Chilmark Board of Selectmen Minutes May 17, 2005
People in attendance: Jonathan Revere, Max Hart, Frank M. Fenner Jr., Warren Doty, J. B. Riggs Parker, Tim Carroll, Debi Cini, William Randol, Thaw Malin, Zee Gamson, Steve Schwab, Chris Cini, Will Parry, Max Hart, Mr. & Mrs. Dennis daRosa, Miss daRosa, Dan Broderick, Dennis Jason, Marc Hanover and Terry Ambulos
7:30 p.m. meeting called to order by Chairman Frank Fenner.
Minutes
The minutes of May 3rd 2005 were approved with corrections.
Steamship Authority
Mr. Marc Hanover came before the board to say that he was focusing on “customer service”. He told the board that there was a good management team in place now. He said that he was open to hearing the Selectmen’s comments.
Mr. Doty praised the online reservation system. Mr. Parker complimented Mr. Hanover on the job he was doing and asked if a rate increase was being looked at. Mr. Hanover said that would be his choice of last resort and that he is looking to more efficient freight boats that can handle more cars per trip and maybe a fuel surcharge like the airlines have. Mr. Parker said he supported Mr. Hanover’s position of not giving extra payments to the town of Tisbury.
Mr. Hanover said he was looking to keep it safe and affordable.
Health Insurance for Firefighters
Captain Will Parry asked the Selectmen to consider the adoption of MGL Chapter 46 section 12 that would allow volunteer firefighters to purchase health insurance from the town at 100% of the cost to the town. He reported that West Tisbury Annual Town Meeting voted to adopt this provision this spring. The Selectmen asked Capt. Parry to investigate the matter further with our treasurer and the Town of West Tisbury. It was agreed to potentially place this article on the Special Town Meeting warrant in September.
Special Town Meeting
Mr. Fenner opened the meeting with a draft order of articles. Mr. Doty and Mr. Parker agreed with that order and then moved to debate the content of the articles
There was discussion. Mrs. daRosa asked why the rental-only issue was coming up now since the Housing Committee had surveyed the town and was recommending a mix. Mr. Parker rebutted. Mrs. Gamson said that the Selectmen gave the consultant the charge of 50%. Mr. Parker disagreed. There was discussion of the level of public participation at Public Hearings and Town Meetings.
Mr. Ambulos said he opposed the order the articles were in and said it should not be written in the negative as it is. Mr. Broderick asked why rental only since it does not help those people looking to stay a permanent part of the community. Mr. Parker said that rental is permanent affordable housing.
Mr. Doty said that many times it has been said, at this table and elsewhere, to only go to Town Meeting with a definitive plan and not to give choices. He said that is not happening this time and he also said that if some of these articles are defeated at the Special Town Meeting, then the plan should be withdrawn and reconsidered. Mr. Fenner said that the Selectmen are behind doing something with this property and it is time for the town to vote on the issues. Mrs. Gamson said she felt that the warrant was obscuring the issues. Mr. Parker disagreed.
Mr. Schwab said he was troubled by the sudden change in the process that has been authorized by town meeting vote for the development of the Homesite Guidelines. There was discussion about Public Hearings, the committee’s role and the approval of the Selectmen. Mr. Parker made the point that the Homesite Guidelines were written for privately owned lands and we are now using public lands.
The board agreed on the order of the first seven articles. F-G-H-I-A-B-J. There was discussion about the funding of this project and the use of CPA funds. Article J calls for $212,000 which represents A&E at an estimate of 10% of construction costs ($177,000), ½ of the legal work at $25,000 and $10,000 to complete the feasability study engineering and survey work. Mr. Doty proposed using $52,000 of previously appropriated CPA funds and $160,000 of new CPA funds. Mr. Doty said that he opposed raising taxes or borrowing for this project. Mr. Parker said that he would not abandon this project if CPA funds were turned down.
The board discussed the three remaining articles. They agreed to their order and changed wording. D-C-E.
Highway
Mr. Doty moved and Mr. Parker seconded a motion to put article 11 and article 12 on the special town meeting warrant for September 13th 2005. SO VOTED: Three Ayes.
Meeting House and Tea Lane
The board read a letter and bill from Jim Glavin on the work performed and yet to be performed. Mr. Doty reported on his site visit with the grader operator. Mr. Parker said not to use black asphalt RAP. The Selectmen decided to have four speed limit signs on each road, one at each end and a double sided sign in the middle. Mr. Fenner and Mr. Parker asked for an increased police presence on Tea Lane.
The board discussed the town’s rights to dump water onto private land and to enter upon private lands. Mr. Fenner proposed doing a monthly grading of these two roads. Mr. Fenner asked for a letter to be sent to the owners of the three private driveways causing damage to Tea Lane with a plan for the repairs needed and a request for them to do the repairs as soon as possible.
