Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Selectmen Minutes May 9, 2007_201402061500049684BOARD OF SELECTMEN Minutes of the Meeting of 9 May 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 6:20 PM following a meeting of the Nantucket Regional Transit Authority Advisory Board. Announcements. 1. Upcoming Committee Vacancies. Chairman Willauer noted upcoming committee vacancies to be filled May 14, 2007. 2. One-way Street Directional Changes to be Effective May 14, 2007 (Broad Street; Chestnut Street). Town Administrator C. Elizabeth Gibson reviewed the changes. 3. State Ethics Commission Seminar. Ms. Gibson advised that a state-sponsored ethics seminar will be held for all employees, and boards, committees and commissions as well as the public from 2-4 PM on Wednesday, May 16, 2007 at the Large Group Instruction Room at Nantucket High School. 4. Steamship Authority. SSA Representative H. Flint Ranney spoke about pending legislation, which would alter the membership and oversight of the Woods Hole, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority to bring it under the state Department of Transportation. He asked the Board to send a letter to the legislative sponsors to oppose this change. Discussion followed on the particular nature of Nantucket. Mr. Kopko moved to send the requested letter. Mr. Chadwick seconded. So voted unanimously. 5. Congratulations to Town Administrator. Chairman Willauer announced Ms. Gibson’s acceptance to Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government for an intensive government leadership program to run in July 2007. Public Comment. Ara Charder, a local tour licensee, objected to a recent amendment made to the Charter/Limo/Tour Regulations with regard to parking of tour vehicles at the designated Town tour vehicle space. She asked for leeway with respect to her situation. Ms. Gibson indicated that the amendment clarifies that non-Town licensed tour vans may not park in that area. Police Chief William Pittman spoke to the unfair competitive advantage, noting that state license holders are not subject to Town regulations as are other Town tour licensees. He added that nothing prevents Ms. Charder from seeking a Town license. Ms. Charder inquired about parking on Federal Street where Mr. Barrett parks his non-Town licensed tour bus. Chief Pittman noted that she could park there to pick up and drop off only. Chairman Willauer moved on to the next agenda item. Approval of Minutes of 25 April 2007 at 6:00 PM, 23 April 2007 at 10:00 AM, 19 April 2007 at 9:30 AM, 10 April 2007 at 10:00 AM and 9 April 2007 at 6:45 PM. The Board approved the minutes by unanimous consent. Approval of Payroll Warrant for Week Ending 6 May 2007. The Board approved the payroll warrant by unanimous consent. Minutes of the Meeting of 9 May 2007 Page II Approval of Treasury Warrant and Pending Contracts for Week Ending 9 May 2007. The Board approved the treasury warrant and pending contracts by unanimous consent. Selectmen Goals and Initiatives 1. Presentation of New Website for Town of Nantucket. Information Technology Director Linda Rhodes introduced IT Coordinator Molly Sprouse and Virtual Town Hall representative Millard Rose who would be assisting in the presentation. She provided background information and a status report of the new website to go live May 22, 2007. She gave a demonstration of the draft pages. Discussion followed on process specifics, streaming video possibilities and the privacy policy for those subscribing to agendas and other items. Mr. Rose spoke about building upon technology going forward. Discussion continued on links to committees, which should conform to the Town site if and when they exist outside the Town website. Ms. Gibson commended the IT Department for its work in pushing this forward while managing their usual demands. Town Administrator’s Report 1. Recommendation Regarding 90 Minute Parking Downtown. Police Chief William Pittman spoke to ticketing and enforcement in the downtown area, sharing information about parking in the core district. He noted that the 90-minute designation currently exists on Main Street only and , that the 90-minute limit is in violation of a Town, which restricts the Board’s discretion regarding timed parking in the core district to between 15 and 60 minutes. The Board consented to institute 60-minute parking where 90-minute parking now exists in the core district. 2. Departmental Overview: Town Administration. Ms. Gibson provided an overview of Town Administration, including its overall responsibilities, staffing, current projects and initiatives and Town Administration budgets. She reviewed budget forecasts, revenue and activities in response to Board of Selectmen goals. Ms. Gibson noted challenges the department faces. Ms. Roggeveen noted that the negotiation of health care insurance options to employees is another relatively recent accomplishment of great impact. Mr. Reinhard added thoughts on how well served we are. Discussion followed on future needs. Ms. Gibson commented how fortunate she is to have such competent staff, which makes all the difference. 3. Review of Timeline for Potential October Special Town Meeting. Ms. Gibson reviewed the timeline in response to the possibility of the need for a special town meeting this fall, mainly to address harbor plan articles not acted upon by the Annual Town Meeting. Discussion followed on the need to assess whether the meeting is warranted in October 2007 rather than April 2008. The Board consented to address the matter at its meeting on May 16, 2007. Selectmen’s Report/Comment 1. Report(s) from Selectmen Representatives to Other Committees/Work Groups. Board members provided updates of their respective committees. Mr. Kopko and Ms. Roggeveen spoke on a visit to Boston this past Monday to testify before the revenue committee at a joint meeting of the House and Senate regarding the pending legislation. Minutes of the Meeting of 9 May 2007 Page III Mr. Chadwick noted his attendance at a meeting last weekend on the subject of rising homeowners insurance rates, the “Fair Plan” and the lack of available options. Mr. Reinhard spoke to the ongoing project of acquiring Washing Pond Road as public access to the beach, crediting Planning Director Andrew Vorce for his work, finalized today by the recording of the necessary documents at the Registry of Deeds. The meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM. Approved the 23rd day of May 2007.