HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - AC - 03/22/2018 Town of Cohasset
Advisory Committee
Minutes, March 22, 2018
Place: Wilcutt Commons
Attendees:
John Chapman Richard Fitzpatrick
Nan Roth Helene Lieb
Michael Dick Tanya Bodell
Leland Jenkins Ralph Tulio
6:30 p.m.—Meeting was called to order.
John C. recognized Mary McGoldrick of the Town Hall Building Committee(THBC). Mary M.brought the committee
up to date since the last update. She presented the committee with the schematic design of the proposed town hall and
administration building. The latest price tag is at$12M. She anticipates the funding breakdown is as follows: $8M
bonded; $3M from CPC; and$1 M from Capital Budget.
• Windows on the historic building will not be replaced.
• Next step is to get bids hopefully before the 04/05/18 meeting or before Town Meeting. She will update the
committee when numbers become available.
• Mary mentioned about acquiring design and engineering will cost around$200K but may not be in time for town
elections.
• There were discussions on the resequencing of the articles relating to the renovation project at town meeting so that
the voting of articles will be succession. The moderator does not have to follow the article numbers in ascending
order. As long as he is made aware what the sequence should be,he can call the articles to the floor for voting
accordingly.
• Mike D. requested that there should be a contingency plan to repair town hall should the related articles be voted
down.
• Ralph T. asked about the status of the grants.
o MA Preservation available grant amount is immaterial and therefore will not be pursued.
o MA Cultural application is earmarked for the summer for filing. THBC will be requesting$4M but thinks the
award will be far less since LY grant award was $800K.
o South Shore Playhouse will be sometime in May-$100K award potential.
o CPC,which will be included in one of the articles at town meeting. THCB applied for$3M.
• There were discussions on funding for maintenance after the renovation. It will be brought up with town manager
during THBC's meeting tomorrow.
6:55 p.m.—John C.recognized Robert Silvia, Cohasset Fire Chief regarding the fire ladder truck. Robert is requesting
advisory approval to immediately fund the unexpected repair of the ladder truck amounting to $44K. This amount is
included in the list of capital budget request under article 8 to be voted at town meeting. This request will transfer funds
from the reserve fund for immediate use. After approval of article 8,the funds will be transferred back to the reserve fund
accordingly.
Lee J.motioned for approval,Rich F. second. Approved 6-0; 2 members were not present to vote.
7:05 p.m.—The Committee temporarily adjourned to join the Marijuana discussion next door.
8:40 p.m.—Committee meeting re-convened. John C.recognized Clark Brewer to discuss article 21 —Zoning Bylaw
Amendment concerning the large house plan review. This article is to balance out the rights of individuals (who own
homes over 3,500 square feet)with others in the neighborhood showing concerns on future builds,adds or renovation to
Advisory Committee Minutes—March 22,2018 Pagel of 2
the residential property. The intent is to review any concerns, condition if necessary. It is not the intent to govern the
issuance of the permit by the building inspector. The board will advocate the concerns of the neighbors and come up with
a compromise so that it will be mutually acceptable to both parties. This change will allow the board to make changes or
modifications.
• It was unclear whether this amendment will prevent the issuance of the building permit should compromise is not
accepted.
• Helene L.mentioned that the current zoning does not have enough"bite"to support the building commission's
motions and that the builders went ahead on the build despite of the concerns anyway. In her opinion,the
proposed language seemed unclear but definitely much better than the previous year's amendments.
• Clark will go back to the planning zone and board of appeals to see if the wordings can be improved however,he
did mention that the Planning Board already voted 4-0 in favor of the proposed amendment.
Tanya B. motioned to approve, Helene L. second. The committee voted to approve 8-0.
9:10 p.m.—John recognized Lenora Jenkins,Water Commissioner,to the floor for the Water Commission Budget
presentation concerning the proposed water tank maintenance,which is one of the items under article 8—Capital
Improvements Budget.
The maintenance cost of the tank is$400K. CB proposed the painting of the tanks should be conducted every 7 years but
the tank in currently in need of the maintenance now. Leonora L. mentioned that there is a$41 OK retained earnings from
2017 that can cover this cost but will have to be voted at town meeting.
• System maintenance&Extraordinary line items in the budget are reduced$200K to be transferred to a different
line to restate retained earnings at fiscal year end and therefore can be re-purposed the next year.
• Leonora feels she can work with this budget.
The Committee was willing to vote in favor but will have defer since the vote will have to encompass all of article 8.
Vote postponed.
9:35 p.m.—Discussion on article 3 —Operating budget.
The committee had a brief discussion highlighting OPEB and how it will affect the budget next year. There will be a
meeting on 4/5/18 on this topic. Discussions followed on the manner funds are appropriated by the BOS &the town
manager regarding OPEB and health insurance cost. There was a suggestion to break the costs down by department.
9:58 p.m.—Motion to Adjourn. Approved.
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