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The savings are real but modest, and the board was told plainly why.

HKT Architects walked through five weeks of committee work at 35 King Street: the police garage held at three bays, rear parking retained, the fire substation shell eliminated, office and interview space reduced. The building drops from 23,610 square feet to 19,246, roughly a fifth smaller, while keeping all 47 parking spaces. The ask falls from $21,783,000 to $20,900,000.

But the cost has only reduced slightly to $25.87 million — because the year spent redesigning cost almost what the square footage saved. A consultant told the board that of every dollar of increase, roughly a third each goes to design fees, inflation and escalation, and that the same option pursued in May would have come in around $2.5 million cheaper. “We’ll delay the year, cut the building down 20%, save a million dollars,” committee chair Glenn Pratt summarized.

The board approved the scope change 5-0, voted 5-0 to place the article on the October 26 warrant, and then spent its sharpest political discussion of the night not on the building but on when to vote on it.

Gregory Watts pushed hard for a standalone December election over adding it to the November 3 state ballot.

“You never pass with your ballot down that far to add a third page in a separate ballot for this thing. I think while you’ll have more turnout, you won’t have folks as focused and engaged.” — Gregory Watts

He argued the project had already suffered from ballot position once. The board set December 5, again 5-0.

The surveillance bylaw drew no vote at all. A citizen’s petition modeled on the ACLU’s Community Control Over Police Surveillance framework would require town approval before any agency funds, acquires or uses technologies including automatic license plate readers, facial recognition, gunshot detection and predictive policing software. Sarah Reeves of Beechwood Street, presenting, noted Cohasset already operates four Flock Safety ALPRs and said the petition offers an unusually long runway — 180 days to file disclosures, with a possible 90-day extension.

Police Chief William Quigley asked the board to reject it.

“What documented misuse of police technology in Cohasset are we trying to correct? If there’s a problem, let’s address it. If our policies need improvement, let’s improve them.” — Chief William Quigley

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Gathering in the Middle-High School Learning Commons on August 26 and September 2, the Cohasset School Committee moved quickly across infrastructure, fiscal administration, student services, and operational policy to align district programs before the return of students.

Superintendent Dr. Sarah Shannon reported on August 26 that the major roof replacement project at the Joseph Osgood Elementary School is nearing full completion substantially under original cost projections. The project, estimated at $2,687,147, did not require significant contingency reserves. With the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) reimbursing 32.46% (up to $872,515), town officials plan to vote at the October 26 Special Town Meeting to direct reimbursed funds back into the Special Purpose School Capital Stabilization Fund.

Replenishing that stabilization reserve ensures Cohasset can present a warrant article allocating up to $2 million—on a not-to-exceed basis—to fund the MSBA Core Program Feasibility Study for the secondary campus (Cohasset Middle-High School) without requesting outside borrowing or fresh tax levies. The district expects the study itself will land between $1.5 million and $2 million, benefiting from the repurposing of data collected during a previous municipal study. Committee member Craig MacLellan cautioned the public that the study vote is purely exploratory:

“A vote to allocate the money from the special purpose school stabilization fund to the feasibility study for the MSBA is not a vote for a new school. ... It means that we will get to conduct the very regimented, structured feasibility study required by the MSBA to further explore the feasibility of that school.” — Craig MacLellan

The district also capitalized on an unexpected windfall in fleet operations. School officials announced they had successfully exited an electric bus lease, retained clear title to the vehicle at zero net acquisition cost, and finalized a direct trade approved by the Capital Planning Board for a brand-new 2027 Bluebird diesel bus backed by a five-year warranty. The transaction expands Cohasset’s bus fleet to 12 vehicles, preventing disrupted double-routes when vehicles require maintenance and curbing athletic charter expenses.

To steer financial reporting following administrative transitions, the Committee voted unanimously on August 26 to appoint Patricia “Trish” Boyer as Interim Director of Finance and Operations. Boyer, a veteran school business administrator with past leadership roles in Holbrook and Brockton, will work three days per week. By September 2, Boyer reported she was already 60% to 70% finished with the district’s mandatory state End-of-Year Financial Report (EOYR) due September 30 to DESE, protecting Cohasset’s Chapter 70 state aid against penalties while preparing modernized, readable monthly reporting packages for committee oversight.

Operational restructuring also centered on the Cohasset Public Schools (CPS) Before and After School Program, transitioned from the town Recreation Department into an in-house district pilot led by Director Brett Youmans. Because state licensing standards strictly mandate a 1:13 adult-to-child ratio, the program could no longer support open, unregistered daily drop-in care. To address family scheduling pressures, administrators created five periodic care slots per session (AM and PM daily), booked on a weekly first-come, first-served basis via online forms filed the prior Thursday. Across both meetings, the School Committee debated and formally adopted the comprehensive Before and After School Family Handbook, establishing attendance policies, aligning behavioral standards with school building rules, and setting rates ($20 morning, $30 afternoon, and $40 half-day care).

