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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 01/26/2016 Minutes-Board of Selectmen January 26, 2016 Selectmen's Office-Town Hall 41 Highland Avenue Cohasset, MA Selectmen Present: Steve Gaumer, Chairman Kevin McCarthy Diane Kennedy Paul Schubert-arrived 8:44 p.m. Others Present: Christopher Senior,Town Manager Chairman Gaumer called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Pledge-Recited Public Comment-Leland Jenkins-198 Jerusalem Road asked when the Town will consider going cashless and is concerned that town employees handle cash. Chairman Gaumer stated the audit has shown enormous progress over the last few years in cash collections including new policies. Mr. Senior added that the Town and the Treasurer have been working on moving in the direction of no cash and are working on web connectivity. Chairman of Water Commission-Leonora Jenkins-198 Jerusalem Road advised the Board that there is an issue with the water withdrawal permit. The state has come up with a plan to deal with communities that are in a drought. As a result Cohasset will have to have water restrictions this summer. The Water Commission is meeting February 10tn with DEP to discuss. Chairman Gaumer suggested they put discussion on a future agenda after the Water meeting on February 10tn Announcement-Mr. Senior advised the Board the Town has received a Wellness Award. Co-Chairs Jennifer Oram and Paula Linhares were present. Mr. Senior gave an overview of how the Wellness group started and how much they have accomplished to try to cut the town's healthcare rate. Call Town Meeting/Open Warrant Motion by Selectman McCarthy to call town meeting for Monday, May 2, 2016 @ 7 p.m. and open the warrant,seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous(3-0). Execute Presidential Primary Warrant Chairman Gaumer advised the Board the Town Clerk needs the Board to sign the Presidential Primary Warrant for March 1, 2016. The Board signed. New Liquor License-Perch 143 Chairman Gaumer read aloud the public hearing notice. Owners of Perch 143, Sean Sullivan and J. Keith Phifer were present. Michael Hughes, the proposed manager, was not available tonight due to a death in the family. Mr. Sullivan gave a description of the restaurant, management and operations. Selectman McCarthy asked if there were any background checks on the applicants. Mr. Senior stated there are CORI checks. Selectman Kennedy stated there are parking issues in the village that need to be addressed. Chairman Gaumer agreed and asked that the owners talk to their employees about parking. Mr. Sullivan stated they are aware of the parking issues in the village that is why they decided not to open for lunch during the week. Co-Chair of Chamber of Commerce-Maria Monaco was present and expressed some concerns from the Chamber. She discussed issues with delivery suppliers and where they are able to park and she asked where they plan to locate their dumpster. She also asked since the restaurant is located on the 2"d floor,there are concerns with noise because there are residents on the same floor. Chairman Gaumer asked the applicant to be courteous with the neighbors. Selectman Selectmen 1/26/16 1 Minutes-Board of Selectmen January 26, 2016 McCarthy stated he would like to meet the proposed manager before voting on the license. Kellie Lynch owner of Balance Studio stated she is glad to have a new restaurant in the village but the parking is a big issue. They need to figure out where to get additional parking. Chairman Gaumer spoke of the parking study that was done. They need to figure out a way to encourage rotating parking. Jennifer Mekler owner of 5 South Main agreed that the parking in the village is a nightmare. She spoke to the Chief of Police at length about it. There is no lighting in the town parking lot and there is a lot of debris. Chairman Gaumer stated the Board understands the issue with parking and will put on a future agenda. He asked Mr. Senior to look into the debris and lighting at the town lot. Selectman McCarthy asked what the criteria is for the Board on the liquor license process. Motion by Selectman McCarthy to continue the hearing to meet the proposed manager until 2/9/16 @ 7:10 p.m.,seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous(3-0). Change of d/b/a-TNA Restaurant Group, LLC Chairman Gaumer advised the Board the owners of a new restaurant that the Board has already approved has requested to change their d/b/a. Motion by Selectman McCarthy to approve the change of TNA Restaurant Group, LLC d/b/a to Blu Mussel Tavern, seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous(3-0). Zoning Board of Appeals-Associate Member ZBA Member Ben Lacy and applicant Matthew Watkins were present. Mr.Watkins gave the Board an overview of his background. Mr. Lacy added that he and member Charlie Higginson had met with Mr. Watkins and believe he is qualified and would be a good addition to the Board. Motion by Selectman Kennedy to approve the appointment of Matthew Watkins as an Associate Member to fill an unexpired term until 6/30/16,seconded by Selectman McCarthy and the vote was unanimous(3-0). 