SUMMER RESIDENTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE4 Chatham, Massachusetts
Minutes of Meeting of August 22, 2008~
Present: Kathy Abib, Bob Champlin, Don Edge, Kay Flynn, Jill MacDonald, Kathy Malfa, William McGagh, Nell Pinckert, Peter Tarrant, and Arnold Trebach.~~
Also present: Captain John Cauble, Chatham Police Department, and Ray Medeiros, Director of Information Technology
Chairman Don Edge called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM.~
1. The committee approved the minutes of the previous meeting, that of August 8, 2008.~
There was no open forum discussion.~
2. Captain Cauble made a presentation on Chatham traffic issues and took questions and comments from the audience and the committee.~ Considerable time was spent on the issue of Bridge Street parking by those planning to go to the Lighthouse Beach.~ Captain Cauble explained that various suggestions had been made to ease parking congestion, including having no parking on one side of the street.~ This suggestion was voted down by the BOS.~ BOS Chair Sean Summers, who was present in the audience, explained the vote by saying the town leaders were looking for a balance and are hesitant to ban parking anywhere unless it is a matter of public safety.~ Visitors, he continued, were the economic lifeblood of the town and he would not vote to stop parking unless absolutely necessary.~He
also expressed concern for the Chatham residents who do not live near he water. Don pointed out that a study he made of the available accident statistics showed that the street was not as dangerous as is commonly believed (see attachment).~ Captain Cauble cited reports that came to the same conclusion: five minor accidents since 2002, no injuries. Arnold suggested that the matter of Bridge Street parking had been studied and that decisions on this issue have been made and implemented.~
Captain Cauble explained signage. The State is responsible for Rte 28 signs, and they appear reluctant to change, say, “Rte 28 South to Orleans.” Of posted speed limits, some are mandatory, and some are cautionary, and in every instance, drivers must drive at a speed reasonable and prudent for the conditions.
~~Kay asked why there was not a gradation of parking fines rather than having all parking violation fines set at $50.~ Sean explained that the fines were set in a revenue enhancement mode and that the fine system was put in place long before his tenure on the BOS.~ Captain Cauble emphasized that the police do not write tickets based on the hope of earning revenue.~
Peter urged the police department and appropriate town committees to come up with new methods for improving the safety and enjoyment of bikers in the town. ~
3. Ray Medeiros conducted a review of the town website by placing live pictures of the site on a screen.~ Through the use of his computer he showed how the site worked and explained the ways in which he hoped to improve it.~In future, he will enter SRAC material.
4. Don said that it appears likely that Sean Summers will be our BOS liaison and that it might be a good idea to invite Sean to the first meeting in 2009 to review plans for the committee in light of BOS goals.~
5. The nominating committee proposed the following new officers: Jill MacDonald as Chair, Kathy Malfa as Vice Chair, Kathy Abib as Recording Secretary; and Bob Champlin as Treasurer.~ The committee unanimously accepted these nominations.~ Don has a few final acts in his current position, including an oral report to the BOS on August 26th, and a written report for the Chatham 2008 Annual Report.~ Don will remain on the committee as an at-large member.
6. Reverse 911, proposed by this committee two years, will be inaugurated within a month or so. It is a telephone emergency notification system.~
7. Re-use water pipes remain one of our priorities, and the BOS will be reminded. Bob Duncanson’s statement that he is considering laying dry re-use pipes is encouraging
8. Underground wires are also a committee priority; Don Edge will work with the Town committee soon to be revitalized.
9. Peter presented the Treasurer’s Report, which reflected that the budget for fiscal 2008 was set at $2800, while expenses were $2903.~ Most of that, $2100, was spent on newspaper ads concerning the summer town meeting.~ The budget for fiscal 2008 is also $2800, of which $1400 has already been spent on newspaper ads for the summer town meeting and another $400-500 reserved for anticipated expenses.~ It was suggested that in the future ads should be placed only in the Cape Cod Chronicle.~. ~
10. Several matters were dealt with quickly under Old Business:
· Nell Pinckert and the Streetscape Committee will work on a report/proposal for next year.
· Kathy Abib reported that Phil Richardson has proposed privately purchased and maintained “dedication benches” for Main Street and other places.
· Streetscape and Traffic and Safety may have some overlaps—Peter and Nell will resolve this.
· SRAC membership on certain non-regulatory Town committees is a possibility, and members are asked to refer to the 2007 Annual Report for a list of committees, and indicate their wishes to Don.
11. New subcommittee assignments were reviewed.~ Don and Jill will issue a separate memo explaining these new subcommittee assignments in detail.~~
12. The calendar for 2009: Committee meetings will start at 9AM,on June 26; July 10, 24, and 31; and August 7 and 21.~ The annual Summer Town Meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 4, 7-9 PM.~ Don reported that the Chatham A’s will not play in town on that evening.~
13. Presenters for the 2009 Town Meeting were discussed. There might be some very brief updates (sewer, break, etc.), possibly a Traffic panel Q&A. The committee was urged to send suggestions to Jill.
· Don will turn over the parade car signs to Kay, together with instructions for new dates and car year;
· Don and Peter will hand over their three street signs with 2009 info already entered.
14. There was some talk of rational ways for the Town to raise income and reasonable ways to reduce costs. Everyone was urged to send suggestions to Don.
15. Finally, the committee expressed its appreciation for the work of several outgoing officers, including Don as Chair and Arnold as Recording Secretary and Peter as Treasurer.~ Don thanked the group for being professional, cooperative, and collegial.
The last 2008 SRAC meeting ended at 11:15 in cheerful chaos.
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Respectfully submitted,~
Arnold Trebach,
Recording Secretary
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