South Shore News: Cohasset

Cohasset School Committee Reorganizes and Launches High-Stakes Building Committee for Secondary Schools

Justin Evans — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 11:00:51 GMT

COHASSET - May 20, 2026 - Following the recent town election, the Cohasset School Committee reorganized its leadership roster and officially established the comprehensive School Building Committee required by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA). The newly formed panel will serve as the governing body to oversee the renovation or construction project targeting the town’s middle and high school facilities. Additionally, the district celebrated a massive $101,210 technology and learning grant from the Cohasset Education Foundation (CEF) to offset recent baseline budget sacrifices.

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The meeting opened with a reorganization following the town’s annual election. Lance Dial, who served in the leadership role for two years, declined to seek another term as chair due to professional time constraints. Committee member Corey Evans was nominated and elected as the new Chair in a 3-1 vote, with one abstention. Craig MacLellan was subsequently chosen to serve as Vice Chair, and Lance Dial was unanimously re-elected as Secretary after new member Danielle Ziady opted to first get her “sea legs” on the board.

Superintendent Dr. Sarah Shannon introduced the evening’s primary structural milestone: the formalization of the MSBA School Building Committee roster. Currently navigating the “eligibility phase” (Phase 1), Cohasset was required to submit its finalized committee composition to the state by June 1st. The sprawling committee merges stakeholders from town governance, school leadership, and private industry. Key members include Town Manager Michelle Leary, Select Board member Will Ashton, School Committee representative Craig MacLellan, and Facilities Director Nick Berardi. Notably, the MSBA has introduced a new mandate requiring active student voices; Cohasset’s panel will feature five local middle and high school students.

Cohasset Select Board Authorizes Leases for Massive 18-Month Relocation

Justin Evans — Thu, 28 May 2026 11:01:18 GMT

COHASSET - May 19, 2026 - The Cohasset Select Board voted unanimously to authorize Interim Town Manager Michelle Leary to hunt for and negotiate commercial leases across town, paving the way to entirely vacate Town Hall for an extensive 12-to-18-month HVAC and demolition phase. The decision splits town departments across multiple temporary locations starting as early as August 1, 2026, pulling the trigger on a logistically complex and costly relocation process to keep the critical infrastructure modernization project on track.

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The Select Board pushed forward on the long-debated Town Hall renovation project, acknowledging that keeping staff inside the municipal building during the heaviest phases of construction is completely unfeasible. Interim Town Manager Michelle Leary revealed that while staff can remain in place during the window replacements scheduled for this summer, they must completely move out before massive demolition and HVAC system overhauls commence.

The logistics are proving to be a jigsaw puzzle for municipal leaders. The town previously considered utilizing the municipal-owned property at 135 King Street as a singular hub, but structural limitations have restricted that plan. The building’s second floor is not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), making it a “waste of space” for public operations unless the town infuses unbudgeted capital into accessibility upgrades. Furthermore, using 135 King Street for the next two years would directly paralyze planning for the long-delayed Public Safety Building project if that site is ultimately selected for the police and fire facility.

As a result, town operations will be scattered. Leary noted that “there is not one perfect site where all staff members can be housed, so we will be split between buildings.” To mitigate chaos for residents, the administration plans to cluster the finance departments together so that tax collection and financial processing remain centralized.

“We’ve looked at several places... we really need direction as to can we enter into a lease as soon as August to start moving the operations over during the summer months... because come September, we’re going to start with the clerk’s office with their early elections.” — Interim Town Manager Michelle Leary [23:22]

Cohasset Select Board Overhauls Leadership as Defeated Public Safety Project Demands Fresh Path Forward

Justin Evans — Tue, 19 May 2026 11:03:39 GMT

COHASSET - May 12, 2026 - In its first meeting following the local election, the Cohasset Select Board reorganized its leadership structure, selecting David Farrag as its new Chairperson and welcoming two newly elected members. The meeting’s dominant undercurrent, however, centered on rebuilding community trust and charting an alternate course for the town’s public safety infrastructure after residents resoundingly rejected a $21.7 million bonding proposal for a new police headquarters on King Street. Board members and public safety representatives alike emphasized that while the ballot box outcome was clear, the severe operational deficits facing local first responders have not disappeared.

