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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 10/19/2009 Minutes—Board of Selectmen October 19, 2009 Selectmen Present: Paul Carlson, Chairman Karen Quigley Frederick Koed Ralph 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 presented two appointments to the Board for its consideration. The Conservation Commission has asked that the Board appoint Associate Member Jack Creighton to the position of full member. This would fill the position held by Douglas Wilson who has resigned. Selectman Ralph Dormitzer moved to appoint Mr.Jack Creighton as a full member of the Conservation Commission. Selectman Frederick Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Mr. Harold Gunderson has resigned as the Yacht Club representative to the Harbor Committee and requested that Grace Evans be appointed in his place. Selectman Dormitzer moved to appoint Ms. Grace Evans to the position of Yacht Club Representative to the Harbor Committee. Selectman Quigley seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Request for Crosswalk—Mr. Griffin stated that Anna Abbruzzese of the Council on Elder Affairs requested Safety Officer William Quigley review the need for a sidewalk from the stairway of the Community Center to the corner of Robert Long Road. Lieutenant Quigley reviewed the request and recommends the Board approve it as well. Selectman Dormitzer stated that the location of crosswalks was discussed at length during the revitalization project. He suggests the Board look into the request further. Selectman Koed would like to see a proposed design.This will be discussed at the next Board meeting. The Massachusetts State Lottery Commission has received an application from the Blackstone Tavern for a Keno license. The Board will hold a hearing on Monday, November 9t"and notice will be sent to the residents of Fair Oaks and other abutters. Selectmen Comment Period Selectman Quigley made mention of the letter the Board has received from the consultant team that will be working with the Town on the Green Community Program. The Town will be working with the Blue Wave Team; work will commence in March of 2010. Selectman Carr stated that he had attended a meeting about a curriculum change for the K-5 schools, Osgood and Deer Hill. He said that it was a big change for the schools and he looks forward to seeing how it progresses. Selectman Dormitzer attended the Hauntedjog Happenings event put together by Pat Martin and her family. He said it was a great event and thanked the Martins for their hard work. Selectmen—10.19.09-JBO 1 Minutes—Board of Selectmen October 19, 2009 Selectman Koed stated that he attended a South Shore Coalition Meeting where the Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan was discussed. He would like to schedule further discussion on the 9th of November. Chairman Carlson mentioned the letter from the Board of Cohasset of Elder Affairs thanking the staff for keeping the Department of Elder Affairs running so smoothly after the passing of Director Linda Ellworthy. Chairman Carlson also congratulated Officer Regan Steverman for a job well done. A resident sent a letter in thanking Officer Steverman for her"quick and decisive action" in an emergency situation. Special Town Meeting Article Review— Room Occupancy Excise Tax—The Board had a lengthy discussion as to whether they would want to put this on the warrant for Special Town Meeting. Selectman Dormitzer stated he was uncomfortable taxing people during a recession. Selectman Quigley asked if the Board could act on this at a later date. Mr. Griffin said they could. Owner of the Red Lion Inn, Mr. Gerd Ordelheide spoke against the increasing of the tax. The Board agreed to take no action at this time. Local Option Meals Excise—The Board discussed placing this on the warrant. Mr. Ramin Doorandish, Owner of Victoria's, spoke against raising the meals tax. Selectman Dormitzer stated that he did not feel it was good time to be increasing this tax. The Board took no action on this option. Demolition of Property at 137 Hull Street—Board of Health Chairman, Peggy Chapman and member Steve Bobo, as well as Health Inspector,Tara Tradd addressed the Board to review this article. Ms. Chapman reviewed the timeline of events and gave the history the Board of Health has had with the property at 137 Hull Street. They also reviewed their legal standing with the Board. After a lengthy conversation, Selectman Dormitzer moved to place the article on the warrant. Selectman Carr seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (5-0). The Board will make a recommendation at Town Meeting. Reduction of Tax Levy to Fund FY09 Snow& Deficit—This article is to transfer the sum of$203,111.78 from Free Cash to fund the remaining Fiscal 2009 snow and ice deficit. Selectman Quigley moved to place the article on the warrant. Selectman Dormitzer seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Selectman Carr moved to recommend the article,Selectman Quigley seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Selectman Carr moved to place Article 1:Amendments to Fiscal 2010 Operating Budget and Article 3: Community Preservation Committee on to the Warrant for the Special Town Meeting. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Merle Brown—Meeting House Pond Proiect— Mr. Merle Brown and Engineer,John Cavanaro addressed the Board. Mr. Brown reviewed how at a previous Town Meeting, funds were appropriated to determine what type of structural work needed to be done to the pond. Mr. Cavanaro reviewed the process they have undergone to determine what work needs to be done to the perimeter edge of the pond,the sidewalk that surrounds the pond and the bottom of the pond. Mr. Brown and Mr. Cavanaro reviewed two alternative plans for the work and their costs. The first option proposes a clay bottom,for a cost estimate of$230,040. The second option proposes a concrete bottom,for a cost estimate of $310,000. Mr. Brown said that once the Selectmen make a recommendation as to which option they prefer, they hope to have a meeting with Community Preservation Commission. After further Selectmen—10.19.09-JBO 2 Minutes—Board of Selectmen October 19, 2009 discussion, Selectman Carr moved to recommend the clay bottom option. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Special Town Meeting Article for Abbott Development Easement—Chairman Carlson reviewed the situation for the Board. He stated that at the previous evening's Conservation Commission, it was discovered that the permit issued by the Conservation Commission for the Abbot Development project is not consistent with the permit issued by the Planning Board with respect to the drainage pipe that is to lead into the adjacent Town property. He brings it before the Board this evening to see if the Board wishes to reconsider its position on the article or the placement of it on the warrant. Chairman Carlson also stated that he spoke with the Chairman of the Conservation Commission, David Farrag, and he urges the Board to keep the article on the warrant and support it so that conversations can continue with Conservation and other committees. Selectman Koed feels the proposed easement takes the financial responsibility off of the Town. He feels the easement protects the Town and would like to see if more information will come to light during additional conversations with other Boards and Committees. Chairman Carlson stated that this article just authorizes the Board to grant the easement, the Board could still decide to change it down the road. Selectman Quigley moved to reconsider the Board's vote to recommend the article for Town Meeting. Selectman Koed thought that if the Board voted too often on one item, it could preclude them from voting on it again in the future. Chairman Carlson asked that the Board hold off on the vote until the night of Town Meeting. One Day Liquor License(2)—Selectman Koed moved to approve a one-day liquor license for a two evenings fundraising event at St.Anthony's Parish Hall for Friday, November 6tn and Saturday, November 7tn from 7-11PM. The event benefits the "Friends of Cohasset Elder Affairs". Selectman Dormitzer seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Approve Fall 2009 Special Town Meeting Warrant—Selectman Dormitzer moved to approve the warrant. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(5-0). The Board signed the warrant. Selectman Carr moved to adjourn the meeting. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Meeting adjourned at 8:50PM. Respectfully submitted, Paul Carlson Chairman Selectmen—10.19.09-JBO 3