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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 10/13/2015 Minutes-Board of Selectmen October 13, 2015 Selectmen's Office-Town Hall 41 Highland Ave. Cohasset, MA Selectmen Present: Steve Gaumer,Chairman Kevin McCarthy,Vice Chairman Diane Kennedy Paul Schubert Others Present: Christopher Senior,Town Manager Chairman Gaumer called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Pledge of Alle iance-Recited Public Comments-None New Voting Equipment-Discussion of need for new equipment,discussion of election timing requirements,staff responsibilities:cost. Motion by Selectman Schubert to discontinue the use of the ACCU-Vote election machines and begin using the new imageCast Tabulators at the next election for which they are eligible per M.G.L.Chapter 54,Section 34,seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Minutes 10/6/15 Selectman Kennedy had some minor grammatical edits(no change of substance). Motion by Selectman Kennedy to approve the minutes of 10/6/15 as amended,seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Selectmen's Update Selectman McCarthy reminded residents that the next Fiscal Forecasting Forum is on Thursday,October 15th @ 7 p.m.They will be discussing new revenue and hotel & meals tax. Selectman Schubert recently spoke to the Police and Fire Chiefs about some available grants from the State. There is money available for flashing school signs,seawalls and public safety buildings. Chairman Gaumer tabled the Selectmen's update for an advertised public hearing. Liquor License Hearin -156 King Street Chairman Gaumer read aloud the public hearing notice that was advertised. Selectman McCarthy recused himself and left the room as he is an abutter to the proposed property. Anthony Ambrose and Peter Tedeschi of TNA Restaurant Group LLC,were present to discuss their proposed new restaurant, The Tide Tavern. Mr.Ambrose gave an overview of his experience in the restaurant business and discussed their plans and menu. They hope to open mid-November. Paul Kierce-39 Old Coach Road asked about their plans for traffic in the area. Mr.Ambrose stated it was also a concern of his. They will be open 5-11 p.m.so there shouldn't be as much traffic as there is during the day. They are working with abutting neighbors for overflow parking. Motion by Selectman Kennedy to approve the liquor license for TNA Restaurant Group LLL,d/b/a The Tide Tavern,seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was 3-0. Selectman McCarthy recused. 1 Selectmen-10/13/15-TC Initial Minutes-Board of Selectmen, October 13, 2015 Selectmen Update-continued Selectman Kennedy stated the Historical Society is hosting a lecture tomorrow night @ 7:30 p.m. They will be discussing the 30t"Anniversary of the filming of the Witches of Eastwick. Discussion of options for filling open seat Chairman Gaumer reviewed the three options available to fill the open Selectmen seat. After a lengthy discussion, the Board agreed to wait until the next election. Town Manager's Report Mr.Senior stated the Safe Harbor Cohasset Coalition and the Paul Pratt Memorial Library will be co- sponsoring an event on October 22"d @ 7 p.m. at the Willcutt Commons called Hidden in Plain Sight. It is a drug/alcohol awareness and prevention event for adults. Mr.Senior met with Harbormaster Lorri Gibbons and the barge is in the harbor. They hope the dredging will begin next week. Mr. Senior reminded residents that Sandy Beach and the parking lot are closed to all. He asked residents to stay away from the beach and to be patient. Mr. Senior had a conference call with MAPC last week along with Director of Project Management Brian Joyce. They have been discussing space analysis and hope within a couple of weeks they can start. MAPC is funding the analysis. 91 Sohier Street Chairman Gaumer reviewed the article that town meeting approved. He stated he is pleased to announce the Board of Selectmen has come to an agreement to purchase the property within the guidelines of the article. Chairman Gaumer stated the purchase price is$987,078.00. The Board of Selectmen after much work are unanimous with the terms of the agreement. Chairman Gaumer stated the Board would entertain any questions. Glenn Pratt 482 King Street stated he had heard that there were concerns with the parking easement with the Swim Center. Mr.Senior responded that there is no real concern with the easement. Town Counsel had some concerns with the wording. It just needs some technical language tweaks. Mr.Senior stated he spoke with Diana Karcher and there will not be a problem. Mr. Pratt asked if the purchase and sales agreement is contingent on changes to the parking easement. Chairman Gaumer advised Mr. Pratt that the town and Swim Center will work to resolve any issues with the easement. The goal is to have it worked out before the purchase is complete.The discussion will be between the Town and the Swim Center not the Social Service League. Mr. Pratt asked why the length of the lease to the SSL is only for 10 years since it is a gift. Chairman Gaumer responded that the Town is purchasing the building and it is not a gift. He appreciates everything that the SSL has done but the Town gifted the land for the project. The SSL originally proposed a lease of 5 years with automatic renewal for another 5 years and then the ability to renew. The