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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Selectmen Minutes September 12, 2007_201402061500070778BOARD OF SELECTMEN Minutes of the Meeting of 12 September 2007 at 6:00 PM. The meeting took place in the Court Room, Town & County Building, 16 Broad Street, Nantucket, MA 02554. Members of the Board present were Whiting Willauer, Brian Chadwick, Patricia Roggeveen, Allen Reinhard and Michael Kopko. Chairman Willauer called the meeting to order at 6:05 PM. ANNOUNCEMENTS Town Manager Libby Gibson reviewed the new annual taxi license waiting list regulations. Chairman Willauer read a proclamation from the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse and the Board unanimously approved the document. Chairman Willauer announced that he will be attending a Massachusetts Municipal Association meeting on September 19, 2007 and, consequently, will be absent from the Board of Selectmen meeting that night. PUBLIC COMMENT Nantucket resident Nancy Wheatley spoke on several matters relating to sewer issues. Quidnet/Squam Association president Richard Peterson reviewed recent “resolutions” passed by the Association pertaining to Sconset bluff preservation efforts. Squam resident D. Anne Atherton stated she is pleased that Ms. Gibson will be the speaker at the Nantucket Civic League meeting on September 17, 2007. Approval of Payroll Warrant for Week Ending 9 September 2007. The payroll warrant was approved by unanimous consent. Approval of Treasury Warrant and Pending Contracts for 12 September 2007. The treasury warrant and pending contracts were approved by unanimous consent. Nantucket Housing Authority: Request for Letter of Support for Community Preservation Fund Application. Rene Ceeley, executive director of the Nantucket Housing Authority, was present and reviewed a request for a letter of support from the Board to the Community Preservation Committee for $10,000 to develop a request for proposal and pursue a comprehensive permit for construction of 50 affordable, owner-occupied units on its vacant property along Surfside Road. Some discussion followed and both Ms. Roggeveen and Mr. Chadwick expressed their reservations about recommending specific projects to CPC. Mr. Kopko moved to support Ms. Ceeley’s request to send a letter of support. The motion died for lack of a second and there was no further action taken on the matter. Public Hearing to Determine Tax Allocation by Classification; and Percentage, if any, of Residential Exemption to be Granted for FY 2008. Chairman Willauer opened the hearing and Assessor Debbie Dilworth explained the tax rates, as they relate to the tax shift and residential exemption. Some discussion followed and Chairman Willauer closed the hearing. Mr. Reinhard moved to shift 1.75 (or 175%) to commercial, industrial and personal property; seconded by Mr. Chadwick. So voted. Mr. Reinhard moved to adopt a 20% residential exemption, as presented; seconded by Mr. Chadwick. So voted. Town Administrator’s Report. Town Manager Libby Gibson reviewed the FY 2009 and 10-year capital projects forecast. Ms. Roggeveen inquired as to the status of a sewer rate study and some discussion followed regarding sewer funding options and other related sewer issues as well as other proposed projects. There was also a brief discussion concerning the use of “green technology.” Minutes of the Meeting of 12 September 2007 – 6:00 PM Page II. Execution of Term Sheet with Siasconset Beach Preservation Fund Regarding Filing of Chapter 91 Waterways License Application. William Hunter, attorney for Siasconset Beach Preservation Fund (SBPF), spoke in favor of the Board executing the term sheet and emphasized the need to move ahead with the project. Mr. Hunter noted the benefits of the project as did SBPF representative Helmut Weymar. Squam resident Rick Atherton read a resolution from the Quidnet/Squam Association expressing reservations about the project. Also expressing concern was Nantucket resident Arthur Gasbarro. Mr. Gasbarro asked the Board to postpone executing the term sheet until SBPF has actually completed some of the items it has agreed to complete, and until the Conservation Commission (ConCom) has completed its process. Mr. Gasbarro stated he does not see why the Board needs to “get this done tonight.” Charter fisherman Bob DeCosta concurred with Mr. Gasbarro, adding that he does not believe the concerns of the local fishermen have been adequately addressed. Nantucket resident Edie Ray stated the Board should not execute any documents until SBPF completes the ConCom process, then the Chapter 91 process. Also speaking against the Board acting upon this matter tonight were fishermen Josh Eldridge and Peter Kaizer. Mr. Kaizer stated he would like to see a legal opinion as to how the ConCom process relates to the Chapter 91 procedure. Ms. Roggeveen asked Mr. Hunter why the Board sign-off is needed tonight, in advance of the issuance of a final ConCom Order of Conditions, which is required for a Chapter 91 license. Some discussion followed as to whether SBPF is seeking a license or a permit. Mr. Hunter explained that a permit allows work to be conducted in the state-owned tidelands while a license allows for structures. Mr. Hunter stated SBPF is currently applying for a permit. After some additional discussion, Mr. Chadwick moved to continue this matter until September 26, 2007, pending Town Counsel responding to the following questions: 1) what is the difference between the application requirements for a Chapter 91 license and a Chapter 91 permit; 2) how and when does the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) treat the final Order of Conditions during the Chapter 91 review process, and 3) why is there a benefit for the 2 applications to run concurrently; seconded by Mr. Reinhard. So voted. Monthly Selectmen Work Group/Committee Reports. Each Board member reported on the various committees/work groups on which they serve. Mr. Chadwick spoke on the pending special town election in which the acquisition of 10-12 Washington Street is the only ballot question. Mr. Chadwick stated that he has written an “op-ed” to appear in the September 13, 2007 issue of the Inquirer & Mirror and asked if Board members would sign the letter with him. Mr. Kopko spoke in opposition and after some discussion, Ms. Roggeveen moved to approve the op-ed be signed by the Board; seconded by Mr. Chadwick. So voted. Mr. Kopko and Chairman Willauer were opposed. The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 PM. Approved the 10th day of October 2007.