Town of Chatham, MA - Selectmen's Meeting Minutes 3/11/08

Board of Selectmen’s Meeting

Chairman Whitcomb called the meeting to order at 4:00PM with Ms. Connors, Mr. Summers and Town Manager William Hinchey present.

Weir Permits Monomoy Trap Co., Inc.

In a memo to Mr. Hinchey, Director of Coastal Resources Ted Keon informed the Board of Selectmen these renewals are routine and are due for renewal every five years. Mr. Keon indicated there are no changes to the locations or specifications in these nine weir renewals.

Ms. Connors moved the Board of Selectmen vote the nine weir permits be renewed and authorized and to forward the applications to the Department of Fisheries, and the Wildlife and Environmental Law Enforcement, Division of Marine Fisheries. Mr. Summers seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Public Hearing Seasonal wine and Malt Restaurant license

Chatham Fish and Lobster Marine Cuisine

Mr. Whitcomb read the notice that was duly published for this date on an application from Chatham Fish and Lobster Marine Cuisine for a seasonal wine and malt license. Bruce Scott, the proposed manager for the restaurant, attended this meeting as well as the business owner David Carnes and Mr. Michael Berg, a local contractor.

Mr. Whitcomb referred to a letter from Director of Community Development Kevin McDonald in which Mr. McDonald states that the seating has been increased to twenty-four and under the Uniform Plumbing Code will require male and female restrooms as well as a handicap accessible restroom.

Mr. Scott said the parties have met with Mr. McDonald and will be making modifications to the restaurant to comply with the building code.

Ms. Connors moved the Board of Selectmen vote to grant this license contingent on completion of the required restrooms. Mr. Summers seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Committee Update - Chatham Cultural Council

Ms. Barbara Waters, Chairman of the Chatham Cultural Council, attended this meeting to update the Board of Selectmen on the activities of the group. Ms. Waters recognized Ms. Jane Moffett and Ms. Sally Duplaix, members who were in attendance. Ms. Waters also recognized Ms. Louise Redfield, the staff liaison to the Council.

Ms. Waters reported the Council has become a model for other Councils in Southeastern Massachusetts and she and Ms. Moffett were invited to participate in a regional event to talk about fund-raising strategies and the Council’s working relationship with the Town administration.

The fund-raising added more than $7,000 to the award funds from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the Council awarded $11,811 to applicants for FY08.

The Council holds a workshop on writing grant applications which has proven helpful to keeping the public informed of available funds. Nineteen organizations were awarded funds. Ms. Waters thanked Ms. Dillon and Ms. Parker who resigned this year in accordance with State quidelines and welcomed Lynn Herbst as a new member.

The Board of Selectmen thanked Ms. Waters for her report.

Committee Update - Affordable Housing Committee

William Mr. William Bystrom, Chairman of the Affordable Housing Committee, rose to report the activities of that Committee during the past year. Mr. Bystrom thanked the Board of Selectmen, Town Manager William Hinchey and staff members Kevin McDonald and Terry Whalen for the support given to the Committee.

Mr. Bystrom distributed an organizational chart to illustrate a team approach to affordable housing by the Chatham Affordable Housing Committee, the Friends of Chatham Affordable Housing and the Chatham Housing Authority - also, partnerships with Habitat for Humanity as well as the Lower Cape Community Development Corporation.

Mr. Bystrom said the Committee held a housing summit which led to the development and approval of a Planned Production Plan by the Board of Selectmen. The members continue to discuss production of affordable housing as well as changes in the bylaw to enhance accessory apartments and encourage more private participation. The Committee continues to consider Middle Road which has been discussed in several scenarios and continues to be deliberated.

The Committee is working with a new Chatham Preservation Group.

The four units at Balfour Lane have been sold.

The Committee has two requests for FY09 into the Community Preservation Committee to aid in their furthering their efforts.

