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Home My WebLink AboutMinutes - BoS - 02/24/2015 Minutes-Board of Selectmen February 24, 2015 Cohasset Middle/High School Library 143 Pond Street Selectmen Present: Diane Kennedy,Chairman Martha Gjesteby Karen Quigley Kevin McCarthy Steve Gaumer(remote participation) Others Present: Christopher Senior,Town Manager Attorney Brian Magner, Deutsch Williams Chairman Kennedy called the meeting to order at 7:16 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance Chairman Kennedy announced that Selectman Gaumer will be participating remotely due to his geographical location. Chairman Kennedy asked for a roll call vote and stated all votes will be by roll call throughout the meeting. Kevin McCarthy Aye Diane Kennedy Aye Karen Quigley Aye Martha Gjesteby Aye Steve Gaumer Aye Public Comment Gerd Ordelheide-Owner of Red Lion Inn-71 South Main Street read a prepared letter and submitted it for the record. Chairman Kennedy advised Mr.Ordelheide the board will not be discussing the contents of the letter as it is not posted on the agenda. They will take under advisement. Discussion and Vote on whether to terminate the Town's acceptance of M.G.L.c32B,section 11E Selectman Gaumer moved to open the hearing,seconded by Selectman McCarthy. Kevin McCarthy Aye Diane Kennedy Aye Karen Quigley Aye Martha Gjesteby Aye Steve Gaumer Aye Chairman Kennedy stated the Board of Selectmen's goal is to offer all the current retired teachers a cost neutral comparable healthcare plan. The Town is committed to fulfilling its obligations to the retirees, and will work actively to mitigate any cost impact that this change may have. Chairman Kennedy read aloud the two votes taken by the Board of Selectman on January 6, 2015. Mr.Senior spoke of the proposed plans offered by MIIA, which are equal or superior to what retiree's currently have. The current town employees and retired town employees have had the same plans for a number of years. Chairman Kennedy invited any retired teachers up to speak to the board. Marjorie Murphy-33 Cedar Acres Lane read aloud a prepared letter from Dorothy Hibbard, a retired teacher who could not be 1 Selectmen-2/24/15-TC Initial M 1%a CJ /v 0)nU11a6i5 Minutes-Board of Selectmen February 24, 2015 present. Curtis Collins-253 Sandy Hill Drive in Marshfield and former teacher and Principal read a prepared letter to the board. Patrick Plante-18 Grace Drive. Retired teacher read a prepared letter to the board. Edward Leary-199 Front Street,Scituate asked the board if they were only keeping the cost the same for one year. Selectman Gaumer explained the cost of the plans may change as any other plan is changed due to increased cost of medical coverage. Joan Cassiani-10 Ship Street, Hingham read a prepared letter to the board. Attorney Brian Magner reiterated what Selectman Gaumer said about the plans and normal increases. Patricia Thompson-current teacher and President of the Teachers Association read a prepared letter to the board. Chairman Kennedy asked the retired teachers present for an advisory vote. Fran Cronin-458 Summer Street,Abington(on behalf of the retired teachers) asked the teachers if they were in favor of removing retired teachers from the GIC to MIIA. The voice vote was unanimous. All voted nay. Selectman Quigley stated she would not have considered voting for this if she felt that the town was going to be breaking its' promise to retirees. Everything that they have been told of the MIIA representatives and have experienced with town retirees is that this is a very comparable plan. The transition should be seamless. The intent of the board is not to have a negative impact on the retirees. Selectman Gjesteby agreed with Selectman Quigley. She would not have entered into this plan if there was any change to the benefits the retirees are receiving. Chairman Kennedy asked for a motion that the board, pursuant to M.G.L.c.32B,section 11E,vote to terminate the Town's acceptance of M.G.L. c.32B,section 11E(and to move affected retired teachers to Town sponsored health insurance plans through MIIA). Motion moved by Selectman Gaumer,seconded by Selectman Quigley. Martha Gjesteby Aye Karen Quigley Aye Diane Kennedy Aye Kevin McCarthy Aye Steve Gaumer Aye Chairman Kennedy asked for a motion that the board, pursuant to M.G.L.c.32B,section 11E, authorize the Town Manager,with assistance from labor counsel and on the Board's behalf,send a copy of the aforementioned certified vote to the GIC so the GIC will commence the process of moving the affected retired teachers off of the GIC health and life insurance effective July 1,2015. Motion moved by Selectman Gaumer,seconded by Selectmen Quigley. Martha Gjesteby Aye Karen Quigley