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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 10/26/2009 Minutes—Board of Selectmen October 26, 2009 Selectmen Present: Paul Carlson, Chairman Karen Quigley Frederick Koed Ralph Dormitzer Edwin G. Carr Others Present: William Griffin,Town Manager Chairman Paul Carlson called the meeting to order at 7:OOPM. Selectmen's Comment Period Selectman Ralph Dormitzer announced that on October 28th he will be having one more meeting with FAA/Massport; he has been working on this project for nine years. He stated that something very significant has happened in that the FAA has published the routes had been agreed on during this process. They have published these routes for their automated arrivals and departures systems. What this means is that the planes will be significantly higher above us and will be more evenly dispersed. One example he gave is the three Jet Blue flights that come in throughout the early morning will no longer come up the coast, past Cohasset and into to Boston, but instead will fly directly in using the Boston Harbor route. He then reviewed the timeframe of the changes being implemented. Selectman Edwin Carr announced that the site visit to Minot's Light has been scheduled for the 29th of October. He said that each group that has expressed interest in the light has been allotted 4 people on the boat. Selectman Karen Quigley thanked Veteran's Service Director,Joseph McElroy,for the great job he did in putting together the Veteran's Forum. She said that it was very informative and well worth attending. Chairman Carlson stated that he agreed with Selectman Quigley and added that there was a great turnout. Minutes—Selectman Dormitzer moved to approve the minutes of September 21,2009 as written. Selectman Carr seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Selectman Dormitzer moved to approve the minutes of September 28,2009 as written. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Selectman Carr moved the minutes of October 5,2009 as amended. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (4-0,Selectman Dormitzer recused). Anna Abbruzzese& Lieutenant William Quigley—Crosswalk Request—Lieutenant Quigley and Elder Affairs Director, Coral Grande, addressed the Board. Ms. Grande thanked Lieutenant Quigley for his input in this matter. She feels and additional crosswalk is important for the public safety for the number of children and seniors that use the area. She knows that there are two other crosswalks in the area, but she does feel there is a safety concern. They are requesting a crosswalk from the entrance of the community center, diagonally to Robert Long Road. Lieutenant Quigley addressed the Board and stated that after his original review of the situation, he did recommend the installation of this crosswalk. However, after further review and speaking with Tom Gruber, he realizes it is not that simple. Lieutenant Quigley explained that presently there are no ramps engineered around the common, and those are required with a crosswalk so that the laws are enforceable. He gave possible suggestions i.e. Selectmen—10.26.09-JBO 1 Minutes—Board of Selectmen October 26, 2009 mitigating a crossing area or removing the stairs and encouraging people to go to the corner. Either way it will cost money to do it correctly and therefore the Board needs to decide what direction to head in. Selectmen Dormitzer explained the history of the area during the revitalization project. He said it would be very difficult to install ramps in that area with the correct slope that would meet ADA standards. He said there are a lot of issues that would need to be thought through before it could be done, Le the parking configurations in that area and the engineering. Selectman Quigley stated that she agreed with Selectman Dormitzer's concerns, particularly the parking in the area could cause blind spots to drivers coming upon the crosswalk. Chairman Carlson asked if reducing the speed in that area. Lieutenant Quigley stated that it would take a speed study etc. There is also already a great deal of police patrolling in that area. Ms. Grande suggested idea of cones and possibly going back and reviewing the area again. Chairman Carlson stated that presently this proposal needs a little work. Selectman Quigley asked the community to take caution when driving through that area. Denise Arrondo& Lieutenant William Quigley—Request for Bike Race—Denise Arrondo, Director of The McCourt Foundation for Advancing Alzheimer's & MS Research, addressed the Board along with Lieutenant Quigley. Ms.Arrondo is requesting permission for a bike race on Saturday, October 2, 2010. The event will begin and end in Hingham from Wompatuck State Park,they only need permission for the use of the streets. Lieutenant Quigley has approved a route. Lieutenant Quigley reviewed the25 mile route for the Board. Selectman Dormitzer asked what the times of the race would be and how long it would take to get through the Town as it will affect people leaving or accessing their homes,the village etc. Ms.Arrondo said they are looking at the morning.The length of the race will also very depend on if it is a race or ride, that will be determined soon. Lieutenant Quigley stated that if this is approved,they would come back before the Board with a plan. Selectman Quigley does feel that this is a good cause, but they do have to think of the residents as there are more and more events in Town. She asked if they could try to focus on keeping one lane open. Selectman Dormitzer moved to accept the proposed bike ride in concept subject to receiving some form of a definitive plan from Lieutenant Quigley. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Lieutenant William Quigley—Speed Limit Signs for Beechwood Ballpark Area—Robert Rankin of 74 Aaron River Road addressed the Board. He stated that he walks quite a bit in the area and has witnessed a great deal of speeding in the area and he feels additional signage in the area alerting people of the 30 mph speed limit will make a difference. Lieutenant Quigley reviewed this request his recommendations of signage for the Board. Selectman Dormitzer stated that he did not want to see a lot of signs as he thinks too many signs deface the Town. He is not saying "no"to the recommendations, but he asked that they do so sparingly. Lieutenant Quigley has recommended that 30 MPH signs be installed at 66 Church Street, 13 Doane Street and 493 Beechwood Street. Selectman Dormitzer suggested that one of the signs, either 66 Church Street or 13 Doane Street. After a brief discussion, Selectman Dormitzer moved to install signs at 66 Church Street and 493 Beechwood Street. The Board will wait to see how this impacts speeding in the area and if need be, revisit the issue to add the 13 Doane Street sign. Selectman Carr seconded the motion, all in favor(5-0). Clark Brewer—Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan—The Board has to submit comments to the MAPC regarding the draft Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan. Clark Brewer of the Planning Board addressed the Board and reviewed the plan with the Board. He reviewed the jurisdiction area off of the shore of Cohasset as well as some of the content in the Executive Summary. Mr. Brewer also reviewed the number of possible turbines off of each area. Selectman Koed suggested that in the letter that they ask for local input. Selectman Dormtizer stated that he felt you have to be careful about putting too many turbines off of our coast as it could drastically change the landscape. He does not feel a few Selectmen—10.26.09-JBO 2 Minutes—Board of Selectmen October 26, 2009 turbines would be financially worth the defacing of the landscape. Mr. Brewer stated that everyone needs to keep in mind that the further a turbine is placed off shore,the harder it will be to get it connected to the grid. Selectman Koed suggested they look at all of the possible overlays and see if a location for turbines is obvious. Mr. Brewer said that he thinks the fact that the summary states a limit of ten turbines off our shore should be comforting. Selectman Dormitzer said that it sounds like it is a foregone conclusion that the Town would accept that amount of turbines off the shore. He does not think that everyone in Town feels that way. Mr. Brewer suggested that the Planning Board look into modifying the Zoning map to zone that area so that the Town has more control. There was also a brief discussion regarding the potential impact of the plan on future aquaculture opportunities. At the conclusion of the discussion, it was agreed that the Town Manager and Chairman Carlson would prepare a letter by the deadline that will address the need to maintain local input on proposed projects in Cohasset coastal waters,that we need the creation of localized base maps at a scale to allow local review, that the towns should have a second review period prior to the promulgation of the Plan,that the Plan should not negatively impact aquaculture or have a negative impact on the local commercial fishing/lobster fleet,that significant local input and control should exist for any wind project off Cohasset's shore, and that such wind projects should have a proven and substantial financial impact. Selectman Koed moved to adjourn the meeting. Selectman Carr seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM. Respectfully submitted, Paul Carlson Chairman Selectmen—10.26.09-JBO 3