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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Selectmen Minutes February 14, 2008_201402061518088035BOARD OF SELECTMEN Minutes of the Meeting of 14 February 2008 at 9:30 AM. The meeting took place in the Conference Room at 16 Broad Street, Nantucket, MA 02554. Members of the Board present were Whitey Willauer, Brian Chadwick, Patricia Roggeveen, Allen Reinhard, and Michael Kopko. Chairman Willauer called the meeting to order at 9:32 AM. WORKSHOP MEETING Sewer Rates/Projects Prioritization Discussion. Chairman Willauer began the meeting by presenting a sewer rate model he had developed. The Board discussed how to approach identifying project priorities and ensuring the Sewer Enterprise Fund is balanced given the staggering costs associated with capital improvements to the Town’s sewer system. In setting priorities, the number of new hookups should be considered because the more the houses that are hooked up the more costs can be offset with privilege fees. DPW Director Jeff Willett informed the Board that if special legislation pending in the Massachusetts General Court passes, then the Town could look at the option of requiring sewer hookups in identified needs areas. The Board then discussed the Town’s Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan (CWMP) and how projects are prioritized in that plan. It was concluded that options for Madaket should be considered separately from other sewer projects because of the prohibitive costs and unique circumstances of the project. Town Administrator C. Elizabeth Gibson suggested that the Board could study additional wastewater treatment options for Madaket, and proceed with capital design for other identified needs areas. Town Counsel Paul DeRensis indicated that the Town may have to file a new CWMP with the state’s Department of Environmental Protection if it deviated from the priority list it had submitted to the state. Mr. Willett said he believed the Town could proceed with any project on its priority list because none of the projects on that list were mandated by the state. After further discussion the Board reached consensus that alternative options for wastewater treatment in Madaket should be studied while the estuaries report for Madaket is being completed. The Board discussed sewer rates. In response to a question from Mr. Chadwick, Mr. Paul DeRensis stated that the Town could charge a seasonal rate in the summer. Finance Director Connie Voges and Mr. Willett said that this option would need further examination since the current sewer rate structure already captures increased costs associated with the seasonal population influx. The meeting was adjourned at 11:02 AM. Approved the day of the 26th of March, 2008.