HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - AC - 03/15/2016 Cohasset Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes Tuesday March 15, 2016 - Joint Session with the BoS at Town Hall.
Members present: Nan Roth, Peter Pescatore, John Chapman, George Chamillard and Rich
Fitzpatrick
Called to Order at 8:27PM.
Annual Town Meeting Warrant Article 3 Local Option Meals Tax.
Nan reported that the committee was generally in favor of recommending the article to Town
Meeting for approval when asked by the BoS Chair. The discussion that followed noted that
all of the surrounding town's had adopted this tax structure, at .075% it represented only $.75
on a $100.00 dollar bill, the tax would be paid by non-Cohasset residents although a % could
not be determined at this point and it presented an opportunity to use the funds for one-time
costs. The BoS Chair wanted to know if we could break down the tax by likely sources and we
replied that we could not. He was concerned that such a tax would be a burden on the
catering businesses in town. The BoS Chair asked if the committee would vote on the article
now and the Advisory Chair replied that she would take it back to the full committee for a
vote. More discussion ensued about the merits of having a new source of revenue and how it
may be used including off-setting a portion of the annual 2.5% maximum Levy.
Annual Town Meeting Warrant Article 4 Local Option Room Tax.
Nan noted that the entire discussion regarding Article 3 also pertained to Article 4 and the
BoS chair agreed that further discussion was unnecessary.
Advisory Committee proposed article to appropriate the funds generated by article 3 Ft 4
for FY17 to The OPEB Trust Account should either or both of the articles pass.
Each of the members in attendance spoke in support of the article making the following
major points:
The variable nature of the funds flow should prohibit using it for operations spending.
The revenue base is supported by a finite residential base and we should be fiscally
conservative.
The OPEB Trust Fund Liability of $37 million needs to be addressed and 60% of that is school
related.
The discussion went on and Selectman Kennedy proposed working with the committee to
develop a FAQ list for Town Meeting.
The BoS Chair asked the committee to deliberate on Articles 3 8t 4 and make a firm statement
for Town Meeting.
John Chapman moved to Adjourn at 9:27 PM, George Chamillard seconded the motion. The
motion was voted unanimously 5-0.
Respectfully Submitted
Peter Pescatore