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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 10/04/2010 Minutes—Board of Selectmen October 4, 2010 Selectmen Present: Karen Quigley, Chairman Edwin G. Carr Frederick Koed Paul Carlson Selectman Absent: Leland H.Jenkins Others Present: Jennifer Brennan Oram, Selectmen's Clerk Chairman Karen Quigley called the meeting to order at 7:OOPM. Town Manager's Report—Town Manager William Griffin was not present, Chairman Quigley reviewed his report for the Board. On Wednesday, October 13, 2010, the Board will review the applications for the Interim Town Manager position and determine which applicants will be invited for an interview on October 20t". Due to the busy meeting schedule and the pending Special Town Meeting in November, Mr. Griffin recommends the Board review Articles for the meeting on that same night. The Board agreed to do so. Mr. Griffin asked the Board to vote to approve the official status of the No Place for Hate Committee and urge Town residents to submit letters of interest to serve on the committee. Selectman Paul Carlson moved to create the committee. Selectman Carr seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Selectmen's Comment Period Selectman Edwin Carr stated that it was exciting to see a professional movie company in Town for the film "Sunny Side Up". He said that it's the first film in Town in over twenty years and that movie making is a relatively new enterprise of the State. He said that in the past year sixteen major motion pictures were filmed here in Massachusetts. Selectman Paul Carlson updated the Board on the cable studio up at the Cohasset Middle High School. He said that they have Single Source re-designing the studio for this new space and that an RFP will hopefully be going out in mid-October. He said that it's a great space and that a lot of exciting things will be coming down the road. Licenses& Permits—Mr.Jamal Soufan, Manager of the Mobil Mart located at 190 King Street, requested a Class II license to sell no more than five cars at the site. He stated that in this tough economic climate, the sale of the cars would be good supplemental income. Selectman Carr asked if any signage or lighting would be changed to which Mr. Soufan stated there would be no changes. Selectman Carr moved to approve the license. Selectman Frederick Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Rick Collins of Senator Hedlund's Office and Representative Garrett Bradley—Legislative Update-— Representative Bradley addressed the Board and stated that tax revenues are up much higher than last year and that there are very good signs in the job market. Things will still be difficult in FY2012 with the loss of the Federal Stimulus funds. He said that some additional funds will be coming in, but they don't have that number yet nor do they have a local aid number. He said that they did have to cut Chapter 70 Selectmen—10.4.10-JBO 1 Minutes—Board of Selectmen October 4, 2010 by 4%. Additional funds will be coming through a special granting of 250,000 million dollars to the State of MA. How the funds will be divided up amongst the communities will be determined during the next legislative session. Mr. Rick Collins of Senator Hedlund's office reminded the Board that these funds are a one time funding and it won't be here next year. He said that it may benefit to hold it over until 2012 to help with the deficit in FY12. Chairman Quigley asked when the municipalities will be given "Plan Design" (with their Health Insurance). Representative Bradley stated that he feels it will be seen in the next Legislative session. Chairman Quigley stated that the costs are "killing"the Town and it could be as high as$300,000. Representative Bradley said that negotiating Plan Design is different on the local level with unions. Mr. Collins stated that Senator Hedlund agrees that plan design is important but feels there are various ways to achieve it. One is by making a mini GIC that has Union Representatives on it or taking votes union by union. There was then a brief discussion about the costs of retired teachers to the Towns in the State. The Board thanked Representative Bradley and Mr. Collins for their updates. Licenses& Permits continued—Selectman Carlson moved a one-day liquor license to serve cocktails at a fundraiser being held at the Our World Discover Museum on November 4, 2010 from 6:30-9PM. