Chilmark Board of Selectmen October 4, 2016 Meeting Minutes
Present: Chairman Warren Doty, Bill Rossi, Jim Malkin, Tim Carroll, Maggie Downey,
Valerie Sonnenthal, Janet Weidner, Peter Cook, Harbormaster Dennis Jason, Shellfish Constable Isaiah Scheffer, Almandine Hall, Chilmark School Principal Susan Stevens, Rob Hannemann, Carol Vardel, Melanie Sroka Chaunce, , Alex Elvin, Eddie Prescott and Lynn Christoffers.
At 5:00 PM Chairman Doty called meeting to order in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room.
Cape Light Compact (CLC) - Grid Modernization:
CLC Administrator Maggie Downey presented the PowerPoint presentation about the DPU Grid Modernization Plan, Eversource $171 million dollar project and how it affects us. A link to this information is as follows:
Minutes:
Draft minutes from the September 20, 2016 meeting were reviewed. Mr. Malkin moved to approve as written. Mr. Rossi seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 2 Ayes 1 Abstain not present
Chilmark School Gutters:
Chilmark School Principal Susan Stevens distributed information on the proposed repairs and improvements for the Chilmark School. Ms. Stevens discussed the completed projects; air handlers and heating controls for each of the classrooms. Ms. Stevens said that the old vents are still in the ceilings and the contractor will return and remove and re-finish the ceilings.
Ms. Stevens said that she would like to discuss a plan to upgrade the gutter system for the school. The latest evaluation concerning the gutters revealed that their capacity is too small for the grade of our roof. In place now for gutters is only 4 inches in width and the recommended width is 6 inches. Ms. Stevens presented cost comparisons of copper or white colored aluminum.
Ms. Stevens said that the school has the funds to install the aluminum gutters on the area that never got them and said it will not be visible from the front of building. Ms. Stevens said we can install this small amount and see if it is visually suitable for the building. Mr. Malkin asked why this was being brought to the Selectmen rather than the Up Island Regional School District Committee. Ms. Stevens said because the town of Chilmark owns the building. Mr. Malkin said he would like to wait to hear Susan Murphy’s recommendations on this proposal. Ms. Stevens said the project is scheduled to happen during the Christmas vacation. Selectmen thanked
Ms. Stevens for this presentation.
Chilmark Community Center / Fundraiser Event for Standing Rock:
Valerie Sonnenthal, Carol Vandel and Melanie Sroka Chaunce presented their request to hold a fundraiser for the Standing Rock Reservation. The event is proposed for November 12, 2016 from 6:00 PM -9:00 PM. Ms. Sonnenthal said because of the time there would likely be food involved. Chairman Doty said that the Center doesn’t have a catering kitchen but the kitchen is used to warm foods or keep foods cold that have been prepared elsewhere.
Chilmark Community Center / Fundraiser Event for Standing Rock Continued …
Chairman Doty also said that all events must pay a cleaning deposit of $200.00 that will be returned when we confirm the center is clean and no garbage left behind. Ms. Sonnenthal said she would be the Chilmark resident requesting permission to hold this event and also requested that the rental fee be waived. Mr. Rossi moved to approve this event and request, Mr. Malkin seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Shellfish Department / Kelp Program:
Almandine Hall of the Shellfish Hatchery and Chilmark Shellfish Constable Isaiah Scheffer presented information about a kelp program for Chilmark. Ms. Hall said that the kelp growing could be an alternate income for oyster growers. Chairman Doty asked if there was any concern to navigation. Ms. Hall explained that the kelp would be in the waters from October through March and the lines would be six feet under the water’s surface. Constable Scheffer said the recommended location for the kelp growing would be in the Menemsha Pond area that was discussed for future anchorage as it is deep enough and well out of the way for navigation.
