TOWN OF PROVINCETOWN - BOARD OF SELECTMEN

 

  REGULAR MEETING - MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11,, 2008

 

   JUDGE WELSH HEARING ROOM


Chairman Mary-Jo Avellar convened the meeting at 6 PM noting the following Board of Selectmen attending: Mary-Jo Avellar, Michele Couture, Austin Knight, Pam Parmakian, Lynne Davies

 

Other attendees: Town Manager Sharon Lynn, Asst. Town Manager David Gardner, Municipal Finance Director Alix Heilala

 

The following are meeting minutes, in brief. 

 

1A       PUBLIC HEARINGCOMMERCIAL STREET RE-PAVING

           

Move this item to Annual Traffic Hearing in March.

 

1A2      PUBLIC HEARING -  TAX RECLASSIFICATION

            FY 2008 Property Tax Rate

 

MOTION: Move that the Board of Selectmen vote,  pursuant to MGL C.40,§56, as follows relative to the FY 2008 property tax:

               

1) To establish a residential factor of "1" [a residential factor of "1" establishes a single tax rate for all classes of property; any other factor splits the tax rate between residential/open space and commercial/industrial/personal

 

Motion by:  Michele Couture            Seconded by: Austin Knight           Yea  5    Nay  0

 

2) to identify $15,648 in unused property tax levy capacity.

 

Motion by:  Michele Couture            Seconded by: Austin Knight           Yea  5    Nay  0

 

3) not to adopt a "residential exemption"

 

Motion by:  Michele Couture            Seconded by: Austin Knight           Yea  5    Nay  0

 

4) not to adopt a "small business exemption".

 

Motion by:  Michele Couture            Seconded by: Austin Knight           Yea  5    Nay  0

 

2.         PUBLIC STATEMENTS

 

Craig MartinTown employees. Opposed to elimination of curb side trash pick-up.  Present a petition signed by 300 residents of Provincetown.

 

Peter Cook – Town Employee – We need to keep the trash pick-up.  We need to go forwards and not backwards.  Simply would not be good for the town.

 

Kerry Adams - Definitely opposed to the removal of trash pick-up. 

 

Barbara Rushmore – There must be some other way to handle our obligation to our citizen.  Our taxes are not way out of line.  Suggest ways people pay $2 a piece for garbage bags.  Also suggest article be put on warrant for paving of Commercial Street. Will leave information to Town Manager.

 

Chris Roderick – Works for town. As a taxpayer – definitely opposed to the elimination of curbside pick-up. 

 

Clarence Walker - Speaking on behalf of the 4th of July Fireworks Task Force.  Task force is very unhappy that the Board has decided to put the fireworks as an override,  and does not support this at all, and considers this a political issue.

 

Doug Walker - As a follow-up for a request about six months ago for chairs in the Wired-Puppy – where does that stand?  Also Provincetown needs a movie theatre?  Supposedly there was a contract with the current movie theatre owner?  Town needs a revamping – like an ice skating ring, roller skating rink, bowling alley or whatever.  That’s just a few ideas.

 

Mrs. Rachel White -  The Board voted not to have as many Police Officers this year, so there are going to be problems if you decide not to have trash pick-up. 

 

Larry Smith – Foreman of the rubbish pick-up.  We’re there all the time no matter what the weather is all year long.  It is essential that we be there.

 

George Bryant - In two years Route 6 will be owned by the town,  major repairs are going to be required and we are going to have to do something about this as soon as possible. I suggest that the town put aside $500K for the next 20 years to take care of this.  You have to think about this and it is going to be a huge burden for the Town.

 

Marcene Marcoux - Pick-up of trash and recycling – I commend these people.  Issue of Fireworks – I speak as a member – I, too, am against overrides and totally against it.  You haven’t looked at the consequences.  I sat in on some of the budget issues – we’ve given Seashore Point everything.  Also relative to the agreement with the town and the Bishop of Fall River, the amount agreed upon was $35K per year or 11.11% of revenues – which ever was greater. I don’t think the Bishop should be short changed.

 

3.         SELECTMEN STATEMENTS

 

Michele Couture

 

To respond to Ms. Marcoux comments:  At first I didn’t think what Ms. Benatti had said was what we had agreed to, but after review I find that it was.  Also I don’t think that we gave Seashore Point everything but the kitchen sink, I think what we got was an awful lot. We have receipts for everything. There were concessions that were made. The town has done extremely well with the Manor.  

