Town of Chatham, MA - Selectmen's Meeting Minutes 5/20/08

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

Mr. Summers noted Mrs. Bohman is absent from the Board of Selectmen for the first time in fifteen years. Mr. Summers thanked her for her service on the Board and welcomed Mr. Len Sussman who was elected to the Board on May 15.

Mr. Summers announced the Public Forum will be used for informational purposes. He asked that speakers be brief in their comments citing President Lincoln’s two minute Gettysburg Address.

Mr. Summers also said Other Business would be open to the public for those wishing to discuss a particular subject.

Paullette Fehlig announced the Chatham Recyclefest will be held Wednesday May 21 from 1:00PM until 4:00PM at the Transfer Station. The event will include educational exhibits, free cloth shopping bags, and thermometer and thermostat exchange.

Shellfish Constable Stuart Moore attended this meeting. Mr. Moore told the Board of Selectmen the seasonal closures in critical areas are now due to be put into effect.

Mr. Bergstrom moved effective May 20, 2008 the waters and flats of Buck’s Creek north of a line across the mouth of the creek and east of a line across the mouth of Cockle Cove Creek are closed to the taking of all shellfish until further notice. Ms. Connors seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Mr. Bergstrom moved effective June 1, 2008 the waters and flats of Mill Creek north of a line drawn northeasterly from the western breakwater to the eastern breakwater at the mouth of Mill Creek, and south of a line drawn across the mouth of Taylor’s Pond, are closed to the taking of shellfish until further notice. Ms. Connors seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Mr. Bergstrom moved effective June 1, 2008 the waters and flats of Taylor’s Pond north of a line drawn across the mouth of the pond are closed to the taking of all shellfish until further notice. Ms. Connors seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Mr. Bergstrom moved effective June 1, 2008 the waters and flats of Muddy Creek West of Route 28 to the Chatham-Harwich town line and east of the Route 28 culvert are closed to the taking of shellfish until further notice. Ms. Connors seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Mr. Ronald Holmes, Chairman of the Bikeways Committee attended this meeting. Mr. Holmes reviewed the charge to the Bikeways Committee. Mr. Holmes told the Board of Selectmen the Committee meets monthly. The Committee monitors the conditions on the Old Colony Rail Trail through regular use by the members.

In 2007 the Committee completed development of an on-road extension of the Trail from Crowell Road to the intersection of Hitching Post Road and Depot Road with signage and crosswalks as well as a paved terminus that includes an informational kiosk and bike racks overlooking Veterans’ Field.

DPW Director Dan Tobin is assisting the Committee by installing mile markers for the bikers and for identifying location in the event of an incident.

The Committee has developed maps to place in boxes on the Trail and around Town as well as a web site for interested parties to consult.

The Committee’s general goal is to continue enhancing the safety and enjoyment of bicycling in Chatham and to raise public awareness of the amenities available. Mr. Holmes thanked the staff and Selectmen Ronald Bergstrom for their support. In 2008 the Committee will continue to install kiosks at strategic points on the Trail and intends to install more bike racks. One of the Committee’s goals is to develop a plan to add benches, picnic tables, historical markers and other amenities that will enhance the experience of using the Trail.

Mr. Summers thanked Mr. Holmes and the members of the Bikeways Committee for their efforts on behalf of the Town.

Mr. Sussman asked Mr. Holmes if the on-road sections of the Trail share the road with vehicles. Mr. Holmes said they do and the Committee and Town staff have been diligent about keeping it safe by placing signs and road markings. When Mr. Sussman asked if marked lanes could be designated on the road surface, Mr. Holmes explained the roads are not wide enough to accommodate a separate lane for bicycles.

Ms. Connors told Mr. Holmes she is not in favor of bikers on Main Street in the downtown area. Mr. Holmes said the Committee shares that sentiment and the information at the Depot Road terminus will encourage people to walk into Town. The Committee does not want to encourage a spur to the downtown area but the information available does show the Claire Saltonstall scenic route through Chatham.

Ms. Connors told Mr. Holmes she would like to see the spur to Volunteer Park while in the planning stage because she had some concerns about disturbing the woodlands. Mr. Holmes said the Committee is sensitive to that issue and is considering the best way to address the spur based on topography. He suggested they would look at the perimeter of the area.

Ms. Connors asked Mr. Holmes if the Committee had considered a sidewalk on Sam Ryder Road from Schoolhouse Pond to Volunteer Park. The Bikeways Committee has not addressed a sidewalk but Mr. Holmes said it was something the Town should keep in mind.

Mr. Bergstrom asked Mr. Holmes how the Committee is funded. Mr. Holmes said the Bikeways Committee makes requests to the Park Department. Mr. Hinchey explained they have developed a budget for the Trail in the Five Year Capital Plan and will continue to provide funds annually.

The Board of Selectmen thanked Mr. Holmes for his report and the Committee’s efforts on behalf of the Town.

During the extension of Seasonal Licences last Fall the Board of Selectmen indicated they would like to have more discussion about hours of operation during the off season.

Mr. Bergstrom said the discussion initially began with Mrs. Our while she served as a Selectman. At one time the Winter closings for year round licences were not staggered and presented a problem. The Board was concerned that visitors and residents would be denied the opportunity to dine out. He felt that the problem has been dealt with satisfactorily as long as some restaurants remain open.

Mr. William Gray, a restaurateur in Chatham, told the Board of Selectmen they could consider not extending seasonal licences rather than force them to stay open because there is not enough business in the Winter months.

Mr. Bergstrom asked why brown bags at restaurants is prohibited in Chatham. It was explained that previous Boards of Selectmen had discussed the issue and rejected it because the licensees have to pay for the privilege of serving alcohol. Mr. Bergstrom felt it was something that should be reconsidered.

Mrs. Avellar commented that the extensions make the business in Chatham more favorable to seasonal license holders.

Mr. Summers concluded the discussion by noting if there are concerns from year round license holders they should make those concerns known to the Selectmen.

One sewage flow increase was approved during the month of April. The Sewer Bank approved 880 gals per day from environmental reserves.

Temporary road patching is being replaced with permanent road repairs in the South Chatham area that was disturbed by water main replacement. A permanent overlay will be scheduled in Fall of 2008.

Mr. Redfield reported that Earth Tech has completed the design of the water main that will be installed at the MCI property. When constructed, this main will create a loop between Orleans Road and Old Comers Road and provide a water main for connecting water services to the buildings on the property.

Mr. Sussman asked why the Water Department has a surplus. Mr. Hinchey explained that historically the water rates were not increased over a long period of time and did not allow for improvements. The budget is now designed to result in surplus and to monitor rates so that a capital plan can be funded without the Town going out for a bond issue.

Dr. Robert Duncanson told the Board of Selectmen the Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan Draft has gone to the State for review. On Thursday May 22 at 7:00 there will be a meeting to hear public comment. The meeting will include representatives from MEPA, and the Cape Cod Commission and will be taking place in the Downstairs meeting room at 549 Main Street. The State comment period ends on June 6, 2008.