Ms. Hall said she would also like permission to apply for permit to have a line for growing kelp outside of the harbor in the mooring field. Mr. Malkin moved to approve this trial kelp line with direction of Shellfish Constable Scheffer. Mr. Rossi seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Commercial Scallop Season:
Constable Scheffer presented his and the Shellfish Advisory recommendations for the Commercial shellfish season. Scallop season will start November 21, 2016. The weekly limit is two struck round orange shrimp baskets. Mr. Malkin moved to approve this recommendation. Mr. Rossi seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Constable Scheffer said the committee agreed that there should be no commercial oyster season this year in Tisbury Great Pond. Constable Scheffer explained that there is so much seed attached to the mature oysters. Mr. Rossi moved to approve closing the Tisbury Great Pond to commercial oyster fishing this season. Mr. Malkin seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Cape &Vineyard Electric Cooperative (CVEC):
Tim Carroll said the CVEC is returning to the towns to ask for a half of a penny ($0.005) per kilowatt hour of production to cover startup expenses bookkeeping etc... Mr. Carroll explained this is a half a penny reduction to a previously approved charge. Mr. Malkin moved to approve to ratify previous approval at a better rate. Mr. Rossi seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
UIRSD Financial Review Group - Update:
Jim Malkin reported that the group (Accountant Ellen Biskis, Linda Coutinho, Susan Murphy, Robert Lionette and Jim Malkin) have meet six times over the summer.
UIRSD Financial Review Group - Update Continued…
The group has been reviewing figures supplied by Accountant Biskis regarding UIRSD budget and are meeting again tomorrow with final figures. The next step would be to present a final report to the Chilmark Selectmen at their next meeting. Chilmark Selectmen will determine the recommendation to present to the West Tisbury Selectmen. Chairman Doty clarified that this is in response to West Tisbury‘s Task force report distributed to Chilmark this past spring.
Town Center Paths:
Chairman Doty asked if there was a brief update from the Committee for Town Center Paths. Mr. Malkin said the committee consists of himself, Marybeth Grady, Marie Larsen, Marie Mercer, Jennifer Christy and Mitchel Posin. This committee has met four times, have received projections from the MV Commission that they are using as an aid for planning. Members will be reaching out to abutters for information and communication. Once this has happened the committee will bring their recommendation to the Chilmark Planning Board and the Planning Board will be the committee to bring a plan to the town.
Menemsha Master Plan - Meetings Update:
Peter Cook of the Planning Board said he missed the meeting with the business owners and looks forward to his debriefing but that the meeting with the Vineyard Transit Authority went well. Mr. Cook said the board is looking to do an interim report prior to the master plan completion especially for public safety items. Chairman Doty supported this plan and discussed possibly pushing back the Special Town Meeting to December in hopes to have items from the Planning Board. Chairman Doty asked for a motion to hold our STM December 5, 2016
Mr. Malkin requested that the date be confirmed with Town Counsel and the Moderator. Mr. Rossi moved to have our STM December5, 2016. Mr. Malkin seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Mr. Carroll said the Selectmen will call a warrant for the STM at their November15th meeting.
Chairman Doty asked Police Chief Cioffi if there was an item he wanted to discuss Chief Cioffi said no. Chairman Doty said that an item that was approved at the ATM for a police vehicle will purchase a truck and he asked Chief Cioffi prior to tonight if the specifications could have a v6 engine instead of a v8. Chief Cioffi said he requested that change and did not have a problem with that.
Pot Luck Music Events Free To Public at CCC
Chairman Doty said the Town of Chilmark has hosted (annually) 5 pot luck
/ Music events at the Chilmark Community Center.
The first potluck jam will be the Saturday after Thanksgiving and the following: 1/7/2017, 2/11/2017, 3/11/2017 and 4/8/2017. Mr. Malkin moved to approve these events. Mr. Rossi seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Hunting Permission:
Joe Rogers has submitted a renewal for permission to hunt in the Chilmark Town Forest for this coming deer season. Mr. Malkin moved to approve this request. Mr. Rossi seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
USACE / Fall 2016 Dredging Project:
Mr. Carroll said that the Army Corps of Engineers has assigned a liaison to this dredging project that will keep our Shellfish Constable up to date on any issues as the dredging is being done. Mr. Carroll recited some of the incidents that happened last year with this same dredging company.
