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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 05/11/2009 Minutes—Board of Selectmen May 11, 2009 Members Present: Paul Carlson, Chairman Karen Quigley Ralph Dormitzer Edwin G. Carr Members Absent: Frederick Koed Others Present: William R. Griffin,Town Manager Jennifer Oram, Selectmen's Clerk Chairman Paul Carlson called the meeting to order at 713M. Town Manager's Report Town Manager, William Griffin, and Police Chief,James Hussey, addressed the Board. The Chief explained why he would like the Board to vote to designate all police lieutenants, sergeants and detectives as "Agents of the Licensing Board". This will allow them to conduct announced and unannounced inspections as well as educate business owners. After further discussion, Selectman Edwin Carr moved to designate the police lieutenants,sergeants and detectives as"Agents of the Licensing Board". Selectman Ralph Dormitzer seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(4- 0). Mr. Griffin reviewed a letter he had received from the Program Director of the South Shore Community Center, Ms. Stephanie Church. In her letter, Ms. Church states that prior to the downtown revitalization, the parking spaces on Depot Court/adjacent to the community center were one hour parking; they are now posted at 30 minutes. The center offers many programs that are an hour long and she is requesting that the Board reinstate one hour parking in those spaces. Mr. Griffin confirmed that the spaces were once an hour and that he and Chief Hussey are creating a master list of parking times in Town. After a brief discussion, Selectman Dormitzer moved to reinstate hour long parking on Depot Court,the spaces nearest the Community Center. Selectman Carr seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Selectmen Comment Period Selectman Dormitzer mentioned that clothes dumpsters keep showing up in Town. The most recent one in the village has been removed, but he feels the Town needs to work on restoring the beauty that is Cohasset. Selectman Carr announced the event being hosted by the Boy Scouts awarding resident Glenn Pratt for all of his hard work for the organization. Selectman Quigley asked if Mr. Griffin had received any interest in the Stormwater Committee. Mr. Griffin stated that he had not. Chairman Carlson announced that Senior Citizens can pick up MBTA Charlie Cards at the Senior Center on Monday, May 18th from 12-3PM. Licenses& Permits—Selectman Dormitzer moved a three day entertainment license for the South Shore Art Center for their Arts Festival on Friday,June 19th,Saturday,June 201h and Sunday June 215t Selectman Quigley seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Selectman Dormitzer moved a one-day liquor license for the South Shore Art Center on Saturday,June 20th from 7-10PM at Selectmen—5.11.09-JBO 1 Minutes—Board of Selectmen May 11, 2009 119 Ripley Road,serving beer and wine. Selectman Carr seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Minutes Approval—Selectman Carr moved to approve the minutes of April 16, 2009 as amended. Selectman Quigley seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Harry Ritter Proclamation—The Board signed the proclamation for Mr. Ritter that was voted on at the previous meeting. Chairman Carlson stated that if the Board should receive any similar requests for dedication plaques or proclamations, prior to approving any such request, the Board will need to establish a policy. Commendations for Sea Rescue—Fire Chief Robert Silvia reviewed the events of April 28, 2009. He stated that at approximately 7:42PM, a man heard calls for help off of Whitehead Road. A kayaker had capsized his boat and was in the water. A call to 911 prompted a land and sea rescue by Fire Personnel, Police Personnel and Harbormaster Lorri Gibbons. The rescue was quickly implemented and the man was pulled to safety to the Harbormaster's boat. Chief Silvia stated that due to the quick response, and the fact that the kayaker stayed near the capsized boat and was wearing his life jacket,there was a happy ending. Chairman Carlson read aloud a proclamation from the Board to all involved in the sea rescue,they were: Captain Frank Mahoney, Lieutenant James Curley, Firefighter Paramedics, Dan Smith, Rob Martin, Robert Nadeau and Jonathan Hickey, off-duty Fire Lieutenant Bob Protulis, Police Officer Paul Wilson and Harbormaster Lorri Gibbons. Selectman Quigley stated she witnessed the rescue and was very impressed with the organization and quick response. The Board presented each with their proclamations and thanked them all for their professionalism and bravery. Nathanial Palmer—Petition for a Special Town Meeting— Mr. Palmer was not present for his scheduled time, so Mr. Don Steele of 31 River Road addressed the Board. Mr. Steele reviewed other alternative energy options other than wind and what the savings could be. He discussed the technology created by his own company, "AirXchange" out of Rockland, Massachusetts. Affordable Housing Trust—Mr.Jim Hamilton and Mr. Clark Brewer of the Affordable Housing Trust addressed the Board. Mr. Hamilton stated they have met with Abbott