In its first meeting following the recent town election, the Cohasset Select Board underwent a formal reorganization on Tuesday night, elevating David Farrag to the position of chair as the town grapples with the fallout of a failed public safety facility proposal. Outgoing chair Ellen Maher handed over the gavel to Farrag following a unanimous 5-0 vote, with Maher assuming the role of vice chair and newly elected member Will Ashton taking on the duties of clerk. The leadership shuffle comes at a precarious moment for the town, as officials face a timeout on the 135 King Street project while simultaneously managing deteriorating conditions at the existing Elm Street station and a looming $331,000 deficit in the snow and ice budget.

The meeting opened with a somber report from Officer Chaseo, president of the United Federation of Police Officers Local 143, who praised the department for peacefully de-escalating an armed mental health crisis earlier in the week. Despite the operational success, Chaseo expressed deep concern over the physical state of the department’s current home at 62 Elm Street. While we are disappointed that the proposal for a new police station did not pass, we remain committed to serving the residents of Cohasset with pride, professionalism, and dedication, Chaseo told the board. He described a facility no longer capable of supporting modern operations, citing ongoing issues with sewage backups, mold, and structural failures. Motion Made by P. Grady to nominate D. Farrag as Chair. Motion Passed 5-0.

The failure of the King Street facility at the ballot box has created a ripple effect across other municipal priorities, most notably the renovation of Town Hall. Town Manager Michelle Leary explained that the relocation of Town Hall staff was largely predicated on the police station’s timeline. With the project stalled, the board debated how to move forward without losing momentum. Newly sworn-in member Greg Watts suggested the board must find a way to reconcile the town’s functional needs with its financial anxieties. The current proposal from my conversations is a price tag that was too large for the town, Watts noted. We need to somehow find a way to kind of thread the needle there.

Member Will Ashton advocated for a swift pivot, suggesting the town look into utilizing the $150,000 in design money originally intended for 44 Elm Street. My opinion is the most prudent and quickest way to get an approved facility is an attempt to utilize the 44 Elm Street design money, Ashton said. However, Leary cautioned that those funds might be legally tied to the failed vote and could require a return to the capital fund. Vice Chair Ellen Maher offered a stark warning regarding the cost of delay, noting that neighboring towns like Hull and Hanson are seeing similarly high construction bids. If anyone thinks it's going to get cheaper as we go forward, even with a reduced building... I don't think that's a money-saver either, Maher said.

Glenn Pratt, chair of the Public Safety Facilities Committee, and member Dan Tarpie pressed the board for a clear mandate to avoid further delays. Tarpie emphasized that the committee needs a definitive charge from the Select Board to prevent the group from spinning their wheels on alternative sites that have already been vetted. Pratt described the current status as a timeout, but argued the town still recognizes the underlying necessity of a new station. Motion Made by P. Grady to nominate E. Maher as Vice Chair. Motion Passed 5-0. Motion Made by P. Grady to nominate W. Ashton as Clerk. Motion Passed 5-0.

While the police station faces uncertainty, the Town Hall renovation project at 41 Highland Avenue is making aesthetic and structural progress. Designer Mark Cameron presented schematic updates that aim to move the building away from its current 1980 ski lodge look and toward a more historically appropriate design. The plan includes a relocated entrance to improve security and a new porch. We're trying to take the look out of the common here... the intent would be to make it historically fitting, Cameron said. The town is currently chasing a $500,000 HVAC grant and a $200,000 ADA grant to offset costs. Member Paul Grady expressed support for the redesign, stating, We're trying to make the building something that people can walk into and be proud of again.

Financial stability remains a central concern as the town closes out the fiscal year. Town Accountant Beth Moseley reported that while overall revenues are tracking at 86% of expectations, ambulance fees are trending lower than the previous year, with only 160 transports compared to 189 at this time last year. More significantly, the town is carrying a $331,000 deficit in its snow and ice account. Moseley noted this can be covered through the recap process without depleting free cash, but it adds to the town's tight fiscal maneuvering. Chair David Farrag requested that future reports include benchmarks for the general fund to provide better clarity for residents, though he noted, I think that's fine as long as there's a giant asterisk so that people know that those are estimates.

The board also addressed personnel matters, entering an executive session to begin contract negotiations with Town Manager Michelle Leary. Following the session, the board moved to appoint a two-person team to handle the talks. Motion Made by P. Grady to appoint D. Farrag and E. Maher to the Town Manager contract negotiation team. Motion Passed 5-0. Maher advised the new members to seek training on the Open Meeting Law to ensure that even informal communication regarding such negotiations stays within legal bounds.

In a final blow to summer traditions, Town Manager Leary confirmed that Cohasset will not host a fireworks display this year. The decision stemmed from a lack of a volunteer fundraising committee and ongoing staffing challenges within the police department. Unfortunately we are not hosting fireworks this year, Leary said, noting that the department’s current focus must remain on core public safety duties. As the meeting drew to a close, Chair Farrag reflected on the road ahead for the new board and the various stalled projects. Cohasset always does the right thing after trying everything else, Farrag remarked. Motion Made by P. Grady to enter Executive Session. Motion Passed 5-0 (Roll Call: Grady-Aye, Maher-Aye, Farrag-Aye, Watts-Aye, Ashton-Aye).