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In an unscheduled discussion prompted by a tight 30-day contractual notice window expiring September 27, Chair David Farrag alerted board members that Cohasset’s existing agreement with Flock Safety would automatically renew for another two years if notice was not served immediately.

Chair Farrag raised procedural and legal concerns under Chapter 30B, the Commonwealth’s Uniform Procurement Act, noting that aggregate annual multi-year leases across the town’s four cameras total roughly $12,000 per year ($6,000 per pair). Farrag pointed out that contracts featuring automatic renewal clauses can create statutory conflicts and prevent municipalities from seeking competitive pricing or necessary adjustments.

Select Board member Ellen Maher questioned the public safety and contractual impacts of walking away or altering camera locations, noting two units operate along Route 3A, one at Beechwood and Doane Street, and another at Nichols Road and Atlantic Avenue. Maher emphasized that while neighborhood placements draw scrutiny, highway cameras have proven investigative value. Board member Gregory Watts reiterated the importance of public safety, underscoring deference to the Police Chief, whose correspondence noted the technology helped solve 12 local crimes in the past year, including motor vehicle thefts and a sexual assault.

“If you put them on notice, you can negotiate within it and then you could renew it because we have to cure the defect no matter what.” [01:39:21] — David Farrag, Chair

Board member William Ashton crafted the final motion directing the Town Manager to terminate the existing agreement with the express intent to renegotiate. Board members emphasized to the public that terminating the contract does not eliminate automated license plate readers from Cohasset, but ensures procurement compliance and gives the town leverage.

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Town Manager Michelle Leary delivered key updates on the Town Hall restoration project during board comments. The $500,000 decarbonization grant, secured through the efforts of town personnel including Brian Joyce and Nick Berardi, will offset costs for the building’s new HVAC system.

The project remains on track, with window procurement underway and detailed design documents completed and sent for cost estimation. Cost estimates are expected by late August, with public bidding planned for November or December. To accommodate construction, the Town Clerk’s office will begin relocating to 135 King Street in early October 2026 to ensure uninterrupted preparation for state and municipal elections.

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Paula Claridge of HKT Architects and members of the Public Safety Facilities Committee presented a detailed analysis evaluating whether the existing Elm Street site could accommodate both the police and fire departments under a single roof.

The original programmatic needs established in 2024 called for 15,107 square feet for the police department and 16,810 square feet for the fire department. Even after programmatic space reductions were made—bringing police requirements down to 13,205 square feet and fire requirements down to 14,450 square feet—the combined single-story footprint requirement of 30,108 square feet vastly exceeds what the site can support.

The site analysis detailed numerous physical, logistical, and legal constraints at Elm Street:

• Site Deficit: Maximum expansion on the site yields only 17,488 square feet, leaving a 13,120-square-foot deficit. Building out to that maximum would require extending past property lines and intruding on neighboring housing.

• Zoning & Setbacks: The existing building is a pre-existing non-conforming structure sitting in an RV residential zone. Setback restrictions (30 feet in front, 20 feet on sides/rear) and maximum lot coverage rules severely limit outward expansion.

• Vertical Expansion Barriers: Expanding to a second story would necessitate adding elevators, fire escape stairwells, and major structural reinforcement to replace existing wood framing over basements. Architects noted the process would essentially require total demolition.

• Environmental & Infrastructure Issues: Both existing basements experience regular groundwater flooding. Additionally, apparatus bay floor drains currently discharge to surface drainage in violation of modern codes, soil lead contamination exists on the northwest corner, and town sewer capacity for an expanded footprint remains unverified.

• Temporary Relocation Costs: Demolishing and rebuilding on-site would require temporarily relocating both operational departments for two years, with estimated temporary facility costs ranging from $3.8 million to $4.5 million for fire alone.

A broader review of 151 municipal and commercial parcels along the Route 3A corridor determined that nearly all are constrained by wetlands, open space restrictions, or residential zoning, leaving 135 King Street as the only viable town-owned parcel for public safety development.

Following the presentation, the Select Board voted 5-0 to direct the Public Safety Facilities Committee to focus on 135 King Street as the location for public safety needs and cease exploring Elm Street for a co-located facility.

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Superintendent Dr. Sarah Shannon announced that Keree Simmons, who assumed the role of Director of Finance and Operations on July 1, submitted his resignation on Thursday evening. The district has already posted the opening for an interim director and is consulting with retired finance officials to fill the position for the remainder of the school year. Shannon noted that bringing on an experienced interim administrator could provide stability during a pivotal financial planning period.

In the interim, central office administrators are collaborating with Town Manager Michelle Leary and Town Accountant Beth Moseley to manage financial operations, including bill processing and administrative approvals.

“I have posted for an interim director of finance and operations. We have been in some conversation with some retired directors... I think it might bring some stability to the position and bring experience to the position in a year where we have several really big budget related items.“ — Dr. Sarah Shannon

Committee members expressed concern over the timing of the departure, particularly regarding potential logistics and transportation challenges as schools reopen. Member Craig MacLellan extended an apology to the community, noting that while the district underwent a thorough hiring process, a three-week tenure was an unexpected setback. Committee Chair Corey Evans reaffirmed that the leadership transition will not derail long-term strategic initiatives, including multi-year fiscal planning and facility upkeep.

