HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 07/07/2010 Minutes—Board of Selectmen June 7, 2010
Selectmen Present: Karen Quigley, Chairman
Edwin G. Carr*
Frederick R. 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:OO13M.
Approval of Bond Issue—Town Manager, William Griffin, reviewed the rates the Town received for the
Bond Anticipation Notes. Selectman Frederick Koed moved to approve the sale of$491,434 at 1.15%
and $2,189,914 in Bond Anticipation Notes at.52%; both to mature in December 2010. Selectman
Leland Jenkins seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(3-0, members held up due to car
accident*).
First Parish in Cohasset Unitarian Universalist—Discussion of possible license agreement—Mr. Rodney
Hobson and Mr.Art Myles addressed the Board. Mr. Myles explained that they would like to bury the
utilities underground. Where they are in the process of putting in the cell tower in the church steeple it
made sense to them to bury the cables that presently run to the Church. They are asking the Board if
they would consider granting a license to do the work on the common until they are able to obtain an
easement at a future Town Meeting. Chairman Quigley asked why they wouldn't just keep the license
{if granted]. Mr. Griffin explained that a license can be revoked where an easement cannot be. Mr.
Hobson stated that they are working on getting language for a license and will forward that as soon as
they have it. They are before the Board this evening to get its approval to continue to move forward.
Selectman Edwin Carr stated that the common is a complicated place and asked that they be sure to
communicate what they are doing. The Board agreed they had no issues with them moving forward.
Board Priorities—Building Commissioner Bob Egan—Local Permitting Tutorial—Selectman Carr stated
that it was he who had requested that Mr. Egan come in review the processes of permitting. He
wondered how the new sports complex off of Route 3A had not triggered a permitting process. Mr.
Egan addressed the Board and explained that when people want to construct a project, he refers to the
table of uses in the Zoning Bylaws. In this particular instance,that parcel is located in the Technology
Business District and an allowed use is a sports facility. The other changes up at that location took place
inside the existing building and the removal of the parking lot. The site went through a site plan review
eight years ago and where the expansion was not more than 200 square feet,the Planning Board did not
consider this change in use as an expansion. After the removal of the parking lot, they submitted a
parking plan to Mr. Egan and he forwarded that to the Conservation Commission where they went
through that permitting process. He feels it is a great use of the property. He added that they are
thinking of adding lights which they may need relief for. The Board then asked Mr. Egan to review the
process of a Site Plan Review. Mr. Egan explained the process stating that they are very cooperative
efforts. Mr. Egan also addressed overlay districts,the green communities act and legal fees in relation
to ZBA disputes.
Melissa Browne—Candidate for Appointment to Economic Development Committee (EDC)—Chairman
of the EDC, Mr.Timothy Chamberlain, stated that Ms. Browne would be a great addition to the EDC.
Ms. Browne stated that she felt with her experience and background she too could bring a lot to the
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Minutes—Board of Selectmen June 7, 2010
committee. Selectman Carr moved to appoint Melissa Brown to the Economic Development
Committee. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (5-0).
Economic Development Committee—Chairman of the EDC,Tim Chamberlain, updated the Board on
what the EDC is working on going forward. He said that presently the EDC has two additional positions
open and that they would be interested in people with experience with non profits, financial services
and that possess organization skills. During their existence the EDC has established a great relationship
with the Chamber of Commerce and will continue to build on this. The EDC would like to continue the
foundation they have established but now add to their list of goals objectives that will bring in prudent
economic development while keeping the Town's character. One of these goals is to establish a
commercial database that would list available commercial space in town. Mr. Chamberlain also
reviewed the success of Cohasset Day which is coming up in September. It is their hope to eventually
transfer ownership of the event to a committee come 2011 so the EDC can focus more on these items.
They are presently working on updating their charter and will bring it back before the Board when it is
ready.
Selectmen Comments:
Chairman Quigley stated that she had received a call from Congressman Delahunt's office requesting
members of the Board meet with Liz Carroll of that office about the Treats Pond project. Chairman
Quigley declined stating that the Board does not have private meetings but invited her office to come to
an open meeting to discuss the project. Ms. Carroll stated that they would get back to the Board.
Selectman Carlson said that resident and long time member of the Advisory Committee, Louis F. Eaton,
passed away. A moment of silence was held.