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Frank Campbell—Pilgrim Bank Renovation Proiect—Mr. Campbell addressed the Board and distributed plans for the proposed construction to Cohasset Hardware Store recently purchased by Pilgrim Bank. Mr. Campbell reviewed the plans for the new bank location including making the outside look better and raising the height on the third floor. They will be getting in bids for construction and they have filed for a Special Permit with the Planning Board. Selectman Carr asked what the layout inside the building would be. Mr. Campbell stated that they are moving the entire bank to the new site and they will lease the space where the bank is presently so they own it should the bank decide to expand any further. Mr. Campbell stated that if all goes well,they hope to move into the building in a year. He added that it is quite a change, but they are keeping the original integrity of the building. Selectman Carlson asked that when construction commences,the construction workers be asked to park in the satellite parking lot to avoid further parking problems in the village. The Board thanked Mr. Campbell for coming in and congratulated him on the new space. Tim Chamberlain—Economic Development Committee(EDC)—Chairman of the EDC,Tim Chamberlain, addressed the Board. He stated that he was personally thrilled about what Pilgrim Bank is doing in the village. He then asked the Board to approve the appointment of a new member, Ms. Lydia Everett of 111-inden Circle. Ms. Everett addressed the Board and reviewed her background. After a brief discussion, Selectman Koed moved to appoint Ms. Everett to the Economic Development Committee. Selectman Carr seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Mr. Chamberlain then updated the Board on some EDC initiatives. He stated that the EDC is in full support of the PWED grant application that has been submitted and has written a letter of support. He added that the EDC is continuing to work on their database of retail spaces that are for sale and for rent and that they are in the process of several meetings to fine tune it. EDC member, Peter Brown,then updated the Board on Cohasset Day 2010. Mr. Brown stated that Cohasset Day was the first real initiative of the EDC and that its goal was to raise awareness of the Town, its businesses and raising money in the past for community groups like Elder Affairs and the Cohasset Food Pantry. He stated that this year they ended up once again in the black and will be donating$1,000 to Elder Affairs,the food pantry and the Chamber of Commerce. He stated they have running the event down to a science and they will be handing the event over to the Chamber of Commerce. He then reviewed the various Selectmen—10.4.10-JBO 2 Minutes—Board of Selectmen October 4, 2010 successful events held during the day and thanked the many people who helped make the event such a success. He stated that they are looking at September 18, 2011 as the date for the next Cohasset Day. Special Town Meeting Article Review— Article 12—Community Septic Management Program—Board of Health—Chairman of the Board of Health, Margaret Chapman, and Health Agent,Joseph Godzik, addressed the Board. Ms. Chapman and Mr. Godzik gave extensive background on how this program would work. It is a program to help people with failed septic systems get financing through the Town. The money is borrowed through the State and funding to help cover the administrative costs to the Town for running the program is available through a grant. After an extensive discussion addressing figures, Selectman Koed moved to recommend this article to Town Meeting. Selectman Carr seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Article 8—Deferral of Water Use Charges—Deputy Assessor Mary Quill—After a brief discussion, Selectman Koed moved to recommend Article 8 to Town Meeting.Selectman Carr seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Article 9—Deferral of Sewer Use Charges—Deputy Assessor Mary Quill—After a brief discussion, Selectman Koed moved to recommend Article 9 to Town Meeting. Selectman Carr seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. Article 11—Beach Street Easement—Town Manager—Chairman Quigley reviewed the NOI provided to the Board. She explained that there is an existing drainage pipe that runs through the property and empties into Little Harbor. The landowner of 110 Beach Street has agreed to install a rain garden where the pipe drains to improve the run off that goes into Little Harbor. Chairman Quigley clarified that the Landowner is giving the easement to maintain the pipe and the landowners will maintain the rain garden. Chairman Quigley stated that is the case and that the Conservation Commission has made the language very clear. Selectman Carr moved to recommend Article 11 to Town Meeting. Selectman Carlson seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Bill Burnett—Triathlon Update—Mr. Burnett, Fire Chief Robert Silvia, Chief Mark DeLuca and Harbormaster Lorren Gibbons were present for the discussion. The first part of the discussion was the start time of the race. Mr. Burnett would like to keep the race at a start time of 8AM. Harbormaster Gibbons and Chief Silvia both agree that moving the start time of the race up would make it difficult for all of the required staff to be on site that early. Chairman Quigley stated that she thought the problem of the start time was getting people from the parking area at the Music Circus down to the beach. Chief DeLuca stated that they could have additional officers on that route to help expedite the travel and making sure one lane is open at all times. Chairman