Chilmark Board of Selectmen January 7, 2014 Meeting Minutes
Present:
Chairman Warren Doty, Jonathan Mayhew, Bill Rossi, Tim Carroll, Chuck Hodgkinson, Melanie Becker, Pam Bunker, Brian Cioffi, Chris Murphy, Wendy Weldon, Eve Vincent, Jay Walsh, Peter Simon, Jim Malkin, Joan Malkin, Zach Lee, Barbara Lee, David Damroth, Bret Sterns, Graham Sterns, Remy Tumin and Lynn Christophers.
At 7:00PM Chairman Doty called meeting to order in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room.
Minutes:
Draft minutes from the Selectmen’s December 10, 2013 meeting were reviewed. Corrections were made to draft minutes.
Draft minutes from the Selectmen’s January 2, 2014 meeting were reviewed. Corrections were made to draft minutes.
Mr. Mayhew moved to approve both December 10th minutes and January 2nd minutes as corrected. Mr. Rossi seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Treasurer:
Chairman Doty said he would like to recognize Melanie Becker the towns Treasurer in her efforts in helping the town achieve a AAA bond rating from Standard & Poor’s. In December our creditrating was upgraded from a AA to AAA. Mrs. Becker said that David Eisenthal our financial advisor at Unibank meeting with Mr. Doty, Mr. Carroll, Mrs. Biskis and herself was very helpful in achieving this favorable outcome.
Squibnocket Beach Project Presentation:
Committee administrator Chuck Hodgkinson presented the latest proposal and a follow up on questions that were brought up at the December 3, Squibnocket Beach Project public forum. The presentation is available on the Town web site: chilmarkma.gov a direct link follows:
The proposal thus far includes a land lease for 99 years that will move the parking lot further SW and elevating the Squibnocket Farm Association access road. Funds from Community Preservation Committee along with securing a grant are the proposed financial means of this project. The Committee is attempting to achieve this project without increasing taxes.
Extensive discussion ensued. At 8:15 PM Chairman Doty closed discussion.
Mr. Rossi moved to hire consultants Reid Silva and his consultant and spend up to $7,000.00. Mr. Mayhew seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 ayes
Planning Board:
The planning board has submitted proposed potential amendments to the Zoning Bylaws. -
Planning Board Continued:
Chairman Doty said the process is for the Selectmen to receive this and then the Planning Board will hold public hearings. Mr. Rossi moved to receive the potential amendments to the Zoning Bylaws. Mr. Mayhew seconded the motion SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
U.S. Army Corp of Engineers:
Bret Sterns and Tim Carroll presented the latest plans from the USACE for dredging the Menemsha Channel. Discussion ensued. There will be a conference call Tuesday January 14 at 1:00 PM with Brett Sterns Chilmark Selectmen, Mr. Carroll and the USACE representatives for the dredging project.
Mr. Murphy recommended removing the rock pile outside West Basin.
Solar Landfill Project:
The Selectmen have the final plan for the layout of the array. Mr. Rossi moved to approve site plan design as presented. Mr. Mayhew seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Food Truck:
Josh Aronie presented his proposal to operate a food truck located at the Chilmark Store parking area. Mr. Doty said the food truck would be off-season only, recommending November 15 to April 15. Mr. Aronie said he might be back in the future if this proposal goes through to start earlier than November 15. Mr. Rossi recommended not serving fish and chowder as that may affect Stanly Larsen’s fish market sales. Mr. Aronie said he has spoken with Stanley Larsen about his plans and will make sure he is not duplication Stanley’s offerings.
Mr. Rossi moved to approve Mr. Aronie’s plan pending on Board of Health approval and that Mr. Aronie apply for a Common Victualler permit. Mr. Mayhew seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
M.V. Land Bank:
The MVLB has a trail proposal agreement for the Selectmen to approve. The MVLB trail would be from landfill side of Tabor House Road connecting to the existing trail on the Middle Line Road trail system.
Mr. Rossi moved to approve this trail agreement. Mr. Mayhew seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
National Alliance on Mental Illness:
This course is structured to help family members understand and support individuals with serious
mental illness while maintaining their own wellbeing.
Chilmark Community Center:
Chairman Doty said that there are requests from local entities to use the CCC for events, and are asking for reduction or waive of rental fee.
The Yard has asked to use the CCC for their winter fundraiser event with Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish playing live with dancing available. This event will be Sunday January 19, 2014 starting at 7:30 PM till 10:00PM. This event proceeds will help to support the winter school program. Mr. Rossi moved to approve waiving the rental fee. Mr. Mayhew seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Island Grown Initiative has asked to use the CCC for a Gleaning Project volunteer’s appreciation dinner. This is scheduled for the January 10, 2014. IGI requests the Selectmen to waive the rental fee. Mr. Rossi moved to approve waiving the rental fee. Mr. Mayhew seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Brooke Ditchfield and Mary Boyd are proposing another West Tisbury School 4th grader theater project. The plan is to use the CCC for rehearsals prior to the weekend performance starting January 21 -25th 2014. Mr. Rossi moved to approve this proposal. Mr. Mayhew seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Up Island Council on Aging:
Chairman Doty said he has a request from Mary Mercier to be appointed as the Chilmark representative on the UICOA board. Mr. Mayhew moved to appoint Mrs. Mercier as the Chilmark representative on the Up Island Council on Aging board. Mr. Rossi seconded the motion SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Cape Light Compact:
Cape Light Compact has sent their updated draft Energy Aggregation Plan for Selectmen to be aware of. Chairman Doty said they will take this under advisement.
Financial Policies:
Chairman Doty said that when the Town received the AAA bond rating part of that process was our financial practices. Mr. Carroll has laid out the financial policies in a memo for the Selectmen to review and endorse. Mr. Rossi said he is in favor of endorsing this financial policy document as presented. Chairman Doty recommended an amendment to include in the Revenue & Expenditure Assumptions. Mr. Doty said adding that expenditures warrants are reviewed and signed off by at least two Selectmen. Mr. Rossi moved to endorse the Financial Policies with amendment. Mr. Mayhew seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Police Department:
Police Chief Cioffi is present to ask Selectmen to authorize changing the police contract to allow this one time authorization to transfer sick leave from officers who want to give their sick leave to a fellow officer. Mr. Rossi said he had his concerns but if our labor counsel says this is legal and all parties affected want this he is willing to approve. Mr. Mayhew moved to authorize this amendment to the agreement as discussed and presented. Mr. Rossi seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Assessing Software
Pam Bunker Assistant Assessor for Chilmark is present to ask Selectmen to sign a software contract. Mrs. Bunker gave the history of the necessity for new software. This contract is with P.K. Appraisal and Chilmark. There is a $4,800.00 annual fee and conversion fee. Mr. Mayhew moved to approve software contract and to sign contract. Mr. Rossi seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Tri Town Ambulance:
Mr. Carroll said that the Town of Chilmark received one bid for the surplus Chevy Tahoe from Mr. Jason Hallett. Mr. Mayhew moved to dispose of Tri Town Ambulance surplus vehicle to Mr. Hallett. Mr. Rossi seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
At 9:25 PM Chairman Doty recommended to move into Executive Session to discuss litigation strategy for the Parker vs Zoning Board of Appeals and not to return to regular session. Roll call:
Doty: Aye, Rossi: Aye, Mayhew: Aye, Mr. Carroll and town’s counsel were also present.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Diana DeBlase. Approved 1/23/14
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