Chilmark Board of Selectmen August 21, 2012 Meeting Minutes
Present: Chairman Jonathan Mayhew, Warren Doty, Bill Rossi, Tim Carroll, Jonathan Revere, Chuck Hodgkinson, Krishana Collins, Cindy Wansiewicz, Geoghan Coogan, Pam Bunker,
Steve Lewenberg, Joan Malkin, Dick Smith, Wayne Iacono, Kristin Maloney, Clarissa Allen,
Jen Jamgochian-Wlodyka, Ambulance Chief Paul Wilkins.
At 7:30 pm Chairman Mayhew called meeting to order in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room.
Minutes:
Draft minutes from Selectmen’s August 7, 2012 meeting were reviewed. A punctuation correction was made. Mr. Rossi moved to approve minutes as corrected. Mr. Doty seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Tri –Town Ambulance:
Chief Wilkins is present to request that the Selectmen appoint Ben Retmier a permanent employee as Deputy Chief. Mr. Wilkins said Mr. Retmier has completed the evaluation period and is satisfied with his performance.
Chief Wilkins also requested that the Selectmen extend the temporary appointment of Matthew Montanile for another 30 days. Chief Wilkins would like Selectmen to approve advertising this 37 hour position. Chief Wilkins said he is very pleased with Mr. Montanile’s performance.
Mr. Doty moved to approve appointing Deputy Chief Ben Retmier as a permanent employee of the Tri Town Ambulance department. Mr. Rossi seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Mr. Doty moved to extend temporary hire of Matthew Montanile an additional 30 days. Mr. Rossi seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Mr. Rossi moved to post vacancy for the 37 hr. position at the Tri-Town Ambulance. Mr. Doty seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Mr. Rossi recommended that “Strong in house candidate” be placed in the advertisement.
Tea Lane Farm:
Krishana Collins presented the Selectmen with three bouquets of flowers as part of her appreciation for tonight’s lease signing and purchase of the Tea Lane Farm buildings.
Town Counsel Cindy Wansiewicz presented Ms. Collins and her Lawyer Mr. Coogan with the Historic restrictions paperwork, the ground lease and the building purchasing paperwork.
Ms. Collins signed paperwork and supplied a check for the 75 year ground lease in the amount of $20,000 and paid a 1972 Eisenhower silver dollar for the purchase of the buildings on the Tea Lane Farm land.
The Selectmen and persons who have worked hard in finding a farmer for the Tea Lane Farm were very happy to see that Ms. Collins begin her farm plan and wish her great success.
Affordable Housing Trust
Mr. Doty moved to deposit the $20,000.00 ground lease fee into the Molly Flender Affordable Housing Trust. Mr. Rossi seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Martha’s Vineyard Little League:
Chairman Mayhew asked if the Town of Chilmark would consider becoming involved financially in the support of another baseball field beside the Vera Park field in Tisbury. The Selectmen supported the idea of an island wide approach to funding the second field. Mr. Mayhew recommended a per child basis for the financial support. No formal action was taken at this time.
Rotary Club:
MV Rotary Club requests the use of the Chilmark Community Center as a rest area for the Cycle MV event to be held Sunday October 14, 2012. Mr. Doty moved to approve request. Mr. Rossi Seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Mr. Rossi recommended that the Rotary Club set up rented porta potties for this event.
South Road Drainage:
The Deitrich’s on South Road have asked for support from the Chilmark Selectmen in their ongoing problem of water runoff from State Road into their property. In their letter addressed to the State ten years ago Mr.Deitrich explained their problem; that the runoff water washes out their driveway as well as ending up near where their household well is located. They are concerned about road contaminants getting into their drinking water.
Mr. Doty moved to have the Selectmen’s office write a letter of support for the Deitrich family. Mr. Rossi seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Menemsha Traffic & Parking:
Mr. Doty said that this year the lack of parking in Menemsha continues to be a growing problem. He reported on counts he made at sunset of vehicles not parked in formal spaces. Mr. Rossi recommended this should be an issue the Selectmen work on this fall and winter.
Menemsha Peddlers
Tim Carroll asked that the peddler law be addressed when the traffic issue is being worked on this winter. The Board discussed some violations they had witnessed this year.
Clean Vessel Act
Mr. Carroll said that while working on repairs to the harbor under Phase 3, he had researched fixing the Pump-Out Station. He said that the Division of Marine Fisheries will pay 75% of the cost to upgrade/repair the pump-out through a federal grant program they administer.
