Minutes
Board of Selectmen
May 4, 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.
2:34 WORK SESSION
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Burt at 2:34 p.m.
Selectman Whitlock stated that he would have to leave at 3:45 p.m., to be present at an Assembly of Delegates Meeting.
Selectman Burt (Chair) noted that there was no set agenda for today’s meeting.
Ms. Lillian Lamperti (Town Clerk) and Sue Fischer (Assistant Town Clerk) were present.
Discussion followed regarding the very well attended Annual Town Meeting held on May 2, 2005.
Ms. Lamperti noted that this was the highest attended Town Meeting in recollection, with
800 + participants.
Selectman Sandblom expressed his concern that the Part Time Taxpayers were excluded from the
auditorium, thus precluding them from speaking and participating. Selectman Burt noted that
a large crowd had been anticipated, but not in the record numbers which presented themselves
at Town Meeting. Ms. Lamperti discussed the requirement that non-residents give up their seats and defer to registered voters.
Discussion followed on alternate sites and plans for accommodating a larger crowd, as well as
providing amplification as necessary. The suggestion was made that the gym at the Nauset Regional High School be used in the future, with the possibility of chairs brought in as necessary, to accommodate larger crowds.
Ms. Vanderhoef noted that when the large crowd was evident, she immediately discussed this with the Fire Chief, Police Chief and Moderator. One of the options was to reschedule the meeting. However, this was thought to be untenable, and the decision was made to go forward. Ken Lewis, who sets up the sound system, needed upwards of one and a half hours to accommodate sound in the cafeteria. As a result, many individuals left the meeting. Ms. Vanderhoef noted that she has received letters regarding the discomfort and disappointment of individuals who felt it necessary to leave the meeting.
Ms. Lamperti went over the necessity for the Board of Selectmen to review ethics issues (i.e.,
conflict of interest/ethics) and possible workshops related to same. Ms. Lamperti stressed that in the
interest of the town, there should be careful attention paid to said issues. Ms. Lamperti will get
some of this material ready to share with the Board of Selectmen.
Ms. Vanderhoef noted that Gwen Pelletier, the Town Moderator, was expected shortly.
Selectman Sandblom expressed concern and his view that in discussion of the controversial Article 18 at Town Meeting, a stronger attempt should have been made to keep discussion “on the Article.”
Ms. Vanderhoef, in Ms. Pelletier’s absence, noted that anyone could have called a point of order at that time. Selectman Sandblom stated that he felt the Moderator did a great job, but had concerns related to the discussion on Article 18. Selectman Whitlock also noted that a point of order could have been called.
Ms. Gwen Pelletier joined the Board of Selectmen at 3:10 p.m.
Selectman Whitlock noted that he strongly supported Ms. Lamperti’s suggestion to review
Conflict of Interest/Ethics Issues and that he strongly supported the decision that was made to go ahead with the Town Meeting on the evening of May 2, 2005. He noted that the staff handled the situation in a great and above-board manner. Selectman Sandlbom agreed, and noted that future planning for such a large number of participants in Town Meeting will be necessary.
Ms. Vanderhoef stated that she had informed Ms. Pelletier of Selectman Sandblom’s concern that
the Moderator should have “stayed on topic” and reiterated that anybody could have called a point of order. Ms. Pelletier stated that because this was such a “hot button” issue, she did not want to cut off anybody. Further, there was no point of order, and the decision had to be made “on the spot.” Ms. Pelletier also indicated that they had prepared for the eventuality of a secret ballot if necessary. Selectman Whitlock noted that he did not think anything that was discussed was not germaine to the article. At Town Meeting, a Finance Committee member answered a question as to why the Finance Committee had voted 5-2 for this article. A member of the audience wanted to hear from a member of the Finance Committee who voted against it as to
why they did so. Therefore, it was felt that the Finance Committee member’s comment regarding the budget and his perception of it was deemed appropriate to the proceedings.
Ms. Pelletier pointedly asked the Board of Selectmen to let her know what she could have done
differently. Selectman Sandblom reiterated that on this particular point, in the future, he would
like to see more of an effort to keep to the article. Ms. Pelletier reiterated her previously stated position.
Ms. Vanderhoef noted that it was preferable to err on the side of allowing people to be heard.
With reference to the non-residents, planning must be done to ensure that they are
accommodated.
Discussion followed regarding planning for future meetings that will accommodate everyone (i.e., gym, chairs, sound system, big screen, T.V. in Cafeteria, Filming of meeting, ventilation,
etc.).
Selectman Whitlock left the meeting at 3:45 p.m. to attend the Assembly of Delegates meeting.
Ms. Pelletier, through the Chair, noted that she has received numerous compliments on how she
handled the Annual Town Meeting and the extraordinarily large crowd. Ms. Pelletier strongly urged
expedited planning for large capacity crowds, and agreed that the consideration for chairs and having the meeting in one place was much preferred.
Ms. Lamperti and Ms. Fischer left the meeting at 3:55 p.m.
Ms. Pelletier left the meeting also at 3:55 p.m.
The Board of Selectmen discussed contacting the National Seashore to find alternative and
effective ways of accommodating the citizens of the Town of Eastham in their efforts to avail
themselves of the beach. The hope is to put initiatives in place in time for this season.
Possible options include adding transportation, extending lifeguard hours, additional portable toilets, etc.
Selectman Sandblom asked that the Board of Selectmen, as elected leaders of the Town of Eastham, give direction to the Ocean Beach Committee. He noted that the Ocean Beach Committee have received support from, as indicated in past voting, a majority of individuals in the town.
Selectman Burt asked that the Board of Selectmen meet with George Price, Acting Superintendent of the National Seashore, as soon as possible. Ms. Vanderhoef noted that both sides of this
issue be invited to this meeting. The Board of Selectmen are concerned, and wish to help heal the community on this issue.
Selectman Collins moved to adjourn the meeting at 4:30 p.m. Selectman Sandblom seconded the
motion. Selectman Collins, yes; Selectman Sandblom, yes; Selectman Whitlock, yes.
Respectfully submitted,
Lorraine Speros
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