when recognized by the moderator.
(g) The town manager shall administer, either directly or through a person or persons appointed
by the town manager in accordance with this act, all provisions of General Laws and special acts
applicable to the town, all town by-laws, and all regulations established by the board of
selectmen.
(h) The town manager shall have access to all information necessary for the proper
performance of the duties of town manager in accordance with the town bylaws, not including
however attorney-client privileged information which is provided to or by the board of
selectmen, unless the board specifically authorizes such access. Notwithstanding the preceding
sentence, the town manager and any person acting under the Town Manager's supervision,
direction, or control shall have no authority to access the electronic communications of any town
officer or employee, or information maintained in a personal work area or computer of any such
officer or employee,unless such access has been approved in advance by the board of selectmen
or by a member designated by the board to act on such matters.
(i) The town manager may, without notice, cause the affairs of any division or department,
except the School District, or the conduct of any officer or employee thereof to be examined.
0) The town manager shall keep the board of selectmen fully informed regarding all
departmental operations, fiscal affairs, general problems, and administrative actions, and to this
end shall submit periodic reports to the board of selectmen.
(k) The town manager shall coordinate the activities among boards, commissions, and
committees, concerned with long-range municipal planning, including physical or economic
development, and environmental or resource protection of the town.
(1) The town manager shall be responsible for the maintenance all town buildings,property and
facilities except those under the jurisdiction of the housing authority, sewer commission and
water commission unless requested by those agencies. The town manager shall, to these ends,
develop, keep and annually update a full and complete inventory of all property of the town, both
real and personal.
(m) Subject to section 3H of this act, the town manager shall be responsible for the preparation
of all town meeting warrants in accordance with the town by-laws and distribute, or cause to be
distributed, copies of town meeting warrants to the residences of all registered voters of the
town.
(n)Upon request and with the approval of the board of selectmen, the town manager shall
prosecute, defend, or compromise all litigation to which the town is party.
(o) The town manager shall keep full and complete records of town manager's office and
annually submit to the board of selectmen, unless requested to do so more frequently, a full
written report of the operations of the office.
(p) The town manager shall devote full working time to the duties of the office, and shall not
engage in any business activity during the term of office, except with the written consent of the
board of selectmen.
SECTION 5C. Financial Responsibilities of the Town Manager
(a) The town manager shall be the chief financial officer of the town.
(b) The town manager shall be responsible for controlling all appropriated budget expenditures,
which includes the power to approve or reject all warrants including payroll for the payment of
town funds prepared by the town accountant in accordance with the provision of section 56 of
chapter 41 of the General Laws.
(c)Annually, the town manager shall be responsible for the preparation of the proposed budget
to be included in the Annual Town Meeting Warrant. The proposed budget shall be prepared in
accordance with the most current budget process by the date set pursuant to Section 3(i) of this
act as approved by the board of selectmen.
(d) The town manager shall submit to the board of selectmen by the date established pursuant to
Section 3(i) of this act a written proposed budget for the ensuing fiscal year.
i. The proposed budget shall detail all estimated revenue from all sources, and all
proposed expenditures, including debt service, for the previous, current, and ensuing five
(5 )fiscal years.
ii. The proposed budget shall detail all estimated expenditures for current operations
during the ensuing fiscal year, detailed by agency, department, committee, purpose, and
position.
iii. In addition, the town manager shall prepare a written proposed capital improvements
budget for the ensuing fiscal year and a five (5) year forecast and include both as part of
the proposed annual budget.
iv. For the purpose of preparing the budget for the ensuing fiscal year, the town manager
shall include an estimate of revenues to be collected and free cash available at the close
of the current fiscal year, including estimated balances in special accounts.
v. The town manager shall report on the estimated funds required to be levied and raised
by taxation to defray all expenses and liabilities of the proposed budget together with an
estimate of the tax rate necessary to raise such amount and include the information in the
proposed budget.
vi. The town manager annually shall submit a town departmental and organizational
structure.
(e) The town manager shall submit a preliminary budget and capital plan to the board of
selectmen, the advisory committee and the capital budget committee pursuant to the budget
process set forth in Section 3(i) of this Act. The preliminary budget and capital plan must be
submitted no later than seventy(70) days prior to the date of the annual town meeting.
(f) To assist the town manager in preparing the proposed annual budget of revenue and
expenditures, all boards, officers, and committees of the town, including the school committee,
shall furnish all relevant information in their possession and submit to the town manager, in
writing in such form as the town manager shall establish, a detailed estimate of the
appropriations required and available funds.
(g) The town manager shall keep the board of selectmen informed regarding the availability of
federal and state funds and how such funds might relate to unmet long-range needs.
(h) The town manager shall be responsible for filing all grant applications.
(i) After the close of each fiscal year and after the certification of free cash by the Massachusetts
Department of Revenue, the town manager, as soon as practicable,will cause to have prepared
audited financial statements. Upon completion of the audit, the town manager will promptly
distribute the statements to the board of selectmen, chairman of the advisory committee and
chairman of the capital budget committee.
SECTION 51). Appointment Powers of the Town Manager
(a) The town manager shall appoint upon merit and fitness alone, and may remove,the police
chief, fire chief, director of finance subject to the selectmen's approval by a majority vote of its
full membership whose contracts and any changes thereto must be approved by the board of
selectmen.
(b) The Board of Selectmen shall appoint members of the conservation commission under
chapter 40, section 8C of the General Laws.
(c) The town manager shall appoint and may remove all Department Heads not included in
Section 51)(a) of this act, as that term may be defined in the town organization chart established
from time to time by town meeting of the Town of Cohasset, and all employees under the direct
supervision of the town manager. In addition, the town manager shall appoint and may remove
all officers, subordinates and employees for whom no other method of selection is provided in
this act, except employees of the school department.
(d)Appointments made by the town manager in Section 51)(c) of this act shall become effective
fifteen(15) days following the date of written notice of the appointment is filed with the board of
selectmen unless the board of selectmen shall, within that period,by a majority of its members
present and voting, vote to reject the appointment or removal.
(e) Within the fifteen(15) day period, the board of selectmen may, by a majority of its members
present and voting, vote to waive its power to reject an appointment pursuant to Section 51)(d) of
this Act, whereupon the appointment shall become effective immediately.
(f)All appointments by the town manager not included in Section 51)(a) or 5D(c) of this Act
shall become effective immediately.
(g)Any employee not protected by civil service law or union contract shall have the right to
appeal the town manager's decision to discharge to the board of selectmen. The appeal shall be
initiated by filing a written notice of appeal with the town manager within ten (10) calendar days
after receiving a written notice of discharge. The appeal shall be conducted pursuant to
processes and procedures as may be established from time to time by the town by-laws.
(h) The town manager, subject to any applicable provisions of the General Laws relating thereto,
may assume, temporarily, the duties of any office which the town manager is authorized to fill by
appointment, subject to approval by the board of selectmen.
