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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 03/29/2016 Minutes-Board of Selectmen March 29, 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 7:04 p.m. Pledge-Recited Public Comment-Chairman Gaumer congratulated the Town Manager, Elder Affairs, Social Service League and the Town on the passing of 91 Sohier Street. The Board signed the bonding documents. Proclamation-Recognition Day of the Vietnam War Veterans Chairman Gaumer read aloud a proclamation recognizing and honoring Vietnam Veterans for their services and sacrifices. Motion by Selectman Schubert to accept the proclamation from the Board of Selectmen, seconded by Selectman McCarthy and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Licenses/Permits SS Arts Festival-Executive Director Sarah Hannan was present and gave the Board an overview of the event. Motion by Chairman Gaumer to approve the dates, use of the Common and the entire application for the SS Arts Festival June 16-19,2016,seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Water Budget-Chairman Leonora Jenkins&Vice Chairman Rolf Gjesteby were present. They discussed the FY17 Water Budget. Chairman Jenkins explained the increases in the budget. Chairman Gaumer asked about the increase in utilities. Vice Chairman Gjesteby explained they are expecting to spend money on old pipes they will have to be replaced and some work that may have to be done with the Cunningham Bridge project. Water Warrant Articles-Chairman Jenkins explained the request for Water in the unpaid bills from previous year article. The Holland Company did not bill the Water Company for chemicals correctly. Funding for this will come from Article 5 of the November 2, 2015 Special Town Meeting. Funds were appropriated from the Water Capitalization Fund. Chairman Jenkins discussed the Water Department Capital Article for$400,000 for the rehabilitation and painting of the exterior of the Bear Hill Tank. Sewer Budget-Chairman Bryan Baldwin of the Sewer Commission was present. He discussed the budget which is up$150,000 from last year. He discussed grinder pumps and how they are accelerating the replacement program to reduce the operating expense. He discussed the upcoming project for man hole covers. Chairman Baldwin discussed the Article which includes two Unpaid Bills from Previous Years. Proposed Taser Acquisition-Chairman of Capital Budget Sam Wakeman was present and advised the Board that Capital Budget has looked at acquiring Tasers for the past few years. The Police has bigger items to purchase in the past. This year Capital Budget had a discussion and they felt it was a town wide decision and felt the Selectmen should make the decision. Chairman Gaumer stated he spoke to Chairman Nan Roth of Advisory and she could not be present tonight. She stated Advisory had a discussion and felt there should be a policy. They also wanted the Selectmen's opinion. Chief Bill Quigley, Sgt. Lopes and Officer Schmidt were present. Chief Quigley discussed the history and advantages of Tasers. He discussed the benefit of Tasers versus an ASP (baton) or knife. The goal is to Minutes-Board of Selectmen March 29, 2016 use Tasers as a deterrent. Sgt. Lopes spoke about the policies and state regulations required with the use of Tasers. The Taser is good and effective up to 25 feet. Sgt. Lopes and Officer Schmidt are certified trainers with the Taser. Selectmen McCarthy and Kennedy would like to hear from the community. The Board agreed to discuss further at the next meeting on April 6tn Dredging-Mr. Senior stated the Army Corps had to postpone and he is trying to reschedule for April 11th. Craig Martin from the Army Corps has started the process of environmental coordination. The permitting process will begin on Monday. A Public Notice will be in Friday's Mariner requesting public comments on the emergency dredge of the critical shoal in the entrance channel and dredging for next fall for the remainder of the shoal material in the channel and anchorages. They are planning on using the Currituck to remove the hump in mid-May prior to the start of boating season. They will also remediate the damage that has been done. Warrant-Recommendations of Articles-Article#3-Adoption of Local-Option Meals Excise-Selectman Schubert stated he has researched this thoroughly and it is very common and relatively broad. He is in favor of it. Selectman McCarthy stated every town around Cohasset has this and people pay it when they go to other towns. He added that State Rep. Bradley strongly recommends it. Selectman Kennedy stated she is in favor of it and has been for the last few times it has been presented. She suggested the Board has a FAQ sheet for Town Meeting to understand the article. Chairman Gaumer stated he thought this article through for some time. He doesn't think that other towns are doing it is a reason Cohasset should. It does however offer another element of revenue for the Town that is desperately needed. He just asks that he would like this revenue to help as a business building endeavor. Motion by Selectmen