Cohasset Faces Multi-Million Dollar Capital Gap Amid Public Safety Budget Surges
Select Board Narrowly Approves Harbor Forum Amid Fears of “Rocking the Boat” with Scituate
COHASSET - February 3, 2026 - The Cohasset Select Board grappled with a stark fiscal reality February 3 as preliminary FY27 budget presentations revealed a $1.9 million deficit between requested capital projects and available funding. Police and Fire departments both presented level-service budgets that nonetheless carry significant cost drivers, including a 20% spike in regional dispatch assessments and a critical $1.2 million request for a new fire engine to replace an aging 2001 model nearing the end of its safe operational life.
The Full Story
The meeting was anchored by deep dives into the town’s financial health, starting with a comprehensive update from the Sewer Commission and followed by critical budget reviews for the town’s primary public safety arms. Interim Town Manager Michelle Leary outlined a challenging capital landscape where departments have requested $4.2 million in projects for FY27, yet the town has only $2.3 million currently allocated for such expenditures. [01:47:22, 01:47:38]
Public Safety Budgets Under Pressure Police Chief Bill Quigley presented a proposed FY27 budget of $4,115,274, representing a 10.51% increase over the previous year. [33:28] The Chief identified several unavoidable “key drivers” for this increase, most notably a nearly $100,000 jump in the town’s assessment for the South Shore Regional Emergency Communication Center (SSRECC). [41:03] Cohasset’s assessment rose from $490,000 to $589,000, a hike Quigley attributed to high call volumes that currently see Cohasset “bearing the brunt” of the regional cost-sharing model. [41:12, 04:41:00]
Staffing remains a critical hurdle for the Police Department. While authorized for 21 full-time officers, the department is currently operating with 19, including the Chief. [34:09, 34:18] Quigley noted that contractual “minimum manning” requirements—requiring three uniformed officers on the road at all times—often lead to “structural overtime” when personnel are out for training, sick leave, or court appearances. [35:51, 47:36]
The Fire Department presented a similar narrative of rising costs and aging infrastructure. The Fire Chief [01:10:02] requested a total budget of $3,694,656. [01:11:26] The primary capital concern for the department is “Engine 3,” a 2001 fire engine that has reached its 25-year service life expectancy under national safety standards. [01:18:40, 01:21:19] With lead times for new apparatus now stretching to three years, the Chief emphasized that the town must act now to avoid equipment failure. [01:19:13, 01:21:19]
Infrastructure and Resilience The Sewer Commission, represented by Vice Chair Paul Kierce, reported a “breath of fresh air” regarding recent financial collaborations with the town’s finance team, resulting in a balanced budget and roughly $1 million in retained earnings. [12:41, 14:56] However, Kierce warned of systemic issues with the plant’s filtering membranes, which have begun to fail prematurely. [17:56] The commission is now budgeting $100,000 annually for membrane replacement to move away from “arbitrary movement of funds” during emergencies. [21:18]
“The modeling is telling us that things should be... three feet above sea level where we’re at... but there isn’t a project that’s going to run around the whole plant just lift everything up all of a sudden.” [24:28] — Paul Kierce, Sewer Commission Vice Chair
George Baumgarten, Chair of the Harbor Committee, presented a forward-looking view of climate resilience. [01:26:11] He shared modeling showing that within 15 to 25 years, significant flood events could “maroon” the current Elm Street police and fire station on both sides. [01:30:38] This data, Baumgarten argued, reinforces the urgency of the proposed new public safety building on King Street, which sits safely outside these projected flood zones. [01:31:16, 01:42:26]
Why It Matters
For Cohasset residents, these discussions signal a tightening fiscal belt. The $1.9 million capital gap means the town must choose between replacing aging emergency vehicles, fixing sewer infrastructure, or funding school feasibility studies. The 20% increase in regional dispatch costs and the structural overtime in the police department directly impact the general fund, potentially limiting the town’s ability to fund other community services without future revenue increases or significant project deferrals.
