Chilmark Board of Selectmen Minutes July 19, 2005
People in attendance: Jonathan Revere, Frank M. Fenner Jr., J. B. Riggs Parker, Warren Doty, Tim Carroll, David Norton, Will Parry, Phil Smith, Steve Gallas, Angie Gompert & Martina Mastromonaco.
7:33 p.m. meeting called to order by Chairman Frank Fenner.
Minutes
The minutes of June 21st were approved with the deletion of Mr. Fenner’s comment under Harbor.
The minutes of July 5th were approved with the deletion of the first line and inserted “same date” under Harbor.
Work Hours
Mr. Parker moved and Mr. Doty seconded a motion to ask the Personnel Board to develop a policy for work hours. SO VOTED: Three Ayes.
VTA
Angela Gompert came before the board to request permission to co-locate a radio for the Vineyard Transit Authority on the Peaked Hill radio tower. She reported that the frequencies the VTA is issued are Public Safety and the FCC considers them a member of public safety. The VTA is a part of the emergency plans in every town and is linked to the state emergency management agency.
She reported that they had done an “inter-modulation” study and would not be interfering with other licensed radio users and that the site worked for the purpose of linking the VTA buses together. Mr. Fenner said that if allowed on the tower, they could not interfere with existing users. Ms. Gompert said that the new radio system would allow them to put out instant island wide announcements on each bus and also coordinate with other public safety entities in an emergency.
Martina Mastromonaco said that “229" the ambulance channel was not on the tower yet and hoped that the VTA would not impact future installation of that channel. Mr. Doty told the VTA that it would have to cooperate with all the present agencies on the tower and the EMS frequency. Ms. Gompert said she would get another inter-modulation study done.
Mr. Parker moved and Mr. Doty seconded a motion to authorize the VTA to install a transmitter on the existing Peaked Hill Public Safety Tower contingent upon the consent of the Fire Chief, Police Chief and the US Coast Guard. SO VOTED: Three Ayes.
Ms. Gompert announced a schedule change to the in-town beach bus. It will no longer operate “on-demand” in the afternoon but will be scheduled. This should actually increase service a small amount.
Mr. Doty reported that a Martha’s Vineyard Sightseeing Bus was in Menemsha last weekend in violation of the Selectmen’s prohibition on tour buses during July and August. He asked Mr. Carroll to call the company and prohibit the buses from using Menemsha.
Volunteer Firemen’s Association
Steve Gallas came before the board regarding Health Insurance for volunteer fire fighters and emts. He requested that the local adoption be on the Special Town Meeting in September. Mr. Parker asked Mr. Gallas to pass the regulations through the Personnel Board chairman Jennie Greene. The Selectmen asked for draft regulations on who and how volunteers are eligible for the health insurance and for a proposal on how to handle billing issues that might come up. Mr. Smith suggested that perhaps the association could set up a revolving fund to cover the monthly bill when necessary if a member was unable to cover their obligation one month. Mr. Will Parry commended Treasurer Melanie Becker for finding inexpensive health insurance options and said
that perhaps a future offering could be a catastrophic health policy.
Fire Chief
Chief David Norton requested the reactivation of the fire sprinkler system at the Elementary School. The board discussed the poor service the town had received from the installer, FSS, and outstanding concerns regarding the safety of the system. The Selectmen agreed to have Doug Steffanov restart working on this problem. Chief Norton will give Mr. Carroll the names of some other vendors to look into using them.
Chief Norton asked for a key to the Local Drop Off for use in emergencies. The Selectmen agreed that he had an obvious need and he should have a key. They directed him to speak to the Board of Health to get a key to both gates.
Fire Chief left on a fire call.
Generator
Mr. Carroll asked the Selectmen for permission to locate the shared generator for the Town Hall and Fires Station along the Middle Road side of the Town Hall adjacent to the electrical service. Mr. Cole Powers quoted a price $5-7,000 less to locate the generator there instead of behind the ambulance barn. The Selectmen agreed to locate the generator and propane tank along Middle Road in such a manner to make it as difficult to notice as possible.
Tea Lane
The board reviewed the letter drafted by Kent Healy to be sent to certain landowners along Tea Lane.
Dog Officer (Animal Control Officer)
Mr. Carroll reported that Martina Mastromonaco was the only applicant for the job, though others had asked about the position and two had taken applications out, but not returned them. Mr. Fenner asked what happened when Mrs. Mastromonaco exceeded forty hours a week. Mrs. Mastromonaco said that she was not paid overtime for the Beach Superintendent job since it was seasonal. Mrs. Mastromonaco asked the Selectmen what the town was going to do about a pound and other operational matters. There was discussion about the scope of the job. Mrs. Mastromonaco said she was considering purchasing a small pick-up truck with a cap to transport the animals. She asked what the other equipment needs were. She said that she had some police
training and was already in uniform working for other town departments and she would like this job. She suggested combining her existing jobs with this one.
Mr. Parker said that a proposal was needed so Mrs. Mastromonaco will know what is expected of her and he asked her to meet with Mr. Renahan. Mr. Fenner asked that a meeting be scheduled with Mike Renahan, Martina Mastromonaco, Tim Rich, Frank Fenner, Keith Emin and Tim Carroll this Thursday or Friday morning around 10 AM.
