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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 05/22/2018 Selectmen Minutes May 22, 2018 Selectmen's Meeting Town Hall-Selectmen's Office 41 Highland Avenue Cohasset, MA Selectmen Present: Paul Schubert Jack Keniley Diane Kennedy Steve Gaumer Kevin McCarthy 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-Aye, Diane Kennedy-Aye, Paul Schubert-Aye,Jack Keniley-Aye, Steve Gaumer-Aye. Pledge-Recited. Chairman Schubert asked for motion to go into Executive Session-Exemption#1-To discuss the reputation, character, physical condition or mental health, rather than professional competence, of an individual, or discuss the discipline or dismissal of, or complaints or charges against, a public officer, employee, staff member or individual. The Board will discuss the reputation, character, physical condition or mental health, rather than professional competence, of an individual, and complaints against, a public officer, employee, staff member or individual. Executive Session Exemption #3-To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the public body and the chair so declares. The Board will discuss proposed settlement for workers compensation. Motion moved by Selectman Gaumer, seconded by Selectman Kennedy. Roll Call Vote: Kevin McCarthy-Aye, Diane Kennedy-Aye,Paul Schubert-Aye,Jack Keniley-Aye, Steve Gaumer-Aye. The Board went into executive session at 7:02 p.m. The Board came out of executive session at 7:40 p.m. Public Comment-VSO-Phil Mahoney distributed the calendar for the upcoming Memorial Day events and reviewed it with the Board. Board Reorganization-Chairman Schubert nominated Selectman Kennedy as Chairman of the Board of Selectmen. Roll Call Vote: Kevin McCarthy-Aye, Paul Schubert-Aye, Jack Keniley-Aye, Steve Gaumer- Aye. Selectman Kennedy abstained from the vote. Selectman Schubert nominated Selectman McCarthy as Vice-Chairman of the Board of Selectman. Roll Call Vote: Diane Kennedy-Aye, Paul Schubert-Aye, Jack Keniley-Aye, Steve Gaumer-Aye, Kevin McCarthy-Aye. Pre-Prom/Red Carpet Event-Lisa Pratt and Linda Fechter were present and reviewed the plans for the Pre-Prom/Red Carpet Event. Motion by Selectman Schubert to approve the Pre-Prom/Red Carpet Event on 5/24/18 @ 5-7 p.m., seconded by Selectman McCarthy and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Selectmen Minutes May 22, 2018 Cohasset Triathlon-Bill Burnett-28 Mohawk Way was present to discuss the event. The Cohasset Triathlon has an alternate route this year due to the closure of Cunningham Bridge. He described the route and has met with both Chiefs and they are onboard with the alternate route. Chief Quigley discussed the roads that will be impacted (closed) from 7-9 a.m. The RTF will close until 11 a.m. Motion by Selectman Schubert to approve the Cohasset Triathlon on 6/24/18 with the alternate route as presented,seconded by Selectman McCarthy and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Kids Triathlon-Mr. Burnett reviewed the plan for the Cohasset Kids Triathlon which has been changed from 7/14/18 to 7/7/18. The new date has been approved by Police, Fire and the Swim Center. He needs to confirm the use of the parking lot at the Deer Hill School. Motion by Selectman Keniley to approve the Cohasset Kids Triathlon for 7/7/18 contingent on parking lot approval, seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Transient Vendor Licenses-Chairman Kennedy read aloud the list of transient vendors seeking approval: Nona's Homemade Ice cream, Del's Lemonade and Zack's Ice Cream. Motion by Selectman Schubert to approve the transient vendor license for the list presented, seconded by Selectman Gaumer and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Affordable Housing-Housing Authority Rep-Applicant Susan Sardina was present and gave an overview of her background. She is seeking to replace Donna McGee as the Housing Authority Rep to the Affordable Housing Committee. The AFHC has two additional openings and would like the Board to put the appointment of Beth Tarpey on a future agenda. Motion by Selectman Gaumer to appoint Susan Sardina to Affordable Housing Steering Committee as the Housing Authority Representative for an unexpired term until 6/30/19, seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Open Space & Recreation-Motion by Selectman McCarthy to appoint Charles Peterson to Open Space & Recreation for a three year term, seconded Selectman Keniley and the vote was unanimous(5-0). PEB Committee-Motion by Selectman Schubert to appoint Mark Maggi to the PEB Committee for a one year term,seconded by Selectman Keniley