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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 02/08/2011 Minutes—Board of Selectmen February 8, 2011 Members Present: Karen Quigley, Chairman Frederick Koed Paul Carlson Members Absent: Edwin G. Carr Leland H.Jenkins Others Present: Stephen J. Lombard, Interim Town Manager Jennifer Brennan Oram, Selectmen's Clerk Chairman Karen Quigley called the meeting to order at 7:OOPM Town Manager's Report Interim Town Manager, Steve Lombard, stated that the warrant closed today for the warrant for the Special Town Meeting in March and asked the Board to sign the warrant. Zoning Amendment—the Board is in receipt of a proposed Zoning Amendment that has been filed with the Planning Board for the Annual Town Meeting. The Board needs to approve its going back to the Planning Board for the public hearing process. The proposal is to extend a zone up near Chief Justice Cushing Highway. Selectman Paul Carlson moved the zoning amendment go back to the Planning Board for the public hearing process. Selectman Frederick Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(3-0). Minutes—Selectman Carlson moved to approve the minutes as written for October 18, 2010. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(3-0). Hazard Mitigation Plan Presentation—Robert Egan, Building Inspector&James Fread, Regional Planner,of the MAPC— Mr. Fread addressed the Board and explained that this plan is different than an emergency plan. In 2000 the Disaster Mitigation Act was passed and the MAPC is under contract to create them for the Towns and they do so by going through a six step process. One of the most important steps being the public process;the meeting this evening and the draft report being up on the Town's website covers this step. Chairman Quigley asked if there was a deadline date. Mr. Fread said there was not. Mr. Fread said that he has a staff and that he has worked with others in Town to compile the report. Mr. Egan added that Mr. Fread had worked with the Emergency Management Team and the Department of Public Works. Mr. Fread explained that they use State data, as well as the draft floodplain designation, but more importantly they work with the Town staff to find out where flooding occurs so they can look at the locations and can assess the vulnerability to these areas and what mitigation measures are in place. Then they develop mitigation strategies. These plans have a 5 year time frame. Mr. Fread and the Board then reviewed the draft plan. Selectman Carlson stated that the report was excellent. He asked why Sanctuary Pond was listed as a low priority. Mr. Fread stated that that they make such a determination after looking at my factors;talking with staff, costs and impact. Selectman Koed said it was an impressive piece of work and thanked them for the report. Chairman Quigley stated that the Open Space Plan is now completed and once approved will cover 2010—2017. She too said she was very impressed with the report and there was then a lengthy conversation about the various areas of concern around Town. Mr. Fread thanked the Board for their input and stated that they would be making revisions to the report,then re-post the report to the Town's website and then submits to MEMA and then FEMA. Selectmen—2.8.11-JBO 1 Minutes—Board of Selectmen February 8, 2011 Appointment of Insurance Advisory Committee Members—Selectman Koed moved to appoint the following to this committee: Garrett Hunt, Local 66 Police Officers Union,William Quigley, Local 84, Cohasset Police Department Lieutenant's Union, Patricia Lowery,Teamsters Local Union 25 Dispatchers Union, Captain Paul Bilodeau, Fire Department Union, Dr. Ann Thomae, Cohasset Teacher's Association, Karen McInnis,Alternate Member, Cohasset Teachers Association, Kristen Norton, Library Union,Jane Henderson, Konohasset Clerical Association and Steve Wigmore, Retiree Representative. Selectman Carlson seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(3-0). Economic Development Committee Update—Chairman of the Economic Development Committee (EDC) addressed the Board. Mr. Chamberlain said that Cohasset Day ended in the black and they were able to donate $1,000 to the Cohasset Food Pantry and $1,000 to the Cohasset Elder Affairs. They are hoping to finalize the plans for the next Cohasset Day and are looking at the date of September 18, 2011 with a rain date of September 25, 2011. The EDC is also working on a commercial database along with the Chamber of Commerce and they are nearly 90%done. He stated that the Cohasset Day planning has officially been transferred to the Chamber of Commerce. The Board thanked Mr. Chamberlain for his time and to everyone who volunteers to make Cohasset Day happen. Division of Marine Fisheries Advisory Update—The Town's Shellfish Constable, Paul Pattison, addressed the Board. He stated that the Town had received a letter from the Division of Marine Fisheries, dated January 4, 2011, regarding the status of new classification of all Shellfish in the Town of Cohasset. Mr. Pattison said that the letter is confusing and wanted to clarify that there is actually no area in Cohasset that can be clammed He showed the Board maps of the area entitled "Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries—Designated Shellfish Growing Areas". Mr. Pattison stated that the maps show very clearly that there is no area off of Cohasset that can be used. Mr. Pattison added that the Harbor has been studied for over thirteen years and the cause for the contamination has still not been determined. Selectman Koed asked if Mr. Pattison could venture a guess as to what the cause or causes could be. Mr. Pattison said that there have been very high counts of bacteria off of the yaght club and Whitehead. He thinks there is an issue with the sewer pipe. It was supposed to go out further, but they put it in the harbor. There are also issues with people who are not sewered. Hopefully if everyone gets sewer the counts will go down. Chairman Quigley stated that another contributing fact could be the amount of fresh water that goes into the harbor. She stated that it is shocking that there are no regulations about how much water is allowed to be put in to the harbor. After further discussion, the Board thanked Mr. Pattison for the update. Special Employee Designation, David Farrag. Chairman of the Conservation Commission—Mr. Farrag addressed the Board. He stated that this designation allows him to represent clients in front of other permitting Boards in Town. Mr. Lombard stated that the Board has to give the designation to the entire Conservation Commission and the Board can put a term limit on it. Selectman Carlson stated that according to Town Counsel, it is a very simple designation and allows the member to represent in Town. After a brief discussion, the Board agreed to make the designation. Selectman Koed moved to make the special employee designation to the Conservation Commission. