Town of Aquinnah

Gay Head Lighthouse Advisory Board
Notes of Meeting 9-4-19
Aquinnah Town Hall Selectmen’s Meeting Room

Members present: Chairman Len Butler, Richard Skidmore, Jim Pickman, Kathy Rainey
Members Not present: Bettina Washington, Tom Murphy
Others Present: Derrill Bazzy

- The meeting began at 4:30pm

- First on the agenda was a review of the 6/25/19 minutes. Richard motioned to accept the minutes as written. Motion was seconded by Jim. The Committee voted 3-0-1, the motion passed. Kathy abstained as she was not present for the 6/25 meeting.

- Jim gave a review of accounts. With the influx of money relating to the 10K (approx. $8,000), and the increase in money from the donation box, after payment to ICC, there will be approx. $23,722 left in the account. There was brief discussion concerning the late ICC payment.

- Richard gave a Lighthouse and Park report. Steve Yaffe has submitted an estimate of $17,050 for re-turfing the disturbed park grass areas. Landscope has submitted an estimate of approx. $7,500 (normally would be around $14,000) and is offering to do the work at cost (no charge for equipment or soil amendments). The Committee agreed for Len to contact Landscope for the re-turfing. Richard reported that we have been contacted by the National Register Signage Grant Program which is a foundation that provides signage or plaques to any National Registered structures (Lighthouse is a National Registered structure). The grant, approx. $1,000, would cover the fabrication of a sign and pole (standard sign informing the public that the GH Lighthouse has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places). The Committee would need to submit a form showing interest in the program. The Committee looked at a photo of the sign. Richard felt that the sign could be placed near the gate on the stone wall. The Committee agreed for Richard to pursue the program. The Committee briefly discussed the re-turfing work timeline (to begin after October 15th). Richard informed the Committee that the Cape Air tickets raffle went well.

- The Committee discussed a restoration update. Len informed the Committee that he has been working on a letter summarizing the remaining restoration work that needs to be done. The Committee reviewed a revised scope of work for the lantern room restoration and masonry repairs submitted by ICC. They provided updated cost estimates for lantern room restoration of $530,000 - $640,000, and masonry repairs of $155,000 - $175,000. Len will continue compiling this information in a letter to send to the legislators for the State Bond Bill.

- The Committee met with Derrill Bazzy to discuss available CPC funds. Derrill informed the Committee that, other than the FY’20 $20,000 CPC commitment provided for the Lighthouse, there is an additional $71,000 that CPC found of unspent appropriated funds for the Lighthouse. Being that there is a need for bathroom space at the Cliffs, CPC is requesting that the Lighthouse Committee consider using some of this found money for construction of 2 unisex bathrooms with composting toilets and grey water in the “Fry Shack” on the Manning Property. The Committee reviewed the proposed plans for the bathroom space and estimated a cost of at least $50,000 to $60,000. The Committee discussed how the bathrooms could be justified. While the bathrooms would be used by Lighthouse visitors, the money had been allocated for Lighthouse historic preservation. Derrill felt that a case could be made that the “Fry Shack” has historic significance. There was discussion regarding a pathway directing people to the restrooms and concern with the public wondering onto the Condo Assoc. property. There was discussion regarding the use of other Manning property buildings and using the front building for public restrooms and keeping the “Fry Shack” for storage. The Committee discussed setting aside $10,000 to $12,000 of the money to develop restroom plans in this location and between $10,000 to $12,000 for construction. Len stated that he would prefer using the left back side of the “Restaurant” for the restroom location. Kathy mentioned that the Condo Assoc. would like all of the plans to keep directing traffic away from their lot as well as sound and noise. To retain the $71,000 in CPC funds the Committee will need to file a requisition form with CPC. The Committee discussed appropriating $20,000 to develop a feasibility study and engineering of the restrooms. The remainder of the funds will remain in the Lighthouse fund. There was more discussion on the development of the Manning property. There was discussion on applying for new money from CPC “open space” funds for turfing of the park. There was brief discussion regarding the possibility of the Coast Guard buying the Lighthouse power from the Town’s landfill solar panels.

- Next, the Committee discussed fundraising and grants. Richard has started soliciting companies who have been using the Lighthouse image starting with MV Savings Bank. He read a response letter from MV Savings: bank just donated $500 to the 10k Race benefit which runs through the Town and is marked for the upkeep and restoration of the Lighthouse; all lighthouses are included in marketing and just picking one would be seen as favoritism; there is possibility of adding a caption to the image to visit the Lighthouse and running an in-kind advertisement; they will stay in touch to see how they may help in the future. Richard will contact the bank in March to continue the conversation. Richard gave a brief State Bond Bill update: Kaley Moore informed Richard that there is no set timeline for release of the funds and no guarantee that they will be released; authorization of bond bill is for 5 years and while it was included in the FY’20 capital investment plan it could potentially be included in FY’21-24 (initial amount requested cannot be changed but there can be additional funding requests in the future).

- Under other business, Len informed the Committee of the passing of a major contributor to the lighthouse move. The Committee agreed to write a recognition/thank you letter to send to the family. 10k race will be on Sunday, October 6th.

- The Committee scheduled their next meeting for Wednesday, October 9th at 4:30pm.

- 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 6:05pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Sophia Welch
Board Administrative Assistant