and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Advance in Lieu of Borrowing-Bound Brook & Town Hall Planning-Treasurer/Collector Paula Linhares advised the Board the borrowing has already been authorized by Town Meeting last December for the Town Hall Planning & Design. They are looking to borrow money from the general fund in order to pay the bills that are due at this time. At the Selectmen's meeting of June 121h she will be asking the Board to sign the Bond Anticipation Note (BAN) paperwork. The town will receive the money from the borrowing on June 22nd and pay back the general fund at that time. This is done routinely in order to combine the borrowing for the year. Motion by Selectman McCarthy to approve the Advance in Lieu of Borrowing for $300,000 as described by the Treasurer/Collector, seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Community Septic Loan Program-Treasurer/Collector Paula Linhares stated the program was designed to borrow money from the state and create a loan program to homeowners to finance repair/replacement of their failed septic system or sewer hookup. This borrowing ($3 million) was authorized several years ago.The Town has already borrowed some of the$3M and issued loans to residents. They are now looking to borrow an additional $250K to continue the program.The Board was presented with three documents: 1. Loan note; 2. Documentation of the vote to support the actions necessary to execute an interim note, Selectmen Minutes May 22, 2018 the final bonds and all the steps in between to make the financing happen; 3. Document to certify that the laws and process were properly followed and executed. Mrs. Linhares has worked closely with town's financial advisor and bond counsel to ensure accuracy. Soon after these documents are executed residents can start borrowing the money to address septic issues. Chairman Kennedy read the following motion: I,the Clerk of the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Cohasset, Massachusetts,certify that at a meeting of the board held May 22, 2018, of which meeting all members of the board were duly notified and at which a quorum was present,the following vote was passed, all of which appears upon the official record of the board in my custody: VOTED: (1) that the Town shall issue a bond or bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $250,000 (the "Bonds") pursuant to Chapters 29C and 111 of the General Laws and a vote of the Town passed April 30, 2011 (Article 15),which authorized a total borrowing of $3,000,000, for a community septic management loan program (the "Project"); (2) that in anticipation of the issuance of the Bonds the Treasurer is authorized to issue an interim loan note or notes (the "Notes") from time to time in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $250,000; (3) that each Bond or Note shall be issued as a single registered security, and sold to the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust (the "Trust") at a price determined pursuant to the Financing Agreement; (4) that the Treasurer is authorized to determine the date, the form, the maximum interest rate and the principal maturities of each Bond and Note, and to execute a Financing Agreement or Agreements with the Trust with respect to the sale of the Bonds and Notes, such date, form and maturities and the specific interest rate or rates of the Bonds and Notes to be approved by a majority of the Board of Selectmen and the Treasurer and evidenced by their execution of the Bonds or Notes; (5) that all action taken to date by the Town and its officers and agents to carry out the Project and its financing,including the execution of any loan agreement by the Treasurer, are hereby ratified, approved and confirmed; and (6) that the Treasurer and the other appropriate Town officials are each hereby authorized to take any and all actions necessary or convenient to carry out the provisions of this vote, including execution and delivery of the Financing Agreement or Agreements and the Project Approval Certificate and Regulatory Agreement or Agreements relating to the Project. Selectmen Minutes May 22, 2018 I further certify that the votes were taken at a meeting open to the public, that no vote was taken by secret ballot, that a notice stating the place, date, time and agenda for the meeting (which agenda included the adoption of the above votes) was filed with the Town Clerk and a copy thereof posted in a manner conspicuously visible to the public at all hours in or on the municipal building that the office of the Town Clerk is located or,if applicable, in accordance with an alternative method of notice prescribed