MINUTES
Board of Selectmen
Monday December 17, 2007 – 6:30 p.m.
Regular Session
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; Selectman Carol F. Martin
Sheila Vanderhoef, Town Administrator Michael Ferreira, Assistant Town Administrator
Chairman Linda Burt called the meeting to order at 6:37 p.m.
PUBLIC INFORMATION
Selectman David Schropfer stated that the presentation by Peter Francese sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce was very informative. Mr. Schropfer said that if anyone would like a copy of the presentation they may contact the Town Administrator’s office.
Ms. Betty Hathaway, Eastham resident, voiced her support for the Flex bus and asked the Board of Selectmen to defend and support it as well. Selectman Schropfer thanked her for her comments and stated the Board is in agreement that the Flex bus is needed. He stated that Eastham was the first Town to receive the letter from the auditors regarding the Flex bus budget. Selectman Schropfer stated that he is very concerned that the State did not live up to its funding commitment for the Flex bus. Without that funding, there is a growing deficit that the Town would be forced to make up and that would not be acceptable. Selectman Martin McDonald stated that he is impressed by the number of people who have come out in favor of the Flex bus and said this has impacted his thoughts on the issue.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
Acceptance of Resignation – Michael C. Kain, Bikeways Committee
Selectman Schropfer motioned that the Board of Selectmen accept the resignation of Mr. Michael C. Kain from the Bikeways Committee with regret and express thanks to him for his service. The motion was seconded by Selectman McDonald and so voted 5-0.
APPOINTMENTS
Interview/Appointment - Russ Sandbloom, Bikeways Committee
Selectman Schropfer made a motion to appoint Russ Sandbloom to the Bikeways Committee for a term to expire on June 30, 2010. The motion was seconded by Selectman Kenelm Collins and so voted 5-0.
Interview/Appointment - Damion Clements, Bikeways Committee
Selectman Schropfer made a motion to appoint Damion Clements to the Bikeways Committee filling the unexpired term of Michael C. Kain. The term will expire June 30, 2008. The motion was seconded by Selectman Collins and so voted 5-0.
Interview/Appointment - Daniel Schwebach, Wastewater Management Planning Committee
Selectman Collins made a motion to appoint Daniel Schebach to the Wastewater Management Planning Committee for a term to expire June 30, 2010. The motion was seconded by Selectman McDonald and so voted 5-0.
Interview/Appointment - Stephen Wasby, Wastewater Management Planning Committee
Selectman Collins made a motion to appoint Stephen Wasby to the Wastewater Management Planning Committee for a term to expire June 30, 2010. The motion was seconded by Selectman McDonald and so voted 5-0.
Conflict of Interest - Ken Fishman, Bob Freeman as a Planning Board Appointment
Mr. Ken Fishman stated that he feels the appointment of Mr. Bob Freeman to the Planning Board is not appropriate. Mr. Fishman is of the opinion that it is due to Mr. Freeman’s actions that the hostel has been shut down. He also stated that there is a conflict of interest, since Mr. Freeman’s surveying business represents clients who go before the Planning Board.
Selectman Carol Martin stated that whether their opinions are popular or not, every citizen has the same rights. She also stated that there are strict conflict of interest laws but that those laws do not preclude Mr. Freeman from serving.
Selectman McDonald stated that Mr. Freeman brought the issue of the hostel to the Zoning Board’s attention, and the Zoning Board made the decision. As to the conflict of interest issue, Selectman McDonald stated that Mr. Freeman would recuse himself from any discussion where a conflict of interest arose. Selectman McDonald stated that it seems as though Mr. Fishman is seeking to retaliate against Mr. Freeman. Mr. Fishman stated that he was merely voicing his opinion.
Mr. Freeman stated that he is upset by Mr. Fishman’s comments. Mr. Freeman stated that he has made the decision to resign from the Planning Board due to the possible conflicts of interest that might arise. He said that he has researched the issue extensively and asks that the Board accept his resignation.
Selectman Schropfer motioned that the Board accept the resignation of Mr. Robert Freeman from the Planning Board with regret and express thanks to him for his service. The motion was seconded by Selectman McDonald and so voted 5-0.
