Chilmark Board of Selectmen June 2, 2015 Meeting Minutes
Present: Chairman Jonathan Mayhew, Warren Doty, Bill Rossi, Chuck Hodgkinson, Isaiah Scheffer, Dennis Jason, Riggs Parker, Everett Poole, Adam Moore, Linda Coutinho, Andy Goldman, Sue Regen, Rick Regen, John Armstrong, Calder Martin, Tim Broderick, Steve Broderick, David Norton, Scott McDowell, Jeff Maida, Zach Lee, Brian Cioffi Alex Elvin and Lynn Christoffers.
Chairman Mayhew spoke of the passing of Chilmark resident Bette Carroll (Tim is absent to be with his family). The Selectmen each shared a fond memory of Bette.
At 7:33 PM Chairman Mayhew opened the public hearing to establish four additional Aquaculture Grant/Lease areas adjacent to the existing six sites and designate a portion of the Menemsha Channel near the USCG Boathouse as an Aquaculture area for upwellers.
Mr. Scheffer discussed the use of a new tidal upweller (paid for by the Menemsha Fisheries Fund and that doesn’t require electricity) in the channel that can be used by any oyster grower. The location for the upweller needs to be designated for this purpose. This will be the offsite Aquaculture area, and must be specified in the Aquaculture reports generated by the oyster grant holders.
Harbormaster Jason spoke about the United States Army Corps of Engineers dredging into the Menemsha Pond and with this dredging the problem of boat owners wanting to anchor in the pond. Mr. Jason asked if we should designate an anchorage mooring area to help protect the shellfish propagation. Chairman specified that there are no boats allowed to overnight in the ponds. Mr. Jason will work with Mr. Scheffer to come up with a plan on the designation area.
At 7:50 PM Chairman Mayhew closed the public hearing.
Mr. Doty moved to endorse these 4 new oyster grants and culling area designated in the Channel. Mr. Rossi seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Mr. Scheffer said there is still some process that needs to happen prior to assigning the grants to applicants. The State DMF will need to process this endorsement and USACE will need to survey each additional grant and assess how the additional sites may affect the existing grants.
Shellfish Department:
Mr. Scheffer put forth his other plans pertaining to the Chilmark Shellfish Department.
- FLUPSY also known as a floating upweller system:
Shellfish Department Continued…
Mr. Scheffer said town purchased it 8 years ago at the time paying $11,000.00. The FLUPSY has not been used for over two years and rather than it not being utilized recommended allowing others to use it or sell it. The FLUPSY needs repairs. Mr. Rossi asked what the monetary value of the FLUPSY. Mr. Scheffer estimated the value at approximately $1,500 -$2,000.00. Chairman Mayhew said the FLUPSY should stay as town owed property and a loan system should be fair. Mr. Doty said that Matt Mayhew said he will do the repairs and would like to be able to use the upweller. Mr. Doty recommended that the use of the FLUPSY be shared with anyone who is interested.
- Grant reports: The Shellfish Advisory Committee recommended requirements to current oyster grant holders that they must supply a report to the town by February 1st each year. Mr. Scheffer said these will be helpful for the annual town report.
Mr. Doty moved to approve and endorse requiring a report for each grant holder stating the amount of seed purchased each year, how many adult oysters they sold and the number of cages they are utilizing. Mr. Rossi seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Mr. Scheffer said there are people who want these grants and if the current holder is not utilizing them they should be turned back over to the town. The Shellfish Constable checked a particular site and it was not being utilized well and recommended that the Selectmen come take a site visit. Selectmen will go with Mr. Scheffer Friday June 5, 2015.
- Assistant Shellfish Constable:
Mr. Doty requested that the Shellfish Constable supply in writing what his department needs for assistant constable coverage and this will be discussed in a future meeting.
- Mileage / vehicle reimbursement:
Mr. Scheffer requested that the Selectmen allow for his mileage to be built into his pay schedule rather than him having to submit mileage. Chairman Mayhew recommended this go to the Human Resources Board.
- Town Shellfish Boat where it should be kept:
Mr. Scheffer said that the end of the transient dock is difficult to maneuver for his assistants and is seeking a better slip. Harbormaster Jason said on the dingy dock between the transient dock and the jetty closer to the channel than the dingys. Chairman Mayhew recommended he work with Mr. Jason for an alternate space.
- Indoor heated work space:
Mr. Scheffer said the Shellfish Department needs a space for winter work to be done. This topic of space needs will need to have further discussion in the future.
Harbor Pilings & Maintenance: Harbormaster Dennis Jason spoke about the pilings project. Mr. Jason said that the contractor who was to install the 10 greenheart pilings by May 15 was unable to get the product in time.
Harbor Continued:
The next lowest bidder is involved in the jetty repair project and is also unable to do this project at this time. Mr. Jason has an agreement with John Packer to do pilings project this fall. The pilings that are stored along the bulkhead will be moved to Vineyard Haven by John Packer for fall installation as well as the 10 greenheart pilings.
Mr. Jason said the town boundary markers between Aquinnah and Chilmark will need to be worked on this season as they broke due to the ice in the harbor this winter.
