Chilmark Board of Selectmen October 20, 2015 Meeting Minutes
Present:
Chairman Jonathan Mayhew, Bill Rossi, Warren Doty, Tim Carroll, Maggie Downey,
Melanie Becker, Liz Oliver, Pam Bunker, Susan Murphy, Cynthia Doyle, Dennis Jason,
Isaiah Scheffer, Lynn Christoffers and Alex Elvin.
At 7:00 PM Chairman Mayhew called the meeting to order in the Selectmen’s meeting room.
Cape Light Compact (CLC):
The CLC Administrator Maggie Downey conducted a presentation of what CLC does for Chilmark. Ms. Downey explained that in 1997 Massachusetts allowed for competition and unregulated utilities. CLC is representing 21 towns as our Municipal Aggregate. Ms. Downy said the CLC is completing its 3 year Energy Efficiency Plan (EEF) which CLC must file by October 30, 2015. Please find an electronic link below to view the presentation and EEP:
Ms. Downey gave an extensive presentation of what CLC can do for Chilmark residents along with the other 20 towns that are part of CLC. Tim Carroll who is Chilmark’s representative on the CLC Board of Directors talked about the Intergovernmental Agreement. Mr. Doty asked Mr. Carroll to comment on any of the amendments to this agreement compared to the last.
Mr. Carroll said it was primarily clarifications about the Administrator’s position responsibilities.
Mr. Carroll asked for the Selectmen to review the Intergovernmental Agreement and share with him any questions you may have. Mr. Doty said that the town accountant is working hard to correctly follow and appoint our energy metering credits but it is an extremely confusing process and asked if it could be simplified. Ms. Downey said Liz Argo should work directly with the Accountant to clarify any questions we may have. Ms. Downey said she will also bring this request back to the board for further information. Mr. Carroll said Liz Argo came over in person last week and went over some of this already.
Public Hearing:
At 7:45 PM Chairman Mayhew opened the public hearing for our Tax Classification Hearing.
Pam Bunker from the Chilmark Assessors office said the town’s total value for FY2016 is $3,126,956,840.00 the average assessment is $1,373,000.00
The Assessors recommend a single tax rate and the residential factor of one.
Mr. Doty asked how this compared with last year’s total value. Ms. Bunker said FY15 total value was $3,114,795,000.00 the increase was due to new growth.
As there was no other discussion
Mr. Rossi moved to close the hearing, Mr. Mayhew seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Mr. Rossi moved to approve the Assessors recommendation of a single tax rate with the factor of one. Mr. Doty seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Health Insurance MGL Ch. 32B sec. 21, 22, 23 and the Affordable Care Act:
Chilmark Town Treasurer Melanie Becker was present to discuss the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the MGL Chapter 32B sections 21, 22 and 23 concerning Health Insurance for Chilmark town Employees.
Ms. Becker said there will be different phases of the ACA, for instance the “Cadillac Tax” is to be phased into operation in 2018. There is a bill before congress to repeal but Cape Cod Municipal Health Group (CCMHG) is actively planning in the event of this act and chapters passing as presented. The Cadillac Tax is a 40% tax payed by employers on health insurance plans for employees who have premiums above a certain threshold. The threshold is; $10,200.00 for individual plan or $ 27,500.00 for family plan. The plan we have in CCMHG that is the most expensive is Master Health Plus this is the only remaining indemnity plan.
At this time Chilmark has one person and one retiree that have Master Health Plus. The Cadillac Tax will cost the town per single member $2,982.00 or family plan $6,646.00. Ms. Becker will speak with the one plan holder to see if they would be willing to change their health plan.
Mr. Doty said no new employees are permitted to sign up for the Master Health Plus. Ms. Becker confirmed that the Selectmen made that decision a few years ago. Discussion ensued. Ms. Becker said the steering committee at CCMHG did not support changing plans at this time and to wait and see what happens in congress concerning the Cadillac Tax.
Ms. Becker also discussed MGL Chapter 32B sections 21, 22 & 23 law that allows for expedited bargaining for healthcare. Ms. Becker read recommendations discussed at CCMHG. Mr. Doty asked Ms. Becker as our benefits administrator if she recommends adopting this. Ms. Becker said adoption of this law would not constrain the town in anyway Mr. Doty moved to adopt MGL Chapter 32B sections 21, 22 & 23. Mr. Rossi seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Healthy Aging Task Force:
Cynthia Doyle a representative from Healthy Aging Task Force spoke about the survey mailing.
Ms. Doyle held up a sample of what the yellow Martha’s Vineyard mailer will look like and encouraged anyone receiving this survey to please take the time and complete the survey. Ms. Doyle estimated the total time to complete survey would be less than 20 minutes.
Chairman Mayhew stressed the need to have residents from Chilmark complete this survey. Selectmen stated they endorsed this survey. (Be on the lookout for the yellow MV large envelope in your mailbox if you are 65 years and older)
Shellfish Department:
Chilmark Shellfish Constable Isaiah Scheffer presented the Selectmen with his proposal and request for a fulltime Assistant Shellfish Constable position. Mr. Scheffer gave a report on why this request is necessary for the Chilmark Shellfishing industry.
Shellfish Department Continued…
Mr. Doty (Selectmen and also a member of the Shellfish Advisory Committee) spoke in support of Mr. Scheffer’s request. Mr. Doty recommended this as a Special Town Meeting Warrant article for $20,000.00 to allow our Shellfish Constable to establish this proposed benefited position and to get an Assistant Constable on the job from January 1, 2016 – July1, 2016 for this next season’s shellfish preparations.
