Chilmark Board of Selectmen June 19, 2018 Meeting Minutes
Present: Chairman James Malkin, Warren Doty and Bill Rossi. Tim Carroll, Deb Packer, Mr. Grimm, Jane Slater, Andy Goldman, Clark Goff, Tri-Town Ambulance Chief Ben Retmier, Belinda Booker, Rodney Bunker, Dan Shaw, reporter George Brennan and MVTV videographer Lynn Christoffers.
At 5:00 PM Chairman Malkin called meeting to order in the Selectmen’s meeting room.
Chairman Malkin said as is policy we will be hearing first from attendees who want to address issues from the agenda. Jane Slater and Andy Goldman are present to discuss the report submitted concerning town facilities.
Utilization of Town Owned Facilities Committee:
Chairman Malkin said he would like to re-open the report submitted a few years ago concerning town owned facilities. The Committee consisted of James Malkin, Andy Goldman and Jane Slater. This committee reviewed the use and policy of the Chilmark Community Center and submitted a report with suggestions to change the fee structure and use of the Center. When this report was submitted no action was taken by the Selectmen at that time. Chairman Malkin would like to revisit these recommendations for 2 reasons;
- The Lease that the Town has the document speaks to: the center will be used by the residents of Chilmark.
- Fee structure mostly for wedding and large event uses. Many of the users are not residents of Chilmark.
Chairman Malkin said during their review of the Chilmark Community Center use in preparing this report they heard from the Shellfish Group and Chilmark Church who have events as fundraisers. They are not using it to sell or provide a product for sale that might be a distinction to be considered in terms of use of the facility. Chairman Malkin asked that Ms. Slater and Mr. Goldman have an open meeting to discuss this with interested people and return to the Selectmen with a recommendation. Chairman Malkin said personally he likes films but questions the size of the film festival with the kind of stress on the infrastructure and if this meets the purpose of what the Center is for. Chairman Malkin Also if the Town is being compensated properly.
Mr. Doty said he is a big supporter of the Film Festival and said this group brings extraordinary talent to this festival. Mr. Doty said he is also the official sponsor of the free Pot Luck Music Jams at the Center it’s true that ¾ of attendees are not Chilmark residence but it’s a nice community event held 5 Saturday nights offseason. Mr. Doty said these events are good for Chilmark. Mr. Rossi said he thinks the Film Festival performs a valuable service to the community but the concern is whether the town is being fairly compensated for use of the Center.
Mr. Goldman said he would like to have a young person on the committee and assured the Selectmen he understands the condition to explore the fairness and appropriate evaluation. Ms. Slater said she would be delighted to work on this again. Mr. Doty suggested that the new director of the Community Center Summer Program; Alexandra London Thompson be appointed to this committee. Chairman Malkin asked Mr. Carroll to contact Ms. London Thompson to see if she would join this committee.
Utilization of Town Owned Facilities Committee Continued…
Chairman Malkin said as for a time line having a report at the end of September. Mr. Rossi moved to reestablish the Utilization of Town Owned Facilities Committee with Andy Goldman, Jane Slater, and adding Alexandra London Thompson if she is willing. Mr. Doty seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Minutes:
Chairman Malkin tabled approving 5/15/18 & 6/5/18 minutes till the next Selectmen meeting.
At 5:14 PM Chairman Malkin requested a motion to open the Public Hearing of the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP). Mr. Doty moved, Mr. Rossi seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Also a video of presentation is available at http://www.mvtv.org video on demand then enter Chilmark and see BOS.06.19.18
Mr. Doty said Town Administrators Tim Carroll and (West Tisbury) Jen Rand worked hard together to apply for this MVP certification to be eligible for grant money. West Tisbury and Chilmark were the only island towns that applied.
Mr. Shaw said after we have held the 2 workshops and submitted the report and held this meeting for the public we will submit all of this to the State for Chilmark & West Tisbury MVP certification. Once this is complete it will open up future grant funds to implement the identified steps to build resilience and prepare for climate related hazards. Mr. Doty spoke to the 6 items listed in the report and what items we could act on now.
Chairman Malkin said we will have to work on who will be responsible to get these items completed.
Selectmen thanked Mr. Shaw for the presentation and the members of the community that worked together at the workshops.
Tri Town Ambulance -Appointment recommendation:
Tri Town Ambulance Chief Ben Retmier presented his and the Tri Town Ambulance Committees recommendation for the 30 hr/wk EMT-Paramedic position. Chief Retmire introduced Belinda Booker as the recommended candidate.
Mr. Doty moved to appoint Belinda Booker to this 30 hr/wk position. Mr. Rossi seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Roof Repairs - Town Hall & N. Rd. Fire Station:
Rodney Bunker (Maintenance Supervisor of Town Owned Buildings) discussed the repairs needed and cost estimates. Selectmen reviewed the estimates. Mr. Bunker recommended awarding this job to the lowest bid as this contractor has done good work for the town in the past.
