BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Minutes
Wednesday, October 4, 2006
Work Session - 2:30 p.m.
Location: Timothy Smith Conference Room
Present: Selectman Linda S. Burt, Chair; Selectman Kenelm N. Collins, Vice Chair;
Selectman David W. Schropfer; Selectman Martin F. McDonald.
Selectman Russell H. Sandblom, absent.
Sheila Vanderhoef, Town Administrator, present.
Selectman Burt called the meeting to order at 2:30 p.m.
PUBLIC INFORMATION
Fred Fenlon (Citizen) noted that an item on the agenda (Discussion - Veteran’s for Peace -
“Arlington East” Event - scheduled for October 13th at the Nauset High School and October 14th at Coast Guard Beach) caught his interest and concern.
There being no more Public Information to address, Selectman Burt said that as this item was scheduled as an Agenda item for today’s meeting, it would be taken up at this time.
WORK SESSION
Discussion - Veteran’s for Peace - “Arlington East” Event - October 13 and October 14, 2006
Ms. Vanderhoef noted that a flyer regarding the “Arlington East” event had been given to the
Board of Selectmen at the end of their Monday, October 2, 2006 meeting by Dianne Ashley, asking for their support. Ms. Vanderhoef is bringing this to the Board of Selectmen’s attention at this time to see if there is support for this event. Additionally, Ms. Vanderhoef stated that she had been in touch with Steve Prokop, Chief Ranger of the National Seashore, to see if additional rangers would be on hand and/or if any police detail request had been made. Mr. Prokop indicated that there were no extra rangers assigned and that no police detail request has been made at this time.
Selectman McDonald said that he had read, over the weekend, of this event held recently in New Hampshire. The newspaper reported that there was a large demonstration and a lot of resulting graffiti, as well as the posting of many peace signs all over town.
Mr. Fenlon noted that he had concern regarding this event. He asked the Board of Selectmen
to consider that as a gentleman with an extensive military background, he took great issue with
the Arlington East “Internet blog” which contained a caricature of the iconic image of soldiers
holding up the flag in Iwo Jima (Iwo Jima Monument). Further, he noted that the hundreds of holes to be dug to hold white crosses as part of this event were also troublesome from an environmental perspective. Mr. Fenlon added that as a result of many protests the aforementioned caricature had been subsequently removed from this site. Mr. Fenlon wanted to bring these matters to the Board of Selectmen as they consider this agenda item.
Selectman Collins stated that there was no question that events such as these are not endorsed by the Board of Selectmen. Selectman McDonald also noted that endorsing such events did not fall within the purview of the Board of Selectmen as he understood it. Selectman Schropfer indicated that if a group comes to the Board of Selectmen with a flyer we may note the event. As meetings are televised, the event would then have been publicized, but this did not constitute an endorsement
of the same.
Robin Lord (Cape Cod Times Reporter) was present. The Board of Selectmen acknowledged
her presence and noted once again that the flyer was presented after the Monday October 2, 2006 meeting had officially ended, and was not on that agenda.
The Board of Selectmen took note of the event scheduled to be held on October 13, 2006 at
7:30 p.m. at the Nauset High School and on October 14, 2006 from 9:00 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. on Coast Guard Beach, but did not choose to take any action and/or endorse the same. Further, it was noted that the event(s) as presented will not be taking place on town property.
ACTION: SEMASS - Regional Town Representatives - Approval
Mr. Greg Smith was present at the Monday, October 2, 2006 meeting of the Board of Selectmen. Under discussion today was the resulting letter presented for signature, confirming (if approved as presented) the Board of Selectmen’s “interest in joining a regional group of town representatives to consider and explore alternative disposal options prior to the existing contract’s 2015 deadline.”
Selectman Collins recommended that Ms. Vanderhoef represent us in the aforementioned
undertaking. The discussions need to start early. Ms. Vanderhoef will try to set up a trip to view the “state of the art” recycling plant in Nantucket. Ms. Vanderhoef recommended that we not break this contract now, and would like to see the Town of Eastham get involved with the other towns in this effort.
Selectman Schropfer welcomed the idea of cooperation between towns, and agreed with
going in the direction of looking at this from a long-term perspective, to help ensure positive end results for the Town.
The Board of Selectmen, by consensus, agreed to sign the letter addressed to Mr. Greg Smith Planner and Solid Waste Specialist in the Cape Cod Commission regarding SEMASS confirming “our interest in joining a regional group of town representatives to consider and explore alternative disposal options prior to the existing contract’s 2015 deadline.”
OTHER BUSINESS
Selectman McDonald reviewed the letter of support for OpenCape which had been
revised to meet concerns he had expressed. After a short discussion, the letter was
signed by the Board of Selectmen.
Selectman McDonald reviewed the letter to be sent to Senator Kennedy regarding concerns over the increasing seal population. Selectman McDonald chose not to sign this letter, and expressed concern that the seal population might be threatened physically as a result of this support.
Selectman Collins noted that control of the seal population would ultimately lay with the Federal Government, and that this letter of support targeted research and how the increasing seal population impacts other species. Selectman Schropfer stated that he does not support any extermination of the seal population, and has no problem with research
to help understand this problem.
That being said, the Board of Selectmen signed the letter to Senator Kennedy.
Selectman McDonald noted for the record that he declined to do so.
John Bangert and Sarah Thacher (“Arlington East” representatives) were now present to address any questions from the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Bangert stated that they were expecting a large turnout. Selectman Collins thanked them for coming before the
Board of Selectmen. Selectman Collins confirmed that this event had already come before them earlier this day and had been duly noted.
3:08 p.m. - Outer Cape Health Services - Gail Hoffman, Chair, Human Services
Advisory Committee, present
A discussion with Outer Cape Health Services at the September 20, 2006 Work Session meeting of the Board of Selectmen resulted with no decision/vote on their funding request at that time.
After a brief discussion the Board of Selectmen agreed that Outer Cape Health
Services provides important services to the community.
Selectman Collins moved to grant $5,000 to Outer Cape Health Services for FY 07 out of the Timothy Smith Fund for FY 07 only, and that thereafter their request(s) and potential funding will be administered through the Human Services Advisory Committee. The Human Services Advisory Committee will make recommendations to the Administrator and Board of Selectmen as part of their yearly and customary review and budgetary process. Selectman Schropfer seconded the motion. Approved 4-0.
3:20 p.m. Board of Selectmen Meetings - Scheduling
Selectman Schropfer asked that the Board of Selectmen consider the calendar for upcoming
meetings as they relate to January, 2007. Selectman Schropfer proposed that the first Regular
Session meeting in January be held on January 8, 2007 rather than on Tuesday, January 2, 2007.
Agreement on this change also resulted in opening the Warrant on January 8, 2007 and presenting the FY 08 Draft Administrator’s Budget on that same date. The closing of the Warrant will then take place on February 7, 2007.
The Board of Selectmen also decided not to hold a Work Session on Wednesday, November
22, 2006, because of the proximity to the Thanksgiving holiday.
All matters having been discussed, Selectman Schropfer made a motion at 3:25 p.m. to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussion of Litigation and not to return to Public Session. Selectman Schropfer, yes; Selectman Burt, yes; Selectman Collins, yes and Selectman McDonald yes.
Respectfully submitted,
Lorraine Speros
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