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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 10/13/2010 Minutes—Board of Selectmen October 13, 2010 Selectmen Present: Karen Quigley, Chairman Edwin G. Carr Frederick Koed Paul Carlson Leland H.Jenkins Others Present: William R. Griffin,Town Manager Jennifer Brennan Oram, Selectmen's Clerk Chairman Karen Quigley called the meeting to order at 7:OO13M. Town Manager's Report Town Manager, William Griffin and Selectman Frederick Koed, both attended the dedication of the Tide Gates at West Corner. The tide gates were dedicated to Lawry Reid former President of the Straits Pond Watershed. Mr. Griffin stated the event was very well attended. Selectmen Comment Period—Selectmen Leland Jenkins asked for an update on the Meeting House Pond project on the Common. Mr. Griffin stated that the project got underway a week earlier and it is off to a good start. He will get the Board an approximate date of completion. The upgrades to the pond include rebuilding the bottom of the pond, new ADA compliant sidewalks and a water filtration system that will reuse the water instead of the water emptying in to a drain as has been the case for years. Review of Interim Town Manager Applications—The Board received nineteen (19) applications for the position in total; eighteen (18) individuals and one (1) company. Chairman Quigley provided the Board with a matrix listing the applicants and asked for each Board member to list their top three. Selectmen Edwin Carr stated that he felt they received a good crop of applicants with diverse backgrounds. The members'top three candidates were: Selectman Paul Carlson—Steve Lombard,Jeff Ritter and Edgar Gadbois Selectman Edwin G. Carr—Steve Lombard, Richard Robinson and Interim Public Management, LLC Selectmen Leland H.Jenkins—Steve Lombard, Robert Uyttebroek, Robert Halpin and Interim Public Management, LLC Selectmen Frederick Koed—Steve Lombard, Robert Halpin and Interim Public Manager, LLC Chairman Karen Quigley—Steve Lombard, Robert Uyttebroek and Richard Robinson The Board then reviewed their top choices. Selectman Carlson stated that the presentation provided by Interim Public Management, LLC was impressive, but he felt it was important that they have more someone with more experience in Massachusetts. Selectman Koed suggested that they have three applicants come in for interviews on October 20, 2010. Chairman Quigley stated they all have agreement on Mr. Lombard. Selectman Carlson stated that the criteria that he used personally to list his tip candidates for the Interim included someone who has had Interim Town Manager experience, serious experience in the field as a Town Manager and experience with developing a budget. He stated that Mr. Lombard met all three. Selectman Koed stated that he felt Mr. Lombard has a breadth of experience that would be very useful over the next five to six months. The Board then reviewed Mr.Jeff Ritter. Both Selectmen Jenkins and Carlson had him in their top three. Selectman Carlson stated that Mr. Ritter has had experience as being Interim Town Manager in larger towns, but that he did not stress his budgetary experience. Chairman Quigley stated that Mr. Ritter was also on her"possible" list and Selectmen—10.13.10-JBO 1 Minutes—Board of Selectmen October 13, 2010 that she felt his salary range was acceptable. The Board then addressed Mr. Richard Robinson. Chairman Quigley and Selectman Jenkins had him on their lists. Chairman Quigley stated she was struck by his ability to relocate and that he has connection to the Town of Cohasset. Selectman Jenkins stated that he had very good experience, but did not know if he would be a good Interim. Selectman Koed stated that he felt they Board should have him in. The Board then addressed Mr. Robert Uyttebroek. Chairman Quigley and Selectman Jenkins had him on their lists. Chairman Quigley stated he has had quite a bit of experience in municipalities but has not been the head of the municipality. Selectman Koed stated that his concern is that he sees him solely has a financial manager and he does not see Town Manager experience. Selectman Carlson stated that he only met one of his criteria, but that he could be a good Finance Director candidate. Selectman Koed asked if there was anyone that the Board was overlooking. Selectman Carr asked if they should look at Mr. Robert Halpin as he has a very strong personality when it comes to Economic Development. Selectman Carlson stated that Mr. Halpin was his fourth choice. Chairman Quigley stated that she felt his salary range was too high but perhaps that was negotiable. Chairman Quigley asked if the Board would like to review their lists once more. Selectman Carr stated that he was really intrigued by Interim Public Management, LLC. Mr. Griffin stated that their cost is high and the Board would need to consider their budget. After a brief discussion, Selectman Jenkins moved that the Board interview Mr. Steve Lombard, Mr.Jeff Ritter and Mr. Richard Robinson on Wednesday, October 20, 2010. Selectman Carlson seconded the motion. Selectman Carr asked if the Board should have some candidates as