Town of Eastham MA - Selectmen's Meeting Minutes 12/19/05

Selectman Burt called the meeting to order at 6:00pm and asked if there was any public information. Mr. Bob Smith announced information regarding the Eastham Ocean Beach sign on Ocean View Drive. Mr. Smith stated that the Eastham Ocean Beach Committee had approved the new sign. Mr. Smith passed out to the Selectmen a picture of what the sign will look like.

Selectman Burt asked if there was any more public information. There being none the Board went to Action/Discussion on the agenda. Town Administrator, Sheila Vanderhoef, addressed Mr. Kurt Fisher and asked if there was a time frame that had been decided when the air conditioning unit would be installed. Mr. Fisher responded that a sound engineer would be giving an estimate within the New Year. Mr. Fisher stated that the next time he came to the Board he would present them with the estimate from the engineer and would keep the Board updated on the implementation process. Ms. Vanderhoef addressed the Board and asked that they set a date for Mr. Fisher to come back for an update. The Board decided on Tuesday, February 21, 2006. At that time the Board asked that Mr. Fisher bring a signed copy of contracts and estimates when he returns. Mr. Fisher agreed. Selectman Brookshire then requested that the sound engineer also accompany Mr. Fisher when he comes to the meeting. Mr. Fisher agreed.

Town Administrator, Sheila Vanderhoef asked that Police Chief, Richard Hedlund, and DPW Superintendent Steve Douglas come forward and give updates on the storm. Police Chief Hedlund addressed the Board and stated that on December 9^th at approximately 1:38PM the town lost access to the highway and Bridge Road. A high tide made the bridge impassable and trees were down on the highway. A request for shelter came in and Mr. Helund then called the Red Cross to get Public Safety Announcements done. There was a problem with the generator and trees down at the Council on Aging. Building and Maintenance Supervisor, Bob Varley opened the Earle Mountain hearing room at Town Hall. Mr. Hedlund went on to explain that Red Cross volunteer Camaya Thompson came and helped out. The Orleans middle school began to have problems, and the began process of opening the High School for shelter. Mr. Hedlund met with High School Principal Dr. Markovich who helped to set the shelter up. Mr. Don Watson assisted in the checking in and checking out records of people who arrived at the shelter. Mr. Hedlund went on to explain that the Red Cross asked if the kitchen staff could be brought in and meals could be prepared. Mr. Hedlund reported a total of 57 people who stayed overnight at the shelter, 44 Eastham residents, 8 Orleans residents, and 5 Wellfleet residents. However, many came to the shelter to get warm and use the shower facilities. Mr. Hedlund also informed the Board that there were a total of 6 Red Cross volunteers and 12 Americorps volunteers who helped out at the shelter.

Mr. Hedlund stated that one day of school had been lost because of using the school as a shelter and some problems with the infrastructure. There were some problems with the radio system that the police and fire use, and also the Nextel phone system. Mr. Hedlund reported to the Board that over 120 police hours were expended during and after the storm. Selectman Sandblom asked Mr. Hedlund if there had been any interruption in the police communications. Mr. Hedlund responded that there was an antenna malfunction, so there was interruption with the 800-ban system that is used. Selectman Sandblom commented that he was pleased that everything ran as smoothly as it did. Selectman Burt addressed Mr. Hedlund and asked if Eastham could use anything that would help if another emergency arose. Mr. Hedlund responded that food provisions would be helpful. Fire Chief Glenn Olson then commented that this would be good because at the time that the storm hit there were still teachers, children, and some parents at the elementary school. They were brought to the fire station, but there was a problem with what to feed them. Tedechi’s on Rt. 6 was still open so he was able to buy provisions there. Mr. Hedlund commented that there were 60 people at the high school and everything was ok, but if there had been more people then it would be better to have more provisions.

