Chilmark Selectmen November 6, 2018 Meeting Minutes
Present: Chairman Jim Malkin, Warren Doty, Bill Rossi. Tim Carroll, Don Leopold, Josh Aronie, Fire Chief David Norton, Police Chief Jonathan Klarèn, Margaret Emerson, Deb Packer Mr. Grimm, Barbara Armstrong, John Armstrong, Clark Goff, Linda Coutinho, MVTV videographer Lynn Christoffers. News reporters: Landry Harland and Rich Saltzberg.
At 5:00 PM Chairman Malkin called meeting to order in the Selectmen’s meeting room.
Minutes:
Draft minutes from October 2, 2018 were reviewed, corrections were made. Mr. Doty moved to approve minutes as corrected. Mr. Rossi seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Draft minutes from October 16, 2018 were reviewed, corrections were made. Mr. Rossi moved to approve minutes as corrected. Mr. Doty seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
With time before the posted public hearing Chairman Malkin asked to move on to the Martha’s Vineyard Cultural Council appointment.
MV Cultural Council - Margaret Emerson:
Ms. Emerson introduced herself as an artist and said she has had the great fortune to be a recipient of a MVCC grant. Ms. Emerson said she would like to represent Chilmark on the board. Chairman Malkin asked if she was aware of the commitment and Ms. Emerson said she was. Mr. Doty said he had an opportunity to be at a poetry workshop with Ms. Emerson who showed to have a strong artistic sense. Mr. Rossi moved to appoint Ms. Emerson as a Chilmark representative to the Martha’s Vineyard Cultural Council. Mr. Doty seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
At 5:05 Chairman Malkin opened the public hearing on the food truck - common victualler application.
Josh Aronie Food Truck - 2 Basin Road - Common Victualler License Application:
Josh Aronie presented his plan to run the same food truck but at a slightly different location in Menemsha. Mr. Aronie said the commercial kitchen will be at a different location as well. Selectmen supported this application with the condition that the Board of Health approves this application and Food Truck passes the health inspection and licensing needed. With no further comments Chairman Malkin closed the public hearing at 5:09 PM.
Mr. Rossi moved to approve this common victualler license application with the condition set forth concerning Board of Health requirements. Mr. Doty seconded the motion.
SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Fire Department - Updates Chief Norton & Don Leopold:
Chief Norton and Don Leopold were present to discuss updates regarding the Fire department.
Mr. Leopold distributed an outline for discussion.
First items for discussion were recruitment to find a new Chief and defining the proper signage for property identification. Chief Norton said the recruitment for his (Chief) replacement is ongoing. Chief Norton said he has talked to three people who may possibly be interested.
Chief Norton said there would be meetings defining what their role would be and what his roll (present Chief) would be during transition.
Chief Norton stressed the importance of making signs uniform for responders to locate property efficiently in an emergency. Chief Norton said that Quansoo and Quenames Roads need improvement on their signs. Chief Norton said those are not the only areas that need to improve their signage.
Mr. Leopold said after he finishes discussions with Police Department and EMS this week we will follow this outline:
Proposed work plan to improve public safety through better signage
- Size/define the problem(s) to be solved (by January 2019)
- Interviews with FD, Chilmark Police and Tri-town EMS
- Review of 2017-2018 call reports
- Potential road/house sign “sampling”~
- Understand the impact (by January 2019)
- Response times/results of slower than necessary
- Time loss
- Financial~
- Town/home insurance implications, if any
- Develop potential solutions (by March 2019)
- Test/refine with appropriate stakeholders (planning Board, others tbd)
- Propose action steps to BOS (by April 2019)
Discussion about lack of road signs and address signs continued ending with the Selectmen’s support of this outline.
Chief Norton came back to the Chief Position discussion. Chief Norton said he is actively working at finding a good replacement for when he turns his position over to a new candidate. Chairman Malkin said pertaining to the transition and succession plan; as you narrow down to people who you think are great candidates, Selectmen will be involved as it is a contracted position. Chairman Malkin said he is looking forward to Chief Norton and the Chilmark firefighters coming up with the best candidate. The Selectmen are the appointing authority once a candidate has been found.
