HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 03/02/2009 Minutes—Board of Selectmen March 2, 2009
Selectmen Present: Edwin G. Carr, Chairman
Frederick Koed
Ralph Dormitzer
Karen Quigley
Selectman Absent: Paul Carlson
Others Present: William R. Griffin,Town Manager
Jennifer Oram, Selectmen's Clerk
Chairman Edwin G. Carr called the meeting to order at 7:OOPM.
Town Manager's Report
Town Manager, William Griffin asked the Board to appoint the members of the new Affordable Housing
Trust. Selectman Ralph Dormitzer moved that Tom Callahan, Clark Brewer, Steve Lucitt, Mary
Grayken,Jim Hamilton and Margy Charles be appointed to the Affordable Housing Trust.
Selectwoman Karen Quigley seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (4-0).
Selectmen's Comment Period
Selectman Frederick Koed expressed the Board's condolences to the family and friends of Mr.James
Lagrotteria.
Chairman Carr commended the Department of Public Works on the great job they did with the clean up
of the day's storm. He also mentioned that former resident and Astronaut, Captain Stephen G. Bowen,
was in town this week and was presented with the proclamation made to him at the Special Town
Meeting.
Minutes—Selectman Dormitzer moved to approve the minutes of February 23, 2009 as written.
Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (4-0).
Police Department—Introduction of New Sergeant Christy Tarantino—Police Chief James Hussey
addressed the Board. Chief Hussey reviewed Sergeant Tarantino's background for the Board and the
community. After a pinning ceremony, photos were taken and both the audience and the Board
applauded and congratulated Sergeant Tarantino.
Recognition of Lieutenant William Quigley—Chief Hussey explained to the Board and the community
how Lieutenant Quigley's quick response and appropriate actions stopped an infant from choking.
Lieutenant Quigley thanked everyone for the recognition.
Signing of the Annual Town Meeting Warrant—Selectman Dormitzer moved to sign the warrant for
the Annual Town Meeting on March 28, 2009 and Town Election on April 4, 2009. Selectman Koed
seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (4-0).
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Minutes—Board of Selectmen March 2, 2009
William Fitzgerald—Economic Development Committee Candidate (EDC)— Mr. Fitzgerald reviewed his
background and why he is interested in becoming a member of the EDC. After a brief discussion,
Selectman Dormitzer moved to appoint Mr. William Fitzgerald to the EDC. Selectman Koed seconded
the motion and the vote was unanimous(4-0).
Clark Brewer—Planning Board Article Review
Article 12—Expense to update the Cohasset Zoning District Map— Mr. Brewer reviewed the costs and
the reasons it needed to be updated and reprinted. Selectman Dormitzer moved to recommend Article
12. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (4-0).
Article 13—Expense to update the Planning Board's subdivision rules and regulations. Mr. Brewer
explained that these rules have not been updated for twenty years. After a brief discussion, Selectman
Dormitzer moved to recommend Article 13. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was
unanimous (4-0).
Clark Brewer—Bike Rack Reimbursement Grant Program— Mr. Brewer explained that the MAPC has
funds set aside for Cohasset and if the Town purchases and installs bike racks in Town, they will be
reimbursed. Mr. Brewer reviewed the types of racks available and possible locations for the Board.
After a brief discussion, Chairman Carr moved that the Board was in support of implementing the
program. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(4-0).
Suburban Mobility Grant Program—Mr. Brewer and Mr.Timothy O' Brien of the EDC addressed the
Board. Mr. Brewer explained that they are working on the idea of a shuttle bus to and from the train
station. They are still working on funding, but wanted to get the Boards endorsement on the project as
they hope to submit a grant application by April 2nd. After further discussion it was agreed that with
some flexibility in the schedule, and if funding is available, this would be a great asset to the Town.
Annual Town Meeting Article Review
Article 14—Amendment to Advisory Committee Bylaw—Advisory Committee Chairman, Sam
Wakeman, reviewed the proposed amendment to the Bylaw. Selectman Dormitzer moved to
recommend Article 14. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(4-0).
Article 11—Water Department Fees and Charges—Water Commissioners Glenn Pratt and John
McNabb reviewed for the Board why they are seeking an increase. They stated that soon $500,000 of
debt service would be coming due. Mr. Pratt stated that the increase on an average bill would be about
$60 per quarter. Selectman Dormitzer stated that he is concerned about raising the rates again. He said
that after the last increase, he received numerous angry calls. Selectwoman Quigley stated that she was
not comfortable with asking people for money during these difficult financial times. Selectman
Dormitzer and Selectwoman Quigley asked if there was any way that it could be put off. Selectman
Koed stated that if the Town does not vote to support the increase, the Water Department's budget
could fall short and the Town would have to cover that shortfall. Selectman Koed moved to
recommend Article 11. Chairman Carr seconded the motion. The vote was 3-0,Selectwoman Quigley
abstained).
Article 4—Union Contracts&Other Salary Adiustments—Selectman Dormitzer moved to recommend
indefinitely postponing this article. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was
unanimous (4-0).
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Minutes—Board of Selectmen March 2, 2009
Article 8—Unpaid Bills from Previous Years—Selectman Dormitzer moved to recommend indefinitely
postponing this article. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (4-0).
Article 15—Expense for Cat Dam Notice of Intent— Mr. Griffin explained the need for this article.
Selectman Dormitzer stated that he felt filing the NOI for Cat Dam was grossly premature and asked if
they could move the study to after the sewer project is complete. Selectwoman Quigley stated that the
NOI was not an option, but is mandated by the Wetlands Protection Act and local Conservation
Regulations. Chairman Carr asked if the Conservation Commission could come in and discuss this at a
future meeting. Mr. Griffin will put them on the schedule.
Selectman Dormitzer moved to adjourn the meeting. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the
vote was unanimous (4-0).
Meeting adjourned at 8:42PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Edwin G. Carr
Chairman
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