reserve in the event these three cannot attend the interview. Selectman Carlson suggested they stay with the top three. The vote was unanimous, (5-0). Selectman Carr moved that the Board hold in reserve, Mr. Robert Halpin and Mr. Robert Whritenour,Jr. Selectman Carlson seconded the motion and the vote was(3-2,Chairman Quigley and Selectman Jenkins against). Special Town Meeting Article Review Article 13: Tax Collector's Demand Fee—Treasurer Collector, Linda Litchfield, addressed the Board and reviewed why she is requesting to raise the existing$5 demand fee to$15. After a brief discussion, Selectman Koed moved to recommend Article 13 to Town Meeting. Selectman Carr seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Article 15: Petitioned Article—Water Department Expenses—Mr. Michael Ronzoni of 50 Reservoir Road, addressed the Board. Mr. Ronzoni read aloud an explanation of the article stating "the purpose of this Warrant Article is for the Board of Selectmen to pursue complete decision making oversight of the Water Commissioners' charge and control of the Water Department and the water system as such charge/control involves the expenditure, or possible expenditure, of funds and incurrence, or possible incurrence of costs." Mr. Ronzoni stated that he feels the Water Department is working on its own and that there needs to be some accountability; he cited the Bear Hill Tank issue as an example. Mr. Griffin then addressed the article stating that the article is going on as written as it is a Citizen's Petition, but that the motion is being drafted by Town Counsel. Mr. Griffin said that Town Counsel needs to be asked about the legality of the article. Selectman Carr asked that now that this article is on the warrant, shouldn't the Board know if these changes can happen being that the Water Commissioners are an elected Board and it's an enterprise fund. Selectman Koed stated that the Water Commission was created by Massachusetts General Laws and that they are talking about the powers of the Legislature; the Board does not have the authority to modify that power. Selectman Koed stated that Board of Selectmen does not have the time to rubber stamp everything. He stated that there are a couple of good commissioners now and they should depend on them. After further discussion, Mr. Griffin stated Selectmen—10.13.10-JBO 2 Minutes—Board of Selectmen October 13, 2010 that Town Counsel could say that the article is illegal. Selectman Carr said that he would like to know that before taking action. Selectman Carlson stated that he would like this studied after the audit is completed and that he does not see the urgency of doing this by Town Meeting. Chairman Quigley stated that she understands that people are angry and they have that right and they want more oversight on the Water Department. She stated that they do have some controls in place presently and that there are two new commissioners who are working very hard. The Board is getting very good reports and the auditors are working very hard to get us information that can be presented to the November Town Meeting. Chairman Quigley added that she feels it is unfortunate that this proposed article is tied to the Bear Hill tank as she does not feel it ties in directly. She sees that where they are proposing the access road is very heavily traveled and that it looks to be another decision being made by the Commission on their own. She stated that although she understands the spirit of the article, it does come off as broad to her. Chairman Quigley agreed that before a recommendation can be make, the Board needs to know the legal ruling on it. Mr. Ronzoni stated that he hoped that Town Counsel would not shoot it down. Selectman Koed thanked Mr. Ronzoni for bringing the article forward, but that they need to wait for Town Counsel's opinion. Article 5—Water Treatment Plant Upgrade—The Board will move this discussion to Monday, October 18, 2010. Amendment to Harbor Bylaw—Mr. Griffin explained to the Board that over the summer,there was suddenly a boat moored in Inner Little Harbor. Harbormaster, Lorri Gibbons, and Mr. Griffin looked at the bylaws and as it turns out,the bylaws only relate to Cohasset Harbor. Harbormaster Gibbons is concerned that she cannot gain access to Inner Little Harbor in the event of an emergency and therefore something needs to be changed in order to allow enforcement. After a bit of research, it was determined that they may be able to make a simple change in the Harbor regulations which would alleviate the need to go to Town Meeting. Mr. Griffin has alerted the people who have brought forth the complaint of the boat and suggests that this be looked in to further, prior to the Annual Town Meeting. If all that is needed is the simple Harbor Regulations amendment, they can do so at that time with a simple vote by the Board of Selectmen.The Board agreed. Selectman Carr moved to adjourn the meeting. Selectman Carlson seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Meeting adjourned at 8:3113M. Respectfully submitted, Karen Quigley Chairman Documents: Two Memos listing Interim Town Manager Candidates. Selectmen—10.13.10-JBO 3