HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Selectmen Minutes January 3, 2007 Afternoon Meeting_201402061500012028BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Minutes of the Meeting of 3 January 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 and Michael Kopko and Whiting Willauer. Catherine Flanagan Stover
was absent. Chairman Willauer called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
Announcements. Transportation Planner Mike Burns gave an update on the Pleasant Street
Roundabout Project. He then gave an update on addressing concerns related to Japanese
knotweed and other invasive species as related to Town bike path projects, noting that corrective
efforts are underway.
Chairman Willauer announced the Nantucket Anglers Club’s two-day boating skills and
seamanship course free to youths twelve to sixteen years old (January 7 and January 21, 2007).
Chairman Willauer announced a public forum on erosion to be held by the Nantucket Civic League
at the high school cafeteria on Monday, January 8, 2007.
Public Comment. None.
Approval of Minutes of 27 December 2006 at 6:00 PM, 20 December 2006 at 6:00 PM, 19
December 2006 at 9:00 AM, 14 December 2006 at 1:00 PM, 13 December 2006 at 6:00 PM and
13 December 2006 at 12:30 PM. Mr. Kopko asked to continue the approval of the minutes of 14
December 2007. The Board unanimously consented to do so and to approve the remainder of the
minutes.
Approval of Payroll Warrant for Week Ending 31 December 2006. The Board unanimously
consented to approve the payroll warrant.
Approval of Pending Contracts for Week Ending 3 January 2007. The Board unanimously
approved the pending contracts.
Citizen/Departmental Requests.
1. Nantucket Preservation Trust: Request for Execution of Preservation Restriction for Premises
Located at 4 Winter Street (Coffin School). Town Administrator Libby Gibson provided an
introduction. Mr. Kopko moved to approve and execute the preservation restriction finding that it is
in the public interest to do so. Mr. Chadwick seconded. So voted unanimously.
2. Building Department: Request for Confirmation of Fee Schedule. Ms. Gibson provided
background information, noting this is a housekeeping item to confirm the existing schedules. Mr.
Kopko moved to confirm the fee schedule. Mr. Chadwick seconded. So voted unanimously.
3. Parks and Recreation Department: Action on Revised Fee Schedule. Ms. Gibson introduced
the matter and recommended the Board formally adopt the fees as per the recommendation of the
Park and Recreation Commission, which held the requisite public hearing. Park and Recreation
Director Jimmy Manchester provided the commission’s reasons for increasing fees and
establishing new ones. Mr. Kopko shared his concerns about increases that may be prohibitive to
Minutes of the Meeting of 3 January 2007
Page II
certain organizations. Discussion followed on the fees and the maintenance needs and associated
costs of the use of Town-owned properties for fundraising or other non-public purposes. Mr. Kopko
moved to approve the revised fee schedule. Mr. Chadwick seconded. So voted unanimously.
Town Administrator’s Report.
1. Departmental Overview: Visitor Services. Kate Hamilton, Director of Visitor Services, gave a
presentation of the department, reviewing its history, budget and the hours of operation. She gave
an overview of activity and staff, visitor statistics and the department’s website and then noted
specific projects, public service campaigns and future challenges. The Board thanked Ms.
Hamilton for her presentation and discussion followed on the importance of communication
regarding restaurants being open from Daffodil Weekend through New Year’s Day.
2. Citizen Request for Assent to Land Court Petition with Regard to Property Located at 65
Hummock Pond Road as Described on Plan No. 14973 (as approved by County Commission on
27 December 2006). Ms. Gibson reviewed the item, noting a concurrent assent by the Town
concerning the roadway layout is being sought. Mr. Kopko moved to approve the request. Mr.
Chadwick seconded. So voted unanimously.
3. Review of Board of Selectmen’s Meeting Schedule for January, February, March. Ms. Gibson
reviewed upcoming agenda items, noting regular and various workshop meetings in conjunction
with timelines for the budget and Annual Town Meeting.
Selectmen’s Reports/Comment.
1. Dissolution of Automobile Limitations Study Committee, Sewer Advisory Committee. Mr.
Kopko moved to formally dissolve the Automobile Limitations Study Committee and to continue the
matter of dissolution of the Sewer Advisory Committee until January 10, 2007 to allow that
committee to finalize its work. Mr. Chadwick seconded. So voted unanimously.
2. Appointment to Finance Committee. Chairman Willauer reviewed the need to acquire a majority
of votes by a candidate (Chris Perry, Matthew Mulcahy and Peter Morrison) to be appointed. Mr.
Kopko voted for Mr. Morrison. Mr. Bennett, Mr. Chadwick and Chairman Willauer voted for Mr.
Mulcahy who was appointed to fill the term ending June 30, 2008.
3. Adoption of Final Draft of Nantucket and Madaket Harbors Plan. Mr. Kopko suggested
scheduling a public hearing on this item on January 17, 2007, to which the Board consented.
4. Action on Comments to Department of Environmental Protection Regarding Chapter 91
Waterways License Application of Great Harbor Yacht Club. Chairman Willauer sequentially
reviewed a draft letter to Massachusetts DEP. Discussion followed on the specifics of the letter,
including the definition of “water-dependent uses” and the receipt of a letter from the Nantucket
Land Council pertaining to comments on the GHYC application. Sarah Alger, attorney for Great
Harbor Yacht Club, renewed her objection to Chairman Willauer’s participation in the proceedings.
Chairman Willauer responded, noting he would not be recusing himself. Ms. Alger inquired as to
the accuracy of information in the draft letter. Duncan Fogg read a prepared statement regarding
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Page III
the importance of keeping the travel lift. Ms. Alger commented on property ownership issues
regarding the “triangle” parcel of land. Discussion followed. Moncure Chatfield-Taylor commented
on the travel lift versus use of a crane for hauling boats. GHYC Attorney Ed Woll commented
about ownership of the triangle and the delayed objection voiced by the Town and then the issue of
the crane use. Mr. Chatfield-Taylor made a suggestion on the public use of the travel lift/crane.
Mr. Chadwick asked for addition of language for 20% of the boat slips to be provided by GHYC for
use by the public and Mr. Fogg spoke in support of public access.
Dan Drake asked about the impact of the floating piers and movement of the moorings on the
eelgrass and shellfish beds. The Board consented to review the letter again once revisions are
incorporated, at its meeting on January 8, 2007.
Wind Farm Matter. Mr. Bennett announced a federal Minerals Management Services meeting next
week and asked the Board to consider sending a letter regarding the review of alternate sites off
the southern coast of Nantucket for wind energy ventures. The Board agreed to take the letter
under advisement and vote on it on January 9, 2007.
The meeting adjourned at 8:21 PM.
Approved the 17th day of January 2007.