Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Selectmen Minutes April 13, 2011_201402061649105572BOARD OF SELECTMEN Minutes of the Meeting of 13 April 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 Roggeveen called the meeting to order at 6:04 PM. Chairman Roggeveen welcomed everyone to the Board’s first meeting at the new Public Safety Facility. I. ANNOUNCEMENTS 1. There will be a Shellfish Management Plan Oversight Committee public forum on Thursday, 14 April 2011 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the Public Safety Facility Community Room, 4 Fairgrounds Road. 2. The Board of Selectmen will be holding its April meetings in the Public Safety Facility (PSF) Community Room, 4 Fairgrounds Road. 3. U.S. Representative William Keating’s staff will be holding mobile office hours on Thursday, 21 April 2011 from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM at the Town Building Conference Room at 16 Broad Street. 4. Town Manager C. Elizabeth Gibson noted that Our Island Home has received an award from Mass Pro for excellence with patient safety issues. 5. Robert Gardner, Director of Wannacomet Water Company, announced that the resurfacing of Madaket Road from Warren’s Landing Road to H Street will start Monday, 18 April 2011 and noted that updates can be found on the Town, Wannacomet, and Inquirer and Mirror websites. II. PUBLIC COMMENT None. III. NEW BUSINESS None. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES, WARRANTS, PENDING CONTRACTS 1. Approval of Minutes of 30 March 2011 at 9:00 AM; 30 March 2011 at 6:00 PM. Mr. Kopko and Mr. Atherton had comments on the minutes of 30 March 2011 at 6:00 PM. The minutes of 30 March 2011 at 9:00 AM; 30 March 2011 at 6:00 PM as amended were approved by the unanimous consent of the meeting. 2. Approval of Payroll Warrants for Weeks Ending 3 April 2011; 10 April 2011. The payroll warrants for weeks ending 3 April 2011; 10 April 2011 were approved by the unanimous consent of the meeting. 3. Approval of Treasury Warrant for 13 April 2011. The treasury warrant for 13 April 2011 was approved by the unanimous consent of the meeting. 1 4. Approval of Pending Contracts for 13 April 2011. Ms. Gibson reviewed the pending contracts and answered questions from the Board. Mr. Atherton reviewed the Nantucket Hunting Association lease. Richard Cooper suggested that Mr. DeCosta recuse himself from the Hunting Association vote. Mr. DeCosta noted he is no longer a member of the Hunting Association, but that his sister still is. Town Counsel John Giorgio explained that family members include brothers and sisters and recommended that Mr. DeCosta recuse himself. Mr. Kopko moved to approve the pending contracts for 13 April 2011; Mr. Willauer seconded. So voted 4-0. Mr. DeCosta recused himself from the vote. V. CITIZEN/DEPARTMENTAL REQUESTS 1. Appointment: Energy Study Committee. Mr. Willauer moved to appoint John Stover to the Energy Study Committee to fill a vacancy with a term to expire 30 June 2012; Mr. Atherton seconded. All in favor, so voted. 2. Our Island Home: Request for Acceptance of Gifts Totaling $395 for Our Island Home Gift Fund; Request for Acceptance of Gift of a Lift. Chairman Roggeveen reviewed the various gifts received for the Our Island Home Gift Fund. Mr. DeCosta moved to approve the gifts totaling $395 plus a lift, as presented; Mr. Kopko seconded. All in favor, so voted. 3. Nantucket Land Council: Request for Approval of Conservation Restriction to be Held by Nantucket Land Council, Inc. for Portion of Land Located on Tuckernuck Known as East End. Lynn Zimmerman spoke in favor of the conservation restriction (CR). Mr. Atherton moved to approve the CR to be held by the Nantucket Land Council for a portion of land located on Tuckernuck known as East End and to find that the CR is in the public interest; Mr. Kopko seconded. All in favor, so voted. 4. Nantucket Land Council: Request for Approval of Conservation Restriction to be Held by Nantucket Land Council, Inc. for Portion of Land Located on Tuckernuck Known as Woods Lot. Ms. Zimmerman spoke in favor of the CR and acknowledged the donor of the two Tuckernuck CRs, Suzy Stone. Mr. Kopko moved to approve the CR to be held by the Nantucket Land Council for a portion of land located on Tuckernuck known as Woods Lot and to find that the CR is in the public interest; Mr. Atherton seconded. All in favor, so voted. 