MINUTES
SELECTMEN’S MEETING
GRIFFIN ROOM, TOWN HALL
MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2009
7:00 P.M.
SELECTMEN PRESENT: Ballantine, Cole, LaMantia, McManus, Wilkins
OTHERS PRESENT: Town Administrator James Merriam, Assistant Town Administrator Nan Balmer, David Ryan, Chief Flynn, Bob Bradley, Beverly Nightingale, Judy Ford, Allin Thompson, and others.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER at 7:00 p.m. by Chairman McManus.
CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approve Minutes – October 13, 2009 Executive Session
Mr. Cole moved to approve the Consent Agenda and the pertinent actions thereto. Mr. Wilkins seconded the motion and the motion carried by a unanimous vote.
PUBLIC HEARINGS/PRESENTATIONS (7:15 P.M.)
A. Annual Reports to the Board:
1. Historic/Historic District Commission
Mr. Bradley delivered the annual report of the Historical/Historic District Commission and took questions and comments from the Board.
2. Brooks Academy Museum Commission
Ms. Nightingale delivered the annual report of the Brooks Academy Museum Commission and took questions and comments from the Board.
3. South Harwich Meeting House
Ms. Ford and Mr. Thompson reported on the activities of the Friends of the South Harwich Meeting House and took questions and comments from the Board.
B. Presentation on Regional Policy Plan by Cape Cod Commission
Paul Niedzwiecki and Sharon Rooney of the Cape Cod Commission presented the Regional Policy Plan which is on file in the Selectmen’s Office.
NEW BUSINESS
A. November Special Town Meeting Warrant – vote to approve and sign
The Board made minor editorial changes to the warrant after which Mr. Wilkins moved to accept and execute the Special Town Meeting warrant. Mr. LaMantia seconded the motion and the motion carried by a unanimous vote.
B. Cable Fund Expenditure – vote to approve
Mr. Cole moved to approve the cable fund expenditure (see attached). Mr. Ballantine seconded the motion and the motion carried by a unanimous vote.
C. Long Pond Road Existing Condition Survey Designer Selection – vote to approve recommendation
Mr. Ballantine moved to approve the recommendation (see attached). Mr. Wilkins seconded the motion and the motion carried by a unanimous vote.
D. Selectmen’s positions on articles – vote to support
Mr. Ballantine moved to support Article 1, Balance FY10 Operating Budget. Mr. Cole seconded the motion and the motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Mr. Ballantine moved to support Article 2, Supplement the FY10 School Operating Budget. Mr. Wilkins seconded the motion and the motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Mr. Cole moved to support Article 3, Solar Panels for Elementary School Roof. Mr. Ballantine seconded the motion and the motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Mr. Cole moved to support Article 4, Wind Turbines Project. Mr. LaMantia seconded the motion and the motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Mr. Cole moved to support Article 5, Lease of Landfill Space for Solar Panels. Mr. Wilkins seconded the motion and the motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Mr. Ballantine moved to support Article 6, Amend Personnel By-Law. Mr. LaMantia seconded the motion and the motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Mr. Cole moved to indefinitely postpone Article 7, Create a Golf Special Receipts Fund. Mr. Ballantine seconded the motion and the motion carried by a 4-1-0 vote with Mr. LaMantia in opposition.
Mr. Ballantine moved to indefinitely postpone Article 8, Expand Golf Revolving Fund to Include Restaurant Revenues. Mr. Wilkins seconded the motion and the motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Mr. Cole moved to support Article 9, Petition the Legislature to Increase the Quota of Liquor Licenses in Harwich. Mr. Ballantine seconded the motion and the motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Mr. Cole moved to support Article 10, Amend the Charge of the Architectural Advisory Committee. Mr. Ballantine seconded the motion and the motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Mr. Cole moved to support Article 11, Accept Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 54 of the MGL. Mr. Wilkins seconded the motion and the motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Mr. Cole moved to support Article 12, Land for Affordable Housing. Mr. Wilkins seconded the motion and the motion carried by a 3-2-0 vote with Mr. LaMantia and Mr. Ballantine in opposition.
Mr. Cole moved to support Article 13, General By-Law – Harbor Dredging Betterment Cost Allocation. Chairman McManus seconded the motion and the motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Mr. Ballantine moved to support Article 14, Amend Section VII of the Zoning By-Laws – Sign Regulations. Chairman McManus seconded the motion and the motion carried by a unanimous vote.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Mr. Merriam delivered the following report to the Board:
Lt. Governor Murray Budget Update 10-15-09
Dear Municipal Leader,
~
Massachusetts, like other states, is dealing with the effects of unprecedented economic challenges.~ As you know all too well, this has created fiscal~problems for not only families and businesses, but for all levels of government.~
~
On October 2nd, Governor Deval Patrick announced that September 2009 state revenue collections~came in~$243 million below budget estimates, indicating a possible revenue shortfall for FY 2010.~ In response, Governor Patrick has been working closely with Secretary of Administration and Finance Jay Gonzalez, the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors, and other financial experts to provide an update to the tax revenue estimate for the remainder of the fiscal year.~ Today, Governor Patrick announced the administration’s strategy to close the estimated gap.
