MINUTES
Board of Selectmen
February 28, 2005
Tuesday, REGULAR SESSION - 7:00 p.m.
Present:
Chairman Linda Burt; Selectman Kenelm Collins, Vice Chair; Selectman Russell Sandblom, Clerk; Selectman Joyce Brookshire; Selectman Peter Whitlock. Ms. Sheila Vanderhoef, Town Administrator.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Burt at 7:07 p.m.
PUBLIC INFORMATION
Selectman Brookshire indicated that it is anticipated that the Zoning Board of Appeals may make
a decision related to the Roach Property on Thursday, March 3, 2005.
APPOINTMENTS
7:10 p.m. Adult Day Center Meal Preparation Plan - Sandy Szedlak and Kathy Gill
Ms. Vanderhoef said that the Council on Aging had received a notice from Elder Services
stating that they would be providing meals (individually packaged) to the Lower Cape Adult Day Center on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at a cost of $7.18 rather than the $2.00 suggested donation. Ms. Gill noted that the Senior Nutrition Program which is federally funded would continue on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Ms. Gill stated that after researching this mandatory increase, and after discussions with her staff, her recommendation would be to prepare these meals “in house.” Ms. Gill noted that they could do this at a savings (i.e., estimated cost would be $5.00 rather than $7.18 per meal) by taking advantage of sales, bulk purchasing, etc. Additionally, as her staff is familiar with the meal preferences of the seniors who participate, the meals provided would then reflect those preferences.
Ms. Gill also requested that the Board of Selectmen consider increasing the base Daily Rate from $30.00 to $35.00 per day to cover the additional food costs as presented on the attached “Lower Cape Adult Day Center Sliding Fee Scale - Proposed Schedule 2-28-05.” “The new daily rate would include lunch, including the $2.00 suggested donation for the meals that are eaten on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Senior Dining Site.” Ms. Gill has also spoken with Mr. Paul Wild of Elder Services, and she stated that “he had indicated that Elder Services would probably be willing to increase our reimbursement as well.”
Ms. Gill noted that a member of her staff has ServSafe Certification, which is valid until
February 13, 2007. They will seek that an additional staff member become certified, so that there is “no lapse in qualified staff.”
Ms. Vanderhoef noted that there would be a shortfall of $6,000 this year.
Selectman Whitlock moved that an increase of $5.00 as detailed in the Proposed Schedule 2-28-05 - LOWER CAPE ADULT DAY CENTER SLIDING FEE SCALE be approved in order to
cover “in house” meal preparations at the Adult Day Center. Selectmen Collins seconded the motion. Approved 5-0.
7:20 - Barnstable County Emergency Response Plan - George Heufelder
Mr. Heufelder was here to raise awareness and to facilitate the strategic response and preparedness in the event of a health/terrorist emergency. Mr. Heufelder detailed the high priority need for preparedness, volunteers, point personnel to accept vaccines at designated sites, etc. The goal of this meeting is to advance the development of a plan for the town.
Mr. Heufelder also stressed how much this will impact our Health Agent, whose planning has to include specialized training; emergency planning; regional coordination and planning; the organization of volunteers to help in the administration of mass vaccinations; knowledge of laws and regulations related to quarantines and working out models for all types of scenarios.
Ms. Vanderhoef noted that staffing issues would have to be addressed in order to support the
Health Agents’ role in these matters. Ms. Vanderhoef noted that there is presently a request to add
a part time staff position to the Health Department. As a result of this conversation, Ms. Vanderhoef
asked that consideration be given to making that a full time addition to staff. Ms. Vanderhoef
will meet with Ms. Jane Crowley (Health Agent) as soon as possible to discuss these matters.
Selectman Burt thanked Mr. Heufelder for his presence and expertise in these matters.
III. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
8:00 p.m. Discussion - Abandoned Underground Storage Tanks - 5350 State Highway
The Barnes family represented themselves and came before the Board of Selectmen to request a further extension for compliance related to the “continued failure to comply with the Court Order to remove the underground storage tanks at 5350 State Highway, Eastham.”
