Chilmark Board of Selectmen February 19, 2013 Meeting Minutes
Present: Chairman Mayhew, Warren Doty, Bill Rossi, Tim Carroll, Jonathan Revere,
Frank Yeomans, Judy Jardin, Melanie Becker, Clarissa Allen, Kristin Maloney, Jessica Bradlee, Dennis Jason, Martina Mastromonaco and Jim Hickey.
At 7:00 pm Chairman Mayhew called meeting to order in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room.
Minutes:
Draft minutes from the Selectmen’s February 5, 2013 meeting where reviewed, and corrections were made. Mr. Rossi moved to approve minutes as corrected. Mr. Doty seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Town Accountant Applicant Interviews:
Ms. Elaine Graves was present for her interview with the Selectmen for position of Chilmark Town Accountant. Selectmen asked insightful questions and Ms. Graves gave clear concise answers. The interview lasted for approximately 20 minutes.
Ms. Ellen Biskis was present for her interview with the Selectmen for position of Chilmark Town Accountant. Selectmen asked insightful questions and Ms. Biskis gave clear concise answers. The interview lasted for approximately 20 minutes.
Mr. Doty said that the Selectmen will think about both applicants and complete the background checks and will probably have a decision made by March first.
Harbor Staffing:
Harbor Master Dennis Jason is present for the discussion of the most recent draft of staffing plan for the 2013 harbor season.
Mr. Doty said that this draft would have coverage at the Menemsha harbor from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. Mr. Doty said this staffing would be made up of 1 Harbormaster 2 Assistant Harbor masters and 2 wharfingers. Mr. Jason said that they could hire 3 wharfingers one of them being a more mature person. Mr. Rossi said the Selectmen would rather have an Assistant Harbormaster be someone in a supervisor position.
Mr. Jason said that with Selectmen’s approval he will advertise for the Assistant Harbormaster position and have a recommendation for their approval. Selectmen Rossi said that after the Finance Committee budget hearings are complete the Selectmen will decide who from the Selectmen will be part of the interviewing for the Assistant Harbormaster position.
United States Army Corp of Engineers:
Mr. Doty said the United States Army Corp of Engineers has notified Chilmark and Aquinnah of funding being applied to repairing the Chilmark and Aquinnah jetties.
Mr. Doty said that there is a dredging plan for Menemsha Pond with this jetty plan. Tim Carroll said the ACE needed a sponsor for this work to be done and have asked Chilmark to be the sponsor for the documentation.
USACE continued….
Chairman Mayhew said the main concern Chilmark has is the effect the dredging will have on the scallop industry. Mr. Carroll asked which Selectman will attend all of the meetings in Aquinnah planned for discussion of the dredging project. Selectmen Mayhew will be attending the dredging meetings and report back to his board.
Mr. Carroll asked if the Selectmen are willing to move forward as being the sponsor to the jetty renovations and dredging plan up to #4 NUN on the proposal. Mr. Doty moved to sponsor the ACE project to restore jetties and approve dredging plan up to #4 NUN in their proposal. Mr. Rossi seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Malcolm Jones Request:
Mr. Jones is present to request support from the Chilmark Selectmen in dune restoration in the Tisbury Great Pond area. Mr. Jones said the dunes have been worn down from the opening of the pond to the south shore. There was discussion of the sand movement by both nature and mechanical means on the south shore area.
Mr. Jones proposed that if the pond is opened the dunes to the left need restoration at the time of these openings. Mr. Doty said that the Chilmark Board of Selectmen we have no decision making power in this project. Chairman Mayhew said that the riparian owners are responsible for the opening of pond, but he believes it should be the responsibility of the Town of Chilmark and West Tisbury.
Mr. Jones said there are approximately 115 riparian owners on the Great Pond and they are equally divided between West Tisbury and Chilmark.
Mr. Carroll recommended a joint meeting with Chilmark and West Tisbury Selectmen, Shellfish Departments and the riparian owners.
Chairman Mayhew said we should talk to Kent Healy, Will Whiting and continue this discussion at a later date. Mr. Carroll said that Chuck Hodgkinson has information to share about this topic.
Warrant Articles:
Tim Carroll informed the Selectmen of the proposed warrant articles for the Annual Town Meeting. Mr. Carroll said that the FY14 budget without articles is in an override situation. Warrant article for Assessors department for software, paving roads and other warrant items were discussed.
Kristin Maloney said that the Beach Department has a sand restoration project for Lucy Vincent beach in the amount of $80,000.00 for a Warrant Article.
Mr. Carroll will present the complete list of proposed warrant articles at the Finance Committee & Selectmen FY14 budget hearing tomorrow night.
Mr. Carroll asked for Tax Collector Jessica Bradlee to help explain the semiannual preliminary tax billing system. Mrs. Bradlee discussed the information she has collected so far on the subject.
Warrant Articles Continued…
Mr. Carroll said this would help bring revenues in without having to borrow money. Judy Jardin recommended the quarterly system that Aquinnah implements. Ms. Jardin said that the Tax Collector in Aquinnah uses a service to process tax bills. Ms. Jardin discussed the system that Aquinnah uses and recommended that The Town of Chilmark do the same.
Ms. Bradlee said she would send Ms. Jardin the explanation and description of the semiannual preliminary tax system. Mr. Doty recommended having input from the Finance Committee on this topic. Mr. Doty said that these warrant articles are proposals for the FinCom and Selectmen to decide if they will be brought to the Town at Annual Town Meeting.
Energy Audit:
Mr. Carroll said that the town has had an energy audit of all the town buildings. He said this process is part of establishing and moving forward with the Green Communities program. Mr. Carroll said it is primarily light bulb changes to LED.
Executive Secretary Update:
Mr. Carroll said that February 28, 2013 there will be a webinar supplied by the State addressing definitions of seasonal employees. Mr. Rossi said he would attend this webinar. Mr. Carroll said Town Treasurer Mrs. Becker would like to address unemployment claims with the Human Resources Board and have Selectmen updated on the outcome of the meeting.
Shellfish Grant Reports:
Chairman Mayhew said the Selectmen’s Office has received shellfish reports from Steve Broderick, Tim Broderick, and Emmet Carroll. Mr. Carroll said he received Donald Poole’s report today, he reported 50,000. 1-2 year American Oysters. Vinny Iacono reported he has not completed the permit process yet but is moving forward. Mr. Doty said we still need a report from John Armstrong. Mr. Carroll said he would bring this back to the Selectmen in March.
Human Resources Board:
Mr. Carroll said the HRBC had requested to be on tonight’s agenda requesting the Selectmen reconsider their reconsideration on Superintendent’s life guard training costs. Mr. Rossi spoke about the topic as no representative from the HRBC were present. Discussion ensued. Mr. Rossi said it was proposed Ms. Mastromonaco could pay the funding back at $50.00 per week.
Kristin Maloney of the Beach Committee said the Massachusetts Employment Division law says Beach Superintendent is not a seasonal employee because she works more than 16 weeks a year.
Mrs. Maloney she would like this recorded in the minutes tonight’s meeting.
Judy Jardin said the bigger issue is the HRBC not being supportive of professional development of employees so they can better serve the public. No action was taken, Selectmen left funding for Beach Superintendent in place.
Mr. Revere said this meeting will be available for public to review on MVTV video on demand.
Mr. Doty moved to adjourn, Mr. Rossi seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes.
At 9:53 pm meeting adjourned. Minutes respectfully submitted by Diana DeBlase.
Minutes approved 3/05/13
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