SUMMER RESIDENTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Chatham, Massachusetts
Minutes of Meeting of June 27, 2008
Present: Bob Champlin, Don Edge, Kay Flynn, Jill MacDonald, Hugh Moulton, Peter Tarrant, and Arnold Trebach.
Also present: ex-BOS Liaison Douglas Bohman, BOS Chair Sean Summers, and Town Manager Bill Hinchey
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Don Edge at 9:06.
1. The committee approved the minutes of the meeting of August 31, 2007.
2. Town Manager Bill Hinchey provided a wide-ranging review of the challenges and opportunities that the town faces, now and in the years ahead. He described virtually all of the challenges as opportunities as well -- in large part because of the track record of the leadership of the town (here he mentioned specifically the positive role played by Dougie Bohman) in planning ahead to deal with the challenges. Among the challenges he discussed were the break in the shoreline and the dredging required, red tide, the shrinking school student population and funding resources, and the national economy and inflation. Of course, he stated that the
biggest challenge and the biggest project facing the town is the wastewater project. The plan for dealing with wastewater is close to final approval by appropriate authorities. It is possible that the project could cost 300 million dollars and take thirty years or more to complete.
Mr. Hinchey nevertheless continued his optimistic tone in declaring that the town will build a state-of-the-art facility, that the plans will be carefully reviewed and just as carefully presented to the voters, that in this entire process Chatham will be ahead of all nearby towns, and that it is quite possible that other towns will ask to be included in the use of the facilities that are eventually built. In that case, Chatham may well benefit from the fees these other towns might pay, he observed.
In response to a question, Bill Hinchey replied that he had confidence in the management ability of the town staff to deal with the huge wastewater project. In the event, however, that more management talent is required, the town is prepared to bring in the necessary professional management capacity to successfully complete the task.
3. BOS Chair Sean Summers chose not to make a statement and instead devoted his appearance to responding to questions from committee members on a wide range of subjects. He said that the BOS was planning to deal with the projected shortfall in revenues for 2010 in part by reviewing program commitments over the past decade and then seeking to determine if any programs could be eliminated or reduced in size.
He observed that the issue of Bridge Street parking during crowded summer days did not t concern most town residents and that in any event he had no ready solution. He said there also was no ready solution to the dangers sometimes presented to swimmers by the currents at the Lighthouse Beach. Having a boat out there watching over the swimmers was not expensive and did serve as a temporary helpful measure. Warning signs had been placed at the beach and he was willing to consider the possibility of more forceful signs.
Mr. Summers encouraged the committee to present ideas to the BOS, such as suggestions for improving the streetscape.
4. Peter Tarrant gave the Treasurer’s Report. The committee spent a total of $2903 last fiscal year, mostly for advertising. This year we will not advertise in the Caper Codder, and instead focus on the Chronicle. The $2903 expenditure was slightly over the approved budget of $2800 (the ceiling was lifted with the approval of the town officials). The budget for FY 2009 is again $2800.
5. As part of the Chairman's Report, Vice Chair Jill MacDonald reported that Don Edge had made an executive decision to have the Vice-Chair manage membership. There will be four vacancies, and she introduced applicants Kathy Abib, Kathy Malfa, Philip Richardson, and Bob Young. Present member Bob Champlin's term expires 30 June, and he too is an applicant. The interviews and appointments should be completed before our next meeting, July 11th.
6. The FY 09 calendar was reviewed, and members were asked to propose a speaker for the August 8th meeting.
7. Under Old Business,Don reported that we accomplished all our FY08 Goals (listed on attachment).
8. Jill MacDonald and Don Edge had attended a recent major public hearing on the Chatham Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan. She presented the views of the committee at the hearing and received encouraging comments from the officials leading the hearing. Both the Cape Cod Commission and the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act office (MEPA) recommended that the town be permitted to move forward with the implementation of its plan to sewer the town.
Jill said that over the years this committee played a significant role in shaping the current sewering plan– and that we should not be reluctant to refer to this major accomplishment.
9. Under New Business, Don announced that we will participate in the July Fourth parade in a 1918 Packard with signs advertising our Summer Town Meeting on August 5th.
10. Sub-Committees were reviewed, and members were asked to volunteer. Wastewater and Waterways do not need members at present.
11. Arnold Trebach suggested that some consideration be given to the problems presented by coyotes. Several members responded that there was no significant threat presented by the coyotes, and the matter was not pursued.
12. For our August 8th meeting, the committee agreed to invite a speaker to address a profile of Chatham schools, and current and future school plans and issues. Don Edge will pursue this.
The meeting adjourned at 11:00 AM.
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~Respectfully submitted,
Arnold Trebach
Recording Secretary
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