Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 11/09/2009 Minutes—Board of Selectmen November 9, 2009 Selectmen Present: Paul Carlson, Chairman Karen Quigley Frederick R. Koed Edwin G. Carr Selectmen Absent: Ralph Dormitzer Chairman Paul Carlson called the meeting to order at 7:OOPM. Town Manager's Report Town Manager, William Griffin, updated the Board on the status of the Police Chief search. He said that there were twelve South Shore residents, all very high ranking that he has met with eleven of them. He stated that out of the eleven, five will be brought back for further interviews with the committee. He stated that he is very pleased with the responses and that it is going to be a very difficult decision. Selectmen Comment Period Selectmen Frederick Koed reminded the Board that the review period for the Ocean Front Management Plan ended in two weeks and that Board needed to submit comments by December 31, 2009. Selectman Karen Quigley stated that the Town has recently been through a highly charged discussion regarding wind power and so she feels the Board would want to make sure the difference [in this plan] would be substantial. After further discussion, Selectman Koed moved that Mr. Griffin and Chairman Carlson draft a letter. Selectman Edwin Carr seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Resident, Conrad Langenhagen, of 24 Sanctuary Pond Road, addressed the Board and had a brief discussion regarding various types of wind turbines. Selectman Carr congratulated all of the Town's sports teams and stated that they were all doing great. He made mention of Governor Patrick's visit to Town the previous Friday. The Governor announced that the Town received funding from the Federal Stimulus for the Jacobs Meadow project. Selectman Carr congratulated Mr. Griffin and thanked Representative Bradley for all of the hard work put into getting this grant. Selectman Quigley stated that Mr.Jack Buckley and Ms. Ann Tomey from the Schools have expressed interest in becoming involved when Cohasset becomes a green community. Selectman Quigley agreed that the grant for Jacobs Meadow was great news and thanked Jason Burtner for all of his efforts as well. Recreation Director Ted Carroll—Update on State Recreation Award, Grants and Programs—Mr. Carroll updated the Board on many items, including: Cohasset Recreation won an award at the Massachusetts Recreation and Park Association 2009 State Conference. The department won 1st place in the Program Outreach Award for Cohasset Recreation 1st Annual Recreation Fair. Mr. Carroll also announced that the Golden Living Center provided three grants under their Golden Difference Grants program totaling $2,729.00. Additionally, Mr. Carroll stated that the South Shore Vocational Technical School has chosen the Cohasset Recreation Department as a 2009/10 project. The South Shore Vo-tech will be replacing the heating unit in the Recreation Center with a new HVAC system. The Town will save $13,000 in labor costs. The Board thanked Mr. Carroll and representatives from the Golden Living Center for all of their hard work and generosity. Selectmen—11.09.09-JBO 1 Minutes—Board of Selectmen November 9, 2009 Blackstone Tavern—Keno Hearing—Chairman Carlson opened the hearing by reading the advertisement aloud. Mr. Griffin confirmed that all of the abutters had been notified of the hearing, including all of Fair Oaks Lane. Chairman Carlson asked if any member of the Board wished to speak for or against the proposed license. They did not. Chairman Carlson asked if there was anyone in the audience who wished to speak,there was not. No action was therefore taken. Selectmen Comment Period Continued Selectman Quigley stated that she felt she made a bad decision in voting to recommend the easement for the Abbot Development Group be placed onto the warrant. She made mention of this at a previous meeting and asked at that meeting if the vote could be reconsidered. Selectman Quigley then read text from Robert's Rules stating that there was no limit of time that a vote of the Board can be reconsidered. She stated that she continues to wonder why she was not allowed to change her vote. Selectman Quigley then addressed the ongoing issue of water quality in Town. She stated that there have been water quality issues due to manganese in the water system for three years. Last week many of the residents who have been affected by this problem attended a Board of Health meeting to discuss this issue as well. Selectman Quigley felt it was a very productive meeting. She stated that months ago she had a suggested there be a forum where all parties involved could meet with residents. At this point a date has not been set for such a forum, but she encourages this to be done before the issue gets more out of hand. Chairman Carlson agreed that a forum would be very good. Selectman Quigley stated that DEP would send a representative to one of these meeting. There was then brief discussion regarding the easement at Abbott. Chairman Carlson stated the Board is a long way from approving any easement until Town Meeting gives the Board that power. Selectman Koed stated that he did not want to reconsider the vote until he had more information,for example more information from the Conservation Commission. Chairman Carlson stated that it was his understanding that you can only reconsider