Chief Norton brought up the need to replace vehicle 141. 141 is a gear and essentials carrier of items that don’t fit on the fire truck. Chief Norton has prepared for purchasing a replacement vehicle and discussed the process. Replacement vehicle is a 1998 dually all-wheel drive 4x4 Ford 450 Super Duty with low mileage. This vehicle would in addition to holding the gear the 141 holds it will also have fire suppressant and hoses too.
Mr. Doty said article 11 of the Special Town Meeting warrant is for $25,000.00 towards this purchase. Mr. Doty asked what the total purchase price is.
Chief Norton said $20,000.00 but we will need to get it here and have it re-painted white and add some essentials (new hoses, nozzles). Chief Norton said the Fire Department gift fund has sent a deposit to hold this vehicle till the STM funds are available to complete this purchase.
Mr. Doty asked Chief Norton for a description listing what is being added to vehicle and the costs to support the warrant article for Special Town Meeting.
Chairman Malkin said Bill Smith came to him asking when his father’s plaque would be hung at the North Road Station. Chief Norton said he was hoping to combine a dedication of the North Road Station to Bill Smith Sr. and the flagpole for David Kurth at the same time. Chief Norton thought when the weather was better for an outside dedication. Chief Norton said he will get the Firefighters together at their next meeting to discuss this and set a date.
Mass DOT - Chapter 90:
Mr. Carroll said we received an additional $12,961.00. Chapter 90 funds are usually monies we are reimbursed for highway projects. This is actually bond money to be applied to the 10 year contract figures, with a total now being $220,946.67. Mr. Carroll said the asphalt plant closes December 3, 2018 so if we don’t move forward on a project now we will have to wait till spring.
Mr. Carroll said we already approved 2 projects:
- North Road hill
- Intersection of Menemsha Cross Road and North Road
In the interim we have had road deterioration on Basin Road by Menemsha Fish Market. Also on Menemsha Cross Road between the Church and the Fire Station there is road deterioration.
Mr. Carroll said we also are waiting for engineering of drainage solutions for the area by the Chilmark Church and Fire Station.
Mr. Doty motioned to pave the North Road triangle and the North Road hill before December 3, 2018. Mr. Rossi seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Chairman Malkin said he will talk with Keith Emin (Highway Superintendent) and get a clear picture of the next paving to be addressed after the two we have just approved. Mr. Doty said the engineering of drainage solutions we discussed will not be ready before the plant closes and recommended it to be on the spring paving plan. Mr. Rossi recommended Squibnocket Road to be added to the fall of 2019 paving plan.
Utilization of Town Owned Buildings Committee - Report:
Chairman Malkin said we are postponing discussion of this agenda item till the Selectmen’s meeting on the 20th of November. Chairman Malkin said we were asked to delay discussion so the Chilmark Community Center Advisory Committee could meet to review this report and submit their recommendations.
Squibnocket Pond District Advisory Committee - South side member needed:
Mr. Carroll said that no one has called or written in to be appointed to the SPDA. Mr. Carroll said Wendy Weldon did talk with a resident of the south side community who was interested to serve as a member. Ms. Weldon discussed this at the Selectmen’s meeting at the end of October.
Mr. Rossi moved to appoint Ms. Vickers the person Ms. Weldon recommended as the south side member on the SPDAC. Mr. Doty seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Center For Living board of directors - town representative needed:
Mr. Carroll said the board of directors has had 2 members resign and are actively seeking new members. Mr. Doty said he asked Judy Worthington and she did not say no, and that she is thinking about it. Mr. Doty asked Mr. Carroll to contact Ms. Worthington to see if she is willing.
Mr. Doty asked if we could seek Susan Murphy to re-join the Center for Living board of directors as she was very good as a Chilmark representative. Chairman Malkin said he spoke with Susan Murphy (who is a FinCom member) about the possibility of serving on the Martha’s Vineyard High School Building Committee. Ms. Murphy had said she could not commit to the schedule of the meetings but would like to help were she can. Chairman Malkin said he spoke with Molly Glasgow extensively about the High School Building project.
MVRHS Building Committee - Town representative Molly Glasgow:
Chairman Malkin said Ms. Glasgow is prepared to put the time in for this committee and has sent a letter to the Board of Selectmen requesting to be appointed to the MVRHS Building Committee. Chairman Malkin said Ms. Glasgow will attend the twice monthly meetings and he would like her to coordinate and inform Rob Hannemann (the chairman of the finance committee) Robert Lionette (Chilmark rep on UIRSDC and high school committee) Susan Murphy (FinCom) and himself (Jim Malkin). Chairman Malkin said Ms. Glasgow would also be attending Selectmen meetings every other month to report on the progress of the committee. Chairman Malkin said this is a multimillion dollar project that we need to keep the Chilmark community informed on the steps taken along the way.
