HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 01/12/2016 Minutes-Board of Selectmen January 12, 2016
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
Chairman Gaumer called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Pledge-Recited
Public Comment-Peter Pescatore-12 Lantern Lane asked what the discussion on the agenda at 8:40 will
be about. Chairman Gaumer stated the Board has discussed asking Mr. Senior if he is willing to stay on
as Town Manager and if he would be interested in discussing extending his contract.
Library Trustee-Appointment to fill Unexpired Term
Chairman of Library Trustees-Carolyn Coffey was present and called their meeting to order. The Select-
men & Library Trustees have previously voted on this appointment however,the Trustees did not post
their meeting. The Trustees re-voted to appoint Elaine Breslow to the Library Trustees until the next
election.
Licenses/Permits
Lisa Pratt was present on behalf of the Cohasset Drama Club. They are requesting a one day liquor li-
cense for two days. This is the 3rd year they have requested it and it has been a well-received event.
Motion by Selectman McCarthy to approve a one day liquor license for February 5"&6"for the Co-
hasset Drama Club, seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Motion by
Selectman Kennedy to waive the application fee of$50 per day for the licenses, seconded by Select-
man Schubert and the vote was unanimous(4-0).
Master Plan Discussion
Clark Brewer-Chairman of Planning Board was present to discuss the Planning Board's Master Plan
schedule. On 1/20/16 at the regular scheduled PB meeting they will have an introduction, start of pro-
cess, discuss a working group, and public relations distribution and outreach. On 2/4 at the regular
scheduled PB meeting they will begin to plan for the Saturday visioning session and tour of Cohasset,
logistics and goals. On 3/5/16 the PB will hold a public meeting for community outreach, a tour of Co-
hasset and a visioning session. At the 3/23 regular PB meeting they will discuss the follow up from the
community meeting. Chairman Gaumer asked Mr. Brewer what they needed from the Board of Select-
men. Mr. Brewer asked to help raise awareness, get the community involved and help people under-
stand change. Selectman Kennedy asked Mr. Brewer when the last master plan was done and how the
public can see it. Mr. Brewer will put the last master plan on the PB website. He encouraged the com-
munity to start to come to the PB meetings to get involved. They are hoping to have the master plan
completed within 18 months with the help of the MAPC. Mr. Brewer will develop a charge for the work-
ing group.
Powers&Sullivan-2015 CAFR&Audit Review
Jim Powers and Kyle Warren were present on behalf of Powers &Sullivan. Mr. Powers thanked Mary
Gallagher, Chris Senior and the employees of the Town for all of their help. They were excellent to work
with and cooperative. Mr. Powers discussed the Report on Federal Awards. There were no findings on
compliance and the Town received a perfect opinion. The threshold will change next year and the re-
port will not need to be done. Mr. Powers discussed the Management Letter. There were no material
weaknesses or deficiencies. The budgetary controls are very good. Most of the issues from last year are
resolved or they are in progress. They are confident of the plans in place. Mr. Powers gave a quick over-
view of the CAFR. He stated the town is in full compliance. Water and Sewer funds look good. The
OPEB fund is building up and that should help with the town's rating. He discussed with the Board the
discount rate that the Town gets from Norfolk County Retirement. The rate is high and should be
looked at.
Presentation on possible Cohasset Cultural District
Discussion postponed until 1/26/16.
Formulation of BOS subcommittee to discuss TM contract extension
Chairman Gaumer stated the Board has recently talked about working on an extension of the Town
Manager's contract. The Board has expressed interest in retaining Mr. Senior longer than the one year
remaining on his contract. His current contract runs from January and the Board would also be inter-
ested in having the contract run with the fiscal year. Chairman Gaumer and Vice-Chairman McCarthy
will serve as the Board's sub-committee. They will meet with Mr. Senior and with the help of HR Direc-
tor-Lisa Uglialoro they will edit the contract and come back to the Board. Mr. Senior stated he has been
with the Town for two years tomorrow. It has been rewarding and the Town has made positive progress
with the help of many people.
Selectmen Update
Selectman McCarthy reminded everyone of the Martin Luther King breakfast on Monday at St. Ste-
phen's Church at 9 a.m. Selectman Schubert stated there is a Safe Harbor meeting on 1/13 at 6:30pm at
91 Sohier Street. Selectman Kennedy stated the Annual MMA Conference is coming up on January 22-
23. It is an informative event. Selectman Kennedy read aloud a press release from South Shore Recy-
cling Cooperative honoring Merle Brown for all his years of service. The Board congratulated Mr.
Brown. Chairman Gaumer advised the Board that they have received an appeal from the ABCC for the
denial of Sajjan Enterprises change of location application and that town counsel will handle it.
Town Manager's Update
Mr. Senior stated he attended the South Shore Managers meeting at Bridgewater State College. The
College is interested in partnering with local communities and working with interns. He said they had a
lengthy discussion on the opioid crisis. Mr. Senior stated he attended the Historical Society meeting and
they discussed the 2501"anniversary of the Town. He feels this dove tails nicely with the master plan
and possible culture district. He feels there are a lot of exciting opportunities for the town. They are
seeking people who would like to get involved. The dredging harbor project is continuing. They have
had challenges with the wind but progress is being made. They have applied for an extension and are
waiting to hear back. Harbormaster Lorri Gibbons is doing a great job overseeing and keeping communi-
cations open.
Minutes-12/22/15
Motion by Selectman McCarthy to approve the minutes of 12/22/15, seconded by Selectman Kennedy
and the vote was unanimous (4-0).
Motion by Selectman Kennedy to adjourn, seconded by Selectman McCarthy and the vote was
unanimous(4-0).
Respectfully submitted,
Steve Gaumer, Chairman
Documents
One day liquor request-CDC
Cohasset Cultural District-draft map
Powers&Sullivan-CAFR & Management Letter
Minutes 12/22/15
South Shore Reg. School-FY17 Budget
Karp Letter-Red Lion Lights
ABCC-Appeal of Sajjan
Building Logs-December 2015
Bancroft Hall Calendar January 2016
Minutes-Board of Selectmen January 12, 2016