Kennedy to recommend Article#3 Adoption of Local-Option Meals Excise, seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Article#4 Adoption of Local-Option Room Occupancy Excise- Chairman Gaumer stated this article effects 2 businesses in town. The Board should also consider Airbnb. The Board had a brief discussion about the impact of services on the Town. Motion by Selectman Schubert to recommend Article#4 Adoption of Local-Option Room Occupancy Excise,seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Advisory Proposed Article (Use of Meals/Hotel Tax-Vote- Motion by Selectman Kennedy to include Article#6 (forwarded by Advisory Committee)Allocation of Local-Option Meals and Room Occupancy Excise in the warrant, seconded by Selectman Gaumer. Selectman Schubert stated the funds should go to the general fund and allocated every year. Selectman Kennedy stated this article will help pass Article #3 and#4 and the money is needed for OPEB. Selectman McCarthy has concerns and referred to the Selectmen Policies approved in 2012. New revenue should be divided 61%for schools and 39%for the Town and they shouldn't make exceptions. There is already a citizen's petition in the warrant. He added he would like to bring back the strategic planning group to talk about this and have a collaborative discussion. Chairman Gaumer stated that OPEB is the biggest liability the Town faces without amortization. OPEB is a liability shared by the Town and the schools. The Article goes to supporting a promise made to retirees. Selectman Schubert stated there is a clear commitment to put money into OPEB already. Selectman Kennedy added there is value to put this Article on the warrant. The vote was 2-2. Motion failed. Chairman Gaumer and Selectman Kennedy voted for and Selectmen McCarthy and Schubert voted against. The board agreed to hold off on voting on Articles that have not been voted on by Advisory. Minutes-Board of Selectmen March 29, 2016 Motion by Selectman Kennedy to recommend Article#10-Establishment of and/or Annual Renewal of Revolving Funds, seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous (4-0). Motion by Selectman Kennedy to recommend Article 15-Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 91 Liability, seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous (4-0). Motion by Selectman Kennedy to recommend Article 16-Additional Real Estate Exemptions, seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous (4-0). Proposed school budget resolution-Mr. Senior has had conversations with the School Committee, Superintendent, Interim Business Manager and the Finance Director about a variety of options. There is $100,000 set aside for articles that are otherwise unfunded. The $100,000 is available from projects that haven't come to fruition. They have also discussed purposed stabilization funds that could be used as a proactive way to manage special education. A number of other communities have created this fund. The fund is a proactive way to manager special education costs. It is a transparent good government process. Mr. Senior will reach out to other communities to get information on how they created them. Katie Dugan-100 Black Rock Road stated 8 communities now follow this process to help control special education costs. The schools could actually participated in funding as well. If the schools have a surplus left over at the end of the year, they could contribute it to the fund. The schools could be part of the solution going forward. Motion by Chairman Gaumer to direct the Town Manager to explore the option for closing the budget gap with the current school budget, seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous (4-0). Vote to Designate Alternative Polling Location for remaining FY16 Elections in case of emergency Motion by Chairman Gaumer to designate 91 Sohier Street as the alternative polling location for the remaining FY16 Elections in case of emergency,seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous (4-0). Chairman Gaumer asked for a moment of silence for the tragic passing of Willem Golden. Mr. Senior advised the Board they received several cards from the Carriage House Nursery School students thanking them for their new school at 100 Sohier Street. Mr. Senior advised the Board on Friday,April 8t"the Town and MAPC will be cohosting the South Shore Coalition Legislative Breakfast at 91 Sohier Street at 8:30 a.m. Representative Bradley will be present along with candidates for Plymouth & Norfolk State Senate. Minutes Motion by Selectman Schubert to approve the minutes of 3/8/16, seconded by Selectman McCarthy and the vote was unanimous (4-0). Motion by Selectman Schubert to approve the minutes of 3/15/16, 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). Meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m. Minutes-Board of Selectmen March 29, 2016 Respectfully submitted, Steve Gaumer, Chairman Documents Proclamation-Vietnam Veterans South Shore Art Festival-Event Application Water Budget Sewer Budget Taser Information Draft Warrant Minutes 3/8 and 3/15 Woodard &Curran Monthly Report