HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Selectmen Minutes April 20, 2011_201402061649106666BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Minutes of the Meeting of 20 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, and Whiting Willauer. Michael Kopko and Patricia
Roggeveen were absent. Vice Chairman Willauer called the meeting to order at 5:57 PM.
The Board held a moment of silence for Doug Unruh, who was a member of the Finance
Committee and an early proponent of the “One Big Beach” program as well as instrumental in the
Town’s purchase of property at 2 Fairgrounds Road, who passed away suddenly over the
weekend.
I. ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. 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.
2. The Board of Selectmen will be holding its April meetings in the Public Safety Facility (PSF)
Community Room, 4 Fairgrounds Road.
3. Town Manager C. Elizabeth Gibson reviewed the 2011 committee/board/commission vacancies,
noting that the 2011timeline, list of committee openings, current committee membership list, and
applications are all available on the Town’s website (www.nantucket-ma.gov).
4. Fire Chief Mark McDougall reported on a carbon monoxide incident which occurred on Saturday,
16 April 2011 on Macy Lane and recognized the police and fire first responders for their heroism for
entering an unsafe dwelling. Chief McDougall also recognized the Nantucket Cottage Hospital staff
and thanked all people involved for a job well done. Chief McDougall answered questions from the
Board. Health Director Richard Ray noted that upon accessing the property, he found three
bedrooms, a kitchen, and two bathrooms in the basement although the basement was not
permitted as a living space. He added as there were no smoke detectors, no heat, and no hot
water, among other violations, he has ordered the entire premises unfit for human habitation,
pending the resolution of proper inspections and permitting if applicable.
II. PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
III. NEW BUSINESS
None.
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES, WARRANTS, PENDING CONTRACTS
1. Approval of Minutes of 13 April 2011 at 10:00 AM. The minutes of 13 April 2011 at 10:00 AM
were approved by the unanimous consent of the meeting.
2. Approval of Payroll Warrant for Week Ending 17 April 2011. The payroll warrant for week ending
17 April 2011 was approved by the unanimous consent of the meeting.
3. Approval of Treasury Warrant for 20 April 2011. The treasury warrant for 20 April 2011 was
approved by the unanimous consent of the meeting.
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4. Approval of Pending Contracts for 20 April 2011. Ms. Gibson reviewed the pending contract and
answered questions from the Board. Mr. DeCosta moved to approve the pending contract for 20
April 2011; Mr. Atherton seconded. So voted 3-0.
V. CITIZEN/DEPARTMENTAL REQUESTS
1. Nantucket Chamber of Commerce: Request for Approval of Public Assembly Permit for Annual
Daffodil Tailgate Picnic in Sconset; Waiver of Chapter 54(1)(c) of the Code of the Town of
Nantucket. Stacey St. Peter of the Nantucket Chamber of Commerce spoke in favor of the waiver
of the open container bylaw. Mr. DeCosta moved to approve the public assembly permit for the
annual Daffodil Tailgate picnic in Sconset and to waive Chapter 54(1)(c) of the Code of the Town of
Nantucket for the event; Mr. Atherton seconded. So voted 3-0.
VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Public Hearing to Consider Establishing Pedicab Regulations for the Town of Nantucket. Mr.
Willauer opened the public hearing. Pedicab proponent PJ Antonik spoke in favor of the proposed
pedicab regulations and answered questions from the Board regarding pedicabs. Mr. Antonik noted
that there are no fares under his proposal and that money is made from tips only. Ms. Gibson
explained that Mr. Antonik’s proposal was received a few months ago by Town Administration and
that it was vetted by the Traffic Safety Work Group which has come forth with recommendations
and a proposed service area map. Mr. Antonik answered further questions from the Board and
proposed extending the allowable hours of operation to 2:30 AM to allow his drivers time after their
last drop to cycle back to the storage area. Erika Mooney of the Traffic Safety Work Group
reviewed the various recommendations from the group and clarified information regarding the
proposed service area map. Mr. DeCosta voiced numerous concerns, including the low speed of
the pedicabs, the cobblestones, and the already increased downtown traffic during the summer
months. Mr. Antonik stated pedicabs are not traditional taxicabs and that he is looking to capitalize
on people wanting a unique downtown experience. Discussion among Board members followed.