 

There have been a couple of comments from the Fireworks Task Force, and I am sorry you feel the way you do, however, I feel that we have no choice.  Things are tight and we are left no choice.  If we have to choose between cutting positions and presenting an override, then we are left no choice but to bring this before town meeting and let the voter decide, I am hoping that at town meeting this April people will over whelmingly vote to have them as well. 

 

As for eliminating trash from the Budget – we already passed Budget 421 – so at this time Trash is in.

 

Approached by someone who has a business near Firehouse #2 – hopes that work on this would not happen during the businesses season.

 

Before town meeting we need to have meetings with CPC and Housing regarding some articles.

 

To Doug Walker – Answer to your questions on chairs in Coffee Shops  should come this week.  On movies, I can’t help you on that one. I agree there are things and great ideas that can be done, and funds that can be raised

 

Pam Parmakian

 

Gave an explanation on the confusion around trash pick-up. 

 

MOTION: Move that the Board of Selectmen vote to instruct the Town Manager to look into the elimination of Land Bank Funds for the Town of Provincetown.

 

            Motion by:  Pam Parmakian    Seconded by: Michele Couture                Yea  5    Nay  0 

 

            Lynne Davies

 

Public Forum process – Would like to have another one before Town Meeting so people can ask questions at that time. Schedule: March 31, 2008 – Monday @ 6 PM. Public Form to discuss Town Meeting Articles. 

 

Fireworks. I appreciate the Fireworks Task Force and would hope hat they would continue their fundraising. Do we cut services and jobs. I just can’t see myself telling a town employee that they will not have a job because we need the money for fireworks. 

 

Austin Knight

 

To DPW – What is the agreement when we take over Route 6?  The agreement is that the State is responsible for maintenance, and we do not change the use of the highway. How do we find out about the repairs of the guardrails?  Answer:  I was only aware of a recent accident that caused damage. That is our responsibility and we will take care of it. 

 

Send a note of congratulations to Bobbie & Yvonne Cabral on their 50th Wedding Anniversary.

 

Our Secretary Vernon Porter is out with a gallbladder attack and is going to have surgery. We can get you an address if you would like to send him a card.

 

I’ve worked very hard on the Fireworks Task Force, and I’m hoping that we can continue. 

               

                Mary-Jo Avellar

 

If you add all the cost together for the fireworks – this represents 2 to 2 ½ jobs, and I’m not going to jeopardize these jobs.  It was not an easy decision on my part, but it had to be done. 

 

If we are going to be putting articles in the warrant, I think we should put one in rescinding term limits.  Give it some thought. 

 

MOTION: Move that the Board of Selectmen vote to put an article in the Warrant to eliminate the by-law which pertains to ‘term limits’.

 

            Motion by: Mary-Jo Avellar      Seconded by: Michele Couture          Yea  5    Nay  0 

 

MOTION: Move that the Board of Selectmen vote to send a letter of thanks to the Crown and Anchor, and to Ginny Bender and Robert Hughes for the wonderful job they did in the Celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Crown & Anchor Fire.

 

            Motion by: Mary-Jo Avellar      Seconded by: Michele Couture          Yea  5    Nay  0 

 

MOTION: Move that the Board of Selectmen vote to send a letter of congratulations to Frances Raymond upon her 103rd Birthday.

 

            Motion by: Mary-Jo Avellar      Seconded by: Michele Couture          Yea  5    Nay  0 

 

4A       APPOINTMENTS

 

Open discussion ensued.  Postpone to February 25, 2007 meeting.

 

5A       OFF CEMETERY ROAD ONE-WAY

 

Put on spring Traffic Hearing. 

 

Mary-Jo Avellar and Pam Parmakian recused themselves.

 

5B       SANDY HILL LANE

            Deed Restrictions #1 & 2

               

MOTION: Move that the Board of Selectmen vote to approve the affordable housing restrictions for median income ownership for 6 Sandy Hill Lane, Units #1 and #2.

 

            Motion by: Austin Knight       Seconded by: Lynn Davies          Yea  3    Nay  0 

 

5C       ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PERMITS

            Application Process and Procedures for Growth Management Category 5 Allocation

 

Open discussion ensued.  No motions made.

