HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Selectmen Minutes January 23, 2008_201402061518096785BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Minutes of the Meeting of 23 January 2008 at 6:00 PM. The meeting took place in the Town and
County Building, 16 Broad Street, Nantucket, MA 02554. Members of the Board present were
Patricia Roggeveen, Whiting Willauer, Allen Reinhard, Michael Kopko, and Brian Chadwick.
Chairman Willauer called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Approval of Payroll Warrant for Week Ending 20 January 2008. The payroll warrant was approved
by unanimous consent of the meeting.
Approval of Treasury Warrant and Pending Contracts for 23 January 2008. The treasury warrant
and pending contracts were approved by unanimous consent of the meeting.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Town Administrator C. Elizabeth Gibson announced that the Board of Selectmen will not meet on
Wednesday, January 30, 2008, since it is the Board’s policy to not meet on the fifth Wednesday of
the month if a month has more than four Wednesdays.
Presentation of Sewer Rate Study. Joe Ridge, of Camp, Dresser, and McKee, presented a sewer
rate analysis report. Mr. Ridge presented rate increases that are necessary to fund nearly
completed wastewater improvements, and rate increases that would be necessary if various future
capital improvements to the Town’s wastewater system are made. Mr. Kopko questioned the
assumptions used in the study, and if any consideration had been given to using information
specific to Nantucket instead of using industry standards. Chairman Willauer suggested that the
analysis could use existing data on usage to better project rate increases. Mr. Chadwick asked if a
model existed for rates that takes into account a seasonal influx of population. Mr. Ridge said he
knew of no such model. The Board discussed alternatives to the current funding policy for
wastewater improvements. Ms. Roggeveen expressed concern at the dramatic rate increases
outlined in the study and suggested that the Board of Selectmen examine as many options as
possible in order to make a good policy decision on sewer rate increases. Discussion concluded
with the Board asking for further information.
FY 2006 Audit Update. Finance Director Connie Voges updated the Board on the status of
outstanding audits. Ms. Voges informed the Board that the audit for fiscal year 2005 is complete,
and that the audit for fiscal year 2006 should be completed in the next few weeks. She further
indicated that work on the audit for fiscal year 2007 will begin as soon as the 2006 audit is
completed. Ms. Voges explained that it is her goal to complete all future audits within 6 months of
the end of the fiscal year.
SELECTMEN’S REPORTS/COMMENT
Departmental Review: Parks and Recreation. Parks and Recreation Director James Manchester
presented an overview of the Parks and Recreation department, which included the department’s
activities in accomplishing goals set forth by the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Manchester also
reviewed current and future projects planned by his department. Some discussion followed and
the Board thanked Mr. Manchester for his report.
Adoption of the 2008 Annual Town Meeting and Election Warrant. Ms. Gibson reviewed warrant
articles needing final consideration by the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Kopko moved to adopt the
2008 Annual Town Meeting and Election Warrant; seconded by Ms. Roggeveen. So voted
unanimously.
Strategic Planning: Vision Statement Development. Due to the late hour, the Board of Selectmen
voted unanimously to postpone discussion on vision statement development. Chairman Willauer
asked the members to review the work he had done on the vision statement using Strengths,
Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis.
Budget Workgroup. Mr. Kopko moved to create a budget workgroup to work with staff to review
the fiscal year 2009 budget to identify possible spending reductions; seconded by Mr. Reinhard.
After discussion as to whether a budget review should be done by a workgroup or by the full Board
of Selectmen the motion failed 3-2; with Mr. Kopko and Ms. Roggeveen in favor of the motion. Ms.
Roggeveen moved to meet as a full Board in a workshop session to be scheduled in the next
couple of weeks; seconded by Mr. Chadwick. So voted unanimously.
The meeting was unanimously adjourned at 10:18 PM.
Approved the 20th day of February 2008.