Town of Aquinnah

BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING
July 16, 2019
MINUTES

Attendance: Gary Haley, Juli Vanderhoop, Jim Newman (by phone). Jeff Madison (Town Administrator).
Paul Manning, Randhi Belain, June Manning, Mitzi Pratt, numerous drivers from the Vineyard Transit Authority.

At 4:03 p.m. the meeting was called to order by Chairperson Juli Vanderhoop

Minutes were deferred to next meeting.

Cape & Vineyard Electric Cooperative
(Deferred to August 6 meeting)
Selectmen discussed the potential for installation of electric charging stations around the community. Locations discussed included the Town Hall, Town Offices and Aquinnah Circle. Evan Mellilo, Representative from C&VEC was unable to make the meeting. His presentation was deferred until the August 6 meeting. Juli requested that his presentation include the different types of stations available.

Census
(Invite to August 6 meeting)
Selectmen reviewed an email from Keith Chatinover who is heading up an effort to ensure complete count of Vineyard residents in the 2020 census. They extended an invitation for him to attend the August 6 meeting to receive more information.

EPA/Vineyard Wind
(No action)
Selectmen, while expressing basic support for Vineyard Wind, required more time to read and digest the email before giving direction to the Town Administrator as to content of a letter of support. Selectmen acknowledged the August 1 deadline for submission of comments and agreed to provide their comments to the TA before that date.

COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT FOR
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AND DISPATCH SERVICES
(Approved June 19, 2019 draft Agreement)
Town Administrator explained the draft agreement. Gary made a motion to approve the document as approved by Town Counsel. Jim seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.

VINEYARD TRANSIT AUTHORITY
(Voted to send letter supporting neutral arbitration)
Town Administrator described communication received from administration and drivers involved in the labor action. The Drivers requested that the Selectmen appoint a member of the Board or the Town Administrator to represent the Town in a committee to resolve the strike. Juli expressed in her opinion the Town’s representative to the Board was doing an excellent job in representing our community. Mitzi Pratt requested that someone attend a meeting of the VTA Board on Wednesday afternoon at 5:15. Gary and Juli are busy with Pizza Night and Jim will probably not arrive in time to go to the meeting. Selectmen requested that the Town Administrator attend. He agreed. Drivers’ representatives expressed their belief that Aquinnah has a responsibility to appoint a member to the Board. During the discussion it was pointed out that Angela Grant had told the TA that raising wages would result in decreased services to the Community. Juli indicated a desire for Aquinnah to continue to have bus service that would meet an early and late boat on every day. Town Administrator stated that he was asked by a member of the Board to write a letter but has not written it because of his unfamiliarity with issues related to the strike. There was discussion of what should be stated in the letter. Jim indicated that he didn’t know the facts and that Town should have facts before taking a position one way or another. It was finally agreed that the Town Administrator would write a letter expressing support for the VTA to enter discussions with a neutral arbitrator. The motion to write the letter was made by Gary, seconded by Juli and the vote was unanimous.

APPOINTMENT TO VACANCY ON HOUSING COMMITTEE
(Rudy Sanfillipo appointed)
Gary moved and Jim seconded a motion to appoint Rudy Sanfillipo to the vacant seat on the Aquinnah Housing Authority. The vote was unanimous.

OLD SOUTH ROAD PARKING
(Agreed to restrict parking on turnouts)
Chief Belain requested that the Selectmen instruct the Highway Department to place No Parking sign on turn-outs on Old South Road. Gary made a motion to place No Parking signs on turn-outs as requested by Chief Belain. Jim seconded. The vote was unanimous.

Meeting was adjourned at 4:50 p.m.