Mr. Doty moved to appoint Molly Glasgow the Chilmark Selectmen appointed representative to the MVRHS Building Committee. Mr. Rossi seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Selectmen projects -Updates:
Mr. Rossi said he has no update yet for the 4 North Ridge Road property.
Mr. Doty said the Green Community project status is its being readied for the Annual Town Meeting in the spring. Mr. Doty said the Planning Board is addressing this at their meetings and Rob Hannemann (Chairman of the Chilmark Energy Committee, Island Energy Committee and FinCom Chairman) is actively working with the Planning Board to move the Green Community project forward and be ready for Annual Town Meeting.
Mr. Carroll said the next Selectmen’s meeting is the deadline for petitions to Zoning Bylaw changes for Annual Town Meeting. Mr. Carroll said the Planning Board plans to submit a pool zoning bylaw change and anything to do with the Green Communities.
Mr. Rossi asked if the guesthouse item was being submitted for Annual Town Meeting. Mr. Carroll said it is a report at this time and could be submitted as a report / presentation at Annual Town Meeting. Mr. Carroll said if that is done it would give the Planning Board input to move forward for a Special Town Meeting or a future ATM. Mr. Doty read the last sentence of the report submitted by the Planning Board about the guesthouse topic:
“the current Guest House zoning bylaw might not be perfect, it is working well to allow accessory structures while preserving the character of the Town.”
Mr. Doty said he wants to pursue installing a heat pump at Chilmark Community Center. Mr. Carroll said we met and spoke with Bob Fuller about the system we have and what we need to go forward with a heat pump. Mr. Carroll said Cape Light Compact told Mr. Fuller what he needs. Mr. Carroll said he received an email from Mr. Fuller saying he will provide CLC with information that they wanted this week. Mr. Doty said Cape Light Compacts has a program that allows upgrades to municipal buildings. Mr. Carroll said we will be ahead of the game as a prototype. Mr. Carroll said we are hoping to get a battery system, a charging system for the batteries and then get the heat pump grant.
Mr. Rossi said he missed the last Chilmark Community Center Advisory Committee meeting and asked if this was on that agenda for discussion. Mr. Carroll said no this was discussed at the Selectmen’s meeting when Cape Light Compact made a presentation September 18, 2018. Mr. Rossi asked that this be brought to the CCCAC for discussion. Mr. Carroll said as soon as we have information it will be shared with the Community Center Summer Program and Advisory Committee.
Menemsha Projects -Updates:
Chairman Malkin said the Menemsha harbor electrical project has been put out to bid. Bids are due November 15, 2018 with a pre-bid meeting set for Thursday November 8, 2018 at 11:00 AM.
Public Safety Building Site - Conservation Commission filing:
Mr. Carroll said he spoke with Reid Silva (of Vineyard Land Surveying & Engineering) who met with Chuck Hodgkinson (ConCom Admin Asst & Conservation Officer) and they are moving forward with filing for a November ConCom meeting. Mr. Carroll said he expects it to likely be on a December ConCom agenda. Mr. Doty said he would follow up with Mr. Hodgkinson to get this moving forward to the ConCom.
Bus Turnaround - appeal or construction:
Mr. Carroll said we have approval, quotes and funding on warrant article on Special Town Meeting November 19, 2018. Mr. Carroll asked do we move forward with construction or go back to the ConCom to have them reconsider the 7 parking spaces in the center of the bus turnaround.
Chairman Malkin said in his opinion we have gotten the approval of creating a bus turnaround, it is not a public throughway. This project has been in process for 2 years and we have permission to move forward and construct this and we should.
Mr. Carroll said the design and permit were to allow anybody to turn around. Chairman Malkin said this was designed as a bus turnaround to allow them to turnaround without having to continue down to the beach parking and traffic during the summer.
Chairman Malkin said he would like the Chilmark Police Department to assist in having this be used as a bus turnaround in the summer. Chairman Malkin said it’s his opinion that this should only be used in the busy summer months and not used off season to minimalize the noise impact on local residents. Mr. Rossi agreed. Chairman Malkin asked if there were any comments. Ms. Armstrong thanked the Selectmen for that consideration of only using turnaround in summer.
