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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 10/06/2015 Minutes-Board of Selectmen October 6, 2015 Selectmen's Office-Town Hall 41 Highland Avenue Cohasset, MA Selectmen Present: Steve Gaumer, Chairman Kevin McCarthy,Vice Chairman Diane Kennedy Paul Schubert Others Present: Christopher Senior,Town Manager Attorney Paul DeRensis,Town Counsel Chairman Gaumer called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Pledee-Recited Public Comment Ed Goff-100 Pond Street#12 spoke to the Board about an article that was approved by Town Meeting in May that restructured the water rates. He felt it is discriminatory to a small group of people that own investment properties. Chairman Gaumer stated he appreciates Mr. Goff's frustration but that the article was discussed at length at several meetings. He suggested Mr.Goff perhaps submit a citizen's petition for Annual Town Meeting in May. Mr.Goff asked if the Board of Selectmen would consider submitting an article instead of a citizen's petition. Chairman Gaumer stated the Board would take under advisement. Selectmen Update Selectman McCarthy spoke of a recent forum for underage drinking he attended and how informative is was. Christine Murphy received a special recognition for all of her work in Cohasset. There is a drug awareness conference on October 22nd at 91 Sohier Street at 7 p.m. Selectman Kennedy thanked CPC Chairman Russ Bonetti for inviting Shelly Goehring-Community Preservation Program Manager of MA Affordable Housing Alliance to the meeting on Monday. Selectman Kennedy suggested the Board have a public forum on an upcoming agenda for people to understand affordable housing and get involved. Selectman Kennedy asked Mr.Senior if there could be a protocol for public records requests and for all Town Boards/Committees members be assigned town email addresses. Selectman Kennedy stated Harry St.Onge passed away and asked for a moment of silence. Mr. St. Onge was a member of the Elder Affairs Board. Selectman Schubert stated he attended the Fiscal Forum at the school on Thursday. It was a great presentation and well attended. Selectman Schubert spoke of the upcoming drug awareness forum on October 22"d and spoke of how the numbers of overdoses have gone way up over the past year. Chairman Gaumer attended the Cohasset Senior Cafe on Monday with Chris Senior and it was well attended. Chairman Gaumer stated he received a letter of resignation from Selectman Karen Quigley. Chairman Gaumer and Chris Senior both separately encouraged her to reconsider. They will miss her voice on the Board. He will put on next week's agenda the options available for replacing Selectman Quigley. Town Manager Mr.Senior thanked Selectman Quigley for her service. She was very generous with her time and knowledge and wishes her the best. Mr.Senior spoke of the Fiscal Forum on Thursday night. The next Fiscal Forum is October 1511 and topics will be new revenue, hotel &meals tax and long-term capital projects. The following Forum on October 291h will discuss schools. The dredging project has been delayed due to weather. Harbormaster Lord Gibbons advised the barge will be heading into the water and ready to go soon. 1 j Selectmen-10/6/15-TC Initia /(, Minutes-Board of Selectmen October 6, 201S Special Town Meeting-Review.Approve and Sign Warrant Article#1-Amendments to Fiscal 2016 Operating Budget-Mr.Senior discussed the transfers with the Board. Article#2-Unpaid Bills from Previous Years-Mr.Senior stated there is one bill for$300 for Independent Environmental Consultants for enforcement action that was not paid. Chairman of Water Commission Leonora Jenkins and Vice Chairman Rolf Gjesteby were present to discuss an unpaid bill to the Holland Company for a billing error in the amount of$114,626.30 from 3 X years ago. American Water was incorrectly billing the town for chemicals. After a lengthy discussion the Board agreed to remove from warrant and get more information for future discussion. Article#5-Transfer from Water Department Capital Stabilization Fund Article#6-Supplemental Appropriations, FY16 Water Department Budget Chairman Jenkins discussed the purpose of the transfers as follows: polymer system upgrades, filter media change order and Ellms meadow well insulation. The supplemental appropriations are for caustic conversion, roof repairs and chemicals. Chairman Gaumer asked Chairman Jenkins that they have Capital Budget weigh in on the articles. Article#3-Stabilization Funds-Mr. Senior discussed the amounts proposed for the stabilization funds; $450,000 into OPEB,$300,000 into Stabilization and $50,000 into Capital Stabilization. Article#4-Allocation of Funds for One-Time Costs Mr.Senior discussed putting$75,000 from free cash to the termination of lease of 100 Sohier Street, $30,000 to renovate 100 Sohier Street. He would like to use$25,000 for the Master Plan. Chairman of Planning Board Clark Brewer was present. He has had conversations