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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Selectmen Minutes March 11, 2009_2014020616121890241 BOARD OF SELECTMEN Minutes of the Meeting of 11 March 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. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Chairman Kopko called the meeting to order at 6:04 PM. Chairman Kopko noted that item IV. 1 has been removed from the agenda. ANNOUNCEMENTS Town Manager C. Elizabeth Gibson announced the police station project has a new informational website, www.nantucketpublicsafety.com, which can also be accessed through the Town’s website. She noted that letters from various citizens in support of the project have been publicized in the local newspaper and that fact sheets are available in the Town Administration office and on the website. PUBLIC COMMENT Maryanne Worth, representing the Nantucket Human Services Center, Inc. said in order to finalize a lease with the Town she is requesting permission from the Board to add the words “and housing” to the original warrant article which authorized the Town to lease property for a Human Services Center and also requests that the Board hold a Special Town Meeting within the April 2009 Annual Town Meeting. A discussion among Board members, Town Counsel, Ms. Worth, Planning Director Andrew Vorce, and Ms. Gibson ensued. Ms. Gibson said discussions with Human Services Center in the past few weeks focused solely on the lease, and that the Town is still waiting on a business plan from the group. Chairman Kopko said the Board will take Ms. Worth’s request under advisement, will gather more information regarding her request, and consider putting it in an agenda in the near future. Ms. Worth said the Board should receive the Human Services Center’s business plan within a month. Ms. Gibson said there are Town Charter requirements for holding a Special Town Meeting and that there is an issue of timing, which might be difficult to meet at this late date with the Annual Town Meeting less than one month away. Mr. Vorce distributed final copies of the Town’s Master Plan to the Board, noting there has been a six month public comment period and that the Nantucket Planning & Economic Development Commission will formally vote on the final document at its 30 March 2009 meeting. Mr. Vorce thanked the Board and especially Ms. Gibson for getting the Town’s department heads involved. Department of Public Works Director Jeff Willett gave a weekly update on the downtown sewer rehabilitation and storm water drainage improvement projects currently underway, noting that final paving of the roads is scheduled for fall 2009. APPROVAL OF MINUTES, WARRANTS AND PENDING CONTRACTS Approval of Minutes of 18 December 2008 at 9:00 AM; 22 December 2008 at 9:00 AM; 22 December 2008 at 3:00 PM; 31 December 2008 at 9:00 AM. Chairman Kopko recused himself from approving the minutes of 22 December 2008 at 3:00 PM. The minutes of 18 December 2008 at 9:00 AM; 22 December 2008 at 9:00 AM; 22 December 2008 at 3:00 PM; 31 December 2008 at 9:00 AM were approved by the unanimous consent of the meeting. 2 Approval of Payroll Warrant for Week Ending 8 March 2009. The payroll warrant for the week ending 8 March 2009 was approved by the unanimous consent of the meeting. Approval of Treasury Warrant and Pending Contracts for 11 March 2009. Ms. Gibson noted that funding for the restoration of the Visitor Services restrooms is coming from the County license plate fund. The treasury warrant and pending contracts for 11 March 2009 were approved by the unanimous consent of the meeting. CITIZEN/DEPARTMENTAL REQUESTS Town Clerk: Request for Reappointment to Board of Registrars of Voters. Mr. Reinhard moved to approve the request for the reappointment of Carolyn Gould to the Board of Registrars of Voters; Ms. Roggeveen seconded. All in favor, so voted. Sherburne Commons: Request for Waiver of Grease Trap Pump-out Fee. James Kielawa, plant manager for Sherburne Commons, spoke in favor of the request and questioned possible “double- charging” of the grease trap pump-out fee since Sherburne Commons already pays a fee to Wannacomet Water Company. Mr. Willett explained that grease is not grey water and has caused the Surfside Wastewater Treatment Facility to go into violation, and said he feels it is a legitimate expense. Ms. Gibson said she supports the recommendation of Mr. Willett. Mr. Chadwick