TOWN OF PROVINCETOWN - BOARD OF SELECTMEN

 

REGULAR MEETING - MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2009

 

GRACE GOUVEIA BUILDING - ROOM 10


Chairman Michele Couture convened the meeting at 6:12 PM noting the following Board of Selectmen attending: Michele Couture, Elaine Anderson, Mary-Jo Avellar, Austin Knight, David Bedard

 

Other attendees: Town Manager Sharon Lynn, Assistant Town Manager David Gardner, Town Accountant Alix Heilala

 

Recorder: Vernon G. Porter

 

The following are meeting minutes, in brief:

 

1.      JOINT MEETING WITH SCHOOL COMMITTEE

     

School Committee Members Present: Chairman Therese Nelson, Peter Grosso, Debra Trovato, Shannon Patrick, Kerry Adams, Superintendent Jessica Waugh

 

Reason we are here this evening is to have an open discussion and to have your input on your budget as we are facing a $835K budget deficit.

 

Therese – as of January 20th at our Public Hearing we are $2376.23 under level funded.(- .07%)

 

Look for ways to get the numbers as low as possible.  On Wednesday, we are going to have to start to lay people off, and we’re asking you to dwindle this down. 

 

Open discussion ensued. 

 

1B       BARNSTABLE COUNTY AMERICORPS CAPE COD

            Presentation to Board of Selectmen

 

Ashley Lope and Megan Letz - gave a brief presentation and explained that their main purpose is to provide natural and disaster resources to the area.  AmeriCorps cannot replace any staff roles. 

 

Megan Letz and Brian Dinidio introduced themselves and gave a brief overview of their functions with AmeriCorps in the area.

 

Applications go out February 5, 2009.  Brian Carlson will provide a memo to the Town Manager identifying the potential projects.

 

2.         PUBLIC STATEMENTS

 

Barbara Rushmore  Feels we should raise taxes to pay for the deficit, and not reduce services and layoff people. Go for prop 2 ¼ and don’t separate what we need  - make it just one package.

 

Carrie Notaro – Would like to see the school combine and have just one lunch for all students. Also, would support prop 2 ½ to save layoffs and cutback of services, and suggests that the Board be specific of the dollar amount when presenting proposition 2 ½ at Town Meeting.

 

George Bryant    Spoke on the Bas Relief, and presented the Board with bio of Mr. Cyrus E. Dallin the sculptor of the Provincetown Bas Relief. Suggests that the Board of Selectmen secure a survey to the monument to access the scope for damages, and to determine what repairs are needed prior to the 400th Anniversary.  Suggested that funds could be secured from the Federal Stimulus Plan for the Bas Relief, Town Hall, and other town projects.

 

Mary-Jo Avellar recused herself and left the room as her husband is a town employee who services are leased to the Provincetown Public Pier Corporation.

 

Candace Nagle – Commented on what she considers irregularities of the Floating Dock. (See attachment #2A & 2B). Feels that there should be a process for confirming eligibility for subsidizing dockage fees.

 

Kerry Adams – Member of Pier Corp Board - Feels that Ms. Nagle’s comments are self-serving. Pier rates were set by the previous board, and are being reviewed by the current board.

 

Mary-Jo Avellar returned.

 

Rick Murray - Commented on the budget process. Should be fair to everyone, across the board.  Suggested that a combination of items  be presented to town voters at town meeting to give them a choice. One override to cover the costs of what we need. Need to educate the town as to the cost of the override, and the cost to meet town services compared to other towns.  School should definitely consolidate lunch services. 

 

3.         SELECTMEN STATEMENTS

               

Elaine Anderson

 

Several things came out of MMA Convention: Credit Card Parking Meters, Compacting trash receptors, Meals tax revenue stream is definitely needed. 

 

Seriously need to take advantage of George Bryant’s recommendations and look for grant money for the 400th Anniversary of Bas Relief.

 

Austin Knight

 

Meals tax proposed by the Governor – place on the warrant so we can move forward as soon as possible.  

 

Voters tonight want to consider consolidated override at town meeting, but the Selectmen should be prepared to act if it fails. 

 

Look forward to the School Dept. doing a little more homework on their budget.