6 Month-Financials Mr. Senior discussed the 6 month update with the Board. He went over the highlights, positive trends and things that bear watching. He stated everything is pretty stable right now. The Board had a brief discussion. Policy Update Affordable Care Act Treasurer/Collector Paula Linhares was present and explained the ACA Policy. Chairman Gaumer asked Mr. Senior to have Brian Magner review the policy. Motion by Selectman McCarthy to approve the ACA Policy pending Town Counsel review and confirming he has no objections,seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous (3-0). Draft Reserve Policies Mr. Senior advised the Board what is presented is a draft to start a conversation. The goal is to have a target of 15%of the levy. Selectman McCarthy stated this policy should be a bigger conversation. He would like Selectman Schubert present and have Advisory in the discussion as well. Chairman Gaumer asked Ms. Linhares to prepare a spreadsheet for the Board on what the policy means and the impact on the budget. Ms. Linhares agreed and stated that it is important to understand this is a goal for the Town not something that needs to happen today. Mr. Senior will circulate the spreadsheet and discuss with Advisory. Selectman Schubert arrived at 8:44 p.m. Cultural District Kristen Sherman-South Shore Art Center was present to discuss a possible cultural district. She explained the benefits of Cohasset becoming a designated cultural district. A cultural district is a Selectmen 1/26/16 2 Minutes-Board of Selectmen January 26, 2016 geographic boundary. She stated MA Cultural Council Executive Director Anita Walker suggested that Cohasset get involved. Selectman Kennedy added that being a designated district is a good marketing tool for businesses. Cohasset is uniquely qualified to be one. Motion by Selectman McCarthy to authorize the Town to submit an application to the MCC for Cohasset to be a designated Cultural District, seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous(4-0). BYOB Policy Discussion Chairman Gaumer advised the Board the options that can be considered with regard to BYOB policies. This discussion is a starting point. Selectman Schubert looked into other towns and how they handle it. He also asked people around town. The general consensus was 60%of people were in favor and 40% were against. One of the reasons some were against it was that current license holders have to make a big investment when they apply for a liquor license. Chairman Gaumer stated some towns have taken on the BYOB with clear instructions and enforcement of police. He proposed the Board continue the discussion, do research and take public comment. If they do choose to take this on he suggested that they have a policy not a bylaw. He also suggested maybe inviting in the ABCC and speak with town counsel. Peter Pescatore-12 Lantern Lane asked how many businesses this could apply to. He thinks it is a good idea and the Board should deliberate. Jennifer Mekler-5 South Main advised the Board she is looking for guidance in potentially having occasional meals with BYOB. Selectman Update Selectmen McCarthy attended the Annual MMA Conference over the weekend. It was a great event and well attended. There were many discussions on the opioid crisis. All cities and towns are besieged with the problem. He has information that he will pass on to the Safe Harbor Coalition. Another presentation covered emerging economic issues. There was discussions on Uber,Airbnb and Lyft services. Selectman Kennedy also attended the MMA Conference and it was great to connect with other Selectmen and Town Managers. She attended last week's Planning Board meeting with the MAPC. The Planning Board will host another meeting on February 24th and a Saturday public meeting on 3/5/16. Selectman Schubert has met with Gene Green the President and CEO of South Shore Hospital and discussed the opioid crisis. The Recreation Commission meet this week and they are looking into options to refurbish the snack shed. The Governor's budget was released today and there was a 4.5% increase in local aid. Chairman Gaumer advised the Board they received thank you notes from Mr. Buckley's class for their recent visit to town hall. They were hand written notes and he appreciated them. Selectman Kennedy also stated she wanted to acknowledge last week's Martin Luther King breakfast. It was a great event and well attended. Town Manager Update Selectmen Meeting Dates Mr. Senior advised the Board there are Selectmen meetings that conflict with the upcoming scheduled elections. He asked the Board to look over and discuss at the next meeting. Street Light Purchase Mr. Senior reviewed the history of purchasing the street lights. The Town couldn't get a list of all the lights in town by National Grid so they hired someone local to compile a list by going around town. There are lights that are non-functioning and some on the list that couldn't be located. They have spoken to National Grid who has acknowledged some discrepancies. National Grid will resolve by next week. Mr. Senior stated there will be an award presentation from Green Communities tomorrow at Weymouth Town Hall at 3:45 p.m. He invited everyone to attend. Mr. Senior thanked the DPW for their quick response to the weekend storm. Minutes-1/12/16 Selectmen 1/26/16 3 Minutes-Board of Selectmen January 26, 2016 Motion by Selectman Schubert to approve the minutes of 1/12/16, seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous (3-0). Motion by Selectman Schubert to adjourn, seconded by Selectman McCarthy and the vote was unanimous (3-0). The meeting adjourned at 9:51 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Steve Gaumer, Chairman Documents Schedule of Elections Draft Warrant-ATM 2016 Presidential Primary Warrant Perch 143-Liquor License Application Change of d/b/a-Blu Mussel Tavern Committee Application-Matthew Watkins 6 Month Financials Cultural District Info Affordable Care Act Reserve Policies Minutes 1/12/16 BYOB Info Selectmen 1/26/16 4