Mr. Rossi moved to look into and proceed with the Clean Vessels Act program for Menemsha Harbor. Mr. Doty seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Chairman Mayhew asked that the town seek state enforcement of the CVA regarding the Steamship Authority.
Lightning Strike / North Road Fire Station:
Mr. Carroll presented the Selectmen information on the emergency repairs being made to the North Road Fire station after the building was struck by lightning. Mr. Bunker, the town custodian, has solicited estimates. One from Chris McCloud estimated the repair to cost $1,600.00. Mr. Carroll said he will look into the possibility of having lightning rods on the town buildings.
Preschool Bathroom:
Mr. Carroll presented the Selectmen with an update on the Preschool Bathroom Project.
Mr. Knight has uncovered unforeseen rot and damage in the school. The work to replace areas that where discovered to have rot are estimated to cost between $5,000.00 to $10,000.00 extra.
Discussion about the overall condition of the school structure ensued. Mr. Carroll suggested a walk through inspection by Principal Ms. Stevens, Selectmen and Knight Builders after the construction of the bathroom is completed. Mr. Doty recommended a professional inspection be scheduled of the condition of the building.
Veterans Affairs Contract:
The office of Senator Brown copied the Selectmen on the letter they sent to Mr. Ng director of the VA Department concerning the lack of a contract with the MV Hospital and the resultant lack of services to veterans. Mr. Carroll said Selectmen’s office has received a response letter from Mr. Ng. with his statement that the contract was progressing and in the final external review process.
Mr. Mayhew recommended a letter be sent to Senator Brown thanking him for his efforts and encouraging the finalization of this contract for island veterans.
Wampanoag Powwow:
Mr. Carroll said the Selectmen have been invited to attend this years Pow Wow scheduled for September 8th and 9th to celebrate 25 years as an officially recognized Tribe and to honor Gladys Widdiss. The Selectmen said they would like to attend and asked Mr. Carroll to please let the Tribe know.
Beach Committee:
The Members of the Beach Committee requested Selectmen’s approval in moving forward on a plan for beach erosion control. Pam Bunker chairman of the Beach Committee said that Tara Marden, who is a Coastal Geologist, is prepared to help study and advise what the town will need and aid in the permitting process.
Joan Malkin, President of the Chilmark Pond Association, spoke about the interest the association has in moving forward with dune reclamation and restoration. Steve Lewenberg, Treasurer of the association spoke about past restoration projects having volunteer labor, but that the regulatory issues are much more stringent now. The Chilmark Pond Association was focused on dune stabilization and reclamation.
Mr. Carroll pointed out that the Special Town Meeting approved spending $5,000.00 on dredging as well as dune restoration for beach preservation and pond health combined. The Chilmark Pond Association had also pledged $5,000 to assist in these broad goals. Discussion of Doctor’s Creek and “Intern Creek” and water flow issues was had.
Mr. Doty moved to approve the Beach Committee progressing forward with the proposed Phase One of the restoration program. Phase one is spending $3,000.00 to have Ms. Marden examine viable and reasonable solutions for beach erosion at Lucy Vincent Beach, focusing on dune stabilization and restoration at this time, and how to obtain necessary permits in time for the town to vote on at Annual Town Meeting. Mr. Rossi seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Discussion moved to Squibnocket beach and the lack of bathing beach at high tide. Mr. Doty was strong in his opinion that the public continue using the beach to the left and right of the existing town parking area.
Harbor Advisory Committee
Mr. Carroll said the Selectmen’s office has received a letter from John Larsen resigning from the Harbor Advisory Committee. Mr. Mayhew asked to seek replacement. Mr. Carroll said that Mr. Larsen represented the commercial fishing fleet. Mr. Doty supported seeking a well rounded committee that represents the community.
DCRHA Middle Line Road Rental Quarterly Report:
Selectmen reviewed the report. Mr. Doty asked why the town was being charged for a gas bill of $109.50. Mr. Carroll said he would look into that.
Mass DOT:
Mr. Carroll said that the Chapter 90 funds from the State have been voted but not awarded yet. Mr. Carroll said the town road paving projects must begin in the next year; the paving has been put off due to budget restrictions for a number of years. Mr. Carroll recommended looking into all potential funding sources including borrowing money or raising taxes to pay for the paving projects.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mr. Doty made a motion to move to Executive Session to consider criminal charges and not return to regular session at 9:05 PM with Chief Cioffi, Dennis Jason, and Richard Steves.
SO VOTED: 3 Ayes Mr. Doty: Aye, Mr. Mayhew: Aye, Mr. Rossi: Aye
Meeting Adjourned at 9:50 PM
Minutes respectfully submitted by Diana DeBlase
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