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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 03/08/2010 Minutes—Board of Selectmen March 8,2010 Selectmen Present: Paul Carlson, Chairman Karen Quigley Frederick R. Koed Ralph Dormitzer Edwin G. Carr Others Present: William Griffin,Town Manager Jennifer Oram, Selectmen's Clerk Chairman Paul Carlson called the meeting to order at 7:OO13M. Selectmen's Comment Period Chairman Carlson announced the passing of Cohasset resident John Roy and held a moment of silence. Chairman Carlson then stated that on a happier note,the Girl's Basketball team made it to the finals and will be playing at the Boston Garden against Manchester/Essex. Selectman Karen Quigley stated that she had attended a meeting at the Scituate town hall to discuss the rehabilitation of Hunter's Dam located on Mordecai Lincoln Road. There is some uncertainty regarding ownership, but once that is determined, work should move forward. Selectman Ralph Dormitzer asked if it could be confirmed it there exists a provision that a person that is not a citizen of the United States, but a resident of the Town of Cohasset could vote in the Town Election. Minutes—Selectman Carr moved to approve the minutes of February 1, 2010 as amended. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Scott Dale—Avalon Development—Mr. Dale and his Attorney Steve Schwartz addressed the Board. Mr. Dale reviewed items that were previously brought before the Board. They would like to convert Avalon's existing Comprehensive Permit to a LIP. Chairman Carlson stated that they had asked Town Counsel to review the request and that by making such a change, the primary benefit would be that the affordable units would count toward the Town's inventory. Chairman Carlson stated that he did not see a downside to the conversion, but that the Board would of course have to review the application thoroughly before they could recommend it. Selectman Quigley asked Mr. Dale what his thoughts were on a possible fire station up on 3A. Mr. Dale stated that there is a parcel of land that they presently do not own or control, but aesthetically,they would like to clean up. He stated that they would certainly be open to further discussions on this, but that Avalon could not take on the financial burden. There was then a lengthy discussion about increasing the density of the project, which would help the Town get to their 10%affordable housing goal. They discussed the design of the project, making the buildings a little more diverse. Mr. Dale stated that he feels this makes it feel more like a community. They would like to keep the modifications minor so that there would be less for the Board of Appeals to have to review. Mr. Dale stated that they would keep the same plan, but add no more than 20 additional units. The Board made a consensus that they would approve an increase to 220 units. They then briefly discussed sidewalks, suggestions were made about connecting the sidewalk from Fair Oaks to 3A and from the businesses on 3A(Good Sport etc.), to the Stop and Shop plaza. Mr. Dale stated that Selectmen—3.8.10-JBO 1 Minutes—Board of Selectmen March 8,2010 they are committed to building the sidewalks the Town would like, but they would like specific locations to be requested. The Board thanked them for coming in. Water Commission—Budget&Town Meeting Articles—Water Commissioners Glenn Pratt and John McNabb addressed the Board. Mr. Pratt reviewed the Department's finances for the Board. He stated that presently,they see that they could have a shortfall for FY10 as high as $700,000 and that FY11 would be even higher. They attributed the losses to a number of issues: Linden Ponds stopped building, payments for legal settlements have not been received, metering issues, a tremendous amount of rain during the 2009 summer, capital costs and debt service. Selectman Dormitzer stated that he has reviewed all of the materials and that he understands that everything compounds something else. He stated that if they create a third tier in the water rates,they are creating further disincentives to use water. He stated that he knows there has been a suggestion to create a committee to look at the financial issues and he agrees this should be done. In addition, Selectman Dormitzer feels an audit should be done from top to bottom. Selectman Quigley stated that she feels that they need to look at everything and use the financial expertise that the Town has available in groups like the Capital Budget Committee. Selectman Quigley stated that the longer it takes to resolve the issues,the more the FY11 budget will be affected. Chairman Carlson said that he feels new rates would discourage water usage. Mr. McNabb stated that they have to look at restructuring the debt. Selectman Quigley stated that she did not feel they could move forward with a rate increase because she does not feel they would get it at Town Meeting. She said that the public confidence in the water quality is down. She asked if it would could be possible to pull the Water Department's budget from the Annual Town Meeting and having a Special Town Meeting in a few months. This would give everyone more time to look at the issues further. Selectmen Koed and Dormitzer agreed. Chairman Carlson stated that they will have to do a rate increase, but if they have three more months to start looking, it makes more sense to wait. There was further discussion about usage percentages and the ages of the existing meters as well as water leaks and how all of this affects revenue. Chairman Carlson asked if there was anyone in the audience that wished to speak. Maria Osborne of 22 Spring Street stated that she does not think a rate increase would pass at Town Meeting and that having the additional three months to review the situation would be worth it. Erin O'Duggan of 10 Highland Court stated that she feels that people like herself and Ms. Osborne should be a part of the proposed committee and that they [the committee] should look for long term solutions. Kathleen Devaney of 7 Spring Street stated that she supported Selectman Quigley's suggestion of a forensic audit. Mr. Christopher Seebeck of 36 Riverview Drive, and a candidate for Water Commissioner, stated that the issues they are looking at are both complex and broad. Chairman Carlson asked if the Board was in support of putting off a rate increase to a Special Town Meeting.The Board agreed. Chairman Carlson reviewed what the Board would want as the proposed make-up of the Water Planning Group. He feels that this group would come up with the recommendations for the June Special Town Meeting. Selectman Dormitzer moved to establish the Water Planning Group. Selectman Carr seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Chairman Carlson stated that he would like to see Selectman Koed serve as he is a former Water Commissioner. Chairman Carlson stated that he would like to serve as well. Selectman Quigley said that she would also be attending meeting. Mr. Griffin encouraged citizens interested in participating in the committee to apply to his office by 5PM the following Monday. Selectmen—3.8.10-JBO 2 Minutes—Board of Selectmen March 8, 2010 Selectman Carr moved to adjourn. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. (5-0). Meeting adjourned at 8:45PM. Respectfully submitted, Paul Carlson Chairman Selectmen—3.8.10-JBO 3