HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 05/26/2019 Minutes—Board of Selectmen May 26, 2015
Selectmen's Office,Town Hall
41 Highland Avenue
Cohasset, MA
Selectmen Present: Steve Gaumer,Chairman
Kevin McCarthy
Diane Kennedy
Karen 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- None
Selectmen U dates—Selectman Kevin McCarthy stated that it was a great Memorial Day weekend. He
found it heartening that so many families came out for the events. Selectman Karen Quigley agreed
saying that it was wonderful to see people of all ages coming out to support the veterans. She added
that she has met with the Housing Authority and they are eager to work the Community Preservation
Commission and the Board of Selectmen. They will be sending a letter to the Board. Selectman Diane
Kennedy stated that Memorial Day was wonderful. She is so grateful to the Veteran's Services available
in Cohasset and Massachusetts. She thanked Dee and Tom Wigmore for all they do for the Town.
Selectman Paul Schubert also enjoyed the parade and thanked the Veteran's for their service. Chairman
Steve Gaumer stated that marching in the parade was a humbling experience.
l Town Manager's Report—Town Manager, Christopher Senior,stated that Memorial Day is a very
special weekend. He thanked Veteran Services Director,Vincent Fountaine, for stepping in and doing a
y great job.
Mr.Senior also reported that he has spoken with the Army Corp of Engineers and they have received S
bids on the dredging project. The next step will be to work with the Harbormaster and the Department
of Public works to prepare for the project. Mr.Senior added that the Chief Information Office hiring
process is in progress. They have met with four applicants this week and will meet with five more next
week. It is his hope to have the pool narrowed down to 3 and for them to have someone in place by
July.
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Licenses& Permits
One Day Liquor License—Holly Hill Farm—Selectman Quigley recused herself from this vote and left the
room. Selectman McCarthy moved to approve the one-day liquor license for Holly Hill Farm for June
20th. Selectman Schubert seconded the motion. The vote was 4-0-1.
South Shore Arts Festival Licenses—Selectman Schubert moved to approve a one-day liquor license
for the South Shore Arts Center Gala on June 16,2015. Selectman McCarthy seconded the motion and
the vote was (5-0). Selectman Schubert moved to approve a one-day liquor license for the South
Shore Arts Center on June 19,2015. Selectman Quigley seconded the motion and the vote was
unanimous(5-0). Selectman Schubert moved to approve an entertainment license for the South
Shore Arts Center Gala on June 16,2015. Selectman Kennedy seconded the motion and the vote was
unanimous(5-0). Selectman Schubert moved to grant an entertainment license for the South Shore
Arts Festival on the Cohasset Common for June 191h through June 211. Selectman McCarthy seconded
the motion and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Selectman Kennedy moved to approve Country Store
Fudge, Lakonia Greek Products, LLC,Joni's Cannolis,Timi's Food, Dave&Jerry's Inc. and Kettle
Masters of New England as Food Vendors for the South Shore Arts Festival. Selectman Quigley
seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(5-0).
Police Chief—Deliberation and Vote on Appointment—Chairman Gaumer set the ground rules for the
discussion. He reviewed both the Board of Selectmen's role and the Town Manager's role in the
appointment of Police Chief. The Board will deliberate and each member's voice will be heard. The
Board has received many emails and the Board has heard the residents. There will be no public
comment this evening. Chairman Gaumer said the Town Manager Act charges the Board with acting in
the best interest of the Town.
Chairman Gaumer invited the Town Manager's Appointee,Captain Joseph C. Comperchio,Jr. up to
speak with the members of the Board. The Chairman asked that the members keep their questions to 5-
7 minutes each. The Board members asked a series of questions. At the end of the conversation,
Chairman Gaumer thanked Captain Comperchio for coming this evening. He stated they take this
process very seriously and that he understands that it must be agonizing for the Captain. The Chairman
added that they are more concerned about getting it right than looking good.
Discussion with the Town Manner—The Chairman asked the Board members to ask any further
questions they had of Mr.Senior. Selectman McCarthy did not have any further questions. Selectman
Quigley asked if Mr.Senior could review the process from the beginning to how he got to his
appointment. Mr.Senior did so. Selectman Quigley said that in many of the emails the Board received,
they heard a lot about"stability". She asked Mr. Senior how he would address that. Mr. Senior said the
goal was to combine and enhance. It is an attempt for addition; not subtraction. It's what he was
charged with doing and it's what the Board asked for.
Selectman Kennedy asked Mr.Senior to review what Badge Quest did to establish what Cohasset's
needs were. Mr.Senior reviewed who Mr. Unsworth met with and reached out to establish the
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community and department's needs. Chairman Gaumer then asked a series of questions regarding the
existing department and if it had been part of the assessment for the Chief search. Each member then
extensively expressed their opinions regarding the search and their thoughts on the process and the
needs for the Town. Selectman Kennedy then asked if she could move the question. Selectman
McCarthy seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous (5-0).
Selectman Schubert moved to accept the Town Manager's decision for appointment. Selectman
Quigley seconded the motion. Chairman Gaumer explained that a vote in the affirmative is to accept
the appointment. A vote in the negative is to not accept the appointment.
Selectman McCarthy—No
Selectman Quigley—Aye
Chairman Gaumer--No
Selectman Kennedy--Aye
Selectman Schubert—No
The motion fails 3-2.
Executive Session—Selectman Schubert moved to go into Executive Session under Exceptions 2,3&6.
(2)To conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non-union personnel or to
conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with non-union personnel. (3)To
discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may have a
detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the public body and the chair so declares.
Update on contract negotiations with all bargaining units. (6)To consider the purchase,exchange,
lease or value of real property if the chair declares that an open meeting may have a detrimental
effect on the negotiating position of the public body. Discussion of purchase/lease of 91 Sohier
Street. Selectman Kennedy seconded the motion.
Selectman Schubert—Aye
Selectman Kennedy-Aye
Selectman Quigley—Aye
Selectman McCarthy—Aye
Chairman Gaumer—Aye
The Board will come out of Executive Session only for the purposes of adjournment. Meeting adjourned
at 10:30PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Steve Gaumer
Chairman
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