HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 09/27/2016 Selectmen's Meeting September 27, 2016
Selectmen's Office-Town Hall
41 Highland Avenue
Cohasset, MA 02025
Selectmen Present: Kevin McCarthy-Chairman
Paul Schubert
Steve Gaumer
Diane Kennedy
Jack Keniley
Others Present: Chris Senior,Town Manager
Chairman McCarthy called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and asked for a Roll Call Vote;Jack Keniley-
Present, Diane Kennedy-Present, Kevin McCarthy-Present, Paul Schubert-Present,Steve Gaumer-
Present.
Pledge-Recited
Minutes-9/13/16-The Board will approve the minutes of 9/13/16 at the meeting on 10/11/16.
Public Comments-None
Licenses/Permits-South Shore Community Center Nursery School-Halloween Fair-Director Ann
Madden was present and gave the Board an overview of the Annual Halloween Fair. Motion by
Selectman Kennedy to approve the Halloween Fair for Sunday, October 23rd from 12-4:30 p.m.,
seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous(5-0).
Thanks-For-Giving 5K Road Race-Recreation Director Ted Carroll was present and gave an overview of
the annual event. Motion by Selectman Kennedy to approve the Thanks-For-Giving 5K Road Race for
November 241h, seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous (5-0).
Cemetery Plot Re-Purchase-Mr. Senior advised the Board that the Town received a request to buy back
two plots at Woodside Cemetery. The purchase price is $500 each. Motion by Selectman Schubert to
buy back two plots at Woodside Cemetery totaling$1000 from Janet Blair Stenberg,seconded by
Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous(5-0).
Selectmen Budget Message-Chairman McCarthy sent a copy of the message to the Board with the edits
discussed at the last meeting. Selectmen Gaumer and Kennedy had a few more edits. The Board had a
brief discussion. Motion by Selectman Gaumer to adopt the proposed Selectmen Budget Message as
amended tonight, seconded by Selectman Schubert. Roll Call Vote:Jack Keniley-Aye, Diane Kennedy-
Aye, Kevin McCarthy-Aye, Paul Schubert-Aye, Steve Gaumer-Aye.
Executive Summary of School Strategic and Technology Plans-Interim Superintendent Louise Demas
was present and gave the Board an overview of the Strategic Plan for the next 5 years. She discussed
the vision statement, strategic goals and supporting platforms. Mrs. Demas discussed new teacher
mentors, professional development and Google classroom. Mrs. Demas stated the Technology Plan ties
into the Strategic Plan nicely. She discussed the Technology Vision, Benchmarks and Key Initiatives. She
thanked CIO Ron Menard and Deputy CIO Bart Riley for the tremendous amount of work they have
done.
Joint Meeting with Zoning Advisory Committee Zoning Articles-Chairman of ZBA Woody Chittick,
Member of ZBA Charles Higginson and Chairman of Planning Board Clark Brewer were present to discuss
the proposed articles. Selectman Gaumer asked whether the agenda was correctly posted to include
funding in two of the articles. Motion by Selectman Gaumer to amend the agenda item at 7:50 p.m.to
reflect that it will include conversations with the Planning Board's request for proposed funding of
articles, seconded by Selectman Keniley and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Woody Chittick, Clark
Brewer and Charlie Higginson discussed the proposed changes to the bylaws. The Board thanked them
for their work and will continue the discussion of articles later tonight.
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Master Plan Funding Articles- Mr. Senior advised the Board there are two articles submitted by the
Planning Board. The first article is asking for$2500 to complete the update of the 1989 Town of
Cohasset Rules and Regulations Governing the Subdivision of Land. Mr. Senior stated the funds are
available and they do not need the article. The second article is asking for$95,000 for the Completion
of Phase 2, Full Cohasset Master Plan. Mr. Senior gave the history of the Master Plan and advised the
Board that the MAPC is wrapping up their report for the scope of work. Mr. Brewer advised the Board
that the Planning Board will be holding a Master Plan meeting at 91 Sohier Street on 10/12/16.
Town Manager Goals-Mr. Senior reviewed his seven goals with the Board. His goals came out of the
Board's goals. He discussed the details of his goals which fall under the following categories:
Facilities/Infrastructure, Communications, Staff&Volunteers,Technology, Financial, Planning,
Administrative & Professional Development. Motion by Selectman Schubert to approve the goals for
the Town Manager for FY17 subject to a periodic review,seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the
vote was unanimous(5-0).
