MINUTES
SELECTMEN’S MEETING
GRIFFIN ROOM, TOWN HALL
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2006
7:00 P.M.
SELECTMEN PRESENT: Cole, Marsland, McManus, Piekarski, Wilkins
SELECTMEN ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: Acting Town Administrator Stephen Lombard, Deputy Chief Flynn, David Ryan, John Prophet, Gerry Loftus, and others.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER at 7:00 p.m. by Chairman Wilkins.
Chairman Wilkins explained that Mr. Embury gave notification today that he would not be able to attend his scheduled interview for the Town Administrator position tonight. He also stated that the Board was notified that Mr. Owen had taken a position in New Hampshire. Chairman Wilkins stated that the Board just came out of Executive Session for the purpose of preparation for contract negotiations. Mr. McManus moved to offer the position of Town Administrator, subject to acceptable contract negotiations, to James Merriam. Mr. Piekarski seconded the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Mr. Marsland moved to take a 5 minute recess to allow Chairman Wilkins to call Mr. Merriam and make that offer to him. Mr. Piekarski seconded the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
After the recess, Mr. McManus moved to go back into regular session. Mr. Cole seconded the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Chairman Wilkins explained that Mr. Merriam is very excited and has accepted the offer upon a negotiated contract. He stated that Mr. Merriam extended his appreciation to all those involved in the search process and the Board. Chairman Wilkins added that he will be talking to Mr. Merriam in the morning with regard to the next step.
Mr. Cole moved to designate Chairman Wilkins and Mr. McManus to conduct the negotiations with Mr. Merriam. Mr. Piekarski seconded the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
WEEKLY BRIEFING
No one appeared before the Board.
CONSENT AGENDA
A. Resignation of Sal DeSantis from the Recreation & Youth Commission
B. Minutes – September 28, 2006 Regular Meeting
Mr. McManus moved to approve the Consent Agenda and the recommended actions thereon. Mr. Cole seconded the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Mr. Lombard noted that, as directed by the Board last Monday, he called for a meeting concerning landscaping issues at the Community Center and to date he is still working on this matter. He stated that he has a couple of unresolved issues and hopefully there will be a resolution.
ACTION ITEMS
A. Request by Harwich Cultural Council to discuss fundraising plan, to use former Recreation Building from December 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007 for cultural activities and to erect sign at former Recreation Building site.
John Prophet, Harwich Cultural Council Co-Chair, explained that the Harwich Cultural Council is a grant-making Town committee that awards grants with funds they get from the State, Town, donations and fundraising. He stated that in January they will have encumbered almost all the money they have. He stated that while working closely with the Housing Committee regarding the renovations at the West Harwich Schoolhouse and former Recreation Building the issue of costs came up and, as a result, a group of them formed the Friends of the Harwich Cultural Exchange Centers, Inc. whose main mission is fundraising. He stressed that the Harwich Cultural Exchange Centers, Inc. is not involved with programs and everything they will be doing is with the full knowledge and the cooperation of the Harwich Cultural Council.
Mr. Prophet explained that they would like to open the former Recreation Building 4-6 times between December 1, 2006 and June 30, 2007 to offer lectures and workshops. He stated that construction is not expected to start until June and this is an opportunity to bring the community up to speed as to what will be going on at the Cultural Center. He stated that they hope it will be a model for things to come.
Mr. Prophet described the sign they are requesting to be installed at the site as being 3’ x 5’ with green metal posts reading “Future Home of the Harwich Cultural Exchange Center” and asking for support. He stated that they would also like to put battery operated candles in the windows at least during the month of December. Mr. Prophet also stated that a semi-permanent ramp would be installed until next May. Gerry Loftus explained that the ramp would be built by volunteers with materials provided through Harwich Cultural Exchange Centers, Inc. and will be completely in compliance with ADA requirements. He stated that it will not have any foundation and will not be pressure treated lumber and that when the building is renovated a permanent ramp will be installed. Mr.
Marsland stated that the restrooms are not compliant and Mr. Loftus indicated that they had some ideas about that as well for facilities that would be temporary in nature that would be ADA compliant. Bruce Nightingale reminded the committees that they need to talk to the Town Planner to make sure sign conforms to the sign code.
