Cohasset Taps Municipal Resources Inc. for Town Manager Search
Water Commission Unveils Long-Term Treatment Plant Plans
COHASSET - January 6, 2026 - The Cohasset Select Board voted unanimously Tuesday night to hire Municipal Resources Inc. (MRI) to lead the search for the town’s next Town Administrator. The decision capped a marathon meeting that also featured a comprehensive update on the town’s water quality challenges and the approval of a revenue-generating pilot program at the Recycling Transfer Facility.
The Full Story
Town Manager Search Firm Selected The Board interviewed two finalist firms to guide the recruitment of a successor to the long-serving Town Manager. The Collins Center for Public Management (UMass Boston) and Municipal Resources Inc. (MRI) both presented their methodologies.
While the Board praised the Collins Center’s transparency and past work with the School Committee, members ultimately favored MRI’s broader regional reach and “deep dive” vetting process. Board member David Farrag cited MRI’s ability to conduct a wider search beyond the immediate area, while member Julie Rollins highlighted their multi-layered background check process as a deciding factor.
“We look for talent... we’re not restricting ourselves to simply the cookie cutter town manager. It’s hard for me to say because I was one of them... but there is talent out there and we don’t shut the door to talent.” — Bob Mercier, MRI [[01:02:49]]
Chair Ellen Maher, who initially leaned toward the Collins Center due to a positive past experience, joined her colleagues to make the vote unanimous.
Water Quality: TTHM Levels and Infrastructure Plans Water Commission Chair Chris Pratt and representatives from engineering firm Woodard & Curran addressed the recent regulatory exceedance of Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) in the town’s water supply.
Pratt emphasized that the exceedance is a regulatory issue based on a running annual average, not an emergency. The water remains safe for daily use, bathing, and consumption. The issue stems from the high organic content in Lily Pond reacting with chlorine disinfection.
The Commission outlined a two-phase master plan to address these systemic issues:
Phase 1 (Underway): A complete overhaul of the “sludge lagoons” (residuals management area) to be completed by roughly 2028.
Phase 2 (Future): Construction of a new, larger water treatment plant projected to begin around 2033-2034, similar in scale to the facility currently being built in Scituate.
Pratt noted that while immediate flushing and monitoring adjustments are being made, the TTHM levels will likely remain near or at exceedance levels in the short term due to the nature of the annual averaging calculation.
“People will create information in the absence of information... Not everyone is online... As you need to continue to communicate with the community you have to think of all channels.” — Chair Ellen Maher [[02:14:04]]
RTS Pilot Program Approved To generate additional revenue, the Board reaffirmed its approval of a pilot program for the Recycling Transfer Facility (RTS).
The Plan: Sell 150 stickers to out-of-town residents.
Cost: $300 per sticker.
Restrictions: Residential waste only (no commercial), limited recycling capacity (96 gallons), and charges for yard waste.
Impact: DPW Director Brian Joyce estimates a net revenue gain of over $51,000 with only a negligible (approx. 2%) increase in traffic on Cedar Street.
The stickers will go on sale starting January 23rd.
Why It Matters
For Cohasset residents, the selection of MRI sets the stage for the town’s most significant leadership change in over a decade. The next Town Manager will inherit a AAA bond-rated town but will face immediate headwinds, including a 14% spike in health insurance costs, rising regional assessments, and the need to execute the massive capital improvements described by the Water Commission.
“We can’t control the ocean but we can navigate it. And that’s exactly what we’re going to have to do as a small town... If we don’t take those opportunities to save money when we can, then... the budget isn’t going to balance.” — David Farrag [[02:34:56]]
Official Minutes & Data
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: To appoint Municipal Resources Inc. (MRI) as the professional search firm for Town Manager.
Vote: 4-0 [[01:12:06]]
Motion: To approve the Keep Our Farm a Farm Festival (May 2, 2026) event permit.
Vote: 4-0 [[01:13:50]]
Motion: To approve the RTS Pilot Program as presented by Director Brian Joyce.
Vote: 4-0 [[02:25:32]]
Motion: To approve the renewal of Annual Licenses (Alcohol, Common Victualler, Entertainment, Auto Sales). Note: The Board voted on these in batches.
Vote: 4-0 [[01:18:27]]
Public Comment
No public comment was offered in person or online during the designated session [[01:58]].
What’s Next
Town Manager Search: MRI will begin the process of profiling the community and recruiting candidates.
Water Department: A hydraulic model of the distribution system is expected soon to help identify areas of stagnant water contributing to TTHM levels.
RTS: Out-of-town sticker sales begin January 23, 2026.
Source Video: Cohasset 143 TV