Town of Chatham, MA - Selectmen's Meeting Minutes 4/29/08

Ms. Connors moved the Board of Selectmen vote to approve the minutes of the April 22, 2008 Board of Selectmen’s meeting. Mr. Bergstrom seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted four in favor one abstention (Mr. Whitcomb did not attend the meeting).

Mr. Stenberg, Chairman of the Human Services Committee presented the Board members with a video of the housing summit and announced Channel 18 will be airing the video in two parts.

Mr. George Cooper from the Chatham Alliance for Conservation and Preservation announced there will be a lecture on Saturday May 3, at 10:30 at the Eldredge Public Library. Mr. Johnathan Hale will be the featured speaker on the topic “Building on Chatham’s Tradition”.

Ms. Valarie Foster, Director of the Chatham Housing Authority announced that Community Builders will be using organic products for landscaping at the Lake Street Housing.

Mr. Richard Costello, representing the Chatham Squire and Pals for Life Foundation announced they will be having their 40^th Anniversary celebration at Volunteer Park and request a one day alcohol permit for the event. They will be using the event to raise funds for the Pals organization.

It was noted the Police Department will require one detail officer. Mr. Bergstrom asked Mr. Costello to post signs “No Alcohol Beyond this Point” around the perimeter of the park to which Mr. Costello agreed. The Board voted unanimously in favor.

Ms. Connors said she has two challenges when considering this request. The first is that the minutes are not approved prior to the Selectmen’s meeting. She also expressed concern that there is no index to search for specific documents in the package. Some of the same information can be found by department searches and in a more organized venue.

Mrs. Bohman agreed and added that not all information comes to the Board of Selectmen in an 8X11 format and she felt it would be counter productive to present only part of the information. Mrs. Bohman pointed out the length of some of the information may be extensive and also the fact that the Selectmen would not have an opportunity to study or research the information before the citizens presented questions about the material to Board members.

Mr. Bergstrom said, while there seemed to be no practical impediments to the posting, sometime the information is updated at the last minute and he said it may be necessary to include a disclaimer so that the information would not be misconstrued as misleading to the public. He said he has no objection it is not expensive or time consuming for the staff.

Mr. Summers asked Mr. Hinchey about costs and staff time. Mr. Hinchey said it would not be difficult to scan the documents onto the Web but if folders and a reference or search machine were required it would need more consideration. Mr. Summers felt that without financial impact or hindering staff, it may be useful to try it.

Mr. Whitcomb felt it would be a duplication of effort since the most of the information the Board receives is already on the Web, he cited bylaws, regulations, etc. Mr. Whitcomb would like to encourage more people to come to the public meetings to offer insight to the Board.

Mr. Summers moved the Board of Selectmen adopt a policy of including all information in the Board of Selectmen’s meeting agendas on the Town’s Web site. Mr. Bergstrom seconded the motion. The Board voted two in favor three opposed (Mr. Whitcomb, Ms. Connors, Mrs. Bohman). The motion failed.

Mr. Whitcomb announced the Chatham Board of Health will be having public hearing May 19 to discuss proposed new Solid Waste Regulations. Health Agent Judith Giorgio told the Board of Selectmen the Board of health worked with the DPW, Permit Department, Health and Environment and the Transfer Station and has rewritten the Solid Waste Regulations. She said the proposed regulations parallel the DEP Master Plan for solid waste. The proposed regulations main goals are to reduce solid waste and reduce toxicity of disposables and what is going into the atmosphere. The Town now has a mercury shed, hazardous waste collection program, and disposal of sharps at the Fire Station. The extensive recycling at the Transfer Station is clarified in the new regulations. The proposed regulations change the sticker placement to the windshield.

Mrs. Bohman commended the group for their diligence. She asked about the vehicles who traditionally on Cape Cod like to have the stickers side by side on their bumpers. Health and Environment Director Robert Duncanson said that will not be an option if the proposed Regulations are adopted by the Board of Health.

Ms. Connors said she would like to thank all the volunteers at the Transfer Station “gift shop” who, through volunteering, keep many items out of the waste stream. It was noted Jeff Bremner, who supervises the Transfer Station has done a commendable job with the recycling program. Mr. Whitcomb said the proposed new regulations will compliment all the community efforts already initiated.

Ms. Giorgio announced there will be a “Recyclefest” and open house at the Transfer Station on May 21^st from 1:00 until 4:00. The rain dates is scheduled for May 22. At that time, mercury thermostats and thermometers can be exchanged and replaced free of charge.

Mr. Don St. Pierre asked if commercial haulers are required to recycle. DPW Director Mr. Tobin said they do voluntary recycling to some degree. Mr. Hinchey said because of the significant costs, they have not been required to do so, but are aware that this may be addressed in the future. Dr. Duncanson said they have been made aware and recognize that it will be important for them to look to the future with an eye toward recycling. He also told the Board of Selectmen, the Board of Health is trying to work with Realtors to educate vacationers about recycling programs.

Mr. William Bystrom, representing residents of Stillwater Pond, thanked Dr. Duncanson and the Great Hills Association for their efforts to have Lovers Lake and Stillwater Ponds studied for algae blooms. He also thanked the citizens for funding the study. The petition that has been submitted asks for $105,000 to treat Stillwater Pond with alum to contain high levels of phosphorous.

