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