HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 05/19/2015 Minutes—Board of Selectmen May 19, 2015
Selectmen's Office,Town Hall
41 Highland Avenue
Cohasset, MA
Selectmen Present: Steve Gaumer, Chairman
Kevin McCarthy
Diane Kennedy
!Caren Quigley
Paul Schubert
Others Present: Christopher Senior,Town Manager
Chairman Steve Gaumer called the meeting to order at 7:OOPM.
Pledge of Allegiance
Public Comment
Mr. Fran Collins,404 South Main Street, reported that at the intersection of Beechwood Street and 3A,
the South bound arrow is not working. Mr.Gaumer asked Town Manager, Christopher Senior, to look
into the issue with the goal to be able to report back on the issue in 30 days.
Mrs. Sheila Adley of 167 Sohier Street asked to make a comment regarding William Quigley. Chairman
Gaumer stated tonight's meeting was for the Board to listen to Mr.Senior and that no public comment
would be taken on this subject this evening.
Selectmen Updates
Selectman Kevin McCarthy reviewed the events for the upcoming Memorial Day Weekend. Selectman
Karen Quigley said the Healing Field is as spectacular as usual. Selectman Quigley also thanked the
Chairman for the list of proposed Board meeting dates for the year. Selectman Diane Kennedy stated
that Tommy Wigmore was out inspecting the flags. Selectman Kennedy also asked that the Board
address the Affordable Housing and the Affordable Housing Trust. Selectman Paul Schubert said that
Cohasset is really known for its support of Veterans. He also asked to review plans for the culvert on
Jerusalem Road. Chairman Gaumer reviewed the Memorial Day Parade route. Selectman Gaumer
stated that he has received many calls about the street sweeper. Mr.Senior said that the sweeper has
been out, but the roads have more sand than usual. Chairman Gaumer also congratulated the joint
Cohasset and Hull track team on their victory. He then welcomed Selectman Paul Schubert to the Board
and thanked Selectman Martha Gjesteby for her years of service.
Licenses&Permits
Modification of Class II (used cars)for John's Auto Care at 574 Chief Justice Cushing Highway. Request
to amend license to allow 20 cars on the lot, instead of the approved 10. Prior owner was approved for
20 vehicles. Mr.John Kubik addressed the Board. After a brief discussion,Selectman Quigley moved to
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Minutes—Board of Selectmen May 19,2015
approve the modification. Selectman Kennedy seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (5-
0).
Annual Renewal of Transient Vendor Licenses—Selectman Schubert moved to approve the transient
vendor license for Nona's Homemade. Selectman McCarthy seconded the motion and the vote was
unanimous (5-0). Selectman Schubert moved to approve the transient vendor license for Del's
Lemonade. Selectman McCarthy seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Selectman
Quigley moved to conditionally approve the transient vendor license for Zack's Ice Cream as long as all
required paperwork is filed by noon on Friday, May 22"d. Selectman Kennedy seconded the motion
and the vote was unanimous.
One bay Liquor License—Holly Hill Farm—Selectman Quigley recused herself from this vote and left the
room. Selectman Kennedy moved to approve the one-day liquor license for Holly Hill Farm for May
231. Selectman Schubert seconded the motion. The vote was 4-0-1.
South Shore Vocational High School—Request for Action regarding Boiler—Selectman Kennedy
moved to take no action. Selectman Schubert seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (5-
0).
Signing of BAN—Treasurer/Collector, Paula Linhares, reviewed the terms of the BAN for the Board.
After a brief discussion,the Board signed the documents.
Town Manager's Report—Mr.Senior will update the Board about the proposed IMA for Animal Control
services at a future meeting. The Town has retained Geo Environmental Inc.for the Letter of Map
Revision (LOMR). Once the contract is in place, the work will begin.
