Board of Selectmen
Monday, December 5, 2005
Present: Linda Burt, Joy Brookshire, Ken Collins, Selectmen. Selectman Sandblom and Selectman Whitlock were excused. Sheila Vanderhoef, Town Administrator.
Selectman Burt called the meeting to order at 5:35pm. The Board discussed making an adjustment to the meeting time and decided to begin meeting at 6pm from now on. Selectman Burt then opened the meeting by asking if there was any public information. There being none the Board decided to go ahead in the agenda and begin the meeting with the Public Hearing.
Mike Peterson (Cable T.V. License Renewal Committee) stated that the committee has the ability to revisit the “a la carte” system anytime. Town Administrator, Sheila Vanderhoef mentioned the possibility of broadcasting meetings on stations and Internet access. Mr. Peterson mentioned that it is important to identify new technologies that are coming out. He stated that telecasting is a possibility, also equipment for the high school. Mr. Peterson suggested assessing if the community is interested in this. Mr. Eastman then mentioned that a survey would be helpful in identifying if televising meetings is a good idea. Mr. Eastman mentioned a town in New Hampshire that began televising meetings and there was a big difference over time in the involvement of the
community in politics and town issues.
Eastham resident, Joanna Stevens stated that she became interested in local politics first by the Ocean Beach process. She stated that it would be nice if the meetings were documented in a manner such as television or the Internet. Mr. Peterson stated that there are two cable channels that are currently not being used. Non-resident, Larry Greeley mentioned to the Board that there is a certain percentage of money available to the Town. Mr. Eastman responded that this was true. The federal government allows 5% from profits derived from Cable T.V. to go back to the town. This would make public programming a possibility.
Selectman Brookshire stated that Channel 17 at one time offered a news program that was very successful and many of the residents of the area watched it, she wondered if perhaps this could be expanded. Mr. Peterson then stated that there are two channels that belong to the Town of Eastham and perhaps something could be done with those.
Selectman Burt asked the Committee what the studio requirements would be. Mr. Eastman responded by saying that the Committee had seen some studios and those that they had seen were approximately the size of the Earle Mountain Room.
Mr. Eastman then made the motion to close the Public Hearing, it was seconded by Michael Peterson. * Board of Selectmen voted to close ascertainment as of
12/5/05 as complete.
Selectman Burt then moved on to the agenda for a request for hydraulic pumping of quahogs. Selectman Burt introduced Jeffrey and Stacey Richardson and Mike Taylor. Ms. Richardson began by stating that the Town of Eastham already allows quahogging in the area in question. She stated that use of the hydraulic pump is safer and cleaner for the seabed bottom. She stated that she had been in touch with Dave Whittier from Department of Marine Fisheries who has the opinion that hydraulically pumping for quahogs is an efficient way of pumping, and suggests that Henry Lind, Natural Resources Officer, open that area to this type of pumping and close the area to dry dredging. Ms. Richardson continued by saying that Eastham is one of the few towns that does not allow hydraulic pumping. Mr. Richardson also mentioned that when other shell fishermen fish the area they are permitted to keep the quahogs that they accidentally catch in their nets. Ms. Richardson stated that she and her husband
Jeffery feel that this rule makes it harder for Mr. Richardson to make a decent catch because he catches only quahogs.
Selectman Burt then asked the audience if there were any questions or comments, Mr. Dana Richardson stated that he is opposed to the hydraulic pumping for several reasons, one being that the quahogs become full of sand making them harder to sell. Mr. Dana Richardson is also opposed to the hydraulic pumping method because the seed that settles on the seabed floor is disturbed and will not survive the process. He also stated that the adult quahogs that are left behind will not survive. Selectman Burt asked if Mr. Dana Richardson is able to make a good catch in the winter months using the dry dredge method. Mr. Dana Richardson replied that he can sustain. Mr. Jeremy Burgess asked the Board to speak and made a comment that the method of hydraulic pumping is very efficient, so
efficient that it takes everything from the area. Mr. Burgess stated that the goal should be to conserve. If the goal is for the shellfish to come back then hydraulic pumping should not be used.
Selectman Burt then asked Mr. Henry Lind, Natural Resources Officer to make his comments. Mr. Lind stated that he had held a gathering with the draggers in the area, did a survey, and spoke with the Marine Fisheries and he agrees with Mr. Burgess about the efficiency of the hydraulic pumping method. Mr. Lind stated that the end result will not be a good one if hydraulic pumping is allowed; this is because even without the pumping the bottom is not suitable for a good set. Right now the area remains at a suitable harvest. This could change.
Mr. Edward Anderson asked the Board to please consider history. Mr. Anderson stated that he is afraid that targeting large animals, which hydraulic pumping does, will cause the business to fold.
Selectman Brookshire addressed Mr. Lind and stated that her observation is that both pumping methods, dry and hydraulic, hurt the bottom of the seabed. Mr. Lind responded that both methods cause damage; however, studies have been done on hydraulic pumping, and historically the area that was studied has not been productive in 20 years. Mr. Lind stated that there is not a great rush to open the area to hydraulic pumping.
