MINUTES
Board of Selectmen
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Regular Session - 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 Kenelm N. Collins
Selectman Carol F. Martin
Sheila Vanderhoef, Town Administrator
Michael Ferreira, Assistant Town Administrator
Selectman Burt called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
PUBLIC INFORMATION
Mr. James P. Ludwig (Citizen) offered his services and expertise with cable T.V. broadcast. He hoped to assist in improving sound quality of the tapes.
MINUTES
Selectman Burt noted that the Board will consider the Minutes listed on the Agenda at this time.
May 23, 2007 - Work Session
Selectman Martin moved to approve the minutes for the May 23, 2007 Work Session. Selectman
Schropfer seconded the motion. APPROVED 5-0.
June 18, 2007 - Regular Session
Selectman McDonald made a motion to accept the minutes for the June 18, 2007 Regular Session
meeting with minor corrections. Selectman Martin seconded the motion. APPROVED 5-0.
August 6, 2007
The Board will reconsider these minutes after minor corrections have been made as stated.
Alternative/Green Energy Committee
There was a discussion related to bringing this new committee together without further delay. It was noted that individuals that were presently serving on the Ad Hoc Wind Turbine Committee might be interested in serving on this committee as well, once they have completed their charge to develop a Wind Turbine Bylaw.
Selectman McDonald made a motion to go ahead with the advertising and appointing of an Alternative/Green Energy Committee at this time. Selectman Collins seconded the motion.
APPROVED 5-0.
APPOINTMENTS
PUBLIC HEARING: Property Classification Hearing
Gail Fitzback, Deputy Assessor; Al Sette and Gordon Avery - Board of Assessors
Selectman Burt read the Legal Notice opening this public hearing.
Ms. Fitzback, Deputy Assessor and appointed members of the Board of Assessors, Mr. Sette and Mr. Avery requested the Board vote on the following recommendations:
classifying the tax rate of one (1);
not to grant an open space discount;
not to grant a residential exemption and
not to grant a small commercial exemption.
Selectman McDonald made a motion to “vote a residential factor of one (1) so that each class maintains 100% of its full value tax share and not shift the tax burden from the residential and open space property classes to the commercial, industrial and personal property classes.” Selectman Schropfer seconded the motion. APPROVED 5-0.
Selectman Schropfer made a motion “not to grant an open space discount which would shift the tax burden from the open space property class to the residential property class.” Selectman Martin seconded the motion. APPROVED 5-0.
Selectman Schropfer made a motion “not to grant a residential exemption which would shift
the tax burden within the residential class from residents to nonresidents.” Selectman Martin
seconded the motion. APPROVED 5-0.
Selectman Martin made a motion “not to grant a small business exemption which would shift
the tax burden within the commercial, industrial and personal property classes from certain
small commercial properties to other commercial and industrial properties.” Selectman Schropfer seconded the motion. APPROVED 5-0.
It was noted that Eastham is the first town in the State to have their “values” certified and a tax rate set.
YOUTH HOSTEL PETITION
Ms. Vanderhoef referenced a petition submitted by Mr. Kenneth Fishmen in support of the Hostel.
Mr. Fishman spoke to the Petition, noting that the Youth Hostel has been operating for more than forty years and “is part of Eastham’s history.” Mr. Fishman expressed his concern that a zoning change in May will be too late, and he is requesting that the Board of Selectmen take some action. Mr. Bob Freeman (Citizen and abutter to the Youth Hostel) stated that the proposed expansion of the Hostel was of great concern.
Ms. Deborah Ruhe, Executive Director of Hostelling International USA, indicated that the survival of the Hostel was of paramount concern and importance. She said those plans to rebuild the Hostel might, by necessity, be off the table in favor of ensuring the survival of the Hostel itself.
Ms. Vanderhoef noted that the Annual Town Meeting Warrant would open in January. She further reminded the Board of Selectmen that all zoning changes would require a public hearing with the Planning Board prior to Town Meeting.
Elementary School Building Project - Update - Sue Helman, Elementary School Principal;
David Scheptyck, Chair - Eastham School Committee and George Reinhart, Chair,
Eastham School Building Committee
Selectman Burt recused herself from this discussion as she is an employee of the Elementary School.
Ms. Vanderhoef referenced a request made specifically by Mr. Joseph Bayne, member of the Finance Committee, to place an article on the Warrant for the Special Town Meeting to be held on October 1, 2007 which would in essence bring the project to an immediate close and terminate the services of the architect. His concern is that the “project is significantly late in completion and very close to running out of funds.” He is also concerned that monies being used to presently pay the architect would impact other budgets originally targeted for classroom furnishing and computers.
Concerns related to the consequences and complexity of early termination of the architect’s services were discussed as well as potential cost of litigation.
Ms. Helman stated that the school will be ready for opening on Thursday, September 6, 2007, as the Certificate of Occupancy has been received.
More feedback from the School Building Committee is welcomed to address the concerns brought
forth this evening
8:55 p.m. At this time, Selectman Burt rejoined the Board of Selectmen.
8:55 p.m. At this time, Selectman Collins left the meeting.
VOTE WARRANT ARTICLES FOR SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
to be held on October 1, 2007
Article 1 - Water Supply and Water Distribution System
Selectman Martin made a motion to include Article 1 as presented on the Draft for the Special
Town Meeting Warrant related to the establishment of a water supply and water distribution
system. Selectman Schropfer seconded the motion. APPROVED 4-0.
Article 2 - Transfer and appropriate the sum of thirty-six thousand
eight hundred and 00/100 ($36,800.00) dollars from the Community Preservation
Fund historic resources’ reserve for the purpose of preservation, restoration and
rehabilitation of the old portion of the Schoolhouse Museum.
Selectman Schropfer made a motion to include Article 2 as presented on the Draft for the
Special Town Meeting Warrant related to the transfer of $36,800.00 from the Community
Preservation Fund historic resources for the rehabilitation of the old portion of the Schoolhouse Museum. Selectman Martin seconded the motion. APPROVED 4-0.
Executive Session - which had been anticipated for today will be held tomorrow
after the Wednesday, September 5, 2007 Work Session.
All matters having been discussed, Selectman Martin moved to adjourn at 9:07 p.m. Selectman Schropfer seconded the motion. APPROVED 4-0. Selectman Collins left the meeting at 8:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lorraine Speros
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