HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 11/24/2015 Minutes-Board of Selectmen November 24, 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 7:02 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance-Recited
Public Comments-None
Introduction of New Employees
Mr. Senior introduced the new Deputy CIO-Bart Riley. Mr. Riley gave an overview of his background and
stated that he is very enthused about being in Cohasset. Mr. Senior introduced Susan Bruce the new
Procurement and Contract Manager. Ms. Bruce gave an overview of her background. She has 15 years
of experience. Mr. Senior added that Ms. Bruce is fulfilling a position that was never in place in
Cohasset. Police Chief Bill Quigley introduced Officers John Harrington and Aaron Bates. Both are
graduates of Cohasset High School and were Special Officers with the CPD. Mr. Harrington gave an
overview of his background and said it was an honor to work in the town that he grew up in. Mr. Bates
gave an overview of his background. He is excited to be here in Cohasset and working with CPD. Fire
Chief Robert Silvia introduced EMT/Paramedic Michael Graves who has joined the CFD two weeks ago.
Mr. Graves brings the staff to 22 firefighters. Mr. Graves gave the board an overview of his background.
He currently lives on the north shore but intends to move closer to Cohasset. The Board welcomed all
new employees and thanked them for coming tonight.
Liquor License Transfer-Saiian Ent.-continued hearing
Chairman Gaumer read aloud the public hearing notice. He advised the Board the purpose of the
hearing is for the transfer of location of the liquor license. Selectman Kennedy expressed her concern
that the license has been dormant since October 2012. Her other concern is that the proposed property
is not a permitted space for the license. Selectman McCarthy stated the Board has granted several
extensions over the last year and there hasn't been much progress. Selectman Schubert added that he
would like to see the license being used. Chairman Gaumer invited Mr. Sajjan to speak to the Board.
Mr. Sajjan stated he has spent all of his money to buy the property. He said there wasn't any other
property to purchase in town. He is waiting on others (Mass DOT and engineers)for work to be done for
the traffic study and design of a new parking lot. He is ready to open but he is waiting on permits. The
Board had a lengthy discussion. Chairman Gaumer stated he understood Mr. Sajjan's frustration
however he should have made sure the property was permitted before he purchased it. Motion by
Selectmen Kennedy to deny the change of location from 27-29 South Main Street to 807 Chief Justice
Cushing Highway,seconded by Selectman Schubert. Roll Call Vote; Kevin McCarthy-Aye,Steve
Gaumer-Aye, Diane Kennedy-Aye, Paul Schubert-Aye.
Chairman Gaumer advised Mr. Sajjan the Board will issue a written finding and send it to him and the
ABCC. The Board will consider the dormancy of the current license at the upcoming annual renewals.
1
Selectmen-11/24/15
Minutes-Board of Selectmen November 24, 2015
Public Hearing-Liquor License Violation-Sarro Inc. d/b/a Red Lion Inn
Chairman Gaumer stated the Board will hold the public hearing for a liquor license violation for the Red
Lion Inn. He will recuse himself from the hearing as a family member is employed by RLI. Selectman
McCarthy will act as Chairman in his absence. Selectman McCarthy explained the process of the
hearing. Mr. Senior, acting as licensing clerk, read aloud the hearing notice that was sent to the RLI.
Officer Williams introduced himself as the prosecutor for the CPD and described the incident of the
violation and will present the facts as reported to and by the CPD. Attorney Ohrenberger introduced
himself as the attorney for the RLI and stated he will discuss the unfortunate incident and the
trespasser.
Mr. Senior distributed copies of the license, conditions of license and floor plan for the first floor. He
entered it into the record and marked it Exhibit P-1. Mr. Williams read Officer Lagimoniere's police
report and entered into the record as Exhibit P-2. Mr. Williams called on Officer Lagimoniere as a
witness. Mr. Senior swore in Officer Lagimoniere for the record. Officer Lagimoniere verified his report
and answered questions from Mr. Williams and Attorney Ohrenberger. Mr. Williams read Officer St.
