APPROVED
Meeting of the Planning Board subcommittee with the Conservation Commission (ConComm)
August 3, 2016
Present: Maureen Eisner, Pam Goff, Russell Maloney, Peter Cook, Chris Murphy, Chris Alley, John Eisner, Chuck Hodgkinson, Bob Hungerford, Sandy Broyard, Joan Malkin, Candy Shweder, Jennifer Christy, Andy Goldman
Ms. Weidner provided some background on the process so far in the development of the Menemsha Master Plan.
- An update to the Master Plan is long overdue.
- In the winter of 2016, the Board of Selectmen (BOS) were initiating some changes in Menemsha and the Planning Board offered to help with planning and the BOS decided to place their initiatives on hold while a comprehensive plan was attempted.
- The subcommittee has met with many different Town entities and people to obtain a wide range of feedback.
- The subcommittee is starting with a blank canvas and may reaffirm much of what’s in the current Master Plan, but Board members feel it is very important to provide an extended opportunity during which the vision of the townspeople for Menemsha is heard.
- Ms. Weidner emphasized that the Board is developing a Master Plan that will be used by all of the entities of the Town.
- The subcommittee advocates a broad approach and would like to field feedback on any topic.
Ms. Broyard stated the concern of the ConComm is particularly sewage and the wastewater. She clarified that the comfort station waste and the waste from the boats is of particular concern. She recommended that the Menemsha Master Plan make an effort to improve the water in Menemsha. Mr. Hodgkinson stated that the tight tank is in the dunes and this is where the waste that is produced by pump-outs goes. Ms. Broyard and Ms. Shweder stated that the system for waste needs to be reviewed carefully in Menemsha even if there is not an apparent problem right now.
Mr. Alley stated that a small treatment plant in the future may be beneficial.
Ms. Goff stated she would like a large plan of Menemsha that shows all the habitat and wetland in all of Menemsha. She further stated that this would allow the Town to clearly identify what impacts the development in Menemsha has on the habitat. Mr. Alley stated that Doug Cooper could do the map. Mr. Hodgkinson stated that the cost for such a map would be approximately $20,000. Ms. Goff further stated that a portion of the current Master Plan regarding parking still seems to apply.
Ms. Shweder stated that there is a problem with the smaller tour buses and the parking they occupy and the congestion they contribute to on the roads.
Ms. Shweder stated that the walkway is currently not being used heavily in Menemsha. Ms. Goff suggested that the comfort station may need to be closer to the beach, but not in the dunes.
Mr. Alley stated that at some point the Town may need to not provide ever more accommodation OF the increasing traffic into Menemsha through off-site parking and more parking spaces.
The ConComm members inquired if there was any information available regarding the usage of the VTA to the Menemsha beach. Ms. Goff stated that signage for the shuttle may be improved.
Mr. Maloney stated that the shuttle does not have great usage from his view.
Ms. Broyard suggested the addition of compact car spaces. Mr. Maloney suggested banning cars after 5pm except for Chilmark residents. He further suggested that the rest of the cars may park at the off-site lot.
Ms. Goff reiterated that the values expressed in the current Master Plan are still applicable and stated these particular points:
- Keep fishing village as a fishing area
- Keep scale of the buildings
Mr. Hodgkinson stated that Pam Bunker has a map that shows the limits of Menemsha. Ms. Malkin asked Ms. Christy to locate this map.
Ms. Eisner inquired about the possible walkway alongside the DiMaura lot (across from The Bite).
Ms. Goff stated there used to be a dinghy dock behind the transient dock which was a place that if you were less than 18 years of age and you had a boat that was less than 18 feet long (the 18-18 rule) you may tie up there if you are a Chilmark resident.
Ms. Goff suggested that it is important that the slip waiting list and the mooring list be clean and well-maintained and published on the town website.
On the topic of Menemsha being considered as a DCPC, Ms. Goff stated that the Town has a habit of not coming to the Commission for permission for the things they want to do.
The portion of the meeting with the subcommittee adjourned at 2:01PM.
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