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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Selectmen Minutes June 18, 2008_201402061518112254BOARD OF SELECTMEN Minutes of the Meeting of 18 June 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 Brian Chadwick, Patricia Roggeveen, Rick Atherton, Allen Reinhard and Michael Kopko. Chairman Kopko called the meeting to order at 6:15 PM, following a meeting of the Nantucket Regional Transit Authority. ANNOUNCEMENTS Chairman Kopko announced that Nantucket residents Joan Ottinger and Robert Mooney have been chosen as the 2008 “Citizens of the Year” by the Nantucket Council on Aging and will be honored at a luncheon scheduled for June 26, 2008. Assistant Town Manager Malachy Rice announced that the Harbor House has notified the Town that a restaurant at the Jared Coffin House is scheduled to open “on or about” June 27, 2008. Police Chief William Pittman encouraged all individuals who plan to view the upcoming July 4th fireworks at Jetties Beach to take the shuttle bus instead of driving. Chief Pittman reiterated an announcement he made last week that the Police Department will be taking a proactive approach this summer to address underage drinking by targeting alcohol establishments and breaking up parties at known locations where minors congregate. Chief Pittman suggested the Board make it a condition of liquor license renewals that employees who serve alcohol take part in the “Tips” program. Some discussion followed concerning this issue and it was agreed that the Police Department will provide Town Administration with a report at the end of the season of any infractions incurred by liquor establishments. PUBLIC COMMENT Easton Street resident Judy Ross, who runs a bed & breakfast inn, read a letter complaining about noise from the Harbor House and Point Breeze building projects. North Water Street resident Lynn Storer also complained about the excessive noise and parking issues caused by the Harbor House project. Approval of Payroll Warrant for Week Ending 15 June 2008. The payroll warrant for the week ending 15 June 2008 was approved by unanimous consent of the meeting. Approval of Treasury Warrant and Pending Contracts for 18 June 2008. The treasury warrant and pending contracts for 18 June 2008 were approved by unanimous consent of the meeting. Public Hearing to Consider Applications for Committee Openings. Chairman Kopko opened the hearing and the following individuals spoke on their applications and answered questions from the Board: Conservation Commission – Josh Eldridge; Commission on Disability – Phil Gallagher; Park & Recreation – Phil Gallagher; Nantucket Historical Commission – Phil Gallagher; Steamship Port Council – Doris Strang; Tree Advisory Committee – Cormac Collier; Downtown Revitalization Committee – John Wagley; Streets & Sidewalks Committee – Harvey Young and Jack Gardner; Agricultural Commission – Cormac Collier and Heather Coffin; Finance Committee – Craig Spery and John Tiffany. Chairman Kopko closed the hearing. Minutes of the Meeting of 18 June 2008 – 6:00 PM Page II. A brief discussion followed regarding Finance Committee members who also sit on non-profit boards and possible conflicts which may result under a current town bylaw prohibiting Finance Committee members from being either directly or indirectly involved in the expenditures of the Town’s. Chairman Kopko suggested that the bylaw may need to be amended. Chairman Kopko reminded everyone that annual committee appointments will be made on June 25, 2008 at the regularly scheduled Board of Selectmen meeting. Public Hearing to Consider Application to Transfer Seasonal Wine and Malt Beverages Restaurant License from Elliot Norton d/b/a The Rotary to I and E lI d/b/a The Rotary, Devon Francis Manager for Premises at 1 Sparks Avenue, Nantucket. Chairman Kopko opened the hearing and asked if anyone was present to speak in favor of the application. Richard Beaudette, attorney for the applicant, spoke in favor and explained the proposed operation. As no individual was present to speak in opposition, Chairman Kopko closed the hearing. Chairman Kopko asked applicant Devon Francis if he has been involved in the sale of liquor previously and Mr. Francis responded he has not. Mr. Atherton asked if he would participate in the “Tips” program and Mr. Francis responded affirmatively. Discussion ensued about the “Tips” program and what procedures need to be established before making this program a requirement for liquor licenses. Mr. Chadwick moved to approve the transfer of the