HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 11/14/2017 Selectmen Minutes November 14, 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, Steve
Gaumer-Present.
Pledge-Recited.
Public Comments-None
Appointments-Conservation Commission Associate Member-Vice Chairman of Conservation Jack
Creighton was present along with applicant Maryanne Wetherald. Ms. Wetherald gave an overview of
her experience. Mr. Creighton stated Chairman Pimpare was unable to attend tonight's meeting but
strongly recommended Ms. Wetherald. Motion by Selectman McCarthy to appoint Maryanne
Wetherald to the Conservation Committee as an Associate Member for one year, seconded by
Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous (5-0).
Motion by Selectman Gaumer to appoint John Coffey to the Cohasset Common Historic District
Commission as a full member replacing Jasmine Landy for an unexpired term until 2019, seconded by
Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous(5-0).
Motion by Selectman Gaumer to appoint Gordon Stephenson to the Cohasset Common Historic
District Commission as an alternate member replacing John Coffey to fill an unexpired term until 2018,
seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous (5-0).
Animal Control Off icer-IMA-Renewal-Mr. Senior stated the agreement between Cohasset, Norwell and
Hull is working out well. The Board needs to approve the agreement for another year. Motion by
Selectman McCarthy to approve the IMA for the Animal Control Officer as presented, seconded by
Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous(5-0).
Acceptance of tangible personal property-Artwork at Senior Center-Donated by Social Service League-
Chairman Schubert explained that there are 4 paintings at Willcutt Commons that are being donated by
the Social Service League which are worth approximately$11,000. Motion by Selectman Kennedy to
accept the paintings as a gift from the SSL, seconded by Selectman McCarthy and the vote was
unanimous (5-0).
Selectmen Minutes November 14, 2017
Announcement of Drug Free Communities Grant-Safe Harbor Coalition-Christine Murphy and Peter
Pescatore were present. Ms. Murphy stated they were thrilled to have received the Drug Free
Communities Federal Grant for a 5 Year$625,000 award. They reviewed with the Board the benefits
and mechanics of the grant. They discussed the financial logistics and the facility requirements. They
also discussed the detailed results of the 2017 Cohasset Middle High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey.
The Board had a lengthy discussion. They discussed the Interface Referral Service grant that has been
cut from the state budget. The Board agreed to have the Chairman draft a letter to the Governor.
Motion by Selectman McCarthy to have the Chairman develop and sign a letter to the Governor to
release money for the Interface Referral Service, seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was
unanimous(5-0).
Affordable Housing Steering Committee-Update-Members Diane Danielson and Jack Creighton were
present. They presented the Board with a starting draft of the Affordable Housing Long-Range Plan.
They explained it is a living draft document. They hope to hire a consultant to complete it. Ms.
Danielson reported currently the town is at 9.4%of the required 10%of Affordable Housing. By the year
2020 they would need to have 25-30 Affordable Housing units. The Board had a brief discussion.
Town Hall Renovation Advisory Committee-Update-Chairman Mary McGoldrick and member Mark
Toomey were present. Chairman McGoldrick stated the THRAC voted unanimously to change Article#7-
Cohasset Town Hall. The article requests an amount not to exceed $300,000 for the completion of the
Schematic Design Phase for the Town Hall Renovation project. The Board had a brief discussion. They
will vote after they hear from Capital Budget and Advisory.
STM Warrant Article Recommendations-Motion by Selectman Gaumer to recommend Article#8-
Authorization of Borrowing for Road Betterment Projects for Private Ways to STM,seconded by
Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous(5-0).
Motion by Selectman McCarthy to recommend Article#12-Community Preservation Committee to
STM,seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous(5-0).
Town Managers Update-Mr. Senior advised the Board there will be a Celebration of Service recognizing
employees that have worked for the town for 25 years on Tuesday 11/21 @ 6 p.m. at Willcutt
Commons. He invited the Board to attend. Mr. Senior stated they are working on a final date for the
Assessing 101 workshop. Mr. Senior is working with special counsel on allegations of noise violations by
a local business. He will update the Board after counsel reviews. The Solar Array has generated savings
for the town in its first two months: $3100 the first month and $4100 the second month. The
Cunningham Bridge project remains on schedule. The Board sent a letter to Peter Roy about the
possibility of acquiring property in the harbor area. Mr. Senior and Selectman Keniley had a brief
meeting to explore potential interest. They will continue the conversation. The Yacht Club has been
razed and the project is ongoing. Work at Bound Brook continues with a punch list of things to be
completed. Mr. Senior will update the Board on some remaining legal issues during a future executive
session.
Selectmen Update-Selectman Gaumer congratulated the Cohasset Boys' Soccer and Girls Field Hockey
and Golf teams on great seasons. Selectman Gaumer asked that the Board draft goals for the Town Hall
Renovation and discuss at a future meeting. Chairman Schubert attended the Annual Rotary Dinner,
which was great. He emceed the Annual Spelling Bee and Mr. Senior was a judge. Chairman Schubert
Selectmen Minutes November 14, 2017
stated he called the Governor regarding the funding for mental health. He will draft a letter as discussed
earlier re: Interface Referral Service. Selectman McCarthy attended the Veteran's breakfast. It was a
great crowd. They dedicated the POW/MIA Chair to Ralph Perroncello.
Minutes-Motion by Selectman Kennedy to approve the minutes of 10/10/17, seconded by Selectman
McCarthy and the vote was unanimous(5-0).
Motion by Selectman Kennedy to approve the minutes of 10/25/17, seconded by Selectman McCarthy
and the vote was unanimous (5-0).
Motion by Selectman McCarthy to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the
vote was unanimous(5-0).
The meeting adjourned at 9:38 p.m.
Documents
Committee App.-M. Wetherald
Animal Control Officer IMA
Artwork-Acceptance of Property
Affordable Housing Draft Plan
THRAC Memo
Minutes
Draft Warrant
Safe Harbor Presentation