HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 01/24/2017 Selectmen Minutes January 24, 2017
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
Public Comments-None
Events-Road Race by the Sea-Rotary Club-Linda Fechter-15 West Gate Lane was present on behalf of the
Cohasset Rotary Club. She thanked everyone for their help last year with the snowy race. Ms. Fechter
gave an overview of the event. This is the 41'T year of the Road Race by the Sea. This year's event will
be held on Sunday, April 2nd at 10:00 a.m. for the walk and 1:00 p.m. for the race. The event will
conclude by 4:30 p.m. The event is capped at 1500 participants. Motion by Selectman Gaumer to
approve the Road Race by the Sea for Sunday,April 2, 2017, seconded by Selectman Schubert and the
vote was 4-0-1. Selectman Kennedy abstained from the vote.
Licenses/Permits-Wine& Malt License-Simply Smith's at One Pleasant-Chairman McCarthy read aloud
the public hearing notice. Owner Jean Sullivan was present and gave her background and discussed the
menu and hours of operation. Selectman Keniley asked if the applicant had ever held a liquor license.
Ms. Sullivan stated she had not. She is TIPS certified. Selectman Gaumer asked if she had an assistant
manager. Ms. Sullivan stated she did not but she will appoint one. She understands that there needs to
be a manager on the premises at all times. Motion by Selectman Kennedy to approve a Wine and Malt
license for Simply Smith's at One Pleasant, seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was
unanimous (5-0).
One day Liquor License-Cohasset Dramatic Club-Lisa Pratt-51 Highland Avenue was present to request a
one day liquor license for February 3rd and 4t"for their Fourth Annual Short Play Festival. She stated
they serve a small glass of wine before the show and at intermission only. The wine is not left on the
tables. It is a cabaret style event with snacks. Motion by Selectman Kennedy to approve a one day
liquor license for the Cohasset Dramatic Club for February 3, 2017 from 7:30—9:00 p.m., seconded by
Selectman Gaumer and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Motion by Selectman Kennedy to approve a
one day liquor license for the Cohasset Dramatic Club for February 4, 2017 from 7:30—9:00 p.m.,
seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Motion by Selectman Kennedy
to waive the application fee for the Cohasset Dramatic Club one day license for both days, seconded
by Selectman Keniley and the vote was unanimous(5-0).
Board/Committee Appointments-Cable Advisory Committee-Applicant Nicole Graebner-321
Beechwood Street was present. She gave her an overview of her experience and discussed why she
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Selectmen Minutes January 24, 2017
would be a good fit for the Cable Advisory Committee. Motion by Selectman Kennedy to appoint
Nicole Graebner to Cable Advisory Committee for a 1-year term ending 6/30/17, seconded by
Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous (5-0).
Preliminary Warrant Review-Zoning Articles-ZBA Chairman Woody Chittick and Planning Board
Chairman Clark Brewer were present to discuss the proposed zoning articles. Clark Brewer discussed
the proposed Article T-Zoning Bylaw Amendment-Section 2.1-Definitions. Mr. Brewer stated the
definition of Residential Gross Floor Area is modified to reconcile differences in the calculation of RGFA
with the definition of Floor Area Ration with respect to attic space with ceiling heights less than 7 feet.
The Board had a brief discussion. Woody Chittick discussed the proposed Article V-Zoning Bylaw
Amendment-Section 9.7.8.b Special Permits. Mr. Chittick stated this article is to edit wording in Section
9.7.8.b with the wording in 9.7.8.a. Mr. Chittick discussed the proposed Article W-Zoning Bylaw
Amendment-Section 2.1 Definition of Dwelling Unit and Family. Mr. Chittick stated the purpose of the
article is to tighten the definitions and prevent bypassing regulations which already exist in the bylaws
governing lodging house and B & B establishments. The Board had a lengthy discussion. Mr. Chittick
discussed the proposed Article Y-Zoning Bylaw Amendment-Section 11-Regulations Governing Earth
Removal. Mr. Chittick stated the purpose of the article brings the removal of excavation of more than
10 cubic yards to the attention of the Town, and makes it subject to a Special Permit and allow for this
limit to be enforced. The Board discussed the article. Mr. Brewer discussed the proposed Article Z-
Zoning Bylaw Amendment-Section 4.3.14-Inclusionary Zoning. Mr. Brewer stated the purpose of the
article is to add the Village Business District (VB)to the inclusionary zoning requirement and provide a
cash payment in lieu of providing affordable units. The Board had a lengthy discussion. Mr. Brewer
discussed the proposed Article—Amending the Large Home Review Process. He stated the purpose of
the article amends the Large Home Review process to provide new, clearer and residential-specific
standards for applications, review and decisions that have been lacking. The Board discussed the article.
Mr. Brewer discussed the proposed Article-Amendment of Table of Area Regulations. Mr. Brewer stated
the purpose of the article is better manage harmonization of house size with neighborhoods and
proportionality of house size with lot size. It also amends the limits for the maximum size of houses in
three residential zoning districts. The Board discussed the article.
