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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 12/14/2009 Minutes—Board of Selectmen December 14, 2009 Selectmen 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 6:30PM. Executive Session—Chairman Carlson moved that the Board go into Executive Session for the purposes of discussing Collective Bargaining. The Board will only come out of Executive Session for the purposes of adjourning the meeting. Selectman Koed seconded the motion. Selectman Frederick Koed—Aye Selectman Ralph Dormitzer—Aye Selectman Karen Quigley—Aye Chairman Paul Carlson—Aye Chairman Carlson moved to go into open session at 7PM. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was (5-0,Selectman Carr arrived for the Open Session). Selectmen's Comment Period Selectman Quigley reminded the community of the water forum is taking place on January 4, 2010. In addition, she mentioned that the Town of Scituate just signed on to install a wind turbine that will pay for the wastewater treatment plant operations. Selectman Quigley also stated that there seems to be a common misconception that the Police Station is going to close if the regional dispatch system is not implemented. She stated the police are not going anywhere. Selectman Quigley would also like to suggest that the Board go paperless with the packets. Selectman Dormitzer stated that the savings could be negated by the fact that the Board members would need to print items off at home. Selectman Carr stated that he has been contacted by Captain Steve Bowen and that he has been selected to go back into space. He has asked that the Town select an item to send up in space. Selectman Koed alerted the public that the light signals at the West Corner Bridge have been changed. It is one way and can be a bit confusing. He stated that people can travel both ways,just not simultaneously. Minutes—Selectman Carr moved the minutes of October 26, 2009 as amended. Selectman Dormitzer seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Annual License Renewals—Chairman Carlson moved to renew the remaining annual licenses. Selectman Dormitzer seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Liquor Hearing— New Wine & Malt Package Store License for Local Vines and Gourmet, LLC, 132 Chief Justice Cushing Highway. Applicant Deborah Hardey addressed the Board. Selectman Dormitzer stated Selectmen—12.14.09-JBO 1 Minutes—Board of Selectmen December 14, 2009 that the Town already has a lot of package stores and asked how she would be able to distinguish herself from the other businesses. Ms. Hardey stated that her shop will not carry name brands, but focus on local wines, beers and cheeses. In addition, she plans on selling chocolates and eventually packaged meals. Her location is near the train and this will be a benefit to commuters. Selectman Carr moved to grant approval of the application for a new Wine and Malt package store license. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Scott Dale—Avalon Bay Cohasset Project Update—Mr. Scott Dale addressed the Board, along with his Attorney Steve Schwartz. Mr. Dale stated they would like to propose converting the existing traditional Comprehensive Permit to a Local Initiative Permit (LIP). He stated that it is a simple process to do so, that they only need to submit the application to the Board of Selectmen and then to DHCD. He stated that all that would change is that DHCH would monitor the project to ensure that they are meeting all of the affordable requirements, something that is usually done by Mass Housing. Mr. Dale explained that the benefit to Avalon is that a LIP the need to go to Mass Housing for financing,thus opening up the options for them to get financing elsewhere or even to finance the project themselves. Selectman Dormitzer stated that he sees the benefit to them (Avalon) but asked if this would help the Town at all. Mr. Dale stated that converting it to a LIP is not really a huge savings to Avalon, but could allow the project to start earlier. Mr. Dale said that one of the items that he would like to address with the Board is the possible development of the property along 3A that is presently in disrepair. He was thinking of some sort of commercial option or perhaps a satellite public safety building. Selectman Quigley stated that she was more inclined to lean in the direction of the public safety building as additional retail could hurt the existing retailers in that area. Chairman Carlson asked about the rumored pollution on the site and Mr. Dale agreed he was suspicious. Selectman Carr addressed the LIP application again and stated that he thought it was an interesting option to pursue. Chairman of the Zoning Board, S. Woodworth Chittick, was in the audience and he stated that the ZBA would endorse a conversion to a LIP. Mr. Dale would also like to finalize the plans