HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Selectmen Minutes March 28, 2007_201402061500046091BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Minutes of the Meeting of 28 March 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 Douglas
Bennett, Brian Chadwick, Michael Kopko, Catherine Flanagan Stover and Whiting Willauer.
Chairman Willauer called the meeting to order at 6:50 PM following a meeting of the County
Commission.
Announcements. Town Administrator C. Elizabeth Gibson noted that upcoming committee
openings will soon be advertised and posted on the Town’s website.
Public Comment. John McLaughlin thanked retiring Selectmen Bennett and Stover for their time
and service.
Approval of Minutes of 13 March 2007 at 4:00 PM, 7 March 2007 at 6:00 PM, 28 February 2007 at
6:00 PM and 21 February 2007 at 6:00 PM. The Board approved the minutes by unanimous
consent. Mr. Kopko abstained, noting that he was absent for the meetings.
Approval of Payroll Warrant for Week Ending March 25, 2007. The Board approved the payroll
warrant by unanimous consent.
Approval of Treasury Warrant and Pending Contracts for Week Ending 28 March 2007. The Board
approved the treasury warrant and pending contracts by unanimous consent following a discussion
on a change order of $125,000 for CC Construction, Inc, for work on a sewer rehab project
required due to inaccuracy in “as-built” drawings. DPW Director Jeff Willett advised that
reimbursement for the amount will be sought from National Grid, which had supplied the inaccurate
plans. Mr. Bennett moved to approve the treasury warrant and pending contracts. Ms. Stover
seconded. So voted unanimously.
Citizen/Departmental Requests
1. Finance Department: Request for Approval for Short-Term Borrowing. Town Treasurer Debbie
Weiner explained the request and its specifics. Mr. Chadwick moved that the Treasurer of the
Town of Nantucket be authorized to borrow the sum of $4,900,000 from Nantucket Bank at a rate
of 7.25% to be paid within 45 days from the date of the note and that Deborah J. W. Weiner,
Treasurer, is hereby authorized, directed and empowered to execute all required documents
needed on behalf of the Town of Nantucket. Mr. Kopko seconded. So voted unanimously with Ms.
Stover recusing herself.
2. Nantucket Land Council: Request for Execution of Conservation Restriction by Linda Loring for
Premises Located at 90 Eel Point Road. Nantucket Land Council Executive Director Cormac
Collier provided background information and spoke in support of the restriction of 264 acres
between Eel Point Road and Madaket Road and a related restriction for 110 Eel Point Road. He
noted public support regarding the encumbrance of acreage in conjunction with a second proposed
conservation restriction by the Linda Loring Nature Foundation for abutting land. Discussion
followed on access for public safety purposes. Mr. Kopko moved to approve and execute this
restriction and a second conservation restriction for 110 Eel Point Road as they are in the public
interest. Ms. Stover seconded. So voted unanimously.
Minutes of the Meeting of 28 March 2007 at 6:00 PM
Page II
Mr. Collier credited Nantucket Land Council Associate Director Lynn Zimmerman for her work in
bringing these restrictions forward.
3. Nantucket Land Council: Request for Execution of Conservation Restriction by Linda Loring
Nature Foundation for Premises Located at 110 Eel Point Road. (This matter for the restriction of
approximately 5.9 acres shown as Lot 2 on Land Court Plan 16211-E. was addressed above in
conjunction with the other of the two restrictions.)
Public Hearings
1. Public Hearing to Determine Tax Allocation by Classification (Chapter 369, Acts of 1982 as
Amended) and Percentage, If Any, of Residential Exemption to be Granted for Fiscal Year 2007.
Chairman Willauer opened the public hearing. Assessor Deborah Dilworth described the time-
consuming triennial valuation of properties noted that Department of Revenue required approval
has not yet been received and requested a continuation of the public hearing. Mr. Bennett moved
to continue the public hearing to April 4, 2007. Ms. Stover seconded. So voted unanimously.
Town Administrator’s Report
1. Status Report on Application of Sewer District Criteria for Article 42 of 2007 Annual Town
Meeting Warrant. Ms. Gibson introduced the matter. Planning Director Andrew Vorce spoke on
the finalized checklist, noting its development to date and the choice given to participants on
whether or not to be part of the district. Terry Kelly of Hummock Pond Road spoke on the issue.
Nancy Wheatley spoke on the benefit of and need for centralized wastewater treatment, adding
that she believes the properties in question should be on Town sewer. Discussion followed. Marty
McGowan spoke on working toward a healthy solution to the neighborhood needs with alternative
septic systems. Mr. Vorce and Health Inspector Richard Ray shared additional information via a
GIS map of area soils, wetlands and topography.
Selectmen’s Report/Comment
1. Action on a Motion for Proposed Sewer Act (Article 60 of 2007 Annual Town Meeting Warrant).
Mr. Kopko provided general information, noting a March 22, 2007 meeting of the Board and the
Finance Committee, which concurred to endorse the wording of the motion. Mr. Kopko moved to
support the motion. Mr. Bennett seconded.
Mr. Chadwick shared concerns about the Sewer Act, including new users paying for certain
maintenance and potential passage, which he felt would effectively take away the right of the
individual to bring to a town meeting a request to be added to a sewer district. Mr. Kopko made
counter points. Town Counsel Paul DeRensis commented on engineering implications of potential
district changes, the protection provided by the model stating a defined area, capacity and load and
noting the potential danger of adding properties by “tinkering with this at town meetings.” He
stressed the point of sewer districts to be established in an orderly manner to protect the
community and infrastructure. Discussion followed. Michael Glowacki shared comments,
requested Finance Committee comment on the vote and suggested there is no shortcut for the
town meeting process. He suggested transparency in government by providing text in advance
and carry forward to a future town meeting. Ms. Wheatley spoke on the work of the Sewer
Minutes of the Meeting of 28 March 2007 at 6:00 PM
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Advisory Committee and the potential process, adding that additional clarification is needed for the
public about the Sewer Act. Inquirer and Mirror reporter Jason Graziadei made inquiries, some of
which were addressed by Mr. DeRensis. Mr. Bennett moved to call the question. Mr. Chadwick
seconded. So voted with Mr. Kopko, Mr. Bennett and Ms. Stover voting in favor. Mr. Chadwick
and Chairman Willauer voted in opposition. On the motion, which would express support for the
motion to Article 60, Mr. Bennett, Mr. Kopko, Ms. Stover and Chairman Willauer voted in favor. Mr.
Chadwick voted in opposition.
Ms. Stover noted her appreciation of sitting on the Board and brought forward items for future
consideration. Mr. Bennett moved to accept a gift of a memorial stone with a brass plaque from
supportive citizens for the historically named “Colored Cemetery.” Mr. Kopko seconded. So voted
unanimously. Mr. Bennett shared his own thoughts on serving the Town and leaving the Board.
Mr. Kopko moved to send letters of appreciation to Ms. Stover and Mr. Chadwick. Mr. Chadwick
seconded. So voted unanimously.
At 9:00 PM, Chairman Willauer polled the Board and Mr. Bennett, Mr. Chadwick, Mr. Kopko, Ms.
Stover and Chairman Willauer voted unanimously to adjourn to executive session, not to return to
open session for the purpose of discussing a collective bargaining matter.
Approved the 19th day of April 2007.