HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-07-29
ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF NONVOTING TAXPAYERS
Minutes of meeting at 9:30 A.M., SATURDAY, JULY 29, 2006, in the
2 Fairgrounds Road Meeting Room.
1. Present: Howard Blitman, David Brown, Roger Ernst, Jay Strauss,
Bill Sherman, Bob Shapiro, Terry Sutphen, Jim Treanor - a quorum.
2. Chair Howard Blitman called the meeting to order at 9:38 a.m.
Minutes of the 7/15/06 meeting were approved, subject to correctly
identifying members Bob Shapiro and Jay Strauss.
3. Chair Howard Blitman introduced Transportation Planner Michael
Bums who opened the discussion by recalling his 2003 presentatfiin to
the BOS. Copies of a print version of his PowerPoint taIE~~re = : n
distributed [and copies will be sent to members not pres~itj The 8
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Town's effort to reduce auto dependency, he explamed, ~.temmed-
from its 1990 Goals and Objectives, reinforced in the Cdffiprehernrive
Community Plan, and articulated by the [Matt Fee] Tran~portatio~,
Work Group. That group was split on whether or not to recommeoo a
cap on total number of vehicles permitted on island. In December
2002 the Planning staff came forward with a 3-part approach: (1)
alternatives and disincentives to auto use, (2) land use patterns
favoring alternatives, and (3) marketing alternatives to auto use.
4. Results achieved since 2002 include an NRTA shuttle route stop at the
airport, 3 of 10 new bike paths completed and others in design (the
last third of the Old South Road path is due for completion this fall, a
north-side Cliff Road section due ~ 2008), plus work on the Hooper
Farm Road rotary is to reach the construction stage this fall
5. By 2009, the Sparks Avenue intersection with Surfside Road should
be realigned directly across from Prospect Street for more efficient,
quicker flow of traffic through the 4-way intersection.
6. The marketing component of the auto-dependency reduction plan has
been implemented in the "wheels, heels, and pedals" program.
7. Mike Bums recalled his report to the BOS in 2003 on available
alternatives for paid parking, notably, pay-and-display and the much
cheaper 'scratch-ticket' parking voucher. At $l/hour, the latter would
have generated about $200 - 300,000/year. That revenue could have
serviced a bond issue for downtown employee parking. Strongest
opposition came from realtors (NAREB). Downtown businesses were
largely supportive. Had the BOS supported an effort to bring island
interests on board, some paid parking system could likely have been
adopted but, in 2003, the BOS were negative. ACNVT members
expressed enthusiasm for reopening consideration of paid parking.
The in-town electric company site - and later the tank farm - might at
least provide surface level parking. Much of excess traffic in the
downtown area is ascribed to the search for very limited parking.
Without stronger initiatives (and added revenue), the Town has not
been able to find a good solution. Perhaps NP&EDC can come up
with a good plan in its study of the electric company site potential.
8. To provide recommendations for an in-town bike path, a consultant
has been engaged. The idea of using the old elevated RR right of way
as a link between Washington and Orange Streets got mixed responses
from ACNVT. With adequate funding, specialized bike-and-passenger
transport vehicles might connect in-town sites with outlying bike
paths in lieu of a physical in-town path. Results may be 5 years off.
9. Initiatives centered on division of the island between Town and
Country Overlay Districts has been fleshed out with new zoning
bylaws, and more to come as early as the October 23,2006 Special
Town Meeting. The recent adoption of the Sewer Overlay District
strengthens this strategy for reducing auto dependent patterns of
development. The Master Plan to be adopted by the Planning Board is
expected to reinforce the Town and Country zoning distinction.
10.The BOS has taken the first 3 recommended actions (PowerPoint print
copy, top Page 6). Efforts to increase allowable year-to-year gains in
NR T A shuttle funding are continuing. The current, new BOS ( Chair)
has expressed interest in forming a Transportation Advisory
Committee to consider vehicle permitting, etc., likely also paid
parking. ACNVT members urged additional boat ramps to relieve
traffic congestion near the Children's Beach ramp.
11.Bob Shapiro's suggestion of using the Jetties beach parking area after
6 p.m. with shuttle link to the downtown was well received as a way
to relieve evening congestion.
12.Also supported was the requirement of vehicle stickers for downtown
parking, much like stickers for the Special Permit Parking District, for
the airport and the Yacht Club. The Yacht Club charges increasing
fees for members' second and third cars. A similarly increasing fee
scale is envisioned if the Town were to adopt a general vehicle permit
program. Concern was expressed that reducing the number of cars on
Nantucket might hurt Steamship Authority revenue.
13.Bob Shapiro questioned whether rental car companies were fully
complying with the Town's permit program. Bill Sherman offered to
make inquiries.
14.After Mike Bums left, Terry Sutphen reported further on the Town's
septic system inspection program (see Terry's e-mail report sent to
members 7/25/06). After sending a clear letter last December to septic
owners in Nantucket Harbor Watershed Zones A and B, Health
Officer Richard Ray has made enough progress to expect completion
by June 2007. Two problems were identified: the need for a better
system for collecting the $300/day fines for septic noncompliance and
reportedly erratic Title V compliance at the time of property turnover.
Jay Strauss offered to look into the latter.
15.Terry reported that the Nantucket Community Association (NCA)
plans a 9/13/06 forum on septic system inspections and the
importance of compliance for harbor water quality, etc. Chair Howard
Blitman offered to draft a letter to the BOS urging a strong follow up
for inspections, pursued on a politically sound basis. After David
Brown noted Richard Ray's willingness to meet with groups, a
consensus was reached that Richard be invited to a future ACNVT
meeting.
16.Bob Shapiro questioned the effectiveness of ACNVT in representing
the non-resident property owners who shoulder some 80% of the
Town's residential tax revenue. Following Howard's observation that
selectmen were sensitive to non-resident concerns, invitations for
individual selectmen to speak to the ACNVT were thought
appropriate given that our pursuit of specific issues could benefit from
their guidance. Bill Sherman will extend an invitation to BOS Chair
Whitey Willauer for our 8/26/06 meeting.
17.Another challenge for ACNVT is how properly to represent the new
and wealthier non-resident property owners who are having a big
impact on the island but seem less inclined toward civic involvement.
18. The BOS ad encouraging applications for the remaining ACNVT
member opening was noted. Hope was expressed that a woman might
apply especially since member Joan Wofford has rarely been able to
attend.
19. Our meeting was adjourned at 10:54 a.m. after setting the date of our
next meeting to be August 11, 2006, Friday at 9:30 a.m. in the 2
Fairgrounds Road meeting room.
Respectfully submitted,
Bill Sherman