HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 07/24/2019 (2) Selectmen Minutes July 24, 2019
Town of Cohasset
91 Sohier Street
Willcutt Commons
Cohasset, MA
Selectmen Present: Kevin McCarthy
Paul Schubert
Diane Kennedy
Keri Thompson
Jack Creighton
Others Present: Christopher Senior,Town Manager
Miriam Johnson, Director of HR
Lauren Masiar, Director of Planning
Chairman McCarthy called the meeting to order at 6:13 p.m. Roll Call Vote;Jack Creighton-Present,
Keri Thompson-Present, Kevin McCarthy-Present, Paul Schubert-Present, Diane Kennedy-Present.
Mr. Senior stated the Board developed the FY20 Goals and Objectives at the 7/2/19 meeting. He has
been meeting with staff and others to get moving on the goals. Tonight, they will review each goal and
give an update of where are they with it.
Goal#1-Create a plan to achieve and exceed 10%+affordable housing on an ongoing and sustainable
basis consistent with the character of Cohasset. Director of Planning Lauren Masiar discussed some of
the objectives including the Housing Production Plan, Convening the Affordable Housing Trust, MAPC's
Living Little Project and applying to the Citizen's Housing& Planning Association Municipal Engagement
Initiative.
Goal #2-Present a final plan for the renovation and restoration of Town Hall to Town Meeting. Mr.
Senior advised the Board the Town Hall Building Committee has began meeting and is assessing
renovation potential of the Annex with the Selectmen's Goals in mind. Members have had tours of town
hall, reviewed existing studies and will analyze the completed space analysis study. They plan to visit
nearby town hall projects to assess best practices/processes. They will review the energy audit/Green
Energy options from UMass study. The Committee will recommend the next steps to the Selectmen
(renovation or reconstruction). They will collaborate on the selection with the Project Manager and
Design Professional. They will lead the proposed plan to Selectmen and Town Meeting and will review
funding opportunities with state officials. The Committee has a staff working group reviewing programs
and office space and making recommendations. They will develop a plan for the temporary location of
staff and assess best options for minimizing services to the community. They will assess records in storage
options, work with IT to accelerate electronic document management, review existing records and plan
for inclusion of all project costs in the 10-year plan.
Goal #3-Recognizing the public health crisis of addiction and substance abuse, the Town will take
concrete steps to create and support policies and practices that respond to these issues. Program
Director of Safe Harbor Nicole Garrity reviewed some of the things that the Cohasset Police Department
has been working on; partnering with South Shore Hospital to obtain Narcan, partnering with Cohasset
Board of Health to send letters and pamphlets to victims of overdose and arrange for home visits to offer
services, partnering with Safe Harbor to provide statistics and situational awareness for current and
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Selectmen Minutes July 24, 2019
upcoming trends. Ms. Garrity discussed the programs offered by Safe Harbor geared to 12-17-year olds,
parents and caregivers. She discussed conferences they have attended,training opportunities,workshops
and giveaways. They discussed plans they are currently working on for the next couple of years.
Goal#4-Address implementation of the Harbor Plan,the Open Space Plan and the Master Plan. Director
of Planning Lauren Masiar discussed how they will form a Master Plan Implementation Committee and
who it would include, how they Committee will prioritize the Master Plan goals, the process of the
approval of the Municipal Harbor Plan and how they will incorporate the Open Space and Recreation Plan.
Motion by Chairman McCarthy to adjourn, seconded by Selectman Thompson and the vote was
unanimous(5-0).
The meeting adjourned at 8:19 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kevin McCarthy, Chairman
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