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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 04/06/2016 Minutes-Board of Selectmen April 6, 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 7:00 p.m. Pledge-Recited Public Comment-None Taser Policy Discussion-Chairman Gaumer recapped the last meeting with Police and the discussion about Tasers. At the last meeting the Board agreed to reach out to the public for input. Chairman Gaumer received a letter and 2 phone calls from residents who were in support of Tasers. Selectman Schubert stated he is in support of Tasers. From a medical point, it is a less invasive way to fix a situation. He believes it is a good weapon for police. Selectman Kennedy stated she is supportive of the Tasers but not sure the Selectmen should be in charge of a policy. Selectman McCarthy agreed. The Police and Town Manager should make those decisions. Chairman Gaumer recommended the Board defers to the Police Chief on this. He proposed the Board take no vote or action on this. CPC Presentation of Warrant Article-Russ Bonetti-20 Parker Avenue and Chairman of Community Preservation Committee was present. Mr. Bonetti reviewed the request from Cohasset Recreation & Cohasset Soccer Club for$188,000 for a new storage and snack shed with handicapped accessible restrooms, and to enhance the baseball area with new batting cages, netting for backstop, hand watering system and rehabilitation of the mounds and batter's box. The Board had a brief discussion. Mr. Bonetti reviewed the request from Cohasset Recreation &Trustees of the Paul Pratt Memorial Library for$48,000 for planning for improvements to the exterior recreational area at 100 Sohier Street. The Board had a brief discussion. Selectman Kennedy had concern that the land and buildings are the Town's property and this is CPC funds. Chairman Gaumer agreed and asked who is in charge of the project. He stated this is the first time he heard about the project and wondered why it hasn't appeared on a capital project list. Mr. Senior stated the Recreation Commission and Library Trustees are elected and they moved forward. The project will be managed and procured through Brian Joyce's department. Mr. Senior added the request is for a study. He has explained to the Recreation Commission and the Library Trustees that there is a process to follow. There is a safety issue in the area that is a concern. The Board discussed the cost for the plan. Mr. Senior stated there are engineering costs and drainage issues. Mr. Bonetti reviewed the request from Cohasset Housing Authority for$36,000 for kitchen and bath renovations. He is waiting on an opinion from Town Counsel on the proposal. Motion by Selectman Schubert to recommend Article#17-Community Preservation Committee, seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Capital Budget Advisory Presentation-Chairman of Capital Budget Committee Sam Wakeman was present. He gave a quick summary of requests and the financing for a portion of it over a 5 year period. He discussed IT and the savings the Town will receive by these improvements. He stated CIO Ron Menard is also looking into ERead; which is an educational program that could help with possible funding. Chairman Gaumer stated there has been years of work done by many people to get to this point. The funding on this project is long overdue. The Board had a brief discussion on surplus vehicles. 1 Selectmen-4/6/16-TC Minutes-Board of Selectmen April 6, 2016 Motion by Selectman McCarthy to recommend Article 9-Capital Improvements Budget,seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Warrant Article Discussion-Project Update-Bound Brook Dam-Director of Public Works Brian Joyce gave a Power Point presentation of the Bound Brook Dam Project. He gave the background of the Bound Brook Dam and a description of the proposed project. There will be a public hearing on May 5, 2016 and construction (pending environmental permitting) will begin in July. Abutters have been notified of the project and Mr.Joyce has scheduled individual meetings in April to discuss. The timeframe for construction is 3-5 months. There will be one lane open at all times. Cunningham Bridge Project-Director of Public Works Brian Joyce gave a Power Point presentation of the Cunningham Bridge Project. He gave a background of the bridge,the condition of it and the plans of the project. The designs are on the Town website. Chairman Gaumer stated he has concern about the level of disruption to the residents and that the Board is just hearing about the project. Mr.Joyce stated there have been discussions with Capital Budget in the past. The Town filed an application with the State about 7 years ago. Mr. Senior stated this just became obvious that the work needs to be done. The State has safety requirements and standards. Mr.Joyce added that the Border Street Bridge will be coming up in a couple of years for major work as well. Selectman McCarthy stated the bridge needs work and the Town should not pass it up. The State is willing to pay the $4 million and if the Town should pass it up the Bridge could be closed down by the State and the Town will have pay for it. Selectman Schubert stated the article is just asking for Town Meeting approval for easements. This is just the first step to start moving in the direction of the project. He doesn't want the bridge to be closed by the