Chilmark Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 15, 2005.
Meeting opened at 7:30 p.m.
People present: Warren Doty, Frank Fenner, J.B. Riggs Parker, Tim Carroll, Bill Meegan, Richard Osnoss, Mitchell Posin, Lenny Jason Jr., Max Hart, Jonathan Revere, Chris Murphy, Russell Walton, Bill Wilcox, Janet Widener and Nelson Siegelman.
Minutes
March 1, 2005 minutes moved by Riggs Parker seconded by Warren Doty to approve them as amended. So voted.
Joint Meeting with Planning Board
Bill Meegan moved and Rusty Walton seconded a motion to elect Janet Widener to fill the vacancy created by the death of Annabelle Dietz. Unanimous voice vote. Four members of the Planning Board and three Selectmen voted Aye. So voted.
End of joint meeting.
Massachusetts Estuary Project
Bill Wilcox came before the board and said that all Chilmark Ponds have three years of data collected and qualify for the state program. This brings cutting edge science to our ponds. The program will provide three computer models. They are great planning tools to get solutions. It=s a 50-50 share with the state. Tisbury Great Pond will cost $165,000. The town share of $82,500 would be split between the town of West Tisbury and Chilmark. West Tisbury will spread their payments over three years.
The riparian owners will be funding about $1000 a year. Bill Wilcox asked for an article at the special town meeting this September seeking approval for a three-year phase-in at $41,250.
Warren Doty said we have four large ponds. Should we be doing them all or just Tisbury Great Pond? He said special attention has been given to Chilmark Pond for nitrogen loading, Menemsha Pond flushes well and Squibnocket Pond does not flush.
Frank Fenner asked what the time line would be. Bill Wilcox said that first sediment cores are taken of the bottom, then second a survey of beneficent organisms would be made this summer and that they might get around to a survey of circulation if we have a good opening of the great pond this year. Rusty Walton said that flow meters on all the streams coming in to Tisbury Great Pond would be measured. Bill Wilcox said that wastewater amounts to 50% of the nitrogen loading and that a little less than 50% is from acid rain. Frank asked what level animal wastes contributed to the problem of nitrogen loading. Mr. Wilcox said the animals that live in the pond just recycle the same nutrients. Some animals that consume food off-site and then fly back to the ponds could bring
nutrients into the pond system.
Mr. Parker recommended to recommend to the special town meeting to approve a warrant article. Mr. Fenner and Mr. Doty agreed.
Mr. Wilcox will send Mr. Carroll an e-mail with more information about Chilmark Pond.
Harbor
Harbor Master Dennis Jason proposed raising the per foot transient rate of $2.25 to $2.50 per foot. He said it was $2.75-$3 in Oak Bluffs, $2.25 in Cuttyhunk, Vineyard Haven was $2.50 and in Nantucket it was between $4.00 and $4.75.
Mr. Fenner moved and Mr. Parker seconded a motion to hold a public hearing on raising the transient fee to $2.50 per foot and to raise the mooring permit application fee to $100 from $50. SO VOTED: Three Ayes.
Public Hearing scheduled for April 5.
Chris Murphy
Mr. Murphy said he was looking to get out of the fishing industry and wanted to give his Creek Lot to a commercial fisherman. He said he couldn=t find anyone suitable in town. He asked the Selectmen to allow Scott Stevens to moor his boat at this creek lot.
Mr. Parker said he wants to do everything possible to keep the area available to commercial fishermen. Mr. Doty was worried about setting a precedent. Mr. Doty said that they already have one creek lot in limbo with a non-resident now occupying it. Scott Stevens has fished out of Menemsha Pond for a long time. The Selectmen agreed to the request on a one-time basis for this lease season only, 2005.
Diane Emin
Mrs. Emin had written a letter questioning if Peaked Hill was going to be included in the mix for affordable housing. She said she wanted it all out there for the town meeting to discuss when the Middle Line Road is discussed. She said she wants to include an investigation into the future use of Peaked Hill Pastures.
Mr. Parker said the town ought to have a policy about what it will use various town lands for. He said it was possible to word an article more generically, not on the specific property to determine the uses. Mr. Doty said we can only look at what is available to the town. Diane Emin said she supports youth lots on the Middle Line Road over rentals and she suggested the rentals should go in Peaked Hill Pastures.