(i) The town manager may appoint such ad hoc committees as he deems necessary.
SECTION 5E. Collective Bargaining
(a) The town manager or a negotiating committee authorized by the board of selectmen shall
negotiate collective bargaining contracts on behalf of the board of selectmen, which contracts
shall be subject to approval, ratification and execution by the board of selectmen.
(b) The board of selectmen may authorize use of additional counsel and/or persons to assist the
town manager or negotiating committee in the negotiations at their request.
SECTION 5F. Procurement
(a) The town manager is the chief procurement officer and shall be responsible for purchasing
for all town functions and departments,pursuant to chapter 30B of the General Laws, and all
other applicable statutes,procedures, and by-laws.
(b) The town manager may, at the request of the school committee, delegate such duties for
school department purchasing.
SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon passage
Secret ballot ordered by Moderator. Yes 223 No 141 Motion adopted.
Article: 9 Union Contracts
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds,pursuant to
any applicable statute, to be expended by the Town Manager, to fund the cost items in the
collective bargaining agreements, or to take any other action related thereto.
MOVED that One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000)be raised and appropriated from the
FY 14 tax levy and other general revenues of the town and that Sixty-Four Thousand Five
Hundred and Sixty-Six Dollars ($64,566) be appropriated from Free Cash in the treasury of the
Town, to be expended by the Town Manager, to fund the cost items of the following collective
bargaining agreements.
Police Union FY 2014 $27,500
Police Lieutenants Union FY 2014 $2,400
Fire Union FY 2013 $27,741
Fire Union FY 2014 $53,225
Library Union FY 2013 $6,200
Library Union FY 2014 $14,100
Clerical Union FY 2013 $11,600
Clerical Union FY 2014 $21,800
Motion adopted unanimously.
PROCLAMATION
Whereas, Michael C. Patrolia, or Mickey as he is called, was first elected to the Cohasset
Board of Assessors in 1970 and has served forty-two years as a member of the Cohasset Board
of Assessors; and
Whereas, as a member of the Cohasset Board of Assessors, Mickey discharged his
responsibilities with fairness and impartiality; and
Whereas, Mickey applied his knowledge of Massachusetts General Laws governing assessing
and his familiarity with the Town of Cohasset to decision making, always in the best interest of
the town and the taxpayers of Cohasset; and
Whereas, Mickey with his kind and considerate way made him an asset to the Board of
Assessors; and
Whereas, such dedication and service to the Town cannot come without great sacrifice to
personal matters and family life; and
Whereas, Mickey has lived and served in the community he loves for forty-two years; and
Whereas, the Board of Selectmen now recommends this Unanimous Motion for Commendation
to Michael C. Patrolia.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Citizens of Cohasset, assembled here at
Annual Town Meeting hereby acknowledge with sincere appreciation the long and
devoted service to the Town of Cohasset and will be ever grateful to Michael C. Patrolia
for his commitment and dedication to the Cohasset community.
GIVEN under our hands and the seal of the TOWN OF COHASSET on this twenty-second day
of April in the year Two Thousand Thirteen.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Paul Carlson, Chairman
Diane Kennedy
Frederick Koed
Leland H. Jenkins
Martha Gjesteby
Proclamation adopted unanimously.
Article: 10 Recession of Authorized but Unissued Debt
To see if the Town will vote to rescind the balance of the loans authorized and un-issued
pursuant to the following Articles and Town Meeting approvals:
Purpose: Date Article Authorized/Unissued
Septic Systems 3/29/1999 24 $200,000
MBTA Wetlands James Brook 11/5/2001 19 $1,200,000
MBTA Sohier Street 11/5/2001 5 $250,000
Library 11/5/2001 5 $3,250,000
Water 1115101 & 3/30/2002 5 & 13 $23,752
Water 3/30/2002 13 $28,248
Sewer Elm Street 3/30/2002 7 $81,000
Infrastructure & Streetscape 11/18/2002 13 $800,000
Land Acquisition 11/18/2002 6 $750,000
Drainage Jacob's Meadow 11/18/2002 16 $53,000
Land Acquisition Sohior Street 11/14/2003 4 $4,100,000
Sewer Planning 4/2/2005 11 $40,000
Recreational Facilities 11/13/2006 4.b $150,000
Retaining Wall Improvements 11/17/2008 7 $126,750
Road Improvements 11/17/2008 7 $33,750
Total Authorized and Unissued $11,086,500
For a total of$11,086,500, or take any other action relative thereto.
MOVED that the balance Eleven Million, Eighty-Six Thousand and Five Hundred dollars of the
loans authorized and un-issued listed below be rescinded:
Purpose: Date Article Authorized)Unissued
Septic Systems 3/29/1999 24 $200,000
MBTA Wetlands James Brook 11/5/2001 19 $1,200,000
MBTA Sohier Street 11/5/2001 5 $250,000
Library 11/5/2001 5 $3,250,000
Water 1115101 & 3/30/2002 5 & 13 $23,752
Water 3/30/2002 13 $28,248
Sewer Elm Street 3/30/2002 7 $81,000
Infrastructure & Streetscape 11/18/2002 13 $800,000
Land Acquisition 11/18/2002 6 $750,000
Drainage Jacob's Meadow 11/18/2002 16 $53,000
Land Acquisition Sohior Street 11/14/2003 4 $4,100,000
Sewer Planning 4/2/2005 11 $40,000
Recreational Facilities 11/13/2006 4.b $150,000
Retaining Wall Improvements 11/17/2008 7 $126,750
Road Improvements 11/17/2008 7 $31750
Total Authorized and Unissued $11,086,500
Motion adopted unanimously.
Article: 11 Adoption of Local-Option Meal and Hotel Tax.
To see if the town will accept
A: Section 2 of Chapter 64 L of the General Laws of the Commonwealth to impose a .75%meals
tax to take effect on July 1, 2013 in accordance with section 60 of Chapter 27 of the Acts of
2009, and/or
B: Accept Sections 51 and 52 of Ch. 27 of the Acts of 2009 amending s. 3A of Ch. 64G of the
General Laws of the Commonwealth and further establish for local room occupancy excise under
such Ch. 64G, s. 3A, to take effect on July 1, 2013 at six percent(6%), on the rental of rooms in
hotels establishments in the town; as provided by such law, or take any other action related
thereto.
PART A
MOVED that G.L. Chapter 64L Section 2 be accepted to impose a 0.75%tax upon restaurant
meals within the Town of Cohasset in accordance with section 60 of Chapter 27 of the Acts of
2009 to take effect on July 1, 2013.
Motion defeated.
PART B
MOVED that Chapter 27 Sections 51 and 52 of the Acts of 2009 amending G.L. 64G section
3A, be hereby accepted and that a rate of six (6)percent be set for local room occupancy tax, to
take effect on July 1, 2013,upon the rental of rooms in hotels in the Town of Cohasset.
Motion defeated.
