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MINUTES
Eastham Critical Planning Committee
Thursday, January 5, 2006,
3 PM
Eastham Town Hall
Present: Martin McDonald, Bernie Kaplan, Michael Demitri, Mike Cole, Karl Weiss, Ken Ainsworth, Joan Sullivan
Also present: Joy Brookshire, Fred Rollinson, Ken Tabor
Martin stated that the Critical Planning Committee needed more members. At his request the Board of Selectmen at their last meeting has authorized additional ”at-large” members to be allowed. While it is desirable to have members from other committees, i.e., Conservation, Zoning, Board of Health, it is not always possible. At present, there are a number of applications for membership.
Joan has formed a CPC sub-committee for the problems of the bay beaches. The members include Joan and Mark from CPC, Fred Rollinson, Loretta Neilson and Ed Sedlock. At the first meeting held on December 22n, the Committee discussed at length the current problems affecting this prime town resource, primarily, erosion, privatization and occasional high bacterial counts. Two recent storms have severely eroded the bay beach area heavily and the winter, generally the period of greatest erosion, has barely started. Apparently more home owners are requesting revetments as a result of these storms. Members of the committee are investigating various aspects and solutions including contact with the town’s Natural Resource office. Joan has had lengthy conversations with coastal
geologists Jim O’Connell of Woodshole Oceanographic and Jim Mahala of the Massachusetts Office of Environmental Protection. Both state that in the long-term beaches are diminished by revetments and that beach re-nourishment that mimics the natural process is the best solution, but very complex. Mike Cole stated the loss of a prime town resource is of great concern and possibly a regional approach would be helpful. Bernie said that the impact of the revetment situation on other properties needs to be considered as well. The next sub-committee meeting is planned for Thursday, January 12, 10:00 AM, at the Town Hall.
Mike Cole reported on the North Eastham Village Center concept. This sub-committee has been meeting weekly. At the recent meeting the Town Administrator and several selectmen were present. The next step is the hiring of a professional planner. The town has applied for grant money to meet this request. It is possible that funds from the Community Preservation Act would ultimately be available as this area would involve mixed use of open space, affordable housing, historic preservation and recreation.
Martin in discussing the Committee’s objectives for 2006 stated that we are looking toward lightening up the involvement in the NEVC in the next 6 months as the sub-committee will have done as much as they can do at this point. He asked members for other areas of critical concern.
Mike Cole raised the issue of the need for improved communications between the town staff and the many town committees as a possible area for investigation. While this question has been discussed by the CPC several times in the past, the need for streamlining the entire process to promote greater governing efficiency is still there. There needs to be a review of the entire volunteer committee process to eliminate overlapping, better utilize current personnel and attract quality volunteers. The Selectmen would work with us on this concern.
The Committee decided to continue with the frequent sub-committee meetings and the bi-monthly meetings of the entire Committee.
The next full committee meeting will be Thursday, March 9th, 2006, 3 PM in the Town Hall.
Respectfully submitted,
Joan Sullivan
Secretary
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