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Selectmen's Meeting Minutes 10/21/14
Chilmark Board of Selectmen     October 21, 2014    Meeting Minutes

Present: Chairman Bill Rossi, Jonathan Mayhew, Mr. Doty is scheduled to arrive at 7:45 PM
Tim Carroll, Isaiah Scheffer, Stanley Larsen, Brian Cioffi, Seth Karlinsky, Rosalie Hornblower,
Edie Prescott, Vineyard Gazette Reporter and Lynn Christoffers.

At 7:30 PM Chairman Rossi called meeting to order in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room.

Mr. Mayhew said that Mr. Doty is attending a meeting off site and will join the Selectmen’s meeting as soon as he can.

Public Hearing / Shellfish Regulations:
Selectmen heard from Shellfish Constable Isaiah Scheffer on the recommended season for Commercial Scallops and Oysters per the Shellfish Advisory Committee meeting.

  • October 27, 2014 the “Volunteer Incentive Program” will be allowed to harvest 2 level bushels of bay scallops per day.
  • November 3, 2014 Open Nasha Quitsa and South of Menemsha Pond to harvest 2 level bushels of bay scallops per day. Constable Scheffer will place buoys to delineate the area.
  • December 1, 2014 Open Menemsha Pond to harvest 2 level bushels of bay scallops per day.
  • Recreational Oyster Season to open November 1, 2014 in the Tisbury Great Pond.
Stanley Larsen said he thinks the buoy markers in Menemsha Pond are a good plan.

Constable Scheffer said that the Trawl area closed all season on Flat’s off Burton’s Camp

At 7:40 PM Chairman Rossi closed the public hearing. Mr. Mayhew moved to approve the recommended regulations for the shellfish season.  Mr. Rossi seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: 2 Ayes. 1 not present, Mr. Doty

Shellfish Oyster Grants:
7:45 PM Warren Doty arrives.
Mr. Doty said he and Mr. Scheffer went to the site of the oyster grant site and recommended adding sites along the same line as already in place in Menemsha Pond one north and one south. Discussion ensued. Mr. Mayhew said he has concerns that the sailors will not be able to utilize the area.  

Mr. Doty moved to try to establish 4 more additional sites to the east of sites 2,3,4,5. And direct Mr. Scheffer to contact the State for approval process. Mr. Scheffer said he will call Jerry Moles and get direction to follow up on this plan. Mr. Mayhew seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: 3 Ayes


Mussel Grant
Mr. Scheffer said that Alec Gale will write a letter regarding returning his mussel grant to the town. Stanley Larsen said he is interested in taking over the grant but he does not want to move forward in expending money and time if the transfer will not go to him. Mr. Carroll said there are lots of spaces available, and asked if there was a reason why we can’t just move forward with this.

Mr. Scheffer said the gear in place goes with this grant. Mr. Carroll said that the Town has no stake in the gear. More discussion ensued. Mr. Carroll said once the town receives a letter from Mr. Gale he can advertise for a public hearing for the mussel grant.

Bettlebung Crosswalk & Sidewalk:
Mr. Mayhew asked if Stanley Larsen would comment on the sidewalk and crosswalk plans.
Mr. Larsen said he thought this plan was good for safety and will benefit the town. Discussion ensued. Mr. Carroll said that the speed limit is a factor for this plan to move forward.
Mr. Carroll said he will continue to work on this plan for the spring.

Mr. Doty moved to request changing the speed limit to 20 miles an hour in the designated area leading up to the cross walks. Mr. Mayhew seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
  
Common Victualler:
Chairman Rossi said that Josh Aaroni has sent in a request to renew his Common Victualler to run a food truck as he did last year. Mr. Aronie has submitted written approval from the Nixon’s to utilize the kitchen in the Homeport Restaurant and to park the truck in the parking lot beside the Homeport Restaurant. Mr. Aaronie stated in a letter that he intends to move the food truck to town center he is working out the logistics.

Mr. Doty moved to approve both proposed locations for Mr. Aaronie to run his food truck and to approve renewal of Common Victualler with approved kitchen inspection by the board of health. Mr. Mayhew seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes

Cultural Council:
Mr. Carroll said that the Selectmen’s Office received a letter of resignation from MV Cultural Council member Nan Doty with a recommendation to appoint Linda Thompson. Debora Silliman-Wass has also submitted a letter of resignation with a recommendation to appoint Allison Mead.

