HomeMy WebLinkAbout_02192020-8332Town Government Study Committee
Minutes of the meeting of February 19, 2020. The meeting took place in the Public Safety
Facility Upstairs Conference Room at 4 Fairgrounds Road, Nantucket, MA 02554. Members of
the committee present were: John Brescher, Curtis Barnes, Rick Atherton, and Tucker Holland.
1) Chair John Brescher called the meeting to order at 3:05 with a quorum.
2) Agenda: Curtis Barnes moved approval of the agenda, seconded by Rick Atherton. All
voted in favor
3) Public Comment: None.
4) Approval of minutes of dated January 9, 2020 and the ratification of the final minutes of
November 21, 2019. A motion was made by Rick Atherton and seconded by Curtis
Barnes. All voted in favor.
5) Review of proposed Warrant Article re: Nantucket Memorial Airport (Article 94 – 2020
Annual Town Meeting):
The Committee discussed the intention of the proposed Article 94 and how it could
potentially impact the charter.
Rick Atherton questioned whether or not the verbiage and mechanisms suggested in the
warrant article is the “best” way to achieve the goal of the Airport having more flexibility
in the legislative processes of the Town. The Committee generally supported the
intention of the article, which was originally brought to their attention during one of the
summer public hearings, but were concerned about the potential unintended
consequences given how the article was drafted.
The concern that was raised by the Committee during discussions was if the Select
Board could obligate the taxpayers to a tax increase (by virtue of the language in this
article) without going through Town Meeting approval.
The Committee asked the Chair to reach out to Town Administration and Brian Turbitt if
there any alternative ways were suggested and if the language in the Town Meeting
warrant is the final version of the article.
6) Discussion of remaining tasks to finalize report to Town Meeting and Select Board:
The Committee requested the Chair reach out to Lauren Goldberg to review the charter.
They also suggested that the Committee may want to draft a letter to the editor to update
the citizens about what the Committee has been doing since last year
7) Other Business:
The Committee asked the Chair to have a discussion with Kristie Ferrantella about
membership and continuing on the Committee.
8) Next meeting is March 10, 2020 3:00 pm 4 Fairgrounds Road Public Safety Room.
9) Rick made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Curtis, all voted in favor. The
meeting was adjourned at 3:45 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
John B. Brescher, Chair