5. Nantucket Land Council: Request for Approval of Conservation Restriction to be Held by Nantucket Land Council, Inc. for Portion of Land Located at 129-137 Cliff Road, Nantucket. Ms. Zimmerman noted this CR is the result of a Planning Board approved subdivision and subsequent determination by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) that portions of the property are habitat for endangered species and thus require a CR. Attorney Sarah Alger, representing the Graves family, donor of the CR, noted that there are six buildable lots and 69% of the 45 acres will be restricted against development, including Reed Pond. Ms. Alger answered questions from the Board. Mr. Willauer moved to approve the CR to be held by the Nantucket Land Council for a portion of land located at 129-137 Cliff Road and to find that the CR is in the public interest; Mr. Atherton seconded. All in favor, so voted. 6. Nantucket Life-Saving Museum: Request for Preliminary Review of Preservation Restriction to be Held by Nantucket Historic District Commission for Nantucket Life-Saving Museum Artifacts Located at 158 Polpis Road, Nantucket. Attorney Jessie Glidden, representing the Life-Saving 2 Museum, reviewed the preservation restriction (PR) and answered questions from the Board, noting that the PR will ensure that the museum’s artifacts won’t end up in a private collection. The Board consensus was to send the PR to Town Counsel for formal review. VI. TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT 1. Review of 2011 Committee Appointment Timeline. Ms. Gibson reviewed the 2011 committee appointment timeline, noting that the openings will be split into two deadlines for public hearings, and that appointments are scheduled to be made at the Board’s 22 June 2011 meeting. Ms. Gibson reviewed the various openings. 2. Update Regarding Resolution to FY 2010 Audit Issues. Ms. Gibson stated that since the draft audit was issued, Town Administration has been holding weekly meetings with the Finance Department staff, and also speaks weekly with the auditor. She added that Town Administration plans to give monthly updates to the Board and schedule monthly Audit Committee meetings. Assistant Finance Director Irene Larivee noted there are three “moving parts”: the FY 2010 audit and management letter; the Department of Revenue schedule; and the Abrahams Report recommendations implementation timeline. Ms. Larivee said the Board will receive a monthly update memo on all of these items. She then reviewed the actions taken by staff to date regarding each item noted. 3. Discussion and Recommendation Regarding Parking on East Chestnut Street. Ms. Gibson reviewed a recommendation to the Board from Police Chief William Pittman. Ms. Gibson reviewed the options put forth by Chief Pittman and his recommendation to open East Chestnut Street up to 30 minute parking from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM with signage that the parking is for “Town Business Only”, and to reserve the ramp parking in front to Sheriff and Police vehicles. Mr. DeCosta spoke in favor of having one hour parking on East Chestnut Street from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM and against the “Town Business Only” restriction citing potential enforcement issues. Chief Pittman spoke against 60 minute parking, noting he recommends the signage so citizens and Town employees who work out of Town will have time to do their business and run quick errands. Chief Pittman answered questions from the Board. Mr. Kopko said he is against the “Town Business Only” restricted use and also said that ticketing and enforcement should only be seasonal. Mr. DeCosta reiterated his earlier comments and said he feels the enforcement of downtown parking and hours need to be addressed at a later date. Mr. Kopko moved to designate East Chestnut Street as one hour parking from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM; Mr. DeCosta seconded. All in favor, so voted. 