HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Selectmen Minutes September 7, 2011_201402061649167447BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Minutes of the Meeting of 7 September 2011. The meeting took place in the Public Safety Facility
Community Room, 4 Fairgrounds Road, Nantucket, MA 02554. Members of the Board present were
Rick Atherton, Robert DeCosta, Michael Kopko, Patricia Roggeveen, and Whiting Willauer. Chairman
Atherton called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
I. BOARD ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA
The Board unanimously accepted the agenda as presented.
II. ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Chairman Atherton announced that the Board has been outfitted with iPads to reduce paper
consumption, save on staff time, and reduce waste. Town Manager C. Elizabeth Gibson added that the
Historic District Commission and the Conservation Commission have them as well for the same
reasons. She added that the cost is expected to be covered by the above savings within one year.
2. The fourth annual Elder Expo will be held Saturday, September 10, 2011 from 9:30 am to 1:00 PM at
the Nantucket High School.
3. Mr. Kopko read a proclamation for Suicide Prevention Week which is September 4th -10th, 2011.
Jenny Garneau of the Nantucket Suicide Prevention Coalition reviewed what the group has undertaken
in the past year and answered questions from the Board.
4. The Town of Nantucket September 11, 2001 Remembrance Ceremony will be held Sunday,
September 11, 2011 at 9:55 AM at the Nantucket Fire Station at 131 Pleasant Street. All are welcome
to attend.
5. Ms. Gibson introduced Kezia Duarte, noting she is Governor Patrick’s Nantucket Ambassador of
“Project 351”, a statewide community service project and is planning a September 11 tribute. Ms.
Duarte explained that she will be placing American flags at the Milestone and Sparks Avenue rotaries.
In addition, she said she has asked the churches to ring their bells at 1:00 PM in remembrance of the
September 11, 2001 victims.
6. Chairman Atherton announced that the Nantucket Civic League is holding its annual meeting
Monday, September 12, 2011 at 4:00 PM at the Siasconset Casino, adding that Representative Tim
Madden is the speaker.
III. PUBLIC COMMENT
1. Douglas Hiscano of 70 Orange Street discussed issues he has with the NRTA Wave buses,
including the number of buses passing by his home, the noise they create, and potential safety issues.
Chairman Atherton said his concerns can be added to the next NRTA Advisory Board agenda.
IV. NEW BUSINESS
None.
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES, WARRANTS, PENDING CONTRACTS
1. Approval of Minutes 4 August 2011 at 9:00 AM. The minutes of 4 August 2011 at 9:00 AM were
approved by the unanimous consent of the meeting.
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2. Approval of Payroll Warrants for Weeks Ending 21 August 2011; 28 August 2011; 4 September
2011. The payroll warrants for weeks ending 21 August 2011, 28 August 2011, and 4 September 2011
were approved by the unanimous consent of the meeting.
3. Approval of Treasury Warrants for 24 August 2011; 31 August 2011; 7 September 2011. The
treasury warrants for 24 August 2011, 31 August 2011, and 7 September 2011were approved by the
unanimous consent of the meeting.
4. Approval of Pending Contracts for 7 September 2011. Town Manager C. Elizabeth Gibson reviewed
the various pending contracts and answered questions from the Board. The pending contracts for 7
September 2011 were approved by the unanimous consent of the meeting.
VI. CITIZEN/DEPARTMENTAL REQUESTS
1. Request for Approval of Curb Cut at 73 Main Street Resulting in Elimination of One On-street
Parking Space. Attorney Whitney Gifford, representing the homeowners of 73 Main Street, reviewed
the request for a curb cut which will result in the elimination of one on-street parking space. He added
that the Traffic Safety Work Group looked at the request favorably and that the HDC has approved the
driveway. Mr. DeCosta moved to approve the elimination of one on-street parking space for a curb cut
at 73 Main Street as presented; Ms. Roggeveen seconded. All in favor, so voted.
VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Public Hearing to Determine Tax Allocation by Classification; Percentage of Residential Exemption to
be Granted for FY 2012 (Continued from 17 August 2011). Chairman Atherton reopened the public
hearing from 17 August 2011. Assessor Deborah Dilworth noted the Department of Revenue has
approved the new growth and values, and said the rates are based on a maximum shift of the tax
burden of 175% to the commercial, industrial and personal property classes and that the residential
exemption is 20% of the average residential value. She added that the tax rates are going up $.03 but
the tax bills are due to decrease. Ms. Dilworth reviewed average tax bills and answered questions from
the Board. She explained that the Town has excess levy capacity this year of $2.6 million. Chairman
Atherton closed the public hearing. Ms. Roggeveen moved to approve the tax rates and 20%
residential exemption percentage as presented; Mr. Kopko seconded. All in favor, so voted.
