HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 07/06/2009 Minutes—Board of Selectmen July 6,2009
Selectmen Present: Paul Carlson, Chairman
Karen Quigley
Frederick Koed
Edwin G. Carr
Selectman Absent: Ralph Dormitzer
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 informed the Board that Mr. Brian J. Buckley of BA Landscaping has
volunteered to adopt and maintain both the Sohier Street and Beechwood Street crossings. Selectman
Karen Quigley moved to approve Mr. Buckley adopting and maintaining both islands. Selectman
Frederick Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(4-0).
Selectmen Comment Period
Selectman Koed expressed the Board's condolences to the family of Edward Figueiredo.
Chairman Carlson stated that the Triathlon seemed to be a huge success and sent congratulations to
those who ran the event. Chairman Carlson also made note that he heard that the lights at the Little
League field were shut off at 10:15 and the Board should make note for next year's request. He also
asked Mr. Griffin if a meeting could be set up with Town Counsel's office to review the new ethics rules.
Finally, Chairman Carlson suggested that Board begin observing a moment of silence for residents who
pass away.
The Board observed a moment of silence for Edward Figueiredo.
Minutes Approval—Selectman Koed moved to approve the minutes for May 18,2009 as amended.
Selectman Quigley seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(3-0,Selectman Carr was not
present at the 5.18.09 meeting). Selectman Quigley moved to approve the minutes of June 8, 2009 as
amended. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(4-0).
Stuart Ivimey&Jim Hamilton—CPC Funding for Affordable Housing—Mr.James Hamilton, Chairman of
the Housing Trust, and Mr. Stuart Ivimey, Chairman of the Community Preservation Commission (CPC),
addressed the Board. Mr. Hamilton passed out the statute that applied to the CPC and read it aloud for
the Board. He then reviewed the history of how the Housing Partnership became the Housing Trust and
explained that now that they are a trust,they need funding. The funding for the trust can come in a few
ways, i.e. donations, developers and from the CPC. Mr. Hamilton then reviewed the process of
requesting money from the CPC which they have done successfully in the past with funds they
requested to perk a parcel of land. He states that the towns of Hingham and Lincoln have obtained
funding from their respective CPCs and are doing a great job. He states that the Housing Trust has
requested these funds from the CPC and that their applications have not been heard. Mr. Hamilton asks
the Selectmen to empower the Housing Trust,to work with them and give them a fair chance. He states
that the Trust requested $180,000 from the CPC via an application to Mr. Ivimey and that Mr. Ivimey did
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Minutes—Board of Selectmen July 6,2009
not bring it before the CPC. Chairman Carlson asked Mr. Ivimey to speak. Mr. Ivimey stated that he
does not pretend to understand the housing issue. He stated that he sees the CPC as a bank, not
experts on housing. He states that they run a very simple committee and that they do everything
electronically. He reviewed the process of how the CPC receives applications. He stated that the CPC
likes people to request funds for defined projects. He said that the CPC has tried to avoid
"controversial" projects and cited 25 Ripley Road as an example. There was then a lengthy conversation
about the process of getting funding to the Housing Trust and timing getting funding around the
schedules of Town Meeting. Mr. Griffin stated that ultimately the CPC has to make the
recommendation to transfer the funds to the Housing Trust and then that goes to Town Meeting.
Selectman Carr asked Mr. Ivimey if the CPC was against this. Mr. Ivimey stated that he polled his Board
by phone and that they did not want to spend the money. Selectman Koed stated that he had a
problem with this timeline as well as the process and that there must be a better mechanism for this
committee (Housing Trust to get funding)without having to wait for Town Meeting. Mr. Ivimey stated
that the CPC was uncomfortable with funding the Housing Trust. Selectman Carr stated that he did not
think it was right that the CPC be making that decision and that he feels their enabling statute says that
the CPC has to hear it(the application from the Housing Trust). Mr.Tom Callahan gave a lengthy
presentation about the background of the process and stated that they did not feel the Housing Trust
has been given due process. He feels the Selectman could request a change in the policies of application
approval that the CPC presently follows.There was further discussion about various ways funds could
made available to the Housing Trust at each Annual Town Meeting. Chairman Carlson asked if the two
Chairmen could meet and discuss the idea of updating the policies of the CPC and bring back a proposal
to the Board of Selectmen that both committees agree upon. They both agreed to do so.
Cable Advisory Committee—Cohasset Community Television Budget Plan—Chairman Carlson and the
other members of the committee reviewed for the Board their proposed Community Television Budget
for the period of July 1, 2009 though June 20, 2010. Attorney Hillman of Town Counsel's office was also
present. Chairman Carlson reviewed the budget line items and the types of equipment needed.
Selectman Quigley asked a series of questions regarding the budget. She then asked about the franchise
fee over time and if it would decrease etc. Attorney Hillman stated that although the fee may decrease
over time due to competition, he feels the numbers will remain firm. He added that the Committee will
be meeting with Verizon and that they expect to have a contract with Verizon before the end of the
summer. Attorney Hillman explained that the Selectmen will need to create the Board of Directors so
the Cable Access Corporation to exist. Selectman Carr moved to appoint the present members of the
Cable Advisory Committee, Patricia Martin, Paul Carlson,James Morrison and Michael Zotos to the
Board of Directors of the Cable Access Corporation. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the
vote was unanimous(Chairman Carlson abstained), (3-0). Selectman Carr moved to accept the
proposed Cohasset Community Television budget as presented.Selectman Quigley seconded the
motion and the vote was unanimous(4-0).
Selectman Carr moved to adjourn the meeting. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote
was unanimous(4-0).
Meeting adjourned at 8:33PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Paul Carlson, Chairman
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