Town of Aquinnah

Aquinnah Planning Board Plan Review Committee Meeting August 21st, 2018
Members Present: Peter Temple, Chairman, Sarah Thulin, Berta Welch, Jo Ann Eccher, Jim Wallen
Members Not Present: Isaac Taylor and Jim Mahoney
Also Present: Holly Herbster, PAL Proposal Coordinator/Principal Investigator, Jane Miller, PAL GIS Manager, Bettina Washington, Randy Jardin, Reid Silva,
Meeting opened at 6:38pm
The Committee reviewed the 7/18 and 7/31 minutes. Jim N motioned to approve the 7/31 minutes as presented and amended. Motion was seconded by Jim W. The PBPRC voted 5-0, the motion passed.
Jo Ann entered the meeting. Peter entertained a motion to approve the 7/18 minutes as presented and amended. Motion was moved by Sarah and seconded by Berta. The PBPRC voted 4-0-2, the motion passed. Jim N and Jim W abstained.
Planning Board opened a meeting to review and approve a Form A subdivision for David Giles of 4 Raymonds Hill Map 6 Lot 102.4. Berta was recused. The PBPRC had already granted a Special Permit variance for the creation of a new lot but the Form A subdivision was an automatic DRI referral to MVC. Based on a letter dated August 1, 2018 from MVC, the PB found that MVC decided not to concur and did not have a public hearing and approved the Board to proceed in the permitting process. Peter, Jo Ann and Jim W signed the subdivision plan.
Next, the Committee met with Holly Herbster and Jane Miller from Public Archeology Laboratory (PAL). There was discussion regarding the recent PAL archeological presentation on August 14th. The Committee agreed that the presentation was overall well received. Holly proposed that the Committee continue these presentations as regular up-dates for the public. Peter agreed and added that the presentations going forward could be more information about life in Aquinnah during different periods (not the same presentation over and over again) and perhaps include artifacts that people can see and touch. Holly noted that surveys are primarily State driven and in Aquinnah there is the Tribal perspective. The Committee found that under the archeological bylaw (2001 to 2018), there has been only one project in Aquinnah with data recovery while other significant sites have been able to be avoided and left in place (the ultimate goal). Holly and the Committee discussed the 3 distinct phases of investigation: first is intensive surveys (gridding of smaller areas), second is site examinations (determining significance to national register standards and potentially development of site avoidance and protection plans) which may include machine assisted top-soil stripping, and the third phase is data recovery (time consuming, expensive and lots of data analysis). When a protection and avoidance plan is developed, the Committee found that the property owner files the plan with the deed so that future owners will be informed of any significant sites and protection requirements.
There was discussion regarding preservation restrictions (in MA typically held by MHC and/or the Tribe and any development/project must be reviewed by whomever holds the restriction first). There was brief discussion regarding Squibnocket Ridge and the conservation restrictions there. The Committee agreed that there needs to be more information given to the public regarding the archeological process and sensitive areas in Aquinnah that most likely will require surveys and may require extra cost in building. Peter informed the Committee that he requested that Holly give the same archeological presentation to the MVC so that they are aware of the outcome of the Town’s archeological bylaw. The idea to develop a map was discussed as a way to inform the public of sensitive areas. Bettina Washington, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, stated that there needs to be a balance between information given to the public so that they are aware of these areas and making sure that no extensive detail is given out. Holly agreed and noted that MHC doesn’t want to give out detailed maps of sensitive areas. The idea of creating an archeological chart/guide, similar to the tree cutting guide, for potential buyers or real estate agents was discussed.
Peter made a motion that the Committee go into executive session to discuss site specific archeological information, stating that the Committee would reconvene in open session following the executive session. Motion was seconded by Berta. The PBPRC voted 5-0, the motion passed. The meeting entered into executive session at 7:41pm.
The meeting reconvened in open session at 8:31pm.
There was brief discussion on reviewing the bylaws and potential changes. The Committee agreed that they should focus on ways to simplify the application process.
The Committee agreed to meet on September 5th at 6:30pm to continue a review of the bylaws. The Committee scheduled October 9th at 6:30 for a regular hearing meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 8:53pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Sophia Welch, Board Administrative Assistant