HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 11/22/2016 Selectmen's Meeting November 22, 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, Kevin McCarthy-Present, Paul Schubert-Present, Steve Gaumer-Present.
Pledge-Recited
Public Comments-None.
Events-Cohasset Triathlon-Applicant Bill Burnett-11 Linden Drive was present and gave an overview of
this year's event. The event will be held on Sunday, June 25th from 7 a.m. until noon. The maximum
number of participants is 1200. Mr. Burnett stated the Triathlon supports CEF, Sandy Beach Association
and Cohasset Swim Center. There are no changes from last year's Triathlon. Motion by Selectman
Schubert to approve the Cohasset Triathlon for Sunday,June 251h from 7 a.m. until noon, seconded by
Selectman Keniley and the vote was unanimous(4-0).
Cohasset Kids Triathlon-Bill Burnett-11 Linden Drive was present and gave an overview of this year's
event. The event will be held on Saturday,July 8th from 8:30 a.m. until noon. The number of
participants and route are the same as last year. Motion by Selectman Schubert to approve the
Cohasset Kids Triathlon for Saturday,July 8th from 8:30 a.m. until noon, seconded by Selectman
Gaumer and the vote was unanimous(4-0).
Selectman Kennedy arrived at 7:10 p.m.
FY2017 Classification Hearing-Chairman McCarthy read aloud the advertised public hearing notice.
Director of Assessing-Mary Quill was present and explained that the purpose of the hearing is for the
Board of Selectmen to determine whether the Town of Cohasset should adopt a uniform tax rate for all
property classes or a split tax rate. The Board of Assessors recommends a uniform tax rate for Fiscal
Year 2017. Ms. Quill discussed both the proposed uniform tax rate and the split tax rates for
commercial and residential. She asked that the Board vote to keep the Classification Hearing open until
12/13 as they have not had their numbers certified by the DOR. After some discussion by the Board a
vote was taken. Motion by Selectman Gaumer to adopt the uniform tax rate of$13.06 and leave the
hearing open until 12/13/16, seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous(5-0).
Events-Holiday Stroll-Treasurer of The Chamber of Commerce Sean Cunning was present and gave an
overview of this year's event. The event will take place on December 101h from 4 p.m.-6 p.m. The lights
are currently being hung through the village and on the Common for the day after Thanksgiving. Motion
by Selectman Kennedy to approve the Holiday Stroll for Saturday, December 10th from 4 p.m.—6 p.m.,
seconded by Selectman Gaumer and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Motion by Selectman Kennedy to
allow the Town to contribute$1250 for the lights as budgeted, seconded by Selectman Schubert and
the vote was unanimous(5-0).
Committee Appointments-Master Plan Committee-Motion by Selectmen Schubert to appoint Clark
Brewer and Charles Samuelson as liaisons from the Planning Board to Master Plan Committee,John
Donohue as liaison from the Capital Budget Committee and Peter Hobson as liaison from the
Affordable Housing Steering Committee, seconded by Selectman Gaumer and the vote was
unanimous (5-0).
1
Selectmen's Meeting November 22, 2016
2501h Committee-Motion by Selectman Kennedy to appoint Jacqueline Dormitzer and Kara S. Bianchi
to the 250th Committee,seconded by Selectman Gaumer and the vote was unanimous(5-0).
I.T. Update-Ron Menard-Chief Information Officer was present and updated the Board on the status of
IT projects. He discussed the status of infrastructure updates, digital learning, database migrations,
surveillance systems, HID ID badging system, website development and Unified Communication
installation at the high school. He is working on getting reimbursements from the FCC for some of the
work. The Board had a lengthy discussion and asked questions about different projects.
FEMA LOMR Update-Director of DPW Brian Joyce and GZA Senior Project Engineer Peter Williams were
present to discuss the FEMA map revisions. They reviewed the areas that have been revised. There is a
120 day review period that ends 3/21/17. At that time if there are not any further comments the maps
are officially changed as presented. The Board had a brief discussion about the areas that were revised.
