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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - AC - 03/06/2017 Town of Cohasset Advisory Committee Minutes, March 16, 2016 PLACE: Basement Room, Town Hall ATTENDEES: Advisory Committee Also attending Nan Roth, Chair - Mary Gallagher, Finance Paul Carlson Director George Chamillard - William McGowan, Wayne - John Chapman Sawchuk, Sewer Commission Richard Fitzpatrick - Russ Bonetti, Richard Karoff, Leland Jenkins Suzi Wadsworth, Community Helene Lieb Preservation Committee - Helen Nothnagle, Housing Authority - Lori Gibbons, Harbormaster - Kathleen O'Malley, Melinda Evans, Historical Society 7:08 PM The meeting was called to order by Chairman Nan Roth The minutes for 3/9/2017 were reviewed. Jenkins moved to approve the minutes, Lieb seconded. The minutes were approved 4—0, Fitzpatrick abstained. Sewer Budget McGowan reviewed the Sewer Department's budget. There has been a 10%decline in flow as people have installed second water meters and low flow toilets and taken other measures to reduce water usage. Fees charged by the town of Hull are up substantially and the department is diverting some flow to our treatment plant. Operating costs (including chemicals and power) are rising 2.5%per year. After no increase in sewer charges for nine years,the commission is seeking an increase this year. The commission also wants to increase its capital stabilization fund. They will need to replace the two membranes in three to four years at$750,000 each. The sewer plant was built in the 1970's and many parts are breaking down. They try to fix before the problems get out of hand. Gallagher stated that retained earnings were $601,249. Page ll Jenkins asked about the life expectancy of membranes. The answer was ten years. Chapman asked about the amount of flow. McGowan said about 250,000 gallons per day compared to capacity of 450,000. He also said he would get more information for the committee. Roth asked about Article 21 regarding the Sewer Betterment Fund. McGowan said this is the return of a charge for a property that subsequently would not perk and cannot be developed. Jenkins asked about the commission's reserves. They are $114,000 for capital stabilization, $1,100,000 for betterments, and debt of$318,000. Lieb asked about sending less flow to Hull in the future. McGowan explained that they are close to the minimum flow allowed by the contract. Jenkins asked about the grinder pumps. The commission is replacing the older ones. Many of the older ones need service or replacement and the latter is often the best solution. McGowan said that he would bring more information for another meeting with the committee. Chapman asked about a rate study. McGowan said that rates in other towns vary widely. Chapman said he wants a more detailed study about our future costs. McGowan wants to have steady predictable increases. Chapman wants to see an analysis of the trade-offs. Sawchuk informed the committee that we have eleven pump stations that are nearing replacement. That will be about$250,000 each to replace. Community Preservation Committee Housing Nothnagle discussed the CPC's request for funds to build a small house to replace the deteriorating Trettis House. This will house four clients. The Cohasset Housing Authority is working with the state to build this small house on town owned land near the Fire Department. The state will allocate $775,000,but the town also has to put some money into the project. Thus, our housing authority is asking for a$100,000 grant. Roth asked whether we can place Cohasset residents in this house. Nothnagle said we have no control over the residents. They are assigned by the state. Jenkins asked who will maintain this house. Nothnagle said that the town will,but the state will reimburse us. Nothnagle also said that the existing Trettis house is not appropriate for elderly even if we could rehabilitate it. The proceeds from the sale of this property will go to the state. Chamillard asked whether this property can handle buildings for more than four clients. Nothnagle said that the property is small and cannot support another building. This will be a group home with a single kitchen. Page Roth asked about the balances in the CPC funds. Bonetti responded that there is $338,350 in the housing account. Expected by year end the unallocated account will be $2,125,000. Open space will be $213,465,Historical will be $253,050, and Administration of$29,156. Chamillard asked about the annual flow. Bonetti said$584,000. The state match is 20%. Fitzpatrick moved that our committee recommend approval of the$100,000,Jenkins seconded. The motion passed 7-0. Playgounds The next CPC request regards the town's four playgrounds. They are ADA compliant at the federal level, but not compliant under more rigorous state standards. We will face hefty fines if we do not upgrade. Wadsworth reviewed the