Article: 12 Home Rule Petition to Create Sewer Districts
To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Selectmen to file with the General Court a
petition for the enactment of a Home Rule special act to amend the Board of Sewer
Commissioners' enabling act to authorize the establishment, codification and operation of sewer
districts in the Town of Cohasset and to request the Town's representatives to the General Court
to introduce a Special Act set forth below; and further that the General Court, with the approval
of the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Sewer Commissioners,be authorized to make
constructive changes in language as may be necessary or advisable towards perfecting the intent
of this legislation in order to secure passage, or take any other action related thereto.
AN ACT TO AMEND THE ENABLING ACT OF
THE COHASSET BOARD OF SEWER COMMISSIONERS
SECTION 1. Chapter 65 of the acts of 1962 entitled "An Act Authorizing the Town of Cohasset
to Construct and Operate a System or Systems Of Sewerage and Sewage Disposal," as amended
by chapter 104 of the acts of 1964 and chapter 131 of the acts of 1975, hereinafter collectively
referred to as the "act," is hereby amended as set forth in this chapter.
SECTION 2. The act is hereby amended by replacing section 1 of the act with the following.
SECTION 1. The town of Cohasset, acting by and through its board of sewer
commissioners described in section 3, may lay out, plan, construct, maintain and
operate a system or systems of common sewers for parts or the whole of its territory,
as may be from time to time defined and established by adoption by town meeting of
one or more by-laws as a designated sewer district under the jurisdiction and control
of the board of sewer commissioners, with such capacity limitations, connections,
pumping stations, treatment plants and other works, as may be allocated in such by-
law to such sewer district as required for a system or systems of sewage treatment and
disposal, and may construct, maintain and operate such sewers and related works in
said sewer districts defined and established by by-law as may be necessary. No other
sewers shall be constructed in any public ways in the town that are not within the
limits of such designated sewer districts and which are not under the control of the
board of sewer commissioners, and no other sewers that are not within the limits of
such designated sewer districts shall become part of or connected to any sewer,
sewers, pumping stations or other works within the limits of such designated sewer
districts.
SECTION 3. The act is hereby amended by replacing section 2 of the act with the following.
SECTION 2. Said town, acting by and through its board of sewer commissioners, may
make and maintain in any way within sewer districts defined and established as set
forth in section 1 where common sewers are laid out or constructed, such connecting
sewers within the limits of such way as may be necessary to connect any estate within
such district that abuts upon a way within such district.
SECTION 4. The act is hereby amended by replacing section 7 of the act with the following.
SECTION 7. The financial operations of the sewer system shall be an enterprise fund
within the meaning of section 53F%2 of chapter 44 of the General Laws, except as
modified herein, and any expenditure from such fund shall be made only jointly upon
authorization by the board of sewer commissioners and the town of Cohasset Town
Manager as defined by Chapter 34 of the Acts of 1997 (as amended by chapter 421 of
the Acts of 1998 and chapter 330 of the acts of 2000). The town shall, by vote at
town meeting, determine whether it shall pay the whole or a portion of the cost of
said system or systems of sewerage and sewage disposal, and if a portion, what
proportion. If the town votes to pay less than the whole cost, in providing for the
payment of the remaining portion of the cost of said system or systems, the town,
acting through its board of sewer commissioners, may avail itself of any or all the
methods permitted by the General Laws, and the provisions of the General Laws
relative to the assessment, apportionment, division, reassessment, abatement and
collection of sewer assessments or the additional methods set forth in section 17, and
as to liens therefor and to interest thereon, shall apply to assessments made pursuant
to this act by the board of sewer commissioners, except that interest shall be at the
rate as may be established by the board of sewer commissioners from time to
time. At the same meeting at which town meeting determines that any portion of the
cost is to be borne by the town, such town meeting may by vote determine by which
of such methods the remaining portion of said cost shall be provided for. The
collector of taxes of said town shall certify the payment or payments of any such
assessment or apportionments thereof to the board of sewer commissioners, who shall
preserve a record thereof.
SECTION 5. The act is hereby amended by replacing section 9 as follows.
SECTION 9. The revenues received by the fund described in section 7 of this act from
sewer assessments, fees, charges, contributions from the town towards the costs of
such sewer system as described in section 7, and the like as receipts or revenues, shall
be applied to the payment of charges and expenses incident to the planning,
permitting, design, construction, maintenance, and operation of said system or
systems of sewerage and sewage disposal or to the extensions thereof, to the payment
of principal or interest upon bonds or notes issued for sewer purposes, or to the
payment or redemption of such bonds or notes.
SECTION 6. The act is hereby amended by replacing section 12 of the act with the following.
SECTION 12. The board of sewer commissioners may, from time to time, adopt and
prescribe rules and regulations for the means of connection of estates and buildings
with sewers and for inspection of the materials, the construction, alteration, and use of
all connections entering to such sewers, but not including the expansion of districts
except as provided in sections 1 and 16, and may prescribe penalties, not exceeding
$300/day for each violation of any such rule or regulation. Such rules and regulations
shall be available for public review at the sewer commission's designated office
during regular office hours. Any changes, deletions, additions or revisions to said
rules and regulations deemed necessary by the board of sewer commissioners from
time to time, shall take full effect after a notice of change has been published at least
once a week for 2 successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the town
of Cohasset, which notice shall detail where and when such revised rules and
regulations may be viewed by the general public.
SECTION 7. The act is hereby amended to insert a new section 16 as follows.
SECTION 16. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, owners of land
not within the sewer districts defined and established pursuant to section 1 of this act
shall not be permitted to connect to said town's sewer system except as is set forth in
this act. The territory covered by said sewer districts may be amended from time to
time by the board of sewer commissioners, after a public hearing conducted to
consider such amendment, upon approval of the department of environmental
protection if otherwise required by law and upon enactment by town meeting of a by-
law defining or establishing a new or expanded sewer district. In the event that the
board of sewer commissioners votes not to amend the territory of any sewer district in
accordance with the foregoing sentence, then the amendment may nevertheless be
enacted in a form of a by-law upon a two-thirds majority vote of town meeting.
Any by-law adopted pursuant to the authority granted to the town of Cohasset by this
act may include authorization to the board of sewer commissioners without a town
meeting vote to add to the sewer districts created pursuant to this act properties
located within sewer needs areas as defined by any Comprehensive Wastewater
Management Plan as may be approved by the secretary of energy and environmental
affairs with such conditions and limitations with respect to such authorization as such
by-law may provide.
SECTION 8. The act is hereby amended to insert a new section 17 as follows.