Mr. Jason said that Cuttyhunk Marine will be replacing the broken pilings in the channel and replacing the mooring chain this spring-summer.
Mr. Doty discussed the maintenance that still needs to be completed in the harbor. Mr. Jason said that the repairs are scheduled to be completed.
Harbor Appointment requests:
Chairman Mayhew read the memo from the harbormaster requesting the following appointments; Dennis Jason as harbormaster, Richard Steves as an Assistant Harbormaster, Glenn DeBlase also as Assistant Harbormaster, Landon Steere and Katherine Smith as Assistant Wharfingers and Virginia Jones as Administrative Assistant.
Chairman Mayhew moved to approve the appointment recommendations from Mr. Jason as written. There was no second made.
Discussion about appointing Mr. Jason as Harbormaster ensued.
Mr. Parker spoke in favor of re-appointing Mr. Jason as Harbormaster. Mr. MacDowell spoke in favor of re-appointing Mr. Jason as Harbormaster. Mr. Broderick spoke in favor of re-appointing Mr. Jason as Harbormaster. Mr. Poole said as the only ex-harbormaster in this room I speak in favor of re-appointing Mr. Jason as Harbormaster. Mr. Goldman also spoke in favor of re-appointing Mr. Jason as Harbormaster. Mr. Doty said as Selectmen he feels he must do the right thing and he believes it is in the town’s best interest that a change is important. More discussion ensued.
Mr. Rossi seconded the motion to appoint the positions as recommended by the harbormaster.
Mr. Jason said he deals with about 700 people in the harbor and we will never have everyone happy with him. He is managing a marina bringing money in for the town. He has never been in the red with his department.
SO VOTED: 2 Ayes, 1 Nay Mr. Doty
Beach Committee:
Chairman Mayhew read a memo from the Chairman of the Beach Department Kristin Maloney endorsing and recommending appointing Martina Mastromonaco as the superintendent of the beach department. Mr. Doty moved to appoint Martina Mastromonaco as beach superintendent. Mr. Rossi seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Mitchell House / Historic Preservation Restriction:
Adam Moore from the Sheriffs Meadow Association discussed the restoration of the Mitchell House. The town of Chilmark voted to issue funds from our Community Preservation Act to help in the restoration of the Mitchell house.
Mitchell House / Historic Preservation Restriction Continued.. Mr. Hodgkinson explained that The CPA funds can be issued to the restoration project but need to have Historic Preservation Restrictions in place prior to release of CPA funds. There was not a notary present so the Selectmen decided they would sign with a notary and return the document to Mr. Moore for his signatures. Mr. Rossi moved to approve the restrictions as presented and sign with a notary. Mr. Doty seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Squibnocket Update
Chuck Hodgkinson explained the request sent from the Squibnocket Farm Association to proceed with test boring on town owned land for the causeway project to proceed. Mr. Doty moved to approve the request. Mr. Doty seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Sue Regen asked what the red line on the Vineyard Land Surveying (VLS) map is. Mr. Hodgkinson said he was meeting with Vineyard Land Surveying and will find out. Mrs. Regen asked where the town was with the Squibnocket Farm Homeowners project. Mr. Hodgkinson said that there is a pre-application meeting with the DEP, and other state agencies Thursday June 4, 2015 in Lakeville at the DEP offices.
Capital Improvement Planning Committee (CIPC):
Linda Coutinho the chairman of the CIPC presented the report the committee has compiled. Mrs. Coutinho gave a quick overview of the report and the process of how they came up with the report. A copy of the report is available to view at the town web site in the Selectmen’s Agenda page the link is: http://www.chilmarkma.gov/Pages/ChilmarkMA_SelectAgenda/2015/06022015/index. Discussion about the report took place. Selectmen thanked Mrs. Coutinho for all of the effort in producing this report.
Nab’s Corner Housing Lot Lease/ Calder Martin and Caitlin Cook:
Calder Martin is present to finalize the Nab’s Corner Homesite Ground Lease with the town. Mr. Doty said that the Selectmen will meet Calder Martin at the Chilmark Town Hall and have the signatures notarized at noon tomorrow June 3, 2015. Mr. Doty moved to approve the ground lease and complete paperwork tomorrow. Mr. Rossi seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Position Appointments:
Selectmen’s Office received the letter from Mr. Max McCrery asking to be appointed the Human Resources Board (HRB). Mr. Rossi moved to approve appointing Mr. McCrery to the HRB. Mr. Doty seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Maureen Eisner requested to be appointed to be a Conservation Commissioner for the town of Chilmark. Mr. Rossi moved to approve appointing Maureen Eisner to the Conservation Commission. Mr. Doty seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Selectmen would like to thank Mr. Wes Cottle for his many years on the Conservation Commission.
Position Appointments Continued:
Margaret Maida requested to be appointed to the Beach Committee. Mr. Rossi moved to appoint Mrs. Maida to the Beach Committee. Mr. Doty seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
At 9:16 PM Mr. Rossi moved to adjourn. Mr. Doty seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Minutes respectfully submitted by Diana DeBlase. Approved 7/07/15
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