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 argued the process lacked transparency and violated the original intent of the land’s conservation. The meeting also saw the approval of an all-alcohol license for the South Shore Music Circus and a heated discussion regarding the future design of the Elm Street fire station.
The Full Story
The primary conflict of the evening centered on Article 26, a citizen petition brought forward by members of the Open Space Committee, including Virginia LeClair and Adam Norman. The petitioners are seeking to affirm the original 1917 deed restrictions for Wheelwright Park, which they argue should prohibit the construction of a 160-foot telecommunications monopole and the clearing of approximately 30 trees.
“The board is of the impression that due process and clear intent has not been made,” LeClair stated, noting that the Open Space Committee was never formally consulted before the project moved toward construction. Petitioners also raised concerns that the “no net loss” mitigation land swap—a parcel on Route 3A—is essentially a “swamp” and not a viable recreational replacement for the two acres being disturbed in the park.
Select Board member David Farrag delivered a forceful defense of the project, highlighting that the 2022 Town Meeting vote passed by over two-thirds and had been reviewed by the state legislature and the Attorney General. Farrag characterized the tower as a non-negotiable public safety improvement for a “triangle” of dead zones affecting Sandy Beach, Atlantic Avenue, and Jerusalem Road.
“It’s been stamped and approved by everybody except for the Pope. ... If anyone gets injured in Wheelwright Park, they better hope they’re in the right place because they’re not going to be able to make a phone call.” [0:28:52]— David Farrag, Select Board
The Board eventually agreed to have legal counsel investigate whether a portion of the tower’s revenue could be diverted into a revolving fund specifically for Wheelwright Park maintenance.
In other business, the Board held a public hearing for the South Shore Music Circus, which applied to convert its wine and malt license into an “all-alcohol” on-premises license under new state legislation. General Manager Ross Roncelli explained the move was driven by customer demand for canned cocktails and variety. The Board approved the change, with member David Farrag jokingly hoping the venue wouldn’t end up on an episode of “Bar Rescue”.
The future of Cohasset’s fire services also remains in flux. Fire Chief John Dockray expressed frustration over the “placeholder” Article 16 for the redesign of the Elm Street station. Confusion arose regarding whether the town will proceed with a two-bay station at 135 King Street or consolidate equipment—including a 30-year-old inflatable boat currently stored outside—entirely at Elm Street. The Board agreed to schedule a specialized working session with the Fire Department and union representatives to solidify a cohesive plan before Town Meeting.
Finally, the Board reviewed the preliminary FY27 budget of $58.7 million, noting that health insurance and benefits now account for $12.5 million, or roughly 20% of total spending.
Why It Matters
For Cohasset residents, the Wheelwright Park debate represents a fundamental tension between preserving historic open space and modernizing infrastructure for emergency response. The outcome of the citizen petition at Town Meeting will determine if the town can move forward with a project it deems essential for 911 reliability or if legal and conservation hurdles will force a total relocation. Additionally, the shift in fire station planning suggests that residents may soon be asked to fund a significant capital project at Elm Street rather than the previously discussed King Street expansion.
Official Minutes & Data
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: To appoint David Farrag as Clerk of the Select Board following the resignation of Julie Rollins.
Vote: Unanimous ([04:15])
Motion: To approve the change to an on-premises all-alcoholic beverage license for South Shore Playhouse Associates (South Shore Music Circus).
Vote: Unanimous ([11:00])
Motion: To recommend Article 17 (Wastewater Treatment Plant System Upgrades Design) to the Town Meeting floor for a $1 million bond authorization.
Vote: Unanimous ([01:31:27])
Motion: To approve Cohasset entering into the state’s MEMA mutual aid program.
Vote: Unanimous ([03:26])
Public Comment
No residents spoke during the initial public comment period. However, extensive public input was provided during the discussions on Article 25 (Noise Control/Leaf Blowers) and Article 26 (Wheelwright Park). Fran Collins, petitioner for Article 25, argued that gasoline-powered leaf blowers are “terribly intrusive” and urged a transition to electric alternatives to reduce noise and air pollution.
What’s Next
Advisory Committee Meeting: Scheduled for March 11 to vote on recommendations for the noise and cell tower petitions.
Select Board Working Session: A special meeting will be coordinated with Fire Chief John Dockray and the firefighters’ union to finalize the Elm Street station design plan.
Town Meeting: Final warrants and the budget will be presented for voter approval in early May.
Source Video: Town of Cohasset - Select Board March 10, 2026
Thank you for reporting on this issue, however an important point was greatly missed. We, the Cohasset Open Space & Recreation Committee, want to be unequivocally clear: we are not opposed to improving cell service or to investments in public safety. In fact, ensuring reliable communication, especially during emergencies, is a top priority we fully support.
Our concern is not the goal, but the process. We strongly dispute the manner in which this project has advanced and the lack of transparency or data-driven justification for the proposed location in Wheelwright Park.
We are formally requesting that the Town present a comprehensive, independent study demonstrating that this site is the only viable location capable of delivering the necessary level of coverage. This analysis should include objective comparisons to alternative sites, such as the Transfer Station which, given its similar distance and elevation, may be capable of achieving comparable public safety outcomes without disrupting our limited town land.
The Committee is also deeply concerned by what appears to be a disregard for the protection and stewardship of public open space in the decision-making process.
We urge the Town Manager and Select Board to provide the documentation and analysis necessary to ensure that any action taken is both justified and in the best long-term interest of the community.