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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 03/23/2009 Minutes—Board of Selectmen March 23, 2009 Selectmen Present: Edwin G. Carr, Chairman Paul Carlson Frederick Koed Ralph Dormitzer Karen Quigley Others Present: William R. Griffin,Town Manager Jennifer Oram, Recording Secretary Chairman Edwin G. Carr called the meeting to order at 7:0013M. Town Manager's Report Town Manager, William Griffin, asked the Board to vote to sign and approve a proclamation naming March Social Worker's Month and commending Patricia LaCroix, a social worker at Golden Living in Cohasset, for all of her hard work. Selectman Paul Carlson moved to sign and approve the proclamation. Selectman Frederick Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Public Comment Period—Mindy Evan of 36 Sohier Street asked to submit to the Board two petitions signed by residents asking the Board to "Save Cohasset Harbor" (petitions on file at the office of the Board of Selectmen). Chairman Carr stated that he has received the petition and that it will be on file in the Board of Selectmen's office. Licenses& Permits—Selectman Ralph Dormitzer moved to approve a one-day all alcohol license to the Cohasset Local Education Foundation for a fundraising event to be held on Saturday, May 30, 2009 from 6-11PM. The event will take place at the South Shore Music Circus. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Selectman Carlson moved to approve a one-day beer and wine license for the Our World Discovery Museum for a preview party to be held on Friday,April 3, 2009. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Bond Signing—Selectwoman Karen Quigley moved to approve and execute the permanent financing of a bond for$2,070,000. Selectman Carlson seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Disposition of Surplus Property— Mr. Griffin explained to the Board that he has been approached by the Harbormaster, Lorri Gibbons, as well as the Cohasset Sailing Club expressing interest in a surplus boat that is presently owned by the Town. Mr. Griffin explained that Town Counsel has advised that the Board can adopt a policy that would allow the Town Manager do dispose of surplus property valued under$S,000 to a local non-profit organization. If the Board should adopt the policy, Mr. Griffin suggests the Town sell the boat to the Cohasset Sailing Club for the book value $1,200. Selectwoman Quigley moved to adopt the policy. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (5-0). ZBA Chairman Woody Chittick—Avalon Project—Chairman Chittick, Mr. Scott Dale,Vice President of Development for Avalon, and Avalon's Attorney Steve Schwartz addressed the Board. Chairman Chittick Selectmen—3.23.09-JBO 1 Minutes—Board of Selectmen March 23,2009 reviewed the background on this issue with the Board explaining that as part of the conditions of the Comprehensive Permit,the Town will be given funds which it can use to construct sidewalks. Avalon has submitted plans for proposed sidewalks on 3A and up Sohier Street. After a lengthy discussion, it was agreed that an on-site walk would give everyone involved a better idea if and where sidewalks are needed. Once the walk has taken place,the Board can then discuss options and vote on their recommendations. Article Review Article 9—Supplemental Appropriations—Chairman of the Advisory Committee, Sam Wakeman, addressed the Board on behalf of the Committee. Mr.Wakeman proposes that the Board create a long range financial planning group, with membership including members of the Board of Selectmen, the Town Manager, as well as members of the Advisory Committee and School Committee. The Advisory Committee is concerned about the growing deficit spending situation. Selectman Dormitzer stated that the Board had tried to establish a committee to do this in the past and it did not work because a committee such as this requires a lot of work and staff to support it. Mr. Griffin stated that he would welcome the support and that he would meet with Mr. Wakeman to "brainstorm"the goals and membership of such a committee. Mr. Griffin then reviewed the supplemental appropriations recommended for Article 9. Selectman Dormitzer moved to recommend Article 9. Selectman Carlson seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Article 7—Community Preservation Committee (CPC)—CPC Chairman, Stuart Ivimey reviewed his committee's 2010 budget for the Board. Mr. Ivimey then reviewed the one recommendation the CPC would be making at the Annual Town Meeting. The CPC proposed a grant of$220,000 to the Council on Elder Affairs for professional services towards the planning and building of the proposed Senior Center. The money would be delivered in two phases/payments of$110,000 each. The second payment will only be made if a satisfactory business plan is presented to the Board of Selectmen and CPC. After further discussion, Selectmen Dormitzer moved to recommend Article 7 as presented. Selectman Carlson seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Article 19—Access Easements to Sandy Cove—After a brief discussion,Selectman Carlson moved to recommend Article 19. Selectwoman Quigley seconded the motion and the vote was(4-0,Selectman Dormitzer abstained). Article 15—Cat Dam Notice of Intent—Cohasset Conservation Commission (CCC) Chairman David Farrag addressed the Board, along with CCC member Sarah Charron. Several members of the Commission were also in attendance. Mr. Farrag addressed the Board and stated that they feel the issue is a compliance issue. He stated that if the Board does not move forward with the NO1, the DEP could step in and order the Town to follow their mandates and it could prove to be more costly. Selectman Dormitzer stated that the Board can only recommend the article; the Town will decide if it is funded. He feels that they should wait until the Town is finished with the Little Harbor Sewer Project. There was a lengthy conversation about the Wetlands Protection Act, as well as what the process of implementing the NOI would be, and what the timeframes are that the Town has to follow. Selectman Carlson moved to recommend Article 15, Selectwoman Quigley seconded the motion. Selectman Koed stated that he would like to get Town Counsel's opinion on what the deadline is for the Town to file the NOI. Mr. Griffin asked the Board to put their questions in writing for him to forward to Counsel. After further discussion, it was decided the Board would wait on voting on their recommendation until the morning of Town Meeting. Selectmen—3.23.09-JBO 2 Minutes—Board of Selectmen March 23,2009 Federal Stimulus Project Priorities- The Board reviewed the 19 projects the Town has submitted to the Lieutenant Governor's office. The Board agreed to prioritize by what project(s)would be the most costly to the Town and those that are the most "shovel ready". The Board agreed that the Town Hall Restoration Project should be listed first. After further discussion, it was decided that Mr. Griffin would contact the main contacts on the projects that were submitted to see how "shovel ready" each one actually is. In the interim, Chairman Carr will forward a list of how the State is pooling the funds to Mr. Griffin. The Board will then list their priorities at a future meeting. Annual Town Meeting Article Assignments—The Board reviewed their assignments for the meeting. The Board will meet at 8:30AM prior to the Annual Town Meeting to finalize the assignments. Selectman Carlson moved to adjourn the meeting. Selectman Dormitzer seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Meeting adjourned at 9:40PM. Respectfully submitted, Edwin G. Carr Chairman Selectmen—3.23.09-JBO 3