Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - AC - 03/30/2017 Town of Cohasset Advisory Committee Minutes, March 30, 2017 PLACE: Selectmen's Office, Town Hall ATTENDEES: Advisory Committee Also attending Nan Roth, Chair - Chris Senior, Town Manager Tanya Bodell - Louise Demas, Superintendent Paul Carlson of Schools George Chamillard - John Tuffy, Business Manager John Chapman of School Department Richard Fitzpatrick - Jeanne Astino, Chairman, Leland Jenkins School Committee Linda Mooney - Katherine Duggan, Vice Chairman, School Committee - Ellen Mahar, Member, School Committee - Ted Carroll, Recreation Director 7:04 PM The meeting was called to order by Chairman Nan Roth The minutes for 3/16/2017 were reviewed. Jenkins moved to approve,Bodell seconded. The vote was 7- 0. Mooney abstained. Roth announced that we were having a joint meeting with the School Committee to review the schools budget. School Budget Demas stated that this year the focus was on the digital rollout. She also described the Universal Design for Leaning developed to utilize different teaching methods to accommodate the individual needs of the students. Some of the devices needed are provided by donations. Kinks will be worked out as the school year progresses. She emphasized that the assessments will be standard regardless of the teaching methods. Tuffy announced that this year's budget was within the Town Manager's Budget guidelines. Of the $578,381 increase in spending, $281,000 was for salaries. Not many retirements are expected in the next few years as we have a relatively young teaching force. Page ll Chamillard asked about the difference between total spending and the budget. Tuffy explained that the total figure includes grants and revolving funds. The biggest grants relate to SPED. We also receive a large sum for METCO, Tuffy referred to the$300,000 increase in SPED spending which comes from out of district tuition. Roth asked about federal grants. Tuffy stated that our FY2018 grants derive from the FY2017 federal budget and are established. Any changes would affect our FY2019 receipts. Demas pointed out that our enrollment has increased from 1421 in FY2008 to 1596 for FY2017, a 1.3% annual increase. Chamillard asked about the salary portion of total spending. Tuffy responded that salaries are 82%. Fitzpatrick asked about the new technology person. Demas stated that this person is in the school budget to help IT support. The School Department now has 1600 devices in use. Roth asked about the differing devices used by students. Demas responded that when they sign into the portal,they all see the same screens regardless of the device used. Fitzpatrick asked why some IT expenses are in the school budget while others are in the shared IT budget. Demas said that this person represents a help desk just for the schools and it is an entry level position. Chapman asked about virtual classes for courses with little demand. Demas stated that they are available for juniors and seniors. She specifically mentioned Latin,biometrics,and AP psychology. Some students are also taking individual online courses. Jenkins asked if our students can take classes at UMASS Boston. Demas responded that UMASS's schedules conflict with ours so such classes are impractical. Warrant Article 21 regarding SPED Stabilization Fund Roth asked how the new SPED fund will differ from the prior one. Astino responded that article removes the old fund and replaces with a new one that conforms to recent legislation regarding stabilization funds. The ceiling was $500,000. After passage of this warrant article the ceiling will be tied to the foundation budget. Jenkins asked about the custody of the stabilization fund. Astino stated that this fund and all other funds are in the custody of the town Finance Director. Bodell moved that we approve the School Budget. Chamillard seconded. The motion was approved 8-0. Mooney moved the recommend approval of Article 21. Bodell seconded. The motion was approved 8-0. The Playgound portion of the CPC article Demas stated that we have to make all playgrounds handicap accessible. The new surface for Deer Hill will be $61,000. The Osgood project will be larger,but there is a substantial fund raising effort Page l2 underway. CPC has authorized$100,000 for Osgood and $61,000 for Deer Hill. The teachers also want an outdoor classroom. Carroll said the Recreation Department is also asking funds for the Sohier and Beech-wood playgrounds. Mooney asked about the penalties. Demas said they were $1000 per day. The Architectural Commission will give us time as long as we are moving ahead. The new surfaces must