Dukes County Commissions
Minutes
Wednesday, September 12, 2007, 5p.m.
County Administration Building
Call to Order
Paul Strauss called the meeting to order at 5:00pm. Commissioners John Alley, Carlene Gatting, Tristan Israel, Lenny Jason, Les Leland, and Roger Wey were present.
Also Present was Deputy County Manager Noreen Mavro-Flanders, Executive Assistant Jennifer Randolph, Rodent Control Agent TJ Hegarty, Dukes County Emergency Management Chuck Cotnoir, Associate Commissioner for Public Health Dr. Patrick Donegan, and MVTV.
Acceptance of Minutes
Minutes of 8-29-07 were deferred to next meeting because the right configuration of Commissioners was not present at the time of the vote.
Chairman’s Report and Communication.
Paul Strauss reported that he had received the response from Marcia Cini regarding pay roll notices. It said that the Commission could not regulate or form policy regarding the Treasurer, but could develop a personnel policy for the employees. It was agreed that a policy would be worked on in collaboration with other updates that needed to be done to the personnel by-laws. Noreen Mavro – Flanders would send an email to the Personnel Committee asking for other suggestions and a meeting.
Deputy Manager’s Report
The Trustees of Reservations
Noreen Mavro – Flanders reported that the budget and revenue information the County Commissioners requested was in their packets. She said that Chris Kennedy from TTOR would be at the 9-26th meeting. She recommended the Commissioners review the material and request any additional material they may need before the meeting.
FY08 Budget Update
Noreen Mavro –Flanders informed the Commissioners that the County Government Finance Review Board met September 5th and approved the FY08 Budget.
Screening Committee
Tristan Israel asked Noreen Mavro – Flanders what the process would be if the Commissioners were to give the Screening Committee some money to hire clerical support. Noreen answered that the Screening Committee would have to request the funds, the County Commissioners would have to approve it, the County Advisory Board may have to meet and approve it, and it may have to be approved by the State.
There was discussion among the Commissioners that the request should be coming from the Screening Committee. It was the opinion of some Commissioners that they did not want to delay the process by waiting for the request.
Lenny Jason / Carlene Gatting Moved to transfer $1,000 to the Screening Committee to cover administrative costs if the Screening Committee needed the funds, So Voted, (6-0-1) John Alley abstaining.
Committee Reports
Introduction of Associate Commissioner for Community Health
Paul Strauss introduced Dr. Patrick Donegan as the new Associate Commissioner for Community Health. Dr. Donegan said he would like to build upon the foundation of work done by Dr. Ilene Klein. The three areas he would like to concentrate on are tick borne illnesses, dental health care, and youth and substance abuse.
Pilgrim RC & D Update / Agriculture Commission – TJ Hegarty
TJ asked the Commissioners to co-sponsor the Agriculture Commission meeting on 11-17th.
Lenny Jason / Tristan Israel Moved that the County Commissioners co-sponsor the November 17th Agricultural Commission meeting, So Voted, unanimous (7-0-0).
Lenny Jason, Tristan Israel, and John Alley volunteered to attend the meeting to represent the County Commissioners.
Mosquito Update – TJ Hegarty
TJ Hegarty reported that the State had contacted him and requested he take a sampling of mosquitoes to be tested for Triple E and West Nile. TJ said that the mosquitoes he collected could carry the diseases, but all tested negative.
There was a discussion regarding what would be the next steps taken to create a regional mosquito control program.
Lenny Jason / John Alley Moved that TJ meet with the Boards of Health to determine if they would like the County to propose a regional mosquito control program. If they said yes, TJ is to contact Gabriella from the Cape Cod Mosquito District to get a preliminary plan and estimate for a program and where funding could be available, So Voted, unanimous, 7-0-0).
It was agreed by the Commissioners that TJ should come back to the Commissioners by the end of October to give a status report, outline of his findings, and an estimate.
Old Business.
County Manager Position Update & Discussion
There was discussion regarding a concern of the some members of the Screening Committee regarding the County Commissioner’s motion to offer the position of County Manager as a 4-day workweek with a starting salary of $60,000. Some felt the perception of a 4-day workweek diminished the importance of the position. It was discussed that the position is required to be full time according to the Charter (MGL Chapter 34A Section 18). It was also clear that neither Federal nor State labor laws defined a full time position. The County personnel by-laws would not apply to the position of County Manger because it is not covered in the Classification Plan. The position is classified as an exempt position.
Tristan Israel / Carlene Gatting Moved to remove the 4-day workweek from the previous motion and have the position offered as a full time position with a starting salary of $60,000 to be reviewed in June, So Voted, unanimous (7-0-0).
Discussion of Regional Needs
The Commissioners reviewed the following list of regional needs to present to the towns and community with the following determinations.
· Shared Dog Pound – To be discussed with the Board of Selectmen
· Recycling, Composting, & Solid Waste Disposal – To be discussed with the Refuse District, Fred Lapiana, and Richie Combra
· Agricultural Commission, Mobile Slaughter House, 4H – (potential to create and facilitate) To be discussed with the All Island Selectmen
· Facilities at Eastville & State Beach – Sub committees to work on.
· Island Wide Finance Committee – (formal offer for providing meeting space) Jen to contact Chairman of Island Wide Finance Committee to offer meeting space.
· Labor Attorney – To be advertised as a request for proposal, to be offered to the Towns if they choose.
· Increased Elder Services – To be discussed with Leslie Clapp of the Island Council of Aging and an update with the Associate Commissioner of Elder Affairs Hans von Steiger
· Energy Needs – Work with Bill Vino and maybe offer to facilitate a meeting
· Increased Emergency Management – Discussion only regarding increased communication with the Towns.
Adjournment:
Before the entire agenda had been addressed, there was a motion to adjourn at 7:15 pm.
Remaining Items on the Agenda
Discussion of Regional Needs Items:
· Municipal Newsletter
· Administrative support for Town Inspectors
· Grant Writer
· Shared Principal Tax Assessor
· Training Facility for Fire Depts.
Discussion of Revenue Sources
Creation of Plan for Town Discussions regarding Revenue & Regional Needs
Calendar.~
· The Dukes County Airport Commission will meet on Wednesday, September 19th, at 5:30 p.m. at the Airport Administration Building.
· The Dukes County Charter Study Commission meets Thursday September 13th at 5p.m. at the Oak Bluffs Council of Aging.
· The Dukes County Commissioners will meet on Wednesday September 26th, at 5pm at the County Administration Building.
Correspondence.
· Notice of Public Hearing – RE Outerland
Respectfully Submitted by:
_______________________________________
JOSEPH E. SOLLITTO JR., Clerk of the Courts
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