HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-08-29
ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF NONVOTING TAXPAYERS
Meeting at 9 A.M. held Friday, August 29, 2003, in
the High School Conference Room.
1. Present: Howard Blitman, David Brown, Roger Ernst, Ellen Roman, Bill
Sherman, Jay Strauss, Duncan (Terry) Sutphen, Jim Treanor, Joan
Wofford, and Richard Wolfe.
2. The Chairman called the meeting to order at 9:04 a.m. with a quorum
present.
3. a.) The minutes of the previous meeting 8/15/03 were approved as
distributed but amended in Para. 5 to show Jay Strauss, not David
Brown, "checking in Rhode Island."
Roger Ernst reported that he had attended the Steamship (SSA)
Commission meeting on-island, commenting favorably on the Martha's
Vineyard representative and the proposed SSA review of its policies
and procedures to assure better staff politeness, clean ships,
reservation and information phone service, and union employee
relations. Roger addressed the Commission, urging that island
taxpaying summer residents should enjoy equally with year-round any
benefits extended by the SSA to "residents," e.g., excursion fares.
Summer residents are, like year-round, liable to make up SSA revenue
shortfalls. Only Flint Ranney responded supportively. An upgrade of
the SSA website is needed.
Finn Murphy urged staggering arrivals of slow and fast ferry and
freight boats to minimize onshore congestion. An officer for SSA is
needed in the fast-ferry arrivals area to assure traffic flow. SSA
employees ought not use the Hyannis terminal parking area for
personal vehicles.
4.
b.) Attending the 8/27 meeting of the BOS/Board of Health/Board of
Public Works, Roger perceived his welcome as the ACNVT
representative. He expressed dismay at the time given by the BOS to
an HDC appeal, especially while many of the public waited for other
agenda matters to be taken up. Bill Sherman was asked to draft a
letter to the BOS urging greater efficiency, perhaps shifting HOC
appeals to a time other than the regular Wednesday night meetinSk
a.) Howard Blitman with Jay Strauss will provide (bye-mail) a ~st
of funding ideas, not known to be barred in Massachuse~Bs are
"impact fees," tied to new construction. [The community~~sing~
Bank, voted in 2003 ATM Article 78 as a home rule petit:;iIDhand ~nt
to the MA legislature, would enable the town to charge ~~ee pe~SF
of new Total Floor Area of 2,000 SF or more.] Recreatio~fees will
be listed. Jay questioned whether a big filing fee for ~o /lOB ~
application can be charged. Bill Sherman distributed coPies of the
town's existing schedule of fees. ~
AJ
b.) Jim Treanor, reporting on undergrounding, noted that Verizon
still could not be reached, and that Nantucket Electric planned
removal of its overhead wires in 'Sconset beginning 9/10. Jim
questioned why a pole at Chestnut and Federal with only an NFD alarm
box had not been removed. Upon motion made, seconded, and duly
passed, the Chair was authorized to send to the BOS Chair Jim's
.
letter on undergrounding, as distributed but adding the recent
Electric Company undertaking for 'Sconset.
c.) Bill Sherman noted that 9/4 marks the third meeting of the
NP&EDC offshoot assessing progress on the ComPlan. Results will be
distributed to ACNVT members when available. Limiting growth after
expiration of the building cap has been left to a soft economy and
overtaxed wastewater processing.
d.) Lou Bassano provided a list of 'indicators' to establish island
residency, namely, island tax, telephone, electric, water or CATV
bill or driver's license or car registration with island address.
Upon discussion, a cable TV bill was considered insufficient. Jay
was asked to report present instances where island "resident" makes
a difference and what criteria are used in such instances. Examples
raised included SSA 'profile' senior status, and excursion rate;
also beach vehicle sticker. Roger urged ACNVT members to e-mail
other instances that might turn on "resident" definition.
5. a.) Roger Ernst recalled the need for an ACNVT annual report,
leading to a discussion of the need for ACNVT to have better
communication with the public, especially summer residents. Bill
Sherman was asked to find out whether ACNVT could send an
information flyer next July or August to "all postal patrons" at
town expense. Alternatively, could such a flyer go out with a tax
bill mailing? Terry questioned whether the town might welcome an
'ombudsman' to track down needed answers and actions. A person,
perhaps a volunteer reachable by phone or e-mail, might be helpful.
b.) Ellen Roman expressed concern about the proposed Great Harbor
Yacht Club and its prospective closing off of meaningful public
access. Richard Wolfe noted under state law that a shipyard function
must be continued. A question was raised of possible opening of road
access to Union Street paralleling Francis Street. Terry Sutphen
noted the multi-year wait-list at the Nantucket Yacht Club, the need
for more of such social facilities. This led to a question of how
the ACNVT could fairly represent the spectrum of summer residents
while mindful of islanders. Some balance seems needed re different
wealth levels.
c.) Roger asked the members whether a quorum would be available
after the proposed September 26th meeting. The planned departures
before or soon after the 26th of Ellen, Jim and David led to no
present plan for a later meeting. [Reconsider on 9/12]
6. After a reminder that our next ACNVT meeting is set for 9 a.m.
Friday, September 12th, in the Town Building Annex meeting room at 37
Washington Street, the current meeting was adjourned at 10:31 a.m.
Respectfully submitted, Bill Sherman, Secretary
SEPTEMBER 12 AND 26 AT 9 A.M. ACNVT MEETS AT TOWN
BUILDING ANNEX