Approved as amended, August 20, 2005
Minutes of July 30, 2005 Board Meeting
Wellfleet Non-Resident Taxpayers Association
Present: Dorothy Altman, Lila Croen, Aida Donald, Sam Frank, Karen Holtkamp, Chick Holtkamp, Alice Iacuessa, , Marian Palley, Edwards Rullman,, May Ruth Seidel, Marilyn Silver, Mary Von Kaesborg, John Siegel, Elga Wasserman, Agnes Wolf, Dave Garrison on the speaker phone and Jean Schaefer, Administrative Consultant. Absent: Tom Baratz, Jim Hood, Curt Lippincott, Bob Mangiaratti, Diane Mangiaratti, Jerry Sadow.
The July 30th meeting, which was held in the conference room of the Wellfleet Senior Center, was called to order at 9:30 AM. by May Ruth Seidel, President. John Siegel, an incoming director, was introduced. Minutes of the July 9, 2005 Board meeting were approved as submitted.
The treasurer's report, which was given by Jean Schaefer, showed a balance of $6,209.69 with outstanding expenses totaling $1300. Sam Frank suggested that voluntary donations be solicited in the newsletter and on the membership application. Aida Donald suggested that board members might follow the protocol of many boards and make donations to the association. Both of these suggestions met with general approval but were not put to a vote.
Committee Reports.
Harbor Study. Mary von Kaesborg, co-chair with Ed Rullman of the Harbor Study Committee, reviewed the presentation at the July 14th meeting of the Association and moved that the WNRTA board endorse a proposal to open the Herring River Dike. The motion stated that we find it an environmentally appropriate action and support adequate compensation for those whose livelihood or property is compromised by this action. While there was a general consensus on the board in support of this position, Marian Palley questioned whether it was appropriate for the Board to take a position on this matter. Alice Iacuessa questioned whether we knew how the membership felt about the reopening of the dike. Aida Donald recalled that, consistent with WNRTA policy, the Board had decided that it
would not take a position on water issues without polling the membership and would then transmit these results to the Town. Dave Garrison expressed his support for that approach.
During an extensive discussion, it was agreed that the members needed to have information about the pros and cons of opening the dike before soliciting their opinions. It was agreed that the Harbor Study Committee would prepare a letter to the membership stating the pros and cons of reopening the Herring River Dike and that members be asked to express their views on this matter. Then the Board will report to the Town what percent of the members support each position. The newsletter will also carry an article about the Herring River Dike and it will include a link to the WNRTA and Town web pages for those who wish more information. [Note: At its August 4, 2005 meeting the Wellfleet Selectmen approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the Seashore regarding the opening of the dike.]
Planning. Dorothy Altman, chair of the Planning Committee, reported that the survey conducted for the Town's Comprehensive Planning Committee was sent to 500 full-time and 1000 part-time residents. This proportional sample of all households was at the insistence of the consultant who conducted the survey.
Results will be reported at a meeting to be held this afternoon and will be available on the Town's website. May Ruth suggested that highlights of the survey be included in the Newsletter.
Uncle Tim's Bridge. May Ruth and Jean reported that they had attended a meeting of the Historical Commission to discuss restoration of Uncle Tim's Bridge. Our interest is in participating in a project that would involve citizens; Tracy Vanderschmidt, a member of the Commission, is very interested in pursuing this approach. It was noted that the Historical Commission is different from the Historical Society, although the two organizations are beginning to work together. The Commission would like to include Cannon Hill in this project. Sam Frank stated that funds are available from the Massachusetts Community Preservation Act for this kind of project. Karen Holtkamp indicated that she would like to be involved in this project and the board agreed that she should be our
representative to the Commission
Ed Rullman suggested that we might also get involved in trying to obtain a better building for the Historical Society than the one it currently occupies. A new committee was formed under Karen's chairmanship. It will begin work by gathering information on the repair of Uncle Tim's Bridge and the Historical Society Building.
Old Business.
The issue of term limits was discussed. Lila and Sam expressed their concern that the current limit of three terms may make it difficult to allow a director with leadership capability the opportunity to serve as president. Jean also expressed her concern that so many of the founding directors would be leaving in two years. Various points of view were expressed, but the consensus was that the organization is strengthened by bringing new members onto the board and that without term limits the board would be likely to keep perpetuating itself.
There was also a discussion of the roles of vice-presidents and whether they should be expected to succeed to the presidency of the Association. Dave pointed out that the by-laws are silent on these matters. He also stated that retiring board members can remain involved by serving on committees. According to the by-laws, only a standing committee must be chaired by a board member; special committees can be chaired by any member of the Association. Dave also suggested that in two years it would not be necessary to fill all the expiring slots at one time, and that this could be done over a two or three year period.
There was also a discussion of whether residents can serve on study groups. Dave stated that there was nothing in the by-laws that prohibited the participation of residents but that leadership of the committee should be by a non-resident taxpayer. After extensive discussion of the role of residents on our committees, it was agreed that residents were welcome to serve on committees but that they would not have a vote.
New Business. May Ruth reported that the Town is discussing a seasonal rental tax on homes and cottages but has taken no action on this matter.
May Ruth suggested that the Board consider whether it wished to become involved in issues that are being raised by the Wellfleet Charter Review Committee. Changes that are being considered include the following: Improving financial management and reporting; Placing more departments and functions under the direction of the Town Administrator; Expanding the role of the Board of Water Commissioners; Requiring that regulatory boards participate in the selection of technical support personnel. No action on these matters was taken at this meeting.
Marian Palley reported that Outer Cape Health Services, has rescinded the policy it stated in our Newsletter and is not providing blood tests unless a patient is part of its panel and has had an examination by one of it's doctors. After an extensive discussion of how to approach this matter, the Board approved a motion that Marian and John Siegel express the concern of the Board about this change of policy and inquire why this has occurred.
May Ruth expressed her appreciation to everyone on the Board for their help and participation during her tenure as President. Aida Donald expressed the Board s appreciation to May Ruth for serving as our first President, for establishing the precedents that will guide us in the future, and described her as a combination of our George Washington and James Madison. This analogy left us all speechless and the meeting was adjourned at 11:20 AM.
Respectfully submitted August 13, 2005; Approved as amended, August 20, 2005
Lila Croen, Secretary
Wellfleet Non-Resident Taxpayers Association
| 