Committee Reappointments
Cable Advisory Committee—Selectman Koed moved to approve Paul Carlson, Patricia Martin and
James Morrison for one year. Selectman Jenkins seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous
(5-0).
Cohasset Conservation Commission—Selectman Carlson moved to approve Edward Graham and
Venetta Roebuck for three years. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous
(5-0).
Cohasset Common Historic District Commission—Selectman Carlson moved to approve Sarah H.
Gomez,Victor Lanzilotti,Virginia Norman and Can Tiryaki for three years. Selectman Koed seconded
the motion and the vote was unanimous(5-0).
Economic Development Committee—Selectman Carlson moved to appoint Timothy Chamberlain for
three years. Chairman Quigley seconded and the vote was unanimous (5-0).
Keeper of the Lockup—Selectman Carlson moved to appoint John Conte for one year. Selectman
Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (5-0).
Historical Commission—Selectman Carlson moved to appoint David Wadsworth for one year.
Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (5-0).
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Minutes—Board of Selectmen June 7, 2010
Norfolk County Advisory Committee—Selectman Carlson moved to appoint Frederick Koed for one
year. Chairman Quigley seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (5-0).
Registrar of Voters-Selectman Carlson moved to appoint Judith Volungis for three years. Selectman
Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (5-0).
Town Archivist—Selectman Carlson moved to appoint David Wadsworth for one year. Selectman
Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (5-0).
Town History Committee—Selectman Carlson moved to appoint Margo Cheel,Jacqueline M.
Dormitzer and Ann Pompeo for three years. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was
unanimous (5-0).
Zoning Board of Appeals—Selectman Jenkins moved to appoint Charles Higginson and Susan Kent for
three years. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (5-0).
June 14, 2010—Special Town Meeting—Article Review—Chairman Quigley stated that Articles 1 and 2
have already been discussed and Article 3 will be discussed on the floor of Town Meeting.
Article 4—Transfer from Stabilization Fund—This article is to help prevent the enterprise fund from
closing the fiscal year with a revenue deficit. After a brief discussion, Selectman Carlson moved to
recommend Article 4. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (5-0).
Article 5—Amendment to Fiscal 2011 Operating Budget—Selectman Jenkins asked a series of questions
regarding Article 6 in relation to this Article. After a brief discussion, Selectman Carlson moved to
recommend Article 5. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was 4-1, Selectman Jenkins
against.
Article 6—Water Rates& Changes—Selectman Carr moved to recommend Article 6. Selectman
Carlson seconded the motion and the vote was 4-1, Selectman Jenkins against.
Article 7—Water Department Budget—Selectman Carlson moved to recommend Article 7. Selectman
Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (5-0).
Article 8—Water Department Capital Improvement Projects—Selectman Carlson moved to
recommend Article 8. Selectman Carr seconded the motion and then expressed concern about the
billing not being accurate for past projects. Selectman Carlson stated that the unpaid bills were
discussed at length at the Water Planning Group (WPG) meetings. Selectman Carr said that he is
concerned about the items not begin fully vetted and to then spend additional monies concerns him.
Chairman Quigley agreed. After further discussion,the vote was 4-1, Selectman Carr against.
Article 9—Water Enterprise Fund—Selectmen Jenkins moved to recommend Article 9. Selectman Carr
seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (5-0).
Chairman Quigley move to reconsider the vote for Article 8. Selectman Carr seconded and the vote
was unanimous(5-0).
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Minutes—Board of Selectmen June 7, 2010
Chairman Quigley stated that after sitting through many meetings and being concerned about these
bills, the fact is that the debt has been incurred and needs to be paid. Selectman Carr said that he is
concerned and wants to be sure that the Town is heading in the right direction. Selectman Carr then
spoke to the character of Water Commission Glenn Pratt stating that Mr. Pratt had attended all of the
meetings and admired him being there when the heat was on. Selectman Carlson stated that any
documentation the WPG requested of Mr. Pratt, he provided. Chairman Quigley stated that yes Mr.
Pratt was present, but it did not change what has happened. Selectman Koed stated that a lot of things
happened with the economy and a couple of wet summers and he does not see how people can be
blamed for that. Chairman Quigley feels that bad decisions and mismanagement were also contributing
factors to the situation. After further discussion, Chairman Quigley moved to recommend Article 8.
Selectman Carr seconded the motion. The vote was 3-2, Chairman Quigley and Selectman Carr
against.
Selectman Carlson moved to adjourn. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was
unanimous(5-0).
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