Mr. Atherton moved to close the public hearing; Mr. DeCosta seconded. So voted 3-0. The
consensus of the Board was to table deliberation to its 27 April 2011 meeting.
2. Public Hearing to Consider Application for Public Assembly Permit for Nantucket Wine Festival
Inc. Grand Tasting to be Held 21 and 22 May, 2011. Mr. Willauer opened the public hearing.
Nantucket Wine Festival founder Denis Toner spoke in favor of the application. Mr. Willauer closed
the public hearing. Mr. DeCosta moved to approve the public assembly permit for the 2011
Nantucket Wine Festival Grand Tasting, as presented; Mr. Atherton seconded. So voted 3-0.
3. Public Hearing to Consider Petition for National Grid Plan # 10144063 to Install New Handhold1-
1 at Bottom of Existing P1 Pitman Road to Feed New Underground Service to Existing House at 15
King Street, Siasconset. Mr. Willauer opened the public hearing. National Grid engineer Steve
Breton reviewed the petition. Mr. Willauer closed the public hearing. Mr. Atherton moved to
approve National Grid Plan # 10144063 as presented; Mr. DeCosta seconded. So voted 3-0.
4. Public Hearing to Consider Petition for Nantucket Electric Company and Verizon New England,
Inc. Plan # 8314989 to Install Three New Poles on Tennessee Avenue, Nantucket: Pole 6-50, 138
Feet Southwesterly of Existing Pole 6; Pole 7-50, 154 Feet Southwesterly of Existing Pole 7; Pole
8-25, 135 Feet Southwesterly of Existing Pole 8. Mr. Willauer opened the public hearing. National
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Grid engineer Steve Breton reviewed the petition, noting that the proposed three new poles are to
improve service reliability in Madaket. Elwood Johnson of 8 M Street noted that one of the
proposed new poles is in his direct view of the sunset, and he suggested moving the pole 67’ to the
northeast. Mason Tabor of 2 L Street added that the same pole is currently proposed to be placed
across from his driveway which he says will interfere with his backing out of the driveway. Mr.
Tabor said he is also concerned about possible light pollution and said he hopes a lamp is not
planned for the new pole. Chris Emery of 46 Tennessee Avenue said he would like to get a price
for underground utilities as another option. Mr. DeCosta said he would like the Board to not take
action tonight to allow National Grid to have a discussion with the neighborhood to work out a
compromise. Some discussion followed. After some consideration, Mr. Breton said there is no
need to continue with the petition at this time. Mr. DeCosta moved to close the public hearing; Mr.
Atherton seconded. So voted 3-0. The Board took no further action.
VII. TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT
1. FY 2011 Our Island Home Enterprise Fund Third Quarter Report. Our Island Home
Administrator Rachel Day reviewed the third quarter report for the enterprise fund, noting that Our
Island Home is exceeding almost all budgeted revenues with the exception of the Adult Community
Day Center (ACDC) program, and that expenses are also lower than budgeted for FY 2011. Mr.
Atherton asked if the General Fund subsidy can be decreased as a result. Some discussion
followed. Ms. Gibson recommended that the Board not change the subsidy amount at this time.
Ms. Day reviewed the ACDC program costs and fees, noting the program continuously runs at a
loss. She also reviewed current cost containment measures. Ms. Day and Business Operations
Coordinator Susan Balester answered questions from the Board throughout the presentation.
2. Stormwater Management Status Presentation. Mr. Nabulsi explained that the Town’s goals with
its stormwater management plan are to improve water quality, to mitigate on-going flooding due to
undersized pipes, and to modify deficiencies in upstream systems. Mr. Nabulsi noted that the Town
undertook a study in 2005 to initiate a stormwater improvement program and specific locations
were identified including Children’s Beach, Easy Street, New Whale Street, Commercial Street and
Wharf, the Marine Fisheries, Francis Street Beach, Consue Springs, Orange Street and Broad
Street. Mr. Nabulsi stated that $5.5 million was appropriated at the 2006 Annual Town Meeting and
to date approximately $5,054,000 has been spent. He also reviewed the remaining projects
At 7:58 PM Mr. Willauer left the meeting; he returned at 8:00 PM.