Motion by Selectman Kennedy to recommend Article T-Zoning Bylaw Amendment-Section 2.1
Definitions for a Planning Board public hearing,seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was
unanimous (5-0).
Motion by Selectman Schubert to recommend Article V-Zoning Bylaw Amendment-Section 9.7.8.113-
Special Permits for a Planning Board public hearing, seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote
was unanimous (5-0).
Motion by Selectman Gaumer to recommend Article W-Zoning Bylaw Amendment-Section 2.1
Definitions-Definition of Dwelling Unit and Family for a Planning Board public hearing, seconded by
Selectman Kennedy and the vote was 4-1. Selectman Schubert voted against.
Motion by Selectman Kennedy to recommend Article Y-Zoning Bylaw Amendment-Section 11-
Regulations Governing Earth Removal for a Planning Board public hearing, seconded by Selectman
Keniley and the vote was 4-1. Selectman Schubert voted against.
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Motion by Selectman Kennedy to recommend Article Z-Zoning Bylaw Amendment-Section 4.3.14-
Inclusionary Zoning for a Planning Board public hearing, seconded by Selectman Schubert and the
vote was unanimous(5-0).
Motion by Selectman Gaumer to recommend Article Amending the Large Home Review Process for a
Planning Board public hearing, seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous(5-0).
Motion by Selectman Kennedy to recommend Article for the Amendment to the Table of Area
Regulations for a Planning Board public hearing, seconded by Selectman Keniley and the vote was
unanimous (5-0).
Warrant Review-Mr. Senior reviewed the remaining draft warrant articles with the Board.
FY18 Preliminary Budget-Mr. Senior reviewed a preliminary draft of the FY18 shared budgets and
department budget requests. The Board had a discussion about the county pension and the dramatic
increase. They discussed possibly requesting an audit. Selectman Gaumer suggested that the topic is a
longer discussion for the future agenda. Mr. Senior stated by the Board's next meeting the Town should
have received the Governor's numbers, Healthcare costs and South Shore Vo-Tech information.
Selectmen Update-Selectman Schubert reported that the revenue for the State came in on target. The
Governor is recommending a 2% increase in local aid and 3.9% in unrestricted aid. Chairman McCarthy
attended the Annual MMA Conference with other members of the Board this past weekend. It was very
informative. There was great speakers and workshops. He asked Mr. Senior if Cohasset was a member
of the Community Compact program. Mr. Senior stated the Town is not but they have been working on
joining. He will forward information to the Board about it. Selectman Kennedy attended a great
workshop at the MMA on Affordable Housing. She also was named to the MIIA Board of Trustees. Mr.
Keniley stated he and Chris Senior have been invited to present the Harbor Grant Application next week.
He hopes that this is good news about the grant. He attended a workshop about downtown
development which was really interesting. He will pass the material around to other members.
Town Manager Update-Mr. Senior advised the Board the Town received an award for their
Commitment to Risk Management from MIIA. Mr. Senior stated they had a great safety meeting last
week. The Master Plan Committee met for the first time. Clark Brewer is the Chairman and Patrick
Kennedy is the Vice-Chairman. They had a great presentation on planning by a member of the MAPC.
On February 8th at 7 p.m. at the Library there will a Board/Committee Member training session. It will
be recorded. Town Counsel was here at Town Hall tonight to help anyone with Citizens Petitions. He
will be back soon for a litigation update with the Board. Mr. Senior advised the Board the Town has
received the CAFR and expects to receive the Management Letter soon. He will email the Board an
electronic version of the CAFR.
Minutes-Motion by Selectman Schubert to approve the minutes of 12/20/16, seconded by Selectman
Keniley and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Motion by Selectman Schubert to approve the minutes of
1/10/17,seconded by Selectman Keniley and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Motion by Selectmen
Schubert to approve the minutes of 1/11/17, seconded by Selectman Keniley and the vote was
unanimous (5-0).
Topics not reasonably anticipated by the Chairman 48 hours in advance-Chairman McCarthy advised
the Board there is a need for an executive session.
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Selectmen Minutes January 24, 2017
Motion by Chairman McCarthy 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 discussed the Coughlin matter. The Board will return
to open session for the purpose of adjourning, seconded by Selectman Schubert. Roll Call Vote;Jack
Keniley-Aye, Diane Kennedy-Aye, Kevin McCarthy-Aye, Paul Schubert-Aye,Steve Gaumer-Aye.
The Board went into executive session at 9:53 p.m.
The Board came out of executive session at 10:16 p.m.
Motion by Selectman Schubert to adjourn, seconded by Selectman Gaumer and the vote was
unanimous (5-0).
The meeting adjourned at 10:17 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kevin McCarthy, Chairman
Documents
Rotary Road Race Application
Wine & Malt Application-Simply Smiths
One Day Liquor Application-CDC
Committee Application-Nicole Graebner
Draft Warrant
FY18 Preliminary Draft Budget
Zoning Articles
Minutes 12/20/16, 1/10/17 & 1/11/17
December Financials
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