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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Selectmen Minutes October 13, 2010_201402061620250462BOARD OF SELECTMEN Minutes of the Meeting of 13 October 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 6:54 PM following a meeting of the Board of Health. I. ANNOUNCEMENTS 1. The 2011 Annual Town Meeting Warrant is open for the submission of citizen articles starting 14 October 2010 through 18 November 2010 at 4:00 PM. A minimum of ten registered voter signatures are required. 2. Town Counsel will be available to assist citizens with "How to Prepare a Warrant Article" on Thursday, 21 October 2010 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM and Wednesday, 3 November 2010 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM in the Town Building Conference Room. II. PUBLIC COMMENT 1. Richard Cooper requested that the Board work with the Nantucket Hunting Association to open the hunting range property temporarily to allow hunters to sight their weapons, as hunting season is about to start. Mr. Chadwick said that he has been working closely with the Hunting Association and that a finished lease should be forthcoming shortly. Mr. Chadwick added that there may be possible insurance issues with opening the property prematurely. 2. Dave Fredericks of National Grid, who said he is working as a private citizen with the Nantucket Public Schools on its wind turbine project, gave an update on the wind turbine, noting that it has been installed and will begin operation next week. Mr. Fredericks discussed the safety of the chosen location and the history of the chosen wind turbine. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES, WARRANTS, PENDING CONTRACTS 1. Approval of Minutes of 20 January 2010 at 6:00 PM; 3 February 2010 at 6:00 PM; 6 October 2010 at 6:00 PM. The minutes of 20 January 2010 at 6:00 PM, 3 February 2010 at 6:00 PM, and 6 October 2010 at 6:00 PM were approved by the unanimous consent of the meeting. 2. Approval of Payroll Warrant for Week Ending 10 October 2010. The payroll warrant for the week ending 10 October 2010 was approved by the unanimous consent of the meeting. 3. Approval of Treasury Warrant and Pending Contracts for 13 October 2010. Town Manager C. Elizabeth Gibson reviewed the various pending contracts. Mr. Atherton suggested Town Administration prepare a public review of the Town’s pension program, insurance policies, vacation and sick policies, step increases, longevity, and other associated topics as a future agenda item as it relates to budgets. Mr. Kopko moved to approve the treasury warrant and pending contracts for 6 October 2010; Mr. Atherton seconded. All in favor, so voted. IV. CITIZEN/DEPARTMENTAL REQUESTS 1. Roger Decker: Request for Transfer of Mobile Food Unit License. Roger Decker spoke in favor of the request. Chairman Roggeveen noted that mobile food unit licensees must pick up trash at the beaches they go to at the end of each day they are there and dispose of it properly. Mr. Decker acknowledged and agreed with the obligation. Mr. Chadwick moved to approve the transfer of the 1 mobile food unit license from Raymond Symer, d/b/a the Happy Dog, to Roger Decker, d/b/a Nantucket Beach Dogs; Mr. Willauer seconded. All in favor, so voted. 2. Sustainable Nantucket: Request for Approval for 2011 Farmers and Artisans Market. Michelle Whelan, executive director of Sustainable Nantucket, spoke in favor of the request to continue the Farmers and Artisans Market in the same location on Upper Cambridge and North Union Streets for 2011, with the exception of 2 July 2011, as that is when St. Mary’s Fair occurs at that location. Mr. Chadwick moved to approve the 2011 Farmers and Artisans Market and schedule on Upper Cambridge and North Union Streets; Mr. Willauer seconded. All in favor, so voted. 3. Planning Office: Request for Approval of Letter of Support for Wilkes Square Redevelopment Final Report. Mr. Chadwick moved to approve the letter of support for the Wilkes Square Redevelopment Final Report (attached); Mr. Atherton seconded. Mr. Kopko said he will not vote in favor of the motion as he feels it is a “Trojan horse plot” to get a parking garage built at the Wilkes Square location. On the motion, so voted 4-1. Mr. Kopko was opposed. V. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. Public Hearing to Determine Tax Allocation by Classification; Percentage of Residential Exemption to be Granted for FY 2011 (Continued from 22 September 2010; 6 October 2010). Assessor Deborah Dilworth reviewed her memo to the Board dated 13 October 2010, noting that proposed tax rates for FY 2011 are $3.55 for residential; $3.40 for open space; and $6.36 for commercial, industrial, and personal property classes. She requested the Board adopt a shift of 175% to the commercial, industrial, and personal property classes and a residential exemption of 20%. Ms. Dilworth answered questions from the Board. Ms Gibson inquired how Nantucket’s tax rates compare to other towns. Ms. Dilworth said they are among the lowest in the state. Chairman Roggeveen closed the public hearing. Mr. Chadwick moved to approve the tax allocation