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(3-0). Determination of Composition of Town Manager Screening Committee—Chairman Quigley stated that Mr. Groux has now signed the contract and things have to get moving. The Board needs to now agree on the composition of the screening committee. Selectman Carlson likes the idea of a 9 person committee, 1 Selectman, 1 Advisory, 1 School and 6 at large. Chairman Quigley stated she liked the idea Selectmen—2.8.11-JBO 2 Minutes—Board of Selectmen February 8, 2011 of a former Selectman on the committee. Selectman Carlson stated he was OK with that, but during the last the last search there were 9 members, 2 of which were Selectmen. Chairman Quigley stated that they should advocate keeping the committee a bit smaller; getting 9 people's schedules together is difficult. Selectman Koed said the Board needs to decide—7 or 9 members. Chairman Quigley stated she would advocate for 7 and suggested there be 3 open meetings with stake holders in the Town;Town employees, residents etc. After a brief discussion, the Board agreed to have a deadline for applicants for the screening committee be the 17t"for that packet. Harbor Plan—Discussion with representatives from Planning. Conservation,ZBA, Harbor/Harbor Master and CZM - Mr. William Hannon of the Planning Board stated that all involved need to get a clear plan before they start, and look for a way to revitalize the village and the connection to the Harbor. Chairman Quigley stated the major issue is the harbor and the infrastructure. There was then a lengthy conversation about Chapter 91 funds and the restrictions that can come with that. In addition, where the Harbor is a designated port,that too adds additional restrictions as to what can be built along the harbor. This is in turn makes it difficult to rent these locations. Chairman Quigley asked the Chairman of the Economic Development Committee if they had reviewed the harbor plan. Mr. Chamberlain said they had, but that it was a challenging area as there is not a lot of options for parking and he does not think a lot can be done [in the harbor area]. Chairman of the Planning Board,Al Moore, stated that over the years,there have been numerous discussions about this issue. Several years ago Town Counsel pointed out that there is a vehicle the Town could go through with the State and create a master plan that would allow everyone to work together. Mr. Moore stated that there are three zones that surround the area, plus regulations with the Army Corp of Engineers to just name a few. All of this he stated has to go through the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Moore also stated that with the Roy property for sale,things could change quickly and this may be the opportunity to look at things. Chairman Quigley stated that nothing could change under current zoning. Mr. Moore suggested that maybe it is time to change. He thinks that several things could be looked at and lots of issues could be addressed. The master plan would not be free, but CPC funds could be used and he has heard the cost for such a plan is in the area of$40,000. Many of the zoning issues in the area could be addressed and "cleaned up" at the same time. Selectman Koed agreed that this is s good time to look at this and that the process should be very public with many hearings. Chairman Quigley stated that Harbormaster Lorri Gibbons has found a harbor plan from 1980. It was this plan that encouraged her to bring everyone together to see if something like this would be worth the time and money. Chairman S. Woodworth Chittick of the Cohasset ZBA addressed the Board. He stated that he echoed what Mr. Moore had said and is in support of a master plan and adjusting the bylaws to clean them up. Mr. Chamberlain stated he was in support of a master plan and cleaning up the zoning as well. Mr. Charles Humphreys of 24 Atlantic Avenue addressed the Board as a private citizen. He stated that the Town does have problems with the shore side and the Harbor side, but it is very hard for these types of applications and to do master planning. His concern is that the money could be wasted. He stated the real purpose is for CZM to gain more control and to get more state wide access to resources. He said that Cohasset has a lot of private property along the shore. Ms. Sandra Manzella of 19 Border Street asked if the neighbors were "clammering"for this study and asked who really feels that this $40,000 would be money well spent. Mr. Moore stated that this issue has always been tough and it is a big interest to the Town if there can be an increase in public access. Ms. Manzella stated that she gets nervous when she hears about people cleaning up the zoning. Mr. Humphreys asked how long the study would take. Mr. Moore said that he thought about one year. Mr.Tom Callahan of 35 Hillside Road stated the current zoning does not protect the harbor as hoped and that the building height of 35 feet high is allowed; meaning a three story building could be built. Selectmen—2.8.11-JBO 3 Minutes—Board of Selectmen February 8, 2011 There was then a lengthy conversation about whether a committee should be formed to start the process. Chairman Quigley stated that the Board can designate point persons. The consensus in the room was to take the time and do this process correctly and perhaps aim for the Fall Special Town Meeting to seek funding. Selectman Koed stated he too was in favor in taking the process slowly and to coordinate with Town Counsel. Mr. Chittick suggested that Chairman Quigley seek advice from Town Counsel and have him write the charge for the committee. Chairman Quigley thanked everyone who attended. Preliminary Discussion of Melanson & Heath Audit Report and recommended Water/Sewer Commission Governance—Chairman Quigley stated that they do not have a full Board this evening so the discussion will be held on February 15t". She asked that comments from any Boards, including members of the Board of Selectmen, the Water and Sewer Commissioners,the Water Planning Group, the Capital Budget Committee and the Advisory Committee should be prepared to discuss them on the 15t"of February. Selectman Koed moved to adjourn the meeting. Selectman Carlson seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(3-0). Meeting adjourned at 9:16PM. Respectfully submitted, Karen Quigley Chairman Documents: Draft Town of Cohasset Hazard Mitigation Plan Update—dated December 2010 Letter from Shellfish Constable, Paul Pattison dated January 24, 2011 with two maps attached entitled, "Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries—Designated Shellfish Growing Areas". Selectmen—2.8.11-JBO 4