HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Selectmen Minutes February 17, 2010_2014020616201781171
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Minutes of the Meeting of February 17, 2010. 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 6:20 PM, following a meeting of the County Commissioners.
Chairman Kopko noted the addition of two agenda items under Selectmen’s Reports/Comment.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The US Census Bureau is recruiting workers for the 2010 Census.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Grant Sanders informed the Board of a Google invitation for municipalities to join in the bid process
for fiber optics network testing, which he said could help with the local economy. Chairman Kopko
asked Town Manager C. Elizabeth Gibson to have the Information Technology Department look
into this.
Richard Cooper asked why the security system was not part of the original bid for the police station
and what the cost is; he also asked what the estimated costs of the utilities, maintenance, and
landscaping are. Chairman Kopko said Town Administration will get back to the Board with
answers to Mr. Cooper’s questions.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES, WARRANTS, PENDING CONTRACTS
Approval of Minutes of 13 January 2010 at 6:00 PM. The minutes of 13 January 2010 at 6:00 PM
were approved as amended by the unanimous consent of the meeting.
Ratification of Vote to Release Partial Executive Session Minutes of 8 January 2007 at 9:30 AM; 25
January 2007 at 9:30 AM; 14 August 2007 at 3:00 PM; 21 August 2008 at 9:00 AM; 6 November
2008 at 9:00 AM; 13 March 2009 at 9:00 AM; 7 May 2009 at 9:00 AM. Chairman Kopko clarified
that all minutes listed are specific to the cable television contract renewal negotiations. Mr.
Atherton moved to approve the release of the minutes as presented; Mr. Reinhard seconded. All in
favor, so voted.
Approval of Payroll Warrant for Weeks Ending 7 February 2010; 14 February 2010. The payroll
warrants for weeks ending 7 February 2010 and 14 February 2010 were approved by the
unanimous consent of the meeting.
Approval of Treasury Warrants for 10 February 2010; 17 February 2010 and Pending Contracts for
17 February 2010. Department of Public Works Director Jeff Willett reviewed the pending
contracts. The treasury warrants for 10 February 2010 and 17 February 2010 and pending
contracts for 17 February 2010 were approved by the unanimous consent of the meeting.
CITIZEN/DEPARTMENTAL REQUESTS
Nantucket Historical Association: Request for Approval of a One-day Charity Wine Auction
License in Connection with Nantucket Wine Festival. Stacey Stuart, manager of special events for
the Nantucket Historical Association, spoke in favor of the application. Mr. Reinhard moved to
approve the one-day charity wine license; Ms. Roggeveen seconded. All in favor, so voted.
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Nantucket Preservation Trust: Request for Approval of Preservation Restriction to be Held by
Nantucket Preservation Trust, Inc. for First Congregational Church Located at 62 Centre Street,
Nantucket. Attorney Richard Loftin, representing the First Congregational Church, spoke in favor of
the preservation restriction. First Congregational Church board member Will Waller reviewed the
preservation restriction and spoke in favor of its approval. Ms. Roggeveen recused herself from the
vote as she is an abutter to the church. Mr. Reinhard moved to approve the preservation restriction
for the First Congregational Church; Mr. Atherton seconded. So voted 4-0.
Request for Execution of Purchase and Sale Agreement, Quitclaim Deed and Settlement
Statement for Conveyance of Town “Yard Sale” Property Described as Portion of West Tristram
Avenue, Map 32, Parcels 48 and 49, also known as Parcels O and P, Respectively, Pursuant to
Vote on Article 118 of 2008 Annual Town Meeting and Vote of Board of Selectmen on 2 December
2009. Mr. Reinhard moved to approve the execution of purchase and sale agreement, quitclaim
deed and settlement statement for parcels O and P of West Tristram Avenue; Ms. Roggeveen
seconded. All in favor, so voted.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Public Hearing to Consider Room Rate Increases at Our Island Home. Chairman Kopko opened
the public hearing. Our Island Home Administrator Pamela Meriam said the requested room rate
increase is $20 per day, and that an increase was not sought the previous year. Rick Austin noted
that while there was no increase last year, there was an increase the year before totaling $4,000
per month. Chairman Kopko closed the public hearing. Mr. Reinhard asked how the fee increase
would affect the residents. Ms. Meriam explained that the increase would only affect the ten private
pay residents and would equal approximately $7,300 per year per patient. She added that Our
Island Home would also be going to the state to request increases in MassHealth reimbursements
and that the taxpayers through the General Fund are currently subsidizing the gap between the
actual costs and revenue received. Ms. Roggeveen said the Town needs to look at Our Island
Home’s budget more closely in the future and that she has concerns of increasing private pay rates
when admission is down. A discussion followed among Board members on the impacts of raising
private pay rates. Ms. Meriam added that in the last ten years the average number of private pay
residents were ten per year, noting that the hospital now has seven swing beds for rehabilitation
which are being used by patients who used to go to Our Island Home for that service. Mr. Atherton
moved to approve the rate increase as requested; Mr. Chadwick seconded. All in favor, so voted.
Public Hearing to Consider Increase in Nantucket Fire Department Ambulance Fee. Chairman
Kopko opened the public hearing. Fire Chief Mark McDougall reviewed the increase request for
ambulance fees, which will go from $425 to $475, noting the last increase was approved in 2005.
Chairman Kopko closed the public hearing. Chairman Kopko asked if the idea of outsourcing
ambulance services has been explored. Chief McDougall said the idea had been discussed a few
years ago but it was deemed unsustainable due to the low amount of ambulance calls. Ms.
Roggeveen noted that only 20% of ambulance fees are collected in the patient category. Chief
McDougall clarified that these are basically uninsured, transient patients who can’t be tracked
down for billing. Ms. Roggeveen moved to approve the ambulance rate increase as requested; Mr.
