Town of Eastham MA - Selectmen's Meeting Minutes 06/04/07

Town Administrator Vanderhoef reported that Peter Markunas asked the Board to hold this request until a question regarding land ownership can be investigated and resolved. Ms. Vanderhoef stated that a portion of the revetment appears to be on Town owned land.

Town Administrator Vanderhoef informed the Board that tonight’s list includes only reappointments for non-regulatory boards. She stated that all reappointees were notified of the meeting and some are in attendance to answer questions from the Board. Selectman C. Martin questioned the term length for the Wastewater Management Planning Committee, stating she remembers the term length as two years, rather than three.

Town Administrator Vanderhoef noted that she would like to have a final procedure in place before the appointment process proceeds, and therefore had prepared a draft procedure for the Board to consider. The procedure as drafted (attached) incorporates comments from the Board of Selectmen and public at previous meetings. Selectman Schropfer questioned the use of “Staff” in the draft procedure, citing the responsibilities as that of the Search Committee. Selectman Schropfer also suggested deleting the CORI requirement from number 2 section D.

Selectman C. Martin questioned appropriateness of Department Heads giving input on the candidates as requested in a draft of the procedure. Selectman McDonald noted that the Department Head may pick up things that have been missed in the past. Ms. Vanderhoef suggested adding a question to the list of questions for the candidates, rather than include the Department Heads. Selectman C. Martin also suggested beginning the appointment process in April so that it is completed by the end of June.

Selectman Schropfer made a motion to approve the procedure for the Board and Committee Candidate Selection with the following corrections: “Search Committee” should replace “Staff”; delete number two section D requiring a CORI check; delete “Department Head” from number five; change the month in number six from June to April. The motion was seconded by Selectman Collins.

Selectman McDonald noted that the Search Committee has not been discussed, and that until the committee is complete, he does not feel ready to delegate responsibility to them. Ms. Vanderhoef noted that changes will be made to the draft and brought back before the Board at a later date.

Ms. Vanderhoef suggested that when a final question list is accepted, it be sent to all candidates so they can prepare for the meeting. Selectman Burt noted that some questions can be combined, and noted that the issue will be further discussed Wednesday.

Ms. Vanderhoef presented a draft charge based on comments from the Board. She noted that the Ad-Hoc committee should finish their work before this committee is appointed, and suggested that the work scope of this group be broadened to include all forms of alternative energy. Ms. Vanderhoef noted that the Energy Committee was very focused on wind energy. This committee is being charged to investigate many different forms of energy and make recommendations.

In reviewing the draft, Selectman C. Martin noted that “bi-annually” should be changed to “semi-annually” on page two. She also noted that if the group is using the “draft” by-law then there will be no efforts to go further. Ms. Vanderhoef noted that it is only a draft because it will not yet be approved by Town Meeting or seen by the Planning Board. Selectman C. Martin suggested changing the words to read “resume work on wind energy”, and noted that May 2008 is a very optimistic target. Selectman Burt noted that the funding for the FY09 budget is approved at the May 2008 town meeting, and so the time line is appropriate.

Ms. Vanderhoef restated the draft charge suggested including that “bi-annually” will be changed to “semi-annually”, the “MTC and other” will be deleted, and paragraph two on page two regarding the wind turbine zoning by-law will be deleted.

Selectman Schropfer made a motion to approve the charge for the Alternative/Green Energy Applications Committee with the noted changes. The motion was seconded by Selectman McDonald and so voted 5-0, in favor.

Ms. Vanderhoef presented the mooring regulations for the Board’s consideration. She stated that in this draft the issue of moorings on “private property” has been addressed. Selectman Burt questioned whether each mooring needs to be registered by April 30, but expires on December 31. Ms. Vanderhoef noted that most mooring are out of the water between December 31 and April 30 due to ice. Michael Ferreira, Assistant Town Administrator, noted that he will clarify this issue with Henry Lind, Harbormaster. Selectman McDonald questioned the moorings at Great Pond and suggested that the policy needs to be more specific.