4. Review of Septic System-Tight Tank Fees per Request of Board of Selectmen on 9 March 2011. Ms. Gibson noted the issue of septic system-tight tank fees came up at the beginning of March and she has had Bob Gardner, Department of Public Works Assistant Director Mohamed Nabulsi, and Health Director Richard Ray look into it. She added that the Board has a “Sewer Issues” workshop scheduled for Thursday, 28 April 2011 to review the Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan (CWMP), and to discuss criteria for outstanding projects. A discussion among Board members followed regarding sewer rates. Mr. Atherton noted that there are different fees for Cisco Brewers, for tight tank users, and for septic pump-outs and he said this discrepancy needs to be addressed. Mr. Kopko recommended that the estuaries reports be integrated into the CWMP, and he said that the rate issues need to be addressed and that the Town needs to commit to an equitable solution to fees. Mr. Nabulsi reviewed the fee history for septic and tight tank pump-outs. Chairman Roggeveen said the fees are “apples to oranges” in that sewer rates are based on water 3 usage while septic and tight tanks fees are based on gallons pumped. Mr. DeCosta said he feels some formula needs to be developed for tight tank users as tight tanks are like sewer except the waste is going into a truck instead of a pipe. Tight tank user Frank Morral spoke in favor of being charged the same rate as a sewer user. Mr. Gardner noted that people on wells with Town sewer pay a flat fee of approximately $900 per year. Discussion followed among Board members. Mr. Ray stated it is time to look at metering those people who are on sewer but have a well, and that it is also time for the Board of Health to look into water meters for those with tight tanks. Mr. DeCosta said he would like to see an across-the-board fee so all users are charged the same rate and that he would like to see residential tight tank users charged the flat fee of $900 that people with wells and Town sewer pay. Mr. Kopko said that is a good short-term solution for those tight tank users who are being overcharged. Mr. Nabulsi added that if the Board plans to change fees that privilege fees and capacity utilization fees should also be reviewed. Chairman Roggeveen asked Ms. Gibson to schedule a public hearing for the Board to formally consider fee changes. 5. 2010-11 Board of Selectmen Goals Implementation Update. Ms. Gibson and Assistant Town Manager Gregg Tivnan updated the Board on the progress made to date on the implementation of its goals. Ms. Larivee reviewed program budgeting. Ms. Gibson answered various questions from the Board regarding the various items. Ms. Gibson noted that the Board is coming up on its annual goal setting time and she asked the Board to think about meeting dates. Mr. Willauer said that the Board needs to think of boundaries and the “big picture” concerning Town Administration’s goals and duties compared with the Board’s. Chairman Roggeveen noted that the Board needs to be careful in its goal setting as some Board goals require extensive time of Town Administration. Ms. Gibson said she has tried to convey to the Board that there are some goals that Town Administration just can’t manage. Mr. DeCosta recommended that the Board streamline and prioritize its goals and be realistic on what can be implemented. Discussion followed. Ms. Gibson noted that the state Chapter 90 road allocation funding has been increased, adding that there will be a Chapter 90 funding update on 11 May 2011. VII. SELECTMEN’S REPORTS/COMMENT 1. Schedule 2011 Special Town Election; Discussion of Ballot Questions. Ms. Gibson said that the Town Clerk has recommended a date of 14 June 2011 for a Special Town Election. Ms. Gibson reviewed the three proposed ballot questions, noting that the one regarding mosquitoes is an operating override and will require more than $100,000 per year to implement. Mr. Kopko suggested a language change to question one; Mr. Giorgio concurred. At 8:05 PM Mr. Willauer left the meeting; he returned at 8:07 PM. A discussion regarding the three ballot questions followed. Regarding the mosquito override question, Mr. Atherton said he doesn’t feel an override is needed and suggested a committee be formed to undertake a study. Mr. Kopko said Town Meeting