February 5, 2026 - Just 48 hours after previewing a tense budget season, the Select Board reconvened to address a specific request from resident Tim Davis for a public forum on the harbor. [01:10]
A Divided Board Select Board members Julie Rollins and Vice Chair Chris Plecs led the opposition to the forum. [01:44, 04:01] Rollins reported receiving numerous emails from residents who were “100% against” the forum, arguing that the community at large is satisfied with the current agreement. [02:10, 02:53] Plecs echoed these concerns, stating that the town should prioritize “weighty” issues like the public safety building and school renovations rather than re-litigating a settled harbor deal. [04:20, 13:21]
Conversely, Paul Grady and David Farrag advocated for the meeting as a tool for transparency. [04:44, 06:20] Farrag argued that a forum would help residents understand the “temporary” nature of the current deal and the issues that remain as the town moves toward a long-term solution. [06:01, 17:33] Grady was more blunt, suggesting that a public airing of the facts would “minimize” misinformation and show that the board has nothing to hide. [06:59, 14:59]
The “Guardrails” of Privilege A central point of contention was what could actually be discussed. Chair Ellen Maher and member Julie Rollins noted that the critics primarily want to know the “nitty-gritty” details of executive session negotiations—information the board is legally prohibited from sharing. [10:13, 36:31] Maher expressed concern that a forum would simply become a platform for “hyperbolic exaggerations” and redundant grievances. [09:21, 10:33]
Despite her reservations about “bandwidth” during budget season, Maher provided the swing vote to approve the forum, but only with strict “guardrails.” [35:30, 38:42] She insisted that the forum would not be a venue to break privilege or re-open the agreement, but rather a “state of the harbor” style update. [38:42, 42:09]
Official Minutes & Data
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: To approve the event permit and one-day entertainment license for the Cohasset Rotary Club Road Race by the Sea and Safe Harbor Walk on April 12, 2026. [06:44]
Vote: 5-0 [06:52]
Motion: To approve the appointments of Will Ashton, Donald Staszko, Melissa Browne, Dan Tarpy, Glenn Pratt, Doug McGregor, Richard Kinsherf, and Nathan Spada to the Public Safety Facilities Committee. [08:04]
Vote: 5-0 [08:23]
Motion: To approve the minutes of March 11, June 3, and June 25, 2024, and January 6 and 20, 2026. [02:16:31, 02:20:01]
Motion (Feb 5): To schedule a public forum per Mr. Tim Davis’s request to discuss the inter-municipal harbor agreement, with parameters that executive session details will not be disclosed. [38:01, 42:09]
Vote: 3-2 (Roll call: Grady-Aye, Farrag-Aye, Plecs-Nay, Rollins-Nay, Maher-Aye) [38:22]
Public Comment
Fran Collins: Informed the board of his intent to proceed with a citizens petition for a leaf blower and weed whacker ban, noting he has until February 18 to finalize the petition for the town warrant. [01:25, 02:31]
What’s Next
Town Manager Search: A public forum will be held on Thursday, February 5, at 6:30 p.m. at Willcott Commons to gather resident input on the qualities desired in the next permanent Town Manager. [02:13:06, 02:13:24]
Budget Finalization: The Select Board will continue to review department budgets and capital requests through February and March ahead of the May Town Meeting. [33:15, 02:15:28]
Jerusalem Road Deed Restriction: The request to lift a deed restriction at 121 Jerusalem Road was tabled pending informal reviews by the Planning Board and Conservation Commission. [02:10:07, 02:10:32]
Forum Scheduling: While no date was finalized, Chair Maher suggested holding the event in April or May, after the primary "thick" of the budget and Town Meeting warrant season. [35:30]
Source Videos: Town of Cohasset - Select Board February 3, 2026 and Town of Cohasset - Select Board February 5, 2026
Do we know what has been budgeted and spent to install flock cameras on route 3a and near sandy beach?