the vote once and therefore the Board needs to wait on additional information. Chairman Carlson said that the Board will meet prior to the Special Town Meeting at 6:30PM. Chairman Carlson then went on to discuss the upcoming budgetary discussions that will be taking place with the Budget Planning Group,the Selectmen and the Advisory Committee. He stated that the Town is looking at a one million dollar deficit in the budget and cuts to cover that shortfall will be being discussed at all of these meetings at length. Chairman Carlson then reminded all paid and non paid Town employees, board members, committee members etc. that they will need to take the conflict of interest test that is administered on the internet. Once completed, a copy confirming that they have passed needs to be filed with the Town Clerk. And lastly, Chairman Carlson encouraged all to attend the Veteran's Day presentation at the Deer Hill School at 10AM. Special Town Meeting Article Review Article#1 Fiscal 2010 Budget Amendment—Mr. Griffin explained that a transfer of$77,000 needs to be made to make up the short fall in the projection of new growth revenues. The transfer needs to be made to bring the budget into balance so the Town can then set a tax rate. Selectman Carr moved to transfer$77,000 to cover the short fall. Selectmen Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Selectmen—11.09.09-JBO 2 Minutes—Board of Selectmen November 9, 2009 Article#7—Demolition of Property at 137 Hull Street—Chairman of the Board of Health, Margaret Chapman, as well as Health Agent, Dr.Joseph Godzik and Board of Health Nurse, Mary Goodwin, addressed the Board. The Board of Selectmen previously voted to place this article on the warrant, however when the Advisory Committee reviewed it,they expressed concern about the legalities of demolishing a property. Chairman Chapman explained that the Board of Health has continued to make overtures with the land owner, but has not had any luck. Dr. Godzik stated that the State Sanitary Code allows for the demolition of homes after a certain period of time that the owner(s) do not comply with the orders of the Board of Health. He added the house is unusable and unsound. In regard to the belongings however,that is something where a decision can be made to store the property if so desired. There was then a lengthy conversation about cost for storage and the demolition. After further discussion, Chairman Chapman stated that they would continue to try and contact the owner regarding the personal belongings. She added that they will want to still seek the appropriations for the demolition, but this can be discussed prior to the Special Town Meeting. Board of Health—Update on H1N1 Response Plan—Chairman Chapman stated that thus far, very little vaccine has been issued. As of today she stated,they had received 200 doses. Board of Health Nurse, Mary Goodwin, stated that surrounding communities (Hingham and Scituate) are seeing significant school absences and that today,the Osgood School has many absences and therefore people should assume that the virus is in Town. Chairman Chapman stated that they plan to administer what vaccine they have at the Middle High School within the next day. They will continue to do clinics as the vaccine arrives. The Board thanked them for an update. Proposed Intermunicipal agreement—Regional Emergency Communications Center(Cohasset, Hingham, Hull & Norwell). Mr. Griffin reviewed the proposed agreement for the Board. He stated that Hingham would be signing in the next week, and that at least two towns need to sign for it to be considered a region. He then reviewed the highlights of the plan including the location, which will be where the Hingham Light plan is currently, as well as the grants the center will received for construction and equipment. The agreement would also establish a Board of Directors that will run the center and ensure that it is affective and orderly.The Board will also be a policy making entity. There will also be an operation board of Chiefs, as well as a Director hired that will manage the facility and would report to both Boards. In addition, Mr. Griffin reported that the 911 Office will be providing approximately $450,000 annually and this will allow an offset to the operating budget. Mr. Griffin stressed, as do the Chiefs involved, that although they are sure that this center will provide savings to the communities involved, the important thing to stress is that the Towns will be receiving a higher quality of service. There was then further discussion regarding the construction of the facility. Mr. Griffin stated that Selectman Dormitzer has expressed concern regarding the employees. Mr. Griffin explained that he has met with them and they do have a lot of questions. He added that the dispatchers are unionized as they are in Hingham. He stated that there are takeovers and there are mergers,this project is being viewed as a merger. Mr. Griffin asked that the Board review the agreement and that they get back to him with any questions or concerns so that the Board can hopefully sign the agreement in the near future. Selectman Koed moved to adjourn the meeting. Selectman Carr seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous,4-0). Meeting adjourned at 8:50PM. Respectfully submitted, Paul Carlson Chairman Selectmen—11.09.09-JBO 3