Town of Aquinnah

Gay Head Lighthouse Advisory Board
Notes of Meeting 2/19/19
Aquinnah Town Hall Selectmen’s Meeting Room

Members present: Chairman Len Butler, Richard Skidmore, Jim Pickman, Tom Murphy
Members Not present: Bettina Washington, Kathy Rainey
Also present: Selectmen Gary Haley

- The meeting began at 4:32pm

- First on the agenda was a review of the 1/14 minutes. Richard motioned to approve the minutes as presented. Motion was seconded by Jim. The Committee voted 4-0, the motion passed.

- Under Old Business, Jim gave a review of accounts. He reported that there is still approximately $66,500, includes slight earnings in interest, remaining in the account and $15,000 remaining in CPA FY’19 funds. The Committee briefly discussed framed photos of the Lighthouse move that had been donated to the Town from Elizabeth Cecil. The Committee was thrilled with the photos and discussed giving her $200 for the photos. Tom motioned to authorize $200 to be spent to Elizabeth Cecil for the Lighthouse move photos. Motion was seconded by Jim. The Committee voted 4-0, the motion passed.

- Next, Richard gave a Lighthouse and Park report. On 1/28 there was another light outage of both Lighthouse beacons, making it the 3rd time that it has happened. Richard informed the Committee that he spoke with the Coast Guard and found out that the new bulbs are faulty. The Coast Guard will be working on the issue. The pathway from the road up to the Lighthouse is worse (South-West corner on roadside is eroding). Richard wants to look into the cost of engineering a proper path. He estimated that the cost would be $25,000-$30,000. In April, Richard and Jay will be assessing the fence posts that need to be moved.

- Len gave a restoration update. The Committee discussed and reviewed an RFP for the metal roof work that Len had drafted. Len noted that he spoke with International Chimney Corp, potential bidder, who will be available around April 15th to do the work and could have the work done by Memorial Day. Approximate roof repair cost will be $80,000-$90,000. The Committee discussed the scope of work to be done. Len will meet with Jeff to review the bid process. Len has spoken with Derrill regarding FY’20 CPC funds. Derrill felt that a request of $15,000 (maybe $20,000) is appropriate given the uncertainly of what CPC will be getting and the many demands they are receiving. Len read a CPC funding request letter. The Committee agreed to request $20,000 in CPC funds for FY’20. The Committee plans on using the CPC funds for the roof restoration project.

- Richard gave an update on the State Bond Bill. Kaley Moore, Vineyard Liaison to State Rep Fernandes, will be writing a letter of support. Kayley requested concrete numbers on what has been spent on the Lighthouse since the move (including Town money, grants and private donors) and any funds that are lined up. She also requested any past letters of support and projected project details that they can include in the letter. Since the move, the Lighthouse has received $241,500 in funding which includes CPC funds, free cash and the MHC grant. Jim noted that money from the race should be included as it shows public support and Richard should request a report form Sibel showing funds after September 2015 (post move). Richard will work on a letter to send back to Kaley.

- Next, the Committee discussed the Vineyard Wind Grant. Len has been in contact with Bureau of Ocean Energy Management who is conducting the meetings between Vineyard Wind and interested parties. The Town has been added to the list of participants as an impacted party to the project. At their last meeting, the Committee discussed potential projects to be funded with this grant. The Committee reviewed Noli Taylor’s notes on the potential projects: viewing platforms and signage (total cost approx. $8,000-$10,000); restoration projects including the keeper’s pathway rebricking (total cost approx. $25,000), repointing interior bricks (total cost approx. $25,000) and metal roof work (work to be covered with other funding); installation of Wi-Fi and development of a visitor app guide (total cost approx. $7,000); and installation of solar collectors to power the light.

- The Committee discussed the RFP for the continuation of the pedestrian pathway (pathway leading up to the shops beyond the bridge). Len noted that there is still DPW funds available to go towards this project. Len estimated that there is about 250-300ft of pathway to be completed and will cost approx. $20,000. The Committee discussed the RFP for the pathway that Len had drafted. There was a lengthy discussion regarding the remaining work on telephone pole removal at the Circle.

- Under New Business, the Committee briefly discussed the weather shade for the Lighthouse (Town appropriated $10,000 for the shade). Richard will forward options found by the Committee to Gary for the Selectmen to review.

- The Committee scheduled their next meeting for Monday March 25th, 2019 at 4:30pm. The Committee discussed the visitor guide app again. Tom will reach out to Allen Rappaport, who helped with the Sheriffs Meadow app, to discuss development of the Lighthouse app.

- With no other business to discuss, a motion was made and seconded to adjourn. The Board voted unanimously in favor, the motion passed.

- The meeting ended at 5:36pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Sophia Welch
Board Administrative Assistant