or approved by the Attorney General as set forth in 940 CMR 29.03(2)(b), at least 48 hours, not including Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, prior to the time of the meeting and remained so posted at the time of the meeting, that no deliberations or decision in connection with the sale of the Bonds or Notes were taken in executive session, all in accordance with G.L. c.30A, §§18-25 as amended. Motion moved by Selectman Schubert, seconded by Selectman Keniley and the vote was unanimous (5-0). Voluntary check off with tax bill-Treasurer/Collector Paula Linhares advised the Board that the voluntary donation check off on tax bills will be put back on. She did some research and found that the law to include was voted in the year 2000. Paul Kierce-39 Old Coach Road and Chairman of Elder Affairs stated some seniors or disabled residents do not get a tax bill. Affordable Housing Steering Committee-Chairman Robert Jeffers and Town Planner Peter Matchak were present. Chairman Jeffers gave power point of presentation of the current housing situation, an update on progress and a review of potential project list. Town Hall Renovation-Town Manager Chris Senior stated many residents, staff and committee members that have worked over the last 18 months on the Town Hall proposal. Town Meeting approved the ballot for a debt exclusion however the ballot question did not pass. Mr. Senior has met with staff to discuss the critical issues with the town hall building, including electrical and safety issues. There has been a lot of work that has been done over the past three studies. The fact remains that something must be done to Town Hall for occupation and safety reasons. The Board needs to discuss and decide what the next steps should be. Selectmen Schubert stated he was disappointed with the vote but the town had the same issue in 1995 with the schools. That vote initially failed and passed the second time. The Town could have another election with a ballot vote by 9/15/18 and put forth a lower debt exclusion request. He reminded the Board there is still state money available for the renovation. Selectman Gaumer spoke with residents and asked why they voted against. He heard answers such as: it was too much money; people didn't know enough about the project; or the construction cost was too much. He stated the Board failed to inform the public. Selectman Keniley agreed that the Board didn't answer some of the questions that needed to be answered. He would like to see something done by Special Town Meeting in the fall. He suggested the Board look at the debt structure. The project should be broken out by plumbing, electrical, HVAC, etc. He suggested putting together a second committee to run the cost of both projects. Selectman McCarthy stated he believes the community wants a more reasonably priced project. He suggested the Board put forward Option #1 which was less costly and a smaller space. The Town has already spent$400,000 at this point and he doesn't want to lose sight of that. They should work better and keep all committees involved and engaged in the process. After further discussion that Board agreed to meet on June 19th and discuss this topic further. Chartis Selectmen Minutes May 22, 2018 Tebbetts-9 Jerusalem Road Drive stated the election turnout was poor. There were a lot of people that didn't vote because there were no contested seats and some vacant seats. This is concerning to her and more people should get involved in the business of the town. Town Managers Update-The Recreation Board has a vacancy due to designation. The Commission would like to present a candidate at the 6/12/18 Selectmen's meeting; because this is an elected position, an appointment would be jointly made by Board of Selectmen and Rec Commission. Selectmen Update-Selectmen Schubert stated he is delighted to serve on the Board of Selectmen for another 3 years. Chairman Kennedy congratulated Tom Olson on becoming an Eagle Scout;Tom will be playing Taps on Memorial Day. Minutes-Motion by Selectman Gaumer to approve the minutes of 5/8/18,seconded by Selectman Keniley and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Motion by Selectman Gaumer to adjourn,seconded by Selectman Schubert and the vote was unanimous(5-0). The meeting adjourned at 10:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Diane Kennedy, Chairman Documents Event App-Pre-Prom Event App-Cohasset Tri & Kids Tri Transient Vendor Licenses Affordable Housing App-S. Sardina Open Space & Rec App-C. Peterson PEB Committee App-M. Maggi Advance in Lieu of Borrowing Community Septic Loan Program Affordable Housing update Minutes 5/8/18