Chilmark Board of Selectmen January 8, 2013 Meeting Minutes
Present: Chairman Mayhew, Warren Doty, Bill Rossi, Tim Carroll, Jonathan Revere,
David Norton, Judy Jardin, Robert Coutinho, Cody Coutinho, Margaret Maida,
Edward Andresen aka Spider, Tim Walsh, Pam Bunker, Richard Andre, Wayne Iacono,
Jen Jamgochian- Wlodyka, Clarissa Allen, Chuck Hodgkinson, Dennis Jason, Lenny Jason Jr.
Marshall Carroll III, Brian Cioffi, Sean Slavin, Jonathan Klaren, Frank Yeomans, Chris Murphy,
Jim Hickey, Remy Tumin.
Minutes:
Draft minutes from December 4, 2012 were reviewed, corrections made. Mr. Doty moved to approve minutes as corrected. Mr. Rossi seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Draft minutes from December 18, 2012 were reviewed, corrections made. Mr. Doty moved to approve minutes as corrected. Mr. Rossi seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Solar Installation:
Mr. Doty disclosed that he is on the board of directors for Vineyard Power. Mr. Doty summarized research on both Cape~& Vineyard Electric Cooperative and RFP options for Chilmark. Mr. Doty said that the Mass. Department of Energy Resources will not allow Chilmark to join the 2011 round of Cape~& Vineyard Electric Cooperative.
Richard Andre from Vineyard Power presented information about what they could do for Chilmark. Mr. Andre said Aquinnah landfill is an example as well as Cronig’s Market of what Vineyard Power has installed on a scale similar to the proposed solar array at the Chilmark landfill.
Mr. Andre said that a 275 Kwt array could be installed at the Chilmark landfill and that would support electricity use for all of the town (public) buildings excluding the school. He added that there is not 3 phase to support this array yet but a 100 kwt could be installed with what electrical hookup is available. Mr. Andre added that this proposed array could be upgraded in the future. Mr. Andre estimated it costing $200,000.00 to have 3 phase installed. Extensive discussion ensued.
Mr. Rossi moved to put out an RFP for a Solar Array on the Chilmark Landfill. Mr. Mayhew seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 2 Ayes 1, Abstain (Mr. Doty; because he in on the board of directors for Vineyard Power)
Coastal Erosion:
Chairman Mayhew said that he proposes looking into an artificial reef for the south shore area to protect Squibnocket and Stonewall areas. Chairman Mayhew said the ocean washed over the parking lot and abutting area 4 times so far this winter in Squibnocket. He also said there are 4 to 5 houses that will soon be falling down, and eventually 10 houses.
Coastal Erosion Continued…
Mr. Rossi said that from what he has learned the permitting process can be very challenging. Mr. Rossi said that the engineering cost would be somewhere in the range of $50,000.00. But the Environmental Impact study would be in the $1,000,000.00 range.
Mr. Doty said at the site meeting held on December 27, 2012 in the Squibnocket parking lot the Woods Hole Group recommended beach nourishment.
Lenny Jason said that these properties represent prime taxpaying land and that would be a considerable loss to the town if nothing is done.
Spider Andresen said that he has seen reef building programs and always there have been good results especially for the fishing industry. Mr. Andresen recommended starting with a “clean” freighter to be sunk into place.
Chris Murphy suggested that the beach would come back if we removed the parking lot; it’s the stones that are wearing the beach away. Mr. Murphy suggested appointing a committee consisting of Squibnocket Farm residents and Town residents. Then this committee can work on some long term recommendations.
No decisions were made tonight concerning erosion. There was extensive discussion.
Harbor:
Chuck Hodgkinson has prepared a business analysis of the Menemsha harbor. Judy Jardin said she is looking forward to reading this analysis.
Chairman Mayhew began discussion of Harbor Plans for 2013. There was a recommendation of privatizing the marina. Mr. Mayhew asked for input. Harbormaster Dennis Jason said as a resident he is against privatizing. Chairman Mayhew is in agreement against privatization.
Spider Andresen said he was also opposed to privatization. But recommended some ideas for increasing revenues; raise rates and raise occupancy, and take reservations.
Chairman Mayhew said that reservations could be made in the shoulder seasons. Mr. Andresen said that reservations are not needed in the shoulder season. Mr. Andresen recommended for the harbor to take reservations the entire season
Dennis Jason said that the rates could be raised. Mr. Jason said the reservations might not allow smaller family boats a chance, it might be all booked. Mr. Jason said now he is on the phone receiving calls at 7:00am for most of the morning. Chairman Mayhew said that if we take reservations the phone traffic would be less, allowing more supervision and maintenance of harbor.
Mr. Doty asked that no decision be made tonight that more discussion along with input from the Harbor Advisory Committee needs to take place prior to decisions.
Judy Jardin requests to explore making harbor an enterprise fund. Extensive discussion ensued.
Hauk Boat Sinking:
Selectmen’s office received a letter from Mr. Hauk. In this letter he described the sinking of his boat on its mooring this past season while he was off island.
Mr. Doty said that the Harbormaster responded to the area but the boat sank. Mr. Rossi recommended having a liability waiver as part of the mooring permit renewal process. Chairman Mayhew recommended writing a response letter thanking him for his letter and information.