moved to take no action; Mr. Atherton seconded. All in favor, so voted. Request for Approval of Voluntary Withdrawal of Land from Land Court Registration System for 192 Cliff Road. Mr. Vorce said the parcel in question is a Land Court registered parcel owned by the Town and the next agenda item is a request to declare this parcel surplus. Mr. Vorce explained that a problem with Land Courted parcels is that there is a higher level of survey, engineering, and associated costs than non-registered land. Mr. Reinhard moved to approve the request of voluntary withdrawal of 192 Cliff Road from the Land Court registration system; Mr. Atherton seconded. All in favor, so voted. Request for Declarations of Surplus Property: Portions of Poplar Street, Cherry Street, Western Avenue Pursuant to Vote on Article 110 of 2008 Annual Town Meeting; Portions of Sherburne Turnpike Pursuant to Vote on Article 73 of 2007 Annual Town Meeting; Portions of 9 New Jersey Avenue Pursuant to Vote on Article 74 of 2007 Annual Town Meeting; 192 Cliff Road Pursuant to Vote on Article 85 of 2004 Annual Town Meeting. Chairman Kopko noted that all the properties in question have been previously discussed by the Board in executive session. Mr. Reinhard moved to approve the request for the declarations of surplus property; Ms. Roggeveen seconded. All in favor, so voted. Request for Determination on Miller Lane Easement Requirement. Mr. Vorce explained that this matter was discussed by the Board at its 5 March 2009 executive session, and that the request is for final Board approval of two easements that will cross two parcels of land (lots C and D) that will be offered for sale for affordable housing purposes. The easements include the retention of an underground sewer main and the retention of a pedestrian access to lot B through lots C and D. Mr. Chadwick moved to approve the easements; Mr. Reinhard seconded. All in favor, so voted. 3 TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT Ms. Gibson gave an update on the sewer rate model project, noting that the consultant is done with the models and has sent them to the Department of Public Works and Wannacomet Water for comments. She said she would like to schedule a workshop meeting with the Board to discuss sewer rates and other sewer project issues tentatively for 24 March 2009. SELECTMEN’S REPORTS/COMMENT Adoption of 2009 Annual Town Meeting Warrant Article Recommendations. Chairman Kopko asked the Board to call any articles they wish to discuss, and that any articles not called will receive the Board comment of “The Board of Selectmen supports the Planning Board or Finance Committee motion.” Members of the Board called various articles of concern or question which were discussed and the comments voted on. Mr. Reinhard moved to support the remaining articles with positive comments; Ms. Roggeveen seconded. All in favor, so voted. Cable Television License Renewal Update. Ms. Gibson said the Board received a brief report in their packets and she expects to have more information for Friday’s executive session. She noted that the license with Comcast expired two years ago and that the Town has been in negotiations with Comcast ever since. Ms. Gibson said two key issues in the negotiations are a franchise fee and funding for a public, education, and governmental (PEG) access channel. Ms. Roggeveen said the Town has received notification from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection that Reis Trucking has applied for a Small Site Assignment and she would like the matter to be placed on an upcoming agenda to review possible impacts on the Town’s budget. She said she has spoken with special solid waste consultant Michael Leon who is willing to discuss the matter with the Board in open session before its Friday executive session. Mr. Chadwick noted that Toscana and Holdgate Partners both already hold similar site assignments. Mr. Chadwick said based on current tough fiscal times he hopes the Board will not consider a separate tax on cable rates to fund a PEG channel. Mr. Atherton encouraged the Board to establish an ad hoc financial committee proposed by Ms. Gibson in December to look at services and costs over the next few years. Ms. Gibson said she hopes to have an outline of the charge and composition of the proposed committee for the 25 March 2009 meeting. The meeting was unanimously adjourned at 8:20 PM. Approved the 28th day of October, 2009.