Ms. Armstrong said she has been waiting 2 years to get the metadata on the VTA bus ridership for the Menemsha route. Selectmen’s office will continue to request this information. Mr. Rossi said hopefully the busses will all be electric soon. Ms. Armstrong recommended smaller busses. Mr. Armstrong asked about the marking flags; do they represent the outside of the turnaround. Mr. Carroll said they mark the opening of both entrance and exit. Mr. Carroll said the flags on the right-hand side are the berm. The plans posted on the wall of the Selectmen’s office were referenced for clarification. Mr. Carroll said we will build the berm and plant it with Rosa Ragusa. Mr. Carroll will seek quotes to move forward with this project.
Molly Glasgow arrived
Chairman Malkin summarized the actions and recommendations taken earlier in the Selectmen’s meeting and thanked Molly for coming tonight. Mr. Rossi and Mr. Doty also thanked Ms. Glasgow for her commitment. Mr. Carroll asked Ms. Glasgow to present herself to the Town Clerk to be sworn in.
Cemetery Commission - Reporting vacancy on commission:
Chairman Malkin said we have a vacancy. Mr. Carroll said we will advertise for interested voters to serve and schedule a Joint Meeting with Cemetery Commission and Selectmen on December 4, 2018 at 5:00 PM. Mr. Doty said he had several conversations with individuals who could be interested in the position on the Cemetery Commission. Mr. Doty said one was Annie Eddy Palmer.
Mr. Doty said just about a month ago we were walking the Abel’s Hill Cemetery with Harriett and she had lots of notions of things that need to be done. Mr. Doty said we are really going to miss her contribution to management of that property. Mr. Doty said it could use a little infusion of money to get a few things in better repair, especially in the landscaping.
Harbormaster - 2019 annual lease and electrical fee for M/Y Banjo:
Chairman Malkin said he has talked with Harbormaster Jason about an electrical bill on the West Dock from the 100 amp box that was installed by the Banjo. Banjo is in a slip lease that included the use of electricity prior to us installing at expense of Banjo the 100 amp service. Chairman Malkin recommended sending the electric bill to Banjo and suggests that Banjo put in a meter on that box and pay for the electricity used. Selectmen agreed to this and the cost of doing so will be the responsibility of the Banjo.
Food Waste:
Mr. Doty moved to endorse this plan for food waste composting and send to the Chilmark Board of Health to support. Mr. Rossi seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Planning Board report - guesthouse size:
Chairman Malkin asked how the Selectmen would like to proceed or act on this report. Mr. Carroll recommended inviting the Planning Board to the Selectmen’s meeting on November 20, 2018. Mr. Rossi said this work was done after a group of Chilmark residents petitioned to consider the guest house size be increased. Mr. Rossi said this report is for that group. Selectmen asked Mr. Carroll to send the petitioners the report and they could use this report if they wanted to go forward. Mr. Carroll said the Planning Board will also make this report available to all residents attending the Special Town Meeting. Mr. Doty recommended that Town Moderator mention this report at STM. Chairman Malkin said he will write up something for Evette (Town Moderator) about this.
At 6:03 PM with no further items for discussion Mr. Rossi moved to adjourn. Mr. Doty seconded the motion. SO VOTED: 3 Ayes
Minutes respectfully submitted by Diana DeBlase. Approved 11/20/18
Document list:
- Draft minutes from Selectmen’s 10/2/18 and 10/16/18 meetings.
- Advertisement for Food Truck public hearing
- Mass DOT supplement budget for chapter 90 transportation aid
- Chapter 90 balances as of May 4, 2018
- Chapter 90 balances as of Nov.2, 2018
- Utilization of Town Owned Buildings recommendations about fees
- Request from Chairman of Chilmark Community Center Advisory Committee
- Advertisement seeking Chilmark volunteer for MV Cultural Council
- Letter from Margaret Emerson requesting to be appointed to MVCC
- Architectural plans for bus turnaround in Menemsha
- Letter to Town residents and report from Planning Board about Guesthouse size
- Cape Light Compact energy efficiency report- August
- DMF Clean Vessels Act grants - training session invitation.
- Advertisement seeking sealed bids for electrical work in Menemsha
- Letter from Island-Wide Food Waste project oversite committee
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