Chairman Wilkins asked Mr. Lombard how this impacts liability insurance on the building and who would sign off on the access ramp that it meets all specifications. Chairman Wilkins pointed out that the proposed sign indicates that they have already determined that it is the future home of the Harwich Cultural Center and he suggested putting up a sign to indicate that this is a Community Preservation Committee project. Mr. Lombard explained that the Town has liability insurance with an umbrella policy that covers liability issues and that the Building Inspector would inspect the ramp to make sure it is built to standards and then sign off. Mr. Lombard stated that additionally he would have the Building Inspector make sure that over a period of time things haven’t happened to cause a problem. He
added that the Building Inspector must approve the sign as well but the language on the sign is the Board’s decision. Mr. McManus reminded the committees that an application must be made for approval from the Historic District Commission. Jack Brown, Chair of the Community Preservation Committee, stated that they would be seeking signage at some point that acknowledges the role of Community Preservation Committee monies in this project. Chairman Wilkins asked that the committees work together and Mr. Brown said they are working closely. Mr. McManus motioned to give the group permission to erect a sign, to erect a semi-permanent ramp and to hold 4-6 events in the building for the period between December 1, 2006 and June 30, 2007 provided all required approvals from Town officials and boards are met. Mr. Piekarski seconded the motion for discussion and suggested that they do not limit the number of events to between 4 and 6 so that if they wish to
hold more events they will not have to come back before the Board. Mr. McManus agreed to amend his motion to give the group permission to erect a sign, to erect a semi-permanent ramp and to hold cultural events in the former Recreation building for the period between December 1, 2006 and June 30, 2007. The motion carried unanimously. Mr. Piekarski stressed that the funds that are being raised are for proposed interior renovations and it needs to be clear that any proposed renovations need to come before the Board.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Discussion regarding use of former Recreation Building and RFP with Community Preservation Committee, Housing Committee and Harwich Cultural Council.
Chairman Wilkins asked Mr. Brown for a briefing on what is going on with the various groups involved. Mr. Brown reported that the Cultural Council continues to work closely with the housing people and the historical people and intends to work with the Historic District Commission. He added that they continue to consult with the Cultural Council liaison, Mr. McManus, as well as with the new fundraising group. He noted that he has a lot of dialogue with Mr. Loftus especially about the ramp. Mr. McManus stated that the deadline for response to the RFP has passed and two proposals were received. He noted that copies of the responses have been sent to a variety of groups that were listed in the RFP and those groups will be reviewing the proposals and making comments to the Designer Selection
Committee after which the Designer Selection Committee will meet and make a recommendation to the Board as to which of the firms, if either, they recommend to conduct the work program as outlined in the RFP. Mr. Brown stated that under the enabling act, any project using CPC funds must be ADA complaint and his committee as well as Disability Rights will see to that. Mr. Prophet noted that Harwich Cultural Exchange Centers, Inc. will hold a meeting on November 15, 2006 at 8:30 at Pine Oaks Village.
B. Annual Meetings with town boards, commissions and committees
§ Planning Board
Larry Brophy, Chair, outlined the attached report and took questions and comments from the Board.
§ Board of Health
Dr. Kocot, Chair, delivered the attached report and took questions and comments from the Board.
C. Article to sell Town-owned land
Chairman Wilkins reminded the Board that this article had failed on Town Meeting floor. Mr. Cole explained that he had requested to bring this issue back in part because they have been reminded again recently that in the view of some people they haven’t acted with sufficient deliberate speed and thoroughness with respect to recommendations from the Operations Review Task Force about saving money or increasing revenues. He stated that there was a recommendation from them to dispose of unused assets including land and he wasn’t willing to let the issue die just because it failed last year. Mr. Cole stated that the Town had no particular use for some parcels in the article and there were other parcels that they had decided that it was prudent to hold onto in the event of a future need. He stated that the funds were proposed to start a vehicle stabilization fund and we need a way to get that fund started. He commented that the argument was made that selling land in order to
purchase vehicles was not good financing. He stated that we need the vehicle stabilization fund and we don’t have any need or use of this land. Mr. Cole stressed the need for a public hearing on this issue to make their case and the Board agreed. Chairman Wilkins stated that they need to respond to why they had articles to buy land and at the same time they had this article to sell land. Mr. Cole stated that the answer to that question is that over time our needs for land and buildings changes. Mr. McManus stated that there should be a separate article aimed at the small bits and pieces of land with no access.
D. Primary Service Zone Plan for Emergency Medical Services
Deputy Chief Flynn explained that all departments in Barnstable County agreed to work together to submit a regional plan that includes data specific to providers recognizing each agency’s unique operational requirements. He outlined what the plan covers and took questions from the Board. Mr. Lombard summarized by saying that the Board is approving the Service Zone Policy in conjunction with other towns and he wants people to understand that we do have standard operating procedure. He recommended that the Board authorize him to sign the Plan. Mr. Piekarski moved Mr. Lombard’s recommendation. Mr. Marsland seconded the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. Mr. McManus thanked Deputy Chief Flynn for all the effort he put in over the years to bring this forward.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Chairman Wilkins reminded the public that tomorrow is Election Day. He added that Saturday is Veterans’ Day and noted that Mr. Cole will be representing the Board at the ceremony to be held at Island Pond Cemetery at 10:45 a.m.
Mr. McManus stated that a memorial service will be held on Monday at the Congregational Church for Master Chief Bill Lown. He added that there will be a meeting of the Harwich Taxpayers Association on Saturday at the Community Center.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Piekarski moved to adjourn at 8:45 p.m. Mr. Cole seconded the motion. The motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Respectfully submitted,
Ann Steidel
Recording Secretary
| 
