Cohasset Select Board hears state update, town project progress

For more South Shore news, subscribe to our weekly newsletter. 

COHASSET – The Cohasset Select Board hears from state legislators about the fiscal 2026 budget and to receive updates on major town facility projects at the August 19 meeting.

State Sen. Patrick O’Connor and Rep. Joan Meschino gave an overview of the state’s $61 billion budget and how it affects Cohasset. The legislators noted that the town will see $5.73 million in total allocations, including $3.3 million in Chapter 70 school aid and $640,000 in unrestricted general government aid.

“This year’s budget was $61 billion, which actually was a decrease from what the consensus revenue is,” O’Connor said. “It incorporates 43.6 billion of tax revenue forecasted. So as you can see, the delta of about $16 billion is typically what we get from the federal government.”

Meschino pointed to new investments in housing authorities, roadway funds, and school meal programs. She emphasized that local needs had been reflected in the budget process. “Any dollar on either side of the equation is a dollar in the pocket of municipality,” she said.

The legislators also outlined funding directed to Cohasset-specific organizations, including $30,000 for Raising Harts, a nonprofit serving families affected by autism, and $100,000 for the South Shore Arts Center.

On policy matters, O’Connor described legislation to mandate financial literacy education, create a “bell to bell” cell phone ban in schools, and expand state assistance to municipal buildings beyond libraries and schools. “We need to expand that out to municipal buildings,” he said. “The state needs to find a way to create a funding mechanism to get money to communities to supplement 30, 40 percent of construction costs.”

Meschino highlighted bills addressing community media funding, affordable housing protections, and natural land preservation. She told the board, “It’s about trying to create value of those natural and working lands. So for us it’s the watershed or salt marshes or things like that.”

Town Manager Chris Senior reported on several local projects, including progress at Town Hall, sewer plant improvements, and the public safety building.

He said fire alarm and suppression work has begun at Town Hall, with bids coming in under budget. HVAC design planning is underway, and a design professional will be hired to oversee larger contracts.

“The next phase is to bring on design professional, help manage some of these larger contracts as they go through,” Senior said.

At the sewer plant, a recent bid also came in under budget, drawing six bidders. Senior said this could be a good sign as the town prepares for the public safety building bidding process. “We’re getting some good signals about the number of people participating in the process,” he told the board.

Board members stressed the importance of keeping residents informed about project progress and costs. “One of our goals for the year on all topics is to be as transparent as possible,” said Clerk Julie Rollins.

Senior said future updates will continue in weekly communications and through community videos. He also announced that a groundbreaking ceremony for the library pavilion project is expected in early October.