HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 10/25/2017 Selectmen Minutes October 25, 2017
Selectmen's Meeting
Town Hall-Selectmen's Office
41 Highland Avenue
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 7:00 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.
FY18 Tax Classification Hearing-Director of Assessing Mary Quill was present and reported that
Massachusetts Department of Revenue certified the Tax Allocation for FY2018. Motion by Selectman
Kennedy to close the FY18 Tax Classification hearing, seconded by Selectman Keniley and the vote was
unanimous(5-0).
Veterans Breakfast-Director of Elder Affairs Coral Grande was present along with Chris Pratt. They are
hosting a Veteran's Breakfast on Monday, November 6tn at 9 a.m. at the Willcutt Commons. The event
will honor the military veterans. They will also dedicate the POW/MIA Chair of Honor.
Off Premises Liquor License-Special Counsel Jim Lampke was present. Attorney Lampke advised the
Board that the ABCC has determined that the Town should have held a hearing for the All Alcohol
Package license. The Board can appeal that decision,the Board can act on the application from Local
Vines or the Board could schedule hearings for anyone interested in applying for the license. After some
discussion the Board agreed to advertise and set the hearing for November 14, 2017 and also announce
that there is a license available.
IT Update-Chief Information Officer Ron Menard gave a power point presentation to the Board which
included the 2017 organizational goals and current status, project reviews, measurable analytics, cost
reductions and personnel landscape. The Board had a lengthy discussion.
Special Town Meeting Warrant-Sandy Beach Bath House-Chairman of Sandy Beach Association Robin
Lawrence, Kari O'Donnell,Attorney Richard Henderson and Annette Sawchuk were present. Ms.
O'Donnell gave an overview of the proposed project. They are looking to renovate the existing
bathhouse. They will be making the entrance, exit and restrooms handicap accessible and adding a
snack bar. Motion by Selectman Kennedy to put Article#12 CPC on the warrant for Special Town
Meeting,seconded by Selectman Keniley and the vote was unanimous(5-0).
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Selectmen Minutes October 25, 2017
Water Capital Projects-Chairman of the Water Commission Leonora Jenkins and Director of DPW Brian
Joyce were present. Mr.Joyce discussed the proposed SCADA system. He explained what the system is,
issues with the current system and the proposed solution. Chairman Jenkins discussed the project of
replacing the settler tubes; drain valve operator filter#2; raw water pump#2 and rebuild the high lift
pump motor#5. The Board had a brief discussion. Motion by Selectman Keniley to put Article#6
Capital Improvement Projects, seconded by Selectman McCarthy and the vote was unanimous(5-0).
Town Hall Renovation Advisory Committee-Town Hall Project-Chairman of THRAC Mary McGoldrick,
Mark Toomey and Doug McGinley were present. Mrs. McGoldrick gave an overview of what the
committee has done to date. She discussed the meetings they have held,their timeline, employee
relocation plan, available grants and other funding opportunities, energy efficient savings, space
programming study, budget and next steps. Selectman Keniley stated he has an issue with spending$1
million at this time. The Board had a discussion about existing debt and sources of funding for the
project. Selectman Gaumer added that the governance of real estate belongs with the Board of
Selectmen. The Board should take over the Committee now. Wayne Sawchuk-432 Beechwood said the
Committee has done a great job and the momentum shouldn't be stopped. The Selectmen should look
at the plans and make changes. They should also look at the amount that is being spent on storage in
the basement. He suggested the THRAC keep working and have the Selectmen give their input on what
the building should look like. Mrs. McGoldrick stated when they met with Capital Budget and Advisory
they asked for concrete questions from them so that they find the answers and get back to them. She
asked the same from the Board of Selectmen. She also pointed out and publically stated that the
project manager Shane Nolan and McGinley Kalsow&Associates have fulfilled their contract to date and
then some and have been extraordinary to work with.
Warrant Article Placement-Mr. Senior stated one article has been added to the warrant. It is to allow
the schools to set up a revolving account to accept tuition payments for nonresident students and state
reimbursements for students who are foster care children. Motion by Selectman Kennedy to put
Article#5-MA General Laws Chapter 71,Section 71F on the warrant for STM,seconded by Selectman
McCarthy and the vote was unanimous(5-0).
Motion by Selectman Kennedy to recommend Article#5- MA General Laws Chapter 71, Section 71F to
STM,seconded by Selectman McCarthy and the vote was unanimous (5-0).
Motion by Selectman McCarthy to recommend Article#1-Amendments to Fiscal 2018 Operating
Budget to STM,seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous(5-0).
Mr. Senior stated there are no outstanding bills from prior years. He asked that Article#2 stays on the
warrant to be safe.
Motion by Selectman McCarthy to recommend Article#3 Stabilization Funds to STM, seconded by
Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous(5-0).
The Board agreed to wait on voting on Articles#4, #6,#7,#8,#9,#10,#11 and#12 until STM.
Selectmen Update-Selectman Gaumer was contacted by a resident about a neighbor not paying their
taxes. He wondered if the town had a policy. Selectman Gaumer spoke with Treasurer/Collector Paula
Linhares and asks that Mr.Senior clarify the policy/ies on this. Selectman Gaumer asked about
comments on social media regarding a resident at the RTF not using blue bags. Director of DPW Brian
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Selectmen Minutes October 25, 2017
Joyce responded that they have been pro-actively educating residents about the rules of the RTF and are
now enforcing the rules. They are sending out warning notices to violators. Selectman Gaumer also
reported receiving a number of calls from residents in the harbor regarding the entertainment license of
the Cohasset Harbor Inn. The residents feel the owners are not living up to their agreement. Mr. Senior
will follow up with the police chief. Selectman Keniley asked if they have set up a date to have a
workshop about assessing as they discussed at the last meeting. Mr. Senior stated he will follow up on.
Selectman Keniley stated he edited the town managers goals and will distribute to the Board.
Selectman Keniley asked if the Town got the audited financials. Mr. Senior will follow up. Selectman
Kennedy reminded the Board that they should have a discussion on fines and fees. The all facilities
stickers will be expiring in March and if they are going to discuss,they should do so well in advance.
Selectman Kennedy asked for a moment of silence for Betty Maree who passed away. She worked for
the town for 36 years and was a Gold Start Mother. Chairman Schubert reminded everyone the Deer
Hill Spelling Bee is on November 5`" and they are looking for judges.
Town Managers Update-AEC LED Streetlights-Mr.Joyce stated they are currently working on the street
light LED conversion and will be piloting two new LED lights. The plan is to place two new LED lights on
the corner of Highland Ave. and Depot Court. Both lights will be 35W,which can be used to replace the
current 70W. The two being tested are 3K and 4K, which is an attribute of the lights color. The 3K is
warmer in color, champagne tone and the 4K is brighter,white tone. Once the lights are installed,they
will remain in service for testing purposes for a period of 90 days. During this process they will asked for
public input through an online survey system. Mr. Senior stated they started the first round of
interviews for the town planner and they went well. They have some good candidates. Selectman
Keniley asked if the Board can talk with the applicants before a decision is made. Mr. Senior agreed.
Motion by Selectman McCarthy to adjourn,seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was
unanimous(5-0).
The meeting adjourned at 10:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Paul Schubert, Chairman
Documents
Veterans Breakfast Flyer
IT Update
Draft Warrant
THRAC Update
Sandy Beach Proposal
Water Capital Projects
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