Loading...
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. 1 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. 2 3 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