SECTION 17. The Board of sewer commissioners may, in its discretion, prescribe for
the users of said sewer systems and disposal works such annual charges, connection
fees, assessments, privilege fees, and the like, based on the benefits derived therefrom
as such sewer commission may deem proper, subject however, to such by-laws as
may be adopted by vote of the town, or as may be provided for in the General
Laws. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the commission is authorized to
impose and collect such charges, fees, or assessments prior to connection or operation
of such system of sewers and disposal works, and may enter into agreements for the
payment thereof over such time as the sewer commission shall determine. In fixing
the charges to be imposed for said system, the Board of sewer commissioners is
authorized to make use of any fee, charge, assessment or betterment provided for by
the General Laws and further may take into consideration all costs for ongoing
removal of infiltration and inflow of non-wastewater into the system as part of the
normal operating costs of the system; may include, in setting privilege fees, capital
costs and interest charges applicable thereto; may impose late fees for unpaid billings;
may assess a capacity utilization fee to new estates and properties added to a sewer
district authorized by this act from outside a designated needs area in addition to any
privilege fee; may charge betterments, special assessments, or any other charge to the
estates and properties being served by collection system improvements and
extensions and disposal works to pay for all costs for sewer line extensions to serve.
SECTION 9. The act is hereby amended to insert a new section 18 as follows.
SECTION 18. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the board of
sewer commissioners may at any time permit extensions, new connections or
increases in flow to the sewer system, subject to capacity, to serve municipal
buildings or public restrooms or other public service uses as defined by the
municipality; provided, however, that such uses may include, but shall not be limited
to, affordable housing constructed pursuant to chapters 40B and 40R of the General
Laws, without thereby creating any entitlement on the part of any person to connect
to such sewer system, subject to capacity and in order of application, may permit or if
in the public interest, may require, extensions, new connections or new flow to the
sewer system within such districts.
SECTION 10. The act is hereby amended by inserting in section 11 of the act after the words
"signed by the board" the words "with approval by the town manager."
SECTION 11. The act is hereby amended by deleting section 14 of the act.
SECTION 12. This Act shall take effect upon its passage.
MOVED that the Board of Selectmen be authorized to file with the General Court a petition for
the enactment of a Home Rule special act to amend the Board of Sewer Commissioners'
enabling act to authorize the establishment, codification and operation of sewer districts in the
Town of Cohasset and that the Town's representatives to the General Court be requested to
introduce a Special Act set forth below; and further that the General Court, with the approval of
the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Sewer Commissioners,be authorized to make
constructive changes in language as may be necessary or advisable towards perfecting the intent
of this legislation in order to secure passage as follows:
AN ACT TO AMEND THE ENABLING ACT OF
THE COHASSET BOARD OF SEWER COMMISSIONERS
SECTION 1. Chapter 65 of the acts of 1962 entitled "An Act Authorizing the Town of Cohasset
to Construct and Operate a System or Systems Of Sewerage and Sewage Disposal," as amended
by chapter 104 of the acts of 1964 and chapter 131 of the acts of 1975, hereinafter collectively
referred to as the "act," is hereby amended as set forth in this chapter.
SECTION 2. The act is hereby amended by replacing section 1 of the act with the following.
SECTION 1. The town of Cohasset, acting by and through its board of sewer
commissioners described in section 3, may lay out, plan, construct, maintain and
operate a system or systems of common sewers for parts or the whole of its territory,
as may be from time to time defined and established by adoption by town meeting of
one or more by-laws as a designated sewer district under the jurisdiction and control
of the board of sewer commissioners, with such capacity limitations, connections,
pumping stations, treatment plants and other works, as may be allocated in such by-
law to such sewer district as required for a system or systems of sewage treatment and
disposal, and may construct, maintain and operate such sewers and related works in
said sewer districts defined and established by by-law as may be necessary. No other
sewers shall be constructed in any public ways in the town that are not within the
limits of such designated sewer districts and which are not under the control of the
board of sewer commissioners, and no other sewers that are not within the limits of
such designated sewer districts shall become part of or connected to any sewer,
sewers, pumping stations or other works within the limits of such designated sewer
districts.
SECTION 3. The act is hereby amended by replacing section 2 of the act with the following.
SECTION 2. Said town, acting by and through its board of sewer commissioners, may
make and maintain in any way within sewer districts defined and established as set
forth in section 1 where common sewers are laid out or constructed, such connecting
sewers within the limits of such way as may be necessary to connect any estate within
such district that abuts upon a way within such district.
SECTION 4. The act is hereby amended by replacing section 7 of the act with the following.
SECTION 7. The financial operations of the sewer system shall be an enterprise fund
within the meaning of section 53F%2 of chapter 44 of the General Laws, except as
modified herein, and any expenditure from such fund shall be made only jointly upon
authorization by the board of sewer commissioners and the town of Cohasset Town
Manager as defined by Chapter 34 of the Acts of 1997 (as amended by chapter 421 of
the Acts of 1998 and chapter 330 of the acts of 2000). The town shall, by vote at
town meeting, determine whether it shall pay the whole or a portion of the cost of
said system or systems of sewerage and sewage disposal, and if a portion, what
proportion. If the town votes to pay less than the whole cost, in providing for the
payment of the remaining portion of the cost of said system or systems, the town,
acting through its board of sewer commissioners, may avail itself of any or all the
methods permitted by the General Laws, and the provisions of the General Laws
relative to the assessment, apportionment, division, reassessment, abatement and
collection of sewer assessments or the additional methods set forth in section 17, and
as to liens therefor and to interest thereon, shall apply to assessments made pursuant
to this act by the board of sewer commissioners, except that interest shall be at the
rate as may be established by the board of sewer commissioners from time to
time. At the same meeting at which town meeting determines that any portion of the
cost is to be borne by the town, such town meeting may by vote determine by which
of such methods the remaining portion of said cost shall be provided for. The
collector of taxes of said town shall certify the payment or payments of any such
assessment or apportionments thereof to the board of sewer commissioners, who shall
preserve a record thereof.
SECTION 5. The act is hereby amended by replacing section 9 as follows.
SECTION 9. The revenues received by the fund described in section 7 of this act from
sewer assessments, fees, charges, contributions from the town towards the costs of
such sewer system as described in section 7, and the like as receipts or revenues, shall
be applied to the payment of charges and expenses incident to the planning,
permitting, design, construction, maintenance, and operation of said system or
systems of sewerage and sewage disposal or to the extensions thereof, to the payment
of principal or interest upon bonds or notes issued for sewer purposes, or to the
payment or redemption of such bonds or notes.
SECTION 6. The act is hereby amended by replacing section 12 of the act with the following.
SECTION 12. The board of sewer commissioners may, from time to time, adopt and
prescribe rules and regulations for the means of connection of estates and buildings
with sewers and for inspection of the materials, the construction, alteration, and use of
all connections entering to such sewers, but not including the expansion of districts
except as provided in sections 1 and 16, and may prescribe penalties, not exceeding
$300/day for each violation of any such rule or regulation. Such rules and regulations
shall be available for public review at the sewer commission's designated office
during regular office hours. Any changes, deletions, additions or revisions to said
rules and regulations deemed necessary by the board of sewer commissioners from
time to time, shall take full effect after a notice of change has been published at least
once a week for 2 successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the town
of Cohasset, which notice shall detail where and when such revised rules and
regulations may be viewed by the general public.