To do so, Governor Patrick intends to first exercise his authority through 9C reductions in the Executive Branch and also request that constitutional leaders voluntarily reduce their budgets.~ As we continue to~balance the FY 2010 budget and prepare for the upcoming FY 2011 budget,~we are mindful of the tough decisions that our cities and towns have made over the last year.~ We understand and appreciate the importance of the state budget, specifically local aid, to your community.~ As we work through this budget balancing process, we will continue to communicate with you about our plans and welcome your feedback and ideas for savings.~
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While we manage through the tail end of the economic downturn, we are heartened by the recent indicators that show that Massachusetts’ economy is experiencing early signs of recovery.~ The Commonwealth is seeing increases in business investment, growth in the labor force and an uptick in the housing market, which all demonstrate that Massachusetts is poised to emerge from the recession (and even faster than other states). Our commitment to investing for the long-term in areas such as education, life sciences, clean energy, and infrastructure have created jobs today and laid the foundation for strong growth in the future.~
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While this is good news, we still have challenging times ahead.~~Thank you in advance for your partnership and your commitment to the Commonwealth.~
~
Yours Truly,
~
Timothy P. Murray
Lieutenant Governor
MMA Action Alert
See MMA’s alert based upon Governor Patrick’s Announcement and Director Beckwith’s letter to the Governor.
Finance Committee
Met on October 15th and heard presentations from Nan Balmer on the Personnel By-law changes and Barry Worth on the solar panels and wind turbine articles. They voted preliminary recommendations for all 14 articles. They voted to accept and adopt Articles 1, 2, 3, 6, 9,10,11,13 and 14. They voted no recommendation pending more information for Articles 4, 7, 8 and 12. They voted to IP article 5.
Capital Outlay Committee
The COC met on 10-15 to review preliminary FY 11-17 recommendations. They are scheduled to seek additional information on 11-19 from Highway (Long Pond Road) and Waterways (Coastal report).
ITS Recommendation for appointing David Spitz to represent Harwich
Dear James Merriam:
This letter is to follow up on a recent request for participation on a Working Group for the Cape Cod National Seashore Intelligent Transportation System Implementation Study that was sent by mail from the Cape Cod National Seashore.
The Cape Cod National Seashore is working with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Volpe Center~to conduct an ITS Implementation study. The study aims to~objectively analyze different ways to address transportation problems -- including beach parking, traffic, traveler information, and emergency management.~ The study will be informed by ideas and comments from the local town stakeholders, as well as analysis of data and information about traffic, transportation, and other factors.
Currently, an ITS~ Working Group is being convened comprised of town representatives adjacent to the Cape Cod National Seashore, regional planning, and emergency management agencies including:
Town of Chatham |
Town of Orleans |
Town of Harwich |
Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority |
Town of Wellfleet |
Cape Cod Commission |
Town of Brewster |
Massachusetts Highway Division, District 5 |
Town of Provincetown |
Barnstable County Regional Emergency Planning Committee |
Town of Truro |
Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency |
Town of Harwich |
Massachusetts State Police |
Town of Eastham |
Cape Cod National Seashore |
The ITS Working Group will come together for six meetings throughout the remainder of 2009 and into 2010, via teleconference and in-person meetings.~ We will make every attempt to coordinate meetings with those of related transportation agencies and committees in order to avoid conflicts and to facilitate timely updates.
~The tentative schedule follows:
Meeting #1 – Mid- November |
Meeting #4 – Late- May |
Meeting #2 – Mid- January |
Meeting #5 – Late – June |
Meeting #3 – Mid- March |
Meeting #6- Mid- July |
* Exact location and time will be determined later.
We sincerely hope that you will accept this invitation to be involved in the ITS Implementation Study by agreeing to serve on the Working Group.~ Please respond to this email, designating a staff member to serve as a town representative for this study by, or before October 23, 2009.~
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact either Josh Hassol or Charlotte Burger at the information provided below.
Thank you for your consideration,
Sincerely,
Josh Hassol, U.S. DOT/ Volpe Center
Telephone: 617-494-3722
Charlotte A. Burger
U.S. DOT/ Volpe Center
Telephone: 617-494-2415
East Harwich
See press release for Public Forum scheduled for October 29th at the Community Center.
Regional Policy Plan presentation
I wanted you to be aware that Paul Niedzwiecki will be the special guest speaker at the November 3rd meeting of the Harwich Democratic Town Committee. He will be discussing the Regional Policy Plan and other important issues. Our meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 3rd at 7:00 p.m. in Room 5-COA Offices, the Community Center. This is not a partisan meeting and the Republican Town Committee and any other interested parties are more than welcome.
Ray Gottwald~
Bog leases on Conservation Land
Larry Ballantine met with three representatives of ConsCom to discuss the legal process of leasing ConsCom land, especially with the termination of the Jenkins bog. They are seeking legal guidance regarding RFP’s, location within Zone 2, abandoned bogs, appropriate pricing, public access.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Cole moved to adjourn at 10:00 p.m. Mr. Wilkins seconded the motion and the motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Respectfully submitted,
Ann Steidel
Recording Secretary
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