Aye Diane Kennedy Aye Kevin McCarthy Aye Steve Gaumer Aye Chairman Kennedy asked for a motion that the board authorize the Town Manager,with assistance from labor counsel and on the board's behalf,to notify M1AA of the aforementioned certified vote so affected retired teachers will be moved onto Town sponsored health and life insurance plans offered through MIIA effective July 1,2015 at the same percentage contribution split as other applicable Town retirees plus any mitigation amount agreed to by the School Committee and the Cohasset Teachers Association. Motion moved by Selectman Gaumer,seconded by Selectman Quigley, 2 Selectmen-2/24/15-TC Initial /) f �I /0 e i 6L015- Minutes-Board of Selectmen February 24, 2015 Martha Gjesteby Aye Karen Quigley Aye Diane Kennedy Aye Kevin McCarthy Aye Steve Gaumer Aye Chairman Kennedy stated the board is committed to making the transition smooth. The board took a brief recess. Chairman Kennedy called the meeting back to order at 8:36 p.m. Events Whoriskey Wedding-Christin Whoriskey was present. She is requesting to use the Library parking lot for a wedding she is hosting on June 26`h and asking that the road be closed. The board discussed closing the road. They have a concern with setting a precedent. Motion by Selectman Quigley to approve the use of the Library parking lot on June 26,2015,seconded by Selectman McCarthy and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Kevin McCarthy Aye Diane Kennedy Aye Karen Quigley Aye Martha Gjesteby Aye Steve Gaumer Aye FY16 Budget Presentation Chris Senior gave a power point presentation on the FY16 budget, including the key proposed changes. He stated the town had 5 retirements that need to be filled. The discussed the need for Human Resources position. Selectman Gaumer left meeting(remotely)at 9:26 p.m. The board had a brief discussion. Mr.Senior suggested the board discuss the department details over the next two meetings. Mr.Senior will put the proposed budget on the town website. He also stated that the Cohasset Visual Budget is now on the town website. Due Diligence Report-91 Sohier Street The board discuss the broad idea of the report. Chairman Kennedy suggested the Board put on next week's agenda. Town Counsel will be on hand to answer any legal questions. Paul Kierce-39 Old Coach Road and Chairman of Elder Affairs thanked the board for having a third party do the report for due diligence. He stated the costs in the report are the same that they have submitted in the past. Mr. Kierce stated Elder Affairs are available for future discussions. Town Manager Update Mr. Senior stated he would like to release the Board, Commission and Committee Handbook prepared by Town Clerk,Carol St. Pierre. The board agreed they would like to review further before it is released. Any edits should be sent to Tracey Connors. Mr.Senior advised the board that all the dredging paperwork has been completed and the Army Corps is set to go out for bids. He thanked Harbormaster Lorri Gibbons for all her hard work. Mr. Senior updated the board on the water damage at the high school administration offices. They are currently using office space at 91 Sohier Street. Mark Kelly of Facilities is working out of town hall. The damage is still being assessed. Mr. Senior stated the DPW 3 Selectmen-2/24/15-TC InitialMP,6 Minutes-Board of Selectmen February 24, 2015 crews continue to work to clear snow from streets and sidewalks. The equipment and staff have been stretched. They are making progress and will get through it. ATM Warrant Update Mr.Senior stated there were not any citizens petitions file for the ATM Warrant. It is still a working document. Selectmen Update Selectmen Gjesteby shared some information with the board regarding a bill that State Representative Bradley will be submitting about substance abuse. Selectman Quigley asked all drivers to use caution when driving with all the snowbanks at street corners. Chairman Kennedy thanked DPW for all of their work clearing the roads. Selectman McCarthy stated he joined the MMA's Environmental Energy and Water Committee. Motion by Selectman Gjesteby to adjourn,seconded by Selectman Quigley and the vote was unanimous. Kevin McCarthy Aye Diane Kennedy Aye Karen Quigley Aye Martha Gjesteby Aye The meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Diane Kennedy,Chairman Documents: Red Lion Letter-Gerd Ordleheide Dorothy Hibbard-Letter; retiree healthcare Denise Yess-Letter; retiree healthcare Joann Magoun-Letter; retiree healthcare R. Lawrence Schultz; retiree healthcare Fran Cronin; retiree healthcare Draft ATM Warrant FY16 Budget Due Diligence Report-91 Sohier St. Whoriskey Wedding request Cohasset Elder Affairs-Proposal of Events 4 Selectmen-2/24/15 TC InitiaLw