FINAL
Present for the Community Preservation Committee and attending the meeting were: Andy Goldman, Jane Slater, Warren Doty, Bill Randol and Chuck Hodgkinson. Absent: Karin Wetmore and Russell Maloney. Also attending were Stanley Larsen and Rusty Walton.
Mr. Goldman opened the meeting at 5:00 PM.
1. STANLEY LARSEN DISCUSSION: Mr. Larsen presented a brief history of the island’s white perch commercial fishery and described several reasons for its demise. He proposed the possibility of re-introducing white perch to Squibnocket Pond in an attempt to restore this species, create jobs and support the local economy. He asked the Committee if CPA funds could be used to fund a part or all of this initiative. The Committee asked several questions including whether or not white perch is a native species to the pond, is there a commercial market for white perch, are white perch currently in Squibnocket Pond and is this an invasive species of fish that may threaten other species.
Mr. Doty commented that white perch is an excellent food fish and was harvested as a winter fishery in the early 1900’s from Squibnocket Pond and the Tisbury Great Pond. After further discussion the Committee thanked Mr. Larsen for the idea and agreed it is worthy of further investigation. Ms. Slater offered to provide some follow up information and suggested checking with the state’s Division of Marine Fisheries.
2. STONE WALL RESTORATION: Mr. Goldman thanked and congratulated the Committee for their work on the completed stone wall restorations. He added the voters have also voiced their approval by passing the Warrant Article to expand the project--at the prior evening’s Annual Town Meeting. After discussion the Committee agreed to continue the plan to restore the stone walls on the major public roadways leading to town center. The Committee rejected the suggestion to restore the stone wall on the east side of the Lucy Vincent Beach parking lot for two reasons: 1. Most residents would not see this stone wall on a year-round basis. 2. They do not want people to think the parking lot has expanded due to the significant amount
of clearing that would be required to expose the wall.
After discussion the Committee agreed to investigate the stone walls on State Road west of Beetlebung Corner, on Middle Road east of Town Hall and along the north end of Menemsha Crossroad. Chuck H. will organize a proposal for the Committee’s review.
3. MASSACHUSETTS ESTUARIES PROJECT: Chuck H. summarized the three-year Massachusetts Estuaries Study that is being done on the Tisbury Great Pond. The towns of West Tisbury and Chilmark are sharing fifty percent of the cost. The Commonwealth is funding the balance. Mr. Doty added Bill Wilcox and the MVC are working on a proposal to expand the study to Squibnocket and Quitsa Ponds. Chuck H. mentioned other towns throughout the Commonwealth are participating in the same estuaries study program. He shared some research indicating that the CPC in Westport is recommending for voter approval to use CPA funds to pay for the town’s share of the study’s cost. The Committee agreed to consider this option if and when
the study is expanded in Chilmark.
4. SUMMER STONE WALL SEMINAR: Chuck H. informed the Committee that Robert Thorson, an author and stone wall expert who is affiliated with the University of Connecticut in Storrs, is interested in hosting a special seminar in Chilmark this summer. The Committee agreed to pursue this opportunity further and coordinate it with the Chilmark Historical Commission, MV Historical Society and Chilmark Library. Chuck H. will follow up and report back to the committee.
5. MIDDLE LINE ROAD UPDATE: Mr. Goldman summarized the issues facing the Middle Line Road sub-committee, the RFP and the legal opinions on the use of CPA funds for this program. He added that he believed the CPC should have more direct involvement in the process and proposed appointing a CPC sub-committee comprised of himself, Messrs. Doty and Randol to facilitate better coordination and more direct Committee involvement on the use of CPA funds for this affordable housing program. Mr. Doty made a motion of this proposal. Ms. Slater seconded. The discussion suggested one of the sub-committee’s first tasks should be to gather questions regarding the use of CPA funds and get input on the state level from the Department of Revenue (DOR).
After discussion the motion passed unanimously.
6. MINUTES: The 3/28/06 meeting minutes were reviewed. A motion to approve the minutes as presented was made seconded and unanimously approved.
7. OTHER BUSINESS: Ms. Slater asked for an update on the ice machine for the commercial fishermen in Menemsha Harbor. Mr. Doty responded that L. Larsen would have a smaller machine with capacity of perhaps 4 tons per day. Chuck H. added that he has received two cost estimates for new, 5-ton, salt water ice machines and agreed to organize the two estimates for the Committee’s review at the next meeting. Mr. Doty reminded the Committee that there might be a chance the Governor’s Seaport Council would pay for this equipment.
8. NEXT MEETING: The next CPC meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at 5:00 PM.
With no further business to discuss, a motion to adjourn was made, seconded and unanimously approved. The meeting adjourned at 6:22 PM.
Respectfully submitted, Chuck Hodgkinson, CAS.
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