2. Public Hearing to Consider Adopting “Bus Size per Street” Chart Pursuant to Chapter 27 of the Code
of the Town of Nantucket. Chairman Atherton opened the public hearing. Ms. Gibson explained that the
Board never formally adopted the “Bus Size per Street” chart when the bylaw was amended in 1997,
noting that the chart was adopted by the NRTA Advisory Board in 1996. She added the Board recently
received a request to amend the existing chart. Ms. Gibson stated that new streets have been
established since the chart was developed in 1994 which need to be added to the chart. Mr. Kopko
suggested reducing the three bus size categories to two. Discussion among Board members followed.
Chairman Atherton suggested adopting the chart “as is” with the caveat that existing tour vans can
travel on their existing routes. Further discussion among Board members followed. Ms. Roggeveen
said she would like an explanation and/or justification for the chart, as she feels some streets checked
or not for tour vehicle use “don’t make sense”. Mr. Hiscano said he feels the bylaw should include the
NRTA as those buses effect taxpayers quality of life. NRTA Administrator Paula Leary explained that
the chart was developed strictly for tour vans and that the NRTA is exempt and regulated by the
Department of Public Utilities (DPU). She asked to be part of any future discussion on the topic.
Chairman Atherton said he supports continuing the current routes for the buses and bus sizes. Carol
Dunton said the issue with tour vans is that they are constantly stopping and disrupting traffic flow.
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Following further discussion, Chairman Atherton closed the public hearing. No action was taken by the
Board but the Board asked Town Administration to review the current chart.
VIII. TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT
1. Review of 2011 Valet Service Pilot Program. Assistant Town Manager Gregg Tivnan reviewed the
2011 valet service pilot program, noting that 462 vehicles were parked in 23 days, and revenue totaled
$10,275 of which $908 was paid to the Parks and Recreation Commission for use of the Jetties parking
lot. Mr. Tivnan said he felt the program was successful in the short time it ran and if the Board wants to
continue the program next year Town Administration can work to develop it. Mr. Kopko said he feels an
alternative staging area should be found instead of using “valuable” spaces on Broad Street. Ms.
Roggeveen expressed support for a valet program for 2012. Mr. DeCosta agreed and said he received
many positive emails about the pilot program.
2. Wastewater Action Plan Update. Ms. Gibson noted the Board held a wastewater workshop on 10
August 2011 and that Brian Howes from the Massachusetts Estuaries Project and Brian Dudley from
the Department of Environmental Protection were both present. She said since then the Town has met
with the Rotary Club, Shimmo-area residents, and the Nantucket Civic League presidents to discuss
wastewater. Ms. Gibson explained that following an internal meeting this morning, it was agreed that
updates to the Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan (CWMP) need to be done before the
Town has a funding and financing discussion. Therefore, Ms. Gibson recommended that the 14
September 2011 wastewater workshop be cancelled and Town Administration instead provide an
update at the Board’s 5 October 2011 weekly meeting. The Board expressed support for this change.
She added that Town Administration will continue to meet with John Daniels of Woodard and Curran to
sort out the issues.
Mr. Kopko noted that Ms. Gibson and he are attending the monthly Cape Cod Selectmen and
Councilor’s Association meeting on Friday 9 September 2011 and the topic is wastewater policy and
financing.
IX. SELECTMEN’S REPORTS/COMMENT
1. Committee Reports. Mr. Kopko reported that the Nantucket Community Television search committee
is interviewing candidates for an executive director over the next two weeks. Ms. Roggeveen noted that
tomorrow’s Board of Health meeting has been rescheduled to 29 September 2011. Mr. DeCosta
updated the Board on the Polpis Road paving project. Allen Reinhard reported on the Roads and Right
of Way Committee and Cemetery Commission Work Group activities. Mr. Willauer noted that the
proposed Madaket wind turbine has been approved by the Historic District Commission and next steps
include going before the Zoning Board of Appeals and abutter Nantucket Land Bank.
X. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was unanimously adjourned at 7:23 PM.
Approved the 21st day of September, 2011.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
9 SEPTEMBER 2011 – 6:00 PM
PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY COMMUNITY ROOM
4 FAIRGROUNDS ROAD
NANTUCKET, MASSACHUSETTS
List of documents used at the meeting:
II. 1. 2011 Suicide Proclamation (# 3 on minutes)
II. 2. Press release, re: September 11, 2001 Remembrance Ceremony (# 4 on minutes)
II. 3. Information on “Project 351” (# 5 on minutes)
V. 1. Draft minutes of 4 August 2011 at 9:00 AM
V. 4. Pending contracts spreadsheet for 7 September 2011
VI. 1. Application for cub cut, re: 73 Main Street; HDC approved plans; Traffic Safety
recommendation
VII. 1. Memo from Assessor, re: tax rates
VII. 2. Chapter 27 of the Code of the Town of Nantucket; “Bus Size per Street” chart as adopted by
NRTA Advisory Board; letter from Bertyl Johnson and proposed amended chart
VIII. 1. Spreadsheets from Nantucket Valet, re: cars parked and revenue