HomeMy WebLinkAboutTown Managers Newsletter - 2011 06 07
From the Desk of Town
Manager Libby Gibson
JUNE 7, 2011 VOLUME 2, NUMBER 6
Town of Nantucket
16 Broad St.
Nantucket, MA 02554
P: (508) 228-7255
F: (508) 228-7272
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June 14, 2011 Special Town Election
The Board has scheduled a special election, pursuant to action taken at the
2011 annual town meeting, for June 14th to take up three ballot questions:
1. debt exclusion override for the General Fund to take over a
portion of debt from the Sewer Enterprise Fund, which would take effect in
Fiscal Year 2013 (July 1, 2012 – June 30, 2013);
2. debt exclusion override to fund a prior vote at the 2004
Annual Town Meeting for repairs and taking costs for roads in the Surfside
area (specifically, Boulevarde, a portion of Lover’s Lane, Okorwaw Avenue
and Monohansett Road);
3. operating override for $100,000 for the development of a
mosquito control program.
Tax rate impact information was reviewed at the June 1, 2011 Board of
Selectmen’s meeting. A question I have been asked several times is “why
isn’t the amount noted in the questions”? The answer is that debt exclusion
overrides (Questions 1 and 2), by law, may not contain an amount. This is
because while the amount of a particular item may be known the borrowing
costs which are part of the total override amount are not known at the time
of the election. In the case of an operating override (Question 3), the amount
by which the tax levy will be raised is known.
Annual Committee Appointments
The Board of Selectmen will be making its annual committee appointments at
its June 22, 2011 meeting. The Board held two public hearings on
applications, one on May 25 and one on June 1. One committee did not
receive any applications and currently has no members: Town Government
Study Committee. This committee was established in 2007, as part of a Town
Charter amendment. Individuals interested in serving on this Committee are
encouraged to complete a committee interest form.
School Wind Turbine Dedication
On May 7, 2011, a dedication of the school’s wind turbine was made in
memory of Jack McFarland, former school Facilities Manager who passed
away in December of 2009. The turbine is a legacy to Jack’s dedication and
commitment to quality work, efficiency and cost savings. I had the
opportunity to work with Jack for a number of years and was always
impressed with his knowledge and efforts on behalf of the school and the
town. The turbine dedication is a fitting tribute.
Board of Selectmen Goals 2011-2012
At its May 25, 2011 meeting, the Board adopted three goals and agreed to
further consider a list of secondary goals later in the summer. With regard to
the development of a wastewater action plan, workshops have been
scheduled for July 13, August 10, September 14, and October 12 to discuss
the various components of an ultimate plan, including the possible update(s)
to the Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan, prioritization of
projects, funding and financing. We encourage public participation in this
process and attendance at the workshops.
Department News
Marine & Coastal Resources Department
Catherine Dickey, formerly of the Conservation Commission office, is now
working at the Marine Department as a result of the 2012 department
consolidations. Catherine replaces Liz McIsaac whose service is much
appreciated. Jeff Carlson has become the Town’s Natural Resources
Coordinator and will be overseeing ConCom activities. JC Johnsen has been
hired to fill a vacant assistant harbormaster position. That position met the
criteria for an exemption from the Town’s on-going hiring freeze.
Our Island Home
OIH received two awards from MassPro (a Massachusetts organization
dedicated to advancing healthcare quality, patient care and performance
improvement across all sectors of health care) in May 2011 for its
participation in healthcare quality initiatives and a successful campaign in
Restraint Reduction. The first award was Most Improved in Physical Restraint
Reduction and the second was for being a Restraint-Free facility.
Code Enforcement
I would like to recognize the service of long-time Building Commissioner
Bernie Bartlett who retired earlier this spring. We thank him for his work and
wish him all the best.
Human Resources
The Town continues to seek efficiency and improved services to taxpayers
and employees. As part of this effort, benefits administration has transferred
from the Finance Department to Human Resources. On May 23, 2011,
Human Resources hosted the Town’s first Employee Benefits Fair, where
representatives from the insurance companies offering programs to
employees such as health insurance spent the day meeting and speaking to
employees one-on-one. Eleven representatives attended the Fair, held at the
new police station. This new approach doubled the number of employees
who sought benefits information in previous years. We are planning to
continue to educate our employees so that they become better health care
service consumers.
The news is full of stories about how municipal and state governments are
beset with uncontrolled health insurance costs. Here on Nantucket we can
report that due to an excellent claims experience and the fact that the Town
is self insured health insurance premiums have remained relatively stable for
several years. The Town’s health insurance costs have also recently
decreased somewhat because the Town employs fewer people than three
years ago through attrition, a hiring freeze and layoffs.
Nantucket Regional Transit Authority
While not technically a Town agency (rather, a separate political subdivision
of the Commonwealth), the NRTA held an event at the Greenhound building
on May 10, 2011 to unveil its new logo and colors. “Ride the Wave” was the
winning entry in a contest held last winter. The new colors are lively and
invigorating and the event was very well attended.
Board of Selectmen
On May 14, 2011, the Board hosted the monthly meeting of the Cape Cod
Selectmen and Councilors’ Association at the Brotherhood. Special guests
included Congressman Bill Keating and State Representative Timothy
Madden. There was a good turnout of Cape officials and a lot of interesting
discussion about regional issues. Thank you to Selectman Michael Kopko for
arranging the event.
Park & Recreation
Park & Recreation Director Jimmy Manchester is now located at the DPW as a
result of the department consolidations for 2012, but remains available to
schedule use of the Park & Rec properties, including Children’s Beach,
Nobadeer Farm Road playing fields, and Tom Nevers Park. He can be reached
at 508-228-7244.
JUNE TRIVIA ITEM
Where is this:
MAY TRIVIA QUESTION
In what Canadian province is there a neighborhood called “Nantucket”? The answer, I thought, was Nova Scotia; however, different responses were
submitted, all of which I accept!
H Flint Ranney – Nova Scotia
Charley Walters – an island in New Brunswick
Catherine Stover – Scarborough, Ontario
Barbara Gookin – Nova Scotia