Mr. Carroll said that the West Tisbury Executive Secretary had called him today and told him that her town was still interested in building a shared pound. He suggested possibly having an article in September at the STM.
Squibnocket Beach
Mr. Doty told the board that he had gone to Squibnocket Beach this weekend for an evening swim and encountered a sign posted by the Beach Committee at the request of the abutting land owner that said “end of town beach and no trespassing on private property” to the east of the parking lot. He said that he felt that the community had lost access to a stretch of beach traditionally available to them.
The situation was discussed. The board designated Mr. Parker to speak with Town Counsel regarding this.
Appointments
Mr. Doty moved and Mr. Parker seconded a motion to make the following appointments:
Frank LoRusso Zoning Board of Appeals - 2010
William Rossi Zoning Board of Appeals - 2010
Wendy Weldon Alternate to Zoning Board of Appeals
Barbara Armstrong Alternate to Zoning Board of Appeals
Michael Halbreich Conservation Commission Member
Pamela White Conservation Commission Member
Kathryn Cerick Conservation Commission Associate Member
Louis S. Larsen Harbor Advisory Committee
Paul H. Mayhew “ ” “
Gregory Mayhew “ ” “
Donald Poole “ ” “
James D. Morgan “ ” “
Scott McDowell “ ” “
Alexander Preston “ ” “
Alexander Preston Mooring Assignment Committee
J. B. Riggs Parker “ ” “
Lois Norton Personnel Board - 2008
Steve Schwab Housing Committee
Andrew Goldman “ ”
William Randol “ ”
Phil Smith Community Preservation Committee
Mitch Posin “ ” “
Bruce Bartels “ ” “
Leslie Weiss Beach Committee
Judy Herman “ ”
Josh Scott “ ”
Arlen Wise “ ”
Liz Zane “ ”
SO VOTED: Three Ayes.
Fire Chief
Chief Norton returned and asked to address the generator location. He said that the law required certain set backs from the property line and the anchoring of the propane tank if buried. He also said that he had $2,000 more in the public safety grant to put towards the generator.
The Selectmen asked Mr. Carroll to mock up the locations for the generator and tank tomorrow. They will inspect them later this week.
Middle Line Road
Mr. Doty reported on his sub-committee’s meeting Saturday with Town Counsel. He said that the next step was to issue an RFP for a developer to do the project. The sub-committee is going to look over the RFP used by Edgartown for their affordable project. Legal Counsel recommended doing nothing else until the RFP is completed. The Selectmen would issue this RFP then the town could vote on a Home Rule petition for leasing more than ten years and other desirable terms to solve any technical problems. He said they have set a deadline of August 1st for their next meeting.
Mr. Parker asked for a list of steps from Town Counsel. Mr. Doty agreed that every step needs to be approved by the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Parker suggested the Planning Board might also need to approve the steps.
MV Refuse Disposal & Resource Recovery District
Mr. Fenner and Mr. Doty agreed to return to paying the semi-annual assessments instead of making monthly payments.
Local Drop Off
Mr. Carroll apprised the board of a senior citizen who claims to have broken his ankle at the new LDO and the actions taken by him and Mr. Renahan.
Town Accountant
The board agreed to use Section 123 if necessary to transfer departmental surpluses to cover deficits with the FINCOM.
Tribe - Defense of Zoning
The Selectmen agreed to authorize Special Legal Counsel to cease Chilmark’s participation by amicus curiae in the Aquinnah lawsuit now that the Massachusetts Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the Town of Aquinnah and decided that the Tribe is subject to the terms of the settlement agreement and through it, zoning on certain lands.
Cape Light Compact
Mr. Doty moved and Mr. Parker seconded a motion to join the Cape Light Compact in supporting the new legislation allowing net metering of electrical service to encourage local production of energy by alternate means. SO VOTED: Three Ayes.
Community Center
Mr. Carroll reported on the July 10th meeting of the Chilmark Town Affairs Council. The CTAC is interested in pursuing a swimming pool to reactivate their swimming program. They are also looking to celebrate their Fiftieth Anniversary next year.
Leases
The board signed two bulkhead leases. Mr. Fenner asked to schedule a discussion on the Menemsha Leases in September.
Zoning Bylaws
Mr. Parker reported that the zoning bylaws have been re-posted on the web and are ready to be reprinted now. He said Chuck and Debi deserve credit for this project.
Harbor
Mr. Parker reported that the plan for the west dock should be ready in July.
Police Contract
Mr. Parker reported that he spoke to Sergeant Klarén. He said that the police association only wanted to update the names and dates on the existing contract. Mr. Doty said that it would be good to have a three year term on this next contract.
Mr. Fenner said that he would like to bring vacation and sick time in line with the town’s personnel bylaw. Mr. Doty said that getting this signed as is and done for three years would be good for the town. There was discussion.
The Selectmen agreed to meet again on Saturday July 23rd to discuss strategy to negotiate the Police Labor Contract renewal at 9 AM in Executive Session.
Cable TV
The board asked Jonathan Revere, cameraman from MVTV, to raise any concerns regarding the COMCAST buy out of Adelphia. The Selectmen said they support the continuation of the public access corporation. Mr. Revere said that it appears that COMCAST will honor the existing contract and agreements.
Meeting adjourned at 10:15 PM
APPROVED: 2 August 2005
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