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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 04/12/2010 Minutes—Board of Selectmen April 12, 2010 Selectmen Present: Paul Carlson, Chairman Karen Quigley Frederick R. Koed Paul Carlson Leland H.Jenkins Others Present: William R. Griffin,Town Manager Jennifer Oram, Selectmen's Clerk Chairman Paul Carlson called the meeting to order at 7:0013M. Selectmen's Comment Period Selectman Karen Quigley stated that she was honored to attend the event honoring Dick Avery as the Cohasset Mariner's "Citizen of the Year". Selectman Quigley also reviewed a letter she received from Mr. Amory Houghton of 91 Atlantic Avenue in which Mr. Houghton asked if she had indicated that she did not want a study of the water quality of the harbor. Selectman Quigley stated that she advocated for a Committee called the Harbor Health Committee on which she served as Chair. This group contributed a significant amount of testing on the harbor at no cost to the Town. She stated that the group was a very independent group of people and that the one thing they all agreed on, one that they sent a letter of advisory to the Board of Selectmen regarding, is that they did not want any more stormwater to go into the harbor. She is therefore not interested in a water quality study based on putting additional stormwater in the harbor. Selectman Quigley also stated that she has created a FAQ sheet for the group of proponents to the 50/50 split in Little Harbor. If anyone is interested, they can get a copy from the office. Selectman Edwin Carr welcomed Leland H.Jenkins as the newest member of the Board. Chairman Carlson and Selectman Frederick Koed welcomed him as well. Reorganization of the Board Mr. Griffin asked for nominations of the position of Chairman. Selectman Carr moved to nominate Selectman Quigley as Chairman. Chairman Carlson seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Chairman Quigley moved to nominate Selectman Carr as Vice-Chairman. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Chairman Quigley thanked everyone and welcomed Selectman Jenkins to the Board. She thanked everyone for their support and stated that she looked forward to working with everyone and conducting an open chairmanship. She suggested that at the end for their next meeting they hold an open discussion to address goals of the Board members. Liquor Hearing—Proposed Transfer of All Alcohol Restaurant License of Blue Restaurant Inc. d/b/a Blackstone Tavern, 155-156 King Street to Jamie's of Cohasset, d/b/a Constantine's, same address. Proposed Manager and owner, Ralph Constantine addressed the Board. Mr. Constantine reviewed his extensive background in the food industry. He plans on making this more of an Italian/ Mediterranean Selectmen—4.12.10-JBO 1 Minutes—Board of Selectmen April 12, 2010 family style restaurant. After further discussion, Selectman Carlson moved to approve the license transfer and the pledge of license and forward it along to the ABCC for approval. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Joseph McElroy—Discussion of Issues Relating to Private Ways—Mr.Joseph McElroy, of 59 Windy Hill Road, addressed the Board. Mr. McElroy reviewed his hand out which outlined the history of private ways in Town as well as the Private Ways Committee that was established in 1991 and apparently disbanded in 1999. He reviewed the process in becoming a public way and the cost associated with it. Mr. McElroy stated that many people are not even aware that they live on private ways and what that means in regard to maintenance etc. He is asking the Board if perhaps a new committee should be formed. Selectman Carr stated that he is amazed at the amount of private ways in Town. Selectman Carlson stated he could see approaching the larger neighborhoods and canvassing them to see if there is interest. Planning Board member, Clark Brewer,joined Mr. McElroy and addressed the Board. He stated that the subdivision regulations have been written with the specific intent that the roads built by developers are built to the standards that would enable them to be accepted as public ways. He thinks that Mr. McElroy has done excellent work and he feels there are private ways that should be public ways in town. He suggested the Planning Board could start bringing such streets to the Board of Selectmen on an annual basis. Selectman Carlson asked Mr. Griffin what his experience with this issue has been. Mr. Griffin explained the processes that were established in the other towns he has worked in. He stated that the Board has to be aware that there are many things that would have to be kept in mind and that a process should be established,for example there is actual land taking to do this as you have to gain control of both sides of the street. After further discussion,the Board agreed that an update from the DPW would be beneficial, as well as speaking to previous members of the Private Ways Committee and any members of the public that wished to weigh in on the issue. Chairman Quigley suggested they follow up on this issue after more information is gathered. The Board thanked Mr. McElroy for his hard work. Review of Letter to be sent to Army Corps of Engineers with respect to Treat's Pond Saltwater Restoration Project&Grant—Mr. Griffin explained that after the previous discussion of the Board, he forwarded a letter to the Army Corp in which he had remembered there being a vote of the Board. This appears to not be the case and he apologizes for any confusion. He stated that he would write whatever correction the Board would like. He added that Melinda Evans, of 36 Sohier Street, has written her own letter to the Army Corp alerting them of the error. Selectman Carr asked that if the Board does send another letter, would the Board want to find out if there is a possibility of the independent peer review. Chairman Quigley stated that she did not see this issue going away any time soon and suggested inviting the Army Corp in. Mr. Griffin asked the Board to clarify the content of the letter. Selectman Koed stated that he would be interested in a review of the Sandy Cove issues. Mr. Peter Whittemore of 47 Elm Court stated he felt that the Army Corp is glued to the idea of a Salt Water Marsh restoration and that he wishes there was a better way to get funding for the flooding issues. He thinks there should be a study to look at the different routes. Mr. Paul Pattison of 104 Elm Street asked for clarification on the classification of Treat's Pond as a salt water marsh as he remembers it as a fresh water marsh. Chairman Quigley stated that she has an email in her files from the Army Corp that says that Treat's Pond is a degraded fresh water marsh and that they see the value of changing it to a salt water marsh. Selectman Koed then suggested that the Board post something on the MMA Board looking for engineering expertise about stormwater issues. Selectman Carlson stated that may be a way to get good information for low cost. Melinda Evans of 36 Sohier Street addressed the Board and stated that the Treat's Pond project is tied to aquatic ecosystem restoration. She said that the Army Corp does have flood control and stormwater programs as well. Chairman Quigley stated that she felt this was a good Selectmen—4.12.10-JBO 2 Minutes—Board of Selectmen April 12, 2010 point and suggested they ask the Army Corp to speak to the issue of stormwater and funding mechanisms for it. The Board agreed that this made sense. Selectman Carlson moved to direct Mr. Griffin to write a letter requesting an extension of the April 15, 2010 deadline to invite the Army Corp of Engineers to come before the Board to discuss the peer review process in regard to engineering options of the Treat's Pond project, as well as to have representatives from the Army Corp of engineers to discuss project opportunities and funding mechanisms through the Army Corp for stormwater remediation to relieve flooding in the Treat's Pond/Atlantic Avenue area. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Selectman Koed moved to adjourn the meeting. Selectman Carlson seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Meeting adjourned at 8:3013M. Respectfully submitted, Karen Quigley Chairman Selectmen—4.12.10-JBO 3