Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Selectmen Minutes May 26, 2010_2014020616202396801 BOARD OF SELECTMEN Minutes of the Meeting of May 26, 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, Patricia Roggeveen, and Whiting Willauer. Chairman Roggeveen called the meeting to order at 6:01 PM. ANNOUNCEMENTS Town Manager C. Elizabeth Gibson reviewed the 2010 committee/board/commission vacancies, noting all the openings and applications are listed on the Town’s website. Ms. Gibson announced Memorial Day services will be held Monday, 31 May 2010 at 1:00 PM at the Prospect Hill Cemetery. Mr. Kopko voiced his concern over the low return of committee applications, and urged citizens to submit applications for vacancies. PUBLIC COMMENT Venessa Moore of 8 Second Way inquired about a long-term plan for Miacomet Pond. APPROVAL OF MINUTES, WARRANTS, PENDING CONTRACTS Approval of Minutes of 12 May 2010 at 6:00 PM. The minutes of 12 May 2010 at 6:00 PM were approved by the unanimous consent of the meeting. Approval of Payroll Warrant for Week Ending 23 May 2010. The payroll warrant for the week ending 23 May 2010 was approved by the unanimous consent of the meeting. Approval of Treasury Warrant and Pending Contracts for 26 May 2010. Department of Public Works Director Jeff Willett reviewed the pending contract with AECOM. Finance Director Connie Voges requested an additional contract regarding “stop loss” insurance coverage with QBE to be added for approval, and she reviewed the contract. The Board agreed to add the QBE contract. The treasury warrant and pending contracts for the week ending 26 May 2010 were approved by the unanimous consent of the meeting. REPORT PRESENTATION Presentation of Nantucket Legal Services Report by FAA Associates. Chairman Roggeveen introduced Michael Daley of Financial Advisory Associates, Inc. (FAA). Mr. Atherton said his observation of the report is that some of FAA’s recommendations are not supported by data and the Board might have different feelings regarding FAA’s findings. Mr. Daley then reviewed FAA’s independent review of the Town’s legal services. He noted FAA responded to a request for proposal (RFP) put forth by the Town which had eight required tasks, including a review of best practices, the Town’s baseline needs, litigation analysis, legal services management, legal services comparison, legal services billing practices, legal services alternatives, and legal counsel communication. Mr. Daley reviewed FAA’s methodology, and recommendations for each task. He noted that Nantucket is one of only a few towns in Massachusetts which uses a retainer. He added the total annual average cost of the Town’s legal services is $391,232 which is considerably higher than other comparable towns. Mr. Daley reviewed eight recommendations for the Town’s legal services, noting minimum and maximum savings. Mr. Kopko reviewed several items in the report. 2 Mr. Willauer said he found the articles in the appendix “illuminating”. Mr. Daley concluded by acknowledging that the Town should work on a strategic plan for its legal services. PUBLIC HEARINGS Public Hearing to Consider Applications for Airport Commission, Agricultural Commission, Beach Management Advisory Committee, Cable Television Advisory Committee, Capital Program Committee, Cemetery Commission Workgroup, Conservation Commission, Contract Review Committee (Human Services), Council for Human Services, Council on Aging, Cultural Council, Downtown Revitalization Committee, and Energy Study Committee. Chairman Roggeveen opened the public hearing and the following individuals spoke in favor of their applications: Airport Commission – John Schwanbeck; Capital Program Committee – Robin LaPiene; Conservation Commission – John Smith, Andy Bennett, and Jennifer Karberg; Contract Review Committee – Mary Wawro; Council for Human Services – Mary Wawro. Chairman Roggeveen thanked the applicants who attended the meeting and encouraged other citizens to apply for the various vacancies. Chairman Roggeveen closed the public hearing. CITIZEN/DEPARTMENTAL REQUESTS Planning Office: Request for Approval of Declaration and Dedication of Public Land to Open Space and Recreational Use Pursuant to Vote on Article 108 of 2008 Annual Town Meeting and 28 April 2010 Board of Selectmen Vote, Parcels 2, 4, 7, 8 and 15 on “Plan To Accompany Town of Nantucket Land Conveyances in Surfside Area Prepared for Town of Nantucket”, Prepared by Nantucket Surveyors, LLC, Dated 10 April 2009. Planning Director Andrew Vorce reviewed the request for the dedication of public land for open space and an associated map. Mr. Kopko moved to approve the request for approval of declaration and dedication of public land to open space and recreational use, as presented; Mr. Chadwick seconded. All in favor, so voted. TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT Ms. Gibson clarified some issues from the 19 May 2009 Board meeting. She said last week the Board discussed a new RFP process for awarding human services contracts, which will be effective for FY 2012. She said the resolution provided by Mr. Kopko should be somewhat refined and will be included on the 2 June 2010 agenda for discussion. Ms. Gibson noted that per the Board’s 19 May 2010 discussion, the Town plans to engage an independent review of the Town’s human services as a separate action from the RFP process modification. SELECTMEN’S REPORTS/COMMENT Article 68 Work Group Update. Chairman Roggeveen noted the Work Group has elected Lucinda Young as chairman, and that meetings are underway. Mr. Kopko said he recently attended a wastewater seminar on the Cape and while there spoke with representatives from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and former state Representative Eric Turkington on the matter of fertilizer and the Town’s proposed home rule petition. Mr. Kopko said the DEP representatives he spoke with encouraged the Town to enact a local regulation to see “where it goes”, and he said Mr. Turkington concurred. He suggested the Board might want to get further guidance from the DEP. A discussion among Board members followed. Health Director Richard Ray said he feels the tenor of the work group is to proceed on “both tracks” and will look at both a Town bylaw and a home rule petition, and the work group will make a recommendation to the Board regarding which route to take. It was agreed that Chairman Roggeveen and Mr. Atherton will contact the DEP and report back to the Board at some point. 3 Review of Post-Annual Town Meeting Discussion at 5 May 2010 Workshop Meeting; Determine Any Modifications for Next Town Meeting(s). Mr. Kopko requested that this matter be postponed to allow the Board time to review the information provided today. The Board consensus was to review the information at a later date. Ms. Gibson suggested that the Board keep the future agenda discussion focused on if changes are even wanted, and what changes should be made and why. Committee Reports. Mr. Atherton updated the Board on today’s Audit Committee meeting, noting Chairman Roggeveen is still chair of that committee. Chairman Roggeveen gave an update on the Human Services Collaborative Study Work Group, noting she has stepped down as chair of that group and that she will now act as a Board liaison to the group. Mr. Willauer gave an update on SHAB, and noted 16 students will be arriving in the fall from Worcester Polytechnic Institute to work on issues such as wind energy, ticks, and outreach for the Maria Mitchell Association. Malcolm McNabb of the Tick-borne Disease Committee noted the committee’s next meeting is Friday, 28 May 2010 at 4:00 PM at the Nantucket High School Large Group Instruction Room, and the topic is the creation of community-based deer reduction protocols. The meeting was unanimously adjourned at 7:53 PM. Approved the 9th day of June, 2010.