Cohasset's main governing board. Sets town policy, approves major contracts, and makes key appointments.
105 items across 9 meetings.
June 30, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Routine opening with roll call and Pledge of Allegiance.
• Status unclear
Residents may address the Board on any topic.
📋 Proposed
Vote to fill openings on the Elder Affairs committee and Cohasset Housing Authority Tenant Representative seat.
💬 Discussed
Discussion of village parking — specifics not detailed in agenda; watch for policy or access changes affecting downtown.
📋 Proposed
Permit request for July 5, 2026, picnic (4:30–8 pm) with use of ballfield restrooms.
📋 Proposed
Request to open at 10:00 am (instead of regular hours) on Saturday, October 3, 2026, for a special event.
📋 Proposed
One-day liquor license for a private book signing on July 17, 2026, 4:00–7:00 pm.
📋 Proposed
Board will discuss and vote on amending the charge (formal mandate) of the Public Safety Facilities Committee.
📋 Proposed
Proposed calendar of Select Board meetings for FY2027.
📋 Proposed
Proposed planning calendar for the FY2027 and FY2028 budget cycles and Town Meeting, setting key fiscal deadlines.
📋 Proposed
Board reviews and votes on its draft goals — these priorities shape spending and policy for the coming year.
• Status unclear
Town Manager updates to the Board.
• Status unclear
Board member comments.
📋 Proposed
Routine approval of prior meeting minutes.
• Status unclear
Meeting adjourned.
June 16, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Routine meeting opening.
• Status unclear
Open public comment period at the start of the meeting.
📋 Proposed
Board reviews executive session minutes dating back to 2023–2026 to determine if purposes have been resolved and minutes can be publicly released.
📋 Proposed
Closed-session strategy discussion for negotiating Town Manager Leary's employment contract with the town.
📋 Proposed
Board discusses in closed session whether to waive attorney-client privilege and release its counsel's opinion on the Wheelwright Park cell tower proposal.
📋 Proposed
Board votes whether to publicly release its attorneys' opinion on the proposed cell tower at Wheelwright Park.
📋 Proposed
Board discusses and votes on its official stance on the proposed cell tower at Wheelwright Park.
📋 Proposed
Status update and possible vote on the ongoing Town Hall renovation project.
📋 Proposed
Permit for a sailing race on 9/12/2026, 10am–3pm, including entertainment permit and parking passes.
📋 Proposed
Permit for 8/15/2026 challenge event, 6:30–8am, including parking passes.
📋 Proposed
Renewal of transient vendor license for Nona's Ice Cream.
📋 Proposed
Event and entertainment permit for 8/31/2026 overdose awareness vigil, 6:30–7:30pm, with request to waive permit and license fees.
📋 Proposed
Board votes on Town Manager Leary's contract following closed-session negotiations.
📋 Proposed
Announcement of current vacancies on town boards and committees.
📋 Proposed
Board votes to amend the official scope and charge of the Public Safety Facilities Committee, potentially broadening or narrowing its mandate.
📋 Proposed
Board interviews and appoints citizen members to the Public Safety Facilities Committee.
📋 Proposed
Board reviews and votes on its draft goals, shaping town priorities and spending focus for the coming period.
📋 Proposed
Gregg Watts presents an update on the request for proposals for solar energy installations at Cohasset school facilities.
• Status unclear
Routine closing remarks from the Town Manager and Board members.
• Status unclear
Meeting adjourned.
May 19, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Routine meeting opening with roll call and Pledge of Allegiance.
• Status unclear
Residents may address the Board on any topic.
📋 Proposed
Board will review five sets of closed-session minutes (dating 1/24/2023–3/24/2026) to decide whether their purposes have resolved and whether any minutes can be publicly released.
📋 Proposed
Annual license renewals for three seasonal vendors: PAP Inc. d/b/a Del's Lemonade, Kristin Donohue d/b/a Nona's Ice Cream, and Ahmad Alkhatabih d/b/a Zack's Ice Cream.
📋 Proposed
Atlantica Operating LLC d/b/a Olde Salt House seeks approval to designate Joe LaSpada as the new manager of record.
📋 Proposed
Alicia Svenson nominated for appointment to the Cohasset Village Historic District Study Committee.
📍 Cohasset Village
📋 Proposed
Board will discuss and vote on appointing a member to the committee evaluating a solar array at the Cohasset school complex (AEC).
📋 Proposed
Board will discuss and vote on altering its regular meeting start time.
📋 Proposed
Board will discuss an open citizen seat on the Public Safety Facilities Committee, which oversees planning for police/fire facilities.
📋 Proposed
Board will discuss and vote on a plan to relocate Town Hall from its current site.
📍 Town Hall
📋 Proposed
Board will discuss and vote on appointing a member to represent Cohasset at the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), which funds school construction projects.
📋 Proposed
Board will discuss and vote on scheduling its annual goals-setting session for Fiscal Year 2027.
• Status unclear
Routine update from the Town Manager.
• Status unclear
Routine member comments.
📋 Proposed
Routine approval of prior meeting minutes.
• Status unclear
Meeting adjourns.
May 12, 2026 · minutes
✅ Approved
David Farrag elected Chair, Ellen Maher Vice Chair, and William Ashton Clerk for the new term; all votes 5-0.
💬 Discussed
Police union president cited sewage backups, mold, and structural deterioration at the current 62 Elm Street station after voters rejected the new public safety station proposal.
📍 62 Elm Street
✅ Approved
Board entered executive session to discuss strategy for negotiating Town Manager Leary's contract, then returned to open session at 7:25 PM.