Ives police report and entered it into the record as Exhibit P-3. Mr.Williams called on Officer St. Ives as
a witness. Mr. Senior swore in Officer St. Ives for the record. Officer St. Ives verified his report and
answered questions from Mr. Williams and Attorney Ohrenberger. Attorney Ohrenberger gave a
detailed description of the alleged violations and what he described as a trespasser. He submitted a
letter from the event manager William J. laconelli into the record as Exhibit D-1. A statement from night
watchman Robert Houle was entered into the record as Exhibit D-2. A statement from security officer
Thomas Santos was entered into the record as Exhibit D-3. A statement from bartender David Page was
entered into the record as Exhibit D-4. Mr. Senior swore in Manager Heinrich Lutjens and Mr. Williams
and Attorney Ohrenberger asked some questions. Mr. Williams and Attorney Ohrenberger gave closing
statements. Vice-Chairman McCarthy closed the hearing at 9:05 p.m. The Board deliberated at length.
Motion by Selectman Schubert that there was a liquor violation of the Town of Cohasset Liquor
Regulations Section 29, seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was 3-0.
Motion by Selectman Schubert to have Mr. Senior send a letter to the Red Lion Inn explaining the
violation and asking for a remedial plan within 10 days, seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote
was 3-0.
Motion by Selectman Kennedy that there was no violation of the Town of Cohasset Liquor Regulations
Section 31,seconded by Selectman McCarthy and the vote was 3-0.
The Board took a five minute recess.
Chairman Gaumer called the meeting back into session at 9:41 p.m.
Selectmen Update
Selectman Schubert attended and helped out at the Spelling Bee at the Deer Hill School along with Mr.
Senior. It was a great event. He attended the Recreation Commission meeting and they discussed their
summer programs. Chairman Gaumer attended the Powder Puff game which was a great event by the
students. Selectman Kennedy reminded everyone the Thanksgiving football game is in Hull on Thursday
at 10 a.m. She attended the Cohasset Safe Harbor Coalition event last week and the next meeting is
December 91h. She encouraged everyone to attend.
2
Selectmen-11/24/15
Minutes-Board of Selectmen November 24, 2015
Town Manager's Update
Mr. Senior was a judge in the annual Spelling Bee at Deer Hill. It was very enjoyable. He attended the
Cohasset Safe Harbor Coalition event was great. Mr. Senior stated the Thanks-for-Giving Road Race is
Thursday morning and he will be there helping out. This year's Health and Recreation Fair is Sunday,
March 20, 2016.
Chapter 61A Classified Land-Right of First Refusal-585 CJC Hwy-Discussion
Mr. Senior gave an overview of the process and gave the Board a site map. He is asking for the Board's
approval to go ahead with some due diligence on the property and its' potential uses. Chairman
Gaumer suggested the Board look at the GIS map on the town website. Motion by Selectman Schubert
to authorize and direct Mr. Senior to do due diligence on property and report back with next steps,
seconded by Selectman McCarthy and the vote was unanimous (4-0).
Events Policy-Discuss status of current moratorium, next steps
Mr. Senior reviewed with the Board the current moratorium and advised them of their options.
Selectmen Kennedy and Schubert agreed to continue to work on a policy going forward. They will bring
information to the Board at the first meeting in February. Motion by Selectman Kennedy to continue
the moratorium until March 1, 2016, seconded by Selectman McCarthy and the vote was unanimous
(4-0).
Minutes 11/10/15
Motion by Selectman Schubert to approve the minutes of November 10, 2015,seconded by Selectman
McCarthy and the vote was unanimous(4-0).
Motion by Selectman McCarthy to adjourn, seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was
unanimous (4-0).
The meeting adjourned at 10:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Steve Gaumer, Chairman
Documents
Liquor License Transfer-Sajjan Ent.
Red Lion Inn-Liquor License Violation
Exhibits P-1, P-2 and P-3
Exhibits D-1, D-2, D-3 and D-4
595 CJC Hwy-Chapter 61A Classified Land
Event policy information
Minutes 11/10/15
3
Selectmen-11/24/15