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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Selectmen Minutes September 10, 2008_201402061518156785BOARD OF SELECTMEN Minutes of the Meeting of 10 September 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 Rick Atherton, Brian Chadwick, Michael Kopko, Allen Reinhard and Patricia Roggeveen. Chairman Kopko called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. ANNOUNCEMENTS Town Manager C. Elizabeth Gibson announced there will be two public informational meetings for public input with regard to parameters for a community housing project at the 2 Fairgrounds site on September 23, 2008 and September 24, 2008. Approval of Minutes of 20 August 2008 at 6:00 PM; 2 April 2008 at 6:00 PM. The minutes of 20 August 2008 at 6:00 PM and 2 April 2008 at 6:00 PM were approved with Mr. Atherton abstaining from the minutes of 2 April 2008. Approval of Payroll Warrant for Week Ending 7 September 2008. The payroll warrant for the week ending 7 September 2008 was approved by the unanimous consent of the meeting. Approval of Treasury Warrant and Pending Contracts for 10 September 2008. The treasury warrant and pending contracts for 10 September 2008 were approved by the unanimous consent of the meeting. Public Hearing to Determine Tax Rate Allocation by Classification and Percentage, if any, of Residential Exemption for Fiscal Year 2009. Chairman Kopko opened the hearing and asked if any individual wished to speak on the matter. Assessor Deborah Dilworth provided an explanation of tax rates as related to the tax shift and residential exemption. Some discussion followed and Chairman Kopko closed the hearing. Mr. Reinhard moved to shift 175% to commercial, industrial and personal property to reflect the following tax rates: residential - $2.76; open space - $2.65; commercial - $4.92; seconded by Ms. Roggeveen. So voted unanimously. Mr. Reinhard moved to adopt a 20% residential exemption as presented; seconded by Ms. Roggeveen. So voted unanimously. Town Clerk: Request for Appointment of Election Officers for Terms Ending August 31, 2009. Mr. Atherton moved to approve the appointment of the following election workers for terms ending August 31, 2009, as recommended: Warden: Francis Psaradelis, Jr.; Deputy Wardens: Manuel Dias, Robert Reardon, Jerry Adams, John Stover, David Fronzuto, James Perelman, Charles Pearl; Clerks: Barbara Kotalac, Jeannette Topham; Deputy Clerks: Naomi Duarte, Elaine Flynn; Inspectors/Tellers: Anne Geddes, Carole Corkish, Patricia Church, Nancy Sevrens, Rita Duce, James Cranston, Natalie Fletcher, Julie Reinemo, Barbara Mansfield, Jo Zchau, Frank Spriggs, Katherine Robinson Grieder, Pamela Bartlett, Thomas Trapasso, Rhoda Weinman, Augusto Ramos, Joseph McLaughlin, Perry Butler, Barbara Jenkins, Susan Robinson, Rebecca Anderson, Nancy Moylan, Bette Spriggs, Mary Adams, Mary Malavase, Peter Boyce, Patricia Giles, Penny Dey, Susan Beamish, Virginia Kinney, Elizabeth Flanagan, Julie Fitzgerald, Margaret Ann Fleming, Leigh Topham, Sandra Palchanis, Beverly McLaughlin, Jane Joynt, Judith Beamish, Barbara White, Chaille Latham, Deborah Merritt, Suzanne Daub, Charlie Whelton, Jean Allen, Neville Richen, Barbara Anderson, Ann Bissinger, Campbell Sutton, Whiting Willauer, Clark Whitcomb, Lilma Cook, Kenneth Blackshaw, Dual McIntyre, Claire Seaquist, Joan Barnes, Johanna Campbell, Maureen Beck, Cynthia Blackshaw, Sandra Oliver, Sandra Daub, William Tramposch, Carol Cross, Suzette Corkish, Jean Trifero, Christine Loftin, Anna McIntyre, Arnie Seaquist, Mary Saffel, Colleen McLaughlin, Eleanor Roethke, Nancy Whitcomb, Mona Wheatley, Elaine Boehm, Charity Benz; seconded by Mr. Reinhard. So voted unanimously. Police Department: Request to Grant Tenure to Four (4) Full-Time Police Officers (non agenda item). Mr. Chadwick moved to grant tenure to the following full-time police officers, as recommended by the Police Chief: Michelle Banks, Michael Lemenager, Michael Mabardy, David Mahoney; seconded by Mr. Reinhard. So voted unanimously. Request for Approval of Applications for Submission to Community Preservation Committee for FY 2010 Funding. Ms. Roggeveen excused herself from the table and left the room thus abstaining from the following discussion and votes. Ms. Gibson explained that two years ago, it was determined that town departments and/or proposed projects occurring on Town property should have the expressed support of the Board of Selectmen in order to proceed through the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) process. Planning Director Andrew Vorce reviewed four applications. Park and Recreation Director Jim Manchester explained six applications for Park and Recreation and Nelson “Snooky” Eldridge explained that the Nantucket Firemen’s Association is requesting to restore the Old Hosecart House in Siasconset. A lengthy discussion followed with regard to all the proposed projects and Mr. Atherton moved to approve the following applications be submitted to the CPC for consideration: 1) continued funding for the Housing Planner position in the amount of $87,000; 2) down payment assistance program in the amount of $200,000; 3) covenant housing acquisition program (i. e. purchasing undervalued properties; utilizing existing houses for renovation) in the amount of $1 million dollars; 4) public access to open space resources/survey plan in the amount of $104,500; seconded by Mr. Reinhard. So voted unanimously. Mr. Atherton moved to approve the following Park and Recreation Commission applications: 1) completion of the skate park parking area in the amount of $35,000; 2) Tom Nevers recreational area project in the amount of $14,200; 3) Surfside Beach parking lot expansion in the amount of $75,000; 4) Jetties Beach ADA compliance access in the amount of $20,000; seconded by Mr. Reinhard. So voted, Chairman Kopko was opposed to the purchase and installation of