Town of Aquinnah

Gay Head Lighthouse Advisory Board
Notes of Meeting 9/10/18
Aquinnah Town Hall Selectmen’s Meeting Room

Members present: Chairman Len Butler, Richard Skidmore, Jim Pickman, Tom Murphy, Renee Pianka (via phone and representing Condo Owners)
Not present: Bettina Washington, Kathy Rainey
Also present: Selectmen Gary Haley

- The meeting began at 4:30pm

- First on the agenda was a review of the 7/26 minutes. Tom motioned to approve the minutes as presented and amended. Motion was seconded by Richard. The Board voted 4-0-1, the motion passed. Renee abstained.

- Under Old Business, Jim gave a review of accounts. The $114,275 ICC invoice and invoice for signage have been paid. The 10K race registration has brought in $5155 thus far. There has been approximately $1,100 in contributions. After all invoices have been paid and the MA Historic reimbursement and PE funds are received, there will be approximately $71,000 in the bank account. Currently, there is approximately $17,958 in the bank account. Richard informed the Committee that there has been no response from the “past donor update” letter (30-40 letters have been returned as un-deliverable).

- Next, Richard gave a Lighthouse and Park report. There was another outage of the light due to the public hitting the switch (second time this summer). Richard couldn’t reset the light switch and he had to call the Coastguard who found that the actual switch to breaker had to be replaced. Gary suggested that a lock-box be placed on the switches. Richard has already placed tape over them and didn’t think a lock box would be necessary. Richard expressed his concern with the disturbed soil from the Lighthouse move (6,000sf area) and the remediation process going forward. Richard felt that the solution at this point would be to lay sod down, otherwise, replanting grass would mean losing a whole park season. Richard will look into estimates to sod the area. There was discussion on approaching Landscope to potentially fix the issue at a lower cost (original landscapers for the Park area). Len will talk to Josh at Landscope.

In regard to events, there have been 4 weddings with 2 more later this season. Renee didn’t not have any feedback from the condo owners regarding the events this year. There was discussion on the “Sail Around the Island” event and having a viewing event at the Lighthouse Park when the boats pass by. Richard discussed the recent Wind Festival with kite flying down island. There had been talk in past years of combining the 10K Lighthouse race and a kite flying event similar to the Wind Festival.

Len informed the Committee that Deb Medders had extended an invitation to Committee members to the “End of the Season Appreciation” gathering at Beverly Wright’s home on September 27th from 5-7pm. There was brief discussion on the Lighthouse tour season. The Board plans on getting an overview of the season at their next meeting.

- Next, Len gave an update on restoration. With no current restoration work happing, Len discussed the final MA Historic report. Paul Holtz informed Jeffrey and Len that more information is needed for the report. Len and Jeffrey will continue to work on the report.

- Next, the Board discussed fundraising and grants. There was brief discussion regarding the $300,000 State bond bill (capital improvements bill). There was no new news on the status of the bill.

- Next, under New Business, the Board discussed the guardrail and RFP for the ADA pedestrian path. Gary noted that the telephone poles should be removed sometime in November. The Board agreed that the Len should begin the RFP process. There was brief discussion regarding the work associated with completing the path. Len will talk with Derrill to discuss the grant for the Cliff area development to see what portion, if any, of the pedestrian path is included in the grant proposal.

- Under New Business, Len informed the Board Deb Medders will be attending a fall GHLAB meeting to informally discuss the tour season. Jim asked that Sibel be invited to the meeting as well.

- There was discussion again regarding Lighthouse weddings. Renee mentioned she was surprised there were so many events since only 2 notifications had come to the association. Renee asked that Richard send an email confirming this year’s event dates and the upcoming fall events (wedding on September 22nd at 4pm and one on October 2nd at 4pm).

- With no other business to discuss, the Board agreed to meet again Monday October 22nd at 4:30pm. A motion was made and seconded to adjourn. The Board voted unanimously in favor, the motion passed.

- The meeting ended at 5:40pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Sophia Welch
Board Administrative Assistant