Town of Chatham, MA - Selectmen's Meeting Minutes 4/3/07

Chairman Whitcomb called the meeting to order at 4:00PM with all members and Mr. Hinchey present.

Ms. Connors moved the Board of Selectmen vote to approve the minutes of the March 20, 2007 Board of Selectmen’s meeting. Mr. Bergstrom seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Ms. Gloria Freeman inquired as to when the Board may be having a discussion concerning the new design of the Oyster Pond Drainage Project. She would like to include the guardrail in the discussion. Mr. Whitcomb said this item will be on the Board of Selectmen’s agenda on April 17, 2007.

Mrs. Diane Troy attended this meeting to announce the United States Military All-Star Baseball Team will be playing in Chatham on Saturday, June 9, 2007. The Team, based in San Diego, plays against minor league, college, and professional teams during their goodwill tour across the country.

She encouraged Chatham residents to attend the game in support of all our men and women in the military. Mrs. Troy noted that there is no government financial support afforded to this group and asked that those wishing to make a donation to please send it to: United States Military All-Star Baseball Team c/o TD Bank North 693 Main Street, Chatham.

Ms. Connors asked Mrs. Troy to give the information to our media coordinator for publication on the Town’s government channel.

Mr. Reggie Nickerson, representing the Chatham Historical Society, asked the Board to proclaim the month of May “Historic Preservation Month” in Chatham.

Mrs. Bohman moved the Board of Selectmen vote to sign a proclamation designating May as Historic Preservation Month in Chatham. Mr. Bergstrom seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

This proclamation is sponsored by the Chatham Historical Commission, the Chatham Historic Business District Commission, the Chatham Historical Society the Chatham Garden Club, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Police Chief Mark Pawlina told the Board of Selectmen concerns from businesses and homeowners were brought to his attention last summer. The Chief worked with the owners to develop a plan to alleviate parking and safety problems at the site. The owners of Pisces have submitted a parking plan and the Chief believes the plan for valet parking and signs at the restaurant will satisfy concerns.

Mrs. Bohman noted the owners need to keep valets towards end of season as well as the height of business.

Attorney Wilcox, representing the owners of Pisces, said his clients are committed to open communication and cooperation with the neighboring properties and will take all steps necessary to follow the parking plan as submitted.

Ms. Connors moved the Board of Selectmen vote to renew Pisces license contingent on the owners following the Pisces proposed parking plan dated April 2007 and submitted to the Board of Selectmen for their acceptance. Mrs. Bohman seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor (four).

Mrs. Florence Seldin, Chatham’s representative to the Cape Cod Commission, introduced Margo Fenn, Executive Director of the Cape Cod Commission.

The task force has been working on making improvements to the operations and has made more than thirty recommendations to the Commission. One important recommendation has been to better serve the public through coordination and communications with the Cape towns and to make the regulatory process more transparent and predictable.

The Commission will be interviewing people who have been through the process to get feedback on how the process can be improved and which aspects need to be changed.

The Commission will be setting up workshops in each Cape town. The Commission representatives from each Town and the Commission staff is in the process of re-writing The Regional Policy Plan.

Mr. Summers felt local bylaw changes could be moved along more smoothly if the Commission was advising the Town. Ms. Fenn said that is one of the goals of the Commission as well as assisting towns with other areas of expertise, such as traffic, historic preservation, etc.

Mr. Whitcomb pointed out that open discussions with the Chatham Airport Commission has proven successful.

Ms. Connors pointed out that Article 15 had been modified but the change was not voted by the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Hinchey said he would find out why it was changed and make the adjustment.

Mr. Bergstrom moved the Board of Selectmen vote to sign the Warrant for the 2007 Annual Town Meeting Warrant with that change noted. Mrs. Bohman seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Coastal Resources Director Ted Keon attended this meeting to inform the Board of Selectmen that Chatham Bars Inn has proposed funding a dredge project for the Town in return for the Town depositing approximately 6,600 cubic yards of sand on the Inn’s property. Mr. Keon recommended the Board accept this proposal as it would be a benefit to the Town’s efforts in protecting it’s coastline and dredging the mooring basin.

Dr. Graham Geist, a noted expert on shoaling of sand and oceanic movement, attended this meeting. Dr. Geist told the Board of Selectmen this amount of dredge material would not have a significant impact on any of the shoaling in the South way or act as a detriment to other areas of the shoreline. Although he noted it is hard to predict how the sands move, he did not think this 6,600 cubic yards was sufficient to change the dynamics of the ocean energy in this area.

In response to Mr. Summers, Mr. Keon said the Waterways Advisory Committee is supportive of the proposal but the Aunt Lydia’s Cove Committee as not had a chance to meet. He said this would be a positive benefit to the Cove.

Mrs. Bohman moved the Board of Selectmen vote to support the CBI proposal. Ms. Connors Seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Mr. Keon also announced the Army Corps of Engineers has released dredging funds for Chatham which had been feared to be tentative for this year.