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Return to Committee Minutes Page
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MEMBERS PRESENT: Thomas Johnson, Clement Smith, Arthur Palleschi, Bridget Hippler, George Mitchell, Sal DeSantis MEMBERS
ABSENT: Robert Catlin Mr. DeSantis made a motion to approve the minutes for September 21, 2009 and September 28, 2009. Ms. Hippler seconded the motion and the motion was unanimously approved by the committee. Mr. DeSantis stated he received a letter from Bill Baldwin for the Harwich Conservation Trust thanking Cranberry Valley and the Committee for their help. 2. Submissions Article to Selectmen for final disposition and submitting article in the form a petition: Mr.
DeSantis stated that this meeting was originally scheduled to prepare
for the Finance Committee meeting later this evening. However, due to
recent events at the Selectmen's meeting there is little that needs to
be prepared. Mr. DeSantis stated that the Selectmen voted to
indefinitely postpone the golf committee's articles on the warrant for
the November special town meeting and highly doubts that FinCom will
support these articles. Ms. Hippler stated that the golf committee has worked very diligently throughout the year carefully weighing and researching each decision. An entire year has been wasted.Mr. Smith asked Mr. Hoye his prospective on the issue. Mr. Hoye stated that he appreciates the hard work of the committee because many issues were brought to light. Mr. DeSantis stated that Mr. Hoye is completely neutral in these matters. Mr. Mitchell stated that the committee should not put its tail between its legs and walk away. Even though no one is cooperating we still have the Emerson case in our back pocket -we still have authority. Mr. Johnson stated that the because of this recent news that golf committee should recommend a $200 fee reduction because this would comply with the Emerson case. Mr. DeSantis stated that the committee should put the Finance Committee on notice about the Emerson case. He stated that he is frustrated with what has happened and no longer wants to be the chair of the committee. Mr. Palleschi stated that if we are short in revenue next year what would happen in regard to Mr. Johnson's suggestion. He also stated that the Department of Revenue should be notified and independently involved to analyze the situation. Mr. Johnson stated that it is important that the committee complies with the law and fee reductions are possible because the Emerson case, as well as, other examples sited by Mr. Palleschi. Mr. DeSantis stated that the committee can make recommendations for expenditures. Mr. Johnson stated that the committee needs to reduce fees for members, take a vote and make it public that this committee is simply complying with what is already in existence. Mr. Smith stated that the committee unanimously voted on a business model. Therefore, its important that the committee follow through with what the majority of the committee voted on. Mr. Palleschi stated that it is a hopeless cause to continue because there is not support from the Selectmen and if the Selectmen don't support an article the Finance Committee will not. Mr. Smith stated that there still needs to be solidarity and members should attend this evenings meeting. Mr. DeSantis stated that the money is already in the general fund. Mr. Johnson stated that because $195K has been declared as excess revenue we have an obligation to return it to the taxpayers and a motion should be made by the committee to reflect that. MOTION: Mr. Johnson made a motion that because the golf committee is bound by the Emerson college case, excess revenue in the 2008-09 year should be used to reduce next year's dues for taxpayers. Mr. Palleschi seconded the motion and the motion was unanimously passed by the committee. Mr. DeSantis asked whether the committee would make a second amendment to this motion. Mr. Smith stated that this may be premature and before voting a legal opinion should be sought. The committee should wait to hear both from counsel and Department of Revenue before making a decision on reducing fees. Mr. Johnson stated that the committee is bound by the Emerson case. The Selectmen set the fees and all the committee can do is recommend them. Ms. Hippler stated that we have an opinion from town counsel and the Department of Revenue needs to be pushed because the Selectmen don't want to see them down here -this is a good trump card to play. Mr. Palleschi stated that the selectmen provided the committee with a copy of the Emerson case. Mr. Merriam and Mr. Ryan know they got caught and no one on this committee denies the Emerson case. Mr. DeSantis stated that Mr. Merriam