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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 05/24/2010 Minutes—Board of Selectmen May 24, 2010 Selectmen Present: Karen Quigley, Chairman Edwin G. Carr Frederick Koed Paul Carlson Leland H.Jenkins Others Present: William R. Griffin,Town Manager Jennifer Oram, Selectmen's Clerk Chairman Karen Quigley called the meeting to order at 7:0013M. Selectman Frederick Koed will be arriving late. Selectmen's Comment Period Selectman Paul Carlson encouraged people to attend the water forum on June 8, 2010. Selectman Edwin Carr stated that he attended the recent Cohasset Education Foundation Fundraiser at the South Shore Music Circus and it was very successful. Chairman Quigley reviewed the list of events scheduled for Memorial Day. Licenses& Permits—Selectman Carr moved to approve a one day liquor license for a Jazz Reception on June 19,2010,as well as Entertainment License and five food vendor licenses for the South Shore Art Festival to be held on June 18th, 19t"and 20", 2010. Selectman Leland Jenkins seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Minutes—Selectman Carr moved t approve the minutes of May 10,2010 as written. Selectman Jenkins seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Proclamation for Wiemore family—Selectman Carlson moved to approve and sign the proclamation. Selectman Carr seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(5-0,Selectman Koed now present). Scott Dale—Avalon LIP Application—Mr. Scott Dale of Avalon Cohasset and Attorney Steven Schwartz addressed the Board. Mr. Dale stated that they were there this evening following up on their last time before the Board. He stated that the Town's Housing Consultant,Judi Barrett, has reviewed the LIP application and made minor changes. In addition,Attorney Schwartz has been talking with Attorney Lou Ross of Town Counsel's office and who has signed off on the application and the revised regulatory agreement that is before the Board this evening. Selectman Jenkins stated that he had done some homework and that he is concerned that the additional units will draw children to the school system. Mr. Dale stated that they have talked with the Building Inspector and that without the additional 20 units,the Town would still be short the 10%affordable housing threshold thus leaving the Town susceptible to future 40B projects. Mr. Dale added that there will not be any three bedroom units at the development. Selectmen Jenkins stated that he was still concerned about additional students as that it a lot of money [to the Town]. Chairman Quigley stated that the Board had already voted to approve the 20 additional units at a previous meeting. Mr. Dale stated that they were going before the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) on June 1"to ask for their vote. There was then a lengthy conversation about Selectmen—5.24.10-JBO 1 Minutes—Board of Selectmen May 24, 2010 sidewalks. Chairman Quigley expressed concern about the children accessing the schools without sidewalks and asked if they could approve the LIP application without deciding on the sidewalks this evening. Attorney Schwartz said they could. Selectman Carr then asked if the series of payments that are in the permit are on track and Mr. Dale confirmed that they are. There was then an extensive conversation about the development and the site. After further discussion, Selectman Carr moved to approve the LIP application contingent upon ZBA approval. Selectman Carlson seconded the motion and the vote was 4-1, Selectman Jenkins against. Selectman Carr moved to allow the Chairman to sign the letter approving the LIP application on behalf of the Board. Selectman Carlson seconded the motion and the vote was 4-1,Selectman Jenkins against. Treat's Pond—Army Corp of Engineers E-Mail Message—The Board reviewed the email sent to the Town Manager from John Kennelly of the Army Corps of Engineers regarding the Treat's Pond project. Selectman Carr noted that in the email it was stated that a peer review had a 45 million dollar threshold; however it is his understanding that there are some exceptions and he would like to look into this further. Selectman Carr would also like to look into the flooding mitigation. Chairman Quigley stated that they need to respond to the Army Corp and asked if the Board would like to invite them back in before their September deadline. Chairman Quigley stated that you cannot use a saltwater marsh for stormwater retention and that much time has been taken debating this issue back and forth. She suggested that perhaps it is time to look at the issue at hand which is flooding. There was then a brief discussion about the various routes the Army Corp had looked at for the project. Selectman Carr would like to still look into other options. Selectman Koed stated that he would like to place an advertisement to see if the Board could get some free advice about the Sandy Cove outlet. He would also like to see a TV camera go down the existing outfall pipe. Mr. Griffin stated that the DPW Superintendant is looking to hire a camera to get down the pipe so he can see what condition it is in, if there are any obstructions and if he can find any manholes. Chairman Quigley then stated that it sounded like the Board did not want to have the Army Corp come back in before the Board. Mr. Griffin asked if the Board is pulling the plug on the project. Selectman Carr stated that his answer has not changed and he would still like to look into some other options and that they have a September deadline that will allow them to do so. Board Priorities—Community Preservation Act—Chairman Quigley stated that she and Selectman Jenkins had attended a Community Preservation Committee (CPC) meeting where the committee held a very enlightening meeting that explained where the monies come from. Chairman of the CPC, Stuart Ivimey,then addressed the Board. He stated that Senator Hedlund has introduced an amendment to the CPC bill that would allow CPC funds to be used to make an improvement to an open space asset that was not purchased with CPC money. Mr. Ivimey then reviewed where the money comes from, how the state matches it and how the CPC budgets it. Selectman Jenkins stated that he would like to give the community the opportunity to weigh in on if they want to keep it going. He stated that if the Town should vote to opt out,the community could then vote to reapply for it. Selectmen Jenkins stated that he does feel the projects have been very,very good, but thinks eventually the match from the state will drop to a point where it's not worth doing. Selectman Carlson agreed. Selectman Carr stated that he looked at the list of projects and agrees that they have spent a lot of money preserving our [the Towns] history. Mr. Griffin asked Mr. Ivimey if he could round the figures out of what the remaining debt would be on land purchases the CPC has made. Mr. Griffin wants it explained as to what would happen if the CPC no longer exists. Mr. Ivimey explained that should that happen the money is there to pay off all commitments except for the bond. The surcharge would have to stay in place until that is paid off. Selectman Koed stated that he felt the CPC was a great value to the Town. After further discussion, Chairman Quigley asked the Board what they would like to do with this Board priority. Selectman Jenkins stated that he would like to bring the option to vote to keep or terminate the CPC to the Fall Selectmen—5.24.10-JBO 2 Minutes—Board of Selectmen May 24, 2010 town meeting. Selectman Carlson agreed stating that it is always good to review things from time to time. Mr. Ivimey asked that if they do consider terminating it,they do so at the end of the fiscal year. Selectman Koed asked if the Board could look at projects they would want to do in Town for the next five years and then ask how else they would be funded if not by the CPC. Mr. Ivimey stated that the CPC does feel that all of these projects would not go forward without the CPC funding. He stated that Taffy Nothnagle wonders if 60 Elm would even be in existence without it. Chairman Quigley stated that it seemed the consensus that the Board would like the Town to consider the funding at either the Fall or Spring Town Meeting as long as the termination of the CPC happened at the end of the fiscal year. The Board thanked Mr. Ivimey for a great job. Selectman Carlson moved to adjourn the meeting. Selectman Carr seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Meeting adjourned at 8:50PM. Respectfully submitted, Karen Quigley Chairman Selectmen—5.24.10-JBO 3