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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOSminutes201112141 BOARD OF SELECTMEN Minutes of the Meeting of 14 December 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 6:02 PM. I. BOARD ACCEPTANCE OF AGENGA The Board accepted the agenda with the following changes made: Item number VI., 3 through 7 will be tabled to December 21, 2011. II. ANNOUNCEMENTS 1. Town Offices Closed Monday, 26 December 2011 for Christmas; Monday, 2 January 2012 for New Year’s. Town Manager C. Elizabeth Gibson announced Town offices will be closed on Monday, 26 December 2011 and Monday, 2 January 2012 for the Christmas/New Year’s holidays. 2. No Board of Selectmen Meeting Wednesday, 28 December 2011. Ms. Gibson announced there will be no Selectmen’s meeting on Wednesday, 28 December 2011. 3. FY 2013 General Fund Budget Public Hearing to be Held Wednesday, 4 January 2012 at 6:00 PM at Public Safety Facility Community Room, 4 Fairgrounds Road. Ms. Gibson announced that the FY 2013 General Fund Budget Public Hearing will be held on Wednesday, 4 January 2012 at 6:00 PM at 4 Fairgrounds Road. Mr. Atherton stated this is the time for citizens to comment. 4. Board of Selectmen to Vote on Whether or Not to Include Article for Appropriation for Proposed Wind Turbine at Madaket Landfill on 2012 Annual Town Meeting Warrant – on 4 January 2012. Ms. Gibson announced the Board of Selectmen will vote on whether or not to include an article for appropriation of proposed wind turbine at the Madaket Landfill on the 2012 Annual Town Meeting Warrant on 4 January 2012. III. PUBLIC COMMENT David Laviree spoke regarding action taken by the Board last week regarding seasonal taxi stands. Mr. Laviree spoke against this action regarding taxi spaces removed on Washington Street and Straight Wharf. He asked for spaces to be reinstated for year round taxi spaces. He feels a public hearing should be held. Lisa Bouchard, owner of Aardvark Taxi, concurred with Mr. Laviree. Valerie Ryder, owner of two taxis and a tour van, has the only vehicle with built in child seats, spoke in favor or reinstating taxi spaces. IV. NEW BUSINESS None. V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES, WARRANTS AND PENDING CONTRACTS 1. Approval of Minutes of 26 October 2011 at 9:00 AM; 29 November 2011 at 8:45 AM. The minutes of the 26 October 2011 and 29 November 2011 were approved by the unanimous consent of the Board. 2. Approval of Payroll Warrant for Week Ending 11 December 2011. The payroll warrant for week ending 11 December 2011 was approved by the unanimous consent of the Board. 3. Approval of Treasury Warrant for 14 December 2011. The treasury warrant for 14 December 2011 was approved by the unanimous consent of the Board. 4. Approval of Pending Contracts for 14 December 2011. Ms. Gibson reviewed the pending contracts for 14 December 2011. The pending contracts for 14 December 2011 were approved by the unanimous consent of the Board. VI. CITIZEN/DEPARTMENTAL REQUESTS 2 1. Worcester Polytechnic Institute Student Presentation: Energy Conservation. Mr. Willauer stated there will be two presentations tonight by Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) students and recognized Professor Dominic Golding advisor of WPI students. These are third year students working with the Town. The Nantucket Baseline Electricity Group made up of Robert Alvarado, Corey Phillips and Joseph Taleb reviewed seasonal electric demand, National Grid Data analysis, findings and small business energy audits, and conservation techniques. They stated that electric use has increased on Nantucket. They recommend upgrading to efficient lightbulbs, programmable thermostats, and turn off electronics when not in use. Nantucket Energy Plan (NEP), formerly known as Client Action Plan, members Chris Bannan, Tim Ellsworth, Nick Musselman stated the objectives of the project were to clarify nature and concerns regarding NEP, analyze options in NEP, evaluate and prioritize selected energy saving options. NEP recommends Mass. Save Energy Audit, weatherization of residential homes, install more bike paths around Town and make the Town more bike friendly, install tire inflation pumps at various beach access points and energy from waste gasification. The group answered questions from the Board. A brief discussion was held on gasification. Mr. Willauer stated Lauren Sinatra, Energy Office, is trying to organize energy audit groups. Mr. Willauer thanked Harvey Young (bikes) and MMA (housing) and the WPI students. 