 

Revenue – room tax  - spoke to Senator O’Leary’s office on this today.

Sarah Peake –– scheduled to meet with us on February 9th.

 

Mary-Jo Avellar

 

Agree with Ms. Anderson relative to Mr. Bryant’s comments on the Bas Relief.  Who do we need to speak to in order to get an assessment of the Bas Relief?

 

Brian Carlson to report back to the Town Manager regarding AmeriCorps program. 

 

MOTION:  Move that the Board of Selectmen vote to send a thank you letter to the Stop & Shop for the generous donation of free antibiotics.

 

Motion by:  Mary-Jo Avellar              Seconded by: Elaine Anderson         Yea  5     Nay  0

 

Toxic employees.  Should consider creating an Audit Committee.

 

MOTION:  Move that the Board of Selectmen vote to send a thank you letter to Taylor Polites upon his resignation from Historic Commission. 

 

Motion by:  Elaine Anderson     Seconded by: David Bedard         Yea  5     Nay  0

 

David Bedard

 

MOTION:  Move that the Board of Selectmen vote to invite the Renewable Energy and Recycling Committee to a future Board of Selectmen meeting to talk about future opportunities.

 

Motion by:  David Bedard              Seconded by: Mary-Jo Avellar        Yea  5     Nay  0

 

Would like to see the Parking Department report on pay stations that accept credit cards for parking meters.

 

TELECOM exemption report from Assessor. 

 

Would like to have Regionalization on the agenda at each meeting – as update – similar to PLOG update. 

 

Stimulus package – are we pursuing this?  Answer:  Yes.

 

Michele Couture

 

Want to thank everyone who spoke this evening on the override.  This will help me with going forward with this Wednesday’s meeting.  It was very enlightening.

 

Ms. Nagle – we are scheduled to meet with the Pier Corp on  February 9th, and I am sure  many of your questions will be answered at that time.

 

Time for meeting with George Price – to discuss our contracted services with CCNS Park Services.

 

4.         APPOINTMENT

 

MOTION: Move that the Board of Selectmen vote to appoint Barbara Rushmore as a Regular Member of the Beautification Commission with a term expiration date of December 31, 2011.

 

Motion by:  Austin Knight              Seconded by: Mary-Jo Avellar        Yea  5     Nay  0

5A       TOWN CLERK

            2008 Town Report Dedication

           

MOTION: Move that the Board of Selectmen vote to dedicate the 2008 Annual Town Report to those current and former Town board members and employees who died during calendar year 2008, as contained in the list of names submitted by Town Clerk Douglas Johnstone.

 

Motion by:  Elaine Anderson           Seconded by: David Bedard    Yea  5    Nay  0

       

5B       BILL H3310 – MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC UTILITIES LEGISLATION

           

MOTION: Move that the Board of Selectmen vote to ask our Representative Sarah Peake to contact State Senator Robert O’Leary, on our behalf, to offer our support to co-sponsor the “municipal electric utilities bill” (H3319).

 

Motion by:  Mary-Jo Avellar            Seconded by: David Bedard      Yea  5     Nay  0

 

5C       TREASURER’S TRANSFER

            Library Building Gift Fund

           

MOTION: Move that the Board of Selectmen vote, as Commissioners of the Library Building Gift Funds, pursuant to MGL C44 § 53A, to approve the use of $8,298.11 from the Library Building & Gift Fund to pay for the attached invoice(s).

 

Motion by:  Mary-Jo Avellar          Seconded by: David Bedard        Yea  5   Nay  0

 

5D       PARADE PERMIT REQUEST

            National Multiple Sclerosis Society Cycling Tour

           

MOTION: Move that the Board of Selectmen vote to approve the Parade Application Permit submitted by Logistics Manager on behalf of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Central New England Chapter, 101A First Ave, Suite 6, Waltham, MA to hold  their 26th Annual Cape  Cod Getaway MS Bike Ride to be held on Sunday, June 28, 2009  from 7 AM to 5:00 PM. 

 

Motion by:  Mary-Jo Avellar                  Seconded by: Elaine Anderson       Yea  5   Nay  0

       

6A       PAMET LENS OVERSIGHT GROUP - UPDATE

               

Next meeting in March. 