Introduction of New Health Agent Susan Sarni—Chairman of the Board of Health, Robin Lawrence,
introduced Director of Public Health,Susan Sarni, to the Board. Ms.Sarni reviewed her background for
the Board. She will begin working for the Town on June V. Interim Health Agent,Jennifer Sullivan, will
help with the transition. Mr. Lawrence also introduced newly elected Board of Health Member, Dr.
Harvey Dickstein, to the Board.
Police Chief Search Process Final Report and Proposed Appointments—Chairman Gaumer stated that
Mr.Senior will be presenting to the Board. There will not be public comment on this. Any comments
from the public can be made through the office via email.
Mr.Senior addressed the Board. Mr. Senior stated that he is hopeful that this will be a new chapter and
that everyone will be able to focus on the future. He has the utmost respect for the Police Department
and the men and women who serve it. Mr.Senior stated that he knew a search had to be done and he
did by releasing an RFP an ultimately, Badge Quest was chosen to conduct the search.
Mr.Steve Unsworth of Badge Quest addressed the Board. He reviewed his background for the Board.
Mr. Unsworth stated that he had three functions in this search and they were recruiting, evaluating the
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candidates and then conduct a background check of the finalist. Mr. Unsworth then reviewed the
search process for the Board in great detail. In summary,they received 55 plus responses and this was
eventually paired down to 15. These finalists were sent a series of questions that needed to be
responded to in writing. After extensive review of these responses, the finalists were narrowed down
to 5;2 candidates dropped out and the final 3 attended a full day assessment center. Mr. Unsworth
then read aloud comments from the participants about the assessment center. Mr. Unsworth stated
that once the reports were in, a background check, including a credit check were done on the finalist.
The Board then asked Mr. Unsworth a series of questions about the assessment center and the search
process.
Mr. Senior addressed the Board and stated that he wished to underscore that Mr. Unsworth was a great
partner in this process, but they also worked independently. Mr.Senior spent hours meeting with
people and sought input from many sources. After much consideration,at the end of the day, he said
that one name, Captain Joe Comperchio,Jr. rose to the top.
Mr. Senior introduced, Captain Joseph C. Comperchio,Jr. to the Board. Captain Comperchio is
presently a Captain for the Weymouth Police Department. He resides in Pembroke and said that his
family comes first. He then reviewed his background for the Board and presented what initiatives he
would like to bring to the Department.
After some brief questions from the Board,Chairman Gaumer stated that it was not the Board's
intention to go through intensive questioning this evening. Their job this evening is to listen and then
take the coming week to review the information they received and follow up with questions next week.
Mr. Senior thanked Mr. Unsworth and Captain Comperchio and the entire community for their support.
He said it is a privilege to serve this community. He would like to say that he really respects the men in
uniform and would like to thank Acting Chief Quigley as he is a valuable member of the department.
Mr.Senior said he would be more than happy to facilitate any other meetings etc. He feels that he has
found a really excellent candidate in Captain Comperchio.
Selectman Quigley thanked Mr. Senior for the search. She stated that this decision is a deliberative one
and that it is her hope that next week the Board will come ready to make a decision. Selectman
Kennedy said that she hoped that Captain Comperchio could come back to answer questions from the
Board. She agreed with Selectman Quigley that the Board should be prepared to make a decision.
Selectman McCarthy asked if Board members could reach out to the appointee. Chairman Gaumer
stated that it would be difficult as the Board needs to work as one body. Selectman Quigley clarified
that the Town Manager has already vetted the candidate and brought him forth to the Board. The
Board's role is to either support the appointment or not to support it. After further discussion, it was
agreed that discussions with Mr.Comperchio would be in open session on the 26". It was not
determined if there would be any public comment taken.
Selectman McCarthy moved to adjourn the meeting. Selectman Schubert seconded the motion and
the vote was unanimous(5-0). Meeting adjourned at 9:31PM.
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Respectfully submitted,
Steve Gaumer
Chairman
Documents:
Letter from Superintendent-Director of the South Shore Regional School District,Thomas J. Hickey, Ed.
D.
Biography and Resume of Captain Joseph C.Comperchio,Jr.
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