HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Selectmen Minutes June 4, 2008_201402061518109129BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Minutes of the Meeting of 4 June 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, Patricia Roggeveen and Michael Kopko.
Chairman Kopko called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Town Manager C. Elizabeth Gibson announced that Atlantic Aeolus will be moving a house from
66 Washington Street to 35 Bartlett Road on June 10th and June 11th. Ms. Gibson reviewed the
proposed route for the house move and noted there will most likely be major disruptions in traffic.
Chairman Kopko announced the first of two public hearings regarding the annual committee
appointments is scheduled for the meeting of June 11, 2008. Mr. Kopko also noted the deadline for
the submission of all committee applications is Monday, June 9, 2008.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
Approval of Minutes of 9 January 2008 at 6:00 PM. The minutes of 9 January 2008 were approved,
with Mr. Atherton abstaining.
Approval of Payroll Warrant for Week Ending 1 June 2008. The payroll warrant for 1 June 2008
was approved by unanimous consent of the meeting.
Approval of Treasury Warrant and Pending Contracts for 4 June 2008. After a brief discussion
about several of the contracts, the treasury warrant and pending contracts for 4 June 2008 were
approved by unanimous consent of the meeting.
Public Hearing to Consider Amendments to Harbor Regulations (continued from 21 May 2008).
Chairman Kopko opened the continued hearing and noted that the purpose of the new regulations
is to prohibit boats greater than 30 feet in length from anchoring in an area up harbor, east of an
imaginary line drawn from the tip of First Point to Pimny’s Point, unless given explicit permission by
the Marine Superintendent. Shellfish & Harbor Advisory Board (SHAB) member Peter Boyce
expressed his support for the regulations and the reasons why the regulations will help protect
scallops. Also expressing support was Nantucket resident Bam LaFarge. Nantucket resident
Melissa Philbrick, speaking as a recreational boater, noted her concern about protecting those
boaters who have vessels under 30 feet. Nantucket resident Ken Gullickson expressed opposition
to the proposed regulations stating he does not believe a 30 foot boat constitutes a “mega yacht.”
After some additional discussion, Chairman Kopko closed the hearing and Mr. Chadwick moved to
adopt the proposed amendment to the Harbor Regulations (chapter 231) as discussed; seconded
by Mr. Reinhard. So voted unanimously.
Sustainable Nantucket: Request for Approval of Transient Vendor License Application; and,
Request for Waiver of Transient Vendor License Fee. Ms. Roggeveen recused herself from this
agenda item and took a seat in the audience. Chairman Kopko stated that Sustainable Nantucket
is requesting a blanket permit for the 2008 season and a waiver of the $1,000 transient vendor fee
on behalf of the Nantucket Farmers & Artisans Market. Heather Coffin, speaking for the
Minutes of the Meeting of 4 June 2008 – 6:00 PM
Page II.
organization, spoke on the requests. Discussion followed and it was noted that, historically,
although the fee is “on the books,” it has not been collected for many years. Mr. Chadwick
expressed his concerns about fee waivers in general and additional discussion followed as to
whether a more “reasonable” fee could be worked out. Mr. Reinhard moved to waive the $1,000
fee; seconded by Mr. Kopko. Mr. Atherton moved to amend the motion so as to waive $980 of the
$1,000 fee; seconded by Mr. Reinhard. So voted as amended by roll call vote. Ms. Roggeveen
returned to the table.
Nantucket Housing Office: Update Regarding Miller Lane Development. Anne Kuszpa, Director of
Programs at the Housing Office, presented an update to the Board on the progress of Article 25 of
a 2006 Special Town Meeting vote that authorized the Board of Selectmen to sell/dispose of a part
of Town land located at Miller Lane for affordable housing. Nantucket Housing Office executive
director Aaron Marcavitch also spoke, noting that there will be a road and walking path at the site.
Mr. Chadwick moved that parcel 1 on the attached plan, more or less, be transferred to the
Nantucket Housing Authority to engage in a Request for Proposals to transfer the parcel to a
qualified entity for affordable housing purposes authorized pursuant to Article 25 of the 2006
Special Town Meeting; said transfer to the affordable housing entity shall reserve an easement for
a walking path and sewer line; if necessary, all steps to clear title shall be taken; parcel 2 on the
attached plan, more or less, be reserved for roadway purposes as per the Finance Committee
comment to Article 25 of the 2006 Special Town Meeting, to be laid out and maintained by the
Nantucket Land Bank, if agreeable, or otherwise by the Nantucket Park and Recreation
Department; if the Land Bank is agreeable to acquisition of this parcel, Town Administration shall
take such necessary steps to convey; parcel 3 on the attached plan, more or less, be reserved for
roadway purposes as per the Finance Committee comment to Article 25 of the 2006 Special Town
Meeting; with Town Administration to take such necessary steps to effectuate its layout as a road;
seconded by Mr. Reinhard. So voted unanimously.
Nantucket Homes for People, Inc.: Request for Board of Selectmen Endorsement of Local Initiative
Program Process for Abrem Quary Phase II (MGL c. 40B Housing Development). Nantucket
Homes for People developer Cliff Schorer reviewed how chapter 40B regulations have changed
and asked that the Board send a letter of support to the state that the proposed building site for the
Phase II 40B development known as Abrem Quarry II is an “appropriate/suitable” site and will be
governed by the rules of the Local Initiative Program. The Board questioned certain aspects of the
proposed letter and, after some discussion, Chairman Kopko stated that a hearing should be held
so as to give the public an opportunity to speak on the matter of endorsement of this process. It
was agreed to schedule a public hearing for June 18, 2008.
Department of Public Works: Update of Current, Pending and Future Wastewater and Stormwater
Projects. Public Work Director Jeff Willet and Tom Parece of Earth Tech provided background
information of sewer projects started in the 1980’s and a status report on the Comprehensive
Wastewater Management Plan (CWMP), noting the goals and objectives of the Plan, the problems
and impacts and key facts of the CWMP recommendations as well as the status of currently funded
projects.
Minutes of the Meeting of 4 June 2008 – 6:00 PM
Page III.
Review of June 3, 2008 Special Town Election. Ms. Gibson reviewed the results of the June 3,
2008 Special Town Election in which the voters turned down three override requests, including a
joint public safety facility at 2 Fairgrounds Road. Some discussion followed and Chairman Kopko
expressed his opinion that the economic climate certainly factored in to the results.
Discussion on Sewer Rate Review Process (continued from 28 May 2008). Ms. Gibson explained
that sewer rates for fiscal year 2009 must be increased to fund the sewer enterprise fund budget.
Public Works Director Jeff Willett and Wannacomet Water Manager Bob Gardner provided
additional information and a lengthy discussion followed regarding whether a municipality can
charge seasonal rates, what revenues can be anticipated for fiscal year 2009, and how privilege
and connection fees are determined. Mr. Willett spoke on what projects are still outstanding, noting
that all mandated projects have been accomplished or are underway. Discussion also focused on
what information the Board needs prior to the June 18, 2008 rate hearing. It was also agreed that a
workshop would be scheduled in July to further discuss overall sewer issues and financing options.
The meeting was unanimously adjourned at 9:20 PM.
Approved the 23rd day of July 2008.