Town of Chatham, MA - Selectmen's Meeting Minutes 10/9/07

Ms. Laura Slifka, representing the Cape Cod Hook Fishermen’s Association, asked the Board of Selectmen to endorse a letter to the New England Fisheries Management Council to urge them to make herring management a priority in 2008. Ms. Slifka explained the monitoring system for the herring is inadequate and the mid-water trawlers are not being monitored properly. She also said that some of their catch is dumped at sea is left unaccounted for. Landing data is inaccurate and is based on vessel and dealer good-faith weights since there is no way to measure the catch.

Ms. Connors moved the Board of Selectmen vote to send a letter to the New England Fisheries Management Council as described by Ms. Slifka. Mr. Bergstrom seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Mr. Whitcomb reviewed the status of the Town’s legislation filed after the May 8, 2006 Town Meeting to allow Chatham to be exempted from the Chapter 138 Quota by allowing two additional All Alcoholic Beverage Licenses. Mr. Whitcomb noted the language has been changed to restrict the licenses to a designated Economic Development Overlay District or Zone or Area.

Since the Town does not have the required Overlay District/s, Mr. Bergstrom moved the Board of Selectmen vote to ask the House Committee to recommend an “ought not to pass” vote to withdraw the legislation. Mrs. Bohman seconded the motion.

Mr. Summers said he felt the House Bill should be allowed to go forward in case Chatham decides it may designate parts of the Town as Economic Development Overlay Districts. He felt there would be no harm in having the licenses available.

Mr. Bergstrom withdrew his motion. Mrs. Bohman agreed, but she said she is not comfortable with changing the essence of the Town Meeting vote.

Mr. Summers moved the Board of Selectmen vote to take no action to change the revised House Bill 3943. Mr. Bergstrom seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted four in favor, one opposed (Mrs. Bohman).

Mr. David Oppenheim, President of 443 Main Street Inc. d/b/a Christian’s Restaurant attended this meeting. Mr. Oppenheim told the Board Christian’s was closed effective September 21, 2007. He also said he thinks there have been rumors circulating, but wanted to inform the Board of Selectmen the property is not for sale at this time. Mr. Oppenheim said the primary goal is to stay a restaurant. He told the Board of Selectmen he would like them to grant him an extended closure until May 15, 2008. Mr. Oppenheim said the interim time will allow the Corporation to consider a new business plan and hopefully, reopen.

Ms. Connors expressed sentiment that she would like to grant this request because she wants to keep that end of Main Street a viable part of the business downtown.

There was further discussion about allowing the closure. Mr. Whitcomb said he would be more comfortable if there was a date specific for the opening. He noted the local regulation requires businesses to remain open at least three days a week in the off season. Mrs. Bohman agreed with Ms. Connors about keeping the businesses thriving.

Further discussion centered around the renewal of the licenses which will be coming up in November. As a requirement of the renewal the Fire Chief and Building Inspector will be required to sign an affidavit that the business has been inspected. Mr. Oppenheim said all the utilities and the fire suppression will remain on.

Mr. Bergstrom said he felt that with the Bradford license and the Wayside Inn license - perhaps too much control was being given to one business owner.

Mrs. Bohman moved the Board of Selectmen vote to allow this business closure until December 31, 2007. Mr. Bergstrom seconded the motion. Mr. Whitcomb said he would not vote in favor of the motion because there is no date certain for reopening. The board voted four in favor one opposed (Mr. Whitcomb). The motion carried.

At a previous meeting the Board of Selectmen discussed the PD/Annex Design Review Task Force’s recommendation to appoint a permanent building committee. No resolution was reached at that meeting. Mr. Hinchey wrote a memo to the Board of Selectmen suggesting the language of a motion be “future public construction projects or any other public construction projects as the Board of Selectmen determines appropriate.”

Mr. Summers said the memo suggesting there be different review committees for each project was not his vision for project review. Mr. Summers feels there should be a standing committee to review all projects and determine how public input should be processed.

Ms. Connors said she felt different knowledge and skills would be needed for each project and she felt as though the Board of Selectmen would appoint a committee based on the nature of the project. Mrs. Bohman concurred. Mr. Bergstrom said he understood the need for a standing committee and they would advise the Town as to whether a certain expertise is needed. Mr. Whitcomb said he felt the process should be decided on the specific project. Mr. Hinchey said he thought the intention was to have the Board of Selectmen review the project and determine if a “hybrid” committee was needed.

Mr. Summers moved the Board of Selectmen have a standing Design Review Task Force for all projects over one million dollars. Mr. Bergstrom seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Ms. Danielle Jeanloz, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce attended this meeting to make a proposal to the Board of Selectmen regarding Economic Development. The presentation contains recommendations from the Chamber of Commerce that address needs that have been outlined in the Long Range Plan, the Selectmen’s goals, and feedback from the community.

Ms. Jeanloz said she would like to present what could ultimately be a collaborative effort between the Chamber and the Town.

She outlined what is described as objectives, topics for discussion, short term goals, long term vision and budget recommendations. The recommendations include the appointment of a Town economic development committee to work with the Chamber.

Objectives include diversity, affordable healthcare, affordable housing, retail space at reasonable costs, counseling, transportation and increased year-round events.

The Chamber options to assist the Town included additional staffing which would cost $85,000 as option #1, or less additional professional time from the Chamber to assist in some initiatives at a cost of $30,000. One key aspect of the presentation is that it would include assistance to businesses that are not members of the Chamber of Commerce.

Mrs. Bohman said there are things that a committee could work on such as having the CVS get deliveries from their out-of-Town stores for local pick up.

Mr. Whitcomb thanked Ms. Jeanloz for her input and feels there is a need to hone the presentation into a manageable plan, especially since it involves Town funds. He noted the general economy can dictate the ebb and flow of prosperity even with good planning.

Mr. Yeaw, from the gallery, felt this was a good idea but perhaps should be contracted to a third party instead of increasing the Chamber budget.