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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 07/23/2019 Selectmen Minutes July 23, 2019 Selectmen's Meeting Town Hall-Selectmen Office 41 Highland Avenue Cohasset, MA Selectmen Present: Kevin McCarthy Paul Schubert Diane Kennedy Keri Thompson Jack Creighton Others Present: Christopher Senior,Town Manager Chairman McCarthy called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. Roll Call Vote;Jack Creighton-Present, Keri Thompson-Present, Kevin McCarthy-Present, Paul Schubert-Present, Diane Kennedy-Present. Chairman McCarthy asked for a motion to go into Executive Session for Exemption#3-To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the public body and the Chairman so declares. The Chairman declared. The Board will discuss contract negotiations and a school matter. Motion moved by Selectman Schubert and seconded by Selectman Kennedy. Roll Call Vote;Jack Creighton-Aye, Keri Thompson-Aye, Kevin McCarthy-Aye, Paul Schubert-Aye, Diane Kennedy-Aye. The Board entered Executive Session at 6:05 p.m. The Board exited Executive Session at 7:01 p.m. Public Comment-Robin Lawrence-15 Beach Street-Chairman of the Board of Health stated they would like to start the process of changing the name of the Board of Health to the Public Board of Health. He has discussed it with the members of the BOH. They feel the name should reflect the mission of the board, which is service to the public. Chris Senior will follow up with town counsel and see what the process is. Leonora Jenkins-Vice Chairman of Water Commission stated she sent an email to the Board today. There are problems with the Ellms Meadow well field that has been going on for years. They have been trying to discourage people not to dump landscaping waste and yard materials. There have been numerous articles in the newspaper and notices in with the water bill reminding people to keep the well field clean of debris, pets and chemicals that are used on the landscape. Over the last few days they have noticed much more dumping. There is a dump truck parked there. They would like some advice on how to handle these issues. The Water Commission is meeting on Tuesday and would welcome comments and participation. Arlene Claiborne 31-Howe Road stated she has an issue with the water drainage on her road. She has a meeting scheduled with the Town Manager on Thursday. She would like to come to the Board again if she cannot resolve it. Chairman McCarthy invited her back if Mr. Senior cannot resolve. Board/Committee Appointments- Election Workers- Mr. Senior stated the appointment of election workers must be done between 7/15/19 and 8/15/19. The Clerk has provided the list of names. Motion by Selectman Kennedy to appoint Abigail Alves,Joseph Astino,James Carroll,Jody Doyle, Bernadette 1 Selectmen Minutes July 23, 2019 Faulkner, Carla Getto, F. Roy Fitzsimmons, Kelly Grech, Debra Krupczak, Rebekah Mattey,Virginia Najmi, Ruth Nedrow,Susan Ryan, Pearl Smith, Nancy Toland, Lauren Walsh and Kenneth Warner as Election Workers for a one-year term,seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Alternative Energy Committee-Chairman Steve Girardi and member Mary Jo Larson were present. They gave their recommendations to the Board. Motion by Selectman Kennedy to appoint Tanya Bodell, Steve Girardi and Pat Gooding to AEC for a three-year term, seconded by Selectman Creighton and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Motion by Selectman Kennedy to appoint Mary Jo Larson and Steve Wenner to AEC for a two-year term, seconded by Selectman Creighton and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Motion by Selectman Kennedy to appoint Bill Fusco and Mike Schmidt for a one-year term, seconded by Selectman Creighton and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Cable Advisory Committee-Nicole Graebner Roth was present and gave an overview of her experience on the committee. She discussed the committee's objectives. They are still working on the Verizon renewal contract. The Comcast contract is complete. Motion by Selectman Kennedy to appoint Nicole Graebner Roth and David Bigley to Cable Advisory Committee for a one-year term, seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Motion by Selectman Schubert to discuss a topic not reasonably anticipated by the Chairman 48 hours in advance,seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Chairman McCarthy stated they received an application for a one-day liquor license for an event that is this week. Fresh Feast is hosting a Fundraiser for the Scituate Animal Shelter and are looking for a one- day liquor license. They are also asking to waive the application fee. Motion by Selectman Creighton to approve a one-day liquor license for Fresh Feast located at 105 Ripley Road on 7/25/19 from 6-8 p.m., seconded by Selectman Thompson and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Motion by Selectman Kennedy to waive the$50 application fee, seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous (5-0). General Discussion of Town Counsel-Attorney Jim Lampke-Chairman McCarthy advised the Board the purpose of having Attorney Lampke here tonight is to educate the Board on the role of town counsel. Attorney Lampke disclosed that he is not seeking to be town counsel in Cohasset. He is happy to continue as special counsel if needed. Town counsel is a key part of the management team. They are responsible for drafting contracts, legal representation including litigation and meetings, drafting of documents, memos, policies, heavily involved in HR (resource for HR), licensing, policy development, property issues, use of property, zoning and land use. He reviewed the different models of town counsel. The Board had a lengthy discussion. Town Manager Evaluation-Continued-Chairman McCarthy stated at the last meeting he did not have his comments prepared for the town manager's evaluation. He read allowed his comments. Town Hall Update-Mr. Senior advised the Board that EPA and MA Department of Health & Safety notified the Town that the town hall does not need a total abatement of lead. They would not issue a certificate since it will never be fully lead free. This will decrease the cost of the project. They are working with a contractor and hoping to start painting within a couple of weeks and the goal is to have it completed by September. The Town Hall Building Committee will be meeting next Tuesday. 2 Selectmen Minutes July 23, 2019 Ratify Facilities Contract-Mr. Senior advised the Board the first contract for Facilities is complete. It is similar to DPW contract. Motion by Selectman Schubert to approve AFSCME Facilities contract through June 30, 2021 as presented, seconded by Selectman Thompson and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Town Manager Update-Mr. Senior stated the Town Hall Building Committee is meeting next Tuesday, the Affordable Housing Trust is meeting next week as well. Selectmen Comments-Selectman Creighton stated he echoes the issue with the water supply that was discussed earlier tonight. They need to take care of this and be sure that there is no dumping there. Selectman Thompson added that the public needs to be more aware of this issue. They should get a social media campaign to let people know it is not acceptable. Selectman Schubert stated the Governor signed the budget. The money coming to the town is a little bit higher. Selectman Thompson stated she participated in the official town hall tour and it was eye opening. There is a lot of work that must be done. Selectman Kennedy stated Lauren Goldberg from KP Law has a great open meeting law presentation that is 15 minutes long. She asked Chairman McCarthy to consider it for the board/committee training open house. Chairman McCarthy will look into doing in the training in September or October. Selectman Kennedy also stated they should discuss parking fines, all facilities stickers and enforcement. Chairman McCarthy advised the Board that the Harbor Plan has a lot of changes that they should review. He proposed discussing the plan at the meeting on 8/20/19. Selectman Kennedy would like to get an update on the adopted Master Plan and hear their takeaways so that she can better understand the Harbor Plan and how it will serve the Master Plan. Chairman McCarthy will put on the agenda for the 8/20/19 meeting. Minutes-Motion by Selectman Schubert to approve the minutes of 6/25/19,seconded by Selectman Thompson and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Motion by Selectman Schubert to approve the minutes of 7/2/19, seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Motion by Selectman Schubert to approve the minutes of 7/9/19,seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Motion by Selectman Schubert to adjourn,seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous(5-0). The meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kevin McCarthy, Chairman Documents Facilities contract Role of Town Counsel One day liquor license Committee applications Minutes 3