Selectman changed to 10 years with the ability to renew. Mr. Pratt asked if the Board has changed the purchase price as he has heard. Chairman Gaumer stated members of the Board have been closed mouth up until this point. They having been fighting rumors,ghosts and accusations. He advised Mr. Pratt what he heard is not accurate. The purchase price has not been changed. What is now a public document is what is being put forward. Chairman Gaumer spoke on behalf of the Board stating they want to proceed with this transaction and they have conceded to certain things. They have followed the vote of the town and are not looking to short change the content of Article 16. Mr. Pratt asked what the next step is. Chairman Gaumer stated the documents have been forwarded to the SSL today. The Board has taken all steps necessary from Article 16 and hope to execute this deal. The Board is waiting to hear back from the seller(SSL). Selectman McCarthy stated he is very optimistic about the proposed agreement. The Board worked very hard to get to this point. It has all the major issues the seller as asked for. The SSL should take this and get back to the Board as soon as possible to move the process along. Chairman Gaumer stated again that the Board appreciates the enormous personal time and capital energy that Mr. Pratt and others have taken on and the Board recognizes it and honors it. It is a project that is selfless. If Marita Carpenter was present tonight he would want her to hear this as well. They want to execute this agreement and they believe they can within the confines of Article 16. There has been a silence of 2 Selectmen-10/13/15-TC Initial Minutes-Board of Selectmen October 13, 2015 necessity from the Board of Selectmen. They have tried to keep it this way so there would not be rumors. This is the first new event of magnitude in Cohasset for a long time. They Board hopes this provides the detail that confirms that they want to move ahead with the purchase of 91 Sohier Street. Wayne Sawchuk-432 Beechwood Street stated he worked on constructing the parking lot for the Swim Center. He offered to help come up with a solution so that it doesn't become a stopping point. Chairman of Elder Affairs-Paul Kierce 39 Old Coach Road stated this is the V time he has looked at documents and they look pretty standard. They have been told that it is not a simple real estate deal and it was complicated. Chairman Gaumer stated this document is the result of a lot of work and negotiating. The Boards top priority has been the seniors. The document will need Attorney General and Supreme Court approvals. The process could take 3-4 weeks. The Attorney General has agreed they would support an expedited process. Affordable Housing Trust Chairman Gaumer stated that Selectman Kennedy did some background work and there is material the Board should review. The Affordable Housing Trust is guided by state law. After some discussion the Board agreed to set aside a block of time on a future agenda to discuss further. Heavy Haul Tractor Lease Mr.Senior advised the Board the proposed lease has been reviewed by Capital budget and Town Counsel. He is recommending that the Board endorse it and he will sign.The Board had a brief discussion. Motion by Selectman Kennedy to authorize Chris Senior to sign off on the heavy haul tractor lease as presented,seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Warrant Articles Chairman Gaumer asked the Board if they are willing to hold off on the recommendations for Articles #4,5 and 6 until Capital Budget reviews. The Board agreed. Article#1-Amendments to Fiscal 2016 Operating Budget Motion by Selectman Kennedy to recommend Article#1, seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Article#2-Unpaid Bills from Previous Fiscal Years Motion by Selectman Schubert to recommend Article#2, seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Article#3-Stabilization Funds Motion by Selectman Schubert to recommend Article#3, seconded by Selectman McCarthy and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Article#7-Sewer Commission Transfers Motion by Selectman Schubert to recommend Article#7,seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous (4-0). Article#8-Supplemental Appropriations, FY16 Sewer Department Budget Motion by Selectman Kennedy to recommend Article#8, seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Article#9-Acceptance of Statue-Elderly Tax Exemption Motion by Selectman McCarthy to recommend Article#9, seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous (4-0). Article#10-Acceptance of Statute-Appointment of Election Officers Motion by Selectman Schubert to recommend Article#10, seconded by Selectman McCarthy and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Article#11-Bylaw Amendment-Door-to-Door Solicitors Motion by Selectman Schubert to recommend Article#11, seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous (4-0). 3 Selectmen-10/13/15-TC Initial Minutes-Board of Selectmen October 13, 2015 Topics not reasonably anticipated by the Chairman 48 hours in advance None Motion by Selectman Schubert to adjourn,seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Steve Gaumer, Chairman Documents Purchase&Sales Agreement-91 Sohier St. Standard Form Commercial Lease-91 Sohier St. STM Warrant Minutes 10/6/15 MA Housing Info BYOB Information 4 Selectmen-10/13/15-TC Initial