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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 06/08/2009 Minutes—Board of Selectmen June 8, 2009 Members Present: Paul Carlson, Chairman Karen Quigley Frederick R. Koed Ralph S. Dormitzer Edwin G. Carr Others Present: William R. Griffin,Town Manager Jennifer Oram, Selectmen's Clerk Chairman Paul Carlson called the meeting to order at 7:OOPM. Town Manager's Report Town Manager, William Griffin, discussed what would be the best date for the pending dog hearing. After a brief discussion, the Board agreed to hold the hearing on Monday,June 22"d to allow for all of the data to be compiled. Selectmen's Comment Period Selectman Karen Quigley stated she attended "Class Night" and was very impressed with the many scholarships that were handed out and with the amount of money donated by local families. Selectman Quigley also asked if there was an update on the Sandy Cove access easement. Mr. Griffin stated he was waiting to hear from Attorney Ross. Selectman Quigley also asked for an update on the letter from Mr. O'Connell at 25 Sohier Street regarding parking. Mr. Griffin stated the police were evaluating the request. Selectman Edwin Carr stated that he attended the Cohasset Education Foundation fundraiser and it was a great success. He estimates it raised $75,000 and that everyone did a great job. Selectman Ralph Dormitzer asked what the status was on the plantings of the islands. Mr. Griffin stated he will get the status for the Board. Public Comment Period—Dr. Robin Lawrence of 15 Beach Street and President of the Sandy Beach Association addressed the Board. Mr. Lawrence asked the Board for more stringent parking rules. He would like the fine raised to $100 as he thinks that$50 is affordable for a car full of people. He feels the higher fine would deter people from parking illegally. He would also like to propose that Chief Hussey allow the Beach's seasonal employees to write tickets to help relieve the patrolman of having to come many times a day. Mr. Griffin stated that he would need to discuss that further with the Chief. Dr. Lawrence also suggested that the Board look into issuing nanny stickers. On a different topic, Dr. Lawrence asked the Board to look into removing the piece of flagstone that still remains from the P&B Bus stop. Minutes—Selectman Dormitzer moved to approve the minutes of March 11, 2009 as amended. Selectman Quigley seconded the motion and the vote was 4-0,Selectman Koed abstained as he was not present for the meeting. Minutes—6.8.09-JBO 1 Minutes—Board of Selectmen June 8, 2009 Cable Advisory Committee—PEG Access Corporation Agreement—The Cable Advisory Committee members, Chairman Pat Martin,James Morrison, Michael Zotos, Chairman of the Selectmen Paul Carlson and Attorney Robert Hillman addressed the Board. Attorney Hillman reviewed the documents for the PEG Access Corporation (public, educational and government programming) in detail. He explained that the PEG function within the Town will be funded through the Town's own franchise fee. The money would be used to establish a studio, purchase equipment, provide public education programming etc. The members of the PEG would be appointed by the Board of Selectmen. Mrs. Martin pointed out that equipment will need to be purchased soon as the present agreement with Comcast will be ending and thus the Town will lose local access coverage until a studio and equipment can be installed. Selectman Quigley stated that she still has a problem with an entity having control of that much money. She is concerned about accountability and would like to see a business plan showing what expenditures they plan on in the first year. Selectman Dormitzer stated that he supports the concept [of the PEG Corporation] and will forward his basic edits to Attorney Hillman. He did ask about the quality of the programming and the equipment. Mrs. Martin stated that they are working in phases and that looking at the programming will happen in time, after they approve the license, set up a studio etc. Selectman Quigley stated that she still feels the Board needs to see the financial information. Chairman Carlson stated that the committee is working on preparing a budget for the PEG, but we [the Town] still need to have the public access corporation approved in order for this project to continue moving ahead. After further discussion, Selectman Dormitzer moved to approve the Cable Advisory Committee form a public access corporation subject to the Board understanding how the expenditures will occur. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Jim Hamilton—Affordable Housing Trust—Chairman of the Affordable Housing Trust,Jim Hamilton, addressed the Board. Mr. Hamilton updated the Board on where the Town is today with its affordable units in Town. The Town is required to have 10%of its housing qualify and when the Partnership began back in 2006, the Town was at 3%. Since 2006,Avalon Bay was granted a Comprehensive Permit by the ZBA which will yield, when built,fifty(50) affordable units. When this happens,the Town will reach its 10%on the Subsidized Housing Inventory(SHI). Mr. Hamilton cautioned that this is a moving number as the 2010 Federal Census will be released in the future and the Town's percentage will most likely go down. Plus, Avalon still needs to pull their building permits and be built. He then reviewed the pending projects with affordable components in Town. Mr. Hamilton then addressed his second concern with the Board. He stated that in order for the Trust to work well, it needs funds to help facilitate deals that would lead to more affordable units. The Trust can be funded by donations, escrow and money from the Community Preservation Commission (CPC). He feels that they would need about$180,000. He added that the Trust has requested funds twice from the CPC but has never been granted a hearing. Selectman Dormitzer, also a member of the CPC, said that the CPC wants a specific proposal. He added that he is in favor of"seed" money, but not$180,000, perhaps more in the range of$20-$50 thousand. Chairman Carlson stated that it seems the Trust wants money they can use for real estate transactions in between Town Meetings. The CPC could put money into the account, but the Trust would still be required to come before the Selectmen to spend any of the money. Mr. Griffin stated he would clarify what is needed to be followed in regard to real estate transactions,Town Meeting etc. Chairman Carlson stated that he would like to get both the Affordable Housing Trust and the CPC on a future agenda together. Erik Golz—Request for Temporary Lighting at the Little League Field—President of the Cohasset Youth Baseball and Softball Association, Erik Golz of 25 Wood Way, addressed the Board. Mr. Golz is seeking approval for temporary lighting on June 19t"and 20t" at Barnes Field. Mr. Golz reviewed the schedule of events and stated the lights would be off by 10PM. Mr. Griffin said that the year before there were Minutes—6.8.09-JBO 2 Minutes—Board of Selectmen June 8, 2009 some complaints from the neighbors about the lights. This year letters went out to those who wrote the Board last year and Mr. Golz has gone door to door alerting all of the abutters of the event. Abutter, Harold Gundersen of 186 North Main Street addressed the Board. He stated that the event last year went off without a hitch and he is in full support of the event as long as the lights are temporary. Mr. Roger Crafts of 156 North Main Street asked that the sound system stay at the same sound level as last year. There was further discussion about parking and safety. Selectman Dormitzer wished Mr. Golz a great event. Selectman Carr moved to approve temporary lighting at night at Barnes Field on June 19tn and 20t" 2009. Selectman Dormitzer seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Selectman Carr moved to adjourn the meeting. Selectman Quigley seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Meeting adjourned at 8:4513M. Respectfully submitted, Paul Carlson Chairman Minutes—6.8.09-JBO 3