Chilmark Board of Selectmen Minutes November 2, 2004
Present: Warren M. Doty, Frank M. Fenner, Jr.,J.B.Riggs Parker, Tim Carroll, Max Hart, Jonathan Revere, Stanley Larsen, Bob Flanders, Emmett Carroll, Louis Larsen, Dennis Jason, Leslie Weiss, John Larsen, Steve Gallas.
Meeting called to order at 7:30 PM in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room at the Town Hall.
Minutes
Minutes of October 19th postponed.
Shellfish
Shellfish Constable Stanley Larsen reported on the location of the natural set of Bay Scallops in Quitsa and Menemsha Ponds. The other shell-fishermen present were asked if they knew of other locations. Bob Flanders replied that he would not tell other people where the scallops were as it would be like going to your own funeral. John Larsen said that there was seed along Chaulker’s creek last year and there should be scallops there this year. Mr. Flanders said the orange growth should be dredged out of Chaulker’s to improve the habitat.
Constable Larsen requested that the public be allowed to dredge everywhere except for two areas, Muddy Cove to Eddy’s Island - near to Everett Poole and off James Taylor’s in Menemsha Pond. Louis Larsen suggested that the old dying eel grass needed to be “mowed out” by towing dredges to make sure that the scallop spat attaches to hardy new growth in the spring and not dead grass that will just wash out to sea in the spring taking the seed with it. He advocated “mowing” the eel grass down to sand during the scallop season. Mr. Flanders agreed with Mr. Larsen. There was discussion
Mr. Parker moved and Mr. Fenner seconded a motion to open the commercial scallop season immediately, not allow dredges in buoyed areas to protect seed, 2 bushel limit. SO VOTED: Three Ayes.
The Selectmen opened discussion on the state of the Oyster fishery in Tisbury Great Pond. Mr. Doty said that there were no oysters. Constable Larsen said there were no oysters to talk about. Mr. Louis Larsen said that he and Karsten Larsen towed the open area and found none to harvest.
Constable Larsen made a proposal to have a 3/4 square mile shellfish grant located off of Nomansland Island for raising Mussels. There was discussion. Louis Larsen suggested the Selectmen appoint a committee to investigate this. John Larsen said that there is a lot of lobster gear in that area. Constable Larsen said that the town should be looking for future opportunities that our children will be able to fish. Bob Flanders said that such a proposal could help reinforce Chilmark’s existing jurisdiction over Nomansland Island in the future. Emmett Carroll said that the research has already been done in the waters off Gay Head and should be available to the town. Mr. Parker said the Selectmen would do what they can to support
aquaculture. Constable Larsen was told to bring the Selectmen back a proposal for what a three member committee would look into.
Menemsha Cleaning
Steve Gallas came before the Selectmen and said that the three year contract for Menemsha trash collection and restroom cleaning was expiring. He requested that the Selectmen reissue the solicitation for bids to provide this service as soon as possible. He said that he would need to know by January if he was going to do the service again because that was the deadline to seek work visas for the people he hires. The Selectmen requested that he provide them with statistics for the past year so that a solicitation could be made. He said he would get them to the board. Mr. Parker moved and M. Fenner seconded a motion to develop an RFP as soon as possible. SO VOTED: Three Ayes.
Beach Committee
Leslie Weiss came before the board to discuss the beach department’s expenditures and revenues. There was discussion. The Selectmen asked for the number of stickers sold in each category for November 12th.
Middle Line Road RFP for Consultant
The Selectmen agreed to meet on November 8th 2004 at 4:00 PM to award the Middle Line Road Consultant project. The evaluation committee was invited to attend.
Landfill Capping
The board of Selectmen signed a letter-of-intent to grant Nstar an easement to instal a utility pole on the landfill property if approved by the Annual Town Meeting.
Vacancies on Town Boards
The Selectmen agreed to interview candidates at their meeting November 16th. Mr. Parker said that Kristen Henriksen should reapply with the other candidates since she had already resigned.
School Repairs
Mr. Carroll reviewed the recommendations of Doug Stefanov with the Selectmen. The board agreed to approve a change order from A.P.Whitaker that included PCO’s B, F, G & H, but not PCO D. The Selectmen agreed to pay Capital Carpet their remaining bill less $1,500 for cleaning up after the installers.
Town Accountant
The Selectmen were concerned about the wrong totals on the Menemsha School/Police Station report. They agreed to review these reports and provide comments back on November 8th.
Treasurer
The purchase of Compass Bank by Sovereign Bank has required the Treasurer to open a new payroll account. Sovereign has different signature card requirements. Mr. Parker moved and Mr. Fenner seconded a motion to recognize that the Treasurer has the legal authority to open bank accounts in the name of the town and to sign the signature card. SO VOTED: Three Ayes.
Harbor
Mr. Parker provided a copy of an estimate for electrical work that needs to be done at the harbor. He said he will be working with the Harbor Master on the details of what gets replaced.
Agendas
Mr. Parker requested that the Executive Secretary post copies of the draft agenda on Fridays. Mr. Carroll said it was the Chairman’s discretion. Mr. Doty said that it would be ok to post the draft agendas.
Meeting adjourned at 9:22 PM.
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