Quigley said that during that time,where it is not race time, the priority should be the residents and their use of the streets. Chief DeLuca stated he agreed. Chairman Quigley then said that she had a lovely conversation with the USA Triathlon Federation and that she discovered that the issues before the Board regarding the triathlon were not unique to the Town of Cohasset. She stated that it is USA Triathlon's policy that the event and the athletes need to have respect for the community. Chairman Quigley stated that it is not the intention of the Board to shut down the event; on the contrary. She pointed out that the Board of Selectmen in the Town of Scituate had Mr. Burnett in before their Board to discuss the Scituate Duathalon several times. Selectman Carlson stated that the closing of the streets really delays citizens who want to enjoy the beach being able to get there. Mr. Burnett stated that the beach is not closed and that only the parking Selectmen—10.4.10-JBO 3 Minutes—Board of Selectmen October 4, 2010 lot is closed until the race is over. He stated that people can walk down or be dropped off. Mr. Carlson stated that he felt being dropped off would be difficult for families with small children. Selectman Carlson also stated that the churches had to move the time of their services and he would like them to be able to keep their services at their regular times. Mr. Burnett stated that he would work closely with the churches throughout the planning process. Chairman Quigley stated that when she was talking with the Federation they suggested that the slower swimmers be put out first and reducing the length of the bike portion. Mr. Burnett stated that he would put the beginner's wave of swimming first and try it for this year. He did not think that reducing the bike route would make a difference. Selectman Carr asked if the Board could see how Mr. Burnett will work with the churches as the event draws closer as that is where a majority of the complaints are coming from. Chairman Quigley stated that she knows that Mr. Burnett does not want to reduce the number of participants, but she feels the size of the race impacts the Town. Mr. Burnett stated that he did not feel that the reducing the amount of participants would lessen the impact on the Town. There was then a lengthy discussion about putting the beginner and older swimmers at the beginning of the Triathlon to try and compress the race time and lessen the amount of time the streets are impacted. Chief DeLuca stated that the race will go as fast as the slowest athlete, but that if the swim can be sped up, they can mitigate the issues on the road. Chairman Quigley stated the she feels the Triathlon is a great event and that Mr. Burnett does a great job and that she is trying to make the event fit the community. Chairman Quigley suggested that in the future, some of the monies raised could go in to a grant program or something that benefits the Town. Mr. Burnett stated that he does give a large donation to the Sandy Beach Association. After further discussion, Selectman Carr moved to go forward with the race at 8AM with a capped participation of 850. The Board asked that a plan for the churches be submitted to the Board for review in November. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous, (4-0). Proposed Policies for Board Consideration—After a brief discussion, Selectman Carlson moved to approve the Fraud Policy,the Harassment Policy,the Equal Opportunity Policy,the Workplace Violence Policy and the Investment Policy. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (4-0). Proposed Advertisement for Town Manager Position—After a brief discussion with minor edits, Selectman Carr moved to approve the advertisement as amended. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Signing the Warrant for the State Election—Selectman Koed moved to sign the warrant for the State Election. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (4-0). Minutes—Selectman Koed moved to approve the minutes of June 28, 2010 as amended. Selectman Carlson seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Selectman Koed moved to approve the minutes of July 12, 2010 as amended. Selectman Carlson seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (4-0). Selectman Carr moved to adjourn the meeting. Selectmen Carlson seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Meeting adjourned at 9:4013M. Respectfully submitted, Karen Quigley Chairman Selectmen—10.4.10-JBO 4 Minutes—Board of Selectmen October 4, 2010 Documents: -Used Car License Application for 190 King Street -One Day Liquor License application for Our World Discovery Museum. -Plans for Cohasset Hardware/Pilgrim Bank -Resume for EDC candidate, Lydia Everett -Memo for Board of Health Re: Community Septic Program -Memo from Deputy Assessor Mary Quill re: Deferral of Water and Sewer Use Charges. -NOI for 110 Beach Street -Memo from Bill Burnett Re:Triathlon -Drafts of all 5 proposed Polices -Drafts of June 28 and July 12, 2010 minutes. Selectmen—10.4.10-JBO 5