Chilmark Board of Selectmen August 5, 2014 Meeting Minutes
Present: Chairman Bill Rossi, Jonathan Mayhew, Warren Doty, Tim Carroll,
Wendy Weldon, Jane Gollin, Jim Gollin, Carol Gross, Police Chief Cioffi, Everett Poole,
Dennis Jason, Alex Elvin and Lynn Christophers
At 7:02 PM Chairman Rossi called meeting to order in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room.
Minutes:
Draft minutes from the July 15, 2014 meeting were reviewed, corrections were made.
Mr. Doty moved to approve minutes as corrected. Mr. Mayhew seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Draft minutes from the joint meeting of the Chilmark Selectmen and Molly Flender Housing Trust meeting held June 25, 2014 were reviewed. Mr. Doty moved to approve minutes as written. Mr. Mayhew seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
At 7:05 PM Chairman Rossi called to order the Open Meeting with Chilmark Town Affairs Council & the public. Chairman Rossi asked if anyone present had items they wished to discuss.
Mrs. Gollin said that the curve on State Road at Lucy Vincent Beach entrance is dangerous. Mrs. Gollin recommended reducing the speed to 25 MPH and putting the sign up stating this reduced speed. Police Chief Cioffi said that an assessment needs to be done by the State and process completed, and then the speed limit will be posted.
Mr. Gollin asked what will happen with Squibnocket. Discussion turned to the new committee formed that will bring a proposal back to the town. Folks were reminded to seek information on the town web page at chilmarkma.gov they can subscribe by following the instructions on the home page. Mr. Carroll said when you subscribe you get all agendas and materials to be discussed sent to your email address that you can review prior to the meeting.
Mrs. Gross asked if the Selectmen really wanted to have them come to a summer residents meeting because it was not properly advertised. Chairman Rossi said that the Selectmen value the input from all of Chilmark’s residents and thanked those present for coming and bringing any issues to the Selectmen.
Mrs. Gollin said that she understood this was a slip by the Town Affairs Council. Each year they advertise and notify Chilmark summer residents of the meeting, and this was not done this year. Mr. Carroll said this has not been done for the past few years. Mrs. Gollin recommended putting the Summer Residents Meeting into the Chilmark column.
Mrs. Gross said she would like to have Lucy Vincent Beach handicap parking area better defined. She said that in the past there have been 4 spaces now there are 2 sometimes three if parking is organized. Mrs. Gross said that the director at Lucy Vincent Beach was very helpful and all the staff has been so friendly. Mr. Doty said that the Superintendent this summer is Karen Pietruska (who recently became Mrs. Robertson ).
Chairman Rossi thanked the Gollins and Mrs. Gross for their requests and suggestions.
Chilmark Community Center:
Chairman Rossi said that this agenda item will be postponed till the August 19th Selectmen’s meeting as both Rodney Bunker and Jeff Herman were unable to attend tonight’s meeting.
Town Committee on Squibnocket:
Mr. Doty said that the Town Committee on Squibnocket chairman Jim Malkin said the committee would like to receive a proposal and input from the Selectmen for their August 19, 2014 meeting. Discussion ensued. The Selectmen will post a meeting prior to August 19th to discuss and organize their conditions and objectives.
Menemsha Harbor Update:
Mr. Doty reported that the new shack has been put together well and the staff is doing a very good job. Mr. Doty also reported that the harbor department has pumped-out 27 vessels in accordance with the Clean Vessel Act standards.
Harbor Pilings:
Harbormaster Dennis Jason is present to notify the Selectmen of an opportunity the harbor department has to purchase 11 pilings for $5,500.00. Mr. Jason said he is working out the delivery to Menemsha still (this is not included in the price of $5,500.The piles are 40 foot long pressure treated 14” class A piles).
Mr. Mayhew recommended that the Charter Dock be the first location for new pilings, then the Channel Dock and then the Commercial Dock.
Discussion turned to the Wlodyka slip and the need to have confirmation that Walter is an owner of the Terri II as the slip is assigned to Walter not his son Lev. Mr. Carroll said that he spoke with Lev’s wife Jen and she said they filed the paperwork for documentation listing Walter as an owner but have not received documentation yet. Chairman Rossi asked to have a copy of the paperwork that was sent for their next selectmen’s meeting scheduled for August 19, 2014.
