Error message
- Deprecated function: The each() function is deprecated. This message will be suppressed on further calls in menu_set_active_trail() (line 2396 of /home4/aquinnah/public_html/includes/menu.inc).
- Deprecated function: implode(): Passing glue string after array is deprecated. Swap the parameters in drupal_get_feeds() (line 394 of /home4/aquinnah/public_html/includes/common.inc).
- Minutes -
Selectman’s Meeting: September 19, 2017
Attending: Jim Newman, Gary Haley, Julianne Vanderhoop
Residents: Berta and Vern Welch, Adam Wilson, Simon Bolin (Fire Chief), Randhi Belain (Police Chief), Jay Smalley, Elise Lebovit
Meeting called to Order at 5:05 p.m. by Chairman Newman
Minutes of meeting held on 9/09/2017 were accepted as amended
Chief Belain made a recommendation and the Selectmen accepted a proposal to suspend resident only parking at West Basin during the Bass and Bluefish Derby:
Vote: 3 in favor; 0 opposed.
There was a lengthy discussion with the Board of Assessors with Adam Wilson and Elise Lebovit representing the Board of Assessors. Elise, in response to Selectman Newman’s expression of concern over visits by the Assessor’s assistant during “off” hours, stated that she and the Assistant Assessor, Angela Cywinski, had visited 95 houses over the course of the Labor Day weekend. Assessor Lebovit stated that 2 complaints in 95 visits was a pretty good response and that most taxpayers were very nice. Selectman Newman expressed frustration that the relationship between the Selectmen and the Assessors was not very good. He stated his opposition to Assessors “blaming the Tribe for education costs” as stated by Assessors in the most recent Annual Report. Selectman Newman also mentioned a “blog” circulated during the most recent election season. Assessor Lebovit stated that she did not want to be associated in any way with the “blog.” There was much heated discussion regarding the Assistant Assessor and Assessor Lebovit spoke strongly on her behalf; stating specifically that Ms. Cywinski goes out of her way to be fair in her assessment practices. Selectman Newman suggested that the Assessors and Selectmen meet once a month with the Finance Committee, tax collector, and other financial officers to go over financial projections, make recommendations and prevent problems. There was a discussion of the Assessor’s computer being too powerful for existing modem and the need to increase bandwidth that requires an updated modem. No action was taken after discussion that increased bandwidth using current modem would cost significantly less that installation of a separate modem for exclusive use by the Assessors.
Selectmen very briefly discussed ongoing mediation efforts between parties involved in the lease lots on Menemsha Channel. Mediation efforts are ongoing with a revised application to the Planning Board seeking permission to move one shack and construct another. The application, on order of the Court to be submitted on or before September 22.
The Selectmen authorized the Town Administrator to further investigate an upgrade in phone systems for the Town Offices. They directed him to return to them with a report and recommendation.
Jay Smalley sought permission to install a parking lot to accommodate town equipment on town property to the North of the Town Hall. No action was taken as the Selectmen expressed a desire to incorporate planning of any lot into the master plan under consideration by the Town Campus Committee.
Jeffrey Madison, Town Administrator, was appointed as the Chief Procurement Officer.
Vote 3 in favor; 0 opposed.
The Board authorized Jim Newman to sign the Cape Cod Municipal Health Group Agreement for Joint Negotiation & Purchase of Health Coverage.
The Selectmen want to continue the discussion with the Board of Health concerning their hiring of a new assistant
Selectmen reappointed Gary Robinson as Emergency Management Director and Simon Bolin as Assistant Emergency Management Director.
Vote: 3 in favor; 0 opposed.
The Selectmen set their next meeting for 5:00 p.m. on October 3, 2017 at the Town Offices by consensus.
Chairman Newman announced that litigation has been threatened and some immediate action may required. He moved that the Board go into executive session and to consult with counsel during such meeting if warranted. The Board would not be returning to general session.
Gary Haley moved that the meeting be adjourned and that Selectman enter executive session, Julie Vanderhoop seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at
Vote 3 in favor; 0 opposed.
General session adjourned at 6:45 p.m without opposition.
(Approved on October 3, 2017).
