HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Selectmen Minutes July 11, 2007_201402061500027028BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Minutes of the Meeting of 11 July 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, Michael Kopko, Allen Reinhard, Patricia Roggeveen and Whiting Willauer. Chairman
Willauer called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
Announcements. None.
Public Comment. Cormac Collier mentioned that the Old North Wharf expansion is a matter to be
discussed at the July 13, 2007 Zoning Board of Appeals meeting and asked for interested parties
to be present.
Ara Charder of Ara’s Tours spoke on tour license availability and asked for the Board’s
consideration of assigning available licenses.
Approval of Payroll Warrants for Weeks Ending 1 July 2007 and 8 July 2007. The Board approved
the payroll warrants by unanimous consent.
Approval of Treasury Warrant and Pending Contracts for Week Ending 11 July 2007. Chairman
Willauer reviewed the pending contracts. The Board approved the treasury warrant and pending
contracts by unanimous consent.
Annual Appointments to Boards, Committees and Commissions (Phase 2)
1. Appointments to Harbor Plan Implementation Committee and Cemetery Commission
Workgroup. Chairman Willauer explained the voting process and welcomed any of the seven
applicants for the four available at-large seats (for terms to end June 30, 2009) to the Harbor Plan
Implementation Committee present to speak. Diane Coombs spoke on her behalf. On the first
voting round, Mr. Kopko voted for Steve Bender, Leslie Johnson, Sarah Oktay and Carl Sjolund.
Mr. Chadwick voted for Diane Coombs, Wendy McCrae, Carl Sjolund and Patricia Stolte. Mr.
Reinhard voted for Leslie Johnson, Sarah Oktay, Carl Sjolund and Patricia Stolte. Ms. Roggeveen
voted Diane Coombs, Leslie Johnson, Sarah Oktay and Carl Sjolund. Chairman Willauer voted for
Diane Coombs, Leslie Johnson, Sarah Oktay and Carl Sjolund. So voted to appoint Sarah Oktay
and Carl Sjolund to the Harbor Plan Implementation Committee.
On the second voting round, Mr. Kopko voted for Ms. Coombs and Ms. Johnson; Mr. Chadwick
voted for Ms. Coombs and Ms. McCrae, Mr. Reinhard voted for Ms. Coombs and Ms. Stolte.
Chairman Willauer voted for Ms. Coombs and Ms. Johnson. So voted to also appoint Ms. Coombs
and Ms. Johnson to the Harbor Plan Implementation Committee.
Mr. Reinhard moved to appoint Diane Holdgate to the Cemetery Commission Workgroup for the
remainder of the term vacated (through June 30, 2009) by Mr. Reinhard who is now its Selectmen
representative. Mr. Kopko seconded. So voted unanimously.
Mr. Kopko moved to endorse Shellfish and Harbor Advisory Board representatives Peter Boyce,
Bam LaFarge and Doug Smith to the Harbor Plan Implementation Committee. Mr. Reinhard
seconded. So voted unanimously.
Minutes of the Meeting of 11 July 2007 at 6:00 PM
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2. Endorsement of Abatement Advisory Committee Appointments. Mr. Reinhard moved to
endorse Judith A. Moran, Joseph J. McLaughlin and H. Flint Ranney as appointed by Assessor
Deborah Dilworth to the Abatement Advisory Committee for one year. Mr. Kopko seconded. So
voted unanimously.
Citizen/Department Requests
1. Nantucket Community Sailing: Request for Waiver of Noise Bylaw. This item was withdrawn.
2. Chanticleer, LLC: Request for Approval of Temporary Amendment to Entertainment License.
This item was withdrawn.
3. Nantucket Land Council: Request for Approval and Execution of Conservation Restriction for
Premises Located at 141 Madaket Road. Nantucket Land Council Executive Director Cormac
Collier spoke on the donation of fifteen acres at 141 Madaket Road to the Nantucket Land Council,
describing the property under consideration and noting the review of the conservation restriction by
Town Counsel. Discussion followed on current rights-of-way that will remain. Mr. Reinhard spoke
about the clear public benefit of this restriction on land that abuts Land Bank property. Mr.
Chadwick moved to approve the conservation restriction as it is in the public interest. Ms.
Roggeveen seconded. Mr. Kopko provided thanks on the Board’s behalf to donors Walter and
Susan Binge who were present. On the motion, the Board voted unanimously to approve the
restriction.
4. Duane P. Jones: Request for Acceptance of Grant of Bicycle and Pedestrian Easement and a
Grant of Pedestrian Easement at 39 Nobadeer Farm Road in Conjunction with Planning Board
Conditions. Planning Director Andrew Vorce spoke on the allowance for an interconnection of
bicycle paths in the area via this grant of easement along with one the Board approved on June 27,
2007 for Rosemary Way and asked for the Board’s acceptance of these easements at 39
Nobadeer Farm Road. Discussion followed on the exact location of the proposed easements. Mr.
Chadwick moved to approve the grants of easement. Mr. Reinhard seconded. So voted
unanimously.
5. Eldredge Surveying and Engineering, LLC: Request for Acceptance of Improvement of West
Chester Street by Westmoor Farms. John DiSouza of Eldredge Surveying and Engineering
provided background information for this item, which he noted was a Planning Board condition.
Chairman Willauer asked for clarification on whether or not this is a gift to the Town. Mr. Vorce
clarified that as West Chester Street is a public road, it is under the Selectmen’s jurisdiction. He
noted the Planning Board condition is to pave the road and asked the Board to accept the gift for
the public infrastructure. Discussion followed on future operation and maintenance costs. Mr.