license; seconded by Mr. Reinhard. So voted. All in favor. Public Hearing to Consider Application of Roco, LLC d/b/a Sfoglia Restaurant, Ronald Suhanosky, Manager, for Alteration of Licensed Premises at 130 Pleasant Street, Nantucket. Chairman Kopko opened the hearing and asked if anyone was present to speak in favor of the application. A representative from Sfoglia Restaurant spoke in favor and explained the proposed alterations. Chairman Kopko closed the hearing as no individual was present to speak in opposition. Mr. Reinhard moved to approve the alteration of licensed premises for Sfoglia Restaurant; seconded by Mr. Atherton. So voted. All in favor. Public Hearing to Consider Request of Nantucket Homes for People Request for Selectmen Endorsement of Abrem Quary II MGL c. 40B Housing Project as a Local Initiative Program. Chairman Kopko opened the hearing and asked if anyone was present to speak in favor of the matter. Nantucket Homes for People, Inc. principal Clifford Schorer spoke and provided an overview of how the state’s Local Initiative Program (LIP) works noting that it is a state program that encourages the creation of affordable housing by providing technical assistance to communities and developers who work together to create affordable housing opportunities for local and moderate income households. Mr. Schorer explained that, if the Board endorses the program, whatever requirements or restrictions the Board imposes on the applicant, the Zoning Board of Appeals must use as a “starting point” when it hears the formal application. Zoning Board of Appeals administrator John Brescher provided some input and several residents of the phase 1 Abrem Quary project voiced support for Nantucket Homes for People, Inc. Speaking in opposition to the project were South Shore Road residents Jean Clark and Barry Paulsen. Both individuals cited density issues and not enough proposed buffer zones. Minutes of the Meeting of 18 June 2008 – 6:00 PM Page III. Chairman Kopko closed the hearing and Ms. Roggeveen expressed her concerns noting she feels she needs more time to review the issues and ask questions. Some discussion followed and it was unanimously agreed by both parties to take the testimony under advisement, schedule a site visit and workshop to further discuss the matter. Public Hearing to Consider Landfill Fee Increases for Fiscal Year 2009. Chairman Kopko opened the hearing. Assistant Town Manager Malachy Rice explained that cost increases are based on an estimated Consumer Price Index (CPI) for fiscal year 2008 of 5%. As no individual was present to speak in opposition, Chairman Kopko closed the hearing. Mr. Reinhard moved to amend the landfill fee schedule, as attached, seconded by Mr. Atherton. So voted. All in favor. Public Hearing to Consider Sewer Rate/Fee Increases for Fiscal Year 2009. Chairman Kopko opened the hearing and Wannacomet Water Company Manager Bob Gardner and Public Works Director Jeff Willett provided the Board with a report as to how sewer rates have been set in the past and what revenues are needed to balance the fiscal year 2009 sewer budget. Discussion followed regarding the four sources of revenue (service charges; connection fees; sewer rates and septage disposal fees). Mr. Atherton asked some questions pertaining to reserves and it was noted that no privilege fee revenues are projected for fiscal 2009 as no fees can be collected until the Surfside Waste Water Treatment Facility upgrade and expansion project is completed. After additional discussion, it was unanimously agreed to continue this public hearing until June 25, 2008. Nantucket Homes for People: Request for Waiver of Sewer Connection Fees for Affordable Units in Abrem Quary II Project. This matter was withdrawn at the request of the applicant. Citizen Request to Appeal Building Department Penalty. This matter was tabled indefinitely. TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT Assistant Town Manager Malachy Rice announced that the Town will be moving its main payroll and accounts payable bank accounts for the County & Town for the new fiscal year. Mr. Rice noted this move is being made to a bank that offers more services at no extra cost and includes cash reconciliation on a monthly basis. SELECTMEN’S REPORTS/COMMENT None. At 9:10 PM Chairman Kopko polled the Board and Mr. Chadwick, Ms. Roggeveen, Mr. Atherton, Mr. Reinhard and Chairman Kopko voted unanimously to adjourn to Executive Session, not to return to Open Session, for the purpose of discussing real estate disposition. Approved the 16th day of July 2008.