Critical Planning Committee - North Eastham Village Center Study- Mike Cole, Vice Chairman
Mr. Mike Cole, Vice Chair of the Critical Planning Committee, showed a presentation of the proposed plans for the North Eastham Village Center to the Board. Issues discussed were the Purcell property, improvements to Brackett Road, the bike path, and the planning of a septic system. The Board thanked the Critical Planning Committee for all of their hard work.
Critical Planning Committee - Bay Beaches/Ponds – Russ French
Mr. Russ French, Critical Planning Committee member, showed a presentation on Eastham’s Town beaches to the Board. The presentation focused on signage, cleanliness, safety, parking, convenience, and sand and revetment issues. The Committee made many suggestions that could be implemented to improve the beaches.
Selectman McDonald expressed his thanks to the Committee for their hard work on this presentation and all their work in general.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS - Continued
Nauset Light – Summer, 2007 Update – Mark Powers, Eastham Recreation and Beach Director
Mr. Mark Powers, Eastham Recreation Director, reported on the summer activities and provided statistics on parking issues, as well as revenue and operating expenses at Eastham’s Town beaches. He stated that this was the second year that the Town has had parking spaces available to Eastham taxpayers at Nauset Light Beach, and it has worked out well. He noted that the Recreation Department has a good working relationship with the National Seashore staff.
Letter of Support – Senate Bill No. 2370 – Legislation Relative to Water Protection
Selectman Schropfer said that the bill has value and that, if passed, will greatly improve water quality.
Selectman Schropfer motioned that the Board sign the letter of support for Senate Bill No. 2370. The motion was seconded by Selectman Collins and so voted 5-0.
Road Acceptance – Chipmunk Lane
The residents and owners of property on Chipmunk Lane have petitioned the Town to request that the Town accept Chipmunk Lane as a public road. They have provided the Town with an application containing the documents necessary for consideration. Sheila Vanderhoef, Town Administrator, stated that with the approval of the Board, the request will be forwarded to the Planning Board for further review. If okay, the item should be included in the ext Town Meeting warrant.
Selectman Schropfer motioned that the Board accept Chipmunk Lane as a Town road. The motion was seconded by Selectman Collins and so voted 5-0.
Cable Television – Renewal License
The Board discussed some of the items in the Cable Television contract. Ms. Vanderhoef stated that the contract is consistent with other Cable contracts on Cape Cod. The term is 3.5 years and is effective from the date of signature. Selectman Schropfer expressed his thanks to Ms. Vanderhoef and others for their work in putting this together.
It was asked whether funding for this could be put on the capital budget. Selectman Burt stated the Board will take the suggestion under advisement.
Selectman Collins motioned that the Board accept the Cable Television contract. The motion was seconded by Selectman McDonald and so voted 4-0-1. Selectman Carol Martin abstained, as she has not been privy to all of the background information.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was nothing to report.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
There was nothing to report.
MINUTES
August 22, 2007 – Work Session
Selectman Schropfer motioned to approve the minutes of August 22, 2007 Work Session. The motion was seconded by Selectman Martin and so voted 5-0.
October 3, 2007 – Regular Session
Selectman Collins motioned to approve the minutes of October 3, 2007 Regular Session.
The motion was seconded by Selectman McDonald and so voted 4-0-1. Selectman Schropfer abstained, as he was not present for the October 3, 2007 meeting.
October 3, 2007 – Executive Session
Selectman McDonald motioned to approve the minutes of October 3, 2007 Executive Session.
The motion was seconded by Selectman Collins and so voted 4-0-1. Selectman Schropfer abstained, as he was not present for the October 3, 2007 meeting.
November 5, 2007 – Regular Session
Selectman Schropfer motioned to approve with corrections the minutes of November 5, 2007 Regular Session.
The motion was seconded by Selectman Collins and so voted 5-0.
November 19, 2007 – Regular Session
Selectman Collins motioned to approve the minutes of November 19, 2007 Regular Session.
The motion was seconded by Selectman Schropfer and so voted 5-0.
November 27, 2007 – Regular Session
Selectman McDonald motioned to approve the minutes of November 27, 2007 Regular Session.
The motion was seconded by Selectman Schropfer and so voted 5-0.
Ms. Vanderhoef stated that the Board needed to go into executive session to discuss litigation. The Board decided to hold off on executive session until the Wednesday December 19, 2007 Board of Selectmen’s meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Selectman Martin made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m. The motion was seconded by Selectman Schropfer and so voted 5-0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lisa Shaw
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