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The Select Board kicked off its new term with an immediate reorganization. Outgoing Chairperson Ellen Maher, who served in the leadership role for the past two years, was thanked for her extensive dedication before the board voted unanimously to appoint David Farrag as Chair. Following the transition, the board selected Maher to serve as Vice Chair and named newly elected member Will Ashton as the board’s Clerk. Alongside Ashton, who joins the board for a three-year term, Greg Watts was also officially welcomed to fill a remaining two-year seat.

The atmospheric shift quickly transitioned into solemn urgency during the public comment period. Chase Colasurdo, a Cohasset police officer and President of the United Federation of Police Officers Cohasset Police Local 143, stood before the board to outline the worsening conditions at the current 62 Elm Street headquarters. While noting the union’s deep respect for the democratic process, Officer Colasurdo detailed severe facility challenges including failing equipment, lack of storage, gun locker issues, sewage backups, mold concerns, and general structural deterioration. To emphasize the stakes of daily operations, Officer Colasurdo highlighted an incident from the previous evening where five Cohasset officers successfully used patience and de-escalation tactics to disarm an individual experiencing a severe mental health crisis carrying a knife, resolving the situation without injuries.

“This outcome has been difficult for the members of my union, but our resolve is strong. We know this community cares deeply about its police officers and we respectfully ask for your continued support as we work together towards a lasting solution.” [07:04] — Officer Colasurdo, Union President

Cohasset School Committee Restricts School Choice Enrollment and Awards Superintendent Maximum Bonus

Justin Evans — Sat, 16 May 2026 11:01:29 GMT

COHASSET - May 6, 2026 - In a comprehensive session, the Cohasset School Committee voted unanimously against participating in the state’s school choice program for the upcoming academic year, citing significant gaps between the state’s flat reimbursement rate and the town’s actual per-pupil spending. In a major piece of executive business, the committee also approved an exemplary annual performance evaluation for Superintendent Dr. Sarah Shannon, subsequently voting to award her the maximum contractual merit bonus of $10,000.

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The meeting opened with a public hearing dedicated to the state’s school choice program. Superintendent Dr. Sarah Shannon strongly recommended that the district opt out of the program, clarifying a common public misconception regarding the financial impact of school choice in Massachusetts. Under state regulations, a sending town pays a flat rate of only $5,000 per student to the receiving district, whereas Cohasset’s actual per-pupil expenditure sits at approximately $22,000. Dr. Shannon noted that following recent, tight budget cycles that aligned staffing directly to enrollment, the district lacks the structural “wiggle room” or physical space to absorb outside students without risking added service strains.

“In Massachusetts, there’s a belief that if we become a school choice district that we bring in a full per-pupil expenditure for every child who chooses to come to Cohasset, which is not actually how school choice works. For every student who enrolled, we would only get about $5,000 per student. The regular per-pupil expenditure per Cohasset student is approximately $22,000.” [01:34] — Dr. Sarah Shannon, Superintendent

Committee members raised questions regarding whether the district could establish strict parameters or caps by grade level. Dr. Shannon confirmed that while grade-level caps can be set, the district surrenders all discretion over individual admissions. State law mandates a completely blind lottery, meaning the town cannot review academic, disciplinary, attendance, IEP, or 504 data, leaving Cohasset vulnerable to unforeseen special education costs that far exceed the $5,000 flat state reimbursement. Committee member Corey Evans also raised a demographic concern, highlighting a stark gender imbalance in an existing primary grade where boys significantly outnumber girls, and noted that state rules prohibit balancing classrooms by gender. Given these variable cost factors and operational risks, the committee formally closed the hearing and voted later in the evening to opt out of school choice.

Voters Reject King Street Public Safety Funding; Maher and Ashton Secure Select Board Seats

Justin Evans — Sun, 10 May 2026 02:27:53 GMT

COHASSET - May 9, 2026 - Cohasset voters delivered a decisive blow to the proposed public safety facility at 135 King Street on Saturday, rejecting the debt exclusion required to fund the project by a margin of 185 votes. The unofficial results of the Annual Town Election also saw incumbent Ellen M. Maher and newcomer William A. Ashton secure two three-year seats on the Select Board, while Gregory Watts won the race for a two-year unexpired term.