Several residents told the Board of Selectmen the they have seen the water quality of Stillwater Pond deteriorate over the years. Mr. Don St Pierre, the Town’s Herring Warden, is very concerned with seeing the herring brood stock depleted.

Mr. Bystrom eluded to the financial aspects of treating both ponds and intimated the recommendation from the consultant may have had to do with reducing costs for the project.

Dr. Duncanson said the scientific recommendation was to treat Lovers Lake and evaluate the flow effects into Stillwater. It is believed the improvements to Lovers Lake will improve Stillwater through the flow of the ponds. Mr. Duncanson assured those in attendance financing was not a consideration.

Mr. Hinchey said if the flows from the Lovers Lake treatment improves Stillwater it may not be necessary to expend more funds on the project. Mr. Hinchey noted there is no public access to these ponds.

Mr. Summers acknowledged the consultants have told the Town the best way to treat the Ponds. Upon inquiry from Mr. Summers, Mr. Hinchey said the funding for this petition could come from the Stabilization Fund. He said it was also possible a betterment could be imposed on the homeowners to pay for the treatment. Another option would be an override which would require a Special Election. Mr. Summers said the science does not indicate an emergency or environmental hazard and he is concerned that public funds are being sought for this project, but the public does not have access to the ponds. Dr. Duncanson said with the purchase of the MCI property, the Town has become an abutter to the ponds but there are no clear trails to the ponds. Mr. Bergstrom said in years past there was access from Old Comer’s road but that trail has grown over.

Mr. Bergstrom noted the report speculates that some of the groundwater interruption from the Town’s pumping station could be contributing to the problem. He felt the area needs more study. Mr. Duncanson told the Board of Selectmen this study is comprehensive and illustrates what is needed to treat the ponds for phosphorous.

Mrs. Bohman said deterioration of natural resources is always disconcerting. She suggested the Town provide better public access and apply for the grant. If the grant application is acted on favorably, the Town could hold a Special Town Meeting to consider this request.

Mr. Hinchey told the Board of Selectmen the Town is committed to solving the problem and the study says that can be done by treating Lovers Lake. If that is not effective, the Administration will seek more funds for treatment, but that may not be necessary and may be a waste of money.

Mr. Summers restated his concerns about the petition coming in so late in the budget process. He said he wanted to support the Phase 1 approach of treating Lovers Lake. Mr. Hinchey said he will not know the cost of Phase 1 until the bids are received, but a surplus in consulting and engineering could be used to eliminate any shortfall of appropriated funds.

Ms. Connors said she also has concerns about public access, but if two thirds of the Town Meeting attendees want to vote for this funding she would abide by that vote. Ms. Connors moved the Board of Selectmen vote to recommend approval of this Article to the Town Meeting. Mrs. Bohman seconded the motion.

Mr. Bergstrom said he is committed to protecting natural resources. He further stated that he is satisfied with the recommendation of the consultants and felt the Town should defer to them. He suggested the petitioners withdraw their petition in favor of a more positive response in the future if it is determined more treatment for Stillwater is indicated.

Mr. Whitcomb asked when treatment could begin and when the benefits of that treatment would be known. Dr. Duncanson said the permitting process and bid solicitation could begin shortly. Public comment is being taken until May 2, 2008. The permitting will take several months since the pond has the herring run and it is in an ACEC. Treatment could start as soon as Fall of 2008. After two years it will be known whether more treatment of Stillwater is indicated. It was determined permitting will be sought for both ponds. Mr. Whitcomb asked if too much alum could be detrimental. Dr. Duncanon said it is possible. Controlled monitoring will indicate what is required to maintain a neutral PH.

Mr. Bystrom urged the Board to vote favorably on the motion since delays could increase the costs. Mr. Summers asked if the homeowners would be willing to create public access if the Town Meeting acts favorably on the petition. Mr. Bystrom said he could not speak to that question but he indicated the Town purchased a portion of beach that is accessible only to one area of Town, so he felt there was precedent. Mr. Whitcomb noted private funds supplemented the Town’s purchase of that property.

Mr. Hinchey described to the Board of Selectmen the development of the Project Oversight Group. He said that there are so many projects that involve several departments the Project Oversight Group was formed to allow key players to meet and discuss each projects development, financial resources, etc. The group is meant to keep several departments, who need to interact, informed of each others progress and keep projects on track and more organized by bring in consultants when needed. In keeping with the Board of Selectmen goals, a report will be made to the Board annually with an update provided every six months.

Principal Planner Terry Whalen gave an extensive power point presentation which illustrated the projects that have been completed, those in progress, and what is anticipated to be implemented according to the Capital Plan.

Several members of the Board commended Mr. Whalen and the staff for the presentation. Mr. Summers said he especially like the idea of a Website for citizens to keep apprised of the status of each project. Mr. Bergstrom agreed that this will help keep the citizens informed and also let them understand unanticipated problems that sometimes arise.

From the gallery, Mr. Buckley asked if there will be public process on the intersections in West Chatham. Mr. Whalen assured he there will be public hears by both the Town and the State, since this is a State highway.