Mr. Doty moved to award contractor Johnathan Flaherty the Chilmark Town Hall re-roofing project at $22,950.00. And the Fire Station re-roofing project for $13,200.00 Mr. Rossi seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Peaked Hill Pastures Proposals Committee:
Chairman Malkin said though we appreciate the willingness of abutters to the property to be on the committee we have decided not to appoint abutters. Mr. Carroll gave a verbal list of persons who have written to be appointed; Ursula Goodenough, Clark Goff, Jane Slater, Peter Cook of Planning Board , Lenny Jason, Jim Malkin (himself). Chairman Malkin said we had requested a representative from the Housing Committee and Jessica Roddy volunteered but was not available till fall. Wanting to get proposals to town sooner Chairman Malkin asked if Ann Wallace from the Housing Committee was available.
Mr. Doty moved to appoint this list of seven members to the Peaked Hill Pastures Proposals Committee as long as Ms. Wallace is available. Mr. Rossi seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Travel Chanel - Filming request in Menemsha:
Selectmen’s Office received a request from company filming for Bizarre Foods: Delicious Destinations to film in Menemsha at the Home Port & Larsen’s Fish Market.
Mr. Rossi said this is a big deal for the local businesses and moved to approve this request.
Mr. Doty seconded the request with the condition there would be no filming on the beach.
SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Preschool Lease -RFP Updates:
Chairman Malkin said he has had Rob Hannemann and Robert Lionette (they are both working on volunteer school boards for Chilmark) review this lease with him and all are in agreement it would work. Chairman Malkin said he would like legal counsel to review prior to sending to the Preschool board chairman.
Chairman Malkin said once we get the ok from legal counsel this lease should be advertised and made available to anyone wanting to bid for the lease contract.
Chairman Malkin said legal counsel recommended that in advertisement stating Selectmen will award to whatever entity (applicant) they deem appropriate. Chairman Malkin directed Mr. Carroll to contact town’s legal counsel for exact wording.
Board, Committee & Commission Annual Appointments:
Mr. Carroll submitted a list of all the Chilmark residents who have submitted requests to be reappointed to the boards & committees they have served on.
Board, Committee & Commission Annual Appointments Continued…
List of residents requesting to be re-appointed:
- Sandy Broyard- Conservation Commission for 3 year term
- Lisa Burkin- Community Preservation Committee
- Stephen Lewenberg- Community Preservation Committee
- Clarissa Allen - Beach Committee
- Wayne Iacono- Beach Committee
- Wayne Iacono - Harbor Advisory Committee
- Wayne Iacono - Shellfish Advisory Committee
- Everett Poole - Harbor Advisory Committee
- Steve Broderick- Harbor Advisory Committee
- Spider Andresen - Harbor Advisory Committee
- Scott Larsen- Shellfish Advisory Committee
Mr. Doty moved to approve appointing all of the persons on this list. Mr. Rossi seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Menemsha Harbor - Updates:
Harbormaster Boat:
Mr. Carroll said he advertised for bids for the harbor boat with our specifications on June 22, 2018 and 1 week from that date he would call the folks to build our custom Maritime Skiff.
Sidewalks:
Mr. Doty said he will get together soon with Janet Weidner to work on the sidewalks in the Basin Road area. Mr. Carroll said we have a meeting scheduled for Wednesday at 1:00 PM with an engineer (Reid Silva from VLS) to go over the bus turnaround and the sidewalks. Mr. Carroll said lawyers are drafting the easements hopefully this week.
Mr. Doty said the easements are for the sidewalks by the Greenebaum and DiMaura properties. Mr. Doty said we are getting renderings done of landscape plans for the homeowners (DiMaura & Greenebaum) so they can support this project and remit (sign) easements.
Ms. Packer said she has been attending many of the Planning Board meetings concerning the sidewalk plans for North Road as it has a big impact on her neighborhood habitat. Ms. Packer said taking down the trees (trees that are older than 1945) at the Greenebaum property would open up that area to light and noise pollution. Ms. Packer spoke at length about her opposition to install a sidewalk by the Greenebaum property.
Mr. Rossi said he knows what he is talking about as he was an arborist for 25 years and with the right landscape plan the planting will grow very quickly creating a protective screening again. Chairman Malkin said we are obligated to implement the pedestrian walkway for public safety. Jane Slater said sidewalks is a dirty word as far as she is concerned (in Menemsha) but said she would feel pretty bad if someone got run over.
Shuttle Lot:
Mr. Carroll said John Keene Excavation will be working on repairs to the entrance road to the lot. Mr. Carroll said Keith (Highway Superintendent) put up signs for parking (the sandwich- board signs). Mr. Carroll said the temporary PVC poles for the lights have been replaced by steel posts. Mr. Doty said the sandwich boards have been effective and if we need more they should be purchased. Mr. Carroll said we will install the small green No Parking signs on North Road hill the last week in June.