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The most watched item on the 2026 ballot, Question #1, failed to garner the necessary support to move forward with the design and construction of a new municipal and public safety building. The proposal sought to exempt the town from the provisions of Proposition 2 ½ to pay for bonds related to the 135 King Street project. Despite significant advocacy from town safety officials in the months leading up to the vote, the “No” votes totaled 900, outpacing the 715 “Yes” votes cast by residents.

In the race for the Select Board, three candidates vied for two three-year seats. Ellen M. Maher led the field with 942 votes, followed by William A. Ashton with 901 votes. Ashton, who served on the Public Safety Facilities Committee, had previously voiced concerns regarding the scale and “definitive need” of the King Street project during public meetings. A write-in campaign for Corey Evans netted 637 votes, though it was not enough to overcome the two leading candidates.

For the two-year unexpired Select Board seat, Gregory Watts defeated Carol A. Bestick and Jennifer Lea Chu with a tally of 690 to 223 and 604 respectively.

Jennifer Lesky was re-elected to the school committee over challenger Victoria Lattanzi by a vote of 747 to 726.

Cohasset Approves $32M Public Safety Building; Rejects Leaf Blower Ban in Divided Night

Justin Evans — Sat, 09 May 2026 11:31:28 GMT

COHASSET - May 2026 - In a landmark session lasting over three hours, Cohasset residents voted overwhelmingly to fund a new $32.1 million public safety building, contingent on a debt exclusion at the ballot, ending a twenty-year stalemate over the town’s deteriorating police and fire facilities. While the “big-ticket” infrastructure item passed with the required two-thirds majority, the meeting was punctuated by sharp division over environmental and property rights, as a proposed seasonal ban on gas-powered leaf blowers failed by just four votes, and voters demanded a relocation of a controversial cell tower planned for Wheelright Park.

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The 2026 Annual Town Meeting, moderated for the final time by Dan Evans [00:22], focused heavily on the future of Cohasset’s infrastructure and fiscal health. The defining moment of the evening was the presentation for Article 21, the construction of a new Public Safety Building at 135 King Street. Glenn Pratt, Chair of the Public Safety Facilities Committee, opened the discussion by noting that the need for a new station has been on the town’s capital plan since 2005 [53:26].

Public Safety Building Project Takes Center Stage as Cohasset Select Board Prepares for Town Meeting

Justin Evans — Sun, 03 May 2026 10:02:22 GMT

COHASSET - April 28, 2026 - The Cohasset Select Board finalized articles for the upcoming Annual Town Meeting, highlighted by a critical $21.7 million borrowing request for a new Public Safety Building at 135 King Street. This project, which officials stated would bring the total cost to roughly $32 million when including previous authorizations, faces a pivotal vote as the town grapples with aging infrastructure and a “perfect storm” of fiscal challenges. Following the warrant review, the Board conducted high-stakes interviews with three finalists for the permanent Town Manager position, seeking a leader to navigate the town’s complex financial and social landscape.

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The meeting began with a meticulous “first pass” review of the 25 articles set for the upcoming Town Meeting. Interim Town Manager Michelle Leary guided the Board through the warrant, emphasizing the need for clarity and legal precision in the motions. Significant attention was directed toward Article 21, which seeks $21,783,000 for the design, renovation, and construction of the Public Safety Building at 135 King Street.

Cohasset’s 20-Year Wait: Committee Sets Final $21.7 Million Ask for Public Safety Facility

Justin Evans — Sat, 02 May 2026 12:03:00 GMT

COHASSET – April 29, 2026 – Facing a critical Town Meeting vote on May 4, the Cohasset Public Safety Facilities Committee unveiled its final pitch for a $32 million renovation and expansion of 135 King Street. Characterizing the project as the culmination of 20 years of planning, officials argued that the current Elm Street station has become an operational liability where officers are forced to test dangerous narcotics like fentanyl on the same tables where they eat lunch. The committee is requesting $21,783,000 in new funding to complete the facility, which they promise will “future-proof” the town’s emergency response and finally provide a professional environment for victims of crime.

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After two decades of being deferred on the capital budget, the Cohasset Public Safety Facility project is officially in the “go time” phase. In a combined committee meeting and public forum held Monday night, Chairman Glenn Pratt and Vice Chair Rich Kinscherf walked residents through “Plan D”—a comprehensive renovation of the former medical building at 135 King Street.