Mr. Mayhew said that “Crab Corner” area seemed to be working better this year with the swim line and extra guard. Though Mr. Mayhew said he did not see second beach guard in Menemsha when he went by for a look recently. Mr. Carroll said that the beach department said they were having a challenge filling the extra shift but have been for the past two weeks. Mr. Carroll said he would check that they have additional guard on the schedule.
Menemsha Signs:
Mr. Doty said that he would like more permanent signage for the “no parking” on Menemsha North Road. Mr. Mayhew said the temporary no parking signs have been working very well though. Discussion ensued. Chief Cioffi said eight solid (not temporary) no parking signs would do the job (four on each side). Chief Cioffi recommended they be removed in September and installed again next June.
Chairman Rossi said the landfill parking lot has had up to 25 cars and it seems to be working well. Mr. Doty said it was reported that there was not sufficient lighting for people to feel safe. Since then we have installed two on the side of the building.
Landfill Parking Lot Continued….
Mr. Doty asked Chief Cioffi if the additional lights helped. Chief Cioffi said the lighting is not sufficient and recommended solar floodlighting.
At 7:35 PM Scott McDowell and Wendy Swolinsky arrived
M.V. Refuse District Proposal:
Chairman Rossi said that this agenda item is being postponed to a later Selectmen’s meeting.
Nick Vanness Boat Flyers:
Chairman Rossi said Mr. Vanness has requested to hand out flyers or cards to the public in Menemsha advertising his charter sailing boat. Mr. Doty said that they have addressed this request in the past and their decision then was no and it is the same now. Mr. Mayhew recommended posting a flyer on the bulletin board like the charter fishing boats do at Menemsha Texaco.
Scott McDowell, Charter Dock Concerns:
Mr. McDowell said he was here tonight to discuss the need for repairs in the Charter Dock.
Mr. McDowell said that he is essentially using 2 slips as he does not have pilings in his slip that are usable. Mr. Mayhew said that they discussed earlier tonight that the Charter Dock will be the first area to get new pilings. Mr. McDowell said there is also a leak in the waterline on the Charter Dock he tried to fix but can’t.
FinCom & Capital Planning Committee:
Mr. Doty asked Mr. McDowell if he was interested in joining the FinCom. Mr. McDowell declined. Mr. Carroll said he advertised the openings that the Selectmen’s office had not received any interest in the vacant positions and the at large positions on the Capital Planning Committee. Mr. Carroll recommended community outreach person to person.
Beach Plum Inn Noise Update:
Mr. Carroll reported that the site visit was completed. Mr. Carroll said he went with Menemsha residents, Selectmen and building inspector to the BPI. At the site visit the Nixon’s explained that the new management was unaware of the agreed procedure for outside receptions.
Chairman Rossi said that the Nixon’s are buying their own sound system and sound proofing curtains. The Nixon’s will arrange to have the gazebo configured to the system they outlined last year when the noise level was upsetting Menemsha residents.
Mr. Rossi said that we will have a follow up meeting in October to review these improvements.
Home Rule Petition on Squibnocket Pond District Regulations:
Mr. Carroll reported that the Selectmen’s office was notified Wednesday at 4:30 PM that there would be a hearing the next day at 1:00 PM. Mr. Carroll said that town council prepared a letter along with the town of Aquinnah and the Chilmark Selectmen’s office has as well. Mr. Carroll said Tim Madden spoke on behalf of the town Mr. Parker spoke against it at the hearing.
Home Rule Petition Continued…
Wendy Weldon spoke about the alternate management options of the phragmites that do not use chemicals.
US Army Corp Engineers Jetty Project:
The Selectmen reviewed the entry agreement prepared by the USACE for the jetty repairs.
Mr. Mayhew said the agreement stated USACE would start the project September 15, 2014. Mr. Mayhew said this would not be a good time to start as the Bass & Bluefish Derby still happening then.
