Town of Eastham MA

Selectman Burt stated that the Public Information portion of the Board of Selectmen meetings is reserved for those wishing to provide a brief informational update to the public. It is not intended for committee reports or for those items that should be on the agenda. If the issue is one that needs to be put on a Board of Selectmen’s agenda, it first needs to be brought to the attention of the Town Administrator.

Ms. Kate Alpert of the Eastham Historical Society was present to ask the Board to approve the Eastham Historical Society’s use of the Windmill Green and to post signs for their upcoming events.

Selectman David Schropfer, Selectman Kenelm Collins, and Selectman Martin McDonald stated they have ties to the Historical Society and would be required to recuse themselves from the discussion.

Selectman Schropfer motioned that because the Board would not be able to have a quorum due to the disqualification of members, the rule of necessity must be invoked, thereby permitting those disqualified members to participate. The motion was seconded by Selectman McDonald and so voted 5-0.

The Board raised a number of concerns, including whether the signs and banners to be used are compliant with the Town’s policy, the possibility that other groups might also wish to use the Windmill Green, the policy of charging an entrance fee, and the issue of liability insurance. Selectman Carol Martin expressed that she would like to see the actual application filed by the Historical Society. The Selectmen also asked that a more organized calendar of these events be made available to them.

Selectman Martin motioned to grant permission to the Eastham Historical Society to use the Windmill Green on the dates submitted, (Antique Show and Sale-August 9, 2008, with a rain date of August 10, 2008, and Antique Show and Sale-October 11, 2008, with a rain date of October 12, 2008), and to post signs at the permitted locations for the 2 shows. The motion was seconded by Selectman Schropfer and so voted 5-0.

Sandy Bayne was present to speak on the issue. She requested to be put on a future Board of Selectmen’s agenda at which time she will ask the Board for support/funding for the Clean Water Education program. The Selectmen accepted her request.

Mr. Michael Ferreira, Assistant Town Administrator, was present to discuss the issue. He requested that the Selectmen vote to forward to the Planning Board the three minor changes to the Zoning By-Law relative to Section XIII – Site Plan Approval, Special Permit; Section XIV- Site Plan Approval, Residential; and Section II- Submission and Approval of Plans.

The Selectmen discussed the issue of the requirements for notifying abutters and the issue of return receipts. Ms. Vanderhoef stated that at one time the applicants were mailing out the abutter notices themselves. However, she said that the Planning Board should be doing this. Also discussed was the issue of the seven days of notification. Several Selectmen expressed a concern that the requirement of a return receipt was being eliminated, and requested this concern be conveyed to the Planning Board.

Selectman Schropfer made a motion to forward to the Planning Board the changes to the Zoning By-Law with the Board’s comments. The motion was seconded by Selectman McDonald and so voted 5-0.

Mr. Mike Gradone, Superintendent of Public Schools, and Mr. Edward Brookshire, Nauset Regional School Committee, were present to discuss the Nauset Regional School FY09 Budget. Mr. Gradone requested that the Board of Selectmen vote to forward the Nauset Regional School FY09 Budget to the Finance Committee for review.

The Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee asked Superintendent Gradone questions concerning salaries, the special education budget, the four teacher positions being eliminated at the Middle School, the diminishing number of students attending the schools, the proposed computer technician position, charging students to park at the High School, and the proposal to send Provincetown High School students to Nauset High School.

Mr. Gradone was asked by the Finance Committee if the year to date budget report and the regional monthly statements could be made available to them. Mr. Gradone said the information will be made available by the end of the week.

Also discussed were the tennis courts at the high school, and the possibility of Eastham’s Recreation Department taking over responsibility for them. It was suggested that this could possibly be included in the FY10 Budget, but that it needs further discussion.

Sheila Vanderhoef handed out revisions to the FY09 Budget. She stated that no information on the Cape Cod Regional Technical School is available yet.

The Board discussed the proposal passed at the May 2007 Town Meeting to buy a hybrid car for use by the Data Collector. It was decided that the purchase will be deferred a year and the Town will lease a car for this summer. The Town has cars available in other departments for the rest of the year.

Selectman Schropfer motioned that the capital expense lease of $9,418 be reduced to $3,000 due to the decision to lease a car as a one year substitute to purchasing a car. Selectman Martin seconded and so voted 5-0.

Among the issues discussed were the five year capital plan, the wastewater study, the affordable housing budget, the FY10 Capital Plan to upgrade and maintain computers, the Community Preservation Act, and the Elementary School technical budget. After much discussion, both the Finance Committee and the Board of Selectmen agreed that the money specified for technology and computers at the Elementary School needs to be monitored to ensure that it is only spent for this reason.

Selectman Schropfer motioned to forward the FY09 Operating Budget totaling $19,051,081.19 to the Finance Committee. Selectman Kenelm Collins seconded and so voted 5-0.

Selectman Schropfer motioned to forward Article 13 of the FY09 Capital Budget totaling $404,300.00 to the Finance Committee. Selectman Collins seconded and so voted 5-0.

Selectman Collins motioned to forward the 5 year revised water/planning/implementation plan totaling five million to the Finance Committee. Selectman Schropfer seconded and so voted 5-0.

Selectman Schropfer motioned to forward to the Planning Board the proposed Commercial Wind Turbine By-Law as presented in a petitioned article. Also motioned to refer to the Planning Board was the Commercial Wind Turbine By-Law edited by the Board of Selectmen, including Selectman McDonald’s rationale of the Board’s edits. Selectman Collins seconded and so voted 5-0.

At the January 22, 2008 Board of Selectmen’s meeting, the Board motioned to grant a conditional license to be finally approved upon the successful CORI response of Mary Margaret Duble. The Board also stated that there must be a finding that the liquor license is permitted in a “purely residential neighborhood,” and also requested that verification of training and knowledge of state laws be presented to them via the Licensing Clerk, Ms. Mady McGill.

The Board was informed that the CORI on Mary Margaret Duble was returned without finding, and also that the liquor license of a package store is permitted in a “purely residential neighborhood.” As for training courses available on state laws, the Board was informed that no specific courses exist.

At the January 22, 2008 Board of Selectmen’s meeting, the Board motioned to grant a conditional license to be finally approved upon the successful CORI response for Mr. Richard Sacchetti, co-owner of Captain’s Quarters.

Ms. Vanderhoef stated that the application has changed and that Mr. Agnostino will no longer be manager. Therefore, a new hearing will be necessary.

Ms. Vanderhoef stated that at the Board of Selectmen’s February 6, 2008 meeting, Mr. Mark Powers, Recreation Director, will be present to discuss signs on Town beaches. Also to be discussed is the staircase at Thumpertown Beach.

Selectman McDonald motioned to approve the minutes of the September 5, 2007 Executive Session. The motion was seconded by Selectman Martin and so voted 5-0.

Selectman Schropfer motioned to approve the minutes of the November 7, 2007 Work Session. The motion was seconded by Selectman McDonald and so voted 5-0.

Selectman Martin motioned to approve the minutes of January 16, 2007 Work Session with a correction. The motion was seconded by Selectman Schropfer and so voted 5-0.