voted in favor of this issue and he feels the question should go on the ballot. Mr. DeCosta agreed with Mr. Kopko but stated that Town Meeting voters were told this was the only way they could get money for a mosquito program, and that if the Town had made the money available, the Board wouldn’t be discussing this issue. Ken Giles, the proponent of Town Meeting article, said that if money is made available he would not object to taking the question off the ballot. Ms. Gibson explained that there is no money in the 4 5 budget for a mosquito control program, noting that employees have been and are being laid off and services have been cut. She suggested the possibility of requesting funding through the Finance Committee. Mr. DeCosta said he wouldn’t like to take the question off the ballot unless he was sure the program could not be funded. Discussion among Board members followed. Mr. Giorgio clarified that for FY 2012 the $100,000 can only be used for mosquitoes, but that after the first year the funds may go towards general purposes, and that the money would have to be appropriated annually for a mosquito control program. Mr. Atherton said he would be “happy” to ask the Finance Committee for the money. Mr. Kopko asked why the Board couldn’t do both: keep the question on the ballot and ask the Finance Committee for the money. Mr. Willauer moved to schedule the Special Town Election for 14 June 2011 and adopt the election warrant with the change to question one as suggested by Mr. Kopko; Mr. Kopko seconded. All in favor, so voted. 2. Committee Reports. Mr. Willauer reported that the Commission on Disability recently met with the Steamship Authority and discussed provisions on the vessels and the ports for the disabled, and noted that the Steamship Authority is being very cooperative and making modifications for disabled people. Mr. Willauer also reported that the Harbor and Shellfish Advisory Board is going to be recommending that shellfish shells be put back into the harbor to cut down the acidity of the harbor. Chairman Roggeveen noted that Mr. Atherton and Mr. DeCosta were sworn in as Selectmen this morning and that the Board has decided to wait to elect officers until its 27 April 2011 meeting. Chairman Roggeveen announced she would not be seeking a return as chairman. VIII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was unanimously adjourned at 8:30 PM. Approved the 4th day of May, 2011. BOARD OF SELECTMEN 13 APRIL 2011 – 6:00 PM PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY COMMUNITY ROOM 4 FAIRGROUNDS ROAD NANTUCKET, MASSACHUSETTS List of documents used at the meeting: IV. 1. Draft minutes of 30 March 2011 at 9:00 AM; 30 March 2010 at 6:00 PM IV. 4. Pending contracts spreadsheet for 13 April 2011; copy of Nantucket Hunting Association ground lease V. 1. Committee Interest Form, re: Energy Study Committee; current membership list V. 2. Memo from Our Island Home, re: acceptance of gifts V. 3. Letter from Kopelman and Paige, re: Stone/Tuckernuck conservation restrictions; Stone/Tuckernuck/East End conservation restriction V. 4. Stone/Tuckernuck/Woods Lot conservation restriction V. 5. Letter from Kopelman and Paige, re: Graves conservation restriction; email from Sarah Alger with attachments; letter from Nantucket Land Council; Graves/Reed Pond conservation restriction V. 6. Letter from Glidden and Glidden, re: Nantucket Life-Saving Museum preservation restriction; Nantucket Life-Saving Museum preservation restriction; memos from Community Preservation Committee and Historic District Commission VI. 1. 2011 committee appointments timeline and list of committee openings for Board and Town Manager appointments VI. 2. Memo from Irene Larivee, re: Finance Department progress/March 2011; timeline spreadsheet VI. 3. Letter and email from Chief Pittman, re: East Chestnut Street parking; letter from Yoshi Mabuchi VI. 4. Email from Town Manager, re: septic and tight tank pump-outs; letter from Frank Morral; email from Mohamed Nabulsi, re: sewer/tight tank fees VI. 5. 2010-11 Board goals implementation update; 2010-11 Board goals and objectives VII. 1. Draft Special Town Election Warrant; emails regarding ballot questions; copy of Article 30 from 2011 Annual Town Meeting