Mr. Doty moved to ask the USACE to change the project start and end time to start
October 15, 2014 and end May 15, 2014. Mr. Mayhew seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Mr. Mayhew moved to approve the entry agreement with the date changes made tonight
(stated above). Mr. Doty seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
USACE Dredging Project:
Mr. Doty said that the USACE has not responded to the numerous requests for a public hearing in Chilmark concerning the USACE dredging plans.
MIIA:
Mr. Carroll reported that the town departments submitted the training classes and credits to MIIA so that the town of Chilmark was reimbursed $3,500.00 on our insurance. Mr. Carroll credited this to the adopted town policy helping us receive insurance discounts.
Tri Town Ambulance Update:
Mr. Carroll said that our insurance company has approved reimbursing the town to purchase a replacement to the new vehicle that was totaled July 16, 2014. Tri Town Ambulance has taken possession of the new vehicle we are just waiting on the payment from the insurance company.
CPA:
The Conservation Preservation Act warrant articles that were approved at Annual Town Meeting are to be approved by the Selectmen and signed by chairman Rossi and Mr. Carroll will notarize. Selectmen reviewed the documents for: Island Housing Trust, Sheriffs Meadow Foundation, Dukes County Courthouse and Aquinnah Lighthouse.
Mr. Doty moved to approve all four CPA articles that were approved at the Annual Town Meeting. Mr. Mayhew seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Chairman Rossi signed the documents and Mr. Carroll notarized Chairman Rossi’s signatures.
Fire & Ambulance Station:
Chairman Rossi recommended forming a feasibility committee to work on possible sites for a new emergency response building to house Fire department and Ambulance department.
Fire & Ambulance Station Continued…
Chairman Rossi said that after reviewing some possible sites with Chief Norton and Chief Wilkins they have 4 parcels of interest.
Chairman Rossi said he would like to have members from our fire department and ambulance on this committee and said he would be willing to be the Selectmen liaison. Mr. Mayhew recommended a quantity of 5 to 7 members for this committee. Mr. Carroll said that any project like this requires a needs assessment. Discussion ensued. Mr. Carroll was directed to advertise for the at large members.
Tri Town Ambulance:
Mr. Carroll said that there was approximately $11,000 left in the appropriation article after purchasing the new ambulance. The TTA proposes to purchase 4 laptop computers and accessory equipment to mount in the Ambulances. Mr. Mayhew who is the Selectmen liaison to the TTA Committee said he was in support of this proposal. Mr. Doty moved to approve this proposal. Mr. Mayhew seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Accounting:
Town Accountant notified the Selectmen in writing revisions for the chapter 77 transfers that were previously approved. Mrs. Biskis received bills that came in after the July 11th deadline. Most were acceptable but one was from last year she said she would not include on the chapter 77, that that will have to go to town meeting.
Mr. Doty moved to approve the accountant’s recommendations. Mr. Mayhew seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Massachusetts Estuary Program:
Brian Dudley of the DEP SERO has inquired (through Marina Lent our Board of Health agent) if the town of Chilmark was ever contacted by the University doing the study on our ponds offered different scenarios. Mr. Doty said no we were never offered an alternate study. Mr. Carroll said the other island towns said the same; they were never offered other scenarios.
Mr. Doty asked for clarification but recommended having MEP include in our pond report an analysis of when & how to open our ponds to achieve the best results of water quality.
Conflict Of Interest / Town Counsel:
Selectmen reviewed a letter from town counsel Ron Rappaport regarding the building inspector seeking counsel for a property that counsel’s office performed title search for but no zoning matters. Mr. Mayhew moved that there is no Conflict Of Interest in this matter. Mr. Doty seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Creek Lot:
Vernon Welch has submitted permitting requirements for emergency repair for erosion alongside the building on a creek lot. Ms. Swolinsky said she has a problem with going forward with this as she and Mr. Welch are in litigation at this time concerning this lot. Chairman Rossi said this is an emergency repair for the safety of the public. Mr. Mayhew agreed this is an emergency repair situation but recommended the town of Chilmark pay for repairs.
Creek Lot Continued…
Mr. Doty recommended contacting Jimmy Morgan to do these repairs. Mr. Mayhew seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
At 8:30 PM Mr. Mayhew moved to adjourn. Mr. Doty seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Minutes respectfully submitted by Diana DeBlase. Approved 8/19/14
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