SECTION 7. The act is hereby amended to insert a new section 16 as follows.
SECTION 16. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, owners of land
not within the sewer districts defined and established pursuant to section 1 of this act
shall not be permitted to connect to said town's sewer system except as is set forth in
this act. The territory covered by said sewer districts may be amended from time to
time by the board of sewer commissioners, after a public hearing conducted to
consider such amendment, upon approval of the department of environmental
protection if otherwise required by law and upon enactment by town meeting of a by-
law defining or establishing a new or expanded sewer district. In the event that the
board of sewer commissioners votes not to amend the territory of any sewer district in
accordance with the foregoing sentence, then the amendment may nevertheless be
enacted in a form of a by-law upon a two-thirds majority vote of town meeting.
Any by-law adopted pursuant to the authority granted to the town of Cohasset by this
act may include authorization to the board of sewer commissioners without a town
meeting vote to add to the sewer districts created pursuant to this act properties
located within sewer needs areas as defined by the any Comprehensive Wastewater
Management Plan as may be approved by the secretary of energy and environmental
affairs with such conditions and limitations with respect to such authorization as such
by-law may provide.
SECTION 8. The act is hereby amended to insert a new section 17 as follows.
SECTION 17. The Board of sewer commissioners may, in its discretion, prescribe for
the users of said sewer systems and disposal works such annual charges, connection
fees, assessments, privilege fees, and the like, based on the benefits derived therefrom
as such sewer commission may deem proper, subject however, to such by-laws as
may be adopted by vote of the town, or as may be provided for in the General
Laws. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the commission is authorized to
impose and collect such charges, fees, or assessments prior to connection or operation
of such system of sewers and disposal works, and may enter into agreements for the
payment thereof over such time as the sewer commission shall determine. In fixing
the charges to be imposed for said system, the Board of sewer commissioners is
authorized to make use of any fee, charge, assessment or betterment provided for by
the General Laws and further may take into consideration all costs for ongoing
removal of infiltration and inflow of non-wastewater into the system as part of the
normal operating costs of the system; may include, in setting privilege fees, capital
costs and interest charges applicable thereto; may impose late fees for unpaid billings;
may assess a capacity utilization fee to new estates and properties added to a sewer
district authorized by this act from outside a designated needs area in addition to any
privilege fee; may charge betterments, special assessments, or any other charge to the
estates and properties being served by collection system improvements and
extensions and disposal works to pay for all costs for sewer line extensions to serve.
SECTION 9. The act is hereby amended to insert a new section 18 as follows.
SECTION 18. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the board of
sewer commissioners may at any time permit extensions, new connections or
increases in flow to the sewer system, subject to capacity, to serve municipal
buildings or public restrooms or other public service uses as defined by the
municipality; provided, however, that such uses may include, but shall not be limited
to, affordable housing constructed pursuant to chapters 40B and 40R of the General
Laws, without thereby creating any entitlement on the part of any person to connect
to such sewer system, subject to capacity and in order of application, may permit or if
in the public interest, may require, extensions, new connections or new flow to the
sewer system within such districts.
SECTION 10. The act is hereby amended by inserting in section 11 of the act after the words
"signed by the board" the words "with approval by the town manager."
SECTION 11. The act is hereby amended by deleting section 14 of the act.
SECTION 12. This Act shall take effect upon its passage.
Motion adopted.
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, Paul Carlson was elected to the Board of Selectmen in 2007 and has served with
honor and distinction over the past six years, including two years as Chairman of the Board; and
WHEREAS, as a member of the Board of Selectmen, Paul Carlson has brought great wisdom
and sensitivity to the many issues that face our community; and
WHEREAS, Paul Carlson has also served his community with distinction as a member of the
Cable Advisory Committee, Board of Directors of CCTV, Water Planning Group, Budget
Planning Group and the Senior Center Planning Group;
WHEREAS, as Chairman of the Board of Selectman, Paul Carlson helped the Board discharge
its responsibilities in a very effective and efficient manner; and
WHEREAS, such dedication and service to the Town cannot come without great sacrifice to
personal matters and family life; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Selectmen now recommends this Unanimous Motion for
Commendation to Paul Carlson.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Citizens of Cohasset, assembled at
Annual Town Meeting hereby acknowledge and affirm their appreciation to Selectman
Paul Carlson for his many years of dedicated service to the Town of Cohasset.
GIVEN under our hands and the seal of the TOWN OF COHASSET on this twenty-second
day of April in the year Two Thousand Thirteen.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Diane Kennedy, Vice-Chairman
Frederick Koed
Leland H. Jenkins
Martha Gjesteby
Proclamation adopted unanimously.
Article: 13 Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 91 Liability
To see if the Town will vote to assume liability in the manner provided by the MGL Chapter 91,
Section 29, as amended, for all damages that may be incurred by the work to be performed by the
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection for the improvement, development
maintenance, and protection of tidal and non-tidal rivers and streams, great ponds, harbors,
tidewaters, foreshores, and shores along a public beach in accordance with Section 11 of said
Chapter 91 and to authorize the Selectmen to execute and deliver bond on indemnity therefore to
the Commonwealth; or take any other action related thereto.
MOVED that the liability provided by G.L. Chapter 91, Section 29, as amended, be assumed by
the Town of Cohasset for all damages that may be incurred by the work to be performed by the
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection for the improvement, development
maintenance, and protection of tidal and non-tidal rivers and streams, great ponds, harbors,
tidewaters, foreshores, and shores along a public beach in accordance with Section 11 of said
Chapter 91 and that the Board of Selectmen be hereby authorized to execute and deliver bond on
indemnity therefore to the Commonwealth.
Motion adopted unanimously.
Article: 14 Additional Real Estate Exemptions
To see if the town will vote to accept Section 4 of Chapter 73 of the Acts of 1986 of the
Massachusetts Legislature to grant an additional real estate tax exemption of not more than one
hundred percent(100%). Such additional exemption may be granted to persons who qualify for
property tax exemptions under clauses 17, 17C 1/2, 17D, 22, 22A, 22B, 22C, 22D, 22E, 37, 37A,
41, 41B, 41C, 42 and 43 of Section 5 of Chapter 59 of the Massachusetts General Laws and also,
to see if the town will vote to accept the amendment of Clause 41 C in accordance with Chapter
184, Section 51 of the Acts of 2002, to subsequently grant an additional real estate tax exemption
of not more than one hundred percent (100%). Such additional exemption may be granted to
persons
who qualify for property tax exemption under clause 4 1 C of Section 5 of Chapter 59 of the
Massachusetts General Laws, or take any other action related thereto.
