HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Selectmen Minutes August 6, 2008_201402061518059754BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Minutes of the Meeting of 6 August 2008 at 6:00 PM. The meeting took place in the Court Room,
Town and County Building, 16 Broad Street, Nantucket, MA 02554. Members of the Board present
were Brian Chadwick, Rick Atherton, Allen Reinhard, and Patricia Roggeveen. Michael Kopko was
absent. Vice-Chairman Roggeveen, acting as Chairman, called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Chairman Roggeveen announced that Jamie Ranney, attorney for Upton Shipley who is applying
for a permit to operate a commercial kiteboarding business, has requested a continuance
regarding a public hearing scheduled for this evening. Some discussion followed and the Board
generally agreed to continue the hearing until August 20, 2008. Mr. Atherton moved that there be
no further continuance beyond August 20, 2008; seconded by Mr. Reinhard. So voted
unanimously. It was also unanimously agreed that a notice be placed in the Inquirer & Mirror to
notify the public of the new hearing date.
Chairman Roggeveen announced a suggestion to continue the deadline for which applications are
due for the newly created Citizen Advisory Committee for Public Safety Facility. After a brief
discussion, the deadline was continued to August 27, 2008, at which time the appointments will
also be made.
Chairman Roggeveen announced that the second annual “Autism Speaks” walk on Nantucket is
August 16, 2008 and a representative from the agency spoke on what the public can do to help in
this endeavor. Mr. Reinhard moved to proclaim August 9 – 16, 2008 as Autism Awareness Week;
seconded by Mr. Atherton. So voted unanimously.
Melissa Philbrick, representing “Remain Nantucket” spoke about an Urban Land Institute advisory
panel that is scheduled for mid-October, the purpose of which is to examine strategies to enhance
downtown Nantucket’s economic, social and environmental sustainability for future generations.
Chairman Roggeveen read a list of committee openings, noting that applications are due August
18, 2008 and a public hearing to review applications will be held on August 20, 2008.
Park and Recreation Director Jim Manchester gave an update on the Skateboard Park project and
some discussion followed. Mr. Manchester indicated that the project is scheduled to be completed
by September 1, 2008.
Town Manager C. Elizabeth Gibson announced the NRTA bus service schedule changes to Jetties
Beach this weekend, due to the Boston Pops concert preparations.
Health Officer Richard Ray spoke on the Massachusetts Clean Water Act that was recently passed
by the state legislature and Mr. Reinhard moved to send Governor Duval Patrick a letter requesting
he support the Clean Water Act, without amendment, which is part of the Environmental Bond Bill;
seconded by Mr. Atherton. So voted unanimously.
Legislative Liaison Tim Madden provided a legislative update and noted that the 1975 Roads bill
was passed has been signed into law.
Minutes of the Meeting of 6 August 2008 – 6:00 PM
Page II.
A representative from the Nantucket Community Association announced that a summer forum
featuring the Town Manager and Board of Selectmen, sponsored by the Non-voting Taxpayers
Advisory Committee, Town Association and the Nantucket Community Association, will take place
on August 19, 2008 at the Atheneum.
Approval of Payroll Warrant for Weeks Ending 27 July 2008 and 4 August 2008. The payroll
warrant for the weeks ending 27 July 2008 and 4 August 2008 was approved by the unanimous
consent of the meeting.
Approval of Treasury Warrant and Pending Contracts for 30 July 2008 and 6 August 2008. The
treasury warrant and pending contracts for 30 July 2008 and 6 August 2008 were approved by the
unanimous consent of the meeting.
Harbor and Shellfish Advisory Board: Request for Board of Selectmen Endorsement of Revised
Mission Statement. Harbor and Shellfish Advisory Board (SHAB) vice-chairman Peter Boyce
spoke, explaining why SHAB feels it is necessary to update its mission statement. It was noted by
Marine Superintendent Dave Fronzuto that some wording in the mission statement is repetitious in
that it is already contained in the enabling legislation. Some discussion followed concerning this
issue with Mr. Boyce commenting that SHAB feels the enabling legislation is not as “publicly
available” as a mission statement. Mr. Atherton suggested that the legislation be posted on the
Town website. Further discussion followed with Town Counsel Paul DeRensis making suggestions
on how best to revise the mission statement. It was the unanimous consent of the Board to take no
action on this matter pending further language revisions as recommended by Town Counsel.
Housing Nantucket: Request for Waiver of Sewer Connection Fee. Aaron Marcavitch, executive
director of Housing Nantucket (HN), explained that HN is preparing an application to build a rental
dwelling using Community Preservation funds and is requesting a waiver from the $2,000 sewer
entry fee. Some discussion followed with several Board members expressed reluctance to waive
the fee. Mr. Marcavitch, subsequently, withdrew his request and the Board took no action.
Request for Town Acceptance of Real Property Conveyance from County for Certain Portions of
Sherburne Turnpike, Pursuant to Article 73 of 2007 Annual Town Meeting. Mr. Chadwick moved to
accept from the County of Nantucket a grant of certain portions of Sherburne Turnpike pursuant to
the authority of Article III, section 3.3 of the Town of Nantucket Town Charter, St. 1996, c. 289 § 1
and Article 73 of the 2007 Annual Town Meeting; seconded by Mr. Reinhard. So voted
unanimously.
Request for Acceptance of Grant of Right of First Refusal for Property Located at 32 Washington
Street. Mr. Reinhard moved to accept a right of first refusal for property located at 32 Washington
Street; seconded by Mr. Atherton. So voted unanimously. Mr. Reinhard thanked the Kotalac family,
noting that if the Kotalac family sells this property, the Town has the right of first refusal and can
assign this right to the Nantucket Islands Land Bank.
Minutes of the Meeting of 6 August 2008 – 6:00 PM
Page III.
TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT
Police Chief: Report on Alcohol Compliance Checks. Police Chief Bill Pittman reported that the
Police Department has completed its first round of compliance checks of all licensed alcoholic
beverage establishments. Chief Pittman expressed disappointment that 34 of the 84 licensed
establishments sold alcohol to the department’s underage agent(s). Chief Pittman stated that
letters were sent to these establishments and the responses from the license holders have been
positive, and he is hopeful that “round 2” of compliance checks will result in fewer offenses. Chief
Pittman also reported that his department is working closely with the Marine Department to monitor
alcohol abuse by boaters.
Karen Lindsay, executive director of Nantucket Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention (A.S.A.P.)
spoke commending the Police Department for its initiative to curb underage drinking. Ms. Lindsay
provided some statistics regarding underage drinking on Nantucket noting 55% of Nantucket high
school students reported using alcohol within the last 30 days which is higher than that of
Massachusetts (48%) and of the U.S. (43%).
Ms. Gibson reported that the Public Works Department will be cutting back shrubbery along areas
of the Surfside Road bicycle path that have been identified as “crime areas” so as to provide more
visibility and hopefully reduce incidents.
At 7:15 PM, Chairman Roggeveen polled the Board and Mr. Chadwick, Mr. Atherton, Mr. Reinhard
and Chairman Roggeveen voted unanimously to adjourn to Executive Session, not to return to
Open Session, for the purpose of discussing the reputation, character, physical condition or mental
health rather than the professional competence of an individual.
Approved the 27th day of August 2008.