✅ Approved
Chair Farrag and Ellen Maher appointed to negotiate Town Manager Leary's contract; two-person team avoids Open Meeting Law quorum issues.
💬 Discussed
Revenues tracking at ~86% of projections; snow-and-ice removal produced a $331,000 deficit to be addressed in next year's recap; school utilities and public safety overtime deficits deemed manageable.
💰 $331,000 snow/ice deficit; ambulance revenue slightly below projection
💬 Discussed
Board debated whether to redesign the 44 Elm Street site using existing design funds, solicit public suggestions, or pursue 135 King Street; Public Safety Facilities Committee asked for a clear mandate from the Board.
📍 135 King Street; 44 Elm Street
💬 Discussed
Window replacement bids underway as a prerequisite for a potential $500,000 HVAC grant; schematic design adds new porch and relocated entrance; radon mitigation underway in annex basement.
💰 Up to $500,000 HVAC grant contingent on window work
📍 41 Highland Avenue
💬 Discussed
No town fireworks this year due to police staffing shortages and no fundraising committee; radon mitigation and air quality remediation ongoing at Town Hall and 62 Elm Street police station.
📍 62 Elm Street; 41 Highland Avenue
💬 Discussed
Maher proposed moving meeting start time to 6:00 or 6:30 PM and recommended Open Meeting Law training for new members; Farrag suggested a future goal-setting session.
✅ Approved
Minutes from three prior meetings approved 5-0; May 1 minutes amended to clarify leaf blower motion language and remove a personal comment.
✅ Approved
Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:25 PM.
May 12, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Meeting opens with roll call and Pledge of Allegiance.
📍 91 Sohier Street, Willcutt Commons
📋 Proposed
Board reorganizes following the election cycle, likely reassigning officer roles.
• Status unclear
Residents may address the Board on any topic.
📋 Proposed
Board enters closed session under G.L. c. 30A §21 Exemption 2 to negotiate Town Manager Leary's contract.
📋 Proposed
Board will discuss and vote on forming a subcommittee to handle Town Manager Leary's contract negotiations.
💬 Discussed
Board reviews a financial update; details not specified in agenda.
📋 Proposed
Board will discuss and vote on a public safety facility at 135 King Street.
📍 135 King Street, Cohasset
💬 Discussed
Discussion of latest developments on the Town Hall project.
• Status unclear
Town Manager provides updates or announcements.
• Status unclear
Board members share updates or announcements.
• Status unclear
Late-breaking items not known in time for the published agenda.
📋 Proposed
Routine approval of three prior meeting minutes.
• Status unclear
Meeting adjourns.
📋 Proposed
Annual Town Meeting scheduled for May 12, May 19, and June 2; residents should plan to attend.
May 1, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Routine meeting opening at 2:00 pm via virtual (Zoom/Facebook Live).
📋 Proposed
Permit request for a Red Carpet Fashion Show event with valet parking at 9 Depot Court on May 15, 2026, 10:30 am–3:00 pm.
📍 9 Depot Court, Hooper's Judge
📋 Proposed
Permits sought for 16 weekly Farmers Market dates (June 4–Sept 24, 2026), 2:00–6:00 pm on the Town Common.
📍 Cohasset Town Common
📋 Proposed
Permit request for pony rides on the Town Common during the South Shore Arts Festival, June 20, 2026, 1:00–2:00 pm.
📍 Cohasset Town Common
📋 Proposed
Board discusses and votes on the 10-year Open Space and Recreation Plan governing conservation and recreational land use across town.
💬 Discussed
Board reviews and discusses motions submitted by the Town Manager; specifics not listed in agenda.
💬 Discussed
Board assigns member roles and responsibilities for the Annual Town Meeting sessions beginning May 4.
• Status unclear
Routine Town Manager update.
• Status unclear
Routine Select Board member comments.
📋 Proposed
Board votes on its recommendations for Annual Town Meeting Warrant Articles, which may include budget, zoning, or other town-wide measures.
• Status unclear
Meeting adjourns.
April 28, 2026 · minutes
✅ Approved
Chair Maher called the April 28 Zoom meeting to order at 2:02 p.m.; quorum confirmed.
✅ Approved
Approved Red Carpet Fashion Show with valet parking at 9 Depot Court on May 15, 2026, 10:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
📍 9 Depot Court
✅ Approved
Approved 16 weekly Farmers Market dates (June 4–September 24, 2026) on Cohasset Town Common, 2:00–6:00 p.m.
📍 Cohasset Town Common
✅ Approved
Approved pony rides on the Town Common during the South Shore Arts Festival on June 20, 2026, 1:00–2:00 p.m.
📍 Cohasset Town Common
✅ Approved
Board approved the 10-year Open Space & Recreation Plan; key priority is expanding teen recreational opportunities, though members noted no Forestry Plan exists for park maintenance such as at Wheelwright.
💬 Discussed
Interim Town Manager reviewed all 25 Articles for Annual Town Meeting (May 4, 2026); debate focused on Article 24 (prohibition with dates added to the Motion) and Article 25 (potential conflict with State law), with Members Plecs and Grady raising concerns about changed language.
✅ Approved
Board recommended Article 22, a nonbinding resolution committing municipal services to 50% net-zero GHG emissions by 2030 and 100% by 2050, enabling the town to pursue related grants.
✅ Approved
Board authorized MRI to conduct a CORI check on Town Manager appointee Michelle Leary, skipping a full background check given her tenure and performance record.
✅ Approved
Meeting adjourned at 2:52 p.m.