HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Selectmen Minutes February 4, 2009_2014020616121280861
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Minutes of the Meeting of 4 February 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 6:03 PM.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
None.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Richard Cooper questioned why Board of Selectmen meetings are not opened with the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Lenard Germinara said the Board should have better handling and oversight of Quaker Cemetery
going forward.
Thomas Barada asked who will be the landscaper to fix the Quaker Cemetery, and suggested that
they should be sure any fill brought to the site not be contaminated with knotweed or the like. Town
Manager C. Elizabeth Gibson addresses this comment.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES, WARRANTS AND PENDING CONTRACTS
Approval of Payroll Warrant for Week Ending 1 February 2009. The payroll warrant for the week
ending 1 February 2009 was approved by the unanimous consent of the meeting.
Approval of Treasury Warrant and Pending Contracts for 4 February 2009. The treasury warrant
and pending contracts for 4 February 2009 were approved by the unanimous consent of the
meeting.
CITIZEN/DEPARTMENTAL REQUESTS
Marine & Coastal Resources Department: Request for Acceptance of Gift of Boat. Mr. Chadwick
moved to approve the gift of a boat from Frederick McClure for use by the Marine Department and
to send a thank you letter to him; Mr. Reinhard seconded. All in favor, so voted.
Request for Transfer of Common Victualer License from Tracy Root dba Cioppino’s to Michael
Getter dba Dune for Premises at 20 Broad Street, Nantucket. Mr. Chadwick moved to approve the
transfer; Mr. Atherton seconded. All in favor, so voted.
Request for New Common Victualer License for Marco Coelho dba Lola 41 for Premises at 15
South Beach Street, Nantucket. Continued to 18 February 2009.
Request for Alteration of Town Sidewalk in Front of 52-54 Main Street. Rebecca Weld, architect for
Verde Nantucket Green Build and Milton Rowland and Associates, spoke in favor of the alteration
and explained the reconstruction of the sidewalk. Mr. Chadwick and Mr. Reinhard spoke in favor of
the request. Mr. Chadwick moved approval of the request for alteration; Mr. Atherton seconded.
Thomas Barada voiced his concern for tree roots in the vicinity of the work. All in favor, so voted.
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TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT
Assessor: Presentation Regarding Tax Rate and Property Valuation Process. Town Assessor
Debbie Dilworth gave a presentation about understanding property assessment and how it relates
to local government finance. She discussed the assessment process, the valuation process, the
tax levy and tax rates, tax bills, Proposition 2 ½, and new growth.
Ms. Gibson updated the Board on the FY 2010 budget and said she is waiting on more numbers.
She noted that a big issue is the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund (SWEF) deficit and noted that this is
a multi-year problem.
Assistant Town Manager Malachy Rice reviewed a meeting he attended recently regarding the
Federal Economic Stimulus Package and informed the Board that in early January Town
Administration submitted 17 projects totaling over $40 million for consideration.
SELECTMEN’S REPORTS/COMMENT
Action on Human Services Contract Review Committee Recommendations for FY 2010 (continued
from 28 January 2009). Ms. Gibson reminded the Board that it heard a presentation last week on
the Contract Review Committee’s grant recommendations and that the Board is scheduled to take
action tonight. A discussion ensued among Board members about the recommendations. Karen
Lindsay of the Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) informed the Board that ASAP and
Nantucket Behavioral Health Services have agreed to explore a “professional affiliation” between
the two organizations. Ms. Roggeveen moved to approve the grant recommendations as submitted
with one change of taking the $2,500 recommended for the Community Action Committee of Cape
Cod & Islands and adding that amount to the Nantucket Cottage Hospital grant recommendation;
Mr. Reinhard seconded. A discussion followed concerning the proposed change. So voted, Mr.
Atherton was opposed.
Action on Liquor License Fees (Following Closure of Public Hearing on 21 January 2009). Ms.
Gibson noted the Board has additional information in its packets regarding the breakdown of
seasonal vs. annual fees, as requested at the public hearing. She noted that research on other
Towns shows that the Town of Nantucket’s fees are much lower for wine and malt than other
towns. Chairman Kopko reviewed the current fee structure of each category of liquor licenses, as
well as the proposed fee increases. A discussion followed among Board members regarding the
proposed changes, and the Chair allowed comments from the audience. Chairman Kopko noted
that liquor license fees have not been increased since 2002, and said he felt in that context the
increases were reasonable. Mr. Atherton pointed out that the annual license fee for Wine/Malt
Package Store is more expensive than a seasonal license, which he said seems against the
Board’s policy of seasonal licenses being priced at a premium above annual licenses. Chairman
Kopko said he feels that seasonal All-Alcoholic Club license holders serve a more “resort-type”
clientele, and as they operate as restaurants, should be charged at the rate of a seasonal All-
Alcoholic Restaurant, which is proposed at $2,900. Mr. Chadwick moved to accept the
Administration’s fee increase recommendations, incorporating Chairman Kopko’s suggested
change to the All-Alcoholic Club license fee; Ms. Roggeveen seconded. Ms. Roggeveen then
recommended changing the proposed fees for seasonal Wine/Malt Package Store to $1,000 and
annual to $800. Mr. Reinhard moved to accept the recommendations with the changes suggested;
Mr. Chadwick seconded. All in favor, so voted. (Fee schedule attached.)
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Discussion of Downtown Revitalization Committee Recommendation for Request for Qualifications
Procurement for Redevelopment of Wilkes Square Area (continued from 21 January 2009). Ms.
Roggeveen, chair of the Downtown Revitalization Committee, reviewed the committee’s meeting
schedule and the stakeholders involved, and noted that the committee developed a Request for
Qualifications (RFQ) based on experience, viability, and other such qualifications. Director of
Planning Andrew Vorce noted that the Nantucket Planning & Economic Development Commission
is supportive of the proposal; he then summarized the RFQ. He said the goal is to have a group of
urban designers send in proposals to redevelop the area known as Wilkes Square. A discussion
followed among Board members regarding the language of the RFQ. Mr. Reinhard noted that the
RFQ is a process, and reminded everyone that the Wilkes Square area is private property, not
public, and that the Town would be voicing its opinion on how the property may be developed
through this process. Chairman Kopko said that he would like to see the committee explore
possible grant opportunities and not rely on public funds for the RFQ process. He also said he
would like to see a working draft of the RFQ on the Town’s website to allow for public comment.
Mr. Roggeveen concluded the presentation by thanking Whitey Willauer for working on the drafts of
the RFQ.
Discussion Regarding Implementation of Nantucket Sewer Act (continued from 28 January 2009).
Chairman Kopko said that Ms. Gibson, Ms. Roggeveen, and he had discussed the possibility of
establishing a work group to start the process of fleshing out the Sewer Act, what it means, and
reporting back to the Board as more information comes in, such as a sewer rate study. He said
tonight’s action item is to see if the Board wants to establish a work group, and what its makeup
will be. After discussion among Board members, it was agreed to establish a Sewer Act
Implementation Work Group, made up of two Board of Selectmen representatives and two
members of the public. Ms. Gibson suggested the Board take formal action to establish the work
group as it will conduct open, posted meetings. Mr. Atherton moved to establish the work group;
Mr. Reinhard seconded. All in favor, so voted.
The meeting was unanimously adjourned at 8:28 PM.
Approved the 5th day of August, 2009.