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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 02/09/2016 Minutes-Board of Selectmen February 9, 2016 Selectmen's Office-Town Hall 41 Highland Avenue Cohasset, MA Selectmen Present: Steve Gaumer, Chairman Kevin McCarthy Diane Kennedy Paul Schubert Others Present: Christopher Senior,Town Manager Chairman Gaumer called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and asked for a motion to go into executive session for Exemption#3-to discuss strategy with respect to litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the Town, and the Chair so declares. The Board will discuss-One James Island Way and will reconvene in public session. Selectman Kennedy moved the motion, seconded by Selectman McCarthy. Roll Call Vote; Kevin McCarthy-Aye, Steve Gaumer-Aye, Diane Kennedy-Aye, Paul Schubert-Aye. The Board went into executive session at 6:31 p.m. The Board came out of executive session and into public session at 7:44 p.m. Pledge-Recited Public Comment-Nathan Redmann-40 Forest Avenue read aloud a prepared statement regarding comments published in the Mariner about the inability of the Town to sustain the new teacher contract. He thanked the Board and Town Manager for their efforts. He asked them to consider shifting budget priorities, cutting programs and increasing the tax levy as they move forward in the budget process. Sarah McSweeney-14 Summer Street spoke to the Board about the statements in the Mariner as well. She stated the budget is fluid and the agreement is binding. It is very disturbing that it was not collaborative. Chairman Gaumer stated the comments made were based on pure mathematics. They will honor the contract however,the Board of Selectmen does not insert themselves in the School Committee budget process. It is not their role or purview. Presentation of Green Communities Award-Mr. Senior stated they will table the presentation for a future agenda as members of AEC were not available tonight. He would like to recognize the entire committee for all of their hard work on the Green Communities. Liquor License Hearing-Perch 143-continued-Keith Phifer and Michael Hughes were present. Mr. Hughes gave an overview of his resume. He has been in the restaurant business for over 20 years. He will be the full time manager in Cohasset. Mr. Phifer spoke to the Board regarding inquiries about noise mitigation. He explained the restaurant is on the 2nd floor on the opposite side of the building from the residential units. He does not see any issues with noise. They promote a family friendly restaurant with a healthy menu. They are not a bar or club. Motion by Selectman Kennedy to approve the liquor license for Perch 143,seconded by Selectman McCarthy and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Mr. Dooley's—Pledge of License-Adam Barnosky was present on behalf of Cohasset Pubs Corp. d/b/a Mr. Dooley's Old Village Pub. He explained to the Board the purpose of the pledge of license. Motion by Selectman Kennedy to approve the pledge of license for Mr. Dooley's Old Village Pub, seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous (4-0). Planning Board-Warrant Article-Mr. Senior explained to the Selectmen that the Planning Board is looking to amend a bylaw allowing the associate member the ability to vote if needed. They are asking for the Board to approve allowing the Planning Board to hold a public hearing. Motion by Selectman McCarthy to approve the Planning Board to hold a public hearing, seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous (4-0). 1 Selectmen-2/9/16-TC Minutes-Board of Selectmen February 9, 2016 Safe Harbor Cohasset Coalition-Update-Christine Murphy gave a power point presentation update on the Safe Harbor Cohasset Coalition. She discussed recent headlines indicating the epidemic is getting worse. She discussed overdoses,the sources the opioids are coming from, recent surveys and recent accomplishments. She explained they are beginning the process of applying for a $625,000 grant to implement youth substance abuse prevention programs. The Board thanked them for all of their work. 250th Anniversary Committee Appointments-Mr. Senior stated they would like to begin the planning for the anniversary and there are 2 members each from the Historical Society and the Historical Commission that have applied to start the work. Motion by Selectman Kennedy to appoint Joy Pratt Schiffmann, Kathy O'Malley, Rebecca Bates-McArthur and Jim Morrison to the 250th anniversary committee,seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Town Meeting Update-Mr. Senior advised the Board the draft warrant has 20 articles. This is just a first cut and a starting point. Town Counsel has a copy and will continue to look over. Mr. Senior stated there is a place holder for the Cunningham Bridge. There will be a public hearing at the end of this month to discuss the State replacing it. As of today,there is one citizen's petition filed for sewer at King Street. Mr. Senior stated the local option meals/hotel tax is on the draft warrant for a discussion. Chairman Gaumer suggested the Board