Ms. Vanderhoef then introduced DPW Superintendent, Steven Douglas. Mr. Douglas stated that he and his crew worked until 6PM Saturday to get roads open. He said that as of Monday the roads were clear up to Kingsbury Beach Rd. Mr. Douglas let the Board know that he had hired a tree removal/cleanup company to help with the cleanup and removal of trees. He went on to explain that the transfer station has been opened to Eastham residents for brush; it has not yet been determined how long this will go on. Selectman Collins asked Mr. Douglas if he expected to need to get a chopper of any kind. Mr. Douglas responded that he would need something like that eventually but he is not sure yet. Selectman Sandblom asked Mr. Douglas what he expected to do at Wiley Park. Mr. Douglas responded that the road had been cleared but that anything else is up to the Natural Resources Department, and he believed the Natural Resources department had been through to clear.

Ms. Alice Boyd addressed the Board and stated that the Affordable Housing Lottery had met all thresholds put forth by the state. Ms. Boyd informed the Board that there were 40 secured mortgages, with 100% financing with no down payments. The lottery applicants are half local and half non-local. Ms. Boyd asked the Board if they would set a time that any of them would be available to come and help with the lottery, she said that it would be nice to have some of the Selectmen involved in the process. The Board of Selectmen agreed that Selectmen Sandblom and Collins would attend, for 10AM Tuesday. Selectman Sandblom asked Ms. Boyd what the estimated schedule for occupancy is. Ms. Boyd responded that the first closing will be around March, and there will be another lottery around April 15, 2006.

Ms. Vanderhoef addressed the Board and stated that she had asked the consultants from Environmental Partners to come back and speak about where they are now in the process. The plan is to have a DEP pump test by next week. Mr. Paul Gabriel addressed the Board and stated that there are two primary sources where water can be retrieved. One is the existing High School well which does not draw as much as it can. Mr. Gabriel stated that the well is capable of drawing 100,000 gallons per day, and it does not draw even close to that. A second site is the town owned property on Nauset Road. Mr. Gabriel informed the Board that a pump test had been done on this site in the 1970’s. He stated that the goal is to find possible well sites that will not affect vernal pools and the natural resources of the area. Mr. Gabriel stated that it is known that the water flows toward the ocean from this site and this is why Environmental Partners is proposing this site for the well. Mr. Gabriel asked the Board to consider the following: look at a new well, look at an existing well, will a storage tank be needed, and is it a possibility to develop both sites? Mr. Gabriel stated that another part of this phase of development is considering what would a town wide water system consist of; the cost and time frames. Mr. Gabriel then asked if the Board had any questions.

Selectman Sandblom asked if the well at Nauset High School is owned by the high school. Mr. Gabreil responded that the well is district owned. Selectman Sandblom then asked if the district would allow the town to take it over, Ms. Vandehoef responded that she had sent a letter and was waiting to hear a reply. Selectman Sandblom asked if there will be any effects to the homes in the area and if the aquifer would be lowered. Mr. Gabriel responded that when a pump test had been done in 1994 and 100,000 gallons were pumped in a 2-day test, the aquifer was lowered 3 ft of 400 ft. Selectman Brookshire mentioned that she had spoken to someone who mentioned that she was concerned that what happened in her hometown in New York would happen here, that the wells would start sucking in salt water. Selectman Brookshire said that this would not happen here because of the flow of the water towards the ocean, Mr. Gabriel replied that she was correct. Selectman Collins asked the depth of the well at the high school; Mr. Gabriel responded that the well is 70 ft. Selectman Collins then asked if the well was in the aquifer, Mr. Gabriel responded that it is actually in the top end of the aquifer.

Selectman Brookshire asked when the third phase of development would begin. Mr. Gabriel replied that it had already begun; it involves mapping exercises, quantification, and breaking down the costs. Selectman Collins asked where the information for the vernal pools had been gotten. Mr. Gabriel replied that the information had been gotten from the Mass GIS. Selectman Burt thanked Mr. Gabriel for his time. Selectman Burt addressed Ms. Vanderhoef and asked about what the estimated costs were and when they would be available. Ms. Vanderhoef responded that the town may be eligible for DEP grants, but the pump test has to happen first, and this may occur by the end of January or mid February. Selectman Brookshire asked Ms. Vanderhoef who figures out the cost of the project; Ms. Vanderhoef responded that the consultants give an estimate.

