Town of Chatham, MA - Selectmen's Meeting Minutes 12/4/07

Ms. Connors moved the Board of Selectmen vote to approve the minutes of the November 13, 2007 Board of Selectmen’s meeting. Mrs. Bohman seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Ms. Connors moved the Board of Selectmen vote to approve the minutes of the November 20, 2007 Board of Selectmen’s meeting. Mrs. Bohman seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Dr. Burns announced that the West Chatham Association has achieved its fund raising goal for the purchase of 1550 Main Street. The Community Preservation Committee has committed $350,000. (Note: these funds are subject to Town Meeting vote.) Dr. Burns thanked the CPC, Conservation Foundation and especially the owner, Clifton LaRose.

Mr. Earl Hubbard thanked the Association for their efforts and said he would like to see the buildings on the property preserved.

Mr. Hubbard also asked the Board of Selectmen to look more closely at the licenses that are not fully serving the public. He noted the Cranberry Inn and the Bradford.

Mr. Hubbard said he observed last week’s meeting and said he does not support having money transferred to the Affordable Housing Committee trust fund. He feels the Town voters should decide how the monies are spent.

Mr. William Gray rose before the Board of Selectmen to invite the Board and the community to the tree lighting on Friday, December 7, 2007 at 4:30. The event is sponsored by the Chatham Merchants Association. Chatham Bars Inn will be serving hot chocolate and cookies in the High Wheeler Square and there will be caroling.

Mr. Myron Burdick presented Chief Pawlina with a picture in appreciation for the Chief hitting the opening ball at the Myron/Byron Over 60 Golf Tournament. Chief Pawlina graciously accepted his gift and told the gallery it was his pleasure, and an honor to have been recognized.

Superintendent of Parks and Recreation Dan Tobin said the Park and Recreation Commission will be holding an open house during the Christmas Stroll. He said they would like to have a wine tasting from 4:00PM - 6:00PM and are asking for the Board of Selectmen’s permission to have alcohol on Town Property.

Mr. Bergstrom asked if the Town will be promoting an individual business. Mr. Tobin said there will be a wide assortment of activities, he didn’t feel this tasting would be to promote any one business. Ms. Connors moved the Board of Selectmen vote to grant this request. Mrs. Bohman seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Mr. Whitcomb asked Mr. Tobin if he could elaborate on the open house. Mr. Tobin said on Friday night there will be a battle of the bands. Saturday morning will begin with the ribbon cutting. At that time they will rededicate the Veteran’s plaques. There will be activities all day long including basketball games, volleyball games, Santa will be at the Center from 11:00AM until 2:00PM. There will also be crafts and face painting. The wine tasting area will be enhanced by jazz music.

Ms. Audrey Gray has a request before the Board of Selectmen to allow the restaurant to close from December 17, 2007 until January 17, 2007. Mrs. Bohman moved the Board of Selectmen grant this request. Mr. Bergstrom seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Mr. Shane Coughlin has a request before the Board of Selectmen to close the Wayside Inn for cleaning and maintenance from January 8, 2008 until January 29, 2008. Ms. Connors moved the Board of Selectmen vote to allow this closing. Mrs. Bohman seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Mr. Summers said he would like to have an item on a future agenda to discuss closings and what the Board’s policy should be. Ms. Jenloz, from the Chamber of Commerce, noted the Chamber has information about hours and businesses that are closed on the Web site.

Mr. Len Sussman, Chairman of the Planning Board, attended this meeting to update the Board of Selectmen on the Planning Board’s activities. Mr. Sussman said the Board meets twice a month to work on the Zoning Bylaw Rewrite in addition to their regular meetings.

The main two focuses at this time is revision to Section V, non-conforming lots, structures, and uses and revising the accessory apartment bylaw and other affordable housing issues.

He said the Planning Board is developing a report to determine, without speculation, exactly what the median house dimensions in Chatham are. They are also working on making the Town bylaw consistent with State statute and also to clarify the bylaw so the applicants know what they are allowed to do. Mr. Sussman said the Planning Board feels amnesty for illegal apartments could go a long way to meeting 10% affordable goal the State and the Long Range Plan has set for Chatham.

The Planning Board recognizes that a change in zoning on Middle Road to R30 is desirable, however they reject having affordable houses going from one lot to the other straight down the road. They want to look at the area as a whole, and develop a long term open space/residential development plan.

Ms. Connors said she is hoping the Town can get something on this Town Meeting about the accessory apartments. Mrs. Bohman thanked the Planning Board members for their orderly approach to the changes.

Mr. Whitcomb thanked Mr. Sussman and his Board members for responding to the Selectmen’s requests. Mr. Whitcomb would like to see the Planning Board create portions of Town where density would not be detrimental.

Ms. Connors said she thinks it is important to support programs that bring the year round community together. She has asked for $10,000 to be allocated to the Maritime Festival. There was a consensus to put this funding request in the FY09 budget for Town Meeting. The money will be put in the Public Ceremonies account. Mr. Summers felt the Forth of July Parade is underfunded. Mr. Hinchey said the Town has not had a request for increases in the budget. He feels it may be because the Public Ceremonies Committee needs more volunteers. Ms. Connors said she would like to encourage more local groups to be in the parade.

Mr. Hinchey said in general, the goals are clear and he didn’t think it was necessary to prioritize them because the list is not as extensive as it has been in the past.

#3 Mr. Whitcomb said he supports buying land and not necessarily going through the State for affordable housing. That way the Town will have more control. Mrs. Bohman said she supports work force housing to create better community ties for our workers in Town. Mr. Bergstrom has consistently said he would support housing for our work force but feels it will be difficult because the State guidelines are too restrictive. Mr. Summers still believes the Town can handle median income housing by changing the bylaw. Ms. Connors would like to see a public/ private initiative.

Mr. Bergstrom said he did not think performance appraisals should be a Board goal because this is Mr. Hinchey’s responsibility.

Ms. Connors would like to talk more about where the expanded bike path spurs will be located. She would like to have public input on this.

Ms. Connors also would like to allocate funds for dredging in Aunt Lydia’s Cove in the event the government discontinues funding.