Board of Selectmen
Library Meeting Room
September 28, 2004
Minutes
Chairman Ira Wood called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Selectmen present were: Michael May, Dale Donovan and Helen Miranda Wilson. Selectman Jerry Houk was absent. Town Administrator Tim Smith also attended.
Update on County Services
Cape Cod Commission Chair Bill Doherty presented the Board of Selectmen with a ceremonial check representing $14,812.00 provided in county funds to the Town of Wellfleet in Fiscal Year 2005. He highlighted some of the 89 projects that involved Wellfleet and highly recommended airing on public access television segments of a video he gave to the Board. Questioned by Selectman Wilson about any arrangements for SARS preparedness, Doherty promised to e-mail Tim Smith more material prepared by county health agents on the subject.
Reorganization Presentation
Consultant Tom Groux presented a draft of his “Review of Administrative Structure, Wellfleet Town Government.” He called attention to the 10 separate organizational charts, some representing existing organization and some showing proposed reorganization. His percentages of personnel under boards and elected officials compared to personnel under the Town Administrator represented a reversal from most towns, he said. He recommended a shift away from elected to appointed positions to have the best qualified personnel for the town.
Helen Miranda Wilson read a prepared statement on how she envisions a horizontal sharing rather than a vertical chain of command. Groux answered questions from the BOS and the floor on the role of the selectmen and the role of the Town Administrator.
After the question and answer period Chairman Wood and the Board agreed to send 10 copies of the report to the Charter Review Board and make the study an agenda item for a future meeting.
Announcements
? Wilson announced the two sessions of the CPA program to be held October 4, 2004 at the Wellfleet Library. The 3 p.m. session is for town organizations and boards; the 7 p.m. session is open to the public.
? Mike May read a thank you from Shirley Gomes for the $400,000 grant from Governor Romney for the Wellfleet boat ramp.
New Business
a.) Lt. Ronald Fisette presented Geraldine Elizabeth LaPense and recommended without reservation that she be appointed as a full-time police officer. Donovan moved to appoint LaPense; Wilson seconded; the Board approved 4-0.
b.) Lt. Fissette recommended Susan Williams to the position of School-crossing Guard and Constable. Wilson moved to appoint Williams; Donovan seconded; the Board approved 4-0.
c.) Acting on a written request by Town Clerk/Treasurer Dawn E. Rickman to appoint Michael S. Parlante as Constable until the next Annual Town Election in 2005, the Board considered his appointment. Wilson wanted to know the role of Constable for an election; MGL did not explain it. Tim Smith said the constable distributes the warrants, acts as law enforcement officer at Town Meeting and supervises the ballot box at elections. Ben Gitlow added that, if necessary, it is up to the Constable to round up a quorum for Town Meeting. Donovan moved to appoint Parlante; Wilson seconded; the Board voted to approve 4-0.
d.) The Board agreed to the need for a Renewable Energy Committee. Wilson moved to create the committee; Donovan seconded; the Board so moved 4-0.
Old Business
? Ira Wood asked to put the discussion of the Liquor License Rules & Regulations on the agenda again. The Board agreed.
? Tim Smith presented the UEL Contract Approval between the Town of Wellfleet and UEL Contractors for Landfill Capping to be signed by the BOS. Donovan moved to sign the contract; May seconded and the motion carried 4-0.
Correspondence
? Dale Donovan called the Board’s attention to an additional item: the Lower Cape Cod Community Developers issue for September which featured 3 Wellfleet stories.
? Wilson commended Sylvia Smith for the “hard facts” she had provided on Burton Baker Beach, Sewell’s Gutter.
Open Session
No one came forward when Chair Wood opened the session to comments from the floor.
Town Administrator’s Comments
Tim Smith needed the Chairman’s signature for a one time, non-recurring rebate from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue Division of Local Services Municipal Databank/Local Aid Section. Wilson moved to grant the approval signature; Donovan seconded; the Board approved 4-0.
Selectmen’s Comments/Reports
? Chairman Wood urged the Board to return the Town Administrator’s evaluation by the next meeting October 5. Wilson questioned the difference between “appointment” and “reappointment” regarding the evaluation.
? Donovan called a point of order when Wilson began to discuss Article 2 on the Special Town Meeting Warrant. Wood upheld the point of order.
? Wilson asked that the BOS get together with the Board of Health and the Planning Board to respond with a fuller group on wastewater issues.
? Ira Wood was pleased with Police Chief Rosenthal’s proactive report on rabies that was in the correspondence file.
Minutes of September 14, 2004
Wilson moved to approve the September 14, 2004 minutes of the BOS meeting; Donovan seconded; the motion carried 4-0.
Future Meetings
Future meetings are needed for: Reorganization Discussion, Liquor License regulations, Energy Committee and snow plowing. The snow plowing was put off to the second meeting in October (10/26/04).
Agendas
Wilson said that D.P.W. monthly reports have not yet showed Whitewater Inc. meter readings which Mike Quink said should be functioning. This issue would be addressed at the Board of Selectmen and Water Commissioners meeting which she would like video taped. Tim Smith said a vote was necessary for filming. Wilson moved to request filming the meeting; Donovan seconded; the Board so voted 4-0.
Executive Session
At approximately 9:10 p.m. Ira Wood moved to enter into Executive Session and not come back to open meeting. Donovan seconded and the Board unanimously approved the motion in a roll call vote (Wood, Donovan, May, Wilson – yea).
Respectfully submitted,
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Mary Rogers
Committee Secretary
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Ira Wood, Chair Michael May
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Dale Donovan Helen Miranda Wilson
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