Discussion turned to costs to the town for the proposed Assistant Shellfish Constable position; salary is estimated at $35,000.00 plus benefits cost health insurance for individual $7,700.00, up to 19,179.00 for family plan.
Chairman Mayhew prompted discussion about the lack of eelgrass this year in Quitsa Pond and asked for possible causes. Mr. Scheffer said it is odd and he will put his department’s efforts into transplanting eelgrass shoots into areas where needed. Also harvesting the seed shoots and treat similarly to our shellfish seed. Nature conservancy on the Cape was successful in their eelgrass restoration and Mr. Scheffer stressed the need to nurture our eelgrass.
At this time the Shellfish Department will advertise a strong in-house candidate for this position. Chairman Mayhew said you have the support of the Selectmen on your request and it will be a warrant article on the Special Town Meeting Warrant for November 9, 2015
Center 4 Living Board:
Mr. Carroll said that Susan Murphy has written to the Selectmen requesting they consider appointing her to the Center 4 Living Board. Ms. Murphy described the Center 4 Living and her desire to serve. Mr. Doty moved to appoint Ms. Murphy, Mr. Rossi seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Historical Commission:
Mr. Carroll said his grandmother Bette Carroll passed away leaving a space vacant on the Historic Commission that expires in 2016. The Selectmen’s office received a written request from Jim Malkin asking the Selectmen to consider appointing him to the Historical Commission in the vacant seat. Mr. Rossi moved to appoint Mr. Malkin to Historical Commission, Mr. Doty seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Harbor Anchorage in Menemsha Pond:
Mr. Doty reported having discussed with Aquinnah Selectmen Spencer Booker the anchorage designation in Menemsha Pond. The discussion with Mr. Booker included the possibility of an anchorage area that crossed the two towns of Aquinnah and Chilmark.
Mr. Doty recommended getting together with Aquinnah on the topic of Menemsha Pond Anchorage. Mr. Doty asked for comment from Harbormaster Dennis Jason. Mr. Jason asked if Aquinnah Selectmen had written waterways agreement with Chilmark yet. Mr. Carroll said that they had a copy sent from Chilmark and were to meet on this topic but did not have a quorum yet.
Harbor Anchorage in Menemsha Pond Continued…
Mr. Jason recommended a small anchorage. Mr. Jason requested to contact town counsel as to the town’s ability to keep public out of our shellfish resources. Mr. Rossi asked what the estimate number of boats that would be feasible in the anchorage that we are charting. Mr. Doty requested that we work to this coming season and designate an anchorage only section and have no mooring or overnighting.
Mr. Carroll discussed regulatory buoying on the corners of the Town Oyster Grant area.
Mr. Carroll asked that having Harbormaster Jason here he requests discussion of the Harbor Department warrant articles. Mr. Jason said he is seeking an inflatable boat to add to the need for additional coverage monitoring the pond due to this dredging project. Mr. Doty said this is a good warrant article.
Mr. Carroll said that the other warrant article Mr. Jason has proposed are new power pedestals for the West Dock. Mr. Doty said half of the nightlights on Dutcher Dock and Commercial Dock don’t work. Mr. Doty recommended having an electrician work on the repairs (maintenance) to the lighting along the other pedestals. Mr. Carroll said we estimate cost of $ 1,300.00 per pedestal and $600.00 per streetlight for repairs.
Chairman Mayhew asked for a report on our Piling project. Mr. Jason reported that Packer Marine initial bid for the pilings came in at $20,000.00 for the 10 free standing piles on the harbor side of West Dock. Mr. Jason said when he inspected the pilings on the Charter Dock found that 4 were needing repairs immediately. Mr. Jason said 6 went to the eastside of the West Dock. The other pilings he had went to the Channel dock. Mr. Jason said the bill came to $27,000.00. Discussion turned to damage to the whaler at the end of Channel Dock and to see if we could get reimbursement for that. Selectmen thanked Mr. Jason for his efforts and report.
Mr. Doty will work with Chuck Hodgkinson concerning sand from the Menemsha Pond dredging to be utilized in Squibnocket.
Ethics / Special Municipal Employees:
Discussion ensued. Mr. Doty moved to reaffirm our list from 1963. Mr. Rossi seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Cape and Vineyard Energy Cooperative (CVEC):
Mr. Carroll said in the efforts to follow through with the green energy Mr., Carroll asked if selectmen would approve solar power purchase from Nexamp. Mr. Doty discussed the efforts that Chilmark has made in moving toward greener energy programs. Mr. Doty moved to approve purchase of the proposed Nexamp solar power purchase. Mr. Rossi seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Special Town Meeting (STM) Warrant:
Warrant Articles Continue on the next page …
Mr. Doty moved to approve the 10 warrant articles that were reviewed and post the STM for November 9, 2015 at 7:30 PM in the Chilmark Community Center. Mr. Rossi seconded the motion SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Town Hall Exterior Renovation:
Mr. Carroll said the town received 4 sealed bids for the Town Hall Exterior Renovation project. Noiseux Roofing bid was the lowest bid. The amount of Noiseux Roofing bid: $74,200.00
Mr. Doty moved to award the Town Hall Exterior Renovation to Noiseux Roofing for $74,200.00. Mr. Rossi seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Human Resources Board (HRB):
Chairman of the HRB requested the Selectmen review and approve the position description for the Tax Collector and Administrative Assistant to the Office of Selectmen/Receptionist. Mr. Rossi moved to approve the new position descriptions as presented by the HRB. Mr. Doty seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Chairman Mayhew signed the position descriptions.
At 9:33 PM Mr. Doty moved to adjourn. Mr. Rossi seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Minutes respectfully submitted by Diana DeBlase Approved 11/03/2015
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