discuss the local-option meal and hotel tax at a different setting before the Board takes on a new revenue pot for taxpayer's money. Selectman Schubert added that this is a draft of articles that are being suggested to possibly be put on the Warrant. FY17 Budget Update-Mr. Senior said they are not prepared to discuss the FY17 budget yet. They are waiting on health insurance cost and some other numbers. He will discuss at the next meeting. Peter Pescatore-12 Lantern Lane stated the Advisory Committee discussed the local option meals/hotel tax in context of reduction of levy. They discussed it to give relief to the taxpayers not another burden. Discussion and Update of Event Policy-Selectman Schubert has looked into other towns policies. He stated Duxbury has some policies that are nicely done. Selectman Kennedy asked the Board to consider lifting the moratorium as it was supposed to be temporary. She has some minor changes to the application that does not change the intent. She would also like to discuss the fees. She would suggest a modest application fee of$15 per application (no waivers)then set a fee for the type of event and number of participants involved. She has also put together a rating tool for after the event happens to consider the benefits and impacts to the town. Chairman Gaumer agreed a checklist would serve as a reminder to the Board on a regular basis to follow up. Selectman Kennedy suggested no fees for films. She believes Mr. Senior should discuss and negotiate with filming companies on behalf of the Town. Motion by Selectman Schubert to lift the moratorium on new events,seconded by Selectman McCarthy and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Chairman Gaumer advised Selectman Kennedy to make the edits to the application with no material changes. Motion by Selectman Schubert to approve the fee schedule as noted with addendum, seconded by Selectman McCarthy and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Selectman Kennedy also discussed the Town issuing an actual permit for events that are approved. Chairman Gaumer asked Selectman Kennedy to draft the permit and bring back to the Board for approval. Chairman Gaumer also stated the Board should receive just a checklist and summary that everything has been completed by the applicant instead of the entire package. Motion by Selectman Schubert to request the sub-committee take on 2 additional tasks of the cover letter and the recommendation of a permit, seconded by Selectman McCarthy and the vote was unanimous (4-0). Selectmen Update-Selectman Schubert attended the recreation meeting and they are discussing expanding the snack shack at Milliken Field. They would like it to be a four season place. They will be asking CPC to help fund. Selectman Kennedy stated the next master plan meeting is on 2/24/16 at the Planning Board meeting. Selectman Kennedy advised the Board she has spoken with Ted Carroll from Recreation and agreed that the Board of Selectman should participate in the Health & Recreation Fair as they did last year. Selectman Kennedy asked that the discussion of committee charges for 2 Selectmen-2/9/16-TC Minutes-Board of Selectmen February 9, 2016 elected/appointed officials and workshop be put on a future agenda. Chairman Gaumer also stated the parking in the village needs to be on an upcoming agenda. Town Manager Update-Mr. Senior stated the DPW and Facilities did a great job last weekend with the storm. The power on Beechwood Street was out and the 91 Sohier Street was open as a warming center. Mr. Senior advised the Board the LOMR was submitted to FEMA in December. They have 90 days to review and respond. If they do have comments the Town will have 90 days to respond, however it will not take that long. After FEMA's review and hopefully acceptance of the LOMR they will issue the maps and there will be a 120 day public review, after which time the maps will be formalized. Mr. Senior advised the Board the dredging project has not gone as quickly or as well as they would have liked. This is not a Town project, it is an Army Corps project. He had a conference call with the Army Corps and expressed their frustration. They are requesting an extension to address a critical part of the channel. Minutes-Motion by Selectman McCarthy to approve the minute of 1/26/16 as amended, seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous (4-0). Change of Meeting dates-2/23,4/12, 5/10 and 11/8 The Board agreed to change meeting dates that conflict with election schedules. They will meet on 2/22,4/11, 5/9 and 11/7. All dates fall on Monday and will be held at the Cohasset Middle/High School Community Use Room. Motion by Selectman Schubert to adjourn,seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the motion was unanimous(4-0). The meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Steve Gaumer, Chairman Documents Statement-Nathan Redman Liquor License Application-Perch 143 Liquor Pledge of License—Mr. Dooley's Pub Draft Warrant Warrant Article-Planning Board Safe Harbor Coalition Presentation 250t" Committee Applications Event Policy Minutes 1/26/16 3 Selectmen-2/9/16-TC