HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Selectmen Minutes November 12, 2007_201402061500059528BOARD OF SELECTMEN/NANTUCKET REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY
ADVISORY BOARD
Minutes of the Meeting of November 12, 2007. The meeting took place at 10-12
Washington Street, Nantucket, MA 02554. Members of the Board present were: Whitey
Willauer, Brian Chadwick, Michael Kopko, Allen Reinhard, and Patty Roggeveen.
Chairman Willauer called the meeting to order at 2:30 p.m.
Review the Site at 10-12 Washington Street and Discuss Potential Development
Options. Alan Worden, a principal of Windwalker Real Estate working with the Schmidt
Family Foundation introduced himself. He explained that the site at 10-12 Washington
Street, purchased by the Foundation, connects with the Foundation’s mission. A team
has been assembled to work on the project with the Town and NRTA. The team was
introduced. The team will meet with the Selectmen and others to determine if the
Foundation’s goals are compatible with Town goals. Mr. Worden thanked the Selectmen
for the opportunity to meet. Barbara Gookin asked if the NRTA shuttle buses would
continue to use Main Street if the site became a “transportation hub”. Paula Leary,
NRTA Administrator stated that if this site were used the buses would no longer travel on
Candle Street to Main Street to get to the current Washington Street stop. Mr. Kopko
asked if the Foundation would own the site. Mr. Worden stated that there are a variety
of issues and questions which are being investigated. Mr. Kopko asked if the owner is
doing an environmental study. Mr. Worden responded that studies were done a few
years ago and were reinvestigated when the purchase was discussed and that there are
no environmental concerns. Chairman Willauer asked what can happen by next
summer. Mr. Worden stated that is not yet known. Chairman Willauer asked what was
next. Mr. Worden stated they would like to meet with the Selectmen in small groups and
also to look at a variety of plans to improve nearby Wilkes Square and related issues
such as property ownership, planning, transportation and shelter possibilities at the site.
Joanne Pimental Roche asked if the state Executive Office of Transportation should
have a representative here since regional transit authorities are not legally allowed to
operate their own systems. Ms. Leary stated that the NRTA does not operate its
systems but that RTA’s are able to hold assets. Ms. Roche asked about the Schmidt’s
plans for green buses as was stated in a recent press release. Mr. Worden stated that
that was not in the press release but that the Schmidts want to work with the town and
NRTA to investigate improvements that would be environmentally friendly. Mr. Kopko
asked of the immediate plans in the next two months and if the site was going to stay the
way it is or if there would be immediate changes. Mr. Worden said there has been no
decision made at this time. Curtis Barnes asked what the traffic plan or pattern is and
expressed concerns of traffic back up especially at boat time on Candle Street. Mr.
Kopko asked how the process and timeline was going to move forward. Mr. Worden
responded that they will work with the stakeholders, figure out what is known and not
known, and that assembling information is the most important first step. Chairman
Willauer asked if a committee was needed to assist with this initiative. Mr. Worden
stated there are no preconceived ideas, that this is an opportunity to create a
private/public partnership. Chairman Willauer commented that the Selectmen should
participate in determining the structure.
The meeting was unanimously adjourned at 2:56 p.m.
Approved the 19th day of December 2007.