 

5D       TREASURER’S TRANSFERS

            John A. Henry Trust Fund

 

MOTION: Move that the Board of Selectmen vote, as Commissioners of the Trust Funds, to approve the transfer of $3,960.52 from the John A. Henry Trust Fund for the payment of the attached invoice(s)

 

Motion by: Michele Couture              Seconded by: Lynne Davies          Yea  5    Nay  0

 

5E        PARADE PERMIT – HELPING OUR WOMEN

            8TH Annual By the Sea Bike Trek

 

MOTION: Move that the Board of Selectmen vote to approve the Parade Application Permit submitted by Irene Rabinowitz and Teri Nezbeth on behalf of  Helping Our Women, 336 Commercial Street #9, Provincetown, MA  to hold their 8th Annual By The Sea Bike Trek to be held on Saturday, June 7, 2007  starting at 8:00 AM with a rain date of Sunday, June 8, 2008.

 

Motion by:  Lynne Davies               Seconded by: Michele Couture          Yea  5   Nay  0

 

5F        ATTORNEY GENERAL’S COMPACT DISC LITIGATION SETTLEMENT

           

MOTION: Move that the Board of Selectmen vote to accept the cash distribution in connection with the Attorney General's Compact Disc Litigation Settlement under the terms approved by the court.  These funds and any earned interest shall be used exclusively by the library for music related programs and funds must supplement existing funding for music related programs at the Provincetown Public Library

 

Motion by:  Austin Knight               Seconded by: Michele Couture                 Yea  5   Nay  0

 

5G       MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION PRESERVATION PROJECTS FUND GRANT APPLICATION

           

MOTION: Move that the Board of Selectmen vote to authorize the submission of a grant application in the amount of $100,000 to the Massachusetts Historical Commission Preservation Projects Fund, 220 Morrissey Blvd, Boston, MA for the purpose of restoration of the lantern and main gable to the Provincetown Public Library, 356 Commercial Street, Provincetown, MA.

 

Motion by: Lynne Davies                Seconded by: Michele Couture                Yea  5   Nay  0

 

5H       AIRPORT COMMISSION

            Independent Fee Estimate for Terminal Ramp Apron Reconstruction

 

MOTION: Move that the Board of Selectmen vote to execute a work order in the amount of $2800.00 with URS Corporation, 26 Corporate Drive, Clifton Park, New York for the Independent Fee Estimate of the Reconstruction of the Terminal Apron Project  for the Provincetown Municipal Airport.

 

Motion by:  Michele Couture           Seconded by: Pam Parmakian                Yea  5   Nay  0

 

6A       PARKING PERMITS INCREASE

 

Open discussion ensued.  Schedule for Annual Traffic Hearing in March.

 

6B       CONTINUATION OF FY ’09 BUDGET REQUEST

           

Recycling Renewable Energy line item #439 – Now #431 would like to reinstate their budget.

 

6C       PAMET LENS OVERSIGHT GROUP - UPDATE

           

Meeting with Truro tomorrow night.  Next  PLOG meeting in Provincetown on the 21st.

 

6D       BUSINESS SUMMITMARCH 18, 2008 PREPARATION

 

Staff realizes that there is very little time during the day to work on this, and they are asking for permission to solicit some help from the EDC on this.  Answer: Absolutely, this is all inclusive, and you can ask all the groups for assistance.

             

6E        TOWN MANAGER FOLLOW-UP/OTHER

 

            No other comments at this time.

 

6E1        WELLFLEET REGIONAL HOUSING REHAB – LETTER OF SUPPORT

           

MOTION:  Move that  the  Board of Selectmen vote, at the request of Elizabeth Bridgewater of the Lower Cape Cod CDC, to send a letter of support to Ms. Tina Brooks, Undersecretary of the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development, 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 300, Boston, MA, expressing our strong support for the Town of Wellfleet’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application for FY 2008 funding, which would continue the excellent housing rehabilitation program for income-eligible homeowners in place for FY 2007.

 

Motion by:  Michele Couture             Seconded by: Austin Knight                Yea  5   Nay  0

 

7.         MINUTES OF BOARD OF SELECTMEN‘S MEETINGS

 

MOTION: Move that the Board of Selectmen vote to approve the minutes of January 14, 2008 as printed.

 

Motion by: Michele Couture      Seconded by: Austin Knight