Town of Chatham, MA - Selectmen's Meeting Minutes 9/25/07

Mrs. Bohman moved the Board of Selectmen vote to approve the minutes of the September 25, 2007 Board of Selectmen’s meeting. Mr. Bergstrom seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Mr. Andrew Machado, Director of Assessing, attended this meeting to advise the Selectmen that the Board of Assessors voted on September 19, 2007 to recommend the Board of Selectmen adopt a factor of one for the tax assessments for Fiscal Year 2008. Mr. Machado introduced Ted Vreeland and Robert Franz from the Board of Assessors and told the Board Nick Brown, also on the Board of Assessors, could not attend.

Ms. Connors moved the Board of Selectmen vote that the Town of Chatham continue to tax all classes at the same rate by adopting a factor of 1 and to reject the residential exemption and the small commercial exemption. Mrs. Bohman seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Ms. Cynthia Demos attended this meeting to ask the Board of Selectmen to consider sponsoring a change to the general Bylaw by adding to 208.24 paragraph C. Special Permit: Any shop which has a setback of 10 feet or more from the Town Property, can display a single item or a small grouping of items outside on their property up to and within five feet of Town Property.

Ms. Demos went on to demonstrate the need for this amendment by illuminating the fact that not all of the shops are directly visible from the street. She said this creates a hardship for some of the shop owners. She noted that displaying the goods five feet from Main Street would attract more attention.

Ms. Connors said she supports small businesses in Town but felt the wording was vague and needed to be more specific. Mrs. Bohman agreed noting one person’s definition of “a small grouping” may be translated differently by different merchants.

Director of Community Development Kevin McDonald told the Board the permit or denial of a permit could be appealed by either the applicant or someone opposed to the applicants proposal, which allows for this wording to be the same as in the other Special Permit language. Mr. McDonald suggested the Board of Selectmen involve the merchants or neighbors in the discussion to build consensus before Town Meeting. Mrs. Bohman moved the Board of Selectmen vote to present an Article to the Town Meeting reflecting the changes described by Ms. Demos. Ms. Connors seconded the motion. After further discussion concerning input, Ms. Connors said she would like to have this item appear on a future agenda for public input. The motion carried.

Director of Coastal Resources Ted Keon presented the Board with a summary of the proposed projects that have been put forward over the past several years for potential use of the lower triangle at the Marconi site.

Mr. Bergstrom began discussion by noting the parking has been improved in the area and he feels the Town should favor the proposal for a park on this site.

Mr. Whitcomb asked Mr. Hinchey if the Park and Recreation Commission has considered this proposal. Mr. Hinchey said it has not gone before the Commission and there would have to be discussions about jurisdiction and maintenance.

Ms. Barbara Cotnam, who has been an advocate of a park at this location, addressed the Board and reviewed her proposal for a walking park. She has been reviewing the history of the property and the use by employees of the original RCA Marconi station. She suggested at some future date a gazebo could be erected as there had been one previously. Ms. Cotnam told the Board of Selectmen $6,000 in pledges have been secured for the project. She also said volunteers have stepped forward to help with the project including members of the Chatham Garden Club. She outlined her submission of a list of possible financing sources and told the Board a contact from the Cape Cod Regional Technical School had also offered services from the school.

Mr. William Southwick, also an advocate for the park, told the Board the Town could solicit Americorps to return and that they be allowed to dig at the sight since they could not eradicate some invasive species just by cutting. He suggested the Town could hire an arborist to plan some cutting and pruning at an estimated cost of $40,000. He feels that after two years of “refining the plan” a park could be open in 2009.

Mr. Bergstrom asked if it was the intent to completely clear the site and replant. Ms. Cotnom said that is not the intention. The plan is to take two years of cleaning debris, pruning, and removing invasive plants and there after refine the park for use.

Ms. Connors said she would like to have input from the Park and Recreation Commission and the Conservation Commission. She would also like to have more information concerning the costs for development and long term maintenance. Mr. Hinchey said he could provide some estimates.

Mr. Bergstrom moved the Board of Selectmen vote to support the concept of having a park, and to put in place actions to begin the process such as feasibility, whether it is practical and what the expenses will be for refining and long term maintenance. Ms. Connors seconded the motion.

Mr. Whitcomb said he supports the park concept but still has concerns about entrance and exits on Rt 28. He also said he would like to review the consultants draft on the use and priorities for Town properties. Mrs. Bohman said she feels it would be beneficial to get more information and input from the other Commissions.

Mrs. Avellar suggested moving the Harbormaster’s office to the site. Mr. Hinchey responded that the current building which houses the Harbormaster’s office is an older building, but the staff provides alternative accessibility for citizens. Others rose to speak in support of a park.

Mr. Stephen King, a member of the Waterways Advisory Committee referred to that Committee’s previous recommendations for this parcel which included moving the park closer to the water and providing more parking along Route 28. The Committee favored exploring a new seasonal entrance and exit on Route 28. The Board of Selectmen vote unanimously in favor.

Mrs. Bohman said she received calls concerning an inordinate amount of seagulls at the Oyster Pond. Director of Health and Environment Bob Duncanson said he was aware of the problem. He said it was assumed to be due to disposal of fish by-products in the pond.

Mr. Bergstrom asked to have the Waterways Advisory Committee report on the changes adopted by the Board of Selectmen and follow up from Attorney Gilmore on the Bylaw changes.