Minutes
Board of Selectmen
December 4, 2006 - 6:30 PM Regular Session
Eastham Town Hall – Earle Mountain Room
PRESENT: Linda Burt, Chair
Kenelm Collins, Vice Chair
Martin McDonald
David Schropfer
ALSO: Sheila Vanderhoef, Town Administrator
ABSENT: Russell Sanblom, Clerk
Selectman Burt called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Public Information
Selectman Schropfer noted that he attended the wind turbine information session along with Selectman McDonald and Selectman Collins. Selectman Schropfer noted that the roadway will only allow for access to the turbines. He also voiced concern that the state will keep some of the energy credits, as well as how the shadow of the turbines may restrict the allowable building in the area.
6:35 Historical Society Transfer Station Fee Waiver
Mr. Tom Lennox, Historical Society, informed the Board that with the shed gone, the fees have amounted to $1,055. Mr. Lennox noted that there is approximately two to three tons of debris left. Ms. Vanderhoef noted that the town charges $80 per ton for construction debris.
Selectman Schropfer made a motion to waive the balance of fees between $1,055 and $1,500 for the restoration of the Old Schoolhouse Museum. The motion was seconded by Selectman Collins and so voted 4-0.
Selectman Schropfer disclosed that his wife is on the Old Schoolhouse Museum Board of Directors.
6:40 Pole Hearing – Campground Road
Selectman Burt read the public hearing notice as follows:
A hearing will be held on Monday, December 4, 2006 at 6:45 in the Earle Mountain Room at Eastham Town Hall, 2500 State Highway, Eastham, MA on Petition No. 06-023 from Verizon New England Inc. and Commonwealth Electric Company, for permission to locate poles, wires, cables, and fixtures, including the necessary anchors, guys and other such sustaining and protecting fixtures to be owned and used in common by our petitioners, along and across the following public way or ways: Campground Road (at/near) Shurtleff Road). Proposed: One (1) Pole. This work is necessary due to customer relocating garage.
Eric Samuels, Right of Way Manager for Verizon, is on hand to address and answer any questions. Selectman Schropfer asked if pole 11/30 is going to be removed. Mr. Samuels responded that the new pole will be in the middle of the current poles.
Judith Turpin, citizen and abutter, noted that there is a house being built and are no plans for a garage relocation. She questioned the possible use of underground wires. Mr. Samuels noted that it is an aerial area and the cost for underground wires would be the responsibility of the property owner or the Town. Mr. Samuels noted that the new pole will serve properties on Hideaway Lane also.
Selectman Sandblom voiced concern regarding the distance off the road of the new pole. Mr. Samuels noted it will be the same distance as the existing poles.
Selectman Schropfer noted that the distance between poles is much larger on other roads. Mr. Samuels noted that the pole is needed for the feed off wires.
Selectman Burt noted that more information will be gather regarding the project and come back to the Board on December 18, 2006.
6:53 Assembly of Delegates Update – Fred Fenlon
Fred Fenlon, citizen, noted that Barnstable County Human Rights Commission has noted that any form of discrimination is unacceptable, with the most recently recorded, being in the workplace. They report that in five years, there have been twenty thousand cases of discrimination. Selectman Schropfer requested a charge for this commission.
7:10 Watershed Agreement – Don Liptack
Don Liptack, representative from the Natural Resource Conservation Service, is asking support from the Selectmen for a watershed protection agreement. Mr. Liptack noted that the Cape Cod Commission has already voiced support for the project. He noted that a few current projects in Eastham are the work being done at Sunkenmeadow, the maintenance and upgrade of the herring run, catch basis problem on Route 6, and work at Fort Hill. Mr. Liptack noted that these sites are not absolute and can be changed, as Town’s needs change. Mr. Liptack noted that 100% of the planning and design is paid for by the Cape Cod Conservation District, with in-kind work being offered from the Town. Ms. Vanderhoef noted that the Town has always been able to provide 35% by in-kind service work. Henry Lind,
Natural Resource Officer, noted that he cannot support this effort enough.
Selectman McDonald made a motion to support the Watershed Initiative for the Town of Eastham. The motion was seconded by Selectman Collins and so voted 4-0.
7:30 Resolution for Child Cancer Awareness Week
Selectman Schropfer moved that the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Eastham, do proclaim January 2, 2007 through January 9, 2007 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Week throughout the Town of Eastham, and urge the citizens of the Town of Eastham to focus their attention on Childhood Cancer. The motion was seconded by Selectman Collins and so voted 4-0.
7:32 Administrator’s Report
Ms. Vanderhoef noted that the Middle School and High School will have a walkthrough, as budget season is approaching. She noted that Selectman McDonald and Selectman Schropfer will be attending.
Ms. Vanderhoef also noted that the Friends of the Council on Aging would like to use their Human Services Gift Fund to perform some maintenance of the facility. Ms. Vanderhoef noted that the scope of the work will include expansion of the current upper parking lot and placement of handicap parking spaces, which can be aided by the Town DPW Department. The friends have estimated to pay $7,500 to $8,000. Ms. Vanderhoef noted that the outside stairs are to be repaired, and fascia boards and vents will be replaced.
Ms. Vanderhoef informed the Selectmen that the calendars in the packets are for the Selectmen to indicate any vacation time they will be away.
7:40 Other Business
Selectman Schropfer noted that he offered himself available to negotiate with the parties involved in the Ocean Beach and has not received any response from either side. Selectman Schropfer also suggested another location, such as the three sisters lighthouses area, or reducing the size of the parking lot. Selectman Collins noted that these discussions should be in executive session.
Glen Collins and David Hoerle, citizens, would like to commend Katelyn Merril, Deputy Natural Resource Officer, for her exceptional work. Ms. Vanderhoef noted that the employees are in a collective bargaining agreement, whose negotiations are not in public session.
7:50
Selectman Collins made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Selectman Schropfer and so voted 4-0. Selectman Burt, yes; Selectman Collins, yes; Selectman McDonald, yes; Selectman Schropfer, yes.
Respectfully Submitted,
Krystal M. Boyd
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