HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Selectmen Minutes September 9, 2009_2014020616122285561
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Minutes of the Meeting of 9 September 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 6:01 PM.
Chairman Kopko noted agenda item IV. 4. will be moved to number one under citizen/departmental
requests.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Town Manager C. Elizabeth Gibson reviewed the 2009 committee/board/commission vacancies,
noting the addition of a Community Preservation Committee vacancy due to an unexpected
resignation. She added that public hearing to consider any applications for vacancies has been
moved to 7 October 2009.
There will be a Green Communities presentation on Monday, 14 September 2009 from 1:30 to 3:00
PM at 2 Fairgrounds Road. Ms. Gibson noted the presenter will also be a guest speaker at the
Nantucket Civic League meeting later in the day.
The Roads and Rights of Way Committee is accepting donations for the Founders Burial Ground
Women’s Monument. Mr. Reinhard noted the committee is hoping to raise $10,000 for the project.
The repaving of Milestone Road will not begin until spring 2010; drainage installation, tree
trimming, and repaving of the bike path will be ongoing from now through November 2009.
The Health Officer will give a flu update at the 16 September 2009 Board meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES, WARRANTS, PENDING CONTRACTS
Approval of Payroll Warrant for Week Ending 6 September 2009. The payroll warrant for week
ending 6 September 2009 was approved by the unanimous consent of the meeting.
Approval of Treasury Warrant and Pending Contracts for 9 September 2009. Senior Planner Leslie
Snell reviewed a grant application with the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative. The treasury
warrant and pending contracts for 9 September 2009 were approved by the unanimous consent of
the meeting.
CITIZEN/DEPARTMENTAL REQUESTS
Request to Establish Human Services Collaboration Study Committee. Family and Children’s
Services Executive Director Peter Swenson reviewed the request to establish a human services
collaborative study work group. He said the purpose would be to study what services the Town’s
Department of Human Services is currently providing, how it is providing those services, what is
being done well, what needs strengthening, etc., noting the idea is to make the delivery of human
services more effective. Mr. Swenson said organizations offering grants to human services groups
are more interested in collaborative efforts than singular and he is therefore interested in
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developing a human services collaborative. A discussion followed on reductions currently being
made by the state Department of Public Health and how human services groups can work to be
proactive vs. reactive in terms of funding opportunities. Chairman Kopko said a more definitive
proposal regarding the structure and makeup of the proposed work group will be brought back to
the Board for review and possible establishment. Council for Human Services coordinator
Maryanne Worth said she supports the concept of a collaborative. Chairman Kopko asked the
Board to endorse the work group in concept and said he and Ms. Roggeveen will work on the
charge and makeup.
Our Island Home: Request for Acceptance of Unrestricted Gift of $2,000 from Anonymous Donor.
Mr. Atherton moved to accept the unrestricted gift of $2,000 for Our Island Home; Mr. Chadwick
seconded. All in favor, so voted.
Department of Public Works: Request for Approval to Postpone Phased Infiltration/Inflow Sewer
Rehabilitation Projects. Ms. Gibson said the request for postponement of Phase II-B is due mostly
to current revenue declines. Department of Public Works Director Jeff Willett explained the request,
and said the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Administrative Consent Order’s (ACO)
goal is to remove one million gallons of infiltration/inflow (I/I) within 20 years. He added that in the
last three years the Town has already removed 700,000 gallons of I/I. He did note these projects
do need to move forward in the near future, but that there is time to delay the projects until the
Town can settle its financing mechanisms. Mr. Atherton moved to postpone Phase II-B of the
infiltration/inflow sewer rehabilitation project for the time being; Mr. Reinhard seconded. All in favor,
so voted.
Planning Office/Nantucket Housing Authority: Request for Letter of Support for Smart Growth
Zoning District Pursuant to MGL Chapter 40R. Senior Planner Leslie Snell reviewed the Planning
Office’s request and gave background on 40R development. Mr. Atherton moved to authorize the
Board chair to sign a letter of support for a smart growth zoning district; Mr. Reinhard seconded. All
in favor, so voted.
Nantucket Planning & Economic Development Commission: FY 2010 – 2013 Transportation
Improvement Program (TIP) Presentation. Transportation Planner Mike Burns reviewed the fiscal
year 2010 to 2013 Transportation Improvement Program, noting the first project will be the Cliff
Road bike path extension and the second project will be the Hummock Pond Road bike path. Mr.
Reinhard moved to approve the fiscal year 2010 - 2013 Transportation Improvement Program
schedule and to send the NP&EDC a recommendation to approve the proposed schedule; Mr.
Atherton seconded. All in favor, so voted.
Planning Office: Review Status of In-Town Pedestrian/Bicycle Path. Mr. Burns updated the Board
on the proposed in-Town pedestrian/bicycle path and said about $75,000 worth of design work still
needs to be completed. He reviewed the Orange Street layout plan, noting the actual construction
cost is “immense” due to the road needing to be reconstructed and that will have to be phased. Mr.
Reinhard said the project is a priority for the Roads and Right of Way Committee, particularly
through the old railroad bed. A discussion regarding phasing the design of the project followed. Mr.
Reinhard moved to focus phasing of the planning, design, and construction on the old railroad bed
first, using money available from the state and grants; Mr. Atherton seconded. All in favor, so
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voted. Mr. Atherton moved to ask the Transportation Planner to develop concepts and
recommendations on the waterfront; Mr. Reinhard seconded. All in favor, so voted.
TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT
Ms. Gibson reviewed the current status of the cable television license renewal negotiations, noting
a revised draft of the contract has been received from Comcast which will be reviewed by Town
Counsel and the Cable Television Advisory Committee. She added that a public hearing regarding
the license renewal has been tentatively scheduled for 14 October 2009.
Ms. Gibson said the Ad Hoc Fiscal Committee has been meeting regularly and is nearing the end
of its task. She said public hearings have been scheduled for 29 September 2009 for Town unions
and employees and 1 October 2009 for the general public to review the final draft, and that the final
draft report is being worked on by the committee, the final of which is scheduled to be presented to
the Board at its 14 October 2009 meeting.
Ms. Gibson said she has received a nice letter of commendation from Wayne DuPont regarding
Town Arborist Dale Gary regarding recent work on Town trees.
SELECTMEN’S REPORTS/COMMENT
Sherburne Commons Update. Chairman Kopko gave an update on Sherburne Commons, noting
the Board received communication today from Town Counsel which stated progress is being made
in the negotiations with buyer Servant Healthcare, but there are items that still need to be
discussed. He added that the Board met with residents of Sherburne Commons today, as well as
the Sherburne Commons board and attorneys. Mr. Atherton said a number of issues were
discussed openly today and he feels the dialogue was constructive. Chairman Kopko added that
he feels many misunderstandings were dispelled at the meeting.
The meeting was unanimously adjourned at 7:49 PM.
Approved the 3rd day of March, 2010.