Dukes County Commission
Minutes
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
5 p.m.
Dukes County Administration Building
9 Airport Road, Edgartown, MA
Commissioner Present: Tristan Israel, Melinda Loberg, Les Leland, Carlene Gatting, Lenny Jason, Tom Hallahan.
Not present: John Alley
County Staff present: Russell H. Smith – County Manager, Martina Thornton – Ex. Assistant, Noreen Mavro Flanders – Treasurer*, T.J. Hegarty – IPM Program Director.
*Others: Remy Tumin of Vineyard Gazette, Joanie Ames – MVTV.
Meeting was called to order at 5:05 PM
1. Minutes 6-8-2011
Melinda/Lenny moved to approve the Minutes of 6-8-2011. So voted. In favor: Melinda, Tristan, Les, Lenny, Tom. Abstained: Carlene.
Approval of 6-22-2011 postponed until the next meeting.
2. Dogs on the Beach – Tristan said we will run an ad for courtesy rangers (7 people) who will remind people of the rules on the beach and if people do not comply they would call the respective authorities to enforce the rules. Russell would go to Edgartown and Oak Bluffs to ask for support in enforcing the rules. Russell put together a list of most important rules that people need to be reminded about. Russell said that the Barrier Beach Task Force was in favor of establishing the courtesy rangers to patrol the beach. The Sheriff will still patrol the beach for parking violations, but not for the dogs due to a staffing issue. The Oak Bluffs police and Edgartown Animal Control Officers would respond if we have a problem. Les said it needs to be clarified who will enforce what. Carlene asked about the enforcement of
the “no jumping of the bridge” rule. Russell said that there is a sign but there is no enforcement in place. Melinda summed it up as “jump at your own risk” policy. Russell said that the County did all it could to make it safe.
*Noreen entered the meeting.
Russell clarified that the state law is to stay 150m clear of any nesting area. We should clarify this in our rules for all the beaches managed by the County.
Carlene/Melinda moved to amend the Joseph Sylvia State Beach rules to reflect the state law to stay 150m clear of any nesting area. So voted. All in favor.
It was agreed that we will approach the Edgartown and Oak Bluffs selectmen regarding this rules on the beach and to put on the future agenda discussion about differences in rules for the State beach and the Eastville and Norton Point beaches.
6. Manager’s Report
Veterans’ services - Congressman Keating’s office was in contact with Mr. Antanaccio. Contracts for primary care, x-rays and lab work are near completion. The specialty care will be done in the VA hospital in Providence. Carlene said that the 3 contracts are not sufficient and suggested that other care that the hospital can provide here should be included as well, like rehabilitation, ophthalmology, etc. She would like to review the new contracts when they come to the hospital (Mr. Ferriter) and see how they compare with contracts that were in place previously. Carlene asked Russell to make sure they have a chance to review it. She also said that there is money available to set up rural VA clinics. She will forward info to Russell to look into it. Lenny suggested contacting selectmen of all towns to support us in this
effort. Russell said he will do it.
Norton Point Beach – The Trustees of Reservation staff were warning people about the rip tide by the breach, but the tragedy happened anyway. Since then they closed the part of the beach by the breach to the public to prevent any future accidents.
Old South Road project with the Tribe – one permit was omitted and we have to go for a variance before the Zoning Board of Appeals. The meeting regarding the variance will be held on August 2nd.
Courthouse – windows are being replaced. Chilmark gave us CPA funds upfront to buy the storm windows to start. Captain Francis Cottle Smith’s painting was repaired and will return to the Courtroom. He was Dukes County Sheriff for a long period of time.
Oak Bluffs – Russell and Noreen talked to Town of Oak Bluffs’ administrator and staff to see if we could be of any assistance with their accounting.
Dukes County Health Council applied for a grant from Dept. of Health for the Let’s Move MV program.
New England Aquarium is looking through the Oak Bluffs Shellfish Department for a place to put a 10x10 shed to store their equipment on the island for stranded mammals. We could put it next to the existing shed on the County property by the Administration Building. Russell will come back for formal approval at a later meeting.
Tristan asked if the Airport lot with the vehicles stored by the County was cleaned up. Russell said that some work was done (three vehicles are moving) and more is planned.
7. Old Business – (see list on file)
Noreen informed the Commissioners that FY2010 Audit and Management Letter is complete and available to be picked up at the Executive Assistant’s office. We also received a Questioner for the FY2011 Audit. Tristan asked to put on the Agenda for the next meeting discussion about the Management Letter.
Tom asked why some items on the Old Business List were deleted. Tristan said he asked Russell to condense it but if any Commissioner feels they want to add something to contact Russell.
The cost to join the Mass Municipal Association is $425.
Adjournment:
Carlene/Melinda moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:40 p.m. All in favor.
Respectfully Submitted by:
______________________________
JOSEPH E. SOLLITTO JR., Clerk of the Courts
Documents presented at the meeting and part of the official records:
- Agenda
- Beach Rules and Regulations for Joseph Sylvia State Beach – excerpt
- Old Business List
- Steamship Authority – Memorandum from June 21st meeting
- E-mail re: TJ Hegarty at 4th of July Parade
- Invitation letter from Chamber of Commerce
- Cape Light Compact – May report
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