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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Selectmen Minutes February 11, 2009_2014020616121316801 BOARD OF SELECTMEN Minutes of the Meeting of 11 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, and Allen Reinhard. Patricia Roggeveen was absent. Chairman Kopko called the meeting to order at 6:10 PM. ANNOUNCEMENTS Department of Public Works Director Jeff Willett gave a weekly update on the downtown sewer and storm water projects currently underway. PUBLIC COMMENT Richard Cooper asked the Board of Selectmen if it has made a decision on the Pledge of Allegiance. He also asked about the Airport and the Airport Commission and what the status is with Nantucket Hunting Association negotiations, and what authority the Board has over the Airport and/or the Airport Commission regarding land leases. Mr. Reinhard, Chairman Kopko, and Mr. Chadwick addressed Mr. Cooper’s questions. APPROVAL OF MINUTES, WARRANTS AND PENDING CONTRACTS Approval of Payroll Warrant for Week Ending 8 February 2009. The payroll warrant for the week ending 8 February 2009 was approved by the unanimous consent of the meeting. Approval of Treasury Warrant and Pending Contracts for 11 February 2009. Mr. Willett discussed Change Order # 3 for the C&C Construction contract and noted he anticipated a fourth change order coming forward soon. The treasury warrant and pending contracts for 11 February 2009 were approved by the unanimous consent of the meeting. CITIZEN/DEPARTMENTAL REQUESTS None. TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT Coastal Management Plan Status Update. Marine Superintendent Dave Fronzuto and Director of Planning Andrew Vorce gave an update on the development of a Coastal Management Plan for Nantucket and its relationship to the Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan. Mr. Fronzuto and Mr. Vorce reviewed an ocean management planning meeting they attended on 7 February 2009. Mr. Fronzuto said that the Nantucket Planning & Economic Development Commission, through the Board of Selectmen, has put forth a warrant article for the 2009 Annual Town Meeting to allow Nantucket to “more fully participate as primary stakeholders in the Ocean Management planning process”. He noted that there are certain issues not addressed in the Massachusetts Ocean Management plan, which covers 1500 feet seaward of the low-tide mark out to three nautical miles, which are more appropriately addressed in the Nantucket and Madaket Harbors Action Plan. He said what needs to be determined are which coastal management principles apply in the area between the beach and 1500 feet out. A discussion followed among Board members, Mr. Fronzuto, and Mr. Vorce about the three plans, how they affect Nantucket, and what kind of local controls would be allowed. Mr. Fronzuto said that he does not see Nantucket developing its own stand alone plan for coastal management, but rather could develop management principles based on the categories found in the state’s Ocean Management Plan. 2 2008-09 Management Priorities Update. Town Manager C. Elizabeth Gibson reviewed the status of Town Administration’s management priorities, including employee development; developing and annotating formal procedures, processes, and policies and improving the management of Town Administration’s workflow; continuing to analyze ongoing efficiencies with municipal organizations and functions; ensuring the Finance Department is adequately and properly staffed, resolving outstanding audits, and improving internal controls to maintain timely completion of audits in the future; and reorganizing the Department of Public Works. Ms. Gibson answered questions from the Board regarding her update. Ms. Gibson made a presentation on the FY 2010 budget, noting that the numbers are current as of today and show $372,000 in reductions to the budget deficit, which has not been split yet between the Town and the school. She outlined the General Fund budget projected deficit with and without a $1,900,000 General Fund solid waste subsidy and the Town Administration’s budget recommendations. Ms. Gibson reminded the Board of its budget workshop scheduled for 18 February 2009 and that she hopes the Board will review and finalize the budget recommendations on 25 February in order to present it to the Finance Committee on 26 February. Mr. Atherton requested an information “help” list so they know what is on hand for the budget and what is still outstanding. Ms. Gibson requested that the Board authorize sending a letter of support to its legislative delegation regarding boat excise tax increases, room tax expansion, and a local option for meals tax. She said the Board might also consider a rental car charge and increasing the residential exemption in the future. Mr. Chadwick moved to send the requested letter of support; Mr. Atherton seconded. All in favor, so voted. SELECTMEN’S REPORTS/COMMENT 2008-09 Goals and Objectives; Policy Priorities Update. Chairman Kopko noted that Ms. Gibson covered the Board’s goals and objectives during her earlier presentation. Harbor Plan Implementation Committee: Update. Sarah Oktay, chair of the Harbor Plan Implementation Committee (HPIC), introduced the committee members present. She then gave a presentation update on the Harbor Plan and noted that the committee has created a table of 122 recommendations regarding natural resources; natural resource protection; water quality; commercial and recreational fishing; public access; docks, wharves, and commercial waterfront; harbor operations, safety, navigation, and moorings; oil spill response; and tourism and recreation. Ms. Oktay reviewed how each action item is ranked as a priority or need, its inception date, and its estimated time for completion. She noted that throughout the process the committee kept in mind fiscal cost, funding and fee costs, and responsible parties for each section of the plan. Marine Superintendent Dave Fronzuto said that he has met with the new director of Coastal Zone Management, the state agency which approves local harbor plans, who said Nantucket’s report was the first it looked at and is very impressed. Mr. Reinhard moved to accept the implementation prioritization recommendations made by HPIC; Mr. Atherton seconded. All in favor, so voted. Capital Program Committee: Report on Projects Recommended for FY 2010. Peter Hoey, chair of the Capital Program Committee (CPC), reviewed the projects which received recommendations, as well as the process by which requests for funding recommendations are made. Mr. Hoey requested adding one additional public member to the committee, noting that it is currently difficult to get a 3 quorum. He also suggested the Town needs to “get serious” about long-term capital planning. Mr. Chadwick said there should be a process of not allowing submissions to come in late after the Board has made its recommendations. Committee Reports. Individual Board members gave status reports for the committees on which they serve as representatives or liaisons. The meeting was unanimously adjourned at 9:10 PM. Approved the 19th day of August, 2009.