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BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING
May 7, 2019
MINUTES
Attendance: Gary Haley, Jim Newman, Jeff Madison (Town Administrator); Absent: Juli Vanderhoop,
Allen Rugg, Marsha Shufrin, Elise LeBovit, Peter Temple, Paul Manning, Angela Cywinski, Signe Benjamin, Samantha Look, Phoenix Becker, Jay Smalley, Kathy Newman
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Haley at 4:12 p.m.
MEETING MINUTES DEFERRED
As Juli was absent, the Board deferred approval of the April 23, 2019 minutes until the May 21, 2019 meeting.
VCS PRESENTATION
Vineyard Conservation Society gave a presentation that included an offer to assist with placement of a water bottle filling station at the Cliffs. Several stations have been located around the Island and they would like to include Aquinnah in their efforts that will hopefully cut down on the number of plastic bottles found on beaches and other public places. The discussion revealed that the wells at the Cliffs that service the rest rooms and shops may not be of a level required of a public water source. Phoenix agreed to test the water from wells at the Cliffs and report back to the Selectmen. The Board thanked VCS for their presentation and indicated they would get back to them after receiving reports on the status of the water tests.
ASSESSING OUTSOURCING
Elise presented her thoughts on the process of outsourcing the duties of the Board of Assessors that has been undertaken by the Selectmen. She indicated that she was not comfortable with the process as she feels it was irresponsible and “not good planning.” She indicated her displeasure with the use of a portal to interact with taxpayers. Further she said the assessors were not sure of what would be required of them in the future. Town Administrator provided a brief explanation of how continued costs could be handled. Marsha stated that in previous years town employees had gone without a step increase and that could have been used to keep the present assessing department in house. She indicated that she felt undermined by the process used by the Selectmen as the assessors never received a response to their letter sent to the Selectmen in February.
MOORING/SHELLFISH FEES
(Shellfish Constable to attend May 21, 2019 meeting)
The Board reviewed a request by the Shellfish Constable to increase fees for shellfish permits and mooring fees. No action was taken. The Board requested that the Town Administrator ask the Chip Vanderhoop to attend the next Selectmen’s meeting to provide an explanation.
BOARD ADMINISTRATOR – JOB DESCRIPTION
(Revised job description accepted)
Kathy Newman on behalf of the Personnel Committee and Pet4er Temple on behalf of the Planning Board made a presentation to the Board that recommended creating a position of Planning Board Administrator. They both recommended that their respective boards had reviewed and voted affirmatively on the proposal. The job would warrant an increase in pay grade to account for increased duties and responsibility. Peter indicated that the position was in line with similar positions in the other Vineyard towns. Jim made a motion that the Board of Selectmen endorse the recommendation of the Personnel Committee and the Planning Board to create the new position. Gary seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:28 p.m.