MOVED that Section 4 of Chapter 73 of the Acts of 1986 be accepted to grant an additional real
estate tax exemption of not more than one hundred percent (100%); such additional exemption
may be granted to persons who qualify for property tax exemptions under clauses 17, 17C %2,
17D, 22, 22A, 22B, 22C, 221), 22E, 37, 37A, 41, 41B, 41C, 42 and 43 of Section 5 of Chapter 59
of the Massachusetts General Laws and that the amendment of Clause 41C in accordance with
Chapter 184, Section 51 of the Acts of 2002 be accepted to subsequently grant an additional real
estate tax exemption of not more than one hundred percent (100%); such additional exemption
may be granted to persons who qualify for property tax exemption under clause 4 1 C of Section 5
of Chapter 59 of the Massachusetts General Laws.
Motion adopted unanimously.
Article: 15 FY 14 Community Preservation Proiects
To see if the Town will vote to hear and act on recommendations by the Community
Preservation Committee for Fiscal Year 2014 pursuant to Chapter 44B of the General Laws, also
known as the Community Preservation Act; to implement such recommendations by
appropriating and/or reserving a sum or sums of money from the Community Preservation Fund
established pursuant to such Act for (i) the administrative expenses and all other necessary and
proper expenses of the Community Preservation Committee; (ii)the acquisition, creation and
preservation of open space; (iii) the acquisition,preservation, rehabilitation and restoration of
historic resources; (iv) the acquisition, creation, preservation, rehabilitation and restoration of
land for recreational use; (v)the acquisition and preservation of historic resources; (vi) the
acquisition, creation,preservation and support of community housing; and(vii) the rehabilitation
or restoration of open space and community housing acquired or created under such Act; to
authorize the Board of Selectmen, with the approval of the Community Preservation Committee,
to acquire by purchase, gift or eminent domain such real property interests in the name of or
enforceable by the Town, acting by and through the Board of Selectmen or such other Town
board as the Board of Selectmen may designate, including real property interests in the form of
permanent affordable housing restrictions, historical preservation restrictions and conservation
restrictions that will meet the requirements of Chapter 184 of the General Laws, as may be
necessary or proper to carry out the foregoing; or to take any action related thereto.
Moved that the Town hear and act on recommendations by the Community Preservation
Committee as follows:
Recommendation A. The following amounts be appropriated from the Fiscal Year 2014
Community Preservation Fund estimated revenues to the Community Preservation Fund
accounts as follows:
1. Fifty Two Thousand Dollars ($52,000)be appropriated to the Community Housing
Reserve Fund and reserved for community housing purposes,
2. Fifty Two Thousand Dollars ($52,000)be appropriated to the Historic Reserve
Fund for historic resources;
3. Fifty Two Thousand Dollars ($52,000)be appropriated to the Community
Preservation Open Space Reserve Fund for open space, and
4. Three Hundred Sixty Four Thousand Dollars ($364,000)be appropriated to the
Undesignated Reserve Fund balance in the Community Preservation Fund; and
Recommendation B. Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000)be appropriated from the Undesignated
Reserve Fund balance in the Community Preservation Fund for the preservation, rehabilitation
and restoration of the roof, weather vane and cupola at the Paul Pratt Memorial Library located
at 35 Ripley Road, to be expended by the Town Manager, and further that after June 30, 2015,
any residual unexpended portion of such sum shall not be further expended and shall be restored
to the Undesignated Reserve Fund balance in the Community Preservation Fund; and
Recommendation C. Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000)be appropriated from the
Undesignated Reserve Fund balance in the Community Preservation Fund for the preservation,
rehabilitation and restoration of documents, artifacts, books and collections of the Paul Pratt
Memorial Library located at 35 Ripley Road, to be expended by the Town Manager, and further
that after June 30, 2015, any residual unexpended portion of such sum shall not be further
expended and shall be restored to the Undesignated Reserve Fund balance in the Community
Preservation Fund; and
Recommendation D. Fifteen Thousand Fifty Dollars ($15,050) be appropriated from the
Undesignated Reserve Fund balance in the Community Preservation Fund for the preservation,
rehabilitation and restoration of the roof, ceiling and foundation of the Lightkeeper's shed
located at 15 Lighthouse Lane, to be expended by the Town Manager, and further that after June
30, 2015, any residual unexpended portion of such sum shall not be further expended and shall
be restored to the Undesignated Reserve Fund balance in the Community Preservation Fund; and
Recommendation E. Seventy Five Thousand Dollars ($75,000)be appropriated from the
Undesignated Reserve Fund balance in the Community Preservation Fund for the preservation,
rehabilitation and restoration of documents, artifacts and vital records of the Town Clerk's
office, to be expended by the Town Manager, and further that after June 30, 2015, any residual
unexpended portion of such sum shall not be further expended and shall be restored to the
Undesignated Reserve Fund balance in the Community Preservation Fund; and
Recommendation F. Sixty Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($60,500)be appropriated from the
Undesignated Reserve Fund balance in the Community Preservation Fund for the creation,
preservation, rehabilitation and restoration of land, playground area and equipment for the Deer
Hill School located at 208 Sohier Street, to be expended by the Town Manager; and further that
an additional Fifty Nine Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($59,500)be appropriated from the
Undesignated Reserve Fund balance in the Community Preservation Fund for the creation,
preservation, rehabilitation and restoration of land, playground area and equipment for the Deer
Hill School located at 208 Sohier Street, to be expended by the Town Manager, except that the
expenditure of any portion of such $59,500 shall be contingent upon receipt by the Town by
June 30, 2014 of funds from private sources, grant programs or the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts equal to the portion of such $59,500 to be expended for such purposes as a 50-
50%match; and further that the expenditures of such sums further be contingent upon:
(i) submission to the Town Manager of invoices for all work related to the foregoing for payment
directly to the vendor(s) performing such work, (ii) supervision by the Town Manager and/or the
Town Director of Project Management and Planning ("Director") of all such work, (iii) prior
approval by the Director of any work items to be performed and any contracts to be entered into,
(iv)work being performed in accordance with all applicable law and regulations, and
(v) inspection by the Director of all such work for compliance with the foregoing; and further
that after June 30, 2015, any residual unexpended portion of such $60,500 and $59,500 shall not
be further expended and shall be restored to the Undesignated Reserve Fund balance in the
Community Preservation Fund; and
Recommendation G. Thirty Three Thousand Six Hundred Ninety Eight Dollars ($33,698)be
appropriated from the Undesignated Reserve Fund balance in the Community Preservation Fund
for the acquisition, creation and preservation of open space located southwesterly off King Street
and by Brass Kettle Brook, to be expended by the Town Manager, including payment of debt
service with respect to such acquisition, creation, or preservation, and further that after June 30,
2015, any residual unexpended portion of such sum shall not be further expended and shall be
restored to the Undesignated Reserve Fund balance in the Community Preservation Fund; and
Recommendation H. Twenty Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000)be appropriated from the
Undesignated Reserve Fund balance in the Community Preservation Fund for administrative and
operating expenses of the Community Preservation Committee, including professional services;
and
Recommendation I. For each of the above recommendations, the Board of Selectmen, or such
other Town board as the Board of Selectmen may designate,be authorized to acquire by
purchase or gift and hold in the name of or enforceable by the Town, such real property interests
and permanent affordable housing restrictions, historical preservation restrictions and
conservation restrictions that will meet the requirements of Chapter 184 of the General Laws, as
may be necessary or proper to carry out the foregoing.