Street Light Purchase Update-Mr. Senior advised the Board they have signed the contract with National
Grid to purchase the street lights. There was a lot of back and forth but the contract will be sent to
them next week. There were 511 lights which the Town is paying$13,473.11. The bid information will
be going out in a week for maintenance.
Article#9-Amendment to Cohasset Wetlands Bylaw-Conservation Commission Chairman Patrice
Vogelman and Special Counsel Jim Lampke were present. Chairman Vogelman advised the Board the
Commission has been working to enforce one particular project since 2014. The Conservation
Commission and Advisory Committee has both voted unanimously in support of this article. Attorney
Lampke advised the Board the Town has the right to adjust down the amount of the fine if they so
desire. After some additional discussion the board voted. Motion by Selectman Kennedy to
recommend Article#9-Amendment to Cohasset Wetlands Bylaw as presented in the Town Manager's
motions tonight,seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous(5-0).
Selectmen Update-Selectman Keniley wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. Chairman McCarthy
reminded everyone that Special Town Meeting is Monday, November 28th at 7 p.m. at the Sullivan
Gymnasium at the Cohasset Middle/High School. He encouraged everyone to come to vote on 9
important articles to support the town government. Mr. Senior added that Recreation is providing
childcare. Selectman Schubert stated Question #4 for marijuana passed and he has received a lot of
phone calls about how Cohasset can control it and enforce it. He suggested the Board invite Senator
O'Connor and Rep. Meschino in to discuss. Selectman Gaumer attended the Cohasset Working Dog
fundraiser over the weekend as did other members of the Board. It was a great event. Selectman
Schubert reminded everyone of the football game on Thanksgiving in Cohasset at 10 a.m.
Town Manager Update-Mr. Senior also attended the Cohasset Working Dog fundraiser and it was a
great evening. He attended the holiday lunch at Willcutt Commons this week. Joe and Janet Campbell
cooked and did a wonderful job and there was a great turnout. Mr. Senior advised the Board the third
load of dredge has been taken out of the harbor today. They are working closely with Harbormaster
Lorri Gibbons. The Army Corps are keeping a close eye on the project. He will keep the Board advised.
Financial Update-Mr. Senior reviewed the October financials. He spoke to someone at the DOR about
the meals and room tax. There was only one month in the first quarter total instead of two. They
should see a better picture by the middle of December. Mr. Senior stated the Town is in the process of
negotiating with an OPM for the Town Hall renovation project. He has put together a 6 member
committee along with him, DPW Director Brian Joyce and Procurement Manager Susan Bruce. David
Drinan will be the Chairman. There is a good blend of members. The first thing they will do is schedule
and scope the project. He will give regular updates to the Board. They will have their first meeting next
week. Mr. Senior stated he attended a conference at UMass last week and the big topic of conversation
was the marijuana law. Everyone was in agreement that it will be brought up right away in the
2
Selectmen's Meeting November 22, 2016
legislature. They discussed the management of it,the amount of taxes and the ability to opt out of it.
Marijuana cannot be sold until 2018. The Town has time to deal with this. As of December 1, 2016 a
person can grow 10 oz. He suggested having Senator O'Connor and Rep. Meschino in and get input
from them.
Selectman Keniley left the meeting at 9:39 p.m.
Minutes-Motion by Selectman Schubert to approve the minutes of 11/16/16, seconded by Selectman
Gaumer and the vote was unanimous(4-0).
Motion by Selectman Gaumer to adjourn, seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was
unanimous (4-0).
The meeting adjourned at 9:42 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kevin McCarthy, Chairman
Documents
FY2017 Tax Classification Info
Application-Cohasset Triathlon
Application-Cohasset Kids Triathlon
Application-Holiday Stroll
Committee Applications
IT Project Status Report
FEMA/LOMA Info
October Financials
Article 9-Cohasset Wetlands Bylaw
3