AGENDA
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MONDAY, MARCH 10, 2008
6:30 p.m. - Convene Meeting - Conference Room 1
MINUTES
Approval of the following:
Monday, February 25, 2008 Regular and Executive Sessions
Monday, March 3, 2008 Regular Session
APPOINTMENTS & HEARINGS
6:30 Public Comment
COMMUNICATIONS & CORRESPONDENCE
OLD BUSINESS
1) Recommendation of Conversion from Private to Public Roads
NEW BUSINESS
1) Proposed Amendment to Policy for Use of Heritage Park
2) Review of May Special & Annual Town Meeting Warrant
3) Review & Execution of Intergovernmental Agreement
LIAISON REPORTS
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Board of Selectmen
Minutes
March 10, 2008
Present: Selectman Cook, Selectman Cahalane,
Selectman Myers, Selectman Taylor
Town Manager Joyce Mason
Assistant Town Manager René Read
Absent: Selectman Green
Meeting Called to Order by Chairman Cook at 6:30 p.m.
Town Hall, Conference Room #1
MINUTES:
Monday, February 25, 2008 Regular and Executive Sessions:
Motion made by Selectman Cahalane to approve the Regular and
Executive Session minutes of Monday, February 25, 2008 as presented.
Motion seconded by Selectman Myers.
VOTE: Unanimous. 4-0.
Monday, March 3, 2008 Regular Session:
Motion made by Selectman Cahalane to approve the Regular Session
minutes of Monday, March 3, 2008 as presented.
Motion seconded by Selectman Myers.
VOTE: Unanimous. 4-0.
APPOINTMENTS AND HEARINGS:
Public Comment:
Charles Gasior updated the Selectmen on the new U. S. flag being flown at the Mashpee Rotary. As a result of favorable newspaper reporting pledges for a new flag pole total $500 to date. Other groups have expressed interest in supporting the installation of a new pole at the Rotary. It is hopeful $3,000 the cost of a new pole can be raised to achieve this endeavor by Memorial Day. Citizens wishing to contribute may submit their pledge to the Office of the Town Manager. It was suggested that Mr. Gasior contact the Beautification Council regarding plans for the enhancement of the Mashpee Rotary.
In other business, Peter White was again before the Selectmen to request support of the Town Meeting warrant article proposed to appropriate $50,000 for the installation of a solar energy system at the Mashpee Senior Center. Mr. White also recommended the Town form an energy committee and become proactive to initiate renewable energy initiatives.
In response, it was noted the Town has an energy committee in place comprised of Town employees led by Tom Mayo. The committee is actively meeting with representatives exploring the option of wind turbines. Also, the Cape Light Compact has assisted the committee in the development of more energy efficient programs for the Town Hall and other municipal buildings. Mr. Mayo is expected to make a presentation to the Selectmen after the budget process regarding energy initiatives.
OLD BUSINESS:
Recommendation of Conversion from Private to Public
Roads:
Catherine Laurent, Interim Director of Public Works was in attendance to discuss her memorandum to the Selectmen dated February 13, 2008 recommending the conversion of Hemlock Drive, Holly Way, Oneida Avenue and Mohawk Road. Complete reconstruction is proposed on all four roads.
Although the Board of Selectmen has imposed a moratorium until July 1st, the Selectman has the authority to move forward with a betterment assessment.
It was agreed an informational hearing would be held to obtain public input on the proposed road takings.
NEW BUSINESS:
Proposed Amendment to Policy for Use of Heritage Park:
For the Selectmen’s consideration was a proposed amendment to the policy for the Use of Heritage Park. The amendment includes updates to reflect construction of the new playing fields and the recent ban on dogs. Regulations on temporary signage are also proposed. Ms. Laurent was in attendance for discussion purposes.
Item #25 was amended to incorporate additional language as follows: signs found to be inappropriate or offensive can be removed at the discretion of the Leisure Services Department and/or Department of Public Works.
