HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-9-3ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF NONVOTING TAXPAYERS
Minutes of meeting 10 A.M., SATURDAY, September 3, 2016, at
4 Fairgrounds Road
1. Attending: Lou Bassano, Gary Beller, Howard Blitman, David
Brown, Don Green, Peter Halle, Peter Kahn, Sue Matloff, Barbary
Matteucci, Bill Sherman and Jay Strauss, and guests Wilkes Squatty n
convener Dave Fredericks, also Kevin G. Curran. Member absent: s m
Tony Walsh.
2. ACNVT Chair Jay Strauss opened the meeting at 10:16 a.m., noting
that a quorum was present. [Meeting delayed until PSF space
opened.] New member Barbara Matteucci was welcomed.
3. After approval of the agenda and adoption of minutes of July 30
and August 20, 2016, our guest Dave Fredericks was welcomed.
4. Dave Fredericks first spoke of his background, starting with
encountering Walter Beinecke on his first trip to the island, moving
to the island, job with Nantucket Electric, its President, then VP of
National Grid following its takeover. In the –3 years since retiring
Dave had diverse work experiences. About 2 years ago he initiated
conversations among the owners of the contiguous properties
commonly known as Wilkes Square [recently renamed Harbor
Place], thinking that its further development should involve their
coordinated interests plus those of the Town and community.
5. Wilkes Square is characterized as a very complicated –4 1 /2A
property with 30 – 40 easements, multiple ownerships, some Land
Courted, harbor frontage, MGL Ch 91 concerns, interparty
contracts, Town streets and ways, and intermodal transportation
issues.
6. From perspective of National Grid, its Wilkes Square real estate is
but one of some 1700 properties. (While on NG's real estate
committee, Dave oversaw some $1 B in construction.) Another
owner Winthrop has very many other properties. Ownership
interests of ReMain and the Town in Wilkes Square are relatively
r minor but given due respect in the conversations.
—
_ 7. The general concept Dave is working with, due for public outreac
uu ,� in about 3 weeks, is three -part: one water - related embracing the
U °' waterfront, perhaps inland up to 100', a second serving as a public
- c`r'y, transportation center, and a third the `middle' property to be
developed commercially in keeping with the interests of the
c� owners. The land for a transportation center, perhaps 1-1/12A,
��' N could end up in Town ownership along with any transportation
structures. Dave displayed a brochure on Wilkes Square, intended
for later distribution.
8. The owner group has commissioned consultant studies of the
property. Recommendations received align well with the many
studies done for the Town and its Planning department (PLUS) over
the years.
9. Needed early on is Town commitment to a well- planned
transportation center, perhaps including a multi -story parking
structure, plus layout of streets and ways, provision for NRTA,
bicycles, pedestrians and others. (The Town has set aside funding
for upgrade of sidewalks in the core district.) A parking facility
over the 30' zoning limit is not envisioned (though an additional
floor level would boost capacity from 300 by about 90). That 30'
limit does not reflect the typical 40 +' height of some 80% of
downtown buildings. At least two owners are opposed to building
underground.
10. While the site would be served by public transportation including
NRTA and be bike and pedestrian friendly, having adequate space
for parking is critical.
I I.National Grid needs to retain its brick substation, the landing point
for the two subsea power cables from the mainland, also some lot
area in case an alternative substation location is needed in future.
12. When the fuel tank farm at Wilkes Square is finally relocated in
2019 — 2020, the new tank farm on airport property will scaled
down by half. Site contamination at the present location is not so
much from fuel spills as coal tar residue from earlier times. While
contaminated earth could in principle be excavated and exported,
perhaps uneconomically, removal is not planned. Wells for subsoil
sampling would give better information.
13. Storm water management will be needed to protect the harbor.
14.The water - related one -third of the site could extend the concept of
linked harbor frontage pursued by the Land Bank. To meet Army
Corps of Engineers flood zone requirements, uses might have to
conform with 5' — 7' height above ground level, eg, elevated
parkland.
15.In the `middle' area where stores, offices, restaurants, etc. could be
located, benefit could be gained in adding 1 — 2 bedroom
apartments aloft to have a residential presence, eg, for site
workforce. Resolving uses in this area will be a drawn out process.
16.Beyond the imperatives of good planning for Wilkes Square, the
Town would be well advised to create a top position for an official
to oversee and speak with own voice for Town interests in
transportation, perhaps a Director of Transportation. An instance
where such a single voice could have brought a better outcome is
the new HyLine terminal facility. Town transportation interests
include NRTA and SSA (with Nat Lowell and Rob Ranney
stretched to attend fully).
17.Meanwhile, funding might be found for a Town expert consultant to
participate with the owner group in planning the site.
18.On the broad proposition that core district parking should be
properly priced to reflect costs in providing it, Kevin Curran spoke
of high -tech facilities attracting private investment. Gary Beller
recalled the success of a beautiful parking facility built by the
Brooklyn Botanical Garden (Gary serves on its board) as a possible
model generating some $800K net annually. Dave mentioned
success in Annapolis. With adequate revenue, NRTA could be
properly funded and many other transportation needs addressed. At
present, the various transportation- derived revenues are not
allocated to those needs.
19. Dave Fredericks left the meeting at 11:13 a.m., thanked for his
contribution.
20.Per motion by Bill Sherman, seconded, discussed and duly passed,
the Chair is authorized to send a letter per draft text to the BOS
recommending that the HDC staff continue to report
administratively to the Town Manager, not necessarily through
PLUS, in conformity with the Town Charter.
21. Per motion of David Brown, seconded, discussed and duly passed,
the Chair is authorized to send a letter per draft text to the BOS in
support of the sewer project Madaket /Warren's Landing/Somerset.
The understanding is that delay risks zero interest funding offered
by the state and failure to address the nitrogen- loading problem
risks state mandated sewering at higher cost.
22.Lou Bassano raised the question of partial Town Meeting voting
rights for seasonal island property owners (Nonvoting Taxpayers =
NVT). He found that Chatham (with a strong ACNVT) does not
accord such voting rights. According to the office of the MA
Secretary of State, voting at Town Meeting now requires first
establishing permanent MA residence for 30 days. Nantucket Town
Meeting could vote a home rule petition asking an exception for
Nantucket's NVT to accord partial voting rights. If voted, the HRP
would go to the General Court for legislative action. Given the
formidable political hurdles, the question turned to how better to
communicate NVT concerns to the Town and its voters. Bill
Sherman noted that ACNVT has not had a representative speak at
Town Meeting for some years since Howard Blitman was well
received there. Lou questioned whether ACNVT could undertake a
survey of Nantucket nonvoting taxpayers to provide basis for
affirming their (majority) support on pertinent issues. Bill offered to
get a listing of island NVT from the Town Assessor, suggesting the
modest funding for a survey might be available. The Nantucket
Civic League has an email list of area association members
including about 1000 seasonal residents. [Mailing of RE tax bills
can be accompanied by a survey with permission of the Finance
Department and Town Administration, I believe.] No action was
taken.
23.On motion of Gary Beller, seconded, discussed briefly and duly
passed, the FY2016 ACNVT officers were voted to continue
serving in FY2017.
24.Chair Jay Strauss set the next ACNVT meeting for June 24, 2017.
25.The meeting was adjourned at 11:45 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bill Sherman, Secretary
Draft minutes e- distributed 9/8/16. Minutes adopted 7/15/17,
posted 7/24/17 and hard copy submitted to Town Clerk 7/25/17