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The issue boiled over following a chaotic summer weekend that forced the Sandy Beach Association to request a temporary closure of the lot. Police Chief William Quigley reported that the missing lines have dissolved the lot into a free-for-all, presenting a critical roadblock for emergency services.

“Vehicles are just parking... anywhere,” Chief Quigley stated. “Although you can get a car through there, you can’t get the engine through, you definitely can’t get the ambulance out in a hurry.”

The structural integrity of the lot added another layer of environmental anxiety. Select Board Chair David Farrag noted that unsealed cracks in the asphalt create an open invitation for protected piping plovers to nest. If the shorebirds claim the lot, major swathes of the town’s most sought-after parking zone would legally face mandatory shutdowns.

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The meeting opened with high praise and presentations for Dr. Leslie Scollins and Susan Owen, who collectively guided central office administration through severe municipal headwinds, deep pandemic-era adaptations, and two superintendent transitions. Committee members commended Owen’s fiscal discipline and resilient optimism in navigating countless budget cycles, alongside her pivotal work in upgrading the district’s top-tier food service program. Dr. Scollins was celebrated for her steady academic stewardship—ranging from elementary literacy programming to mentoring and retaining incoming instructional talent.

“Between Leslie, Pat, and I, we really did try and figure things out as we went along... It’s been phenomenal for me to watch what’s happened just in the six years I’ve been here. The leadership team, the staff, the bus drivers—they all put their heart so much into their jobs.” — Susan Owen, Retiring Director of Finance and Operations

Shifting to operations, the committee heard an extensive presentation from Alternative Energy Committee representative Doran Hole regarding proposed rooftop solar arrays at the Deer Hill and Joseph Osgood elementary schools. Hole reported that only a single bid was received from local partner Palmer Capital. Crucially, because the developer did not pursue a safe-harboring strategy ahead of a July 4th federal investment tax credit sunset, Hole noted there is no longer a rush to sign a binding document. The proposal, which estimates an impressive 25% utility bill savings (approximately $50,000 annually), will remain under advisement through the summer while National Grid addresses regional substation grid congestion and the town aligns the solar rollout with scheduled roof reconstructions.

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The meeting opened with a highly charged public comment period as citizens and local committee heads crowded the Willcutt Commons to defend the town’s natural landscape. Under the terms of a 2022 Special Town Meeting vote, the Select Board had previously signed a lease with telecommunications vendors to build a cell tower inside Wheelwright Park to resolve hazardous communication dead zones in the north side of town.

However, residents argued that the technology was invasive. Resident Barbara Wrenn suggested replacing the planned 17-story tower with modern “small cell antennas” along telephone poles. This proposal was later deemed cost-prohibitive by then-Assistant Town Manager Michelle Leary, who stated that vendors estimated it would require 60 distinct nodes costing $2.5 million per carrier to capture the same geographical radius.

The legal complexities deepened as Select Board Chair David Farrag highlighted details from a freshly released Town Counsel opinion dated June 1, 2026. Farrag emphasized that the original 2022 Town Meeting explicitly authorized the Select Board to lease the Wheelwright Park land, creating vested legal rights for the carriers. He warned that breaking the contract outright could prompt a multi-million dollar lawsuit against the town, potentially tripling the damages under Chapter 93A. Farrag also criticized the Open Space and Recreation Committee for a Facebook post that accused the Select Board of “hoping Cohasset citizens forgot” the May vote, calling the message “outrageous” and “unbecoming.”

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The debate over cellular connectivity in Cohasset took center stage as a succession of residents used the public comment session to challenge the town’s ongoing contract with Wireless Edge. Opponents targeted the location, legal validity, and technological necessity of the planned monopole in the protected municipal park.

Fred Zotos, a resident of Old Coach Road with an electrical engineering background, argued that the large tower approach is fundamentally outdated. Zotos pointed to a newly active 5G small cell antenna system functioning at the junction of Forest Avenue and Jerusalem Road, right across from Rocky Beach. He stated that the telephone poles and fiber infrastructure required to string similar small cells along the entirety of Jerusalem Road are already in place, making the massive monopole unnecessary.

The Open Space and Recreation Committee firmly aligned with the opposition. Committee Chair Ginny LeClair re-emphasized that town meeting voters previously expressed their clear desire to protect the land, noting a past citizens’ petition vote of 199 to 30 in favor of pursuing alternative locations. LeClair rejected claims that original trust restrictions had expired over time, asserting that the town holds the property strictly as a trustee under the express terms of the Wheelwright family’s will. She stated that Article 97 of the state constitution does not allow the town to circumvent a charitable trust without specific court authorization or legislative intervention joined by the Massachusetts Attorney General.

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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.

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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]

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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

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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.

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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.

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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].

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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.

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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.

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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].

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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.

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