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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 02/08/2010 Minutes—Board of Selectmen February 8, 2010 Selectmen Present- Paul Carlson, Chairman Karen Quigley Frederick R. Koed Edwin G. Carr Selectman Absent- Ralph S. Dormitzer Chairman Paul Carlson called the meeting to order at 700PM. State Legislative Update State Representative Garrett Bradley and Ted Langill,from Senator Hedlund's office addressed the Board. Representative Bradley gave updates on the budget, stating that the Governor has called for level funding of Chapter 70 and is trying to not cut local aid. He also reviewed pending legislation as well as grants that the Town has received and that it could be eligible for. Selectman Quigley asked for help with healthcare and giving the Town the power to design its own plans. Representative Bradley stated that they are looking into it. Mr. Griffin stated that if the Town were able to design plans, as the State is, it could save the Town $350,000, which would be a big help. Other discussions included the rooms and meals tax and the Hingham rotary. Representative Bradley stated that the larger towns are considering adding the taxes. He also asked the Board to please provide their input regarding the rotary. The Board thanked them for their time. Selectmen's Comment Period Chairman Carlson congratulated Town Manager, William Griffin, for celebrating his fifth year as Town Manager of Cohasset. Members of the Board thanked Mr. Griffin for his great management skills and the support he provides to the Board and the community. Chairman Carlson also announced that Town Counsel Paul DeRensis has been elected Vice President of the Selectmen's Association. Selectman Quigley stated that she was shocked by the results of a Cohasset Mariner survey that stated that 80%of people were too busy to run for election. She stated that this is apparent by the low attendance at Town Meetings. She encouraged people to get involved with Town Government and help make decisions that help govern the Town. She said that being involved is a great experience. Selectman Edwin Carr stated that Captain Stephen Bowen has informed him that NASA has accepted the gift of the Town flag and it will go into space. Selectman Carr also encouraged the community to get involved in Town Government. Selectman Fred Koed stated that he attended the Harbor Health panel. He stated that the general consensus is that too much fresh water is getting into the harbor and that he sure they will be coming before the Board. Licenses& Permits—Selectman Carr moved to approve a one-day liquor license for the "Score" Fundraiser on March 6, 2010 at the South Shore Art Center. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Selectmen—2.8.10-JBO 1 Minutes—Board of Selectmen February 8, 2010 Minutes—Selectman Koed moved to approve the minutes of December 14, 2010 as amended. Selectman Quigley seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (4-0). Selectman Koed moved to approve the minutes of January 112010. Selectman Quigley seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(3-0, Selectman Carr abstained). South Shore Music Circus Liquor License—Mr. Vincent G. Longo, Manager of the South Shore Music Circus, addressed the Board and reviewed the history of his liquor license for the Board. The South Shore Music Circus (SSMC) has held a beer and wine license since 1994. For many years the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) monitored a Special Permit they granted the SSMC that covered both zoning issues regarding a canopy, but the wine and beer license as well. In January 2011, the ZBA modified their decision and removed any reference to the license as they feel this falls under the jurisdiction of the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Longo would like to now modify the conditions that are placed on their license. These conditions were implemented by the Board of Selectmen in 1994 and were based on the Special Permit granted by the ZBA. Mr. Longo reviewed the existing conditions for the Board and requested that conditions 3 and 9 be deleted and the other eight conditions remain in place (copy of conditions on file in the Selectmen's Office). After a lengthy discussion, Chairman Carlson moved to approve the deletion of conditions 3 and 9. Selectman Carr seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (4-0). ATM Article Review Board of Health Article#22-General Bylaws Amendment—Dog Regulations—Tara Tradd, Stephen Bobo and Margaret Chapman of the Board of Health addressed the Board. Ms. Tradd stated that in 2000 the current regulation was put in the bylaws. At the recommendation of the Animal Control Officer, this bylaw amendment would allow the office to enforce fines to those dog owners who do not pick up after their pets. After a lengthy discussion, Selectman Carr moved to recommend Article 22. Selectman Quigley seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (4-0). Article 12- Motor Vehicle Tax Deferment for Active Service Veterans— Deputy Assessor, Mary Quill, Assessors Mary Granville and Michael Petrolia, and Veteran's Services Direct,Joseph McElroy, addressed the Board. This article would allow active servicemen to defer payment for 180 days after their return from serving. After a brief discussion,Selectman Koed moved to recommend Article 12. Selectman Carr seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (4-0). Article 13- Residency Requirement for Veterans—Ms. Quill explained that this article reduces the residency requirement for veterans who were not domiciled in Massachusetts 6 months before entering the service, from 5 years to 1 year before application. After a brief discussion, Selectman Carr moved to recommend article 13. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Article 14—Funding Triennial Revaluation Program— Ms. Quill explained that there are mandates from the Department of Revenue that the assessors must follow to maintain the accurate and equitable assessments for the properties in the town. Ms. Quill has talked to vendors and the cost looks to be $25,000. Selectman Quigley asked that the amount be placed in the summary on the warrant. Selectman Carr then moved to recommend article 14. Selectman Quigley seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (4-0). Selectmen—2.8.10-JBO 2 Minutes—Board of Selectmen February 8, 2010 Article 15—Property Tax Exemptions--Ms. Quill explained that this article allows the Board of Assessors to increase all exemptions granted by the Town of Cohasset by 100%. Selectman Carr moved to recommend article 15. Selectman Koed seconded the vote was unanimous (4-0). Article 16—Property Tax Exemptions for Seniors—Ms. Quill stated that this article further assists seniors by allowing the Board of Assessors to grant an additional increase of 100%to applicants who qualify (seniors). Selectman Quigley moved to recommend article 16. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Article 23—Citizen's Petition—Beechwood Ballpark—This is a citizen's petition. Glenn Pratt and Merle Brown of the Beechwood Ballpark Association addressed the Board. Mr. Pratt explained that since the ballfield has been redone, the upkeep of the park has been more than can be done by the DPW. There are funds in a Beechwood Improvement Association Fund in the amount of$11,860.02 that could be used to help with the upkeep and maintenance of the filed. Selectman Carr moved to recommend article 23. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Proposed Cohasset Roundhouse Historical Interpretive Site Plan—Selectman Carr moved to approve the plan as proposed. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (4-0). Selectman Koed moved to adjourn the meeting. Selectman Quigley seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (4-0). Meeting adjourned at 835PM. Respectfully submitted, Paul Carlson Chairman Selectmen—2.8.10-JBO 3