and Mr. Ryan came to last weeks meeting to placate the golf committee. MOTION: Mr. Palleschi made a motion that the committee consult the Department of Revenue on the grounds that the Emerson case is being ignored and excess revenue issue. Mr. DeSantis asked that Mr. Johnson and Mr. Palleschi coordinate this effort. Mr. DeSantis asked the committee if they want to submit a petition regarding the supervisory article. Mr. Palleschi stated that if an article is submitted, according to the statute you cannot resubmit for a year. Mr. Johnson stated that this is simple. In business, the CEO reports to a board. The Director of Golf should report to the committee - a simple chain of command. Mr. DeSantis stated the committee is interested in being involved with running the course from day to day -simply advising on policy. Ms. Hippler stated that the issue of who Mr. Hoye reports to is very significant and the committee needs always be aware of it. Mr. DeSantis stated the committee should begin to think about its role and whether or not it should become an advisory committee or continue on the same path. He stated if the committee continues on this way, it would be a hindrance to Mr. Hoye and in conscience does not want to serve under that model. The committee cannot win this hand because the administration holds all the facts and all the information. We as members are asked to make a recommendation about the future of the committee and the options are change to a commission (which has been rejected by the selectmen) or become a advisory committee. Mr. DeSantis stated the committee needs to decide what its role is in the next seven months. Ms. Hippler stated that the committee needs to make the members aware of the work that its doing on the website to garner support at town meeting. Mr. DeSantis stated that the committee can have its own page but cannot be on the Cranberry Valley. MOTION: Mrs. Hippler made a motion that the Committee have its own web-page created for the purpose of disseminating information and garner support for town meeting. Mr. DeSantis seconded the motion and the motion was unanimously approved by the committee. Mr. Smith stated that in regards to the financial model if we endorsed an enterprise fund, he would support it. Ms. Hippler stated that the best way to deal with these issues is through the press -information needs to be released to the press. Mr. Palleschi stated the committee should launch a letter writing campaign to explain that something is not write and the committee is notifying the Department of Revenue. Mr. DeSantis stated that the committee needs to decide if we need to pursue a petition. MOTION: Ms. Hippler made a motion to pursue the petition and get all necessary signatures to be placed on the May 2010 warrant and registered with the Town Clerk immediately. Mr. Mitchell seconded the motion and the motion was unanimously approved by the committee. Mr. Palleschi recommended that during town meeting. If the committee gets the feeling that there is no support for the articles, they can recommend to indefinitely postpone. Its important to take this action because then the committee would have to wait over a year before it can resubmit the article. MOTION: Ms. Hippler made a motion to accept the rewritten proposed language for the article in petition form. Mr. Mitchell seconded the motion and the motion was unanimously approved by the committee. Mr. Johnson stated that the Men's and Women's Association can aid in getting signature. Mr. DeSantis stated that the next step is to get a large number of supporters to town meeting. Mr. DeSantis stated that he is resigning as the Chairman of the Committee and the committee needs to decide who they want to elect as Chair. Discussion ensued between committee members. MOTION: Mr. DeSantis made a motion to elect Ms. Hippler as the new Chair for the golf committee and Mr. Smith as the Vice-Chair. Mr. Johnson seconded the motion and the motion was unanimously approved by the committee. Ms. Hippler asked that Mr. Hoye pursue a contractual agreement for a design of the cart paths. Mr. Hoye stated that there is money in the budget to pursue this. MOTION: Ms.
Hippler made a motion that Mr. Hoye pursue a contractual agreement for a
master plan for the golf course. Mr. Johnson seconded and the motion was
unanimously approved by the committee. Ms. Hippler made a
motion to approve the minutes of October 13, 2009 and October 20, 2009
with the following changes. October 20, 2009, fourth page, 1st
paragraph -Mr. Smith should be changed to Mr. Cole. Also, change the
goof to good. Mr. Smith seconded the motion and the motion was
unanimously MsrHippler
adjourned the meeting at 6:55pm. Phil Gaudet |
