Town of Chatham, MA - Selectmen's Meeting Minutes 9/11/07

Chief of Police Mark Pawlina introduced six new officers that have been hired to work in Chatham. Chief Pawlina noted Officer Massy will be in charge of community outreach and education programs for citizens.

Chief Pawlina introduced his Chatham Police Department Strategic Operating Plan. He read the department’s Mission Statement which calls for commitment to providing excellence in police services to the community. The Statement dedicates the Department to pro-actively engage with citizens by developing community oriented partnerships and problem solving to improve Chatham’s quality of lives and to make the Town a safe and desirable community.

Chief Pawlina reviewed key components of the Operating Plan which place a great deal of emphasis on professionalism, accountability, and self assessment with a concerted effort towards community involvement.

Mr. Ray Braz, from the Chamber of Commerce, told the gallery and the Board the business community is very pleased with the positive direction Chief Pawlina is leading the agency and the professionalism of the force.

Don Edge, Chairman of the Summer Residents Advisory Committee, addressed the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Edge noted the importance of the Committee since it represents half of the property owners in Chatham. The Committee has existed for eleven years.

Mr. Edge said the Committee has focused on key projects and financial stability of the Town during their meetings this summer. He felt the Summer Town Meeting was informative and productive.

Mr. Edge thanked the members of his Committee for their efforts as well as the Town employees who participated in their meetings. He also thanked Mrs. Bohman, the Committee’s Selectmen liaison.

Mr. Edge reported the Committee has achieved their goal of a reduction in number of members and also felt their work has been enhanced by devoting subcommittees to certain issues and enhancing publicity so that other non-voters and the community can understand their role.

Mr. Goodspeed reported the Commission is working on an expansion in the Union Cemetery. The Commission has ordered new computer programs to improve service and make the records more accessible. The Department serves as needed by calls and appointments and maintains office hours on Wednesday and Friday mornings.

Mr. Goodspeed reported that all resurfacing of the roads has been completed and the Commission’s new goal is the replacement of the water lines. Seaside Cemetery is the first to be completed.

Mrs. Bohman asked about the responsibility for cleaning headstones. Mr. Goodspeed told the Board of Selectmen the headstones belong to the families who own the lots they are situated on.

Mr. Chamberlain reported the Commission held in-house training sessions for the five new members of the Commission covering Commission procedures and reviewing the Wetlands Protection Regulations. Some of the members have attended workshops sponsored by the Mass Association for Conservation Commissions.

The workload of the Commission continues to grow and the number of meetings has increased over the past year including on-site visits and meetings with landscape contractors and DEP and state environmental officials as well as working with the Zoning Board of Appeals on a proposed 40B.

Conservation Agent Kristen Andres has been organizing a series of Monday morning trips to various conservation lands of the Town. The Commission hopes to complete the visits in the Fall.

In June 2007 the Commission adopted a Wildland Fire Protection and Preparedness Plan for the Goose Pond Conservation Tract that was developed by a consultant from the Cape Cod Cooperative Extension. A second plan is currently being developed by the County’s consultant for the Town Forest.

Last year the Barnstable County Land Management Grant Program funded two programs for the Town. One was for signs on Forest Beach and the other provided a contractor to remove invasive species on the Captain Harding property in West Chatham including re-seeding with native meadow species.

The $20,000 appropriation of CPA funds has been used to retain Mapworks, Inc. To prepare a comprehensive Conservation Lands Management Program. This document is expected to be complete by the end of September and will be used to prioritize projects after public input via hearings before the Commission.

The Commission thanked Conservation Agent Kristen Andres and secretary Mary Fougere for their efforts and, noting the workload of the staff, expressed pleasure at learning a new Assistant Conservation Agent has been hired.

Mr. Summers asked if the abutters of Goose Pond will be included in the Management Plan implementation. Mr. Chamberlain responded the Commission will be conducting public hearings to review the Plan with the residents.

Mr. Whitcomb asked if the permit process for enhancing views could be expedited in some way. Mr. Chamberlain said some of the smaller projects are being handled with administrative reviews and are decided quickly. The Commission has also been doing a number of perpetual pruning permits.

Coastal Resources Director Ted Keon attended this meeting. Mr. Keon referred to his memo of August 22, 2007 in which Mr. Keon explains that Outermost Harbor Marina is interested in utilizing the services of the county dredge similar to what the Town endorsed in 2002. He said the project was very successful and has been functioning well. Mr. Keon noted this is a benefit to the general boating public as well as improving access to the public mooring area. Also, the dredge material will be used fortify the Little Beach area. Mr. Facchetti will provide funding for the dredge and provide a boat slip for municipal use. The slip would be offered for a period not to exceed five years if additional dredging is not required during that period. Mr. Keon reported the Waterways Advisory Committee recommends the Board of Selectmen support this proposal.

Mrs. Bohman moved the Board of Selectmen vote to approve this request. Mr. Summers seconded the motion. Mr. Bergstrom said he felt this use unethical because private citizens cannot use the County dredge and we are using the Town as a go-between for the County and Mr. Facchetti. Mr. Summers noted the dredge will not be used on private property.

Mr. Whitcomb said he applauds Mr. Bergstrom sentiments, but this dredging will benefit the community and the Little Beach area and he is comfortable in the fact that the County dredge project in Chatham will not be interfered with. The Board of Selectmen voted three in favor one opposed (Mr. Bergstrom). The motion carried.

The Board of Selectmen reviewed the new charge for this Committee as presented by Mr. Hinchey. Mrs. Bohman suggested the Board of Selectmen ask the present members of both committees to come in and meet with Selectmen to review their work. Mr. Hinchey will send the draft to all the members of the these current committees and ask them to meet with the Selectmen.

As regards the number, Mrs. Bohman said seven members worked well for the first review but she would like to wait and see how many applications are received. As concerns a Selectmen serving on the committee, Mrs. Bohman did not think it was wise. Mr. Bergstrom disagreed suggesting a person who is a Selectmen has a good perspective as to how the Charter is working. Mr. Hinchey explained the Board of Selectmen is advised by the Review Committee and will review any proposed changes before presenting it to the Town Meeting. Mr. Bergstrom agreed that a Selectmen may not need to serve if the Review Committee is advisory to the Selectmen.

After further discussion, it was decided to wait to see who the applicants are before placing any restrictions on the membership. Mr. Whitcomb asked that all interested parties submit a letter or talent bank form before October 16, 2007.

Mr. Bergstrom asked about the status of the Waterways Advisory Committee recommendations on the moorings plan. Mr. Hinchey said the Board of Selectmen voted to accept some recommendations, which the Town will implement, other changes need to be voted by Town Meeting via a change in the bylaw. Mr. Gilmore had previously agreed to make suggested bylaw changes in accordance with the WAC recommendations.