Town of Chatham, MA - Selectmen's Meeting Minutes 9/18/07

Chairman Whitcomb called the meeting to order with Ms. Connors, Mrs. Bohman, Mr. Bergstrom and Town Manager William Hinchey present.

Mrs. Bohman moved the Board of Selectmen vote to approve the minutes of the September 4, 2007 Board of Selectmen’s meeting. Mr. Bergstrom seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Mrs. Bohman moved the Board of Selectmen vote to approve the minutes of the September 11, 2007 Board of Selectmen’s meeting. Mr. Bergstrom seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Ms. Barbara Waters, Chairman of the Chatham Cultural Council addressed the meeting to remind everyone that the grant applications to the Council are due October 15^th. She said the Council has $4,000 in State money and $10,000 in donations to distribute.

Finance Committee Chairman Alice Clack addressed the meeting to clarify the amount of money that has been appropriated in recent years for a Community Center. She said the Cape Cod Chronicle refers to the Community Center’s cost of $6,000,000. The actual appropriations to date total $9,915,000.

Mr. John Halgren said he has been attending the PD/Annex Task Force Review Committee meetings. He said the meetings have been impressive and he feels they will produce a good result.

Health and Environment Director Robert Duncanson announced work on Main Street for St. Christopher’s will resume after Columbus Day. The project requires more water main work which should take three days; another half day for grinding and then another day for re-paving. Traffic will be interrupted but one lane will be open during the work.

Conservation Agent Kristen Andres introduced James Gallagher who will serve the Town as the new Assistant Conservation Agent. The Board of Selectmen welcomed Mr. Gallagher.

The First Night Committee, represented by Sally Foster at this meeting, is once again requesting to use the downstairs meeting room for part of the First Night activities. Someone will be at the doors to prevent food and drink from being brought into the room and volunteers will clean up the next morning. Ms. Connors moved the Board of Selectmen grant this request. Mrs. Bohman seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Mrs. Bohman commented that the band member Danny Banks is only fourteen years old and is an excellent drummer.

Ms. Mary Mikita attended this meeting to ask the Board to allow the Holy Redeemer Guild to place two signs on Town-owned property on Saturday October 6, 2007 to announce and direct people to the Harvest Craft Fair. The request is to place the signs at Rte 28 and 137, and one in the triangle behind the downtown rotary.

Mrs. Bohman moved the Board of Selectmen vote to grant this request. Mr. Bergstrom seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

William Redfield, Director of the Water & Sewer Departments, made his report to the Selectmen. Mr. Whitcomb asked about the commercial application from 242 Stage Harbor Road and 27 Cedar Street. It was determined the application includes one additional bedroom as allowed in the Sewer Bank Policy.

Mr. Redfield reported the Water Main Service and Replacement program is continuing. The Water Department will begin construction in the South Chatham area in October and should be completed mid December.

Mr. Redfield said the contract has been awarded for installation of an emergency generator at the water storage tanks.

The sewer flushing will begin September 13, 2007 on Main Street and some side streets in the downtown area and continue to the middle of October.

On September 11, 2007 two young adults were found to be climbing the standpipe. The Chatham Police were called in. Mr. Redfield said he wanted to caution people about climbing the water towers because, not only is it dangerous, but could be considered a federal offense under Homeland Security laws.

Mr. Bergstrom asked about complaints of noise from generators for wireless communication. Mr. Redfield said the noise matter has been resolved by Verizon. The new generator being installed by the Town will have a sound cabinet and insulated equipment.

Mrs. Bohman asked about an abatement that was granted by the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee. Mr. Redfield said the facts in that instance were ambiguous so the Committee voted to abate half of the bill. Mr. Redfield explained that the abatements are considered on a case by case basis because each may have different circumstances.

Mr. Bergstrom asked if the Town has considered remote water usage reading systems. Mr. Redfield said the Town has been looking at different systems for a long time but none have been perfected to the point where they are considered reliable.

Mr. Whitcomb asked if there has been response to the request to DEP to lift the flow restrictions in the Administrative Consent Order. Dr. Duncanson reported thay DEP will have to consider the legal aspects of amending the existing Order. Mr. Whitcomb asked if the Town can allocate addition flow to certain areas. Dr. Duncanson replied that we can, and any increased amount will be stewarded by the Board of Selectmen.

In response to Mr. Whitcomb’s comments, Dr. Duncanson explained the Town hired a group to do a value engineering assessment on the preliminary design of the treatment facility done by Stearns and Wheler. The value engineering is complete and the results will be given to Stearns and Wheler for consideration during the final design.

Two additional recommendations for a construct-ability review and a construction manager to be included in the final design phase at 98% completion of design will also be considered.

Dr. Duncanson explained that one of the considerations in planning the proposed upgrade/expansion of the wastewater treatment facility is long-term maintenance costs. One of the more significant costs is energy. One option for reducing energy costs is through the use of wind power. Dr. Duncanson said he has completed an application for a survey to initiate a preliminary assessment of the potential for wind generation at the wastewater treatment facility site.

There was discussion about other assessments made in other towns, but it was determined the need and uses are specific to each area. Mr. Hinchey said if Chatham is just looking to recover the costs of energy by use of a turbine, and not to generate revenue, our energy costs could be recovered.

Mr. Bergstrom moved the Board of Selectmen vote to submit the “Municipal Wind Turbine Site Application” and authorize the Chairman to sign on behalf of the Board. Mrs. Bohman seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Mr. Whitcomb said he understands there is no cost for this survey but inquired about cost for the second phase. Dr. Duncanson said the next phase may cost from $20 to $25 thousand dollars if it is feasible. The motion carried.