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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 09/12/2017 Selectmen Minutes September 12, 2017 Selectmen Meeting Cohasset Middle-High School Community Use Room 143 Pond Street Cohasset, MA Selectmen Present: Paul Schubert, Chairman Diane Kennedy Steve Gaumer Kevin McCarthy Jack Keniley Others Present: Christopher Senior,Town Manager Chairman Schubert called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Roll Call Vote: Kevin McCarthy-Present, Diane Kennedy-Present, Paul Schubert-Present,Jack Keniley- Present,Steve Gaumer-Present. Pledge-Recited. Public Comments-None Chairman Schubert spoke about the areas affected by the recent hurricanes. He suggested people reach out and help those in need. THRAC Update-Chairman of Town Hall Renovation Advisory Committee Mary McGoldrick and member Mark Toomey were present. Others present included Owners Project Manager Shane Nolan-Daedelus Projects and Wendall Kalsow-McGinley Kalsow&Associates. Mrs. McGoldrick reviewed the work of the committee to date. The Committee voted unanimously on a renovation of Historic Town Hall with an attached addition (Option#3). Mrs. McGoldrick presented the Board with plans of the proposed project as well as a preliminary cost estimate of$12,800,000. She discussed the possible funds they could request from CPC for the renovation of the historic portion of the project. They will be putting the updated information in the Mariner and on the town website including information on proposed funding options. On September 23, 2017 there will be a public tour of town hall; the week of September 18 they will be meeting with the Historical Committee and the following week they will meet with AEC. They are continually discussing the best possible way for outreach to the town. The Board had a lengthy discussion about the process. There was some discussion about whether there would be enough time to get through the process before STM on October 16th. The Board discussed options about changing the date of STM. They agreed to continue this part of the discussion when they review the warrant tonight. The Board took a short recess at 9:27 p.m. Back in session 9:34 p.m. Licenses/Permits/Events-One day liquor License-Friends of CEA&CDC-Motion by Selectman Gaumer to approve two 1-day liquor licenses for the Cohasset Dramatic Club for September 30th from 7:30- 1 Selectmen Minutes September 12, 2017 9:30 p.m. and October 1"from 5:00-7:00 p.m.,seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Erg-A-Thon-Motion by Selectman Kennedy to approve the 2017 Erg-A-Thon on Sunday, October 15tn from 11 a.m.—3 p.m. on the Cohasset Town Common, seconded by Selectman Keniley and the vote was unanimous (5-0). One day liquor license-South Shore Art Center-Motion by Selectman Kennedy to approve a 1-day liquor license for the SSAC Art to Table event on October 215t from 7-11 p.m.,seconded by Selectman McCarthy and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Appointments-Historical Commission-Motion by Selectman Kennedy to appoint Julia Gleason to Historical Commission for a 3-year term, seconded by Selectman Keniley and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Open Space & Recreation-Motion by Selectman Keniley to appoint Tom Callahan to the Open Space and Recreation Committee as a citizen at large, seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Review of Warrant Articles& Placement, Recommendation of Articles& Finalize Warrant-Mr. Senior stated the Town was notified today that free cash has been certified at slightly over$1,000,000. Article#1-Amendments to Fiscal 2018 Operating Budget-Motion by Selectman Keniley to place Article #1 on the warrant for STM, seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Article#2-Unpaid Bills from Previous Fiscal Years-Mr. Senior advised the Board there are currently no unpaid bills but he would like to leave on the warrant for now. Motion by Selectman Kennedy to put Article#2 on the warrant for STM, seconded by Selectman Keniley and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Article#3-Stabilization Funds-Motion by Selectman Keniley to put Article#3 on the warrant for STM, seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Article#4-Allocation of Funds for One-Time Costs-Motion by Selectman Kennedy to put Article#4 on the warrant for STM, seconded by Selectman McCarthy and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Article#5-Cohasset Town Hall-The Board had a lengthy discussion on the proposed article. Motion by Selectman McCarthy to put Article#5 on the warrant for STM, seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was 4-1. Selectman Gaumer voted against. Article#6—Authorization of Borrowing for Road Proiects for Public Ways-The Board discussed the proposed article and had a minor change. Motion by Selectman Keniley to put Article#6 on the warrant for STM as amended, seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Article#7-Authorization of Borrowing for Road Proiects for Public Ways-Mr. Senior recommended that the Board postpone the article until ATM. Article#8-Water Department Capital Project-Mr. Senior recommended that the Board postpone until Annual Town Meeting. Article 9-Zoning Bylaw Amendment-Section 5.5-Large House Plan Review-Mr. Senior stated the Planning Board voted to postpone until ATM. 2 Selectmen Minutes September 12, 2017 Article#7(new article number)-Application of Bond Premium-Motion by Selectman Kennedy to put Article#7 on the warrant for STM, seconded by Selectman McCarthy and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Article#8(new article