Motion made by Selectman Taylor to adopt Policy No. 042 Use of Heritage Park as amended to include the additional wording to Item #25 as described.
Motion seconded by Selectman Cahalane.
VOTE: Unanimous. 4-0.
Review of May Special & Annual Town Meeting Warrant:
The Board of Selectmen conducted an initial review of the May 5, 2008
Annual and Special Town Meeting Warrant. It was agreed the Selectmen would meet next Monday to continue to evaluate the warrant with a full voting quorum.
Several questions arose regarding the articles submitted by the Community Preservation Committee. In particular, the proposal to purchase the St. Vincent’s Property, a 78.67 acre parcel of undeveloped land with frontage on the Pickerel Cove section of Wakeby Pond. The purchase price is $3,146,800.
The funding application was submitted to the CPC in March of 2006 from the Saint Vincent’s Home Corporation proposing the CPA purchase the land for the purpose of preserving open space at the May 2007 Town Meeting. Due to CPC funding constraints, the potential land acquisition proposal was brought to the attention of the Board of Selectmen for additional consideration. If the article is approved, a debt exclusion question would appear on the May 2008 ballot.
The Selectmen directed the Community Preservation Committee to review
available funding to contribute toward the land purchase to alleviate budgetary constraints. Concern was voiced by the Board with regards to the tight budget for fiscal year 2009.
The Board requested to review estimated available CPC revenues that would be verified by the Town Accountant at the next meeting in addition to the debt schedule.
It was noted the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife has expressed interest in the property and has offered to contribute $500,000 towards the purchase. However, the DFW contribution would impose a conservation restriction on the property. Conditions of the CR are not fully known to date. It was agreed that further information would be obtained with respect to this regard.
Two additional land purchases, articles submitted by the Conservation Commission were reviewed. One is a 1.09 acre parcel on Meetinghouse Road adjacent to existing conservation land owned by the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. The second article is proposed to transfer to the Conservation Commission, 37 small parcels of tax taking land which are surrounded by or adjacent to the Santuit River. The article was held for additional review as the Town is presently conducting an assessment of existing Town owned lands.
The next scheduled warrant meeting is Monday, March 18, 2008.
Review & Execution of Intergovernmental Agreement:
The Board of Selectmen reviewed the Intergovernmental Agreement by and between the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the Town of Mashpee.
It was disclosed that Town Counsel, Patrick Costello has endorsed the Agreement and it is deemed advantageous for the Town to enter into the Intergovernmental Agreement with the attached Resolution.
The Agreement addresses concerns of the Town with respect to land claims as defined in Section 2, and prohibits the construction or operation of a casino conducting either Class II or Class III gaming. As noted, the Tribe may conduct bingo and other games as permitted by the state law as with other charitable organizations within the Town of Mashpee. There is also a provision relative to dispute resolution that would resolve matters if necessary through arbitration.
The Selectmen agreed the mutually beneficial Agreement sets the framework for future negotiations between the Town of Mashpee and the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe.
Motion made by Selectman Myers to recommended the Board of Selectmen subject to the approval of Town Meeting, approve and execute the Intergovernmental Agreement by and between the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the Town of Mashpee, and authorize Town Counsel to take what ever steps necessary to effectuate the agreement on behalf of the Town of Mashpee.
Motion seconded by Selectman Cahalane.
VOTE: Unanimous. 4-0.
Selectman Green absent.
Adjournment:
Motion made by Selectman Taylor to adjourn at 7:45 p.m.
The Board will enter into Executive Session at this time for the purpose of discussing potential litigation and litigation. The Board will not reconvene in Open Session.
Motion seconded by Selectman Myers.
VOTE: Unanimous. 4-0.
Roll Call Vote:
Selectman Cook, yes Selectman Cahalane, yes
Selectman Myers, yes Selectman Green, absent
Selectman Taylor, yes Opposed, none
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen M. Soares
Secretary to the Board of Selectmen
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