HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Selectmen Minutes December 9, 2009_2014020616121226181
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Minutes of the Meeting of 9 December 2009. 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 7:08 PM, following a meeting of the Board of Health.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
There will be no Board of Selectmen meeting Wednesday, 23 December 2009.
The elm tree at the corner of Main and Orange Streets, in front of Mitchell’s Book Corner, has been deemed
unhealthy by the Tree Warden and is scheduled to be taken down as soon as possible.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES, WARRANTS, PENDING CONTRACTS
Approval of Minutes of 14 May 2009 at 8:30 AM; 20 May 2009 at 6:00 PM; 27 May 2009 at 6:00 PM; 28 May
2009 at 12:00 PM; 30 November 2009 at 9:00 AM. The minutes of 14 May 2009 at 8:30 AM; 20 May 2009 at
6:00 PM; 27 May 2009 at 6:00 PM; 28 May 2009 at 12:00 PM; and 30 November 2009 at 9:00 AM were
approved by the unanimous consent of the meeting.
Approval of Payroll Warrant for Week Ending 6 December 2009. The payroll warrant for the week ending 6
December 2009 was approved by the unanimous consent of the meeting.
Approval of Treasury Warrant and Pending Contracts for 9 December 2009. The treasury warrant and all
pending contracts for 9 December 2009 with the exception of the amendment to the ground lease with
Servant Healthcare Investments, were approved by the unanimous consent of the meeting. Mr. Reinhard
read the motion for approval of the Second Amended and Restated Ground Lease and accompanying Adult
Community Day Care Center (ACDC) side letter and Notice of Lease with Servant Healthcare Investments
(attached); Ms. Roggeveen seconded. So voted 4-0. Mr. Atherton abstained.
Chairman Kopko left the room. Ms. Roggeveen took over as acting chairman.
CITIZEN/DEPARTMENTAL REQUESTS
Nantucket Public Schools: Update on Proposed Wind Turbine to be Located on Nantucket High School
Property. Dave Fredericks updated the Board on the status of the High School wind turbine, noting that the
school is working on its HDC permitting and if all goes well, expects the wind turbine to be up and running
by the end of summer 2010. Mr. Fredericks reviewed the type of turbine to be installed and grant
opportunities being pursued, and requested that the Board consider sending a letter of support to
Representative Madden as well as the Historic District Commission. School Committee Chairman Tim
Lepore said the committee has been very involved in the process and supports the idea. Planning Director
Andrew Vorce noted the Planning Board has voted to go on record in support of the project.
Mr. Kopko returned to the meeting and resumed chairmanship.
TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT
Town Manager C. Elizabeth Gibson updated the Board on Taxi Advisory Committee activity, noting it is
meeting regularly and is discussing many topics, including a pilot program for meters, potential regulation
changes, and an “Ambassador” program for drivers.
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Preliminary Review of 2010 Annual Town Meeting Warrant Articles. Ms. Gibson reviewed a preliminary draft
list of potential Board-sponsored warrant articles for the 2010 Annual Town Meeting which the Board
discussed. Mr. Vorce reviewed citizen-sponsored and Planning Board-sponsored zoning articles and real
estate/yard sale articles.
SELECTMEN’S REPORTS/COMMENT
Committee Reports: Wilkes Square Redevelopment Final Presentation. Postponed due to inclement
weather.
Discussion Regarding Nantucket Hunting Association Lease. Chairman Kopko explained that the current
shooting range ground lease with the Nantucket Hunting Association (NHA) includes the entire 48 acre
parcel, and needs to be adjusted to the 27 acres the Board voted on 8 July 2009. He said the Board has two
options: 1) vote to amend the current lease to accurately reflect the acreage, or 2) vote to terminate the
existing lease, issue a new Request for Proposal (RFP), and enter into new lease negotiations. Mr. Vorce
noted that the Town has come to an agreement with the NHA for the NHA to release the “flagstick” portion
of the property. A discussion among Board members followed regarding acreage, Massachusetts Natural
Heritage endangered species mitigation requirements, and the possible Board vote. Mr. Reinhard said he
feels it is “cleaner” to terminate the existing lease and start anew. Mr. Chadwick said he spoke with Town
Counsel today about the “cleaner” issue and said no real reason was given to terminate the lease and start
over, and noted he is in favor of amending the existing lease. Chairman Kopko said Town Counsel’s
recommendation is to terminate the existing lease, issue a new RFP, and renegotiate a new lease, but
conceded that amending the existing lease does the same job. Ms. Roggeveen said she is uncomfortable
starting the process over, that there are repercussions for the NHA if the lease is terminated, and would
rather amend the existing lease. Mr. Atherton moved to instruct Town Counsel to draft an amendment to the
existing lease limiting the acreage to 27 acres to allow the Natural Heritage mitigation process to move
forward; Ms. Roggeveen seconded. Attorney Kevin Dale noted at the 8 July 2009 Board meeting, Town
Counsel had advised the Board not to terminate the lease and to amend the existing lease. On Mr.
Atherton’s motion, so voted 4-0. Mr. Reinhard abstained. Mr. Chadwick requested a continuation of the
discussion be put on next week’s agenda.
FY 2011 Budget Review. Ms. Gibson noted she gave a recommendation regarding the FY 2011 budget at
the 2 December 2009 Board meeting, and said tonight’s agenda is to discuss the budget more in depth. The
Board discussed areas where they would like to see funding increased, including the Nantucket Atheneum,
mosquito control, tick control, and Human Services. Mr. Atherton noted his concern regarding the
recommendation for an override for the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund (SWEF) budget and the recommended
amount, and noted that the numbers at this stage in the budget process are not final. A discussion followed
among Board members regarding a possible override vs. fees for the SWEF. Assistant Finance Director
Irene Larivee said that if the Board does proceed with an operating override, a contingency plan needs to be
in place in the event an override vote fails.
The meeting was unanimously adjourned at 9:36 PM.
Approved the 30th day of December, 2009.