Board of Selectmen’s Meeting
January 8, 2008
Vice chairman Deborah Connors called the meeting to order at 4:00PM with Mrs. Bohman, Mr. Bergstrom, Mr. Summers and Town Manager William Hinchey present.
Mrs. Bohman moved the Board of Selectmen vote to approve the minutes of the December 18, 2008 Board of Selectmen’s meeting with the additional paragraph added concerning Underground Utilities and Mr. Niedzwiecki’s willingness for the Cape Cod Commission to work with the Town. Mr. Bergstrom seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.
Section 10 Review
Town Counsel Bruce Gilmore attended this meeting. Mr. Gilmore said in order to apply for a Section 10 Permit, there will need to be a more comprehensive Management Plan developed for North Beach. A Section 10 Permit would require predator management at designated areas. Mr. Gilmore said the process is lengthy and will require an Environmental Notification Form from the Chatham Conservation Commission to the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Environmental Management. The estimated cost for the plan and permitting is between $25,000 and $30,000. The protection of species now includes lease terns as well as plovers. Mr. Gilmore said without Chatham’s participation an exemption or permit for Orleans is unlikely, which he believes will make the
inter-municipal agreement between the two towns uncertain.
Mrs. Bohman asked Mr. Hinchey if the vehicles on the newly created island are restricted. Mr. Hinchey said they are not but there is bird monitoring on the island. Mrs. Bohman feels the cost of the permitting should be prorated since Chatham has much less land. She feels the Board of Selectmen needs to discuss this with Orleans officials.
Mr. Bergstrom said he would like to see the Town cooperate with Orleans but, given the circumstances, it is unknown how much land we will eventually have on North Beach. He suggested the Board think about not selling any permits for a year and see how things develop. He feels it may be impractical to continue to keep the Chatham portion open.
Mr. Summers said he talked to someone in Barnstable who said the mandates for their Section 10 grew as the town went through the Section 10 process. He is concerned about future costs of any agreements made. He does not feel a significant amount of Chatham residents would benefit relative to the cost for permitting and future expenses.
Mr. Gilmore told the Board of Selectmen they could support Orleans efforts for a Section 10 permit, but inform Orleans we will not be expending funds for the process.
Ms. Connors thanked Mr. Gilmore for his input.
Public Hearing Red Nun Bar and Grill
Ms. Connors called the public hearing, which was duly published for this date, to order to act on an application from Michael Giorgio d/b/a the Red Nun Bar and Grill to exchange their seasonal license for an Annual All Alcohol Section 12 License. Mrs. Bohman moved the Board of Selectmen vote to approve this application. Mr. Bergstrom seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.
Public Hearing Entertainment License
Ms. Connors called the public hearing, which was duly published for this date, to order to act on a request from Michael Giorgio d/b/a the Red Nun for an entertainment permit. Mr. Giorgio said he would like permission for up to a five piece band on Thursdays and Saturdays. Mr. Giorgio said he could not be specific at this time, since he will be considering several options. Mrs. Bohman cautioned that the theater is in close proximity to the restaurant. Mr. Bergstrom moved the Board of Selectmen vote to approve this application. Mrs. Bohman seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.
Town Landing Annual Report
Director of Coastal Resources Ted Keon attended this meeting to report on the use of Town Landings during the May through October 2007 season.
Mr. Keon reported factors that affected all landings this year were a long period of windy weather in the early season, few striped bass east of Chatham, the filling in of the Southway and the new breach in North Beach. The windy weather depressed usage of landings, the limited bass catch discouraged bass fishermen and the Southway closure decreased activity at the south side landings, increased usage at Ryder’s Cove and contributed to a drop in the Monomoy/South Beach clam shellfishery. The new breach also seemed to contribute to more usage associated with “sight seers” of the new inlet and owners and thieir guests of camps located on the North Beach island.
The full report of Town Landing Officer Robert Walsh is on file in the Board of Selectmen’s office and the Director of Coastal Resources office.
Ms. Connors asked if the staff was anticipating the Board of Selectmen acting on any of the recommendations in the report. Mr. Keon said that would not be necessary at this time.
Ms. Connors said she would like to discuss the use of vehicles at the attached South Beach area at the Lighthouse again on a future agenda to consider the use off season.
Other Business
Ms. Connors noted the mooring wait lists have been updated and are on the Town’s web site.
The meeting adjourned at 4:50PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Ramona M. McDonald
Recording Clerk
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