by classification and a 20% residential exemption for FY 2011 as presented; Mr. Willauer seconded. All in favor, so voted. VI. TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT 1. Request for Technical Amendment of Policy for the Installation of Memorial Plaques, Benches, and Trees in the Town of Nantucket. Ms. Gibson explained that the technical amendment to the memorial policy clarifies that certain Town properties are under the jurisdiction of the Parks and Recreation Commission and will require a separate review and approval through the Commission, in addition to the associated application for the Town’s memorial policy. Mr. Chadwick moved to approve the technical amendment of the memorial policy; Mr. Atherton seconded. All in favor, so voted. Ms. Gibson noted that the Town received an appropriation at the 2010 Annual Town Meeting for the redesign/reuse of the 20 South Water Street building, adding that a request for qualifications (RFQ) was issued and five responses have been received. She said three of the respondents were interviewed today and she hopes to have a contract ready for approval in the next few weeks, and a firm number for the 2011 Annual Town Meeting for the construction costs. Ms. Gibson said she and Assistant Town Manager Gregg Tivnan are actively seeking outside funding for an energy coordinator for the Town, as energy-related projects have increased substantially. 2 3 VII. SELECTMEN’S REPORTS/COMMENT 1. Discussion of Possible Letter to Department of Public Utilities Regarding Possible Cape Wind – National Grid Contract. Mr. Atherton said when National Grid held a public hearing on Island this summer regarding a possible contract with Cape Wind, there were many concerned citizens. He said he feels the Board should not ignore the issue, and that it is not about whether a person supports Cape Wind or not, but rather how alternate energy is to be paid for. Mr. Atherton said he has written a letter to the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) as a private citizen and he hopes that the Board will send one as well. Mr. Chadwick said he agrees with Mr. Atherton’s letter and supports the Board writing a letter to the DPU. Mr. Kopko said he doesn’t feel Mr. Atherton’s letter represents all the citizens of Nantucket and that he feels it prudent of the Board not to take a position on behalf of the Town. A discussion among Board members followed. Grant Sanders and Carl Borchert spoke in favor of the contract between National Grid and Cape Wind. Mr. Atherton said it is clear to him following Board discussion that most of the Board does not want to formally comment but he added that it is a political matter and he feels the Board can have influence on the legislators. No action was taken. 2. Review of Legal Costs. Mr. Kopko said he asked for this matter to be placed on tonight’s agenda. He said that in April 2009 the Board revised its policy on the use of Town Counsel and use of legal services. Mr. Kopko reviewed a spreadsheet he provided showing legal costs for FY 2009 and FY 2010, noting that legal fees, not including the retainer, have reduced 25% and that the estimated average hourly rate is around $137. Mr. Atherton said it is up to the Board to have a management process over legal services. Mr. Kopko said he feels the Town hadn’t been a “good client” to its legal services contractor in the past but has since made significant changes in the management of legal services. Mr. Willauer asked what drives the legal services caseload. A discussion among Board members followed. Mr. Willauer said he feels the downturn in the economy has much to do with the lower legal services caseload and a corresponding decrease in legal bills. 3. Committee Reports. Mr. Willauer updated the Board on the Shellfish Management Plan and energy initiatives. VIII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was unanimously adjourned at 8:08 PM. Approved the 27th day of October, 2010. BOARD OF SELECTMEN 13 OCTOBER 2010 – 6:00 PM COURT ROOM, TOWN & COUNTY BUILDING 16 BROAD STREET NANTUCKET, MASSACHUSETTS List of documents used at the meeting: III. 1. Draft minutes of 20 January 2010 at 6:00 PM; 3 February 2010 at 6:00 PM; 6 October 2010 at 6:00 PM III. 3. Pending contracts spreadsheet for 13 October 2010 IV. 1. Note from Town Administration, re: beach clean up by mobile food unit licensees; letter from Roger Decker requesting transfer of mobile food unit license; application for mobile food unit license; inspection sign-off form for transfer of mobile food unit license IV. 2. Letter from Sustainable Nantucket, re: 2011 Farmers and Artisans Market; application for street blocking, re: 2011 Farmers and Artisans Market IV. 3. Email from Andrew Vorce, re: Wilkes Square letter of support; draft letter of support for Wilkes Square Redevelopment Final Report V. 1. Memo from Assessor, re: proposed tax rates and residential exemption for FY 2011 VI. 1. Amended Policy for the Installation of Memorial Plaques, Benches, and Trees VII. 1. Copy of Rick Atherton’s letter to Dept. of Public Works, re: contract between National Grid and Cape Wind VII. 2. Legal Services Costs spreadsheet (compiled by Michael Kopko)