Engley House:
Mr. Doty said that the Board of Selectmen have been working for a very long time in Executive Session concerning litigation with the Hillman family to establish a Resident Homesite Duplex site. Mr. Doty said it is his decision to no longer have this Executive Session and to bring it out for the public.
Mr. Rossi recommended tabling this until May 1, 2013 after the April court date on this issue, and then taking action.
Phase III Menemsha Harbor Project:
Tim Carroll gave an update on the Phase III Harbor Project. Mr. Carroll said that the Chilmark Conservation Commission authorized emergency dredging at Menemsha harbor. Harbormaster Jason is working out costs with Atlantic Support Installations for a change order to complete the dredging while they have equipment on site.
Mr. Carroll said that there is a site meeting at 8:30 am tomorrow morning January 9, 2013.
Mr. Carroll expects the concrete floating docks to be delivered by truck to the site. State Officials are also expected to visit site tomorrow.
Mr. Carroll said that he has a recommended up change for LED lighting on the dock. There are 6 LED lights proposed. The estimate is $1,300.00 but the change should significantly save maintenance costs.
Mr. Carroll said Kent Healy our project engineer / supervisor refused the wood that was to be put in place on the fixed dock. Mr. Healy wants what was specified in the IFB, not what was delivered to the site.
Town Accountant Position:
Mr. Carroll said that the Selectmen’s office received 2 complete applications. Though the consensus is it would be better to extend the deadline in hopes of getting more candidates. Judy Jardin said she thought the wording in the advertisement was not appropriate to what the town would be looking for in the Town Accountant. Ms. Jardin recommended a more professional advertisement.
Selectmen approved extending the deadline for three weeks so the newspaper can run an updated advertisement for the Town Accountant position.
Squibnocket Pond District Advisory Committee Request:
The SPDAC is requesting to consult Town counsel in the following matter: Is the Chilmark Zoning By-Law, Article 12, section H, item 1, valid in the light of the objections raised in the current application of Mr. Charles Parker to the Chilmark Conservation Commission?
Squibnocket Pond District Advisory Committee Request Continued…
Article 12, H. Prohibited Uses
- Use of chemical fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides, pesticides, chemical septic system cleaners and such other substances as may be determined by the Board of Health.
Mr. Doty moved to approve seeking legal counsel for this question. Chairman Mayhew seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Police Department:
Chief Cioffi presented the Selectmen his information on replacing the 2005 police cruiser. Selectmen asked for information to be brought to next meeting.
Chief Cioffi informed Selectmen that Chilmark Police Department is initiating Electrical Control Devices to be carried by Chilmark Police officers. Chilmark officer Slavin is the only trained instructor on Martha’s Vineyard for the ECD. Chief Cioffi is proposing to purchase 2 units that range from $600 .00 to $1,000.00. This expenditure is part of a budget line item already allocated for equipment.
Lucy Vincent Beach:
Chairman Mayhew said that he has been asked to address at this meeting the topic of trash on Lucy Vincent Beach. The Beach Department said they would unlock the dumpster and put what was collected from the beach into the dumpster. The Beach Committee chairman Pam Bunker told selectmen she will find out if we are paying only when it’s emptied or if there is a monthly fee and report back.
Squibnocket Parking Lot:
Mr. Rossi said that the soil cement from the parking lot was washed into the conservation wetlands during Hurricane Sandy and the storm that followed. The Chilmark Conservation Com mission has asked that this debris be removed. Mr. Rossi said that the company Oakleaf has proposed $4,800.00 to remove the debris by hand. Keen Excavation gave an estimate of $20,000.00.
Margaret Maida said we should see if someone else in town will do the job.
Mr. Carroll said that we need to get three quotes for the job prior to authorizing the expense.
Mr. Carroll asked once a quote has been received and one chosen if the Selectmen will move to use the Selectmen’s maintenance account to pay for the project.
Mr. Doty moved to approve project to be paid for out of the Selectmen’s maintenance account.
Chairman Mayhew seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Hazard Mitigation:
Tim Carroll reported that he had a meeting with officials from MEMA and FEMA who are assisting communities that received damage from Hurricane Sandy. Mr. Carroll said he put in a figure of $500,000.00 as the estimated loss to the Town. The MEMA team accepted a figure of $300,000.00. This figure is for repairs to Squibnocket revetment and resurfacing the parking lot. There was also damage that was done to the transient dock and emergency dredging that would be part of the estimated figure. The Mitigation grant is a 75% to 25% match that the Town would meet. The Town is the 25% figure.
Tri-Town Ambulance:
Chief Wilkins requested in writing that Jason Hallet be increase to a grade 8 step 1 since he is now a licensed paramedic. Mr. Doty moved to approve the recommendation. Mr. Rossi seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
At 10:20 PM Mr. Doty moved to proceed to Executive Session not to return to regular session. Agenda: land acquisition discussion. Mr. Rossi seconded the motion.
Doty: Aye, Mayhew: Aye, Rossi: Aye.
At 10:40 PM Executive Session Adjourned.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Diana DeBlase. Approved 2/05/13
| 