Mr. DeCosta noted that the completed projects were more extensive and more costly than the
remaining projects. Following some discussion, the Board asked Mr. Nabulsi to prepare a priority
list for the outstanding stormwater projects with the cost of each project.
3. Sconset Bluff Walk Update. Ms. Gibson stated that she recently met with members of the Roads
and Right of Way Committee to discuss the management plan of the Sconset Bluff footpath, noting
that the committee will be back before the Board in June for a full update. Ms. Gibson reviewed the
committee’s maintenance plan and the summary and status of recommendations accepted by the
Board at its 8 December 2010 meeting. She explained that there are some unresolved issues,
such as encroachments in the path. Ms. Gibson noted she recently walked the path and suggested
that a sign be installed at the end of the path, as she said it seems to end abruptly. Mr. Reinhard
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said that the committee is working to implement the management recommendations made last
year. Ms. Gibson thanked Mr. Reinhard for his committee’s good work.
4. Appointment of Assistant Treasurer. Ms. Gibson explained that the Assistant Treasurer is not a
new position, but rather an internal control measure, and recommended that current Finance
Department employee Linda MacDonald be appointed Assistant Treasurer. Mr. Atherton moved to
appoint Ms. MacDonald as Assistant Treasurer; Mr. DeCosta seconded. So voted 3-0.
Ms. Gibson noted that an informal group met yesterday to discuss the reuse of the 20 South Water
Street Building, and that some ideas discussed will need policy direction from the Board, such as
whether some departments which belong together stay in Town or move out of Town. Mr. Atherton,
who was present at that meeting, said it was a good discussion and a number of ideas were
discussed. Mr. DeCosta said it makes sense to know which departments are going where before
space is designed. Ms. Gibson said that a memo is being developed to outline options, pros and
cons, estimated costs, etc.
VIII. SELECTMEN’S REPORTS/COMMENT
1. Committee Reports. Mr. Atherton reported on a recent Audit Committee meeting where the
status of cash reconciliations was reviewed. He stated that the Audit Committee voted to
recommend that the Board adopt as a goal completion of the FY 2011 audit with an unqualified
opinion. Following some discussion, Mr. Atherton moved that the Board amend its current goals
and objectives under fiscal planning to include as its number one objective to clean up
impediments to a non-qualified opinion for the fiscal year ending 30 June 2011; Mr. DeCosta
seconded. So voted 3-0. Mr. DeCosta inquired when the signage on East Chestnut Street will be
updated per the Board’s vote last week to allow one-hour parking from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Mr.
Willauer reported on the Harbor and Shellfish Advisory Board (SHAB) and noted that SHAB has
voted to recommend to the Board to hold off on approving any further aquaculture licenses until the
Shellfish Management Plan is further along. Discussion followed.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was unanimously adjourned at 8:24 PM.
Approved the 4th day of May, 2011.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
20 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 13 April 2011 at 10:00 AM
IV. 4. Pending contracts spreadsheet for 20 April 2011
V. 1. Letter from Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce, re: Daffodil Tailgate Picnic; copy of
Town Code Section 54-1; Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce public assembly permit
application, re: Daffodil Tailgate Picnic
VI. 1. Draft Pedicab regulations; Traffic Safety Work Group recommendation and associated
service area map; letter and Pedicab information from PJ Antonik
VI. 2. Public assembly permit application, re: Nantucket Wine Festival Grand Tasting
VI. 3. National Grid petition # 10144063 and associated map; emails from Mark McDougall, Bob
Gardner, Mohamed Nabulsi, Bill Pittman, re: petition
VI. 4. National Grid petition # 8314989 and associated maps; emails from Mark McDougall, Bob
Gardner, Mohamed Nabulsi, Bill Pittman, re: petition
VII. 1. Our Island Home Enterprise Fund 3rd Quarter report presentation
VII. 2. Department of Public Works Stormwater Improvement Program presentation
VII. 3. Roads and Right of Way Committee executive summary and associated map, re: Sconset
bluff path