Town of Aquinnah

BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING
October 15, 2019
MINUTES

Attendance: Juli Vanderhoop, Jim Newman Jeff Madison (Town Administrator) Absent: Gary Haley; Robin Robinson, Noli Taylor, Bill Lake, Liz Witham. Peter Temple,

Meeting was called to order at 4:01 P.M.

Minutes Approved
(Approved minutes of 9/3 meeting)

Climate Change Update
(Bill Lake/Noli Taylor Presentation; approval to communicate w/ other Communities and investigate Concord website on climate interchange)
Bill Lake made reported on progress of the Climate & Energy Committee. His report announced that Megan Gombos and Crissy Laurie had joined the Committee. He further reported on the selection of the Martha’s Vineyard Commission as the selection to complete the Hazzard Mitigation Plan as additional element of the previously awarded Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Grant. He indicated that the Committee is nearing completion of the requirements necessary for Aquinnah to be designated a Green Community. One element of the requirements still to be met is a commitment of the Town to reduce energy consumption 20% over the next 5 years. Board was notified of a planning workshop on November 16. Further mention was made of Aquinnah achieving a milestone as the first town on the Vineyard to meet the preferred ration of CERT trained residents to general town population.

Website Concerns – Liz Witham
(Agreed to set up a special meeting to discuss further)
Board heard comments from Liz Witham related to her concerns on the Town’s decision to enter a contract with CivicPlus for a new website. Her comments: “There is a wall between [her] and CivicPlus.” “I’m concerned over how long long her position will last.” Concern over how emails to town officials will be handled following the CivicPlus transition s they will remain with BlueHost. CivicPlus uses the same platform as the existing website. Who will have authority website to add content to the converted website? “ Who will make sure the required information gets posted on the converted site?” Board agreed to set up another meeting to discuss.

Vern Welch Request
(Agreed to a meeting with FinCom to discuss repair)
Vern Welch requested that he be allowed to replace three spiles at his shack/dock in Menemsha. He indicated that he has a source for the spiles and that FinCom has the authority to allow an emergency repair. He also indicated that he would be accept a settlement that transfers the shack to Wendy provided the Town agreed to pay for moving it to her lot. Board agreed to a meeting with Sarah Thulin and Vern and the Board to discuss the repairs and support Vern’s effort to move forward.

Overhead Wires on Old Harvest Way
(Approved sending letter to Eversource)
Peter Temple reported to the Board in his capacity as Zoning Administrator that the Board supported efforts of Old Harvest Way landowners to have Eversource install utility poles, similar in height and that conform to Martha’s Vineyard Commission guidelines for the Moshup Ttrail District of Critical Planning Concern, to those on the westerly end of Moshup Trail instead of the taller poles that are standard when Eversource replaces poles in other locations. Board authorized Chairman Vanderhoop to sign a letter drafted by Peter Temple in support of the Planning Board recommendation.

Dog Complaint
(No action taken)
Jerry Daniels, and Oak Bluffs resident, brought a complaint before the Board that a small dog belonging to his father had been attacked by a large dog belonging to Aquinnah resident, Oraibi. His father’s dog had to be euthanized after being taken to the vet after the attack. Mr. Daniels told Selectmen that the dog had a “prey instinct” that cannot be controlled. As a result he recommended that Mr. Oraibi’s dog be either pure own or mandated to wear a muzzle to prevent future attacks. Mr. Oraibi apologized for the incident and made other contrite remarks. Aquinnah animal control officer, Robin Robinson, attended the meeting and was fully versed on the incident, having spoken to the Oak Bluffs police and animal control officer. Jim Newman stated that he thought that since the incident did not take place in Aquinnah, the Board could not take any action though he did recommend that the dog be kept on a leash at all times. Mr. Oraibi agreed to that requirement. No other action was taken.

Bay Scallop Season
(Agreed to open Menemsha Pond for bay scallop [family} on October 27, 2019
Board accepted the recommendation of the Shellfish Committee to open Menemsha Pond for family limits of bay scallops on October 27, 2019. The limit of one struck bushel per family will be continued.

Meeting was adjourned at 5:54 p.m.