HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 04/25/2017 Selectmen Minutes April 25, 2017
Selectmen Meeting
Town Hall-Selectmen's Office
41 Highland Ave.
Cohasset, MA
Selectmen Present: Kevin McCarthy, Chairman
Paul Schubert
Diane Kennedy
Jack Keniley
Steve Gaumer
Others Present: Christopher Senior,Town Manager
Jim Lampke, Special Counsel
Chairman McCarthy called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Roll Call Vote: Jack Keniley-Present,
Diane Kennedy-Present, Kevin McCarthy-Present, Paul Schubert-Present, Steve Gaumer-Present.
Pledge-Recited
Public Comments-None
Licenses/Permits/Events-Farmers Market-Michael & Michele Hubley gave an overview of this year's
event. They are having a one-time kickoff market on Saturday, May 20th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The regular season will run on Thursdays from June 8th through October 5th 2-6 p.m. Motion by
Selectman Schubert to approve the Farmers Market for a light opening on May 20th and the regular
season from June 8th through October 5th from 2-6 p.m., seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote
was unanimous (5-0).
Pre-Prom Red Carpet Event-Michele Skolnick and Claudia McCann gave an overview of this year's Pre-
Prom Red Carpet event. The event will take place on Friday, May 191h from 5-7 p.m. Motion by
Selectman Kennedy to approve the Pre-Prom Red Carpet event on Friday, May 191h from 5-7 p.m.,
seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous (5-0).
Selectmen's Update-Selectman Keniley attended the MMA Legislative meeting today. He updated the
Board on FY17 recap,the discussion on the Chapter 70 formula that needs to be addressed, CPA funding
and how to regulate Airbnb. Selectman Kennedy reminded the Board that they should start to prepare
for the process of Boards/Committee appointments for June. Chairman McCarthy asked Selectman
Kennedy to work on a press release with the positions that are available and the Board would discuss at
the 5/16/17 meeting. Chairman McCarthy stated the Town had the official signing of a Community
Compact this week with Lt. Governor Polito. Chairman McCarthy recognized the Cohasset Police
Department and stated he appreciated the way they handled a recent situation with a resident involving
firearms. The police acted in a professional way and followed Massachusetts laws. Selectman Schubert
stated the April tax revenues were quite good. They were above and beyond what last year's was. The
budget is currently in the House. Selectman Gaumer asked for a follow up on the tree cutting on Pond
Street that he had inquired recently about. Mr. Senior stated he has looked into this and was told by the
town arborist that there were diseased trees. Some of the trees are dangerous and National Grid will
take down (at their cost). He is waiting for a true replacement plan and more info from DPW. He will
report back to the Board. Selectman Gaumer shared a report with Mr. Senior that was written by an
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analyst at his company about self-driving vehicles. There are live tests scheduled in Phoenix using 200
vehicles this year. Selectman Gaumer reminded everyone that Monday night is Annual Town Meeting
and encouraged everyone's participation from beginning to end as it is a celebration of direct
democracy.
Red Lion Inn-Change of Manager Hearing-Chairman McCarthy read aloud the public hearing notice.
Attorney Lampke explained the process for the change of manager hearing. Proposed Manager Joanne
Nardo and Cohasset Harbor Inn Manager Michael Wharton were present. Ms. Nardo discussed her
work experience with the Board and stated she has worked in every aspect of the Red Lion Inn for 15
years. Mr. Wharton stated he has worked with Ms. Nardo for 8 months and she is a hardworking and
long standing employee. Detective Harrison Schmidt reviewed the details of the background check they
conducted for the proposed manager. Selectman Gaumer stated in the background report that the
owner, Gerd Ordelheide, stated Ms. Nardo's position as manager was temporary. He intended to hire a
gentlemen in four weeks from the Boston Marriott. Selectman Gaumer asked about Ms. Nardo's duties
as a finance director and if she planned to continue in that role. Ms. Nardo responded that she would
continue as the finance director and she would shuffle her duties. Selectman Schubert stated physical
presence is a must for liquor license managers. Selectman Keniley asked about the operating hours of
the inn and restaurant as he has received calls about hours. Ms. Nardo stated they are open
Wednesday-Friday at 4 p.m. and weekends at 12:00 p.m. Chairman McCarthy expressed concern about
the amount of hours Ms. Nardo would be working and how she will fit the manager positon in. He also
asked if they would be filing the new corporate board positions since Heinrich Lutjens is still listed. The
Board deliberated.
Motion by Selectman Gaumer to continue hearing until 5/9/17 to give the applicant time to respond
to specific questions raised by the Board: 1. Provide clarification on the expected duration of
manager; 2. Clarify manager hours and duties; 3. Assistant Manager scheduling in support of the
license holder;4. Completion of application in full; seconded by Selectman Schubert. Roll call vote:
Jack Keniley-Aye, Diane Kennedy-Aye, Kevin McCarthy-Aye, Paul Schubert-Aye, Steve Gaumer-Aye.
The Board also requested that Mr. Ordleheide be present at the 5/9/17 meeting.
Chairman McCarthy called for a 3 minute recess.
Chairman McCarthy called the meeting back to order at 8:46 p.m.
Article#28-Citizen's Petition-New Land Alteration Regulations-Tom Callahan-35 Hillside Road and Rick
Swanborg-48 Nichols Road discussed the changes to the article with the Board. The Planning Board
voted on the amended article 3-1. Conservation Commission voted on the article 6-0. The Board had a
lengthy discussion with the proponents of the article. The Board deliberated.
Motion by Selectman Schubert to recommend Article#28-Citizen's Petition-New Land Alteration
Regulations to Annual Town Meeting, seconded by Selectman Keniley. Roll call vote: Steve Gaumer-
Nay, Paul Schubert-Nay, Kevin McCarthy-Aye, Diane Kennedy-Aye,Jack Keniley-Aye.
Motion passed 3-2.
Article 3—Sewer Rate Increase-The Board deliberated. Motion by Selectman Schubert to recommend
Article#3-Sewer Rate Increase to Annual Town Meeting, seconded by Selectman Kennedy. Roll call
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vote:Jack Keniley-Aye, Diane Kennedy-Aye, Kevin McCarthy-Aye, Paul Schubert-Aye,Steve Gaumer-
Aye.
Town Manager Update-Mr. Senior reminded residents that taxes are due on Monday, May 1ST. Annual
Town Meeting is Monday, May 1s' @ 7 p.m. at the Sullivan Gymnasium Cohasset Middle High School. All
information can be found on the town website. The Town Manager's motions will be posted on Friday.
Cohasset 143TV is also running the warrant forum and special shows for the zoning articles.
Minutes-The Board will approve at the 5/16/17 meeting.
Motion by Selectman Gaumer to adjourn the meeting,seconded by Selectman Keniley and the vote
was unanimous (5-0).
The meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kevin McCarthy, Chairman
Documents
Farmers Market Application
Pre-Prom Red Carpet Application
One day liquor license-First Parish
Minutes 4/11/17 &4/12/17
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