Minutes
Board of Selectmen
May 11, 2005
Wednesday, WORK SESSION, 2:30 p.m.
Present: Chairman Linda Burt; Selectman Kenelm Collins, Vice Chair; Selectman Russell Sandblom, Clerk; Selectman Peter Whitlock. Selectman Joyce
Brookshire, absent. Ms. Sheila Vanderhoef, Town Administrator.
2:35 WORK SESSION
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Burt at 2:35 p.m.
Chief Richard Hedlund reported to the Board of Selectmen that the Triad Program (i.e., a coalition with the Eastham Council on Aging, the Eastham Fire and Rescue Department and the Barnstable County Sheriff’s Office formed to address the needs and concerns of the elder community) and the
“Neighborhood Watch” Program (i.e., block captain volunteers) were working very well together
under the joint leadership of William Boyd and Russell Moore.
Chief Hedlund presented, for the approval of the Board of Selectmen, a sample of a sign that would be placed in approximately eighty-five locations throughout Eastham, highlighting the “Neighborhood Watch” presence in Eastham. Chief Hedlund also stated that he had been in
communication with Frank DeFelice (Building Inspector) and had confirmed that there were no
“signing issues” related to this effort. He also stated that these signs were made possible through
private grant activity donations.
The Board of Selectmen were pleased at the Triad/Neighborhood Watch’s efforts on behalf of the
Town of Eastham, and approved Chief Hedlund’s request regarding the signs as presented.
Chief Hedlund also provided a “street light” update regarding the concern over a non-working light
on Samoset Road and Bridge Street. Chief Hedlund originally thought this would be taken care of immediately, but was informed by NStar that the “ballast head” had burned out, and the repair would take more time than originally anticipated. Chief Hedlund confirmed that he has communicated with an administrator at NSTAR who has assured him that this would be taken care of as soon as possible. Chief Hedlund will follow up on this to be sure it is taken care of in a
timely manner.
Chief Hedlund asked the Board of Selectmen regarding flying flags at half-staff in honor of
Police Officer’s Day ( by government Proclamation) on May 15th, 2005, which falls on a Sunday.
It was agreed upon that the flags should fly at half staff for one full day.
2:50 p.m. A brief discussion followed regarding the issue of Comorans, and how to discourage their “parking” in droves around high wires in town, and near ponds. Selectman Sandblom suggested that the Department of Natural Resources be consulted on how to discourage the Comorans in the least offensive and effective manner. Selectman Whitlock recommended that Chief Hedlund speak with other towns on the Cape to see how they are dealing with this issue. Ms. Vanderhoef suggested that placing PVC tubing around wires might be an effective deterrent and less offensive than the proposed firing of blanks in the air.
2:55 p.m. Ms. Vanderhoef noted that although no agenda had been prepared for today’s meeting,
she would like to briefly discuss a matter of reoccurring concern regarding the Ells’ property. Ms. Vanderhoef noted the Ells continue to request that the town provide 2,000 feet of access to their property. Ms. Vanderhoef noted that Town Counsel has stated that the town has no obligation to provide this access.
After further discussion, the Board of Selectmen asked Ms. Vanderhoef to draft a letter to this individual, stating that he will have permission from the Board of Selectmen to do the work to provide access. However, the responsibility for the work and payment for this project will be strictly Mr. Ells’.The Board of Selectmen will review the draft of this letter as soon as it is available.
3:10 p.m. Ms. Vanderhoef noted that the Conservation Commission met the night before
(i.e, May 10, 2005). The Conservation Commission had set no agenda for this meeting. However, based on feedback regarding this meeting, Ms. Vanderhoef , after discussion and with the Board of Selectmen’s approval, will draft a letter to Dennis Murley (Chair, Conservation Commission) outlining concerns. as follows:
The Conservation Commission expressed their desire to hire coastal experts and a
structural engineer to review the stairs.
Question to the Conservation Commission:
What specifically are they going to do about the experts.
The Conservation Commission expressed their desire to take jurisdiction on the
whole project.
Question: Whether or not they are taking jurisdiction on the whole project.
The Conservation Commission did not set a date for continuation of this discussion.
Question: On what date will the continuation of the aforementioned discussion take
place.
Selectman Sandblom expressed his utmost concern regarding the Conservation Commission’s push in this direction, especially after all of the efforts of the Ocean Beach Committee to obtain experts with very high credentials in all areas to address these matters. Selectmen Whitlock strongly urged that the concerns of the Conservation Commission were appropriate and stated that they are doing what they are supposed to do under state law.
Clarification was made as to why the Conservation Commission originally referred the project to the Cape Cod Commission. Ms. Vanderhoef noted that this was a mandatory referral.
The Board of Selectmen further discussed that sensitive staffing issues, and discussion regarding any sitting member of the Board be discussed in Executive Session. Ms. Vanderhoef went over rules, regulations and guidelines regarding what type of discussions are specifically allowed in Executive Session. Should any discussion involve a particular individual, this individual would have to have forty-eight hour notice and opportunity to have legal counsel representation at said meeting.
The Board of Selectmen also discussed the importance of receiving Agendas from the various
Committees prior to their meetings, and will discuss in more detail on how to communicate this to all committees in an upcoming May 16 or June 6th meeting of the Board of Selectmen.
3:45 p.m. The Board of Selectmen also reviewed a letter which they wished to send to the Editors of the Cape Cod Times and the Cape Codder regarding the May 2, 2005 Annual Town Meeting. All selectmen present agreed that they would like this letter sent to the newspapers as soon as possible (copy attached).
Selectman Sandblom stressed the importance of communicating to the Part-Time Taxpayers of the Town of Eastham an acknowledgment and apology for their exclusion from the auditorium at
Town Meeting on May 2, 2005 due to overcrowding, and the subsequent mandate that only taxpayers
remain in the auditorium. Such an acknowledgment should include why it happened, and alternate plans to accommodate large numbers, to ensure that this will not happen again.
Mr. Bob Smith (Ocean Beach Committee) wanted to thank the Board of Selectmen for their past support. Mr. Smith asked that the Board of Selectmen continue to support their efforts.
All matters having been discussed, Selectman Collins moved to adjourn the meeting at 3:55 p.m.
Selectman Whitlock seconded the motion. Selectman Burt, yes; Selectman Collins, yes;
Selectman Sandblom, yes and Selectman Whitlock, yes.
Respectfully submitted,
Lorraine Speros
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