Mr. Malkin asked if this person would be on site every day during the dredging. Mr. Carroll confirmed that they offered a 5 day a week person but if the dredging is happening 7 days a week 24 hour a day that would not be covered by USACE supervision. Mr. Carroll said that this would be a vast improvement over last year’s supervision.
Mr. Rossi asked for the dredging time period for this project. Mr. Carroll said they are gathering equipment mid-October and plan to start dredging November 1, 2016 and finish January 10, 2017. Mr. Malkin moved to send a strong letter outlining our requirements of supervision and communication and to authorize Shellfish Constable Scheffer, Harbormaster Jason and Tim Carroll to be the contacts for all information with USACE and the dredging company. Mr. Rossi seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
DHCD / Letter
Selectmen reviewed a letter to be sent to the Department of Housing & Community Development about our concerns for the changes planned for the home rehabilitations and child care block grants. Mr. Rossi moved to approve and sign this letter. Mr. Malkin seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Menemsha Trash Proposal:
Selectmen’s office received a proposal from Seth Karlinsky / Smith Property Care for winter trash removal in Menemsha at $250 per week. Selectmen will address this at the next meeting. No action was taken at this time.
Harbor:
Mr. Malkin reported that the Harbor Department will put 10 pilings into the harbor budget each year rather than have them as town warrant articles. To accomplish this they will look to taking something out of the existing budget. Mr. Malkin said that Harbor Master Jason is looking into placing rocks at the corner of the channel jetty to keep the sand from filling in at Crab Corner and will return with estimates for this proposal. Mr. Malkin said he and Harbormaster Jason have been in contact with John Packer to remove sand and rocks from the harbor. Mr. Malkin said Harbormaster Jason is also working to get two quotes for electrical work for the commercial dock.
Mr. Carroll said he and Keith Fenner looked at the pump-out and septic line by the harbor shack. Mr. Carroll said Mr. Fenner said he would return to dig at the site to assess what may need to be done. Mr. Carroll said the septic line may have been crushed by the concrete and the electrical conduit may have crossed the sewer line. Mr. Carroll said there is sewer gas coming up into the harbor shack possibly through the electrical conduit.
Election Warrant:
Selectmen received the Election Warrant for November 8, 2016 election.
Mr. Malkin moved to approve, Mr. Rossi seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Chairman Doty asked if there were any more items to be discussed prior to adjourning;
Mr. Malkin said yes, as a follow-up from the Selectmen Menemsha walk through there is an item to clarify. The boardwalk from the Comfort Station to Menemsha Beach will be picked up by the Highway Department rather than Marshall & Katie Carroll. Mr. Rossi said this should be added into the Highway budget. Mr. Carroll recommended putting that in writing. Chief Cioffi said with the possibility of the hurricane coming recommended putting up snow fencing on the beach to reduce sand buildup in the parking lot. Selectmen recommended installing temporary fencing to reduce sand in the parking lot.
Chairman Doty said Jack Wildauer passed away today. Jack was our sound system and audio visual technician. He has done so much for the town through the years and will be missed he was a good friend of Chilmark.
Mr. Malkin said the town is short a FinCom Member and asked if anyone had a suggestion to fill this position. Mr. Malkin said he has talked with Robert Kenny as a possible member.
Mr. Malkin stressed it would be good to have a FinCom member attend the next all-island FinCom meeting October 18th. Chairman Doty mention Rob Hanneman may be a good candidate.
At 6:50 PM Mr. Malkin moved to adjourn, Mr. Rossi seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 2 Ayes
Minutes respectfully submitted by Diana DeBlase Minutes Approved 10/18/16
Documents:
- CLC PowerPoint printout for the Grid Modernization
- Draft Minutes
- Price comparisons for School gutters
- CVEC request to ratify to a better rate, net metering data and annual report
- Hunting policy 1998
- DHCD letter from Selectmen
- Shellfish Advisory minutes 9/28/16
- Shellfish Constable kelp project proposal
- Election Warrant for 11/8/16
- ZBA sept decisions report
- Notice of election for position on the DC Contributory Retirement System
- MVLB response letter to Peaked Hill Road Association
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