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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Selectmen Minutes July 2, 2008_201402061518098816BOARD OF SELECTMEN Minutes of the Meeting of 2 July 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. Chairman Roggeveen, acting as Chairman, called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. ANNOUNCEMENTS Wannacomet Water Company manager Bob Gardner announced that, due to a lack of rainfall in June, the Wannacomet Water Company Commissioners will be declaring a state of water conservation on Nantucket at a meeting scheduled for tomorrow. Police Chief Bill Pittman asked all individuals who plan to attend the fireworks display at Jetties Beach on July 4th to please use public transportation (NRTA shuttle) in an effort to reduce traffic congestion. Town Manager C. Elizabeth Gibson announced that the Chamber of Commerce and the Steamship Authority are seeking survey volunteers to conduct customer surveys on board the ferries traveling between Nantucket and Hyannis on July 1st and August 23rd, the purpose of which is to gain customer feedback and market research. Ms. Gibson noted the fireworks schedule and postponement information and announced that the Nantucket Musical Arts Society will observe its 50th season this year. Health Officer Richard Ray announced that Miacomet Pond is closed until further notice due to elevated bacteria levels in the pond. PUBLIC COMMENT Nantucket Taxi Owners Association (NTOA) member David Barrett read a prepared statement from the NTOA that a majority of its members continue to support the Town’s taxi regulations and are against any transfer of licenses other than those approved by the Board under the “legacy” section of the regulations. Mr. Reinhard spoke on bicycle safety asking drivers to be careful of bicyclists. Approval of Payroll Warrant for Week Ending 29 June 2008. The payroll warrant for the week ending 29 June 2008 was approved by the unanimous consent of the meeting. Approval of Treasury Warrant and Pending Contracts for 2 July 2008. The approval of the treasury warrant and pending contracts for 2 July 2008 were approved by the unanimous consent of the meeting. Michael Kopko arrived at the meeting at 6:15 PM and took over as Chairman. Sconset Casino: Request for Waiver of Noise Bylaw until 11:00 PM for Member Function on July 19, 2008. As no individual representing the Sconset Casino was present to provide information about the event and answer questions from the Board, Mr. Chadwick moved to deny the request; seconded by Mr. Reinhard. Ms. Gibson clarified the agenda protocol noting that, if denied, the matter could not be heard next week as the agenda for that meeting has closed. Mr. Reinhard Minutes of the Meeting of 2 July 2008 – 6:00 PM Page II. withdrew his second and the motion subsequently failed for lack of a second. Mr. Reinhard moved to table action on this matter until next week; seconded by Mr. Atherton. So voted. Mr. Chadwick was opposed. SELECTMEN’S REPORTS/COMMENT Peter Swenson, representing the Nantucket Behavioral Health Services, gave a presentation of a concept regarding a continuum of care model (COC) and its potential application for Nantucket. Mr. Swenson explained that a COC Plan is a community plan to organize and deliver human services to meet the specific needs of individuals who are in need as they move to stabilize their lives and maximize self-sufficiency. Mr. Swenson added that the plan includes action steps to identify human needs and targets the most effective and efficient way to utilize limited resources. Mr. Chadwick questioned the differences between this proposed plan and the work done by the Human Services Contract Review Committee. Mr. Swenson explained the differences and some discussion followed concerning this issue. Human Services Coordinator Maryanne Worth thanked the Board for its interest and introduced the members of the Council for Human Services. Some further discussion ensued as to who the COC would be accountable. Chairman Kopko thanked Mr. Swenson and members of the Council for the presentation noting that one of the Board’s goals of enhancing community quality of life specifically relates to this issue. The Board unanimously agreed to continue this dialogue. Discussion Regarding Board of Selectmen Goal IV “Enhance Community Quality of Life”; Objective “Adopt a Coordinated Housing Plan.” Planning Director Andrew Vorce reviewed and gave an update on the Housing Plan apprising the Board that he hopes to hire a Housing Planner in the near future. Discussion followed concerning this issue as well as updating the Plan. Mr. Vorce stated that he hopes to have a draft available in September for public comment. Mr. Atherton questioned the purpose of the Plan and Mr. Vorce explained that with a plan in place, Nantucket will have more control over MGL c.40B (affordable housing projects) than it would if 40B’s are dictated by the state. Mr. Atherton asked if the town has an inventory of existing properties for suitable housing sites. Mr. Vorce responded in the affirmative noting that identifying municipal parcels and zoning districts are vital to the Plan. With regard to the hiring of a housing planner, Ms. Gibson noted that the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) has only discussed funding this position for one year. Some discussion followed concerning this matter. Chairman Kopko thanked Mr. Vorce for his update. Establish Protocol Regarding Finance Committee Appointments. Mr. Atherton outlined the issue, explaining that a Nantucket bylaw with regard to Finance Committee appointees states that “no member of the Finance Committee shall be a Town or county officer or directly interested in the expenditures of the Town’s appropriations.” Town Counsel DeRensis clarified that the town bylaw in this matter is “stricter” than the state ethics act and that members of the Finance Committee must have “absence of conflict.” Mr. DeRensis recommended that the Board not amend the bylaw. Discussion followed concerning the fact that some FinCom members sit on non-profit boards which from time to time are the recipients of town funding and whether this is/is not a direct conflict. Some discussion also occurred about town “retirees” sitting on the Finance Committee and whether this Minutes of the Meeting of 2 July 2008 – 6:00 PM Page III. is/is not a direct conflict with the bylaw. The Board unanimously agreed to take no action at this time. Ms. Roggeveen apprised the Board that she, Chairman Kopko and Town Manager Gibson attended a meeting yesterday with school officials and school committee members to discuss the school’s need for $152,000 to replace an underground fuel tank. Ms. Roggeveen expressed concern that the school has asked the Finance Committee to fund the expenditure from its reserve fund. Ms. Roggeveen stated her concern lies with the fact that there is $500,000 in the reserve fund and this is a “very big hit” so early in the fiscal year. Some discussion followed and it was noted that the school does not need Board of Selectmen approval to request this funding. The meeting was unanimously adjourned at 8:25 PM. Approved the 27th day of August 2008.