Board of Selectmen
May 1, 2007
Minutes
The meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m. by Chairman David Whitcomb in the Town Hall downstairs meeting room. Selectmen present included Deborah Connors, Ronald Bergstrom and Sean Summers. Selectman Douglas Ann Bohman was absent. Town Manager William Hinchey also attended.
Approve Minutes
Whitcomb offered three corrections to the minutes of April 24, 2007. On a motion by Bergstrom, seconded by Summers, the Board voted 3-0-1, with Connors abstaining, to approve the minutes of April 24, 2007 with three corrections.
Public Forum:
· Paul Grifo, President of the Great Hills Estate Association, addressed the Board regarding the placePlaceNameLovers PlaceTypeLake study. Dr. Duncanson explained that the study should be completed in early fall and will be followed by the permitting process; funds have been included in the FY08 budget pending Town Meeting approval. He projected that treatment should begin in the summer of 2008.
· Bill Bystrom, representing the Stillwater Association, thanked the Board and the Town for support of the process to clean up Still Water Pond and placePlaceNameLovers PlaceTypeLake.
· David Oppenheim addressed the Board regarding his request for public documents from the Harbormaster’s Office noting that he has been waiting for four weeks.
· Valerie Foster of the Chatham Housing Authority updated the Board on the Housing Authority’s new website and issued an invitation to attend the lottery drawing for addressStreetBalfour Lane scheduled for Friday, May 4th, at 5:30 p.m. at the Housing Authority office.
· Dr. Duncanson updated the Board on the upcoming paving projects for St. Christopher’s Church and addressStreetStage Harbor Road noting that paving is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, May 8 and 9.
placePlaceNameCape Cod PlaceTypeHospital Auxiliary - Request to Sell Raffle Tickets
Margaret McLaughlin, Cape Cod Hospital Auxiliary Raffle Committee Coordinator, outlined her request for permission for members of the Auxiliary to sell raffle tickets within the Town of placeCityChatham from June through November, 2007. She suggested possible sites for raffle ticket sales of the placeCape Cod 5 parking lot and in front of the Village Market. Bergstrom moved and Connors seconded a motion to approve this request. After discussion of the need for more details of the request and for permission from the owners of the private property proposed, Ms. McLaughlin offered to provide more specifics to the Board at a later date. Bergstrom withdrew his motion.
Representative Sarah Peake
Representative Peake updated the Board on the status of the Town’s three home rule petitions: 1) two additional liquor licenses - bill #3943 - filed 1/8/07 – now before the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure; 2) 99 year lease for MCI properties – bill #3952 – filed 1/8/07 – hearing held, released from committee with a unanimous
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recommendation, now at the Clerk’s Office, then to House calendar; 3) real estate transfer tax – bill #3959 – assigned to the Committee on Revenue but a hearing has not yet been scheduled. She noted that there is “not a large appetite” right now for individual local option taxes but that she feels she can make a strong case in favor of it. She discussed the State budget noting an increase in education funding and municipal aid. She indicated that a large capital bond bill is projected and suggested that the Town look at potential projects to be submitted for funding. She updated the Board on earmarks, potential of municipalities participation in health care via the Governor’s Municipal Partnership Act, homeowners insurance and the informal housing summit she held
to organize a regional package to request funding for affordable housing.
placePlaceNameNorth PlaceTypeBeach Update
Ted Keon updated the Board on the status of the breach in placePlaceNameNorth PlaceTypeBeach. He presented photographs of the washover area and noted that there is a significant flow of water at low tide from placePlaceNamePleasant PlaceTypeBay to the ocean. He indicated that he is not ready to predict whether the breach will fill in and suggested that the Board may want to initiate control of vessels going through the washover area so that a channel is not created. Discussion included the feasibility of remedial action and the related permitting processes, and erosion issues. Selectman Connors left the meeting at 5:15 p.m.
Dr. Graham Geiss addressed the Board. He explained that progress of the breach is tied to the Chatham Light inlet and that he does not expect two inlets over a long period of time. Discussion included the possible effect on the Nauset Light breach and a timeframe to determine which way the breach is going to progress - he indicated that he expects to know reasonably soon, within the year.
Police Chief Mark Pawlina updated the Board on road conditions on placePlaceNameNorth PlaceTypeBeach. He indicated that the beach is open and the roads smooth enough for travel and that an ATV will be stationed on the smaller portion of the beach so that both sides of the breach can be patrolled. He noted sand damage to some of the camps and his concern that the public use good common sense relative to the breach area.
Robert Hamblet reported on camp damage and noted that the Waterways Advisory Committee will schedule a meeting to discuss a recommendation on self-contained vehicles.
Harbormaster Stuart Smith discussed ramifications should the new breach become navigable and recommended that vessel use in the area not be encouraged.
Board of Selectmen Goals Update
The six month goal update report from the Town Manager was noted. Summers suggested that in relation to the goal for a comprehensive economic plan, the Board invite representatives from the Chamber of Commerce for a discussion. He reiterated his request for an agenda item for an update on the Community Center – Whitcomb noted that this matter is scheduled for the agenda for the next Board meeting.
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John Pason commented on long term goals #9, Support Smart Growth, and #11, Develop West Chatham Neighborhood Concept and suggested that they are partially in conflict.
Coleman Yeaw suggested that the Board define the terms “short term” and “long term” goals and schedule more discussion of them. He commented on several of the Board’s goals and noted several accomplishments of the Board.
Norma Avellar thanked the Board for listening to the public.
On a motion by Bergstrom, seconded by Summers, the Board voted unanimously 3-0 to adjourn at 6:12 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Smulligan
Recording Clerk
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