The Committee would like to change the inclusionary Bylaw for payment in lieu to 6.5% up from 3%. The members would also like to move forward with allowing more density in village centers, small lot development and consideration of some sort of tax credits/relief for developers.

From the gallery Mr. Hubbard questioned whether the members of the Affordable Housing Committee should sit on the Board of Trustees for the Affordable Trust Fund.

Mr. Bergstrom joined the meeting at 4:40pm.

The Board of Selectmen thanked Mr. Bystrom and the members of the Committee for their efforts on behalf of the Town.

Community Preservation Committee Update

Mr. Victor Di Cristina addressed the Board of Selectmen. He recognized the other members of the Committee: Mr. Robert Denn, Member at Large; Ms. Corinne B. Johnson, representing the Conservation Commission; Mr. John Karr, representing the Planning Board; Mr. Robert Oliver, representing the Historical Commission; Mr. Franklin Pease, Member at Large; Ms. Joyce Reynolds, representing the Park and Recreation Commission; Ms. Florence Seldin, representing the Affordable Housing Committee; and Joanne Taylor, representing the Chatham Housing Authority.

Mrs. Seldin gave the Board of Selectmen a financial report of the expenditures of the CPC from CPA funds for 2007. She reported the School appropriation for $150,000 for the tennis courts came in under budget and $14,425 was returned to the CPC.

The Railroad appropriation for historic preservation will, hopefully, be supplemented by a grant from the Massachusetts Historical Commission.

The Committee then proceeded to review the anticipated Articles for the Annual Town Meeting.

Mr. Di Cristina presented the following:

Article - Digitizing Historical Documents

This Article seeks funding of $35,000 to convert Chatham’s historical newspapers to a searchable full text database that will be available to the public at the Eldredge Public Library.

Ms. Connors moved the Board of Selectmen vote to place this Article on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant. Mr. Bergstrom seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Ms. Connors moved the Board of Selectmen recommend approval of this Article to the Town Meeting. Mr. Bergstrom seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Article - Training Field Triangle Interpretive Sign

This Article seeks funds to provide enhancement of the Training Field Triangle conservation with the installation of an interpretive sign featuring information of the historic significance of the Training Field triangle with special recognition of the Smallpox Cemetery.

Ms. Connors moved the Board of Selectmen vote to place this Article on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant. Mr. Bergstrom seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Ms. Connors moved the Board of Selectmen recommend approval of this Article to the Town Meeting. Mr. Bergstrom seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted three in favor, one opposed (Mr. Summers). The motion carried.

There was some discussion about the votes taken by the CPC on these Articles. This Article was voted five in favor, two opposed by the members. All other votes of the Committee were unanimous although it was pointed out two members of the Committee did not attend the meeting at which the votes were taken because of personal reasons.

Article - Historic Property Survey

This Article seeks funds to appropriate the sum of $45,000 to continue the program of the Chatham Historical commission to professionally document through narrative and photos the historic properties in Chatham.

Ms. Connors moved the Board of Selectmen vote to place this Article on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant. Mr. Bergstrom seconded the motion. There was further discussion about this program begun in 2003. Mr. Oliver said the volunteers have tried to document some properties but it needs to be done by a professional to note the architecture and historical relevance. Ms. Connors noted the Board of Selectmen should commit to providing the tools our committees need to properly perform their roles in the Town. The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Ms. Connors moved the Board of Selectmen recommend approval of this Article to the Town Meeting. Mr. Bergstrom seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Mrs. Seldin presented the following Articles:

Article - Technical Assistance for Affordable Accessory Apartments

This Article seeks funding for a program to encourage the creation of new affordable rent apartments accessory to existing single family homes in Chatham by advertising the program and providing assistance with the regulatory process so that any units created will count toward the Town’s affordable housing goal. It also would provide grants of up to $3,000 per unit for expenses incurred in creating the apartments.