Selectman Burt asked that Mr. Lind make a decision in regards to this matter. Ms. Richardson then stated that she and Mr. Richardson asked to go before the Board because Mr. Lind had already refused, the permit to them. Selectman Burt responded that the decision is not the Board’s but Mr. Lind’s alone. Ms. Richardson requested that Mr. Lind regulate the shell fishing practices. Town Administrator, Sheila Vanderhoef stated that if Mr. Lind needed staff help with any research it was available. Selectman Burt then requested of Mr. Lind to speak to the state about doing more research of the area and hydraulic pumping. Selectman Burt thanked all parties for their comments.
Selectman Burt then moved on to a request to store a boat over the winter at Rock Harbor. Mr. Charlie Miller of Eastham stated that he had spoken with Town Administrator, Sheila Vanderhoef about storing boats over the winter at Rock Harbor parking lot. Mr. Miller stated that this would be a viable way for the town to make money; the parking lot area is an asset that the town does not use in the winter. Mr. Miller also commented that this was a common practice in previous years. Selectman Burt asked Mr. Henry Lind to respond. Mr. Lind stated that yes this was common practice to store boats in the parking lot over the winter months. He stated however, that in the late 1980’s the Board of Selectmen agreed not to allow the practice anymore. Regulation as it is
now is that the area is not usable for anything. Mr. Lind stated that it would not be a good idea to start the practice again. Mr. Miller asked the Board to comment on why the parking lot is plowed in the winter if the area is not usable. Mr. Lind responded that he believed that the area is not actually plowed and that the state maintains that parking lot. Mr. Frank Richards addressed the Board and stated that he believed it is a liability issue.
Selectman Collins asked what the Town of Orleans does in regards to the storage of boats at the Goose Hummock. Ms. Vanderhoef replied that she had spoken to several towns including Wellfleet and had some reading material to go over. She stated that she believed it would not be possible to organize for this winter, but that if the Board would like the staff to research this further that was possible. Ms. Vanderhoef stated that Mr. Miller made some good arguments and that it could definitely be income for the town. Selectman Burt stated that the Board would like some more information in regards to this issue.
Selectman Burt then moved on to a request by Eastham resident Carol Thurston on consideration of closing Rock Harbor beach to dogs. Selectman Burt asked Ms. Thurston to address the Board about this issue. Ms. Thurston stated that she would like the Board of Selectmen to follow the Orleans Board of Selectmen and take action to ban dogs on Rock Harbor beach. Ms. Thurston stated that several times she has been approached by dogs, which are unleashed, and she feels that a ban is necessary. A member of the audience addressed the Board and asked what part of the day this is an issue. Ms. Thurston responded that any time during the summer this is an issue. An Eastham resident addressed the Board and stated that everyone knows that dogs are not allowed on the beach in the
summer between the hours of 9AM and 5PM and the people who are breaking those rules are not residents but visitors. Ms. Valerie Young addressed the Board and stated that Rock Harbor Beach is the only beach in Eastham during the summer that is available to dog owners. She commented that there are many dog owners that do not clean up after their dogs but many who do. Mr. Charlie Miller addressed the Board and asked if the water is tested and if the water quality is directly related to dogs using the beach. Town Administrator, Sheila Vanderhoef, replied that yes the water is tested. Ms. Pat Engstrom addressed the Board and asked if it was possible to supply dog mitts for picking up waste and also posting signs that state littering fines. Ms. Vanderhoef addressed the Board and clarified that this matter was in regards to a letter to the Board to reconsider the rules that are in place. Ms. Vanderhoef stated that issues that were brought up will
be addressed. Selectman Burt addressed the Board at which point the Board agreed to leave the regulations as they are.
Selectman Burt announced the next agenda item of change of manager for Lower Cape Liquors Inc. Ms. Vanderhoef asked that the approval be made pending a CORI check. The motion to approve application of Wendi J. Clark was made by Selectman Collins and seconded by Selectman Brookshire. Approved 3-0
Selectman Brookshire requested an amendment to Minutes (Monday, November, 29, 2005). Selectman Brookshire stated that in the Discussion section of the Minutes “Selectman Brookshire stated that in the future there will be a need for the beach…” she believed that she said, “There may be a need for the beach…” The motion was made to amend, as amended.
Town Administrator, Sheila Vanderhoef announced that a letter from the Visiting Nurses Association (VNA) had been received. Ms. Vanderhoef explained that the VNA would like to open the VNA van for business, which currently parks in the Town Hall parking lot, as a clinic available to the public. Ms. Vanderhoef stated that she felt it would be ok to allow this and it would also work well with the day that the Registry is open.
The Board approved.
The Board then went on to discuss another matter. The appointment of Madeleine Vick Anderson to the Cape Cod Commission. Selectman Collins made a motion to approve the resignation of Ian Aitchison and appointment of Madeleine Vick Anderson to the Cape Cod Commission; the motion was seconded by Selectman Brookshire. Approved 3-0.
Town Administrator, Sheila Vanderhoef announced that she had received an e-mail from Alice Boyd, Grant Administrator. Ms. Vanderhoef stated that Ms. Boyd would like the Board’s support and permission to include the Town of Eastham on a list of “concerned communities” in regards to the discrimination against smaller communities in the DHCD One Year Plan.
A motion to support Ms. Boyd’s request was made by Selectman Brookshire and seconded by Selectman Collins. Approved 3-0.
There being no other business, Chair Burt entertained the motion to adjourn, seconded by Selectman Collins. Approved 3-0.
* Revision - Added on 2/10/06
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