Selectman McDonald questioned the section of the draft regulations requiring that action to be taken within 48 hours of violation to correct the problem, citing that it may be difficult for people who are not in Town. He also asked for a map of the Town that shows where moorings are allowed. Selectman Schropfer made the suggestion to link the time to respond to receipt of the notice of violation, rather than from the time of violation.

Ms. Vanderhoef presented a draft anti-fraud policy. The policy, she noted, was developed by Mr. Ferreira, Assistant Town Administrator, and Diane Rommelmeyer, Town Accountant, and is based on a recommendation by the auditors.

The Board members raised several questions, including a definition of unpaid employees, where investigations be in executive session, and further, the Board noted the need to redraft Section 5.4 so that the Town Administrator does not investigate him/herself.

Ms. Vanderhoef presented a request from the Cultural Council for a banner on the Windmill Green. The Cultural Council has used this banner for many years and the Board has approved it annually. The banner exceeds the size limits of the Selectmen’s policy. Selectman C. Martin noted that she is concerned with the number of signs allowed in addition to the banner, citing that there should be consistency in what groups are told regarding signs. Virginia Delaney, Cultural Council, noted that one location, the Welcome to Eastham sign, belonged to the Eastham Chamber and would not affect the number of signs allowed on town property. Selectman C. Martin noted that she has no problem with the sign placement, but would like to revisit the issue of number of signs per event to address consistency.

Selectman C. Martin made a motion to approve the Cultural Council’s request to use their oversized banner for an additional year, as well as place sandwich board signs at the Town Hall, Library, and Information Booth. The motion was seconded by Selectman McDonald and so voted 5-0, in favor.

Ms. Vanderhoef invited Ms. Delaney to speak about the Hands on the Arts festival, which will be taking place June 16 and 17 on the Windmill Green. Ms. Delaney stated that there will be an activity tent for children, along with a puppet show. She also noted that they will be selling baseball hats and T-shirts to help offset the costs.

Ms. Vanderhoef commented that she has added a draft proclamation on affordable housing to the packets. She stated that the group will be holding a telethon a help raise funds on June 10, 2007 from 2-6 p.m. on channel 17. She noted that this draft varies from the submitted resolution, but she encouraged the Selectmen to make changes the draft in anticipation of a vote on Wednesday.

Ms. Vanderhoef informed the Board that a letter was received from a resident, included in the packet, regarding the municipal water system. She noted that the Board should begin to think about how they would like to proceed, adding that this is an appropriate Wednesday discussion item.

Ms. Vanderhoef updated the Board on the process with the cable television contract. She noted that she has spoken with Larry Greely, who was concerned about Eastham’s commitment as the Town appointed representative missed several meetings. Ms. Vanderhoef noted that she has received another draft contract from Comcast.

Selectman C. Martin expressed concern about a letter from the Town of Walpole regarding unfriendly 40B projects. She noted that she would like to address this in the future. Further, Selectman C. Martin wanted an update on the town response to a letter from the School Building Authority. Ms. Vanderhoef responded that the Treasurer will put together the packet that the authority is requesting.

Judith Cannon, Visitor’s Tourism and Promotion Services Board, explained to the Board that the groups who are sponsoring the Wednesday night concerts, both Citizen’s Bank and the Arts Lottery Foundation, would like to put up banners during the concert on the gazebo. Ms. Vanderhoef noted that normally there is no advertising, however these are the sponsors of the event, and there will be no solicitation. Ms. Cannon emphasized that there are only two banners and they will only be up during the concert. Selectman McDonald had no problem with the Arts Foundation banner, but felt that putting the bank banner up would upset other sponsors. Ms. Cannon noted that they may not sponsor the concerts if they are not allowed to put the banners up.

Selectman Collins made a motion to allow for the requested banners to be placed on the gazebo during the Wednesday night concerts only. The motion was seconded by Selectman Schropfer and so voted 3-2, in favor. (Carol Martin and Martin McDonald opposed)

Selectman Collins made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Selectman Schropfer. Selectman Burt, yes; Selectman McDonald, yes; Selectman Schropfer, yes; Selectman Collins, yes; Selectman C. Martin, yes.