Ms. Gwen Pelletier addressed the Board to give an update on activities. Nine units were purchased, the Gull Cottages on Rt. 6. Five year round homes will be put up. Ms. Pelletier presented a film to the Board projecting the activities of the CDC. After the film presentation, Selectman Sandblom asked if some of the houses that the CDC had helped to rehab had been privately owned or not. Ms. Pelletier responded that all of the homes that had been worked on were privately owned but that the CDC can rehab homes that are not privately owned as long as the renters residing in the home qualify for the assistance.

Mr. Frank Gironda came forward and addressed the Board in regards to the letter he had sent to the Selectmen requesting that the Board cease the discussion about the Ocean Beach. Mr. Gironda asked why the vote at Town Meeting had not ended the issue? Selectman Burt asked Ms. Vanderhoef to respond. Ms. Vanderhoef responded that the CR failed for a second time. She stated that she is now working with the National Seashore for approximately 70 parking spaces at Nauset Light Beach. Selectman Whitlock stated that the beach is an intense debate and the Board of Selectmen do not all agree on what to do. Selectman Whitlock addressed Mr. Gironda and stated that the Board will not be responding in writing to the letter that Mr. Gironda sent to the Board or to the letter that was put in the Cape Codder. Selectman Burt thanked Mr. Gironda for his time.

Town Administrator, Sheila Vanderhoef addressed the Board and stated that per their request she sent a letter to the National Seashore and asked about the possibility of a drop-off system at the Nauset Light Beach parking lot in the town section. Selectman Sandblom stated that he felt that a drop-off system would work well if the parking lot is not full, but otherwise it would cause problems. Selectman Brookshire then commented that it is a huge concession on behalf of the National Seashore to even consider the 70 parking spots in the parking lot. Selectman Brookshire stated that for a long time many people have come forward to the Board and asked them to do something about the situation, and this is the first time since 1978 when the town lost the parking lot to the National Seashore that anything has been done.

Ms. Joanna Stevens addressed the Board to revisit the discussion about removing the Ocean Beach sign from Ocean View Drive and removing the Ocean Beach plans from Town Hall. A discussion followed and Selectman Whitlock made a motion to remove the plans from the Town Hall foyer. It was seconded by Selectman Brookshire. A vote followed with a 3-2 vote in favor of removing the plans from the Town Hall foyer. Selectmen Brookshire, Whitlock, and Burt voted in favor of removing the plans, Selectmen Collins and Sandblom voted to leave the plans in Town Hall. Selectman Burt stated that at this time the sign will stay on Ocean View Drive.

Ms. Vanderhoef addressed the Board and stated that the closure of the Herring Run is for management purposes, and the letter was sent for the Board’s information. Selectman Brookshire made a motion to submit the letter to the Natural Resources Department for approval and consideration and to then move it to a Public Hearing. Selectman Whitlock seconded. A vote followed, 5-0 approved.

Ms. Vanderhoef addressed the Board and stated that Nauset Regional High School is a dispensing site during an Infectious Disease Emergency. Ms. Vanderhoef stated that Orleans is using the Middle School. The Board was asked to review the document and if they felt it was ok Ms. Vanderhoef would go forward. Selectman Brookshire made a motion to accept. It was seconded by Selectman Sandblom. A vote followed, 5-0 approved.

Ms. Vanderhoef addressed the Board and stated that there are several establishments that are due for license renewal. She commented that there are isolated noise complaints at some establishments and all are up to date on inspections. Selectman Collins made a motion to accept the whole list of establishments, Selectman Sandblom seconded the motion. A vote followed, 5-0 approved.

Ms. Vanderhoef addressed the Board and stated that she had received a letter from a resident in regards to the Ocean Beach. The resident requested that the Ocean Beach take a back seat and that the Selectmen should begin putting efforts toward protecting and fixing the bay beaches. Ms. Vanderhoef stated that with the Board’s permission she would e-mail the resident back and inform them of the town’s efforts in regards to the bay beaches. Agreed.