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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 09/24/2019 Selectmen's Minutes September 24, 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 6:30 p.m. Roll Call Vote: Diane Kennedy-Present, Paul Schubert-Present, Kevin McCarthy-Present, Keri Thompson-Present,Jack Creighton-Present. Pledge-Recited. Public Comment-None. Introduction of New Staff-Mr. Senior introduced the following new staff members to the Board;Julie Hall-Cohasset Police Officer, Meghan Damiano-Library Youth Services Assistant, Nick Cotoulas-Library Circulation and Sonya Rice-Payroll & Benefits. They each gave a quick overview of their background. The Board welcomed them. Investment Update June 30, 2019-Treasurer/Collector Paula Linhares reviewed the report with the Board. All investments for the quarter are all positive. The OPEB funds are running a little above their respective benchmarks for the quarter and long term. She reviewed the individual funds. Overall everything is going well.The Board had a brief discussion. Taxation Aid Committee-Update-Treasurer/Collector Paula Linhares reminded the Board the Town adopted the MGL that allows taxpayers to make a voluntary donation on their tax bills each year for "the purpose of defraying the real estate taxes of elderly and disabled persons of low income". This is a one-time real estate tax assistance. The Committee met a couple of times. They discussed how to distribute money through taxes for elderly and disabled. They have published the information to apply for assistance in the Elder Affairs Vista,The Cohasset Mariner and the Town website. Amendment to the Home Rule Petition for Prudent Investor-Mr. Senior advised the Board they have been working with Senator O'Connor's office to tweak some of the language. They are looking to have more precise language. The bill has passed the second read in the Senate. They are holding the third read for this amendment. He will bring information back to the Board on October V. Licenses/Permits/Events-One day Liquor License-South Shore Art Center-Motion by Selectman Creighton to approve a one-day liquor license for the South Shore Art Center for Funnybones on October 18,2019 from 7:30-9:30 p.m.,seconded by Selectman Thompson and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Board/Committees Appointments-Open Space& Recreation-Recreation Representative-Motion by Selectman Kennedy to appoint Abigail Alves to Open Space and Recreation Commission as the 1 Selectmen's Minutes September 24, 2019 Recreation Commission Representative, seconded by Selectman Thompson and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Cohasset Cultural Council-Motion by Selectman Schubert to appoint Catherine Harvey and Tracey Welsh to the Cohasset Cultural Council for a three-year term, seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Elder Affairs-Motion by Selectman Creighton to appoint Jim Murphy to the Elder Affairs Board as an Associate Member for a three-year term,seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous (5-0). STM Warrant Article Review and Vote-Mr. Senior and Finance Director Don Piatt reviewed the Warrant Articles with the Board. Motion by Selectman Schubert to place Article#1 Amendments to the Fiscal 2020 Budget on the Warrant for Special Town Meeting on November 4, 2019, seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Motion by Selectman Schubert to recommend Article#1 Amendments to the Fiscal 2020 Budget to Special Town Meeting on November 4,2019, seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Motion by Selectman Thompson to place Article#2 Stabilization Funds on the Warrant for Special Town Meeting on November 4,2019,seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Motion by Selectman Schubert to recommend Article#2 Stabilization Funds to Special Town Meeting on November 4, 2019, seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Motion by Selectman Thompson to place Article#3 Allocation of Funds for One-Time Costs on the Warrant for Special Town Meeting on November 4, 2019, seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Motion by Selectman Kennedy to recommend Article#3 Allocation of Funds for One-Time Costs to Special Town Meeting on November 4,2019, seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Article#4-Capital Improvement Projects-Mr. Senior advised the Board the conversation has started about the proposed projects. Capital Budget and Advisory Committee are meeting next Tuesday before the Selectmen's meeting.The Board had a brief discussion. Motion by Selectman Thompson to place Article#4 Capital Improvement Projects on the Warrant for Special Town Meeting on November 4, 2019, seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Harbor Plan Information Session-Director of Planning Lauren Lind and Consultant Emily Innes discussed what a municipal harbor plan is, who oversees the process, what the planning process is under 301 CMR 23.00,the process for the Notice to Proceed, the regulatory requirements, public participation to date and next steps. Selectman Creighton asked who recommended the modifications/substitutions and how they can have substitutions when they don't have a plan. He has concern that the consultant has been working with the developer. He stated that the issue is there will be permanent changes in the plan, and they don't even know what the project is. Chairman McCarthy asked Ms. Innes to bring an example of what might occur for development in the harbor to the public meeting on October 9t" so that 2 Selectmen's Minutes September 24, 2019 they can see this visually. The Board needs to protect the future of the town. Mr. Senior stated Ms. Innes can probably give ideas of what the rules allow but she cannot bring an actual example. Ms. Innes agreed and stated she has been hired by the town not the developer. Selectman Schubert stated he would like to know what is not permitted there. Chairman McCarthy asked if anyone present would like to comment. Chairman of Planning Board Clark Brewer stated Ms. Innes has done a great job at demystifying this. The Board has asked great questions. Asking for a final design is presumptive. Any proposal would have to go through the appropriate boards