Chatham, MA - Selectmen's Meeting Minutes 11/24/09

Chairman Bergstrom called the meeting to order at 4:00PM with Mr. Sussman, Ms. Seldin, Mr. Summers and Finance Director Jennifer Petit present.

Mr. Sussman moved the Board of Selectmen vote to approve the minutes of the November 17, 2009 Board of Selectmen’s meeting. Ms. Seldin seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

1. Ms. Gloria Freeman spoke about the Chatham Village Market and said the owners will not be staying at the current location. She made further comments concerning the proposed lease agreement.

Mr. Summers said he was aware of the negotiations and Ms. Freeman’s statements grossly misinterpret what has been discussed.

Mr. Bergstrom said he did not want to discuss this item further since other parties to the negotiations were not present and he did not want to have third hand information.

2. Mr. Nat Mason, from the Cape Cod Hook Fishermen’s Association, told the Board of Selectmen the association has reached funding levels over its halfway point for renovations at the Captain Harding House. Funds have reached $442,000 and the CCHFA has a commitment for a mortgage to purchase the property.

3. Mr. Frank Messina, Vice president of the Chatham Marconi Maritime Center, noted that Governor Patrick has signed Chatham’s special legislation to exempt the non-profit organizations from the prevailing wage laws at the MCI property. He also said the CPC voted to allocate $400,000 for site work and asked the Board of Selectmen to have Alan McClennan to a Board meeting to discuss calling a Special Town Meeting.

Shellfish Constable Stuart Moore attended this meeting to ask the Board of Selectmen to open four shellfish areas that are seasonally closed by the DMF.

Ms. Seldin moved the Board of Selectmen vote effective December 1, 2009 the waters and flats of Buck’s Creek north of a line across the mouth of the creek and east of a line across the mouth of Cockle Cove Creek are open to the taking of all shellfish by permit holders until further notice. Mr. Sussman seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Ms Seldin moved the Board of Selectmen vote effective December 1, 2009 the Oyster Pond east of a line from Kelly Lane to Long Point, with the exception of two small closures marked by “No Shellfishing” signs at the mouth of each culvert in the east end of the pond, is open to the taking of all shellfish by permit holders until further notice. Mr. Sussman seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Ms. Seldin moved the Board of Selectmen vote effective December 1, 2009 the waters and flats of Taylor’s Pond, north of a line drawn across the mouth of the pond, are open to the taking of all shellfish by permit holders until further notice. Mr. Sussman seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Ms. Seldin moved the Board of Selectmen vote effective December 1, 2009 the waters and flats of Mill Creek north of a line drawn northeasterly from the western breakwater to the eastern breakwater at the mouth of Mill Creek, and south of a line drawn across the mouth of Taylor’s Pond, are open to the taking of shellfish by permit holders until further notice. Mr. Sussman seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Ms. Betsy Sommer, representing the Chatham Merchants Association attended this meeting to ask the Board’s permission to place a Christmas Tree on the lawn at Town Hall. The Association is also requesting to hold the 31^st Christmas by the Sea Stroll on December 11 and 12 on Main Street for Hayrides, a grill in the Town parking lot, a small parade and a sign in the triangle behind the rotary. The sign will be placed December 4^th.

Mr. Sussman moved the Board of Selectmen vote to approve the request. Ms. Seldin seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Victor Di Cristina, Chairman of the Land Bank Open Space Committee, wrote the Board of Selectmen to recommend the Board appoint an Associate Member, Ali van der Burg, to fill a vacancy on the Committee.

Mr. Bergstrom said he would like to defer this for one week to see if there are any other applicants.

Mr. Bergstrom opened the hearing that was duly published for this date to hold a tax classification hearing.

Deputy Assessor Andrew Machado addressed the Board and introduced the Board of Assessors: Mr. Robert Franz, Mr. Nick Brown and Mr. Ted Vreeland.

Mr. Machado told the Board of Selectmen the Assessors are recommending no shift among classes of property for the tax rate.

Mr. Sussman moved the Board of Selectmen vote to continue to tax all classes at the same rate by adopting a factor of “1”. Ms. Seldin seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Mr. Sussman moved the Board of Selectmen vote to allow the Chatham Wayside Inn to close from January 6, 2010 through Thursday January 28, 2010 as requested for renovation and cleaning. Ms. Seldin seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Mr. Sussman moved the Board of Selectmen vote to allow Marley’s Restaurant to close from December 21, 2009 until Thursday January 14, 2010 as requested by the owners. Ms. Seldin seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Ms. Seldin moved the Board of Selectmen vote to extend the seasonal license at the Queen Anne Inn to December 31, 2009. Mr. Sussman seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Ms. Seldin moved the Board of Selectmen vote to allow the Queen Anne Inn to close from December 1, 2009 until December 30, 2009 and open December 31, 2009 in order to meet their obligations for New Year’s Eve. Mr. Sussman seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Ms. Seldin moved the Board of Selectmen vote to extend the seasonal license at Vining’s Bistro until January 15, 2010. Mr. Sussman seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Ms. Seldin moved the Board of Selectmen vote to extend the seasonal license at Pate’s Restaurant until January 15, 2010. Mr. Sussman seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Mr. Summers moved the Board of Selectmen vote to renew the annual alcohol licenses for 2010 as presented. Mr. Sussman seconded the motion and the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor.

Mr. Sussman moved the Board of Selectmen vote to go into Executive Session for purposes of discussing Land Acquisition with no public meeting to follow. Mr. Bergstrom announced the motion and polled the members. All voted to go into Executive Session.