MINUTES
Board of Selectmen
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Luncheon/Work Session - 1:00 p.m.
Location: “Small Room” Adjacent to 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
Eastham Town Hall - Department Heads
Selectman Burt called the luncheon/meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.
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I. LUNCHEON/WORK SESSION
The Selectman and staff availed themselves of the buffet luncheon and began the Work Session.
Ms. Vanderhoef noted that this luncheon/work session was a traditional event held every year as a way for staff to honor the Board of Selectmen and thank them for their hard work on behalf of the Town of Eastham.
Ms. Vanderhoef particularly wanted to thank Selectman Kenelm N. Collins who recently announced that he would be retiring this year and would not seek reelection. Ms. Vanderhoef expressed her thanks to Selectman Collins and said that it has been a pleasure working with him and wished him well on his retirement Selectman Collins also expressed his pleasure in working with Ms. Vanderhoef on behalf of the Town of Eastham.
* Update on Beach Signage Program - Mark Powers, Director of Recreation
Mr. Powers presented several samples of proposed signage for the beaches. Mr. Powers, at the request of the Board of Selectmen, has been working on simplifying signs and making them welcoming, informative and consistent. Some of the beaches will, by necessity, have different signage mirroring their unique requirements.
Mr. Powers noted that there are presently twenty-two rules and regulations listed. He is looking to create signage that will highlight approximately five rules. A complete listing of all rules and regulations would be available at Town Hall, Recreation Department, the Sticker Department, etc.
Discussion followed. Simplifying the signage to clearly defined text and/or imagery will be
considered. The stated goal being to attract the public to signs that are clearly definable. The general consensus was that too much wording would be cumbersome and not nearly as effective.
Ms. Vanderhoef noted that the signs should include the notation that the “full set of rules
and regulations will be available at ....”. Signs should be standardized as much
as possible. Additionally, the hours, directions and phone number for the Sticker Office should be added to signs in order to make this information readily available to visitors and to avoid confusion.
Selectman Schropfer and Ms. Vanderhoef agreed that fewer words would have more impact.
A review of the sample with a view towards eliminating excessive verbiage was recommended.
A recommendation was also made to make the information available on the Eastham website.
Selectman Martin was concerned about the size of the signs in relation to particular beaches
and recommended that signs be prominently displayed without deterring from the scenic approach to the beaches. A further discussion in relation to size of signs ensued. Mr. Victor Lopez (DPW) was also concerned about the size and cost of signs. Also, Mr. Lopez made the observation that signs are often prominently placed and still disregarded.
Ms. Lillian Lamperti (Town Clerk) said she has received many complaints from visitors who have stated that they did not see the “No Dogs Permitted” prominently displayed. Ms. Lamperti also addressed the problem of visibility of parking permit requirements.
After a brief discussion, it was determined that clearly defined rules and regulations regarding the beaches would now be handed out with stickers to ensure that every sticker holder has been properly informed. This will be put into effect as early as this season. Additionally, the Sticker Office, Recreation Office and Town Hall will have complete sets of rules and regulations available for distribution.
Ms. Vanderhoef noted recommendations from the Board of Selectmen and staff regarding uniformity, standardization, typeface style, size, etc. Additionally, careful placement of signs
to ensure visibility on entry ways to the beach will prove helpful and without deterring from the
scenic view of the beaches. Ms. Vanderhoef noted that the consensus was to place smaller signs in smaller areas and larger signs in larger areas. Additionally, rules and regulations as well as signage will be clearly designated with different rules for different beaches.
* Update on Rock Harbor Fee Plan - “Pay and Display” - Henry Lind, Director of Natural Resources
Mr. Lind noted that consideration of Rock Harbor as a potential use of revenue had been discussed last year. One idea that had been presented was the installation of a “launching fee” at Rock Harbor, which has a state funded public access ramp. This would be an effort to “offset the escalating costs of staffing and overall maintenance of the harbor facility.” The possibility of installing “Pay and Display” parking meters was discussed. No individual would have to be present at this site.
The Board of Selectman, by consensus, agreed to proceed on this initiative. A five dollar ($5.00) daily fee with a fifty dollar ($50.00) seasonal pass for the launching ramp was proposed with the “pay and display” unit installed seasonally. Additionally, “the fee would be the same for all users regardless of residency.”
Mr. Lind will contact the Office of Fishing and Boating Access for approval of the launching fees. Discussion followed indicating that a $5.00 fee would be more appropriate at this time rather than a $10.00 fee. Also, the DPW would need to be engaged to create a concrete pad at this site.
Glenn Olson, Fire Chief, then discussed the regionalization of dispatcher services. He indicated that several communities are using it, and that movement towards this regionalization may be
a wave of the future. Chief of Police Hedlund said that in terms of the needs of the Police Department it would be unrealistic at this time. Selectman Schropfer voiced his interest and support of this initiative.
Ms. Vanderhoef noted that benefits of this program suggest that we move in that direction.
Selectman Martin said that the merits are clearly there and would be easy to support. However,
“hard budget times” over the next year would indicate that this might not be the most
opportune time for this discussion. Ms. Vanderhoef noted that this was not put on the budget this year. However, it will remain on the radar. Ms. Vanderhoef further stated that if would be up to the Board of Selectmen if they wish this to be on the Warrant as a separate article for expanded service.
Selectman Burt left the meeting at 2:35 p.m. Selectman Collins left at 2:40 p.m.
Further discussion on particulars of dispatcher services and the upcoming time frame for
the printing of the warrant continued. Ms. Vanderhoef noted that the Warrant will be ready for Board of Selectmen signatures on April 7, 2008.
All matters having been discussed, Selectman Martin made a motion to adjourn at 3:10 p.m.
Selectman Schropfer seconded the motion. APPROVED 3-0. Selectman Burt and
Selectman Collins having left the meeting earlier.
Respectfully submitted,
Lorraine Speros
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