MINUTES
Board of Selectmen
Monday, September 17, 2007
Regular Session – Eastham Town Hall - 6:30 p.m.
Location:
Earle Mountain Room-Eastham Town Hall
Present:
Selectman Linda S. Burt, Chair; Selectman Martin F. McDonald, Vice Chair;
Selectman David W. Schropfer, Clerk; Selectman Carol F. Martin
Michael Ferreira, Assistant Town Administrator
Absent:
Selectman Kenelm N. Collins
Sheila Vanderhoef, Town Administrator
Chairman Linda Burt called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
PUBLIC INFORMATION
Jack Kitson, 20 Massasoit Road.
Mr. Kitson questioned whether there are possible alternatives to Article 1 that can be voted on at the October 1, 2007 Special Town Meeting. Chairman Burt stated that the warrant is closed and will be the same as the May 1, 2007 Annual Meeting. Changes to the Article can only be made by amendment on the floor.
Andrew Wells.
Mr. Wells stated that the wind turbine noise study is a site-specific study. He stated that in a document he received from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC), it suggests that the noise study is to be 3-4 days, and not a 4-season study as previously thought. Selectman Burt stated that the Board of Selectmen’s vote to continue with the noise study stands.
APPOINTMENT
1. Cape Cod Region Transportation Improvement Program - John Hinkley, Orleans Selectman and Superior Court House Barnstable Rep.
Mr. Hinkley updated the Board on the Cape Cod Joint Transportation Committee (CCJTC) and the Cape Cod Metropolitan Planning Organization (CCMPO). He discussed the structure of the CCJTC, spoke about projects implemented in past years in Eastham by the organization, and informed the Board about projects currently underway. He stated that if there are projects the Board wishes to see addressed, they should let him know.
Mary Burgess was the Town’s CCJTC representative, but is no longer employed by the town. Mr. Hinckley asked the Board to consider appointing a replacement.
2. Eastham Elementary School Building Committee –Status Report on the Eastham Elementary School
Selectman Burt recused herself, as she has a conflict as an employee of the Eastham Elementary School.
Present to discuss this item were Susan Helman, Principal, Eastham Elementary School; George Rheinhardt, Chairman, Eastham School Building Committee; David Sheptyck, Eastham School Building Committee member.
The Certificate of Substantial Completion has been signed and a punch list has been developed. Principal Susan Helman stated that the punch list, which contains items as extensive as doors and security issues and as minor as touch up painting, is being pared down on a daily basis.
Selectman David Schropfer asked Principal Helman whether she considers the building to be functional. Principal Helman said she was satisfied with the building and considers it to be functional. She did note, however, that the playground field is not ready.
Mr. George Reinhardt stated that all the work is expected to be completed within 60 days of today. The purchasing of technology items, however, has been put on hold due to a concern about the availability of funds.
The next School Building Committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday September 27, 2007.
Selectman Martin McDonald stated that the Board of Selectman would like bi-weekly reports on the project as well as minutes from the School Building Committee meetings.
Selectman Burt returned to the meeting at 7:30 p.m.
3. Cable TV Contract Cooperative Lower Cable Access Group Attorney Svcs. - Larry Greeley
Mr. Greeley will be on the Wednesday, September 19, 2007 Board of Selectmen’s agenda.
4. Wind Turbine Availability - Fred Fenlon
Mr. Fenlon spoke about the September 13, 2007 Cape Cod Times article regarding the Town of Orleans decision to vote against installing the two, 397–foot wind turbines. Mr. Fenelon stated that he would like Eastham to purchase them and asked that the Board contact the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC) to let them know of Eastham’s interest in doing that. Selectman Carol Martin suggested that it is a good idea but perhaps not the right time, as Eastham is only in the beginning stages of the project. Selectman McDonald stated that there is no harm in contacting the MTC to see what their timeline is. Selectman Schropfer agreed with Selectman McDonald’s statement, and added that other towns might not be any further along in the process than Eastham. It was agreed that the Board will send a
letter to the MTC expressing Eastham’s interest in the turbines.
Mr. Fenlon stated that a meeting is scheduled October 26, 2007 in Boston to discuss legislation regarding utility bills. He expressed his hope that a member of the Board of Selectmen and Town Administrator, Sheila Vanderhoef, could attend and speak at the meeting.
Selectman Schropfer made a motion that the Board of Selectmen write a letter to the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC) expressing Eastham’s interest in purchasing the wind turbines. The motion was seconded by Selectman McDonald and so voted 5-0.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
1. Orleans Water Study Grant - Request for Support - Jane Crowley, Health Agent
Selectman Martin made a motion that the Board of Selectmen forward, with the approved amendments, the two letters in support of the grant applications being presented by the Town of Orleans to the Cape Cod Water Protection Collaborative. The motion was seconded by Selectman Schropfer and so voted 5-0.
2. Appointment of Representative - Barnstable County Coastal Resources Committee
Selectmen Martin made a motion to appoint Mr. Henry Lind, Natural Resources Officer, as Eastham’s representative to the Barnstable County Coastal Resources Committee, and that the Board forward a letter to Muriel Lightfoot thanking her for her work as the former representative to the same committee.
The motion was seconded by Selectman Schropfer and so voted 5-0.
3. Sign Deed for Campground Road Property Transfer
The Board of Selectmen signed the deed for the Campground Road Property Transfer.
4. Attendance at Regional Update Meeting |
The Board of Selectman were notified of the next Massachusetts Selectmen’s Association (MSA) Regional Update meeting.
5. Special Town Meeting - Set Date of Informational Meetings |
The Board decided to hold the first of two informational meeting to discuss the Municipal Water System Plan on Wednesday September 26, 2007 at 4:00 p.m., and a second meeting on Saturday September 29, 2007 at 4:00 p.m.
6. Housing Task Force - Follow up Discussion |
The discussion continued as to whether to dissolve the Housing Task Force. The Board discussed whether the Housing Authority could perform most of the tasks that the Housing Task Force currently handles. It was noted that there is currently little interaction between the Housing Task Force and the Housing Authority.
Attorney David Skiba, Housing Authority member, asked to receive a copy of the charge of The Housing Task Force.
OTHER BUSINESS
1. Proclamation - United Nations Day October 24, 2007 |
Selectman Schropfer made a motion that the Board sign the proclamation recognizing October 24, 2007 as United Nations Day. The motion was seconded by Selectman Martin and so voted 5-0.
2. Ethics Seminar - October 11, 2007 4:00 p.m. |
The Board made note of the date of the Ethics Seminar to be held at the Eastham Town Hall.
Selectman McDonald noted that he is to be the liaison for the Recreation Committee.
Selectman Schropfer noted that he is to be the liaison for the Search Committee.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
None
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Selectman McDonald made a motion to go into Executive Session at 8:25 p.m. for a discussion on litigation and personnel issues and not return to public session.
Selectman Burt, yes; Selectman McDonald, yes; Selectman Schropfer, yes; Selectman Martin, yes.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lisa Shaw
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