MINUTES
Board of Selectmen
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Work Session - 2:30 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 Kenelm N. Collins
and Selectman Carol F. Martin
Sheila Vanderhoef, Town Administrator
Selectman Burt, Chair, called the meeting to order at 2:30 p.m.
I. PUBLIC INFORMATION
No public information offered at this time.
II. WORK SESSION
Staging Permit - Discussion
A discussion took place at the Board of Selectmen’s meeting held on Monday, May 21, 2007,
related to a request from Mr. Richard and Gail McKeown to go beyond the deadline date of April 15, 2007 for shoreline projects. Their request was based on shoreline damage to their property at 215 Thumpertown Road caused by an April 16-17 Northeaster.
The Board of Selectmen, at the May 21, 2007 meeting, met with the McKeown’s, and informed
them that they would discuss this issue again at their Wednesday, May 23, 2007 meeting.
At that time, they would take into consideration staff recommendations. This will also provide
time for the Selectmen to view the site first-hand.
At the May 21, 2007 meeting, Ms. Vanderhoef noted that the deadline date of April 15
was set in order to allow “ample time for sweeping and other preparations of the lots for
town use.” She also noted that on occasion the deadline has been extended, but only under
“extreme” conditions. She also noted at the May 21, 2007 meeting that staff did not
recommend approving this request.
The Board now discussed this issue further.
Ms. Vanderhoef noted that she had been in touch with both Mr. Henry Lind, Natural Resources
Officer and Mr. Martin Mickle, Acting Superintendent for the Department of Public Works,
who are unable to be here today due to previous commitments.
Ms. Vanderhoef , at the Board of Selectmen’s request, had the staff review this request a second time. Ms. Vanderhoef noted that after another review, staff recommendations remains the same, (i.e., to deny the request, based on the ongoing preparations to make the parking lots and beaches ready for the Memorial Day weekend and potential safety hazards to the public).
Selectman Collins noted that as we approach late spring and summer, barring an extreme hardship condition, any such undertaking would cause a hardship for the DPW. As the cut-off time has clearly passed, granting of this request might precipitate other such requests.
Selectman McDonald noted that he has reviewed the site, did not think the situation was
an extreme condition and thought it could possibly be done in the Fall. Selectman McDonald mentioned that such permission has been granted in the past, but only in emergency situations and it appears that this request is not similar.
Selectman Collins moved to deny the request as presented by Mr. Richard and Gail McKeown
for an extension of the staging permit deadline of April 15, 2007. Selectman McDonald seconded the motion. PERMISSION DENIED 5-0.
(2) Mooring Regulations/and Great Pond Boat Storage
Ms. Vanderhoef referred to the Mooring and Mooring Permits regulations draft which was
included in the Selectmen’s packet for this meeting. Ms. Vanderhoef noted that staff
has been working on updating this and Mr. Michael Ferreira, Assistant Town Administrator,
is present here today and can answer questions.
Mr. Ferreira, who has been working on this, noted that the mooring regulations do not apply in Town Cove, but in Cape Cod Bay and Great Pond. Selectman Martin asked what had triggered reviewing them now. Ms. Vanderhoef noted that it was found to be necessary in order to strengthen and tighten the regulations. This review is also part of an effort to standardize policies.
After a brief discussion, the following changes were recommended to be incorporated into the draft presented and/ if they occur more than once in the regulations:
See 5.3 strike “for a period of two weeks or more”
See 7.1 Second Paragraph, First Sentence - Add Highlight
“If the owner fails to obtain a mooring permit or to take corrective
Action within 48 hours, said owner will be subject to a non-criminal
fine of $200.00 in accordance with MGL Chapter 40, Section 21D.
See 7.2 Second Paragraph, Second Sentence:
Strike: and location where the vessel can be retrieved.
Selectman Schropfer made a motion to accept the document as presented and incorporating the recommended aforementioned changes to this document. Selectman Collins seconded the
motion.
Selectman Martin then wished to have more clarification. Ms. Vanderhoef noted that there will be no modifications made for this season. These changes will hopefully alleviate problems related to private moorings off of private properties, etc.
A VOTE was then taken. APPROVED 5-0.
(3) Energy Committee - Charge
Ms. Vanderhoef noted that an Energy Committee meeting was held on Monday, May 21, 2007, with members of the public present. A recommended charge was drafted which was intended to be on Board of Selectmen’s June 4, 2007 meeting agenda. Ms. Vanderhoef noted that the Board of Selectmen deliberate and ultimately decide what a committee will do. The draft, prepared just this past Monday, has now been given to the Board of Selectmen for their review. Therefore, Ms. Vanderhoef noted that the Board of Selectmen have not yet had a discussion on what initiatives they would like to be included in the new “Energy” Committee charge.
Mr. Joe Mistretta (Energy Committee) noted that the listing presented are just ideas. Ms. Vanderhoef then noted that the Energy Committee’s charge focused on wind turbines to use for alternative energy. The discussion now needs to broaden and include alternative energy uses, etc.
Selectman Burt recommended developing a sticker campaign for reducing carbon dioxide. This
campaign could include bumper stickers, keeping in mind that Eastham, with it’s 40
mile per hour limit, already is doing its part to slow down global warming. A catch phrase might
be created combining these two concerns.
Selectman McDonald thought that these suggestions pointed to a more expanded charge and
recommended giving the new committee enough leeway to look at other areas. The new committee can then recommend to the Board areas of energy reduction. Selectman McDonald said that he would like to take more time to review this draft.