It was noted that one third of the land had been put up for sale, and that the closing date had been rescheduled several times. The anticipated closing date at this time is March 15, 2005. They noted that the banks have done extensive testing at the site. Four contractors are under consideration for removal of the tanks, and they have indicated that they will need approximately four to five weeks to complete this project. The sale of a portion of the land will allow them to fund the removal of the tanks. He has received a range in price from $40,000 to $50,000 for removal of same.
The Board of Selectmen agreed to allow for another extension to March 21, 2005, and asked the Barnes family to return before them on March 21, 2005 regarding the removal of the abandoned underground storage tanks at 5350 State Highway, Eastham.
8:10 p.m. Discussion - MS Challenge Walk - September 9 - 11, 2005
Ms. Vanderhoef noted that the MS Challenge Walk is scheduled again this year on the same weekend as Eastham’s Windmill Weekend. Chief Hedlund has reviewed the route, and rearranged the rest stop so as not to interfere with Windmill Weekend.
Selectman Collins moved and Selectman Sandblom seconded the motion to approve of the revised
route for the MS Challenge Walk to be held on September 9 - 11, 2005, as reviewed by Chief Richard Hedlund and described in a memorandum from Ms. Liz Strawn, Development Manager of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Approved 5-0.
8:12 p.m. Discussion - American Lung Association
21st Annual Autumn Escape Bike Trek - Friday, September 16-18, 2005
Ms. Vanderhoef noted that The Autumn Escape Bike Trek is a three day bicycling event, now in it’s twenty-first year, and that the route spans the full length of the Cape.
Selectman Brookshire made a motion to approve of the traffic plan as reviewed by Chief
Richard Hedlund and detailed in a letter with accompanying maps addressed to him from Ms. Lauren Abber, Community Program Coordinator of the American Lung Association dated February 2, 2005.
8:15 p.m. Discussion - Resignation from Wastewater Management Committee
Dr. James Taylor
The Board of Selectmen accepted with regrets the resignation of Dr. James Taylor from the Wastewater Management Committee.
Selectman Collins moved that Dr. Taylor’s letter of resignation from the Wastewater Management Committee be accepted with regrets, and that a letter thanking him for his generous service be sent to him. Selectman Whitlock seconded the motion. Approved 5-0.
Ms. Vanderhoef noted that because of the overlapping work done by the Wastewater Management
Committee and Water Resources, there was serious consideration being given to combining these two committees. This will be included as an agenda item in the near future.
8:20 p.m. Discussion - Correspondence from the Town of Barnstable
Regarding MMA Resolution A-1
Selectman Whitlock stated that as the correspondence mentioned received resulted from the impetus of the annual MMA meeting held on January 8, 2005, where the Resolution A-1 concerning an equitable local aid solution passed. Selectman Whitlock noted that a letter of support is being requested from the Board of Selectmen to be addressed to Mr. Geoffrey C. Beckwith, Massachusetts Municipal Association, reiterating “what we consider a great new chapter in our ability to work side by side with MMA on behalf of our constituents” and restating the following significant recognition by MMA:
“The governor and legislature shall recognize that the formula that guide state distribution of municipal aid for cities and towns, including lottery funds and Chapter 70 must not rely on property values to determine a municipality’s ability to pay, and must consider the municipalities medium income as an equal or more accurate measure of wealth.”
The Board of Selectmen unanimously agreed to send a letter of support as outlined above.
OTHER BUSINESS
Selectman Sandblom noted that there is a possibility that we may get the World Series Trophy on
April 16, 2005.
Ms. Vanderhoef noted that the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting to be held on May 2, 2005,
is being drafted. At this time, there will be approximately twenty-five articles, and she will be working with Legal Counsel on issues such as language, etc.
Ms. Vanderhoef noted that she is scheduled to go to a meeting tomorrow with the Cape Cod Commission regarding the Ocean Beach. Ms. Vanderhoef noted that at this time they are continuing to resolve “minor” issues.
Selectman Whitlock noted that he would like to have the question of whether or not representatives from the Cape Light Compact and Wastewater Collaborative should be elected placed as an agenda item for further exploration.
All matters having been discussed, Selectman Collins moved to adjourn at 8:40 p.m. Selectman
Whitlock seconded the motion. Approved 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Lorraine Speros
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