Middle Line Road Project
Mr. Doty gave a review of material regarding Plan C. Mr. Carroll gave the Martha=s Vineyard Times a copy of the report for them to scan into a PDF file have available for the public on their web page Thursday.
The Housing Committee joint meeting with the Selectmen and Finance Advisory Committee is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. tomorrow to review the financial model. The plan uses CPA funds to cover the shortfall from the annualized rents to cover the mortgage of the property development.
Discussion was had on having a special town meeting on the night of Annual Town Meeting. Diane Emin asked for an additional article on the special town meeting regarding the use of Peaked Hill Pastures. Nelson Siegelman asked what the Plan C was. He said only plans A & B were talked about at the last public hearing. He asked the selectmen if there had been enough public process. Mr. Doty said that Plan C was in response to the input at the public hearing. Nelson asked if there may be a plan D. Mr. Doty said yes, and maybe an E, F or G. He said more planning is needed.
Mr. Leonard Jason Jr said that this was important and that we were cramming too much into too short a time. He said it was important to be done right the first time. He said everybody in the town should be on the same page and know what is being decided.
Treasurer Voluntary Disability Insurance Plan
Melanie Becker reported that she had been working with Richard Williams of the Personnel Board to provide disability insurance to employees. Glenn from Boston Mutual Insurance Company presented a short-term and a longer-term proposals to the Selectmen.
Mr. Parker directed the treasurer to go to the Personnel Board for their recommendation and suggested that she go to this Friday. Mr. Fenner questioned the rates. Mr. Doty said that the board was taking this under advisement and generally agreed to offer a plan to the employees, but that the town wanted a chance for the Personal Board to review. Mr. Parker suggested having Frank Yeomans look at it also. Mrs. Becker said she and Mr. Yeomans looked at it already. It was agreed to put it on the agenda for April 5th.
Cape Cod Municipal Health Group
The management office had burned down last year and the signed contracts were lost. They asked the town to sign a new contract. Mr. Carroll said that the Town Accountant should be in possession of the town=s copy of the original contract. Mr. Parker moved and Mr. Doty seconded a motion to research the old contract and compare it to the new contract. SO VOTED: Three Ayes.
Triskelion Arts
Triskelion Arts came before the board requesting free use of the Community Center for a three day dance performance on April 29, 30 and May 1. They are asking for a $5.00 donation from each attendee. No one would be refused entrance for failing to make the donation. Mr. Fenner moved and Mr. Parker seconded a motion to approve this one-time use. SO VOTED: Three Ayes.
Annual Town Meeting
The board signed the Annual Town Meeting warrant approved at the March 1, 2005 meeting.
Clay Rights
Mr. Parker moved and Mr. Fenner seconded a motion to sign the Order of Taking for the Middle Line Road subsurface rights and easement authorized by Annual Town Meeting April 2004. SO VOTED: Three Ayes.
Position Descriptions
The chairman signed the final copies of the Coordinator of Administrative Support and the Receptionist/Assistant the Executive Secretary position descriptions.
Up Island Financial Task Group
The board agreed to wait see what happens and act accordingly.
Resignations
Elizabeth Picket-Gray resigned as Chilmark=s representative on the MVTV board of directors. It was agreed to post the vacancy.
Police Station
Mr. Parker said Tim Carroll has done a good job pulling together this project to get the Police Department moved into the Menemsha School.
Chilmark Elementary School
Mr. Carroll presented a quote for $2,350 to install a directional cap on the furnace chimney. The board agreed we should seek another price for the chimney cap and to proceed once we find a decent price.
Cell Towers
Frank Fenner asked if the Planing Board was working on Cell sites. Mr Doty said that the town meeting minutes said that the Selectmen would do that work. It was agreed that Mr. Fenner would call Paul Pettigrove and ask if he could help the town pro bono.
Sick and Vacation
Mr. Carroll reported on his discussion of expectations with Mr. Parker and what he would be providing in the next report.
Performance Reviews
Mr. Parker said they are required to be done before in Annual Town Meeting.
Police
Mr. Parker moved that a congratulations letter be sent to Jeff Day on his graduation from the police academy. The board agreed.
Employee Assistance Program
Mr. Carroll reported that on April 1 the town hall will be closed in the morning for a staff training program. The session is on avoiding and diffusing conflict through assertive and effective communication. It is going to be taught by the Health Resources Co. It will be preceded by an orientation for supervisors and employees of the employee assistance program.
Motion to adjourn 9:45 p.m.
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