HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 08/20/2019 Selectmen Minutes August 20, 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 7:25 p.m.
Public Comment-None.
Licenses/Events/Permits-St. Stephens Annual Picnic-Motion by Selectman Schubert to approve the
event application for St. Stephens Annual Picnic on 9/22/19, seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the
vote was unanimous(5-0).
One day Liquor License-Interfaith Social Services/Holly Hill Farm-Motion by Selectman Schubert to
approve a one-day liquor license for Interfaith Social Services on 9/6/19 from 6-10 p.m., seconded by
Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous(5-0).
One day Liquor License-Friends of Holly Hill Farm-Motion by Selectman Schubert to approve a one-day
liquor license for the Friends of Holly Hill Farm on 9/13/19 from 6-9 p.m., seconded by Selectman
Thompson and the vote was unanimous (5-0).
Entertainment License-Cohasset Chamber of Commerce-Motion by Selectman Schubert to approve a
one-day entertainment license for the Cohasset Chamber of Commerce on 8/24/19 from 2-6 p.m.,
seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous (5-0).
Change of Manager-Cohasset Harbor Inn-Ted Lubitz of Cohasset Hospitalities and proposed applicant
Guillaume Issaverdens were present. Mr. Issaverdens gave an overview of his background. Selectman
Schubert asked if Mr. Issaverdens was familiar with the Cohasset Liquor Regulations. Mr. Issaverdens
stated he was and has worked at the Cohasset Harbor since they took over. The Board had a brief
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discussion. Motion by Selectman Kennedy to approve the change of manager to Guillaume
Issaverdens, seconded by Selectman Thompson and the vote was unanimous(5-0).
Cohasset Common Revitalization Project-Update & Discussion-Field Engineer Jason Federico stated the
Town of Cohasset received $254,744 as part of the MassDOT Complete Streets Funding. Mr. Federico
reviewed the proposed options which includes parallel parking on one or both sides and making Robert
E.Jason and William B. Long Roads one-way. There will be vertical granite curbing. The Board had a
brief discussion. Motion by Selectman Creighton to accept the proposed parallel parking along one
side; making William B. Long Road a one-way with an additional drop-off lane and making Robert E.
Jason Road one-way from North Main Street to Highland Avenue consistent with the traffic pattern on
that includes 32 spaces,seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous (5-0).
Board/Committee Appointments-South Shore Recycling-Motion by Selectman Kennedy to appoint
Merle Brown to South Shore Recycling Cooperative Committee for a three-year term, seconded by
Selectman Thompson and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Motion by Selectman Kennedy to appoint
Mary Snow to the South Shore Recycling Cooperative Committee for a one-year term, seconded by
Selectman Schubert and the vote unanimous (5-0).
Cable Advisory Committee/Board of Directors-Cohasset 143TV-Applicants John-Michael Mascia and
Corey Evans gave an overview of their experience and what they could add to the Committee.
Cable Advisory Committee-Motion by Selectman Kennedy to appoint Corey Evans to Cable Advisory
Committee for a one-year term,seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous(5-0).
Motion by Selectman Kennedy to appoint John-Michael Mascia to Cable Advisory Committee for a
one-year term, seconded by Selectman Thompson and the vote was unanimous (5-0).
Board of Directors-Motion by Selectman Kennedy to appoint Corey Evans,John-Michael Mascia,
Nicole Roth and David Bigley to the Board of Directors for Cohasset 143TV for a one-year term,
seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous(5-0).
Harbor Committee-Motion by Selectman Kennedy to appoint Jeffrey Hartwell to the Harbor
Committee as the Representative from the Recreation Commission for one-year to fill an unexpired
term,seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous(5-0).
Withdrawal of Liquor License-Church Mouse-Brian McLaughlin advised the Board he is officially
requesting to withdraw his application for a Wine and Malt license for 12 Parking Way, Cohasset without
prejudice.
Motion by Selectman Schubert to reconsider the vote on 6/25/19 approving an alcohol license for
Church Mouse,for purposes of allowing the application to be withdrawn without prejudice as
requested by the applicant, seconded by Selectman Creighton and the vote was unanimous(5-0).
Motion by Selectman Schubert to approve the withdrawal without prejudice of the application of
Church Mouse for Wine and Malt and Common Victualler, seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the
vote is unanimous (5-0).
Mr. McLaughlin advised the Board he would like to have them consider his idea of moving the Church
Mouse concept to another location. He would like to relocate the idea to 15 Depot Court (former Pink
Tulip location). It would be a smaller venue with the same idea of a place for folks to gather and have
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wine, a snack, mingle and socialize. He would request 30 one-day liquor licenses from September 261h
through November 28th on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Selectman Kennedy stated the one-day
licenses have regulations and one is that all alcohol has to be removed at the end of the one-day event
and store the alcohol offsite. They may want to consider a special liquor license. The Board had a brief
discussion. Chairman McCarthy recommended that Mr. McLaughlin contact Chris Senior to work
through the process and bring something forward to the Board.
