HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Selectmen Minutes April 23, 2008_201402061518057722BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Minutes of the Meeting of 23 April 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, Rick Atherton, Allen Reinhard and Michael Kopko. Patricia Roggeveen was absent.
Vice Chairman Kopko called the meeting to order at 6:42 PM following a meeting of the County
Commissioners and Board of Health.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Municipal Clerks Week Proclamation. Mr. Kopko read a proclamation declaring May 4 through
May 10, 2008 Municipal Clerks Week.
Arbor Day Proclamation. Mr. Kopko read a proclamation making April 25, 2008 Arbor Day. Jeff
Willett, Director of the Department of Public Works, then announced the department’s activities for
Arbor Day.
Town Manager C. Elizabeth Gibson announced that there will be no meeting on April 30, 2008 as it
is the fifth Wednesday of the month.
APPROVAL OF WARRANTS AND PENDING CONTRACTS
Approval of Payroll Warrants for Week Ending 20 April 2008. The payroll warrant was approved by
unanimous consent of the meeting.
Approval of Treasury Warrant and Pending Contracts for 23 April 2008. The Treasury Warrant and
pending contracts were approved by unanimous consent of the meeting.
OFFICIAL BUSINESS
Hearing on Petition to Move Utility Poles for Bartlett Road Bike Path. Ms. Gibson informed the
Board that public notice had been given for this hearing, but that it had been inadvertently omitted
from the agenda. Mr. Reinhard expressed an interest to consider the move of the utility poles
during the meeting because of the safety improvements being made with the bike path. Chris
Raymond, representing National Grid, explained the need to move the poles. Mr. Reinhard moved
to approve the petition to relocate the utility poles as submitted in the petition; seconded by Mr.
Chadwick. So voted unanimously.
Siasconset Water Department Infrastructure Improvements. Ms. Gibson explained that a time
sensitive matter had come to her attention regarding funding for improvements being made to the
Siasconset Water system. Robert Gardner, General Manager of the Wannacomet Water Company,
explained that he was managing this project on behalf of the Siasconset Water Department. He
further explained that these improvements are eligible for funding from the United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA); however, the funds need to be committed by tomorrow (April
24, 2008). The funds include a $732,000 grant and a low interest loan for $1,356,000. General
discussion of improvements being made in Sconset followed. Mr. Chadwick moved to authorize
the Town Manager to sign the USDA Form RD 1940-1 which authorizes the borrowing of
$1,356,000 and the acceptance of a $732,000 grant to be used for a new water storage tank and
system improvements for the Siasconset Water Department; seconded by Mr. Reinhard. So voted
unanimously.
Official Designation of Cemeteries Pursuant to Public Hearing Held April 16, 2008. Mr. Reinhard
reviewed the proposed cemetery names that had been considered during the hearing of the
previous week. Mr. Reinhard then moved to officially designate the cemetery on Cliff Road as
Founders Burial Ground; seconded by Mr. Chadwick. So voted unanimously.
Mr. Reinhard then explained that Town Counsel had raised a concern with the name The Colored
Cemetery; however, that it was important to balance this concern with the interest of the
stakeholders who were in support of that name. Mr. Reinhard suggested that adding Historic to the
name may address both concerns and moved to officially designate the cemetery as The Historic
Colored Cemetery; seconded by Mr. Chadwick. Mr. Atherton asked the meeting if people
approved including historic in the name. Frank Spriggs expressed that he would love to see the
name remain The Colored Cemetery. Discussion followed on whether to include historic in the
name. Mr. Kopko suggested that given Nantucket’s bold history that he would not be adverse to
naming it The Colored Cemetery. Mr. Reinhard withdrew his motion. Mr. Atherton moved to
officially designate the cemetery as The Colored Cemetery; seconded by Mr. Chadwick. So voted
unanimously.
Traffic Safety Workgroup Recommendations: Stop Sign at Salem Street; and Crosswalk at
Washington Street. Ms. Gibson detailed the recommendations of the Traffic Safety Workgroup and
explained that these recommendations are the result of the recently completed downtown traffic
study. Mike Burns, Transportation Planner, answered questions about the proposal. Nat Lowell
spoke to the Board about his concerns with a stop sign interfering with pedestrian traffic. Frank
Spriggs expressed to the Board that it was worth trying to see if it would help to alleviate traffic on
Candle Street. Mr. Kopko voiced his concern, which he also expressed at an NP&EDC meeting,
that the stop sign will have unintended consequences. Mr. Chadwick moved to approve the
recommendations of the Traffic Safety Workgroup; seconded by Mr. Atherton with the caveat that
there be follow up at the end of the summer to asses the effectiveness of the stop sign. Mr. Willett
suggested that the motion include a date to implement the stop sign. Mr. Chadwick amended his
motion to allow staff to set an implementation date; seconded by Mr. Atherton. Motion carried 3 to
1 with Mr. Kopko in opposition.
TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT
Status of FY 06 and FY 07 Audits. Ms. Gibson updated the Board on the status of the outstanding
fiscal 2006 and fiscal 2007 audits. Ms. Gibson also reported that a response was being drafted to a
letter received from the Department of Revenue regarding the Town’s audits.
Departmental Overview: Marine & Coastal Resources Department. Dave Fronzuto, Marine
Superintendent, provided an overview of the Marine & Costal Resources Department.
Review of 2008 Annual Town Meeting Follow Up. Ms. Gibson commented that she believed Town
Meeting ran smoothly this year because of the preparation of Town departments, the Board of
Selectmen, and the Finance Committee. She then gave a brief update on the status of items
approved at Town Meeting, including: sending zoning changes to the Attorney General for review;
updating the Town Code; home rule petitions being sent to legislators; and the need to prioritize
recommendation articles and real estate articles.
SELECTMEN’S REPORTS/COMMENT.
Request to Schedule Special Town Election and Adopt Warrant. Ms. Gibson recommended
holding a Special Town Election on June 3, 2008 to seek final approval from voters for three debt
exclusion override items approved at the 2008 Annual Town Meeting. Ms. Gibson reviewed the
three items the Board of Selectmen could put on the ballot: funding for the Joint Public Safety
Facility (Article 11); various smaller capital projects (Article 10); and for a 15 acre sports complex at
81 Milestone Road (Article 27). Mr. Chadwick moved to approve the warrant as presented to the
Board of Selectmen and to hold the Special Town Election on June 3, 2008; seconded by Mr.
Reinhard. So voted unanimously.
The Board then discussed how it would proceed with the selection of officers at its April 30, 2008
meeting and agreed to follow Robert’s Rules of Order for nominations.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 PM.
Approved the 14th day of May 2008.