Selectman Martin noted that she has attended a few Energy Committee meetings and thought that increasing the number of committee members would enable them to also assign specific researching tasks which might prove very helpful, rather than limiting the focus on one item at a time.
Ms. Vanderhoef noted that she has just received this draft and would like the opportunity to work with Mr. Mistretta and the Committee to review the same. Incorporating ideas from other towns as appropriate would also be considered. She emphasized that this committee needs to get “solid” first and recommended that “Green Energy Committee” be incorporated into the title of the new committee. Ms. Vanderhoef also noted that statutes will be reviewed and also thought that the Recycling Committee might want to add something to their charge related to these issues.
Bio-Diesel, Hybrid vehicles, input by DPW on Bio-diesel fuel; storing, etc. will all be looked
at also. Selectman Schropfer emphasized the need for buying vehicles that reduce green house gases and viewing purchases in this manner, rather than just considering the increased cost to buy such vehicles. He noted that every vehicle that gets on the road pollutes our own town. Ms. Vanderhoef noted that she will incorporate that viewpoint going forward to FY 09 and will get back to the Board as the town moves toward Hybrid Bio-Diesel use. This may be discussed further at a future Monday evening meeting with the Board of Selectmen. Ms. Vanderhoef noted that this will be put on the Agenda for a meeting in early Fall.
Going back to the draft that was presented, Ms. Vanderhoef thought that #5 (i.e., “Consider new alternative energy initiatives for Eastham and research appropriate funding sources”) will include grants. Selectman Burt emphasized the need to include funding for projects in the charge. Ms. Vanderhoef will work with Gwen Pelletier and Joe Mistretta and get back to the Board. Ms. Vanderhoef noted that once the charge is completed, a call for membership will be made via newspapers, website, etc.
Selectman Martin noted that this is a Work Session and she would like to have this on a Regular Session (Monday night)agenda to hear from the public as well.
Selectman Schropfer expressed his concern that better contact be made advertising openings,
albeit through newspapers, website, etc. related to committee openings. Ms. Vanderhoef noted that at this time the form needs to be put on PDF format, as the present form is not optimal.
3:25 p.m. OTHER BUSINESS
Memorial Day Ceremonies will take place at 9:00 a.m. in front of Town
Hall on May 28, 2007. Selectmen Burt, McDonald and Martin will be
able to attend.
Fourth of July Parade in Orleans - Selectmen Schropfer, McDonald and
Burt and Collins will attend.
Windmill Weekend - Parade - Selectmen Burt, McDonald, Collins,
Martin and Schropfer will attend.
A “photo-op” will take place at 9:00 a.m. this Friday May 25, 2007
unveiling the new Eastham Welcome Sign by the Rotary. Selectman Collins
advised approaching the sign by the back road as you leave Orleans.
The press will be invited to attend.
Prudy Kerry, Visitor’s Service Board will attend as well as
Selectmen Burt. Selectman McDonald will try to attend.
3:30 p.m. GREAT POND LANDING AREA - Concerns
Mr. Mark Powers, Director of Recreation and Beaches, asked to bring an issue of concern to the
Board at this time and distributed photograph of the Great Pond Landing area.
Mr. Powers noted that there is an increasing problem of small boat owners leaving their
small boats on dry town land. In the area being discussed, there is “only one big tree”
which many individuals use for shade. As viewed in the photographs, there are presently a
few boats chained to the tree, thereby preventing other use. Mooring permits have not been
purchased for these boats.
Ms. Vanderhoef, together with Mr. Powers and Mr. Henry Lind (Natural Resources Officer)
have recently viewed the area and agree that boats cannot be left there in this indiscriminate
manner. However, they realize that there is a “learning enforcement curve” in relaying possible prohibition information to the public.
Ms. Vanderhoef noted that the Board is in charge of municipal property and thought this could be on an agenda item on a Monday. Initially, there will be postings in the area. Mr. Powers further noted that one of the pictures demonstrates that there are boats that are left there in the winter. He also noted that this is a very tight space and again, had great concern about the only shady spot becoming inaccessible to those wishing and/or needing shade at this location.
Selectman Martin noted that boats be entirely eliminated from this area and that no storage of boats be allowed as this is a bathing beach, not a storage beach. Other suggestions followed, which included taking the fence and moving it to the other side of the bench; posting signs stating that there “ no boat storage allowed”; distributing notices given to individuals storing their boat(s) around the tree that state that “storage in this area is not allowed,” etc.
The Board was in agreement that this should be addressed further at a more public meeting.
Ms. Vanderhoef recapped her understanding of the Board’s wishes on how to deal with the
aforementioned issue, which included eliminating all storage of boats in this area. However,
for this year, an immediate solution would be to move the fence and post signs stating that there
are no boats allowed on this side of fence (as designated); stressing that this is town-owned
property; stressing the use of the beach for swimming; safety of children; decision not to
build a boat rack; moving the fence to delineate swimming to the left of the bench;
signs designating “No Boats Beyond This Area.,” etc.
For this upcoming holiday weekend, several suggestions will be in effect (i.e., notes on
boats that are there with warning to take the chains off the tree and remove the boats).
Ms. Vanderhoef again noted that this will be on a future agenda in time to provide information
to the public in a timely manner.
4:10 p.m. Board of Selectmen - Calendar Review
A brief discussion followed related to scheduling and delivery of packets, with individual
requests noted.
All matters having been discussed, Selectman Collins made a motion to adjourn at 4:15 p.m. Selectman Schropfer seconded the motion. APPROVED 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Lorraine Speros
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