Ms. Connors moved the Board of Selectmen place this Article on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant. Mr. Bergstrom seconded the motion. Mr. Bergstrom asked if these funds will be combined with the Housing Consultant retained by the Town. Ms. Seldin said these consultants will be hired on an as needed basis and will not fall under the current contract with the consultant although the same company may be involved. The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor of the motion.

Ms. Connors moved the Board of Selectmen recommend approval of this Article to the Town Meeting. Mr. Bergstrom seconded the motion.

Ms. Connors said she supports this Article and if people do not avail themselves of the consultants, the money will be returned to the CPC. She feels residents would be more comfortable talking to a consultant rather than coming to Town staff and admitting they have an illegal apartment. (This Article contains an amnesty program). Mr. Summers feels that the consultant hired last year should be doing this and he feels this is a duplication of effort. He also feels the Town staff is capable of advising applicants. Principal Planner Terry Whalen noted the housing consultant was hired to assistant the Affordable Housing Committee in an advisory capacity and developed the Planned Production Plan and helped in the development of programs to assist in affordable housing programs. This money could be used for small technical contracts based on certain expertise to assist interested homeowners. Mr. Bergstrom said most applicants coming before the regulatory boards need assistance.

Mr. McDonald spoke to the difference between coming to staff for assistance with an application and applicants proposing changes that conflict with our regulations. Mr. McDonald said there are legal implications with the staff advising an applicant on personal decisions such as deed riders, matters as regards taxes, and whether or not an added apartment would increase the value of a property, etc. The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor of the motion.

Article - Affordable Housing Trust Fund

This Article would place funds in the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to enable the Town to respond to opportunities in the market within a time sensitive and efficient manner without having to wait for a future Town Meeting for approval.

Mr. Bergstrom moved the Board of Selectmen vote to place this Article on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant. Ms. Connors seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Ms. Connors moved the Board of Selectmen recommend approval of this Article to the Town Meeting. Mr. Bergstrom seconded the motion. Mr. Summers felt the makeup of the Board of Trustees may be a problem since there is a bias on the part of the Affordable Housing Committee members and could affect the vote of the Board of Selectmen if the Board does not have a majority vote among themselves. Mr. Hinchey pointed out that it is unlikely that monies would be expended that is not in conjunction with a Town Meeting vote. There was also discussion that, although discussions on land acquisition may be held in Executive Session, it would ultimately be discussed at a public meeting. Ms. Cindy Small from the Affordable Housing Committee reminded everyone that the real consideration is the people who need housing.

The Board of Selectmen voted three in favor of the motion, one opposed (Mr. Summers). The motion passed.

Article - Chatham Housing Authority Emergency Generator

This Article seeks funding for an emergency backup generator for the congregate housing for income-eligible seniors. Mr. Bergstrom said he feels this is an operational expense and an obligation of the State. Mr. Summers echoed Mr. Bergstrom sentiment. Mrs. Seldin said the Housing Authority had made every effort to seek other funding for the generator but to no avail. The CPC felt this was an important expenditure. Recommendations were given by the Police Chief and the Town Manager. In three of the past four winters there have been power outages lasting six hours or longer, putting residents at risk. Moving the residents during emergencies diverts Emergency response personnel from other tasks.

Ms. Connors moved the Board of Selectmen vote to place this Article on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant. Mr. Bergstrom seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Article - Administrative Costs

This Article asks Town Meeting to appropriate $25,000 from CPF revenues to fund administrative costs associated with the Community Preservation Act.

Mr. Bergstrom moved the Board of Selectmen vote to place this Article on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant. Ms Connors seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Ms. Connors moved the Board of Selectmen recommend approval of this Article to the Town Meeting. Mr. Bergstrom seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Mrs. Seldin distributed the Housing Partnership and Citizens Housing Planning Guidebook to the Board. The Guidebook contains Articles about the initiatives Chatham has taken toward affordable housing.

The meeting adjourned at 6:20PM.

Respectfully submitted,