Cohasset Schools Facing $1 Million Shortfall; Officials Eye Fall Operational Override

Justin Evans — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 11:02:57 GMT

COHASSET - March 18, 2026 - Despite a 4.99% funding increase from the town, the Cohasset School District is grappling with a $1 million deficit to maintain “level service” for the 2026-2027 school year. In a public hearing held Wednesday, Superintendent Dr. Sarah Shannon detailed a suite of proposed reductions—including staff positions, technology spending, and athletic programs—while Committee members signaled the start of a major campaign for a multi-year operational override to be presented to voters this November.

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The Cohasset School Committee opened its March 18 session with a sobering public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) budget, revealing the “arduous” nature of a process that has seen the district fighting a structural deficit since November [01:02]. While the town has allocated a nearly $1.2 million increase (4.99%) over the previous year, Dr. Shannon explained that the district requires an 8.82% increase just to maintain existing services [02:26], [04:53].

Cohasset’s Future: $3.3M Roof Surplus Fast-Tracks School Projects Amid High School “Stress” Crisis

Justin Evans — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 10:02:36 GMT

COHASSET — April 2026 — Cohasset Public Schools are entering a transformative phase, buoyed by a massive $3.3 million surplus from the Osgood School roof project that will now fund the modernization of the Middle-High School without new taxpayer debt. While the district celebrates this financial break and the appointment of new leadership, sobering data from a recent “Challenge Success” survey has sparked a community-wide conversation regarding a mental health crisis at the high school, where students overwhelmingly describe their experience as “demanding” and “stressed”.

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The month of April saw the Cohasset School Committee navigate a complex intersection of infrastructure success and student wellness challenges. During a unique session held at METCO headquarters in Roxbury on April 1st, Superintendent Dr. Sarah Shannon revealed that the Osgood School roof project—originally estimated at nearly $6 million—closed at a finalized cost of just $2,687,147.

Cohasset Select Board Names Four Finalists for Town Manager Position

Justin Evans — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 11:01:28 GMT

COHASSET - April 14, 2026 - The Cohasset Select Board moved one step closer to securing permanent leadership on Tuesday night as Search Committee Chair Timothy C. Davis officially announced four finalists for the Town Manager position. The announcement highlights a diverse pool of candidates, including Interim Town Manager Michelle Leary, who will now move to public interviews as the town looks to finalize its top executive role before the end of the month.

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The search for Cohasset’s next Town Manager reached a critical milestone during Tuesday’s meeting. Timothy Davis, Chair of the Town Manager Search Committee, presented the board with four finalists selected from an initial pool of 28 applicants [38:53]. The finalists are Michelle Leary (Cohasset’s current Interim Town Manager), René Read, Karen Preval, and Daniel Riviello [40:24].

Cohasset School Committee Greenlights $26.3M Budget Amid $1M Deficit and Calls for Structural Override

Justin Evans — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 11:31:32 GMT

COHASSET - March 31, 2026 - The Cohasset School Committee voted unanimously on Tuesday night to approve a $26,315,055 budget for Fiscal Year 2027, navigating a nearly $1 million deficit that will result in staff reductions and program cuts. While the budget represents a 4.83% increase in town funding, committee members and administrators warned that “budgetary tricks” have been exhausted, signaling an urgent need for a future structural override.

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Superintendent Dr. Sarah Shannon presented a final FY27 budget that, while bolstered by an additional $1.2 million from the town, still falls $990,943 short of the funding required to maintain “level service” [11:54]. To bridge this gap, the district is implementing a series of reductions across staffing, supplies, and professional development [13:59].

Cohasset Moves to ‘Rightsize’ FY27 Budget Amid School Cut Concerns and Salary Scrutiny

Justin Evans — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 10:03:25 GMT

COHASSET - March 31, 2026 - The Cohasset Select Board and Advisory Committee voted to recommend a $65.6 million FY27 operating budget following a rigorous joint session aimed at “rightsizing” municipal departments. While the board celebrated a maintained AAA bond rating and competitive interest rates, the meeting was underscored by warnings from school officials regarding “major cuts” and intense deliberation over significant salary adjustments for several town department heads. The board also moved to reject two high-profile citizens’ petitions—one seeking to halt a cell tower in Wheelright Park and another targeting noise control—while deferring a non-binding decarbonization resolution to the Town Meeting floor.