A 2/3's vote required. Motions adopted unanimously.
Article 16: TEMPORARY MORATORIUM, MEDICAL MARIJUANA TREATMENT
CENTERS: To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning Bylaw as follows to enact a
temporary moratorium on medical marijuana treatment centers by amending Section 2.1,
DEFINITIONS,by adding the following definition in alphabetical order:
"Medical Marijuana Treatment Center: A not-for-profit entity as defined by Massachusetts
law only, that acquires, cultivates, possesses, processes (including development of related
products such as food, tinctures, aerosols, oils, or ointments), transfers, transports, sells,
distributes, dispenses, or administers marijuana, products containing marijuana, related supplies,
or educational materials to qualifying patients or their personal caregivers, which is properly
licensed and registered by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health pursuant to all
applicable state laws and regulations."
And by adding the following new Section 20, Temporary Moratorium-Medical Marijuana
Treatment Centers:
"SECTION 20: Temporary Moratorium - Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers
20.1 PURPOSE
The purpose of this moratorium is to provide restrictions that will allow the Town of Cohasset
("Town") adequate time to consider whether to allow facilities associated with the medical use of
marijuana (including Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers as defined herein), to the extent that
such facilities are permitted under state laws and regulations, and, if so, where and under what
conditions. Given that a law permitting the cultivation, distribution, possession and use of
marijuana for medical purposes in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts was approved by vote at
the state election on November 6, 2012 and has become effective on January 1, 2013, and that
the Massachusetts Department of Public Health has yet to promulgate the regulations by which
facilities that produce or dispense medical marijuana shall be registered and administered, a
restriction on the establishment of such facilities and other uses related to the regulation of
medical marijuana in the Town shall provide the opportunity: to study and consider the potential
impacts of such facilities and other related uses on adjacent uses and on general public health,
safety and welfare; to study and consider the related novel and complex legal and planning
issues; and to develop zoning and other applicable regulations that appropriately address these
considerations consistent with statewide regulations and permitting procedures.
20.2 EXCLUSION OF OTHER MARIJUANA USES
Any establishment that acquires, cultivates, possesses, processes (including development of
related products such as food, tinctures, aerosols, oils, or ointments), transfers, transports, sells,
distributes, dispenses, or administers marijuana, products containing marijuana, related supplies,
or educational materials to qualifying patients or their personal caregivers shall not be permitted
if such establishment has not been properly registered and licensed in accordance with applicable
state and local laws and regulations, or is not operated as a not-for-profit entity, or otherwise fails
to meet the definition of a Medical Marijuana Treatment Center.
20.3 EXCLUSION OF ACCESSORY USES
In no case shall the acquisition, cultivation, possession, processing, transfer, transportation, sale,
distribution, dispensing, or administration of marijuana, products containing or derived from
marijuana, or related products be considered accessory to any use.
20.4 TEMPORARY MORATORIUM
The use of land and/or structures for Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers and related uses is
prohibited in all zoning districts in the Town so long as this Moratorium is in effect, as set forth
in subsection 20.5 below and notwithstanding any provision in this Zoning Bylaw to the
contrary. Variances from this Section 20 are strictly prohibited. During this Moratorium, the
Town shall undertake a planning process consistent with the purposes set forth herein.
20.5 EXPIRATION
This Moratorium shall be effective until June 30, 2014."
Or, to take any other action related thereto.
MOVED that the Cohasset Zoning Bylaw be hereby amended as follows to enact a temporary
moratorium on medical marijuana treatment centers by amending Section 2.1, DEFINITIONS,
by adding the following definition in alphabetical order:
"Medical Marijuana Treatment Center: A not-for-profit entity as defined by Massachusetts
law only, that acquires, cultivates, possesses, processes (including development of related
products such as food, tinctures, aerosols, oils, or ointments), transfers, transports, sells,
distributes, dispenses, or administers marijuana, products containing marijuana, related supplies,
or educational materials to qualifying patients or their personal caregivers, which is properly
licensed and registered by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health pursuant to all
applicable state laws and regulations."
And by adding the following new Section 20, Temporary Moratorium-Medical Marijuana
Treatment Centers:
"SECTION 20: Temporary Moratorium - Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers
20.1 PURPOSE
The purpose of this moratorium is to provide restrictions that will allow the Town of Cohasset
("Town") adequate time to consider whether to allow facilities associated with the medical use of
marijuana (including Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers as defined herein), to the extent that
such facilities are permitted under state laws and regulations, and, if so, where and under what
conditions. Given that a law permitting the cultivation, distribution, possession and use of
marijuana for medical purposes in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts was approved by vote at
the state election on November 6, 2012 and has become effective on January 1, 2013, and that
the Massachusetts Department of Public Health has yet to promulgate the regulations by which
facilities that produce or dispense medical marijuana shall be registered and administered, a
restriction on the establishment of such facilities and other uses related to the regulation of
medical marijuana in the Town shall provide the opportunity: to study and consider the potential
impacts of such facilities and other related uses on adjacent uses and on general public health,
safety and welfare; to study and consider the related novel and complex legal and planning
issues; and to develop zoning and other applicable regulations that appropriately address these
considerations consistent with statewide regulations and permitting procedures.
20.2 EXCLUSION OF OTHER MARIJUANA USES
Any establishment that acquires, cultivates, possesses, processes (including development of
related products such as food, tinctures, aerosols, oils, or ointments), transfers, transports, sells,
distributes, dispenses, or administers marijuana, products containing marijuana, related supplies,
or educational materials to qualifying patients or their personal caregivers shall not be permitted
if such establishment has not been properly registered and licensed in accordance with applicable
state and local laws and regulations, or is not operated as a not-for-profit entity, or otherwise fails
to meet the definition of a Medical Marijuana Treatment Center.
20.3 EXCLUSION OF ACCESSORY USES
In no case shall the acquisition, cultivation, possession, processing, transfer, transportation, sale,
distribution, dispensing, or administration of marijuana, products containing or derived from
marijuana, or related products be considered accessory to any use.
20.4 TEMPORARY MORATORIUM
The use of land and/or structures for Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers and related uses is
prohibited in all zoning districts in the Town so long as this Moratorium is in effect, as set forth
in subsection 20.5 below and notwithstanding any provision in this Zoning Bylaw to the
contrary. Variances from this Section 20 are strictly prohibited. During this Moratorium, the
Town shall undertake a planning process consistent with the purposes set forth herein.
20.5 EXPIRATION
This Moratorium shall be effective until June 30, 2014."