Atherton seconded. All in favor, so voted.
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Public Hearing to Consider License Application for Private Shellfish Grant for Simon Edwardes.
Chairman Kopko opened the public hearing. Marine Superintendent Dave Fronzuto reviewed the
application, noting the area requested is part of a 30 acre portion at the Head of the Harbor
approved many years ago for private aquaculture. Mr. Fronzuto said he will prepare the license,
noting this is a first step as the state still needs to grant its permit, as well as the Army Corps of
Engineers. Applicant Simon Edwardes said his plan is to grow local oysters. Chairman Kopko
closed the public hearing. Ms. Roggeveen moved to approve the license application for a private
shellfish grant; Mr. Atherton seconded. All in favor, so voted. A brief discussion followed between
the Board and Mr. Fronzuto regarding last year’s rust tide/algae bloom.
Public Hearing to Consider Application for New Entertainment License for Nantucket Regal Group
LLC dba Crosswinds for Premises Located at 14 Airport Road, Unit 4. Chairman Kopko opened the
public hearing. Applicant Chris Skehel spoke in favor of his application, noting the previous owner
also has an entertainment license. Chairman Kopko closed the public hearing. Ms. Roggeveen
moved to approve the entertainment license for Crosswinds; Mr. Reinhard seconded. All in favor,
so voted.
TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT
Review of Department of Public Works Preliminary Trash Collection Outsourcing Report. Mr. Willett
reviewed the Department of Public Works’ preliminary trash collection outsourcing report with the
Board, noting collection sites, numbers of containers, and personnel utilized, and current costs of
approximately $191,000 per year. He reviewed discussion with a private hauler as to the Town’s
collection program and obtained an informal estimate of approximately $153,000 per year, which
would seem like a savings of $37,000 to the Town. Mr. Willett noted, however, that there are items
which were not included in the private hauler estimate which the DPW personnel that handles the
trash collection does, including litter pick up in the core district, along roadsides, and at beach
parking areas; bike path and roadside mowing, snow plowing and winter sidewalk maintenance. He
said if the DPW outsourced trash collection the items not included would still need to be done by
the DPW and the savings would not be realized. Ms. Roggeveen said if outsourcing trash collection
is seriously considered, the Town should discuss a bid process to get more detail. A discussion
followed among Board members and Mr. Willett on the costs provided. The Board asked Mr. Willett
to refine the Town’s costs for providing the services reviewed and present them at a future
meeting.
Finance Director Connie Voges said the Town would be receiving bids tomorrow for short and
long-term borrowing and asked if the Board could hold a special meeting to sign the associated
paperwork. Following a brief discussion, Chairman Kopko said a meeting will be posted for
Monday, 22 February 2010 at 3:30 PM in the Town Administration office to vote on the borrowing
documents.
SELECTMEN’S REPORTS/COMMENT
Status of FY 2011 Solid Waste Enterprise Fund Contingency. Chairman Kopko said it is his
understanding there is approximately $175,000 in a Solid Waste Enterprise Fund (SWEF)
contingency. Assistant Finance Director Irene Larivee explained that there is currently $174,500 in
the SWEF budget for contingency, which the Finance Committee has recommended to reduce to
$50,000 by transferring $124,500 to the Reserve Fund for FY 2011 to provide “greater flexibility”.
Mr. Atherton said he feels the full amount should be transferred to the Reserve Fund, which could
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still be used for the SWEF if needed or any other fund which might need it. Mr. Chadwick
suggested using the money to fund the Human Services Department in FY 2011. Ms. Larivee
reviewed three funding options regarding the Human Services Department, including proceed with
the elimination of the FY 2011 funding for the department; provide funding for the department
through December 31, 2010 at which time the department would be dissolved; reduce the amount
available in the projected contractual services budget for a six month allocation. Chairman Kopko
said he would like to put the three options put on next week’s agenda for review. Mr. Atherton
moved to transfer $174,500 from the SWEF contingency fund to the Reserve Fund, subject to any
further budget changes that may occur; Ms. Roggeveen seconded. All in favor, so voted.
Chairman Kopko noted the Board has received a request from the Finance Department to allow
flexibility in arranging payments regarding the sewer privilege fees. Mr. Reinhard moved that the
Board, acting as the Sewer Commissioners, authorize the Finance Department to negotiate
payment arrangements on the 10% down for sewer privilege fees, on the condition that the 10%
down has to be paid by November 1, 2010. On the motion, Mr. Atherton seconded. All in favor, so
voted. Mr. Chadwick moved that the Board, acting as the Sewer Commissioners, as a matter of
policy, will not entertain requests for waiver of the privilege fees; Mr. Atherton seconded. All in
favor, so voted.
Chairman Kopko said the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) has passed a resolution for
health insurance plan design authority for cities and towns, which he’d like the Board to consider
endorsing. Ms. Voges explained that in Massachusetts, state law dictates that cities and towns
cannot change health insurance plans without collectively bargaining with all unions, yet the law
does not apply to the state itself. Mr. Atherton moved to authorize the chairman to sign a letter of
support for the MMA resolution to the governor and the Town’s state legislative delegates; Mr.
Reinhard seconded. All in favor, so voted.
Committee Reports. Mr. Reinhard gave an update on the Roads and Right of Way Committee and
the Cemetery Commission Work Group. Chairman Kopko updated the Board on the Human
Services Collaborative Work Group’s progress, noting that the Work Group will not be ready to give
its preliminary report to the Board at its 17 March 2010 meeting as anticipated.
The meeting was unanimously adjourned at 8:23 PM.
Approved the 14th day of April, 2010.