HomeMy WebLinkAboutTown Managers Newsletter - 2012 04 18
From the Desk of Town
Manager Libby Gibson
APRIL 18, 2012 VOLUME 3, NUMBER 4
Town of Nantucket
16 Broad St.
Nantucket, MA 02554
P: (508) 228-7255
F: (508) 228-7272
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ANNOUNCEMENT: The household hazardous
waste collection day schedule may be found
here.
Town Administration News and Updates
2012 Annual Town Meeting
The Annual Town Meeting began with a tribute to former Moderator and
community servant, Wayne F. Holmes. A legislative certificate was presented
to Mr. Holmes’s family by state Representative Timothy Madden. Of the 98
articles on the 2012 Annual Town Meeting warrant, 40 were called.
Significant actions taken by the Town Meeting included: approval of use of
General Fund sources to cover various Airport capital project deficits and
current budget year projected shortfalls. There was some discussion about
these articles and an information sheet was made available at Town Meeting.
Article 13 (Appropriation: Wind Turbine), arguably the most controversial
article on the warrant was defeated by a vote of 463 (No) to 282 (Yes).
Article 31 (Appropriation: FY 2013 Community Preservation Projects) which
included a $990,000 recommendation toward an affordable housing project
known as Sachem’s Path, had a Finance Committee Motion which removed
that item; however, Town Meeting voted to fund it, as recommended by the
Community Preservation Committee. Most of the zoning, general bylaw
amendments and real estate articles were approved with little discussion. A
lot of discussion occurred over the various articles relating to the Sconset
Bluff Preservation Fund’s proposed erosion control project. A complete list of
the action taken on the warrant articles may be found on the Town’s website
in the near future.
The Town Meeting began on Saturday, March 31 and concluded on Monday,
April 2. At its April 4 meeting, the Board of Selectmen discussed the pros and
cons of a Saturday town meeting and generally agreed to try it again for the
2013 annual town meeting, with the hope of completion in one day.
Photo by James Roggeveen
2012 Annual Town Election
The Board presented Michael Kopko, departing Selectman, with a gift
certificate and card at its March 28th meeting, and welcomed Bruce D. Miller,
elected on April 10th at its April 11th meeting. The Board also elected Patty
Roggeveen as Chair and Bobby DeCosta as Vice-chair for 2012-13. Of the
three questions that were on the election ballot, the only one that was valid
(due to actions taken at the town meeting) was Question 2, a debt exclusion
override for the Hummock Pond Road bike path which was approved by the
voters.
Committee Vacancies
Upcoming committee vacancies will be advertised shortly and posted on the
Town’s website. If you are interested in serving the Town, please check the
website for openings.
Employee News
Our Island Home
I visited Our Island Home on March 16th to issue years of service pins to:
Jean Baptiste (20 years), Sheila Barrett (20 years), Mary Patton (20 years),
Gloria Sanders (20 years) and Jack Hayes (10 years) (post-retirement).
Pamela Meriam, Human Services Director was present and also received a
pin, for 10 years service. It is always a pleasure to visit OIH and see the
residents and employees. There is always delicious food and treats – on this
day Jean Baptiste provided sweet potato turnovers…
Employee Benefits Fair
The second annual employee benefits fair was held at the Public Safety
Facility at 4 Fairgrounds Road on Monday, April 9th. Employees had the
opportunity to sign up for new benefits, ask questions and obtain information
about benefits.
Community Service Visits
Erika Mooney, of Town Administration, represented town government on an
annual visit and trip with Meals on Wheels, organized by Mark Budaj of Elder
Services of Cape Code & the Islands. Erika said that “it was a wonderful
experience meeting different elder members of our community and lending a
helping hand!”
Monday, April 2, 2012 was designated by the Board of Selectmen at its March
28th meeting through a proclamation as World Autism Day. We were invited
to participate in “Wear Blue Day” in recognition of the proclamation. A
number of town employees, officials and others participated as shown in the
photo:
NEW E-NEWSLETTER FEATURE
“Get to Know Your Town Volunteers”. This new feature will ask a member of
a Town board, committee or commission questions about their interest in
serving and some other information about them. I start this month with Matt
Mulcahy, Chairman of the Finance Committee:
Q: How long have you lived on Nantucket?
A: 12 years
Q: What is your job?
A: General Dental Practice
Q How long have you served on the Finance Committee?
A: 5 Years
Q: What interests you about the Finance Committee and makes you want to
be involved?
A: The functions that the Committee performs, including its role in Town
Meeting and the fiscal policies it oversees for the Town.
Q: What is the most rewarding part about serving?
A: Performing a public service along with the opportunity to work with
various individuals and organizations synergistically for a better future for the
town.
Q: What is the most challenging part?
A: Serving on the Finance Committee brings with it, at times, the unenviable
position of making unpopular recommendations and following through on
these recommendations.
Q: What is your favorite quote?
A: “If you do not listen and understand what has happened in the past, you
are bound to repeat it.”
Q: What is your favorite color?
A: Aqua
Thanks, Matt!
APRIL TRIVIA QUESTION
Where is this:
ANSWER TO MARCH TRIVIA QUESTION
In what year was the “new” (current) Our Island Home, dedicated?
Answer: 1981
Answers submitted by:
Pamela Meriam
Jim Lentowski
Linda Roberts
As always, ideas for future e-newsletter topics are welcome!