four “mobi-mats” as part of the Jetties Beach ADA compliance access project. Mr. Chadwick moved to approve the request of the Nantucket Firemen’s Association for funding in the amount of $60,000 to restore the Old Hose Cart House located at 8 West Sankaty Road in Sconset; seconded by Mr. Reinhard. So voted unanimously. Ms. Roggeveen returned to the room and took her seat at the table. TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT Request for Endorsement of Timeline for FY 2010 Budget and 2009 Annual Town Meeting. Ms. Gibson explained that the proposed budget and Town Meeting timeline has been reviewed with the Ad Hoc Budget Work Group resulting in a few additional budget meetings scheduled on the timeline. Chairman Kopko suggested that individuals who submit citizen articles should have access to Town Counsel for assistance with their articles, if needed, and discussion followed concerning this issue. Town Counsel DeRensis stated that citizen articles must appear in the warrant exactly how they are submitted. After some additional discussion, Mr. Reinhard moved to adopt the timeline for FY 2010 budget and the 2009 Annual Town Meeting; seconded by Mr. Atherton. So voted unanimously. It was also agreed that Town Counsel should schedule a “training session” regarding how to prepare a citizen warrant article. Overview of FY 2010 Department Budget Instructions. Ms. Gibson explained that the FY 2010 General Fund budget, which includes both the town and school, is projected to have a $2.2 million deficit and, in light of the town’s fiscal condition, several changes are being implemented in how the FY 2010 budget is developed. Ms. Gibson stated that the Town will begin a transition this year (estimated to be a 3-5 year process) to a program budget in which each department will be given a target for spending reductions and, must begin to identify the services and programs provided by department, along with associated resources. Assistant Town Manager Malachy Rice further elaborated as to how the budget instructions were created and discussion followed. Ms. Roggeveen expressed her opinion that it is not appropriate for department heads to make their proposals to the Finance Committee and some discussion followed concerning this issue. Ms. Gibson also noted that the Administration will implement centralized procurement in fiscal 2010 and will also implement a hiring freeze. Chairman Kopko commended Ms. Gibson and Mr. Rice for their efforts in this budget process. SELECTMEN’S REPORTS/COMMENT 2008-09 Goals & Objectives Update. Chairman Kopko explained that each selectman was assigned to speak on one of the Board’s four 2008 goals: 1) improve administrative management; 2) improve fiscal management; 3) develop overall waste management plan (wastewater and solid waste); 4) enhance community quality of life. Ms. Roggeveen and Chairman Kopko addressed goal # 2 with Ms. Roggeveen providing an update on what the Audit Committee does and spoke on the recently released Finance Department organization report. Chairman Kopko spoke about the budget process, the Ad Hoc Budget workgroup and the developing good working relationship between the Finance Committee, Board of Selectmen and School Committee. Chairman Kopko also elaborated on Ms. Gibson’s prior report concerning the significant changes in the budget process. Ms. Gibson spoke on the specific management priorities with regard to this goal. Mr. Reinhard spoke on goal # 1 (improving administrative management) noting that the Assistant Town Manager is to be commended for working toward developing a Board policy manual. Mr. Reinhard further reported that the Town is continuing its employee professional development with fifteen employees currently attending a public management program on island through Suffolk University. Mr. Reinhard concluded by noting that a preliminary report has been completed with regard to the reorganizing of the Department of Public Works. Ms. Gibson elaborated on Mr. Reinhard’s presentation by stating that those individuals currently enrolled in the Suffolk program will receive a certificate in public administration management upon successful completion. Ms. Gibson added that an employee training program for improving procedures and processes and improved communication between departments and Town Counsel are all in the planning stages. Mr. Atherton spoke on goal # 3 (developing an overall waste management plan) reporting on the status of both the short-term and long-term financing. Mr. Atherton also reported that the Board has given initial support for proceeding with the design of a sewer extension into three needs areas (Somerset, Monomoy and Shimmo) and noted that revenue for the operating budget of the Sewer Enterprise fund will come from user, privilege and connection fees from users in the existing Town and Siasconset sewer districts. Some discussion followed and it was noted that legislation, recently signed into law, provides for zero financing to towns pursuing certain sewer related projects and six applications have been submitted to the state on behalf of Nantucket. Ms. Gibson concluded by stating that the Town continues to define and address issues with the Town’s solid waste contract with Waste Options Nantucket. Mr. Chadwick spoke on goal #4 (enhancing community quality of life) and provided a status report on the Town’s One Big Beach program. Mr. Chadwick also reported on the status of the Coastal Management Plan, noted the establishment of a new committee to promote the economic health of the downtown area and the need to develop an industrial land use policy for a 25 acre parcel behind the Airport. Mr. Chadwick concluded by stating the need to finalize the Abrem Quary II 40B project and the importance of moving the bulk fuel tank farm out of the downtown area. The meeting was unanimously adjourned at 9:05 PM. Approved the 15th day of October, 2008.