 

6B       TOWN HALL  - CLERK OF THE WORKS

            Selection of  Clerk of the Works

 

MOTION:  Move that the Board of Selectmen to approve the Town Manager’s selection of W.W. Reich Inc, 56 Highfield Drive, Falmouth, MA 02541, as Clerk of the Works for the Provinc etown Town Hall Renovations.

 

Motion by:  Austin Knight               Seconded by:  Elaine Anderson          Yea  5   Nay  0

 

 

 

 

6C1      REGIONAL HOUSING REHAB GRANT APPLICATION

                MCDBG  FY ’09 CDF

 

MOTION: Move that the Board of Selectmen vote to authorize the execution of a letter of support and authorization, for participation in a regional Massachusetts Community Development Block Grant ‘s Community Development Fund Application with the Town of Wellfleet for a grant of approximately $750,000 for a Housing Rehabilitation program through the Massachusetts Department of Housing & Community Development.

 

Motion by:  Mary-Jo Avellar                Seconded by:  David Bedard        Yea  5   Nay  0

 

6C       TOWN MANAGER FOLLOW-UP / OTHER

           

Clerk of the Works process and recommendation.  Town Hall Construction update.  June 22, 2009 Special Town Meeting with Election on Tuesday, June 23, 2009

 

7.         MINUTES OF MEETINGS

 

MOTION: Move that the Board of Selectmen vote to approve the minutes of October 27, 2008 (Special Mtg. 5 PM) as printed.

 

Motion by:  Mary-Jo Avellar                Seconded by:  David Bedard        Yea  5   Nay  0

 

MOTION: Move that the Board of Selectmen vote to approve the minutes of October 27, 2008 (Regular Mtg.) as printed.

 

Motion by:  Mary-Jo Avellar                Seconded by:  David Bedard        Yea  5   Nay  0

 

MOTION: Move that the Board of Selectmen vote to approve the minutes of November 24, 2008 (Regular Mtg.) as printed.

 

Motion by:  Mary-Jo Avellar               Seconded by:  David Bedard         Yea  5   Nay  0

 

MOTION: Move that the Board of Selectmen vote to approve the minutes of December 8, 2008 (Regular Mtg.) as printed.

 

Motion by:  Mary-Jo Avellar               Seconded by:  David Bedard         Yea  5   Nay  0

 

MOTION: Move that the Board of Selectmen vote to approve the minutes of December 15, 2008 (Special Mtg. ) as printed.

 

Motion by:  Mary-Jo Avellar               Seconded by:  David Bedard         Yea  5   Nay  0

 

MOTION: Move that the Board of Selectmen vote to approve the minutes of December 16, 2008 (Regular Mtg.) as printed.

 

Motion by:  Mary-Jo Avellar               Seconded by:  David Bedard         Yea  5   Nay  0

 

MOTION: Move that the Board of Selectmen vote to approve the minutes of December 18, 2008 (Special Mtg.) as printed.

 

Motion by:  Mary-Jo Avellar               Seconded by:  David Bedard         Yea  5   Nay  0

 

 

MOTION: Move that the Board of Selectmen vote to approve the minutes of January 7, 2008 (Budget Mtg.) as printed.

 

Motion by:  Mary-Jo Avellar               Seconded by:  David Bedard         Yea  5   Nay  0

 

8.         CLOSING STATEMENTS

     

            Austin Knight – Fire Station #2 deadline extended – needs to be done by Memorial Day.

 

9.         BARGAIN STRATEGY

      MGL C. 39, §23B, cl. 3                      

 

MOTION: Move that the Board of Selectmen vote, pursuant to MGL C. 39, §23B, clause 3, to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel issues; and not to convene in open session thereafter. [Roll Call Vote]

 

Mary-Jo Avellar – Yes                       Austin Knight – Yes              David Bedard – Yes

 

            Elaine Anderson – Yes                      Michele Couture – Yes

 

Motion by:  Austin Knight     Seconded by: Mary-Jo Avellar                

 

                            Yea  5   Nay  0    - Motion Passes -

 

            The Board adjourned to go into executive session at 8:57 PM.

 

Minutes transcribed by:  Vernon G. Porter, Secretary to Board of Selectmen

                                         February 2, 2009