Minutes
Board of Selectmen
Wednesday, March 7, 2007 – 2:30 p.m.
Eastham Town Hall
PRESENT: Linda Burt, Chair
Kenelm Collins, Vice Chair
Russell Sandblom, Clerk
Martin McDonald
David Schropfer
Sheila Vanderhoef, Town Administrator
Selectman Burt called the meeting to order at 2:30 p.m.
Eastham Committee on Early Childhood Update
Gail Hoffman, Human Services Advisory Committee Chair, noted that ECEC does have a friends group that does contribute funding as a support system. Selectman Sandblom questioned if the program is able to accommodate special needs students. William Opel, Board of Directors, noted that their license to operate requires acceptance of special needs students, and that there are currently 5-7 in the program. Selectman Sandblom questioned the summer budget of 2006. Kathleen Pomakis, Program Director, noted that there were not enough families for the program in 2006 and that they will offer the program in 2007, adding that the school year and summer budgets are kept separate, with the summer budget as a line item in the overall budget. Selectman Schropfer questioned where the money for the summer program
comes from. Ms. Pomakis responded that costs are covered by program fees that are paid up front by the families.
Selectman Burt questioned if families are charged for the enrichment programs. Ms. Pomakis responded that they are open to all students, whether they are in the program or not, and that these families do pay a fee to participate in the enrichment programs. Mr. Opel noted that the program impacts the entire town, helping the children to build a solid foundation. Mr. Opel noted that the costs would be much larger if the program were offered by the school rather than a non-profit company.
3:10 Cable Television Studio
Selectman Burt noted that since the contract denial from Comcast, the Board has sent them a letter, met with them, and is waiting for a response. Larry Greely, vidoegrapher, noted that the town needs backup evidence to support a request, which can be obtained from the ascertainment. He noted that when towns band together, the ascertainment is larger and more powerful. Ms. Vanderhoef noted that the responses from Comcast as to the town’s requests have been unresponsive. Mr. Greely noted that Eastham could align with other towns to over hurdle the un-responsiveness. He noted that there is strength in numbers when dealing with a company as large as Comcast.
Brian Eastman, member of the former Cable Television Renewal Advisory Board, noted that until a new contract is agreed upon, both parties are bound by the old contract, which requires Comcast to maintain the Orleans studio. Mr. Greely noted that he has handed out the budgets for C3TV and a Cape Cod Media Center as they both stand now. Ms. Vanderhoef noted that the budget includes all the towns. Mr. Greely suggested banding with Truro, Wellfleet and Provincetown, which would give Eastham a better bargaining platform.
Mr. Greely noted that the capital franchise fee charged to residents can be used for legal fees. Mr. Greely noted that Comcast has been looking for someone to take over the Orleans studio, noting that the six towns have been working together ever since. Mr. Greely noted that the group is looking for support from the Board of Selectmen and a representative from Eastham. He informed the Board that the group will be taking over channel 17, but is looking for a company other than Comcast to run it.
Selectman McDonald questioned if Eastham needs its own channel. Mr. Greely responded that many older residents do not have computers and get much of their information from the television. He noted that bulletins and emergency positing can be put up on the channel. Mr. Greely also noted that there would be a cape-wide channel that would be a link from Provincetown to Barnstable.
Mr. Greely noted that a joint letter will be sent to Comcast from the group of towns looking for answers to questions posed by the towns.
Selectman Schropfer made a motion to link with Lower Cape Media and to appoint Brian Eastman as the Eastham Representative to the group, and to begin operating with the PEG group. The motion was seconded by Selectman Collins and so voted 5-0.
4:25 Other Business
Ms. Vanderhoef noted that the Chamber of Commerce is meeting tonight and the BCSCA meeting is Friday morning.
Ms. Vanderhoef also noted that the DOER model by-law has been highlighted by Jack with the changes in the Hesse article. Brian Eastman, Energy Committee Chair, noted that the only change in their proposed by-law is the naming of the Planning Board as the regulatory body.
Selectman Schropfer made a motion to adopt the DOER model by-law allowing turbine construction with a special permit to be granted by the Planning Board; and to make the Planning Board the regulatory authority. The motion was seconded by Selectman Collins and so voted 5-0.
Selectman Schropfer noted that the Hesse by-law has five changes from the model by-law, and is not specific to commercial or residential land. Mr. Eastman noted that the private by-law can still be adopted alongside this one.
4:40
Selectman Collins made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Selectman Schropfer. Selectman Burt, yes; Selectman Collins, yes; Selectman Sandblom, yes; Selectman McDonald, yes; Selectman Schropfer, yes.
Respectfully Submitted,
Krystal M. Boyd
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