HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - AC - 02/02/2017 Town of Cohasset
Advisory Committee
Minutes, February 2, 2016
DRAFT
PLACE: Basement Meeting Room, Town Hall
ATTENDEES:
Advisory Committee Also attending
Nan Roth, Chair - Chris Senior, Town
Tanya Bodell Manager
Paul Carlson - Mary Gallagher, Finance
George Chamillard Director
John Chapman - William Quigley, Police
Richard Fitzpatrick Chief
Helene Lieb
7:03 PM The meeting was called to order by Chairman Nan Roth
The minutes for 11/28/2016 were reviewed. Chamillard moved for approval,
Fitzpatrick seconded. The vote to approve was 8 - 0.
Senior reviewed the Town Meeting Warrant. Currently, there are 31 articles of which
ten are zoning related. There are also four citizens' petitions, some are duplicative.
Among the issues for Town Meeting are a scenic byway ordinance, an article
addressing the roles of the Finance Director and the Town Accountant, dog control,
late payment penalties, revolving funds that need to be in the bylaws, and the SPED
revolver. All issues must be reconciled by the end of February.
Senior also updated the committee on the Town Hall Restoration Committee. David
Drinan is the Chairman and Mary McGoldrick is Vice Chairman. The have retained
Daedalus as the consultant and an architect has yet to be retained. Senior hopes to
fund the project with Debt Exclusion Bonds.
Senior also reviewed the Town Budget. The closing of some tax deferrals is providing
an unexpected boost to receipts. The growing size and value of new homes is also
impacting New Growth. FY2018 will also see the opening of the Rte. 3A storage
facility.
The pension contribution will grow by 22% due to a reassessment from Norfolk County.
The process the county uses for determining the assessment is rather opaque. Senior
may seek to smooth this sharp jump by utilizing the Pension Reserve Account.
The Meals Tax is solid with new openings of the Perch and Simply Smiths restaurants
helping out. The Rooms Tax revenues are low and he is looking into the reasons for
the shortfall.
Senior is also working on improving the budget documents.
Quigley then reviewed the Police Department Budget. He is not seeking funds for the
Deputy Chief position this year. He prefers to operate with two lieutenants reporting
directly to him. This year he will move one of the sergeants up to lieutenant and create
a new sergeant position. As a result there will be 19 personnel including the Chief.
The radios are almost completely installed.
He will be asking Capital Budget for two new cars.
Chapman asked about the overtime issue which seems to be an intractable problem.
Chamillard mentioned that he had spent a great deal of time on the matter without
finding a solution.
The next meetings are 2/16, 3/2, 3/9 and 3/16.
At 8:30 PM Bodell moved adjournment, Chamillard seconded. The motion was
approved 8 - 0.
Respectfully submitted:
Paul Carlson