for approval of any concept. Selectman Thompson stated there is public fear of giant condos with super height in the harbor. She is not opposed to condos but, would like an idea of what a proposal would look like. Selectman Kennedy stated showing examples of what can and cannot be done would be up to a developer to bring to the appropriate boards/committees when they have a plan. The Board recessed at 8:51 p.m. The Board reconvened at 9:00 p.m. Red Lion Inn,Atlantica, Olde Salt House status and update and Harbor Plan-George McGoldrick-107 Border Street advised the Board he has hired an attorney that specializes in Chapter 91. The area of Chapter 91 is less than 5000 square feet. They have agreed to the 25-foot harbor walk for public access which is more that Chapter 91 requires. All restaurants in the area have been up and running and they are trying to make it work. They hope that the Chapter 91 does not hold up the approval of the Harbor Plan. They do not have the luxury of a lot of time. The Harbor Plan gives the Town flexibility. He will bring some plans to the meeting on October 9th. He also said that height was mentioned tonight, and he clarified that they are not allowed to build over 35 feet high. It is not allowed in the planning process. He asked that the Town engage counsel that is familiar with Chapter 91. Atlantica and the Olde Salt House had a good summer. The Red Lion Inn is back with a new menu and pricing. They are trying their best to see that at least one of the restaurants are open every day of the week to serve the public. They are going before the Conservation Commission on October 17th to present a plan to rebuild the deck and seawall in place. Selectman Thompson asked if Mr. McGoldrick would bring an FAQ sheet to the meeting on October 9th to help the public understand. Status of 250th Anniversary committee-Joy Pratt-Schiffmann and Glenn Pratt were present to update the Board. They have 35 subcommittees to date. The 250th celebration will kick off on New Year's Day on the Cohasset Common. There are events scheduled throughout the year. They have partnered with the schools. In November merchandise will start rolling out in stores and online. The budget is still $310,000. They have held Fundraisers and have raised about$20,000. They have a team working on sponsorship. Ms. Pratt-Schiffmann asked if the 250th logo can be put on the new facilities stickers. They also asked if they could hang a banner on town hall. Mr. Senior agreed to have a banner on town hall. He will talk to DPW and Public Safety about having the logo stenciled. He asked that the committee give details to him to discuss with the DPW. Selectman Kennedy asked for the budget detail and where it is at this point. Ms. Pratt-Schiffmann agreed to get the budget information to the Board and asked if they could have the committee deadline extended until 12/31/20. Motion by Selectman Kennedy to allow a 250th banner on town hall,seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous (5-0). FY21 Budget Message-Discussion and Vote-The Board reviewed the proposed document. Motion by Selectman Kennedy to approve the FY21 Budget Message as amended,seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous(5-0). 3 Selectmen's Minutes September 24, 2019 Town Hall Project-Mr. Senior advised the Board the replacement project of rotted areas on the building are nearly done. The Town Hall Spruce Up Committee has been meeting and will be cleaning up and painting some areas inside of town hall. They recently hired an outside cleaning company to do heavy cleaning on a regular basis. Referral of Proposed Cohasset Harbor Zoning Amendment-Mr. Senior advised the Board there was an error with the posting by the Planning Board of the Cohasset Harbor Zoning Amendment Article. It has been re-advertised and the Town has received an appeal. The Attorney General's office has asked for an additional 30 days to review. In the meantime,the plan is to include the amendment in the Warrant for Special Town Meeting,just in case. The Board needs to vote to refer the article to the Planning Board for a public hearing. Motion by Selectman Schubert to refer the Proposed Cohasset Harbor Zoning Amendment to the Planning Board for a public hearing,seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Town Manager's Update-Green Communities Grant-Update-Mr. Senior advised the Board won a Green Communities Grant for$193,122. The money will be used as follows; $87,236 for Middle/High School Boiler and water heater, $39,711 for Water Treatment Plant LED Lighting, $20,100 for Wastewater Treatment Plant Heaters, $24,335 for Wastewater Treatment Plant LED Lighting, $11,740 for Police & Fire Station Air Sealing and $10,000 for Town Administrative costs. Selectmen Comments-Selectman Kennedy stated CPC is meeting on Monday and there may be an article for funding the Affordable Housing Trust. The Affordable Housing Steering Committee is meeting on 10/7/19 at Willcutt Commons and will reveal the Housing Production Plan. Selectman Schubert stated the Governor has banned the sale of all vaping products for 4 months. There is a big problem with vaping that should be more publicized. He has seen a big increase at the hospital. Chairman McCarthy agreed and will put on a future agenda. Selectman Thompson stated she was recently involved with Representative Kearney from Scituate on a fact-finding shark activity mission in Nova Scotia. Selectman Creighton advised the Board the Second Congregation Church will be presenting Guiding Good Choices on Thursday at 9:30 a.m. Also,Thursday at 6 p.m. there will be a Narcan demonstration and guest speaker Ron Menard will discuss his book Benediction. Minutes-Motion by Selectman Kennedy to approve the minutes of 9/10/19,seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Motion by Selectman Kennedy to adjourn, seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous(5-0). The meeting adjourned at 10:28 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kevin McCarthy, Chairman Documents Investment Update 6/30/19 Taxation Aid Committee Info One day liquor License Application Committee Applications STM Draft Warrant 4 Selectmen's Minutes September 24, 2019 Harbor Plan Info FY21 Budget Message Minutes 9/10/19 5