for the sidewalks along 3A.There was a brief discussion about the options the Board would consider. Chairman Carlson suggested the Board look at the area again, and make a final vote at an upcoming meeting. Mr. Dale's then asked the Board to consider changing the design of the project,to one more like a village, similar to the Shipyard development in Hingham. He asked if the Board would also consider more density in order to achieve the 10%affordable threshold. Mr. Dale stated that it would be something that would be done in two phases; that way it could be severable if it looks like the project could hurt any agreements they already have in place with the Town (i.e. with the Water Department). Selectman Dormitzer said that he thought it would be good to reach the 10%. Mr. Dale invited the Board to do a walk through at Avalon Hingham. They will then meet in the coming months to finalize the issues. Bill Burnett—Cohasset Triathlon—Mr. Burnett updated the Board on the success of the event. He stated that it is a great event that highlights the Town. He is in this evening to request a change in the start time from 8AM to 9AM. He has spoken with the Harbormaster, Police, Fire and many residents who all agree a later start time would make sense. Chairman Carlson said that his concern with starting it later is that it will cut off business to the merchants in the village. Mr. Burnett stated that they only cut off a few parking locations in the village. He added that the Harbormaster had expressed concern about the earlier start time of 8AM. Selectman Quigley stated that everyone feels it is a great event; however her concerns are about the impact on the community. She has experienced trouble getting down the streets during the event, and she does feel there is a significant impact on the merchants. Selectmen—12.14.09-JBO 2 Minutes—Board of Selectmen December 14, 2009 Selectman Quigley suggests that Mr. Burnett reach out to the Chamber of Commerce and possible discuss a mitigation fee and other ways to reduce any negative impact on businesses. She added that she too has talked to the Harbormaster, and that no matter what time the event would take place,there will be concerns. Chief Silvia stated that weather has caused the race to be delayed, and perhaps starting it later could possibly shorten up the time the streets are impacted. Mr. Burnett stated that he would meet with the businesses. Selectman Dormitzer said that he would support moving the triathlon to 9AM. He agrees with Selectman Quigley that there needs to be some sort of offset for any loss to merchants, but he feels that the Triathlon is a great event for the Town. Selectman Quigley suggested the use of the Connect CTY program to remind residents the night before the race. She stated that the bottom line is that the community is very supportive of the event and she would like to see the event support the community. She asked Mr. Burnett to come back with an update. Proposed Abbott Development License—Chairman Carlson stated that the easement for Abbott Development did not receive the 2/3 vote at Town Meeting. Attorney Richard Henderson is before the Board this evening to present a license agreement. Attorney Henderson explained that the license will be put in place to protect the Town. The license would be a part of all of the condominium documents and will run with the land. Chairman Carlson asked if the license would make Abbot Development fully responsible for any damage to the Town's property. Attorney Henderson explained that it would and that the association will always be required to carry a large insurance policy. After a brief discussion, Selectman Koed moved to approve the license. Selectman Quigley seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Review of Facilities Management Department—Chairman Carlson reviewed a memo that summarized a recent investigation into the operations of this department and how it is run. Chairman Carlson explained that the Facilities Department was centralized five years ago, and he and Selectman Quigley felt it was time to review the department and determine if any structural changes needed to be made. He emphasized that Facilities Manager, Brian Adams, is doing a great job, but where the function is now just five years old, it made sense to review it. They feel that Mr. Adams needs a job description to help clarify his responsibilities. Chairman Carlson reviewed the departments they spoke with, suggestions from those departments, as well as the input and goals from Mr. Adams. Chairman Carlson and Selectman Quigley will review their findings with various town boards to get their input as well. Selectman Koed moved to adjourn the meeting. Selectman Dormitzer seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Meeting adjourned at 8:50PM. Respectfully submitted, Paul Carlson Chairman Selectmen—12.14.09-JBO 3