HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 02/22/2010 Minutes—Board of Selectmen February 22, 2010
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 70013M.
Town Manager's Report
Town Manager, William Griffin, explained that the Massachusetts Municipal Association has filed H.
2509 to provide cities and towns the same health insurance plan design authority as held by the state.
Mr. Griffin asked the Board to approve and sign a letter he drafted supporting the bill to the appropriate
parties. Selectman Ralph Dormitzer moved to approve and sign the letter. Selectman Karen Quigley
seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (5-0).
Mr. Griffin explained that his office had received a request from EBI Consulting, Inc., the firm working on
behalf of T-Mobile Northeast. EBI was seeking comments on the proposed installation of three panel
antennas with a proposed replacement steeple at the First Parish Church on Cohasset Common. Mr.
Griffin's office forwarded the request to both the Cohasset Common Historic District Commission and
the Cohasset Historical Commission. Mr. Griffin asked the Board if they wished to place this matter on a
future agenda. A member of First Parish, Rodney Hobson, addressed the Board. He reviewed the status
of the proposal stating that he did not feel the installation of the antenna would negatively affect the
building. The installation of such an antenna would bring in revenue for the church to help pay for its
maintenance. He stated that the Town owns the land, but the church owns the building.The only direct
role the town would be a part of would be granting the easement to the project. Chairman Carlson
thanked Mr. Hobson and stated that the Board would need to look further into the project further and
determine if the Selectmen will need to play a role.
Mr. Griffin then announced that a public meeting will be held with Jeff Oaks of CLE Engineering to
discuss the Cat Dam gate operation and maintenance plan on Thursday, March 11, 2009 at7PM.
Licenses& Permits—Selectman Dormitzer moved to approve a Common Victualler's License for J&L
Inc., d/b/a Village Butcher& Deli. Selectman Edwin Carr seconded the motion and the vote was
unanimous(5-0).
ATM Article Review
Sewer Betterments Interest Rate (Article 19)—Sewer Commissioner,John Beck, addressed the Board.
Mr. Beck reviewed the article for the Board. Mr. Griffin stated that he would like to look back and see
what was done with betterment interest rates for past sewer projects. The Board agreed to postpone
the vote until a future meeting.
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Minutes—Board of Selectmen February 22, 2010
Return of Sewer Connection Fee (Article 20)—Mr. Beck explained this article would return the sewer
connection fee paid for the property located at 40 South Main Street to Ms.Tina Watson who has since
sold the property. Selectman Dormitzer moved to recommend article 20. Selectman Carr seconded
the motion and the vote was unanimous(5-0).
Setting of Sewer Fees and Rates (Article 21)— Mr. Beck requested to withdraw this article from the
Annual Town Meeting.
Citizens Petition—Little Harbor Sewer District Expenses—Mr. Alexander Koines of 380 Atlantic Avenue
addressed the Board. Mr. Koines explained that the other sewer districts were paid for by 50/50 and
that he feels changing Little Harbor to 50/50 makes the most sense as the precedent has already been
set. He feels that the 100%vote was made in haste to get the project done. Selectman Koed stated
that he felt it relieves a bit of the burden on the people of Little Harbor who are already helping to pay
for the Central and North Sewer projects. After further discussion, Mr. Griffin stated he would get the
Board more information on previous votes on other sewer betterments from previous town meetings.
The Board agreed to postpone the vote until a previous meeting.
Operating Budget(Article 3)—Mr. Griffin reviewed his recommended budget for FY 2010 for the Board.
Mr. Griffin stated that the process is very fluid. He explained that the Department Heads gave level
funded budgets as well as budgets with a reduction of 5%. He stated that as of this meeting, the School
had not voted on a budget and that he was not sure where they stood. The Board is also waiting on the
Sewer and Water Budgets. Mr. Griffin stated that the water and sewer would have to be recommended
at Town Meeting, but that the Board can recommend the Town budget as article 3. The Board will wait
to make a recommendation until other budgets are in.
Union Contracts&Other Salary Adiustments(Article 4)—Mr. Griffin stated that this article addresses
the firefighter collective bargaining agreement. Selectman Dormitzer moved to recommend Article 4.
Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(5-0).
Unpaid Bills from Previous Years(Article 9)—Selectman Carr moved to indefinitely postpone article 9.
Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(5-0).
Post-Retirement Health Insurance Liability Stabilization Fund (Article 11)—Selectman Dormitzer
moved to recommend $20,000 be deposited into the Health Insurance Liability Stabilization Fund.
Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(5-0).
Mr. Griffin gave the Board a synopsis of what articles were coming before them for recommendations at
upcoming meetings. Selectman Quigley asked that if available,the monetary amounts be given in the
informational summaries in the warrant if they are known.
Executive Session—Selectman Quigley moved that the Board go into Executive Session for the
purposes of discussing Collective Bargaining& Non-Union Compensation. The Board will only come
out of Executive Session for the purposes of adjourning the meeting. Selectman Koed seconded the
motion.
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Minutes—Board of Selectmen February 22, 2010
Selectman Frederick Koed—Aye
Selectman Ralph Dormitzer—Aye
Selectman Edwin G. Carr-Aye
Selectman Karen Quigley—Aye
Chairman Paul Carlson—Aye
Selectman Koed moved to adjourn the meeting. Selectman Carr seconded the motion and the vote
was unanimous. Meeting adjourned at 9PM.
Respectively submitted,
Paul Carlson
Chairman
Selectman—2.22.10-JBO
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