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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 06/21/2010 Minutes—Board of Selectmen June 21, 2010 Selectmen Present: Karen Quigley, Chairman Edwin G. Carr Frederick Koed Leland H.Jenkins Selectman Absent: Paul Carlson Others Present: William R. Griffin,Town Manager Jennifer Oram, Selectmen's Clerk Chairman Karen Quigley called the meeting to order at 7:0013M. Town Manager's Report Town Manager, William Griffin, announced that Associate Member Kathleen A. Hunter has resigned from the Zoning Board of Appeals leaving a position open. Mr. Griffin encouraged interested citizens to send a letter to the Selectmen's Office. Selectmen's Comment Period Selectman Frederick Koed stated that he will be marching in the Hingham's 4th of July Parade to celebrate Hingham's 375 Anniversary. Selectman Leland Jenkins stated that the school's financial reports were hard to read. He added that it would be nice if the school reports, Sewer Commission Reports and Water Department reports could be submitted to the Board on a quarterly basis. Selectman Edwin Carr stated that the South Shore Arts Festival was a great success over the weekend. Mr. Griffin then sent Congratulations to the Cohasset Lacrosse and Baseball teams on their State Championships. Pledge of Liquor License—Local Vines and Gourmet, LLC, d/b/a Local Vines and Gourmet—This license has already been approved by the Board however the bank has asked that the owner, Deborah Hardy, get a vote of the Board to pledge the license. Selectman Carr moved to pledge of license for Local Vines and Gourmet, LLC,d/b/a Local Vines and Gourmet. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Public Works Economic Development Grant Discussion—Village Revitalization Phase 3—Mr.Thomas Gruber of the Greenbush Office addressed the Board and reviewed his offices preparation of a Public Works Economic Development Grant application (PWED) grant. . Mr. Gruber explained that this project would be for Phase III of the Village Revitalization; a continuation of the work done previously in the Village commercial area. Mr. Gruber reviewed the four areas in the village that they would include in this project. These areas include: The Town Parking Lot, additional parking on a parcel of town owned land located behind the Recreation Center, improvements to the road, sidewalk and street drainage on Ripley Road from Depot Court to the Post Office, possibly sidewalk work to the Paul Pratt Library, and the reconfiguration of the Depot Court/Ripley Road intersection. Mr. Gruber reviewed, in detail, what the work would be done and stated that the goal of the PWED grant is to better integrate Selectmen—6.28.10-JBO 1 Minutes—Board of Selectmen June 21, 2010 these areas into the village to promote economic development. They have received letters of support from Senator Hedlund and Representative Bradley's office. The application is due on June 30, 2010 and prior to submitting it,the Board of Selectmen needs to hold a public hearing and then vote to support it. The hearing is scheduled for Monday,June 28, 2010. The Board thanked Mr. Gruber for his time and stated that they would see him back in a week. Water Finances Follow-up Discussion--Chairman Quigley stated that she thought it was important to follow up on this subject right after the Town Meeting held on June 14, 2010. Chairman Quigley stated that Water Commissioner, Chris Seebeck, and Mr. Griffin have established way to track the Water Department's expenses. In addition,there is going to be an audit and a draft RFP for the auditor will be available in the next week. Mr. Griffin reviewed what the audit will cover, stating it would go back to the year 2004, looking at Town Meeting articles,the governance and structure of the department and will also look at the operating budget back to FY 2008. After further discussion, Selectman Carlson read aloud a statement on behalf of the Board and Mr. Griffin, correcting information that had been stated at the Water Forum. At that Forum, it was stated that Abbott Development had made a second payment to the Town. That is not the case, it is coming, but the payment will not be made until the end of this week. Mr. Griffin then apologized for any confusion this may have caused. Mr. Griffin then asked the Board to authorize the audit by vote. Selectman Carr moved to authorizing the audit of the Water Department. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Mr. Griffin stated that once an amount is determined for the cost of the audit, a request will be made to the Advisory Committee for the funds to come from the Reserve Fund. The Board then discussed at length, how the RFPs for the auditor would be reviewed. Many concepts were discussed including, the Advisory Board, or a committee made up of the Chairmen from the Advisory Committee, Selectmen and the Capital Budget Committee. Selectman Carr asked Mr. Griffin what he would normally do. Mr. Griffin stated that he would create a group of 3-5 people. Selectman Koed thought that this review would fall under the Advisory Committee, however Mr. Griffin pointed out that it would be difficult to coordinate 9 people's schedules. In addition,that Committee has experienced a great deal of turn over in the past month with four new members. Mr. Griffin said that the Advisory Committee will be discussing this topic at their upcoming meeting and can make their recommendations regarding the process to the Board at a future date. Open Meeting Law Amendments Review—Mr. Griffin reviewed the changes made to the Open Meeting Law that will go into effect on July 1, 2010. The Attorney General's Office will now enforce the Open Meeting Law. Other important changes are that the agendas for meetings must still be posted 48 hours before the meeting; however this does not include Saturday and Sunday,the agenda must list what the Chairman reasonably thinks will be discussed,the posting has to be visible from outside the building 24/7, the Chairman must announce that the meeting is being recorded, submissions presented at the hearing must become part of the permanent record and many other changes. All of the changes can be viewed at the web site of the Attorney General. Letter of Support—Open Space& Recreation Plan—Selectman Carr moved to approve the draft letter of support for Chairman Quigley to sign. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Selectmen—6.28.10-JBO 2 Minutes—Board of Selectmen June 21, 2010 Committee Reappointments— Board of Directors of the Cohasset Community Television Corporation—Selectman Koed moved to appoint Paul Carlson, Patricia Martin and James Morrison for three years. Selectman Carr seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Cohasset Conservation Commission—Selectman Koed moved to appoint Jack Creighton for three years. Selectman Carr seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Cohasset Cultural Council—Selectman Koed moved appoint Selene Carlo-Eymer and Sarah Torrey for three years. Selectman Carr seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (4-0). Harbor Committee—Selectman Koed moved to appoint Lillian Murray Curley(Recreation Designee) and Peter Wood for three years. Selectman Jenkins seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (4-0). Open Space Committee—Selectman Koed moved to appoint Richard Avery for three years. Selectman Carr seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (4-0). Stormwater Advisory Committee—Selectman Koed moved to appoint James D. Fitzgerald for three years. Selectman Carr seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Selectman Carr moved to adjourn the meeting. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Meeting adjourned at 8:10PM. Respectfully submitted, Karen Quigley Chairman Selectmen—6.28.10-JBO 3