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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 10/14/2014 Minutes-Board of Selectmen October 14, 2014 Selectmen's Office-Town Hall 41 Highland Ave. Cohasset, MA Selectmen Present: Diane Kennedy, Chairman Steve Gaumer Martha Gjesteby Karen Quigley Kevin McCarthy Others Present: Christopher Senior,Town Manager Chairman Kennedy called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance Selectmen Update Selectman McCarthy discussed STM with the board. He thought it would be a good idea if the board could have a session before STM to explain to residents what happens at town meeting and what the boards, committees and town moderator does. He suggested they could host it at the library where they had the committee workshop. Selectman Gjesteby stated the League of Women Voters use to host that type of event. Chairman Kennedy stated she will reach out to Chartis Tebbits and she and Selectman Gjesteby could meet and get that group re-energized. She will also reach out to the Town Clerk. Her only concern is they are on a tight timeline from now until STM. Selectmen McCarthy asked if the signs the boy scouts made have been retro-fitted. Mr.Senior stated Mark Kelly and Carl Sestito are working on getting them done. Selectman Quigley stated a trial date has been set for February 23'6 for the Town of Hingham and Aquarion Water to set a sell price. Selectman Quigley stated the board received an email from Patricia Gooding, a member of the AEC. There is a free documentary called Switch discussing the future of energy on Saturday, November 81h at Loring Hall @ 10:00 a.m. The first 200 families will receive a free LED bulb. The board also received 2 letters from residents regarding the Girl Scout Gold Award. The girls in town are also doing projects like the Eagle Scouts. Selectman Gjesteby stated she attended the library Author Talks on Sunday. It was a great event. Selectman Gjesteby also discussed the League of Women Voters and how they would go through the warrants for town meeting. Chairman Kennedy stated CSCR is having a presentation on FEMA maps and the storm surge impact to the coastline on October 21"at 7 p.m. Chairman Kennedy read aloud the information from the Town Clerk regarding the upcoming election November 0. She asked the board to sign the November 4th State Election Warrant. Chairman Kennedy also apologized for not recalling The Girl Scouts Gold Program. The Girl Scouts do wonderful projects in town. Liquor Policies Mr.Senior distributed the final updated version of the liquor license policies with the changes the board requested. Selectman Quigley noted she still has an issue with Police Department being listed as agents, she suggested replacing with the Board's Authorized Agents. The board agreed. { Motion by Selectman McCarthy to accept changes to liquor policies,seconded by Selectman Gjesteby and the vote was unanimous (5-0). 1 Selectmen-10.14.14-TC Initial 3 Minutes-Board of Selectmen October 14, 2014 Motion by Selectman Gaumer to adopt the Cohasset Liquor Regulations as amended,seconded by Selectman Gjesteby and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Selectman Gaumer suggested the policies be put on the town's website. Budget Calendar FY16 Mr.Senior went over the FY16 Budget Calendar with the board. He spoke of October 27-December 12 on the calendar that is for Revenue and Expense projection discussions, including valuations, non-tax revenue sources, health and pension,and state aid. Selectman Gaumer suggested the board look into the 5 year projection and see what has been completed and use that as a basis for the future. Selectman Quigley stated she has had some conversations with Mr.Senior and the budget process is going forward. She likes what she is hearing and the new way of looking at the budget. This will be a very good budget process going forward. Mr.Senior spoke of the letter that is being sent to the Army Corps regarding the dredging project. The letter will also be sent to State Rep. Bradley, Senator Hedlund,Congressman Lynch,Senator Warren and Senator Markey. Selectman Gaumer stated Harbormaster Lord Gibbons did a great job on the letter thoroughly explaining the importance of the dredging project. Mr.Senior will follow up with Craig Martin once he receives the letter. Mr.Senior distributed the recent trend schedule for the town. Chairman Kennedy stated she will put the Finance Meeting on the agenda in a couple of weeks. Mr.Senior also distributed an updated draft warrant to the board. He discussed the amended changes to the operating budget. Selectman Gaumer asked about the offset for$53k for new revenues for the water department. The issue with the hydrant fees needs to be resolved. Selectman Quigley stated the numbers in the budget from the water commission are problematic. Her concern is they need to establish credibility. Mr.Senior stated he is the first town manager to address this issue. Peter Pescatore-Chairman of Advisory-12 Lantern Lane reminded the board that the Advisory Board voted against the FY15 budget because of the doubling of the allocation for the school and town departments versus the prior year's allocation. He stated the committee felt funding last year was excessive. He has asked Mr.Senior to look closely at the actual budget from FY14. Selectman Quigley stated her concern is that people misunderstand and think that the town has been overtaxing and doesn't need the revenue. There are always things that need to be done. Perhaps the budget for a department should be looked at more closely and money that is needed should be allocated to another area. Mr.Senior continued going through the articles on the warrant. Selectman Gaumer questioned the article with the unpaid sewer bill from 2013. He stated there should be a policy about paying invoices. Selectmen Gaumer asked where the town stands with purchasing the street lights. Mr. Senior will get an update. Mr.Senior is working on the personnel bylaw with town counsel. Article 13-Zoning Amendment Motion by Selectman McCarthy to recommend Article 13-Zoning Amendment,seconded by Selectman Quigley and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Chairman Kennedy reminded residents that taxes are due November 3`d as indicated on the previous bill in June. Town Manager There was an issue with the Wastewater Facility. A week ago system malfunction lead to a small overflow. There was an issue with a condensate valve. The storm gate was in storm mode so the levels were low and didn't flood any abutter's properties. Minutes 9/30 2 Selectmen-10.14.14-TC Initial Minutes-Board of Selectmen October 14, 2014 Motion by Selectman Gjesteby to approve the minutes of 9/30/14 as amended,seconded by Selectman McCarthy and the vote was 4-0-1. Selectman Gaumer abstained from the vote as he was not at the meeting. Selectman McCarthy asked the Chairman about the application the board received from Chris Pratt for the Economic Development Commission. Chairman Kennedy will reach out to Mr. Pratt. Motion by Selectman Gjesteby to adjourn,seconded by Selectman McCarthy and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Meeting adjourned at 8:56 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Diane Kennedy, Chairman Documents: November 41h State Election Warrant Liquor Policies-Final Draft STM Warrant Minutes FY16 Budget Calendar Financial Trends e 3 Selectmen-10.14.14-TC Initial ��