Town of Aquinnah

BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING
May 21, 2019
MINUTES

Attendance: Gary Haley, Jim Newman, Juli Vanderhoop, Jeff Madison (Town Administrator). Others: Elise LeBovit, Adam Wilson, Sarah Saltonstall, Amy Jardin, Abby Jardin, Angela Cywinski, Chip Vanderhoop

Gary called the meeting to order and immediately made a motion that the Board elect Juliann Vanderhoop as chairman and Jim Newman as vice-chair. The motion was seconded by Jim Newman and the vote unanimously in favor.

Minutes
(Approved: April 23, 2019, May 7, 2019 Regular meeting and May 7, 2019 Special meeting)

Animal Control Officer
(Accepted recommendation of Personnel Cmte.)
Board discussed the A.C.O. vacancy. Ultimately, Jim moved and Gary seconded a motion to defer any action on appointing anyone to the vacancy until the Personnel Committee has had a chance to develop a job description and interview interested parties. The motion was unanimously approved.
Door at Town Hall
(Approved installation of door)
The Town Administrator requested that a door be installed between the rest rooms and the meeting room at the Town Hall. This will allow for the side door of the Town Hall to remain unlocked to allow access to rest rooms during times when the municipal rest rooms at the Cliffs are not open.

Special Town Meeting
(Approved having a Special Town Meeting)
Board discussed letter from the Superintendent of Schools informing the Town of a vote of the MVRSD Committee to use E&D Funds for repairs, transportation and heating oil. During the discussion Jim asked why this had not been included in the FY ’20 budget. Jim motioned to have a meeting within the allowed timeframe to allow residents a say in whether funds should be allowed. Gary seconded the motion. Vote was unanimous in favor.

Assessor Appointment
(Discussion deferred)

Assessing Outsource Bid
(Taken under advisement)
Julie opened the one bid for outsourcing duties of the town assessors. The bid, submitted by Regional Resource Group of Leominster, MA was opened. The bid was for three successive years commencing in FY 2020. Their price for property assessment services was $39,400 for FY ’20; $39,500 for FY ’21; and $40,700 for FY ’22. Additional costs would be incurred should the Town choose to take advantage of a Telepresence Help Desk. Jim made a motion to take the bid under advisement to allow the Selectmen to further study the proposal. Gary seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

Shellfish/Mooring Fees Increase
(Adopted as presented)
Chip Vanderhoop presented a list of increases in costs of mooring permits and shellfish permits. The increases had been approved by the Shellfish Committee at a prior meeting. The following fees were approved: 1. Moorings at West Basin $450; Mooring at Herring Creek/Head of Pond $300; Vineyard Sound/Dogfish Bar mooring $250; On-shore dinghy mooring $150; skiff permit:$40. Shellfish permits: Resident family $45; Non-resident family $125; Non-resident weekly $35; Commercial $100; Senior shellfish permit N/C; Family scallop license $100; Commercial scallop license $200.

Other Business
(Appointments to Zoning Board)
Jim moved and Gary seconded a motion that Board make the following appointments related to the Planning Board:
Peter Temple as Zoning Administrator
Jim Mahoney as Alternate Zoning Administrator
Isaac Taylor as Alternate Tree Warden
Peter Temple Planning Board Representative to Town Advisory Board/Land Bank
Peter Temple Representative to All-Island Housing Committee
The motion passed – unanimously.
(Appointments to Police Department)
Jim moved and Gary seconded a motion to appoint Donald R. Scranton and Bradley L. Fielder to the Police Department. The motion was approved unanimously.
(Abram Rodman Land petition presented)
Sarah Saltonstall presented a petition to the Board which read: “We the undersigned voters in the Town of Aquinnah instruct the Board of Selectmen to take necessary steps to return land formerly owned by Abram Rodman (map 9, Parcel 153) to the Shirley Jardin family. The petition was certified by the Town Clerk. The Selectmen took the petition under advisement. Jim requested that the Selectmen act on this ASAP.
LeBovit Notice
Elise LeBovit gave notice that her name was missing from the Town Report as a Land Bank Commissioner. She stated that all actions taken by the Land Bank in the previous year would be illegal unless her name was listed. The Town Administrator, after apologizing for the omission, suggested that were anyone to object to an act of the Land Bank using this as a basis for their question the fact that she had received an appointment would overrule the omission. She disagreed with the explanation.

The meeting was adjourned by acclamation at 5:17 p.m.
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