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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 01/09/2018 Selectmen Minutes January 9, 2018 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 7:02 p.m. and asked for a roll call vote: Kevin McCarthy-Present, Diane Kennedy-Present, Paul Schubert-Present,Jack Keniley-Present, Steve Gaumer-Present. Pledge-Recited. Public Comments-None. Set Date for Annual Town Elections-Chairman Schubert asked for a motion to set Annual Town Elections for Saturday, May 12, 2018 for which the polls will be open from 8 a.m.to 6 p.m. Motion moved by Selectman Keniley, seconded by Selectman McCarthy and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Human Resources Update-Director of Human Resources Lisa Uglialoro gave an overview of Cohasset Human Resources. She discussed the organizational structure,job descriptions, evaluations,training& development, policies and recognition of employees. The Board asked questions and had a brief discussion. Town Hall Project-Goals, Objectives& Budget-Chairman Schubert stated the Board has a list of suggested objectives to start the discussion. Selectman Gaumer stated he agreed with the basic language in the 7 objectives. He offered his suggested objectives for discussion. ➢ Town hall should be a modern,functional and flexible space for the next 50 years. ➢ The historical restoration of the original town hall should be for civic uses. ➢ The project should be budgeted with efficiency in mind and fit in the capital plan that the town will accept. ➢ The structure itself should be on the sighted plot and abutting lands. Selectman Kennedy stated she had reviewed and agreed with the 7 objectives proposed vis-a-vis the various Town Meeting and Selectmen votes and discussions over the years. One of her primary concerns is the need to present the project and costs in the context of the future capital needs.The Board had a lengthy discussion about future capital needs. Selectman McCarthy stated the town is in a good place with the proposed project. The THRAC has done a lot of great work. He came up with the following objectives; ➢ As stated in Article#7 at STM on 12/4/17, allow the Town Manager&THRAC to spend $300,000 to continue work through completion of schematic design for project. 1 Selectmen Minutes January 9, 2018 ➢ Town Hall be located on the town commons with the same footprint. ➢ The Selectmen adopt the THRAC committee and its current members, rename the committee and add two additional members appointed by the Selectmen. r Town Manager is charged with developing a financing plan for the project that is consistent with 10 year capital plan. Selectman McCarthy added that it is important for the Selectmen to be leaders and keep the project moving, give direction and make the important decisions. Selectman Keniley added that he agrees with the 7 objectives but believes they should be broken down. The first 4 should be objectives and the last 3 should be directives. He suggested adding a 5t" objective about a reasonable budget. The Board had a brief discussion. Chairman Schubert stated he met with the town manager and discussed the 7 objectives and agreed with them as well. Motion by Selectman Gaumer that the Board of Selectman adopts the Town Hall Renovation Advisory Committee as a Selectmen's committee, rename to the Cohasset Town Hall Building Committee, affirm the work they have done and charge them with continuing to move the project forward consistent with the goals the Board will adopt, seconded by Selectman Keniley and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Motion by Selectman McCarthy that the Town Manager is charged with developing a financing plan for the project that is consistent with the 10-year capital plan, seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Motion by Selectman Kennedy that the Board of Selectmen is committed to presenting to Town Meeting a Town Hall building project and using best efforts to bring the project forward for approval at the 2018 Annual Town Meeting, seconded by Selectman Keniley and the vote was unanimous(5-0). The Board discussed and voted the following 5 objectives; 1. Motion by Selectman McCarthy that Town Hall should be a safe,functional,flexible and accessible space which will meet the needs of Cohasset's committee structure and administrative staff for the next several decades,seconded by Selectman Kennedy and the vote was unanimous(5-0). The Board discussed the location of town hall. 2. Motion by Selectman Gaumer that town hall should remain on the town common at 41 Highland Avenue,seconded by Selectman Keniley and the vote was 4-1. Selectman McCarthy voted against. 3. Motion by Selectman Kennedy that the Town values the 1857 historic structure and its auditorium space, and seeks to restore and preserve it for future generations as a center of civic,cultural and community activities,seconded by Selectman McCarthy and the vote was unanimous (5-0). 2 Selectmen Minutes January 9, 2018 4. Motion by Selectman Gaumer that the Town seeks community partners in the restoration of the 1857 historic structure and utilization of the historic auditorium, including financial assistance from private foundations and citizens, seconded by Selectman McCarthy and the vote was unanimous(5-0). 5. Motion by Selectman Kennedy that the budget for town hall will be reasonable, prudent and consistent with the 10 year capital plan,seconded by Selectman McCarthy and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Chairman Schubert stated the town is seeking interested candidates for the Cohasset Town Hall Building Committee. Anyone interested should submit an application before 1/19/18. Chairman of Cohasset Town Hall Building Committee Mary McGoldrick added that applicants with building or developing background would be helpful. Town Managers Update-Mr. Senior thanked all of the staff for their hard work during the storm. They did a great job. Thankfully,there were no major problems. There was a small power outage that was corrected quickly. The forecast for this weekend is for heavy rain and temperatures in the 50's. Mr. Senior stated Peter Matchak has officially accepted the position of Town Planner. Mr. Senior gave an overview of Mr. Matchak's background and distributed his resume to the Board. Mr. Senior reminded everyone the unveiling of the 250th Committee logo is tomorrow at 4 p.m. at the Sailing Club. Selectman Update-Selectman Gaumer reiterated the compliments to the town staff during the storm. The response was great. He also thanked all the residents that shoveled out fire hydrants. He give his best wishes and condolences to surrounding towns that got hurt badly by the storm. He thanked Mr. Senior for the great communications throughout the storm. Selectman Keniley also thanked town staff for their hard work. Glenn Pratt and emergency management did a great job. Mr. Senior stated there will be additional CERT training coming up. Anyone interested can check the town website for more info. Selectman Keniley thanked the Harbor Committee for their work over the holidays reviewing and selecting a consulting company. The new consultants should be on board over the next few weeks. Selectman Kennedy reminded everyone of the MMA 2018 Annual Conference &Trade show next weekend. Selectman McCarthy asked Mr. Senior to look into the blue bags that the Town uses. He has bought over the last several weeks and they are not good. They break at the top. He would like to make sure the Town is not buying the cheapest bags because of procurement. Mr. Senior will look into. Chairman Schubert stated the today is National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. He reminded everyone to pull over when police,fire or an ambulance are behind them. Mr. Senior added that there was an accident in town today. A cruiser was totaled and officer taken to the hospital. The officer was treated and released. Minutes-Motion by Selectman Kennedy to approve the minutes of 12/12/17,seconded by Selectman Keniley and the vote was 4-0. Selectman Gaumer did not vote as he was not present at the Deecmber meeting. Motion by Selectman Kennedy to adjourn, seconded by Selectman Gaumer and the vote was unanimous(5-0). The meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m. 3 Selectmen Minutes January 9, 2018 Respectfully submitted, Paul Schubert, Chairman Documents Memo re; Annual Town Elections HR Update Minutes 12/12/17 4