2. Planning Office: Request for Execution of Purchase and Sale Agreement, Quitclaim Deed, and Settlement Statement for Lot 1, Milestone Road, Shown on Plan of Land Entitled “Plan of Land in Nantucket, Mass., Prepared for County of Nantucket, Milestone Road, Scale: 1” = 100’, Date: November 10, 2010”, Prepared by Charles W. Hart and Associates, Inc., and Recorded with Nantucket County Registry of Deeds as Plan No. 2011-35, Pursuant to Vote on Article 81 of 2010 Annual Town Meeting. Andrew Vorce, Planning Director, reviewed the request and stated the land was formerly owned by the County. Mr. Vorce is working with the Fisher family on zoning changes to reduce build-out and stated the Town will be retaining easements on the parcel. Ms. Roggeveen made a motion to approve. Mr. Willauer seconded. All in favor, so voted. Items 3 – 7 tabled to December 21, 2011. 3. Planning Office: Request for Approval and Execution of Memorandum of Agreement between Town of Nantucket, NHA Properties, Inc. d/b/a Housing Nantucket, and Town of Nantucket Affordable Housing Trust Fund Regarding 5 Monohansett Road and 12 Weweeder Avenue. 4. Planning Office: Request for Acceptance of Release Deed from Town of Nantucket Affordable Housing Trust Fund of Property Known and Numbered as 5 Monohansett Road. 5. Planning Office: Request for Declaration of Surplus Property Described as Block 154, Lots 1-5 and 16-20, Shown on Plan Recorded with Nantucket County Registry of Deeds as Book 2 Page 26 and Known as 12 Weweeder Avenue, Pursuant to Affirmative Vote on Article 77 of 2009 Annual Town Meeting. 6. Discussion Regarding Use of Proceeds from Sale of Real Estate Transfer to Town of Nantucket Affordable Housing Trust (Continued from 7 December 2011); Request for Approval and Execution of Supplemental Memorandum of Agreement between the Town of Nantucket and Town of Nantucket Affordable Housing Trust Fund Regarding 5 Monohansett Road and 12 Weweeder Avenue. 7. Planning Office: Request for Approval and Execution of Quitclaim Deed for Property Described as Block 154, Lots 1-5 and 16-20, Shown on Plan Recorded with Nantucket County Registry of Deeds as Book 2 Page 26 and Known as 12 Weweeder Avenue to Town of Nantucket Affordable Housing Trust Fund Pursuant to Affirmative Vote on Article 77 of 2009 Annual Town Meeting. VII. TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT 1. Debt Service Presentation from Town’s Financial Advisor. Ms. Gibson introduced Cinder McNerney, Financial Advisor, who is going to make a presentation regarding Nantucket Credit Rating and ways to improve. Ms. McNerney stated the Town has a stellar credit rating currently rated AaZ by Moody’s. She reviewed the bond ratings, Moody’s versus Standard and Poor’s. Ms. McNerney reviewed the value of credit ratings, lower borrowing costs, great market access. The Town may want to consider getting an S&P rating. Ms. McNerney stated major credit factors include economy, management, debt, finances (in MA there is a fifth factor, proposition 2 ½). She reviewed proposition 2 ½ and debt capacity. She also reviewed operating trends, expectation is to live within means. General Fund subsidizing 3 Our Island Home and SWEF is an enterprise risk and can affect being able to increase bond rating to Aa1 or Aaa. Ms. McNerney recommended the Town adopt more fiscal policies. This would strengthen rating regarding enterprise activities. She reviewed stressors including revenue unemployment, new growth declines, local receipt decline, state aid cuts and income declines and wealth effect, taxpayer fatigue and she reviewed expenditure impacts, pension and health care cost increases. Moody’s assessment is that Nantucket has a sizable tax base with strong wealth levels and stable financial position. Ms. McNerney and Ms. Larivee answered questions from the Board. 7:41PM – Mr. Kopko left the meeting; returned at 7:44PM. VIII. SELECTMEN’S REPORTS/COMMENT 1. Health Director: Update Regarding Board of Health Mandatory Sewer Connection Regulation. Richard Ray, Health Director, stated years ago the Board of Heath adopted regulations mandating sewer hookups. There is one line out in Monomoy that people still have not connected to. The Board of Health proposes a graduated fee schedule for homeowners who have installed septic but have too connect to sewer. Mr. Ray asked if the regulations should be adopted by the Board of Selectmen or the Board of Public Works. There are 23 connections in Monomoy that have not connected yet. A discussion was held. Ms. Gibson stated she doesn’t know why they do not just use the current fee schedule $500/$2000. A discussion was held. Mr. Willauer stated it was the consensus of the Board take no action on proposed fee structure At 8:04 PM Mr. Willauer left the meeting. 