State. Selectman Kennedy asked if they were to go to Town Meeting and it passes is there another point where the Town can say forget it. Mr.Joyce stated there will be coordinating all through the project. Ralph Dormitzer-111 Atlantic Avenue read a letter about the bridge project and why he doesn't support it. He suggested the Town look at some recommendations out of the DOT design book. Sam Wakeman-255 Atlantic Avenue said he believes the State has the right to take the land even if the Town doesn't approve it. Fire Chief Bob Silvia discussed his concern with public safety when the bridge is closed. It is better to know the time frame and plan for it then to have the State shut the bridge down and then try and figure out how to handle public safety. He appreciates that 10 months is a long time but they can plan for it and aren't just stuck with it. Selectman McCarthy agreed it is better to have a planned opportunity. Chairman Gaumer stated no one is proposing that they pass this up. He would just like it vetted. Mr. Senior stated the esthetics of the bridge are a priority and are very important. Chairman Gaumer asked the Board to hold off until next week to get more information. Motion by Selectman Schubert to recommend Article#20-Acquisition of Property of Bound Brook Dam Project,seconded by Selectman McCarthy and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Proposed Special Education Stabilization Fund Warrant Article-FY17 Budget Mechanics-Mr. Senior advised the Board that due to the increasing volatility of special education expenses, a number of municipalities have created stabilization funds dedicated to addressing unexpected increases in special education budgets. He is recommending that the Board put on the warrant and work with the schools to fund. Motion by Selectman Kennedy to put the warrant article for a Proposed Creation of a Special Education Stabilization Fund article on the warrant prior to the operating budget, seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous (4-0). Citizen Petition Article-Article#22-Filed by Attorney Henderson re;Sewer at King Street-Attorney Henderson was present and gave an overview of the article. He explained his clients are looking to extend the sewer line approximately 600 ft.to connect to sewer. They are paying for the connection and it gives revenue to the Town. They are meeting with Sewer Commission tomorrow. Chairman Gaumer stated the Board will hold off on the recommendation until they hear back from Sewer. 2 Selectmen-4/6/16-TC Minutes-Board of Selectmen April 6, 2016 Article#23 Citizens Petition-Peter Pescatore-12 Lantern Lane explained the article. It is intended to allocate the receipts from the proposed local option room occupancy and meals excise (if approved by Town Meeting) and fund the Town's General Stabilization Fund,the Town's OPEB Trust Fund or to supplement the road maintenance funding. The Advisory Committee has not discussed or voted yet. The Board will hold off until they hear from Advisory. Selectmen Update-Selectman Kennedy asked if the Board would allow her to draft a press release to the Mariner for committee information. She also asked that the committee handbook, a list of available committees and an application be put on the front page of the town website. The Board agreed to allow. Chairman Gaumer added perhaps they could contact the MMA for committee training for Chairmen and members. Selectman Kennedy reminded everyone on Tuesday,April 12 there is a primary election for State Senate. The Selectmen will be meeting on Monday,April 111". Chairman Gaumer wanted to recognize longtime resident David Weltman who recently passed away and asked for a moment of silence. Town Manager Update-Mr. Senior advised the Board the South Shore Coalition and Town are hosting a Legislative Breakfast on Friday, April 8`" at 91 Sohier Street at 8:30 a.m. He reported that the Cohasset Road Race went on as planned on Sunday and it was very successful. Chairman Gaumer thanked Linda Fechter for all of her volunteer work. Retain Special Counsel for Liquor License Hearing-Mr. Senior advised the Board he would like a vote to appoint and designate as Special Counsel for Monday night's liquor license transfers. Motion by Selectman Schubert to vote to appoint and designate Attorney James Lampke as a Special Municipal Employee, seconded by Selectman McCarthy and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Topics not reasonably anticipated by the Chairman 48 hours in advance Selectman Schubert advised the Board he is applying as a physician, not as a Board member,for a grant through South Shore Hospital for Nasal Naloxone Opioid Antagonist Delivery System for police departments on the South Shore. Motion by Selectman McCarthy to endorse the grant request as proposed by Selectman Schubert,seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was 3-0. Selectman Schubert abstained from the vote. Motion by Selectman Kennedy to adjourn,seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Meeting adjourned at 10:36 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Steve Gaumer, Chairman Documents Taser Information CPC Funding Requests Capital Budget Recommendations Bound Brook Project Cunningham Bridge Project Draft Warrant Special Education Stabilization Info Citizens Petitions Mass DOT Chapter 90 Funds Mass DOT Report-Cunningham Bridge 3 Selectmen-4/6/16-TC