June 30, 2020

“MOTION: To commence the public meeting session by remote participation. Motion by: Tracy Post Seconded by: Erik Tolley Roll Call Vote: Norm Holcomb, aye; Erik Tolley, aye; Tracy Post, aye; Mark Forest, aye; Michael Stone, aye. The motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Post, second: Tolley)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

“MOTION: To approve the application as presented with Phase 1 and 2, at a maximum of 300 cars. In Phase 3 going forward, there may be a maximum of 459 cars. The Town requests a copy of the engineering proposal. The times will be from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. daily, between the dates of July 2 and September 6, 2020. Compliance is required with recommendations of Police and Fire as to traffic at the site. The Mitrokostas request for access barriers must be accommodated, along with fencing for the remainder of the site to prevent pedestrian traffic into the area. Handwashing stations should be provided with the porta-potties. Mr. Epstein should try to work with Yarmouth restaurants first to provide concessions, prior to going to out of town vendors. There will be no service of alcohol, and no alcohol allowed on Town property. Motion by: Tracy Post Seconded by: Erik Tolley Discussion: The Chairman confirmed with Mr. Epstein that he understood all the various conditions that were being proposed. A further discussion of food service options took place. Roll Call Vote: Norm Holcomb, aye; Tracy Post, aye; Mark Forest, aye; Erik Tolley, aye; Michael Stone, aye. The motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Post, second: Tolley)

Read it in the official minutes, page 5 (PDF)

“MOTION: To authorize the Town Administrator to work through and sign on behalf of the Board, the licensing agreement with the same restrictions that were put on the license. Motion by: Tracy Post Seconded by: Erik Tolley Roll Call Vote: Tracy Post, aye; Mark Forest, aye; Norm Holcomb, aye; Erik Tolley, aye; Michael Stone, aye. The motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Post, second: Tolley)

Read it in the official minutes, page 6 (PDF)

“MOTION: That the Board of Selectmen publicly condemn this racist behavior, and state that Chief Frederickson and the Yarmouth Police Department took the right action and steps in terms of investigating it. Motion by: Mark Forest Seconded by: Tracy Post Discussion: Selectman Forest recommended hearing from Chief Frederickson prior to the vote. The Chief had some technical difficulties joining the Zoom meeting, so Selectman Post facetimed the Chief on his cell phone. He updated the Board on the two incidents. The teens had been interviewed but denied any knowledge of the noose incident. Although the author of the fliers had not been located, the Yarmouth Police Department began working with the Dennis Police, as there had been some incidents that took place around the same time, and one of the fliers had been found in Dennis. The FBI was also working with the Departments on this case. The Chief stated that everyone had to remember that people of color might have had experiences that were very different from the experiences of white people. Those experiences might not have been pleasant, and it had to be acknowledged. The situation in Minneapolis, as well as incidents in other communities, showed that racism exists. He said that all of us had to do a better job and work hard at creating an inclusive, welcoming community, and agreed that a community conversation about this would be a good idea. He said it upset him to hear that some young families were fearful of their children being harmed by the police. He hoped for better lines of communication. Some police policies had been evaluated for defects, and he felt that they were now sound and where they should be. Training for young officers was being addressed as well, so that they knew, regardless of the chain of command, there were certain situations where they had a duty to step in and say they would not go along with the inappropriate behavior. Chief Frederickson thanked the Town Administrator for allowing the police officers to go through a mental health check-in over the past few months. Selectman Holcomb said that he thought it was very important that the Board take some constructive and direct action with regard to developing programs to examine the Town's own internal affairs, and the selection methods in every department that may unknowingly contain racial bias. Roll Call Vote: Norm Holcomb, aye; Erik Tolley, aye; Mark Forest, aye; Tracy Post, aye; Michael Stone, aye. The motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Forest, second: Post)

Read it in the official minutes, page 8 (PDF)

“MOTION: That the Board ask our Town Administrator, using whatever resources, perhaps including Community Development, to conduct a program of review of Town departments and the Town's hiring practices and housing practices, specifically to gain an understanding of whether we are truly practicing what we preach in terms of equality, and inviting some community members to participate in that review, so that we can gain a real understanding of what is happening in our community. Motion by: Norm Holcomb Seconded by: Mark Forest Discussion: Selectman Post suggested considering outside professionals to do the review. Selectman Holcomb said that asking the Town Administrator to do it would be a starting point, but outside resources may be end up being needed, which could advise the Town in a number of areas. Selectman Post stated that they should start with a community conversation, reviewing some policies and procedures. She felt that having an actual plan of action, instead of just words, was really important. Roll Call Vote: Norm Holcomb, aye; Mark Forest, aye; Erik Tolley, aye; Tracy Post, aye; Michael Stone, aye. The motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Holcomb, second: Forest)

Read it in the official minutes, page 9 (PDF)

“MOTION: That the Board of Selectmen reappoint three members to the Open Space Committee: Christine Marzigliano to a 3 year term running through to June 2023; Heather McElroy to a 2 year term running through to June 2022; and Jeffrey Senecal for a 1 year term running through to June 2021. Motion by: Tracy Post Seconded by: Erik Tolley Roll Call Vote: Erik Tolley, aye; Norm Holcomb, aye; Tracy Post, aye; Mark Forest, aye; Michael Stone, aye. The motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Post, second: Tolley)

Read it in the official minutes, page 9 (PDF)

“MOTION: That the Board of Selectmen appoint Donna Clifford as a regular member of the Yarmouth Board of Registrars to a three year term running through to June 2023. Motion by: Tracy Post Seconded by: Erik Tolley Roll Call Vote: Tracy Post, aye; Mark Forest, aye; Norm Holcomb, aye; Erik Tolley, aye; Michael Stone, aye. The motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: Post, second: Tolley)

Read it in the official minutes, page 10 (PDF)