2. Harbor Plan Implementation Committee General Update. Dr. Sarah Oktay, HPIC Chairman, gave an update and reviewed the process with action items put into matrix of 122 recommendations. More than 90% of action items have been addressed and are in various stages of completion. There were 38 high priority items and 19 of those have been completed. Dr. Oktay answered questions from the Board. At 8:10 PM Ms. Roggeveen left the meeting and return at 8:20 PM. At 8:17 PM Mr. DeCosta left the meeting and returned at 8:20 PM. 3. FY 2013 General Fund Budget Review. Mr. Atherton stated he had some thoughts, get a written water quality testing program and to pass ideas on to Town Manager. Ms. Roggeveen heard a lot of positives on Ms. Gibson’s budget presented to the School Committee. 4. Discussion Regarding New Open Meeting Law Regulations for Remote Participation. Ms. Gibson stated remote participation can be allowed now and a policy should be adopted. Attorney Giorgio stated under new regulations the Board needs to permit remote participation for itself and other committees and if they want to permit, there are avenues. Attorney Giorgio stated the Board will still need a quorum present in person. Attorney Giorgio stated the Town can adopt a policy more restrictive than what regulations allow and reviewed the regulations. Attorney Giorgio asked does the Board want to vote to allow remote participation and if the answer is yes, does the Board want to put forward any restrictions. Mr. DeCosta feels it is a good idea for some boards (i.e. Zoning). Attorney Giorgio stated authorization can be revoked at any time if it is not working. Mr. Atherton stated to consider some parameters and have Ms. Gibson and Attorney Giorgio draft a policy and bring is back to the Board at future date. 5. Continued Discussion Regarding 2012 Annual Town Meeting Warrant Articles. Mr. Atherton looking for input from the Board regarding warrant articles. 6. Suggestion Regarding Prior Board of Selectmen Member Gathering (Tabled from 7 December 2011). Mr. Atherton suggested to bring all former Board of Selectmen together to thank them for their service. He has volunteered to find out who they are. The event would be a possible Dutch treat breakfast. Ms. Roggeveen feels it is a good idea and will help. 7. Town Manager Evaluation Form Review (Tabled from 7 December 2011). Mr. Atherton suggested an amendment to the policy be made to get new deadline to evaluate Town Manager in timely manner, not to adopt tonight. If anniversary date of Town Manager is March 31, it is best to get it done by mid-February. Ms. Roggeveen suggested she and Mr. Atherton review evaluation form and amend policy on completion date. 4 8. Committee Reports. Ms. Roggeveen stated the Board of Health met and discussed partial condemnations of illegal apartments. Mr. Kopko stated regarding NCTV significant progress is being made in that they have studio space. X. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:48PM. Approved the 8th day of February, 2017. BOARD OF SELECTMEN DECEMBER 14, 2011 – 6:00 PM COURT ROOM, TOWN & COUNTY BUILDING 16 BROAD STREET NANTUCKET, MASSACHUSETTS List of documents used at the meeting: V. 1. Draft minutes of October 26, 2011 at 9: AM; November 29, 2011 at 8:45 AM V. 4. Pending contracts for December 14, 2011 spreadsheet VI. 1. Worcester Polytechnic Institute student PowerPoint presentation, re: Energy Conservation VI. 2. Purchase and sale agreement, re: Lot 1 Milestone Road; quitclaim deed; memo from Catherine Flanagan Stove; 2010 ATM Article 81; site plan; settlement statement VI. 3. Memorandum of Agreement, re: 5 Monohansett Road VI. 5. Memo from Catherine Flanagan Stover, re: 12 Weweeder Avenue; 2009 ATM Article 77 VI. 6. Amendment of Notice of Agreement, re: 5 Monohansett Road; notice of Termination of Agreement; site plan; map; Memorandum of agreement, re: 12 Weweeder Avenue VI. 7. Quitclaim deed, re: 12 Weweeder Avenue VIII. 1. Letter from FirstSouthwest Managing Director Cinder McNerney, re: recommended steps to improve Nantucket’s credit rating; reports from Standard & Poor’s; chart presentations from FirstSouthwest IX. 1. Letter from David Gray, re: review of proposed graduated fees associated with mandatory connections to municipal sewer & update on mandatory connections; Board of Health local regulations IX. 2. Harbor Plan Implementation Committee updates report; PowerPoint presentation IX. 3. FY 2013 GF PowerPoint presentation; planning projections charts, re: 2012 budget, 2013-2016 IX. 4. Email from Kopelman & Paige, P.C., re: new regulations for remote participation IX. 5. Draft preliminary outline for 2012 ATM warrant IX. 7. Human Resources Director Pat Perris email, re: performance evaluation form comparison chart – Town Manager; Towns’ summary of ratings used in Town Manager performance evaluations; Town of Nantucket evaluation form