with MAPC about a Master Plan. The funding would include reviewing where the town is, receiving input from the community(surveys, public meetings), and cost estimates. Mr.Senior suggested using$1000 to install a Knox Box(fire safety device)for the Cohasset Housing Authority. He proposed $30,000 for road and tree related repairs before the winter season. Mr. Senior met with CIO Ron Menard and suggests$20,000 for network security repairs including upgrading the fire walls and ensuring that the system remains vibrant and secure. Selectman McCarthy asked about upgrading of the phone system. Mr.Senior stated that is a much bigger project to be discussed in a future budget. He stated most phone systems run on fiber. Lastly, $20,000 for the fire department self-contained breathing apparatus equipment. Article#7-Sewer Commission Transfers Article#8-Supplemental Appropriations, FY16 Sewer Department Budget Chairman of Sewer Commission Brian.Baldwin reviewed the two articles with the Board. Article#7 is asking for$28,217 to be transferred from retained earnings to Sewer Betterment Debt Stabilization Fund to achieve a flat yearly debt payment over the term of bonds. Article#8 is to take$155,000 from Sewer Retained Earnings for grinder pump replacements and$50,000 for anticipated fee increase from the Town of Hull. Article#9-Acceptance of Statue-Elderly Tax Exemption Director of Assessing Mary Quill discussed the article with the Board.The article is to increase the asset and income requirements for the Elderly Tax Exemption to allow more residents over the age of seventy on fixed incomes to qualify. Article#10-Acceptance of Statue-Appointment of Election Officers Mr.Senior stated this article will allow the Town Clerk to make appointments of election officers on the day of an election should the need arise. Article#11-Bylaw Amendment-Door-To-Door Solicitors Chief William Quigley discuss the proposed bylaw amendment. He explained the current rate of$25 does not cover the cost to process the permits. A rate of$75 puts the fee more in line with what it costs to produce and cover personnel cost. z Selectmen-10/6/15-TC Initial"'��'"-` Minutes-Board of Selectmen October 6, 2015 Motion by Selectman Kennedy to accept the inclusion of the all warrant articles as presented except Article 2,seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Motion by Selectman Kennedy to remove the unpaid water bill of$114,626.30 from Article#2, seconded by Selectman McCarthy and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Motion by Selectman McCarthy to include Article#2,as revised,in the warrant,seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Approval of SEW Contracts-Clerical &Library Mr.Senior advised the Board that both Clerical and Library contracts are complete. He discussed a couple of small changes. He will meet with the unions on a regular basis for conversations. Motion by Selectman McCarthy to ratify the SEIU Union contract for the Clerical Union as presented, seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Motion by Selectman Schubert to ratify the SEIU Union contract for the Library Union as presented, seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Minutes Motion by Selectman Kennedy to approve the minutes of 9/22/15,seconded by Selectman McCarthy and the vote was unanimous (4-0). Topics not reasonabiv anticipated by Chairman 48 hours in advance Chief Silvia announced that the Fire Department is selling t-shirts for the month of October to raise awareness for breast cancer. All profits are being donated. Mr.Senior stated there was a fire recently on Tower Lane. He thanked the fire department for all of their hard work. He suggested the Board draft a letter of thanks to the surrounding town fire departments that assisted. Chairman Gaumer asked for a motion to go into executive session for exception#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 pubic body. Chairman Gaumer did declare. The Board will discuss 91 Sohier Street. The Board will come out of executive session into open session. Motion moved by Selectman Schubert,seconded by Selectman Kennedy. Roll Call Vote; Kevin McCarthy-Aye,Steve Gaumer-Aye, Diane Kennedy-Aye, Paul Schubert-Aye. The Board went into executive session at 9:15 p.m. The Board came out of executive session and into open session at 10:28 p.m. Chairman Gaumer stated the Board is pleased to move forward on the 91 Sohier Street proposed acquisition and look forward to discussing it at the October 13, 2015 meeting. Motion by Selectman McCarthy to adjourn,seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous(4-0). 3 ] Selectmen-10/6/15-TC Initia Minutes-Board of Selectmen October 6, 2015 The meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Steve Gaumer,Chairman Documents: Draft Warrant SEW Contracts Building Logs for September 201S Committee Applications Thank you letter-Hull Police Ragnar Cape Relay-request Karen Quigley Resignation Letter 4 ..// Selectmen-10/6/15-TC Initial �/�L-