The board approved the bill from DECA.
Harbor
Mr. Parker reported that the replacement of the electrical system would not be able to occur this year. He said that the current service should be adequate for this summer. He said that the harbor department might stockpile some electrical components this summer in anticipation of doing the work next spring.
Mr. Parker moved and Mr. Fenner seconded a motion to transfer the Slip Waiting List from the Selectmen’s Office to the Harbor Master to administer after the 2005 waiting list is approved by the Selectmen. SO VOTED: Three Ayes.
Mr. Parker reported on ten people being removed from the mooring list for failure to return forms or make their permit payment. He said one person has complained about being removed and was told that the committee has to follow the rules. He said that there is now movement on the list.
Mr. Fenner told the Harbor Master to hand out copies of the rules when people come in to pick up their permit decals.
Harbor Master Dennis Jason asked the Selectmen to fill two positions. Ryan Rossi as Assistant Wharfinger at Grade 3 step 1. Mr. Parker moved and Mr. Doty seconded. SO VOTED: Three Ayes. It was discussed that Ian Jaffe would be arriving June 16th and be interviewed to take a Assistant Harbor Master position.
The Harbor Master reported the boats were in good shape and that the rubber boat was getting work done now and the aluminum boat was getting a “D” fendering system. He said he wanted to get 15 more spiles next year. Mr. Doty asked why no carway planks were replaced this year as budgeted for. Mr. Jason said that there was no danger and that the funds were used to cover the higher costs of pilings this year. Mr. Doty expressed his concern about the electrical repair warrant article sitting on the books.
Mr. Carroll asked if the Harbor Master was looking to reappoint Richard Steves and Andrew Bluestein. Mr. Jason asked the board to reappoint them as Assistant Harbor Masters. Mr. Parker said he wanted to see their performance evaluations before they were reappointed. Mr. Jason said he would get them done tomorrow. He also said that he is counting on both of them working in the harbor this summer. Mr. Parker said he was not suggesting that they not be reappointed after the evaluations are completed.
Police Move
The Selectmen reviewed two bills from Verizon and Educomp and approved their payment from the Selectmen’s Maintenance budget (UNCLASS). Mr. Doty requested the dumpster be removed and sent to Peaked Hill. The board agreed.
Appointments
The board agreed it wanted to have requests from people to be reappointed. Mr. Parker said the board should review the composition of boards, our recruiting practice and how many boards one person can serve on. Mr. Doty agreed. The board approved the posting of the four job vacancies: Coordinator of Administrative Support, Admin Asst (Planning and Housing), Janitor and Library Associate. Mr. Carroll reported on his meeting with West Tisbury Exec.Sec. and their discussions regarding a shared animal control officer once the current Dog Officer retires June 30th.
Snow and Ice
The board agreed to pay the Morgan bill from the snow and ice account.
Bulkhead Lease
The Selectmen signed the lease for Louis Larsen on lot 5A.
Cape Cod Municipal Health Group
The Selectmen signed a certified copy of the original agreement to be sent to GBS Inc.
School Repairs
Mr. Carroll reviewed emails from the architect.
Preschool Lease
The Selectmen agreed to release the lease to the school and preschool for their comments.
Fire Stations
Mr. Carroll reported on the replacement of the furnaces at the two fire stations.
Comfort Station
Mr. Carroll reported that the electric hot water heater was leaking and would need to be replaced at some point. He was investigating replacing it with an on demand propane unit, but was seeking prices for an electric or standard propane units as well.
Capital Plan Meeting
Mr. Carroll reported on the scheduled meeting with department heads. Mr. Parker said that his meeting with Sovereign Bank was hampered by the absence of a capital plan.
Insurance
Mr. Carroll asked for permission to renew our insurance with MIIA. The board agreed.
Worker’s Compensation Insurance Audit
Mr. Carroll reported that the increase was almost entirely a result of having $38,000 Clerk of the Works on the payroll last fiscal year. He said there would be a charge for half of this fiscal year also.
Local Drop Off
Scheduled to open June 1st. Mr. Doty reported on the remaining work and the need for a punch list to be made up by Mike Renahan. Mr. Fenner asked about a rock to protect the side gate. Mr. Carroll talked about raising the utility mast to accept the telephone line.
Annual Town Meeting Warrant Review
The board reviewed the ATM warrant and what was being done on each project. Mr. Carroll will start working on the generator purchase. The Selectmen reaffirmed the Sunset Policy for warrant articles at the end of the fiscal year.
Meeting adjourned 10:41 PM
Approved: 7 June 2005
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