The Cohasset Capital Budget Committee tackled a tight fiscal landscape at its November 17th meeting, endorsing a $1.6 million reduction in capital requests for the upcoming year and initiating a significant overhaul of its own project evaluation procedures. Interim Town Manager Michelle Leary presented a revised 10-year capital plan, noting that requests for fiscal year 2027 have been trimmed from roughly $4 million down to $2.57 million. Several major items were deferred, including the Harbor Master building, IT infrastructure projects like a new financial management system, and some school needs. “Everyone understands that all budgets are tight this year,” Leary said. “We have to get the things done that are crucial but not necessarily... unnecessary for this year.”

A lengthy discussion followed an update from the Public Safety Facilities Working Group, presented by committee member Kathy Less. The group is launching a communications plan to educate residents on facility needs and response times. However, members Ralph Domaser and Rob Casemire pushed back, urging the working group to conduct a sincere re-evaluation of all site options rather than focusing on promoting a single solution. “You got to be really careful about making this a communications exercise,” Domaser warned. “Communication is not the issue, it’s having the exact right solution that people agree is the right solution.” Casemire echoed the sentiment, stating that simply dismissing alternatives like the existing Elm Street facility “won’t fly with the town.”

The focus then turned inward as the committee reviewed its own governing documents and project request forms, which date back to 2017. Chair Susan Franklin led a discussion on modernizing the committee’s mission and improving how it evaluates proposals. Citing examples from other towns like Yarmouth, the committee agreed its current request form is overly complex and often returned incomplete. "I think what we need to do is have a form that's more... directed in a way that a non-finance person would answer," Franklin explained. The group plans to create a simpler, checklist-style document that encourages departments to come prepared with supporting materials.

The committee concluded by planning its next meeting for December 1st, where it will hear from the Fire and DPW departments. The board also noted it is actively seeking to fill a vacant seat, with the goal of having a new member appointed by the Select Board in time for the next meeting.

As the meeting concluded, a motion was made to adjourn. Motion Made by Susan Franklin to adjourn. The motion was seconded. The meeting was adjourned following a roll call vote (Vote Passed 4-0).