Development, the company that is developing the Cook Estate. On the land,there is the Jane Cook residence that is empty and will be destroyed by July 2009. The building is 5,200 square feet and Mr. Hamilton and Mr. Brewer have begun looking into the idea of relocating the house and using it for Town purposes. Mr. Brewer reviewed several ideas and locations for the building. Mr. Hamilton stated that they wanted to get the Board's support to look further into the use possibilities and feasibility of the building, but did not want to spend more time on it until they had done so. They will look into what costs may be covered by the developer to help the Town move the building. Selectman Quigley stated that she had talked to Bob Durant of Abbott Development and he has said that they would like to work with the Town. She has also mentioned the idea to Elder Affairs Director Linda Ellworthy who is in support of looking into the idea. Selectman Dormitzer stated that he felt it should be looked in to. After further discussion, Chairman Carlson stated that the Board supported the Trust researching the possibilities further. Mr. Hamilton stated they would start meeting next week. Town Hall Auditorium Use Policy—Mr. Griffin explained that presently,there is no policy in place for the use of the Auditorium. The policy has been designed to address safety issues, security, liability, upkeep and cost recovery. Recreation Director,Ted Carroll and Assistant to the Town Manager,Jennifer Oram created the policy with the help of the Fire Chief and Building Inspector. They used the Town of Selectmen—5.11.09-JBO 2 Minutes—Board of Selectmen May 11, 2009 Hingham's policy as a model. Chief Silvia spoke and stated that the requirements on his end are from the State Fire Marshall. He said that having this policy in place will allow his department to review the scope of work proposed by each user prior to it being done. Lisa Pratt, President of the Cohasset Drama Club (CDC) stated that she has been talking with the Chief and Captain Trask about making various fire safety changes in the auditorium. Ms. Pratt reviewed the many updates the CDC has done to the auditorium. She stated that they respect the space and understand the fragility of it. Mr. Griffin stated that he would be meeting with the CDC to establish a specific fee schedule for them where the CDC is the biggest user of the space. Selectman Dormitzer stated that he feels the policy is too strict and needs to be looked at line by line. Mr. Griffin stated that the policy needs to be strict to protect the facility and the Town. Selectman Quigley stated that she thinks it is a good thing to have such a policy in place. After further discussion, Chairman Carlson asked that members that have comments and/or suggested changes to the policy forward them to Mr. Griffin. Nathaniel Palmer—Petition for Special Town Meeting—Mr. Nathanial Palmer of 9 Little Harbor Road addressed the Board. Mr. Palmer stated that he has handed in the 200 signatures required to call for the Special Town Meeting and the petition has been certified by the Town Clerk. He said that the purpose of the meeting is to call for a moratorium on the Wind Turbine Bylaw. Mr. Griffin explained that the next step for the petitioner's would be to get 100 signatures for the Citizen's Petition Article so the article can be place onto the warrant. The meeting needs to take place within 45 days of it being called. Where the proposed article is a Zoning Article,the Planning Board has to hold a public hearing to discuss it. They have 65 days to hold the public hearing. Selectman Quigley asked Mr. Palmer what the purpose of the moratorium is and if there would be a time-frame, i.e. and end date. Mr. Palmer said that there is no end date proposed in the article by design. He feels that an end date would defeat the purpose of making the needed changes to the bylaw. He said by putting a blanket moratorium on the existing bylaw, it puts the onus of rewriting the Bylaw onto others to get the changes done. Selectman Dormitzer asked who would undertake the process of rewriting the article and bringing it back [to Town meeting]. Chairman Carlson stated that he felt it should fall to the Alternative Energy Committee. After further discussion, Mr. Griffin stated that any further citizen's petitions, including the proposed moratorium, need to be in to the Selectmen's Office, with 100 signatures, by Monday at 4:30PM. Board Goals Review—Chairman Carlson reviewed the work sheet he had put together after reviewing the last goal session of the Board. He read through each as he had them listed onto the worksheet. Selectman Quigley asked to add the relocation of the Facilities Manager's office to the list. Selectman Dormitzer asked that a policy for memorials of one kind or another be added as well. Chairman Carlson asked that each member list their top four priorities and the Board will discuss those at their next meeting. Selectman Dormitzer moved to adjourn the meeting.Selectman Carr seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(4-10). Meeting adjourned at 9:06PM. Respectfully submitted, Paul Carlson Chairman Selectmen—5.11.09-JBO 3