Town of Aquinnah

SELECTMEN’S MEETING
OCTOBER 16, 2018

MINUTES

Attending: Jim Newman, Julianne Vanderhoop, Gary Haley; Marsha Shufrin, Brett Sterns, Rhandi Belain, Jay Smalley, Frank Perez, James Lengyel, Sarah Thulin, Jeffrey Madison, Town Administrator

Gary Haley, Chairman of the Board, called the meeting to order at 2:39 p.m.

Julie moved to accept the minutes of August 7, September 5, and October 2 as presented. Julie thanked the Town Administrator for emailing the minutes prior to the meeting. Gary seconded the motion and the motion was passed unanimously.

Julie made a motion that the Board enter executive Session to discuss a possible acquisition by the Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank and reconvene in open session following the discussion. Jim seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous to approve the motion as stated.

The Board entered executive session at 2:44 p.m.

The Board reconvened the meeting at 2:54 p.m. following the executive session.

The Board discussed a proposal of Martha’s Vineyard Mushrooms, LLC. to supply 8 goats that would be place on town-owned land behind the town hall as a means of clearing the property. The price was $20 per goat per day. Following the discussion the Selectmen decided that the price was too high and that they would not pursue the matter.

The Board was presented a short list of rules for use of town employees using the town-owned car kept in Falmouth. The rules were put forth by the Town Administrator upon suggestion of Jim Newman. Those rules included: 1. Vehicle used for town business only; 2. Keys to the vehicle will be kept in the desk of the Town Administrator; 3. Town administrator will be notified at least 48 hours in advance of travel; 4. Use of the vehicle will be noted in a log maintained by the Town Administrator; 5. Vehicle will be filled with gasoline following use (User may use town credit card or pay to fill the car at his/her expense and be reimbursed upon showing a valid receipt; 6. Keys will be promptly returned to the Town Administrator following use w/ a location of the parked vehicle; 7. Interior of the vehicle will be kept clean; 8. No smoking allowed inside the vehicle; and 9. Treat the vehicle as if it were your own.
Julie moved that the rules be adopted as written. Jim seconded the motion and the Board voted to approve the motion unanimously.

Brett Sterns, Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribal Natural Resources Director, described the proposal and permitting process for replacement of the culvert under Lobsterville Road. The replacement is necessary due to impacts from Hurricane Sandy and is being funded through monies held by the Tribe. Mr. Sterns’ presented the Board with a bid to replace the culvert. The bid price of One Hundred Forty One Thousand Five Hundred Ninety-Five Dollars was submitted by Lawrence-Lynch Corporation of Falmouth, MA. Mr. Sterns made the recommendation that the Town accept the bid that would be then submitted to the Tribal Council for approval. Following the presentation Julie made a motion that the Town accept the bid for replacement of the culvert as submitted. Jim seconded. The vote on the motion was unanimous.

Under other business the Board heard from Marsha Shufine, representing the Board of Assessors, in response to inquiries about the tax-taking levied on the parsonage owned by the Gay Head Baptist Church. She came with two alternative solutions that she said were “legal according to the Assistant Assessor.” The first was to turn the parsonage over to a private developer who would pay the taxes and rehabilitate the property. The second was for the Town to complete the taking procedure and rehabilitate the property. The Town Administrator questioned the legitimacy of the Assistant Assessor’s authority to make a “legal” opinion. Ms. Shufrin replied that the suggestions were not hers by those of the Assistant Assessor and she was simply delivering a message.

A lengthy discussion followed. Serendipitously, the pastor of the Church, Reverend Dr. Leo D. Christian, walked into town offices and joined the discussion. He stated that he had asked the Assistant Assessor “months ago” for an amount that was owed in back taxes but was not provided with a response. He further stated that the Church would not entertain any suggestion that involved the Church relinquishing the property. He also stated, “What we owe, we want to pay.”

Ms. Shufrin also delivered a response to a letter received by her board from the Selectmen that expressed concern over conduct of the Assistant Assessor. She expressed a desire for the Selectmen to deliver to her board specific examples that led to each suggestion the Selectmen made in the letter. Jim Newman asked whether she recognized that citing specific examples might lead to a need to terminate the Assistant Assessor. She indicated that she understood and persisted in her request for specific “facts.”

The Board did not take any specific action following the discussion.

The meeting was recessed at 3:50 p.m. to await arrival of Ron Rappaport, Town Counsel to discuss matters related to a letter received from the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe concerning the casino development.

Julie left the meeting as she had a previous engagement.

The meeting was called to order at 4:20 p.m. when Atty. Rappaport arrived. Gary read the letter received from Chairperson Anderews-Maltais, dated September 24, 2018 stating that the Tribe would contact the Town when she had more information on the proposed casino development.. Atty. Rappaport recommended that the Selectmen send a response. The Board voted to send a letter in response. Jim Newman suggested that the Board send another letter requesting that the Tribe renew the Tribe-Town public safety agreement.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:35 p.m.