playgrounds. The Osgood playground is old and does not currently meet state or federal standards. Also, some of the equipment was designed for older children. At the Deer Hill the main issue is the use of wood chips which are not appropriate for many disabled children. Osgood will cost$130,000, asking$100,000 from CPC with the balance from fund raising. Roth said that the Sohier Street playground is being reviewed by the town and we should not spend money on this one until that review is completed. Wadsworth said that an alternative to fixing it would be to close until the town decides what it wants to do. Roth stated that this is a town responsibility and perhaps it should come out of the town budget,not CPC. Lieb stated that we need to get this done before the school year begins. The approximate costs are: Sohier--$42,000 Beechwood—$48,000 Osgood—$100,000 Deer Hill-- $62,000 Replacing wood chips with rubberized surfaces is quite expensive. Milliken Field The tennis courts are deteriorating and will need to be replaced in two years. The issue is whether we want to spend to improve them now. The Milliken fence also needs replacement as it is in bad shape. CPC can cover this out of prior grants to Milliken Field. Page l3 Parker Avenue Boat Ramp Bonetti recused himself and left the room. Harbormaster Gibbons discussed the problems at the ramp. She has been patching it for the past few years to keep it usable. It is the only boat ramp into our harbor and can be important to public safety. State funds require parking spaces that do not have. We would have to provide sixteen spaces,while the Parker Ave. parking lot only has capacity for seven. Her cost estimates were based on the actual costs for a similar project in Scituate and estimates for a project in Plymouth Harbor. Roth asked about getting an engineering study done first. Gibbons said that that would delay the project until 2019 while the ramp is deteriorating. If we allocate the money now we could get it done in time for the 2018 season. Roth is reluctant to do this now without knowing what the engineering study will disclose. Chapman said this is a capital project and the Capital Budget Committee should be involved. Roth asked if the marine excise tax could be used. Gibbons said the fund is about$77,000 and state said that we will need about$50,000 for the study. Jenkins will only approve an engineering study at this time. Gallagher said with this request of$400,000 if the engineering study comes out about that figure we could not move ahead anyway. Carlson was concerned about the safety of the users if we drag this project out for two more years. Lieb was also concerned about the safety. Chapman said this is reactive to a problem. He would like to see the town show better planning since this problem has been developing over many years. Jenkins wants to have the Town Engineer involved. Chapman wants to have the Town Manger and the Town Engineer discuss this project with us. The committee deferred action on this issue. Maritime Museum Bonetti told the committee that another request for CPC funds was from the Cohasset Historical Society. O'Malley of the Historical Society discussed the need for repairs to the Maritime Museum. The building is not secure. Due to the presence of moisture and rodents,the floors, siding, doors,windows and sashes all require work. The society is asking for$128,000: Page l4 Floors $55,500 Siding 42,200 Is'floor door 15,500 Windows 8,400 2"d floor door 6,500 Jenkins asked about the availability of Historical Society funds. O'Malley replied that their funds were very limited. In response to a query from Roth, O'Malley said the society wants to do the work during the summer. They will have to move all the exhibits our and close the museum until the project is completed. Bonetti informed the committee that this building is unique as a former ships chandlery that has been converted into a museum. Jenkins asked about the number of visitors. O'Malley said about 350 people visit per year. Jenkins made a motion the recommend approval of this request, Carlson seconded. The motion was approved by a vote of 7-0. Milliken Field,part 2 The CPC is asking for$11,000 for the fencing. Chamillard moved that the committee recommend approval of the $11,000. Lieb seconded. The motion passed 7-0. The tennis court request is $7,000. Fitzpatrick noted that this is another capital project that should go through Capital Budget Committee before we make a recommendation. We should also hear from the Recreation Departments. Adjournment Roth informed the committee that for our meeting on March 23,we will be reviewing the School and SPED budgets. On March 30 we will review zoning, Capital Budget and citizen petitions. Other matters will be discussed on April 6. At 9:38 PM Jenkins made a motion that we adjourn,Fitzpatrick seconded. The vote was 7-0. Respectfully submitted: Paul Carlson Page l5