Process of the Harbor Plan-Lauren Masiar-Director of Planning reviewed the time line with the Board.
Chairman McCarthy reminded the Board to review the revised plan and send their comments back to
Ms. Masiar. Chairman McCarthy asked Ms. Masiar to forward the plan to Attorney Paul DeRensis for his
review. He is the town's expert on Chapter 91 changes and will provide the Board information of what
the changes represent. They do not want to rush this plan along.
Master Plan Presentation-Clark Brewer, Patrick Kennedy,Amy Glasmeier and Charlie Higginson were
present. Mr. Brewer stated the purpose of coming here tonight is to publicly introduce the Master Plan
to the community. It is on the town website. Lauren Masiar has developed a Master Plan
Implementation Charter. The Master Plan Committee has worked on the plan for the past four years.
Mr. Brewer reviewed the Community Vision, Key Findings, and the Master Plan Goals. The goal is to
make sure the Master Plan is implemented and used to move the town forward and grow.
Master Plan Implementation/Committee Charge-Ms. Masiar reviewed the proposed charge. The Board
had a brief discussion. Chairman McCarthy recommended having the Town Planner as the Chairman of
the Committee (ex-officio). Motion by Chairman McCarthy that the Master Plan Implementation
Committee be constructed such that 7 citizens as the group report to the Town Planner who acts as
executive director,seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous (5-0).
Patrick Kennedy recommended against having one-year terms and having longer terms. Clark Brewer
stated the representative from different boards are recommended yearly. He suggested the citizen-at-
large members terms could be longer. The Board had a brief discussion and agreed to one-year terms
for representatives of boards and three-year terms for citizens-at-large. Motion by Selectman Kennedy
to approve the Cohasset Master Plan Implementation Charge as amended tonight,seconded by
Selectman Creighton and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Lauren Masiar will update the charge with
edits made tonight and forward back to the Board.
Role& Function of Town Counsel-Attorney Paul DeRensis advised the Board that Cohasset has been
using the current model of counsel for many years and it has worked well. Brooks & DeRensis is like
having a primary care physician and a hospital of specialists. The model of one size fits all doesn't work.
Brooks & DeRensis have the specialties to take care of this municipality. Attorney John Ruggiere, Peter
Berry, Lenny Kopelman and Kim Saillant were introduced and gave an overview of their background.
The Board had a brief discussion.
Set date of Special Town Meeting and Open Warrant-Mr. Senior advised the Board he is recommending
the Town hold Special Town Meeting on Monday, November 4, 2019. He will have the planning
calendar sent out tomorrow along with the Notice of Intent forms. Citizens Petitions can be submitted
for 7 days. The last day to file is Tuesday,August 27, 2019 by the end of the day.
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Motion by Selectman Schubert to set the date for Special Town Meeting for Monday, November 4,
2019 at 7 p.m., seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Motion by
Selectman Thompson to open the warrant for Special Town Meeting on 11/4/19,seconded by
Selectman Creighton and the vote was unanimous (5-0).
Town Manager Update-Update on Town Hall Project-Mr. Senior advised the Board the painting of town
hall is underway. They are about 40% complete. The building has been multiple colors over the years.
There is extensive water damage to the building in some areas that are impossible to paint. They will
have a site meeting with the contractor tomorrow to understand the scope of work and the cost. He
will update the Board. There was a reverse 911 call tonight to residents advising of striping on North
Main Street and Border Street. There was additional work done at the high school for better traffic
flow. There will be some striping there as well. Mr. Senior advised the Board he has been notified that
there will be a ribbon cutting event for the Cunningham Bridge on September 12, 2019. He will update
the Board as the details come in.
Selectmen Update-Selectman Kennedy asked Chairman McCarthy to put a discussion on speed limits
back on an upcoming agenda. Mr. Senior stated the conversation has been started with the Chief and
Public Works. He hopes to bring a proposal to the Board at a meeting in September. Selectman
Schubert asked if they could also talk about increasing parking at the triangle at Black Rock Beach. If
they removed the rocks there, it would allow for 4 more spots. Selectman Kennedy added they should
talk about taking away the trash barrel as well and putting up a sign to take trash home. Selectman
Creighton stated there are many kids rowing, sailing and kayaking in the harbor which is great however,
the larger power boats should take extra caution. Chairman McCarthy stated Troika recently appointed
Fran Collins, Megan Wheeler and Mary McGoldrick to Advisory Committee and Sam Wakeman, Brian
Host and Michael Fechter were appointed to Capital Budget.
Motion by Selectman Schubert to adjourn, seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was
unanimous (5-0).
The meeting adjourned at 10:31 p.m.
Respectively submitted,
Kevin McCarthy, Chairman
Documents
Event Application-St. Stephens
One Day Liquor-Interfaith Social Services
One Day Liquor-Friends of Holly Hill
Entertainment License-Chamber of Commerce
Change of Manager-Cohasset Harbor Inn
Cohasset Common Reno-Proposal
Committee Applications
Process of Harbor Plan
Master Plan Implementation Charge
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