A 2/3's vote required. Motion adopted.
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, David Bergers, has been a member of the Capital Budget Committee for fourteen years;
and
WHEREAS,David has shared his vision,expertise and wisdom with the committee and the Town as a
whole;
WHEREAS, as a committee member,David has introduced uncommon sense to committee
deliberations;
WHEREAS,through his dedication to the task he has devoted many hours to our community at the
expense family, friends and recreation;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Citizens of the Town of Cohasset,with great
pride,recognize David Bergers on the occasion of his departure from the Capital Budget
Committee.
GIVEN under our hands and the seal of the TOWN OF COHASSET on this twenty-second day of
April in the year Two Thousand and Thirteen.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Paul Carlson, Chairman
Diane Kennedy
Frederick Koed
Leland H.Jenkins
Martha Gjesteby
Proclamation adopted unanimously.
Article 17: ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT— SECTION 2.1 DEFINITIONS—
DEFINITION OF HEIGHT. To see if the Town will vote to AMEND Section 2.1,
DEFINITIONS,by striking the existing definition of HEIGHT in its entirety and, replacing the
definition of HEIGHT with a new definition so as to read: "Height: The vertical distance above
the mean level of the pre-construction ground within ten feet of the outside walls of the structure.
On a flat roof, height is measured to the top of the parapet or to the top of the main roof surface,
whichever is higher. On a sloped roof. height is measured to the midpoint of the roof surface; the
midpoint shall be half the distance from the plate line to the ridge line measured over the outer
surface of the roof boarding; and, the ridge line may not be higher than five feet above the
maximum allowed height. The limitations of this clause shall not apply to projections not used
for human habitation which, in the aggregate, do not exceed five percent of the roof area,
including without limitation chimneys, antennas, railings and cupolas." Or, to take any other
action related thereto.
MOVED that Section 2.1, DEFINITIONS, of the Cohasset Zoning By-Laws be hereby amended
by striking the existing definition of HEIGHT in its entirety and, replacing the definition of
HEIGHT with a new definition to read as follows:
Height: The vertical distance above the mean level of the pre-construction ground within ten feet
of the outside walls of the structure. On a flat roof, height is measured to the top of the parapet or
to the top of the main roof surface, whichever is higher. On a sloped roof. height is measured to
the midpoint of the roof surface; the midpoint shall be half the distance from the plate line to the
ridge line measured over the outer surface of the roof boarding; and, the ridge line may not be
higher than five feet above the maximum allowed height. The limitations of this clause shall not
apply to projections not used for human habitation which, in the aggregate, do not exceed five
percent of the roof area, including without limitation chimneys, antennas, railings and cupolas.
A 2/3's vote required. Motion adopted unanimously.
Article 18: ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT— SECTION 5.4: AREA
REGULATIONS:
To see if the Town will vote to amend Section 5: AREA REGULATIONS of the Zoning Bylaws
by adding to Section 5.4 TABLE OF AREA REGULATIONS NOTES a new Section 18 which
shall provide as follows: "18. Notwithstanding the height limitations set forth in the Table of
Area Regulations, Section 5.3; in the Highway Business District, HB, and Light Industry
District, LI, light poles and lighting facilities may be erected to a height of seventy (70) feet by
special permit for the sole purpose of illuminating athletic fields for night sporting events."
Or, to take any other action related thereto.
MOVED that Section 5: AREA REGULATIONS of the Cohasset Zoning Bylaws be hereby
amended by adding to Section 5.4 TABLE OF AREA REGULATIONS NOTES a new Section
18 which shall provide as follows: "18. Notwithstanding the height limitations set forth in the
Table of Area Regulations, Section 5.3; in the Highway Business District, HB, and Light
Industry District, LI, light poles and lighting facilities may be erected to a height of seventy (70)
feet by special permit for the sole purpose of illuminating athletic fields for night sporting
events."
A 2/3's vote required. Motion adopted.
Article 19: ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT—SECTION 2.1 DEFINITIONS AND, 4.2
TABLE OF USE REGULATIONS:
To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning Bylaw as follows: by amending Section 2.1
DEFINITIONS,by adding thereto in their appropriate alphabetical location the following
definitions:
"Veterinarian Hospital: A facility providing veterinary medical services to domestic and
household pets, farm animals, and livestock and wild animals on an out-patient and in-patient
basis, including, without limitation the performing of clinical services, surgical services, research
and in-patient care for such animals."
"Veterinarian Practice: A location where veterinary medical services are provided within a
building, for typical and customary household pets on primarily an out-patient and clinical basis,
where the animal is seen, treated and does not remain on the premises for a time greater than that
necessary to provide the clinical services; and minor surgical procedures on such pets.
Notwithstanding the above, a maximum of three pets who have received clinical services and/or
minor surgical procedures may remain overnight except in emergency situations when the
overnight number may exceed three pets. Kenneling of pets is not permitted in a veterinary
practice. " And, further:
By amending Section 4: USE REGULATIONS by adding to the Table of Use Regulations under
Section 4.2 under the heading `Retail & Services' the following:
Official & Open
Residential Non-Residential Space District
USE R-A R-B R-C DB VB WB HB TB LI OS
Retail& Services
"Veterinarian Practice (setback No No No SP SP No SP SP SP No"
must conform to the required
setback for new construction in
that district.)
Or, to take any other action related thereto.
MOVED that the Cohasset Zoning Bylaw be hereby amended as follows: by amending Section
2.1 DEFINITIONS,by adding thereto in their appropriate alphabetical location the following
definitions:
"Veterinarian Hospital: A facility providing veterinary medical services to domestic and
household pets, farm animals, and livestock and wild animals on an out-patient and in-patient
basis, including, without limitation the performing of clinical services, surgical services, research
and in-patient care for such animals."
"Veterinarian Practice: A location where veterinary medical services are provided within a
building, for typical and customary household pets on primarily an out-patient and clinical basis,
where the animal is seen, treated and does not remain on the premises for a time greater than that
necessary to provide the clinical services; and minor surgical procedures on such pets.
Notwithstanding the above, a maximum of three pets who have received clinical services and/or
minor surgical procedures may remain overnight except in emergency situations when the
overnight number may exceed three pets. Kenneling of pets is not permitted in a veterinary
practice. " And, further:
By amending Section 4: USE REGULATIONS by adding to the Table of Use Regulations under
Section 4.2 under the heading `Retail & Services' the following:
Official & Open
Residential Non-Residential Space District
USE R-A R-B R-C DB VB WB HB TB LI OS
Retail& Services
"Veterinarian Practice (setback No No No SP SP No SP SP SP No"
must conform to the required
setback for new construction in
that district.)
A 2/3's vote required. Motion adopted unanimously.
It was moved and seconded that this Annual Town Meeting be dissolved at 10:16 p.m.
A True Record, ATTEST:
Carol L. St. Pierre
Town Clerk