Mr. Mayhew moved to accept both resignations with appreciation of the commitment they both gave and to approve appointing Allison Mead and Linda Thompson. Mr. Doty seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes

FY15 Community Development Strategy:
Selectmen read through the revised draft Community Development Strategy from Christine Flynn of the Martha’s Vineyard Commission.

FY15 Community Development Strategy Continued….
Mr. Mayhew recommended adding codfish, ground fish & summer flounder to page 5. Mr. Doty moved to approve the draft FY15 Community Development Strategy with changes made tonight. Mr. Mayhew seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes

Chilmark Community Center:
Seth Karlinsky was present to answer any questions the Selectmen may have concerning his written request to have a West Tisbury School 5th grade fundraiser supper at the Center. The supper is scheduled for Sunday, November 16th any funds raised will go to sending the class on the Shenandoah / Alabama trip.

Mr. Doty moved to waive the rental fee but request the cleaning deposit. Mr. Mayhew seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes

Nab’s Corner Community Housing Update:
Mr. Carroll reported that the Dukes County Regional Housing Authority is processing the applications at this time. The CORI checks will be completed, November 6th a list will be completed. November 7th letters will be sent out. December 2nd is the appeals deadline with the lottery to be held on December 5th.

Mr. Doty said that NSTAR has sent a bill for just under $20,000.00 to build service to the lots. Mr. Carroll said this bill needs to be brought to the Molly Flender’s Housing Trust for payment.    

Mr. Doty reiterated his appreciation for all of the hard work from town hall staff and Committee members for their efforts on the workshop that was presented to the public September 25, 2014.

Discussion continued about working to find more lots for affordable housing sites in the future.

Pay & Classification Study:
Mr. Carroll will meet with Max McCreery from the Human Resources Board to clarify the scope of the study Monday. Mr. Doty said he is looking forward to hiring a consultant to complete this study.

Seaport Advisory Council:
Mr. Carroll reported that representatives from the Seaport Advisory Council inspected the dock this past Thursday. Mr. Carroll said they were pleased with the overall project but had a list of items to address.  
  • Band tops of several pilings.
  • Cap the pilings with plastic hats.
  • Remove stainless steel screws in the epi because pressure treated chemicals dissolve the stainless steel screws.
Mr. Mayhew said that the hoops on the transient dock are making a horrible screeching noise. Mr. Carroll said that was also an issue that will need to be corrected.



Police Patrolman Preliminary Screening Committee:
Chief Cioffi is present to request the Selectmen appoint a Police Patrolman preliminary Screening Committee. Chief Cioffi supplied a list of recommended members. Chairman Rossi read the list of recommended members:  Detective Slavin, officer Gebo, Katie Carroll and Clarissa Allen. Mr. Carroll said Max McCreery will be the Human Resourses board Member and Mr. Doty will be the Selectmen representative. Mr. Doty moved to approve the recommended committee, Mr. Mayhew seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes

Police Patrolman Screening Continued:
Chief Cioffi discussed the process for the screening will be to read through all 14 applications and the Preliminary Screening Committee will recommend 7-8 applications to go to the final review by himself (Chief Cioffi) a Selectman, Sargent Klaren and Human Resources Chairman Malkin.

Hunting on Town Property Application:
Mr. Carroll asked Chief Cioffi to review the applicant and advise if they should not approve this application from Gary Demers. Chief Cioffi said he did not know the man and that is usually a good thing in this instance.  Discussion ensued.

Mr. Doty moved to approve Mr. Demers’s application. Mr. Mayhew seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: 3 Ayes

FEMA Hurricane Sandy Public Assistance:
Mr. Carroll said that there is a possibility of an extension to the deadline for funds for the 2012 Hurricane damage. Mr. Doty moved to take no action (do not apply). Mr. Mayhew seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes

Ebola Update:
Mr. Carroll said he is participating weekly in emergency preparedness calls issued by the State.

Mass. Ocean Plan:
Mr. Doty reported that the government has decided that sand mining is a resource they are interested in and have identified sections of Vineyard Sound and Middle Ground as ideal areas to take sand from to restore beaches throughout the state. Mr. Doty will attend a public hearing concerning this matter and state he is not in support of any such plan. Mr. Doty said he is strongly against any mining of sand.   

At 8:46 PM Mr. Mayhew moved to adjourn. Mr. Doty seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: 3 Ayes

Minutes respectfully submitted by Diana DeBlase.     Approved 11/05/14