Harwich Harbor Fact Finding Trip-Update& Next Steps-Selectman Keniley stated some members of the
community and Board of Selectmen took an informative tour of Harwich's two harbors led by
Harbormaster John Rendon. The purpose of the trip was to take a look at their harbors and see how
they improved them. Mr. Rendon recommended doing a harbor plan through Seaport Council; funding
for a plan is available and the grant deadline is November V. There are other grants available for the
Town to pursue for projects, but the State will not give money for projects until a harbor plan is
completed. Selectman Keniley offered to help complete it. He stated there hasn't been a harbor plan
done in the Town in over 30 years. The harbor plan would show how to use adjacent land and water
resources. After further discussion the Board agreed to aim to complete the application for the
November 1st deadline and to include members of the Harbor Committee,the Harbormaster, planning
board members and others in the process. Mr. Senior offered to put together a group to get the process
moving and bring back to the Board by October 25tn
Selectmen Update-Selectman Gaumer stated he received calls from residents complaining of noise in
the harbor area. He also received a call about overnight (midnight to 4 am) construction noise at a
restaurant in the Village. This has been an ongoing issue. Mr. Senior will clarify if the Town has a bylaw
for hours of construction. Selectman Gaumer also received a complaint about noise at the Cohasset
Harbor Inn at an event that was held there. The Board has received calls and videos from residents.
Selectman Gaumer reminded residents again that there is no parking allowed on sidewalks. He asked
Mr. Senior to speak to the Police about it. Selectman Schubert stated the Safe Harbor Coalition had a
fundraiser this past weekend which was very successful. Chairman McCarthy stated there were over
300 people in attendance and they raised $100,000. Selectman Kennedy stated she will meet with Mr.
Senior tomorrow and discuss committee/board training. She will also meet with Selectman Gaumer as
subcommittee and bring an update back to the Board. Selectman Kennedy stated there was an
unanticipated road closure on Saturday morning in the Village and some businesses were impacted and
agitated. Mr. Senior said he was informed of this on Saturday. Verizon showed up unexpectedly and
needed the road to be closed. If they did not close the road the project would have been delayed. The
Town has expressed their dissatisfaction with Verizon. Selectman Kennedy asked that there be better
communication from vendors like Verizon to the Town and the businesses.
Town Manager Update-Mr. Senior updated the Board on the Jerusalem Causeway project. The new
precast culvert is being installed today. The road will be pulverized next week followed by the road
rebuild. The detour will remain in place. The Town would like to remind the public to please obey the
posted signage. The road is one way going southbound (towards town) on Bow Street. Mr. Senior
stated the Village Paving project also has begun. The paving crews will be paving portions of the Town
this evening including Pleasant, Elm and Brook Streets. Tomorrow, Wednesday 9/28/16 the cover crews
will be working on South Main Street, Depot Court, Ripley Road and Jason Long Road from 7 am—5 pm.
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The public and businesses are asked to obey signage and use the Town parking lot. Final paving in the
Village should be completed tomorrow evening,weather permitting. Mr. Senior advised the Board the
Bound Brook permit has been issued. He thanked Brian Joyce and Senator O'Connor's office for all their
work.
Review of Draft Special Town Meeting Warrant-Mr. Senior reviewed the first draft warrant with the
Board. The Board discussed whether or not to include the proposed zoning articles. After some
discussion the Board voted. Motion by Selectman Gaumer that the Board refer Articles 9, 10, 11, 12
and 13 to the Planning Board to hold a public hearing and further advise the Planning Board that the
Board of Selectmen does not intend to place the Articles on the warrant for Special Town Meeting and
will consider the articles for Annual Town Meeting,seconded by Selectman Kennedy. Selectman
Keniley amended the motion to include Articles 9 and 10 on the warrant, seconded by Selectman
Gaumer. The Board had some discussion. Motion by Selectman Gaumer to call the question,seconded
by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Selectman Keniley withdrew his amended
motion. The Chairman asked for a vote on the original motion.The vote was unanimous (5-0).
Topics not anticipated by the Chairman 48 hours in advance of the meeting-Chairman McCarthy stated
there have been three issues brought to the Town's attention over the last 48 hours. The first is the
office has been notified by the Cohasset Harbor Inn and Atlantica that they will be filing for a change of
manager. The second item is an incident involving police on Sunday night. The third item is a series of
noise complaints by residents about the Cohasset Harbor Inn. Motion by Selectman Gaumer to discuss
the issues described by the Chairman,seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous
(5-0). Mr. Senior advised the Board there is an application for change of manager for the Cohasset
Harbor Inn and Atlantica that will be filed over the next couple of days by Attorney Humphreys. The
Board will have to schedule a change of manager hearing. Mr. Senior advised the Board the Police has
asked for a hearing to determine if there was a license violation for a disturbance they responded to at
the Cohasset Harbor Inn on Sunday night. Mr. Senior advised the Board that they have received a series
of complaints about the Cohasset Harbor Inn. This may have to do with the entertainment license.
There is no noise bylaw in the Town. If they would like to change any details to the entertainment
license they would need to hold a public hearing. The Board discussed their options. Mr. Senior will
contact counsel and check his availability for hearing dates. Chairman McCarthy reminded members of
the Board not to discuss any of the items before them with anyone.
Motion by Selectman Gaumer to adjourn,seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was
unanimous(5-0).
The meeting adjourned at 11:08 p.m.
Documents
Minutes 9/13/16
Event Application-SSCC Halloween Fair
Event Application-Rec Thanks-for-Giving Race
Cemetery Plot Repurchase Info
Executive Summary and School Strategic& IT Plans
Zoning Articles
Town Manager Goals
Selectmen Budget Message
Draft STM Warrant
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