number)-Grant of Easement for a Solar Array-Motion by Selectman Kennedy to put Article#8 on the warrant for STM,seconded by Selectman Keniley and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Article#9(new article number)-Drainage and Access Easement to Sandy Cove off Atlantic Avenue- Motion by Selectman Keniley to put Article#9 on the warrant for STM, seconded by Selectman McCarthy and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Article#10(new article number)-Community Preservation Committee-Motion by Selectman Keniley to put Article#10 on the warrant for STM, seconded by Selectman McCarthy and the vote was unanimous (5-0). The Board discussed alternative dates for Special Town Meeting. Mr. Senior will look into the availability of the Moderator, Clerk, town counsel and others for November 20t", November 27t" or December 4t" and come back to the Board. Selectmen Update-Selectman Kennedy congratulated the many residents involved in the Solar Array project at the landfill. There was a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday. Town Manager Update-Cunningham Bridge Update-Jack Murray was present and gave the Board the following update: 1. Contractor has removed the bridge deck. Earth stabilization ongoing in advance of sheet pile installation. Next project field coordination meeting with MDOT will be held this Thursday. A two- week look out schedule will be presented by the contractor at that time. 2. Following up on last week's report. On 9/8, MDOT met with its consulting engineer BETA and Cunningham Bridge contractor MIG to discuss the feasibility of making proposed revisions to the bridge project and to try to determine cost estimates and schedule impacts. 3. On September 9, 2017,Tom Donald, MDOT Director of Accelerated Bridge Program wrote an email to the Town summarizing the meeting and suggested that the changes were feasible. He asked the Town to agree to assume any cost overruns in the area of between $550,000 and $650,000, acknowledge a delay of about 6 months for full completion of the project(the contractor believes that the bridge could be open by late July, 2018) an to notify the Department in writing of its decision by September 15`". 4. On September 12, Chris Senior and Jack Murray joined Jonathan Gulliver and Tom Donald of MDOT in a conference call to discuss the email and to try to learn further details about the cost estimates and any schedule delays. 5. MDOT has directed its engineer BETA to immediately begin design revisions. MDOT stated that the cost of the design would be borne by the department regardless of any decision by the Town. Once again he indicated that it would take about 4 weeks to complete the design with 2 weeks to review. 6. Major elements of the redesign include having to add an additional 14" to the bridge deck to accommodate the safety walkway, curb mounted guardrail and steel pedestrian railing. 7. Major changes include redesign of the pre-cast wing walls to accommodate revisions. 8. The Town pressed MDOT on their cost assumptions and they believe that $550K-$650K was reasonable within about 15% but that final cost estimates would be refined after the shop drawings were complete. They did not believe the price was inflated given the proposal. 9. Town stressed the need to keep the project moving forward without delay. MDOT believed that even with the changes that the contractor could get the bridge open by late July 2018, but needed 3 Selectmen Minutes September 12, 2017 time to order additional quantities and materials, ie. railings, rebar, guardrail. MDOT agreed to give the town an additional week to get back to them. 10. Chris explained that the cost estimates were much more than what the Town had envisioned. He talked about the municipal budget process and the involvement of the community and the Board of Selectmen in this matter. He reiterated that the numbers were exceedingly high burden for a small town to assume. He reiterated the Town's desire to have an aesthetically attractive functional bridge. 11. Jonathan indicated that his team would re-group to determine if there were any alternative options for the Department and the Town to consider. He indicated that he would get back to the Town either later today or early tomorrow. 12. Jack Murray has another call scheduled with MDOT at 9AM on Wednesday September 13. 13. Both Senator O'Connor and Representative Meschino were briefed on the issue last week and expressed their willingness to help. The Board had a lengthy discussion on the project. Mr. Murray advised the Board they have a follow up call with Mass DOT tomorrow morning. Dave Dugan-100 Black Rock Road asked why the new design is so superior than that proposed. He stated the bridge rails proposed are no worse than what was already there. He has personally spoken with the contractor on-site and thinks the project is in good hands. After further discussion Mr. Senior stated he will report back to the Board after their call with Mass DOT tomorrow and they can decide what the next steps should be. Finance Director Update-Mr. Senior advised the Board they have had some good interest in the position. The process is moving along. He thanked everyone that has participated in the interview process. Motion by Selectman McCarthy to adjourn,seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous(5-0). The meeting adjourned at 11:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Paul Schubert Documents THRAC Update CEA& CDC One day liquor application Erg-A-Thon event application SSAC One day liquor application Julia Gleason-Historical Commission app. Tom Callahan-Open Space & Rec app. Draft Warrant STM 4