SUMMER RESIDENTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Chatham, Massachusetts
Minutes of Meeting of August 8, 2008~
Present: Kathy Abib, Bob Champlin, Don Edge, Kay Flynn, Jill MacDonald, Kathy Malfa, William McGagh, Nell Pinckert, Phil Richardson, Arnold Trebach, and Bob Young.~~
Also present: Mark Zibrat, Chair, Planning Board, and Kevin McDonald, Director, Community Development~
Chairman Don Edge called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM.~
1. The committee approved the minutes of the previous meeting, that of July 25, 2008.~ There was no open forum discussion.~ ~
2. Mark and Kevin provided a broad review of the responsibilities and functions of the Planning Board.~ They explained that it is a regulatory agency which is charged with enforcing the laws and regulations that deal with the development of the town (M.G.L. Chapters 41, the Subdivision Control Law and 40-A, the Zoning Act) in accordance with the expressed wishes of the community.~ It does not deal~with individual houses but~with residential and commercial subdivisions and~new or redeveloped commercial establishments. ~~If a proposed subdivision meets the regulations, the Planning Board approves it.~ Many houses and lots were once fully in tune with then-existing regulations, but the passage over time of new regulations has meant that most of Chatham’s homes do not conform
to present regulations.~ As Don pointed out, it is understandable but oddly amusing that almost all the houses in the Old Village fit into the “pre-existing non-conforming” category.~ ~
The discussion also covered the attempt to totally rewrite the zoning regulations, an effort which ended in failure several years ago.~ Now the BOS and other officials have accepted the fact that such a total effort cannot be accomplished in the foreseeable future nor is a complete rewrite actually necessary.~ As a result, each proposed new addition or change to the Bylaw is handled on an individual basis and decisions are sought to be made on a fair basis in light of new ideas and developments.~ In the opinion of many committee members, the tasks of these officials were difficult since they were constantly facing new challenges with few clear rules to guide them.~
Among the key issues they have been dealing with in recent years are affordable housing, the zoning regulations rewrite, especially the nonconforming section of the Bylaw, and the proposed No-chain by-law.~ As has already been explained, the complete zoning rewrite idea is on the back burner now but each of the issues noted above are being actively considered.~ It appears quite possible, in the opinion of a few committee members, that some progress will be made on bylaw amendments that encourage affordable housing.~ At the same time, the formulation of a No-chain by-law acceptable to this community does not seem likely in the near future.~ As Phil observed, the economics of a seasonal market may well keep most chains away from this town without the discouragement of a new law.~
At the end of their session, Mark said that the planning staff~are talented professionals who work closely and cooperatively with the Planning Board.~
3. The discussion then moved on to the Summer Residents Town Meeting – this year’s and next year’s.~ In general, it appears that the meeting held on August 5 went quite well and was most appreciated by the community.~~ The content of the signs – Summer Residents, Winter Residents etc. – seemed to do the trick.~~ About 150 people attended, an excellent turnout.~ Kathy Abib presented a summary of the audience spoken and written comments.~ Many of the comments were laudatory; however, some people complained that the room was too cold, that it was not possible to see the bottom lines of the power point presentations, and that the same issues were covered at each annual meeting and more variety is called for.
Don said that for next year’s town meeting the committee may want to consider in addition to full presentations an array of traffic/safety matters, such as signs, flashing light at the schools, Reverse 911, bike path fluorescent paint and rumble strips.
Arnold and Jill thought that the committee should decide next year’s discussion topics closer to the Summer Town Meeting.~ Among possible future topics were these: the new police and fire station, homeowners insurance, traffic, and public safety.~ Phil thought that some presentations could be“shorter and snappier.”~ There was little enthusiasm for making Chatham schools a major subject for a summer town meeting.~
Don suggested that the next annual town meeting be held on August 4, 2009.~ There was general support for that traditional date (the first Tuesday in August), subject to the proviso that the Chatham A’s not be scheduled to play in town on that evening. Don said he would try to arrange that.~
4.The next and last meeting of this committee will be on August 22, as originally planned.~ This will give time for Don and Jill to work on committee reassignments and other arrangements for next year.~ Jill suggested that the committee members might keep up with events in town over the winter by subscribing to the Cape Cod Chronicle.~ Don also suggested the Cape Cod Times. Nell announced that the Streetscape Sub-Committee will meet at the Town Hall in Room A on August 15 at 9 AM.
5. Jill will assume the Chairmanship next year. Don’s last tasks include an August 26th in-person report to the BOS on this past year’s work, and a written report due at the end of December for inclusion in the Town’s Annual Report for 2008.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:54:42 AM.
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Respectfully submitted~
Arnold Trebach
Recording Secretary
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