be virgin rubber. Jenkins asked about the life expectancy of the surfaces. Demas said 15—20 years. Jenkins asked Senior if we are seeking one contract for all the playgrounds. Senior confirmed that to the extent practical,he would try to get one contact. Roth asked if the surfaces became hot like the turf field. Demas said they would get very hot and the children would have to wear shoes at all times. They are also working on having some shaded areas. Chapman asked about any planning for the Sohier playground. Fitzpatrick said we may want to move the playground. Senior said the library has some plans. Also the site behind the library is being considered for a possible new town hall. The site will not be chosen until the fall. Carroll stated that the Sohier playground will cost$61,000 and Beechwood will be $31,000. Roth said this amounts to $250,000. Chamillard is opposed to doing Sohier playground now since we may have other uses for that space. Also,if all municipalities in the state are facing the same problem,there may be legislation that may change the requirements. Demas said that we need to fix all the playgrounds so that all children can use them. Carroll said that the plan will make Sohier playground partially accessible. Bodell asked if we are one of the first districts to face this problem. Demas said we are. Chamillard said that waiting may lead to better solutions. Moody moved that we recommend approval of the article. Bodell seconded and motion was approved 6- 2. Boat Ramp Roth informed us that the new request was $50,000 for an engineering study. Senior stated that we may get state funding for the balance. Chapman moved that we recommend approval of this article, Fitzpatrick seconded. The motion passed 8- 0. Article 4 Operating Budget Roth stated that we have already voted to approve IT,Fire,Library and Police. Page l3 Bodell moved that we recommend approval of Article 4, Chamillard seconded. The motion passed 9-0. Article 3 Sewer Rate Increase Senior stated that the capital portion of the rates is under the control of the Sewer Commission. The town must approve rates for flow. Chapman was concerned since we have not seen a rate study with future projections. Senior stated that the commission's goal is to raise enough money through this article to pay cash for the replacement membranes. The cost will be$1.4 million in three years. They have a 10-15 year useful life. Carlson said that we should bond the membranes. The bond interest and principal expenses will be paid as the membranes are being used. Chamillard asked that we invite Bill McGowan of the Sewer Commission back before us to address our concerns including a rate study or supporting analysis and a phase in or bonding of the cost. Article 5—Unpaid bills from prior years Mooney moved that we recommend approval,Jenkins seconded. The motion passed 8-0. Article 6 Supplemental Appropriations for 2017 Carlson moved that we recommend approval, Mooney seconded. The motion passed 8-0. Article 7 Stabilization and other Special Funds Carlson moved that we recommend approval,Bodell seconded. The motion passed 8-0. Article 9 General Bylaw—Departmental Revolving Funds Chapman moved that we recommend approval,Fitzpatrick seconded. The motion passed 8-0. Article I I Allocation of Funds for One Time Cost Chamillard moved that we recommend approval,Fitzpatrick seconded. The motion passed 8-0. Article 16 Denial of Licenses and Permits Mooney moved that we recommend approval, Chapman seconded. The motion passed 8-0. Article 17 Temporary Moratorium on Marijuana Establishments Bodell moved that we recommend approval, Chamillard seconded. The motion passed 7-0. Article 18 Amendments to Cohasset General Bylaws Carlson moved that we recommend approval,Jenkins seconded. The motion passed 7-0. Page Article 19 Sewer Commission—Betterment Fund Mooney moved that we recommend approval, Chapman seconded. The motion passed 7-0. Article 21—Amend Town Bylaws Regarding Rights of Way Does not give BOS any new powers,but makes the language more clear. Mooney disagreed in that it does empower the Board of Selectmen to make changes on private property. We decided to review this with Town Counsel. Articles 29 to 32 All indefinitely postponed,withdrawn. Mooney moved that we approve indefinitely postpone these items, Carlson seconded. The motion passed 8-0. Roth said that since we have numerous issues yet to discuss,we should plan on a very long meeting on April 6. After a general discussion,we agreed to meet at 6:00. At 9:57 PM Chamillard made a motion that we adjourn, Jenkins seconded. The vote was 8-0. Respectfully submitted: Paul Carlson Page l5