Minutes
Board of Selectmen
Monday October 16, 2006
Regular Session – 6:30 p.m.
Eastham Town Hall, Earle Mountain Room
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 6:30.
Public Information
Selectman Schropfer informed the Board and the public of the Veteran’s Day services to be held in town. He noted that there will be a 10 a.m. service at the Methodist Church, with a fundraiser for troop supplies to follow at 3 p.m. at Nauset Regional High School. There also will be a tree presented in honor of Mark Vecchione.
Fred Fenlon, citizen, wanted to inform the Board and the public of a new prescription drug coverage plan going into effect. The program would apply when the prescription is not covered by insurance. The average is a 20% savings on prescriptions. Mr. Fenlon informed the Board that all residents are covered regardless of age, income, or health status.
6:37 Mass Rides Update
Jennifer Doyle, Outreach Coordinator for Cape Cod Mass Rides, and Kyle Hinkle, Orleans Chamber of Commerce, were present to discuss current programs with the Board. Ms. Hinkle informed the Board that the Flex bus system has generated over 43,000 riders in its first four months. Ms. Doyle informed the Board of the Mass Rides program. It offers commuting options for employees. Ms. Doyle is here to ask Eastham to become a partner in the program at no cost to the town. She noted the service offers tax benefits for the employer, as well as offering another benefit to employees.
Selectman Schropfer made a motion for the Town of Eastham to become partners with Mass Rides in promoting other means of transportation. The motion was seconded by Selectman Sandblom and so voted 5-0.
6:55 Pole Hearing
Selectman Burt read the hearing notice as follows:
A hearing will be held on Monday, October 16, 2006 at 6:45 p.m. in the Earle Mountain Room at Eastham Town Hall, 2500 State Highway, Eastham, MA on Petition No. 06-201 from Verizon New England, Inc. and the 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 be petitioners, along and across the following public way or ways: Old Orchard Rd. (at/near Starlight Lane). Proposed: One (1) Pole. This work is necessary to provide service to 80 Old Orchard Road.
Eric Samuels, Manager, Right of Way, for Verizon, was on hand to answer any questions from the Board. He noted that the new pole is needed to provide service to the duplex, as the existing poles are too far from the building. Selectman Sandblom questioned if the poles might be too close to the road. Mr. Samuels noted that the poles are lined up directly, but can request the pole set back off the road as much as possible.
Selectman Collins made a motion to approve the pole request as stated. The motion was seconded by Selectman Sandblom and so voted 5-0.
7:10 Cape Wide Adult Day Centers
Kathy Gill, Director of the Adult Programming at the Eastham Council on Aging, invited the Board to their open house, which will be held October 18 from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m. Ms. Gill noted that they are a regional day center, serving people from Provincetown to Brewster. She noted that the attendees arrive by 8:30 a.m. and leave between 2:00 and 2:30 p.m. Some of the activities include arts and crafts, cognitive mind exercises, as well as physical activity. They also are served a nutritious breakfast and lunch.
7:13 Land Acquisition Fund Usage
Glenn Collins, Chair Open Space Committee and Conservation, informed the Board that the footbridge at Great Pond will be going to bid and is estimated at thirty to forty thousand dollars. He informed the Board that there is currently four thousand left of a nine thousand dollar grant. Rather than make a town meeting article, Mr. Collins would like to use money from the Land Acquisition Fund. Selectman Schropfer questioned if the maintenance fund could be used for new constuction. Mr. Collins noted that the answer would depend on the interpretation of the word maintenance, as the bridge will maintain the current condition of the trails. Selectman McDonald questioned where the money would be coming from otherwise. Mr. Collins noted that it would be a combination of Community Preservation
Act Funds and from Town Meeting, which would delay the construction of the bridge until next year, rather than this year.
Katelyn Merrill, Conservation Officer, noted that CPA funds are being used for new signs at Wiley Park as well as to clear out new trails. She noted that this bridge will be vital once that is completed.
Selectman McDonald made a motion to approve funds from the Land Acquisition and Maintenance Fund to support construction of the footbridge in Wiley Park up to $35,000.00. The motion was seconded by Selectman Schropfer and so voted 5-0.
7:30 Cape Cod Renewable Fuel
Ms. Vanderhoef informed the Board that she has been working with other cape towns on a move towards use of other fuels, such as biodiesel and E85. They have been evaluating training for operation of these vehicles and maintenance. She would like the Board to commit to investigate these alternative fuels.
Selectman Schropfer made a motion to support the Cape Cod Renewable Fuel declaration of support. The motion was seconded by Selectman McDonald and so voted 5-0.
Some discussion followed about current laws and appropriate vehicles to be looked at.
7:35 Administrator’s Report
Ms. Vanderhoef informed the Board that she has been in contact with the grant writer for the municipal water supply regarding what grants are available.
Ms. Vanderhoef also noted that the Roach Property affordable housing project is progressing nicely. Selectman Collins noted that the area looks very attractive and encouraged people to take a drive by.
Ms. Vanderhoef informed the Board that she has begun working on the fiscal year 2008 budget process, drafting both capital and operational budgets.
Other Business
There is no other business at this time.
7:40 Minutes
Selectman Schropfer made a motion to approve the minutes for the October 2, 2006 regular session meeting with minor corrections. The motion was seconded by Selectman Collins and so voted 4-0-1; Selectman Sandblom abstained, as he was absent from that meeting.
Selectman Collins made a motion to approve the minutes for the October 4, 2006 work session. The motion was seconded by Selectman Schropfer and so voted 4-0-1; Selectman Sandblom abstained, as he was absent from the meeting.
7:43
Selectman Schropfer made a motion to adjourn into executive session, not to return to public session. The motion was seconded by Selectman McDonald and so voted 5-0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Krystal M. Boyd
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