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The primary focus of Tuesday’s session was Article 4, the Town’s FY27 operating budget. Interim Town Manager Michelle Leary presented a balanced budget of $65,063,929, emphasizing a strategy of transparency and department “rightsizing”. Leary explained that this year’s budget process involved moving stipends and incentives directly into base salary lines to provide a clearer picture of total compensation for future financial planning, including a potential override in FY28.

Cohasset Select Board Greenlights Public Safety Building for Town Meeting Floor

Justin Evans — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 11:03:34 GMT

COHASSET - March 24, 2026 - The Cohasset Select Board took a definitive step toward modernizing town infrastructure March 24, unanimously voting to recommend Article 21, the proposed Public Safety Building at 135 King Street, for approval at the upcoming Town Meeting. The move follows months of deliberation by the Public Safety Facility Committee and marks a major milestone in addressing long-standing deficiencies in the town’s fire and police headquarters.

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The March 24th meeting was dominated by a marathon review of the upcoming Town Meeting warrant, with the Public Safety Building taking center stage. Chair Ellen Maher and the board members expressed deep gratitude to the Public Safety Facility Committee for their “four different iterations” of the project, which ultimately led to the current recommendation for 135 King Street [01:01:34]. Committee Chair Glenn Pratt was present to receive the board’s support, noting that the Capital Budget Committee had already provided a favorable 4-1 vote the previous night [49:03].

Cohasset Select Board Moves Forward with $26.7M Public Safety Project as Police Describe ‘Abysmal’ Conditions

Justin Evans — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 12:03:41 GMT

COHASSET - March 19, 2026 - The Cohasset Select Board, in a joint session with several town committees, moved a step closer to a massive $26.7 million overhaul of the town’s public safety infrastructure. The proposal, centered on converting 135 King Street into a modern police headquarters and fire substation, was met with emotional testimony from local…

Tensions Flare Over Wheelwright Park Cell Tower as Cohasset Town Meeting Approaches

Justin Evans — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 10:31:14 GMT

COHASSET - March 10, 2026 - In a session dominated by upcoming Town Meeting warrant articles, the Cohasset Select Board faced a sharp challenge from the Open Space Committee regarding the planned 160-foot cell tower in Wheelwright Park. While town officials defended the project as a critical public safety necessity, residents and committee members argue…

Cohasset Releases Overlay Funds, Saving Key Teaching Positions

Justin Evans — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 12:03:22 GMT

COHASSET - March 4, 2026 - In a dramatic reversal of the “bad news” that has dominated recent budget cycles, Superintendent Dr. Sarah Shannon announced March 4 that the Town of Cohasset has released $282,000 in tax overlay funds to the school district. This last-minute financial injection allows the committee to reinstate four critical teaching position…

Cohasset Navigates “Challenging” FY27 Budget Cycle as Town and Schools Scramble to Balance Books

Justin Evans — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 10:30:54 GMT

COHASSET - March 3, 2026 - Interim Town Manager Michelle Leary presented a “first pass” at the FY27 budget, navigating a landscape of rising fixed costs and contractual obligations. While the schools reported a last-minute reprieve for some educator positions thanks to unanticipated savings, the Town is moving forward with its own staff reductions and a…

Data Dispute: Police Clash with Cohasset Capital Budget Committee Over ‘Sloppy’ Safety Facility Analysis

Justin Evans — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 12:03:06 GMT

COHASSET - March 2, 2026 - Tensions boiled over Monday night as members of the Cohasset Police Department confronted the Capital Budget Committee, labeling a member’s independent financial analysis of the proposed public safety facility as “sloppy” and “inaccurate.” The dispute centered on a “yardstick” spreadsheet comparing Cohasset’s police staffing and construction costs to neighboring towns, a move the police union argued ignored the professional expertise already paid for by the town and relied on faulty “open source” data.

Budget Crisis Forces Deep Cuts: Cohasset Schools Face $1.3M Shortfall

Justin Evans — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 11:00:59 GMT

COHASSET - February 25, 2026 - Facing a daunting $1.3 million deficit to maintain level services, the Cohasset School Committee reviewed a “devastating” list of recommended staff and program reductions during a remote session on February 25. Superintendent Dr. Sarah Shannon presented a plan that includes the elimination of multiple teaching positions at…