HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Selectmen Minutes February 7, 2007_201402061500005153BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Minutes of the Meeting of 7 February 2007 at 6:00 PM. The meeting took place in the Court Room,
Town and County Building, Nantucket, MA 02554. Members of the Board present were Brian
Chadwick, Douglas Bennett, Michael Kopko, Catherine Flanagan Stover and Whiting Willauer.
Chairman Willauer called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
Announcements. None.
Public Comment. Police Chief Bill Pittman, speaking as the Emergency Management Director,
advised of the state’s review of and praise for the Town’s local Emergency Management Plan and
commended firefighter Bob Bates for his assistance with developing the plan.
Approval of Minutes of 24 January 2007 at 6:00 PM, 24 January 2007 at 9:30 AM, 18 January
2007 at 9:30 AM, 17 January 2007 at 6:00 PM, 10 January 2007 at 6:00 PM, 9 January 2007 at
9:30 AM, 8 January 2007 at 4:00 PM and 8 January 2007 at 9:30 AM. The Board approved the
minutes by unanimous consent.
Approval of Payroll Warrants for Weeks Ending 28 January 2007 and 4 February 2007. The Board
approved the payroll warrants by unanimous consent.
Approval of Treasury Warrant and Pending Contracts for Week Ending 7 February 2007. The
Board approved the treasury warrant and pending contracts by unanimous consent.
Citizen/Departmental Requests
1. Town Clerk: Request for Re-Appointment of Registrar of Voters. Mr. Chadwick moved to
approve the reappointment of Janet Coffin to the Board of Registrars of Voters for a three-year
term through March 31, 2010. Mr. Bennett seconded. So voted unanimously, with Ms. Stover
abstaining as Town Clerk.
2. Citizen Request for Acceptance of Easement with Regard to Premises Located at Dolphin
Court. Town Administrator Libby Gibson provided background information for the request required
by the Planning Board for a sewer easement for the Town. Ms. Stover moved to accept the
easement and amendment involving the subject premises (Lots 9 and 13). Mr. Chadwick
seconded. So voted unanimously.
Town Administrator’s Report.
1. Traffic Safety Workgroup Proposal Regarding Traffic Direction Changes in Downtown Area.
Ms. Gibson introduced the matter, noting a citizen proposal received this past summer. She noted
the workgroup’s review, adding that the proposal has been reviewed with the Board at a workshop
meeting and that a comprehensive study of traffic and parking in the core downtown area is also
being planned. Chief Pittman spoke in favor of the proposed change to the direction of three
streets. He noted specific public safety passage concerns of the current situation and potential
improvements and workable downstream results of the changes. Discussion followed.
Transportation Planner Mike Burns spoke in opposition and suggested a collection of data first.
Chief Pittman indicated that a study would take a considerable amount of time to implement and
further stressed the emergency vehicle needs. Ms. Stover moved to make Broad Street one way
from Centre Street to Federal Street, Centre Street one way from India Street to Broad Street and
Minutes of the Meeting of 7 February 2007
Page II
Chestnut Street one way from South Water Street to Federal Street and to Centre Street. Mr.
Bennett seconded. Discussion followed on related issues, study timeline, likely sites for fires and
flow improvements. On the motion, Ms. Stover, Mr. Bennett and Chairman Willauer voted in favor.
Mr. Kopko and Mr. Chadwick voted in opposition. So voted to proceed to implement the proposal.
2. Departmental Overview: Information Systems. Ms. Gibson introduced the matter as well as
Information Systems Coordinator Linda Rhodes and Network/Computer Technician Molly Sprouse.
Ms. Rhodes reviewed the responsibilities of the department, staffing resources, budgets, future
needs and current and on-going projects. Discussion followed on website plans, data security,
network structure and users, computer technologies to automate more of the Town’s functions.
3. Request for Approval of Letter of Support Regarding Rooms Tax Legislation. Ms. Gibson
provided background information and noted the Town of Brewster has filed a bill to expand the
room occupancy excise tax to add a new section to Chapter 64G that allows municipalities via a
local option to add “other transient accommodations” to the list of accommodations that can be
subjected to the room occupancy tax. Mr. Kopko moved to send a letter of support to be signed by
the Chairman. Mr. Chadwick seconded. So voted with Mr. Kopko, Mr. Chadwick, Ms. Stover and
Chairman Willauer voting in favor. Mr. Bennett voted in opposition.
4. Review of Board of Selectmen’s Upcoming Meeting Schedule. Ms. Gibson reviewed the
meeting schedule for the next few weeks.
Selectmen’s Report/Comment.
1. Dissolution of Sewer Advisory Committee (continued from 10 January 2007). Mr. Kopko moved
to dissolve the committee. Mr. Chadwick seconded. So voted unanimously.
2. Presentation on “Kyoto Protocol.” Mr. Bennett reviewed tenets to reduce global warming “by
uniting on the green front.” He warned of the effects on the island if sea level rises two feet due to
global warming and suggested a public informational meeting take place. Ms. Stover moved to
take the matter under advisement. Mr. Kopko seconded. So voted unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 8:10 PM.
Approved the 21st day of February 2007.