Vorce noted that maintenance in the future would be less if the paving occurs slightly past Pilgrim
Road to the end of Crooked Lane as is being offered. Senior Planner Leslie Woodson spoke in
support of the public improvements, noting work by the Planning Department and the Department
of Public Works with the engineers to effect these improvements. Chairman Willauer inquired as to
the value of “hard pack” versus paving, which Mr. DiSouza answered. Discussion followed on the
life cycle cost differential, which DPW Director Jeff Willett addressed. Discussion continued on
Minutes of the Meeting of 11 July 2007 at 6:00 PM
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stormwater run-off. Mr. Vorce spoke on the policy regarding paving and non-paving of roads,
adding that the boundary for paving is Crooked Lane. He clarified the limitation against paving
applies to the country overlay district.
Ms. Roggeveen spoke in support of the Town Meeting vote and importance of safe passage for
emergency vehicles. She moved to accept the offer of improvements as proposed. Mr Chadwick
seconded. Frank Spriggs, Planning Board Chairman, spoke in support of the paving. Chairman
Willauer noted appreciation for the hard work of the Planning Board, but referenced letters for and
against. On the motion, Mr. Chadwick, Mr. Reinhard and Ms. Roggeveen voted in favor. Mr.
Kopko and Chairman Willauer voted in opposition. So voted to approve the acceptance of the gift
to pave West Chester Street.
Selectmen Goals and Initiatives
1. Update of Board of Selectmen 2007-08 Goals Process. Chairman Willauer gave an update of
activity to date and noted next steps. He noted the importance of seeking unanimity among the
Board members, driving goals down to departmental levels via the Town Administrator and the
process moving forward.
Town Administrator’s Report
1. Action on 2007 Year End Budget Transfers as Approved by the Finance Committee on June 28,
2007. Finance Director Connie Voges reviewed the transfers totaling $290,936 authorized under
Chapter 77 of the Acts of 2006, allowing budgetary transfers from May 1 to July 15, 2007 if
approved by the Finance Committee and the Board of Selectmen. She explained budgets and
deficits affecting free cash and reasons for the transfers. Mr. Kopko moved to approve the
transfers as requested. Mr. Reinhard seconded. So voted unanimously.
2. Action on Determination of Uniqueness for the Town’s Proposed Acqusition of the Property at
10-12 Washington Street. Mr. Chadwick reviewed the purpose of the determination required as a
prerequisite to acquire this property if so voted at the Special Town Meeting, which would not bind
the Town if it is not needed in the future. Discussion followed on whether this has involved or will
involve a Planning Board hearing. Curtis Barnes shared his concerns about the proposed
acquisition, noting that no public hearings have occurred and that further discussion is warranted.
Mr. Barnes asked the Board to follow protocols. Discussion followed on related concerns of the
overall strategy and the Nantucket Regional Transit Authority situation. Mr. Kopko noted that
action on the determination would not bind the Town in any way and added that he agrees further
information is needed. Discussion followed on input previously provided by the Town Administrator
and the NRTA Administrator. Mr. Chadwick reviewed activity to date, including discussions on the
usefulness of the site. Ms. Roggeveen shared reasons for the Board’s responsibility in looking at
this property due to local needs, including valid concerns of businesses currently affected by the
NRTA buses.
Discussion followed on the Finance Committee motion related to Article 3 of the July 26, 2007
Special Town Meeting (Real Estate Acquisition: 10-12 Washington Street). Mr. Reinhard spoke in
support of the opportunity for the Town to acquire these parcels in the central area of downtown.
Minutes of the Meeting of 11 July 2007 at 6:00 PM
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Mr. Reinhard moved that the Board adopt the determination of uniqueness. Ms. Roggeveen
seconded. Discussion followed on future considerations and the potential limitations of property.
On the motion, the Board voted unanimously to approve the determination of uniqueness.
Selectmen’s Reports/Comment
1. Action on Proposed Sewer Act. Chariman Willauer reviewed recent events including a meeting
on July 9, 2007 with interested parties on language of the proposed Sewer Act and subsequent
comments received by Town Counsel. Chairman Willauer noted that the joint legislative committee
will not be traveling to Nantucket for a hearing on the proposed Act as originally planned. Mr.
Kopko noted that, taken as a whole, Town Counsel has indicated support of keeping the document
as is. Mr. Chadwick requested more time to review comments. Chairman Willauer and Ms.
Roggeveen concurred. Mr. Kopko moved to approve Town Counsel recommendations and to
send the current version to the legislature. There was no second. Mr. Chadwick requested
scheduling a date to review the comments with Town Counsel. Ms. Roggeveen seconded.
Discussion followed on keeping in touch with Legislative Liaison Timothy Madden on final language
to be provided. Mr. Reinhard indicated that he sees no problems with Town Counsel
recommendations and noted a concern about getting the document to the state legislature in this
session in a timely manner so as not to lose the momentum already behind it. Ms. Roggeveen
spoke on strategic concerns to put forward a stronger bill. Discussion continued on philosophical
opposition to the bill, support of the article that passed at 2007 Annual Town Meeting and the plan
to approve the final version tonight. Chairman Willauer spoke in support of reviewing the
document again with Town Counsel. Chairman Willauer reviewed the document item by item,
noting Town Counsel’s comments. The Board consented to meet on Monday, July 16, 2007 at 10
AM with Town Counsel available by telephone to further review his comments.
Mr. Kopko noted his concern about processing certain matters and recommended that the Board
act more quickly in its deliberations.
Mr. Reinhard thanked the DPW for its attention to recent connections of certain sewer lines along
Hulbert Avenue.
Mr. Reinhard spoke on the value of addressing goals and objectives as a Board activity.
The meeting adjourned at 7:55 PM.
Approved the 5th day of September 2007.