Menemsha Harbor - Electrical System:
Mr. Carroll said he spoke with Cole Powers who is supposed to get us a report this week concerning his recommendations on review of plans.
Mr. Carroll gave Selectmen a list prepared by Seth Karlinsky of all the repairs to date made at the Comfort Station (the walk around to do check list).
Mr. Carroll said on the topic of Summer Projects the draft sign for Squibnocket beach was shared with everybody and since he got the ok from most and no changes recommended, he ordered a sign adding that commercial trailers are not allowed in the parking lot. Mr. Carroll said contractors were using the area as a staging for jobs down the road.
Mr. Doty inquired if the rope was installed and the posts shortened. Mr. Rossi said he will take a look.
Chilmark Community Center (CCC) Parking:
Mr. Carroll said he talked with new CCC Executive Director Alexandra Thompson. Ms. Thompson would like to put in the school parking lot a no parking sign from 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM & 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM. This is to aid in the drop-off and pick-up for the Summer Program. Mr. Carroll said this would be a sawhorse type sign like the Homeport & Library do. Selectmen agreed that this would be ok. Mr. Carroll will also talk to Police Chief Klarèn about the signs.
Harbor Advisory (Harbor Updates Continued):
Chairman Malkin said the advisory recommendations we talked about last autumn have all been implemented. The major electrical work is on hold till the fall. Chairman Malkin said there continues to be abrasions not only on the electrical lines but also on the waterlines that are underneath the wood decking over the cement floating dock. Chairman Malkin said in the fall when we are doing the electrical upgrades we should also run the water on the side of the dock and not under the decking.
Chairman Malkin said we still need to put up a no kayak storage sign at Quitsa (Nasha Quitsa) / Hariph’s Creek landing. Mr. Doty said there are probably about 10 kayaks there at this time. Chairman Malkin said the Fire Chief is working with Harbormaster Jason to get a water pump for each side for fire suppression. The additional and new fire extinguishers were installed yesterday. Chairman Malkin said the harbor has the same contract as the fire department for extinguisher inspections. Mr. Carroll said that company was just purchased by another company and we need to update our contacts.
Harbor updates continued…
Mr. Grimm asked about boat named Sam Belle on Chip Vanderhoop’s Aquinnah lease being tied up in Chilmark waters overnight. Chairman Malkin said about the pilings that the Harbormaster deemed a menace to navigation: We have forwarded that information along with Conservation Commission information to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Chairman Malkin said Town Counsel said there is no statutory authority for the Harbormaster or for the Selectmen to pull (remove) those pilings. The pilings have to be pulled by the order of the DEP. Chairman Malkin said we are waiting for their decision. Mr. Grimm said so Chip can sublet his spot to anyone and they get to overnight in Chilmark waters. Mr. Rossi said this is an issue to bring to the Harbormaster. Mr. Carroll asked for the name of the boat that Mr.
Grimm said is overnighting in Chilmark waters. Mr. Grimm spelled Sam Belle. Mr. Grimm said the boat is not owned by someone who lives off island and not a Chilmark resident.
At 6:19 PM with no further public comment or agenda items for discussion Mr. Doty moved to adjourn. Mr. Rossi seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Minutes respectfully submitted by Diana DeBlase Approved 07/10/2018
Document list:
- Draft minutes from Selectmen’s meetings held 5/15/2018 & 06/05/2018
- Presentation of the MVP (Municipality Vulnerability Preparedness) process
- Draft report created by Dodson & Flinker using info from the MVP process with Chilmark & West Tisbury workshops
- Email correspondence with Tremendous Entertainment concerning their request to film in Menemsha food establishments.
- Email correspondence with Sarah Nixon RE Homeport participation in food show filming with Tremendous Entertainment
- Email correspondence with Betsy Larsen RE Larsen’s Fish Market participation in food show filming with Tremendous Entertainment
- Roof repairs quotes document from Rodney Bunker Maintenance Supervisor of Town Buildings
- Newspaper advertisement recruiting Chilmark volunteers to serve on boards and the re-appointment requests procedure
- Requests for reappointment by: Sandy Broyard, Lisa Burkin, Steven Lewenberg, Wayne Iacono, Everett Poole, Steve Broderick, Spider Andresen and Scott Larsen
- Tri-Town Ambulance Committee draft minutes from their 06/06/18 meeting
- TTA Chief request to appoint Ms. Booker as 30 hr/wk paramedic position
- Cape Light Compact letter from Administrator Downey reporting about re-organization
- MV Commission invitation for Drawbridge Park opening 6/23/18
- DEP letter concerning recycling markets and the impact on municipalities
- 1919 town meeting impressions by Florence Mayhew
- Notice from Comcast of fee changes 6/5/18
- Checklist from Seth Karlinsky for Comfort Station
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