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BaS Minutes February 23, 2005
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BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Minutes of the Meeting of 23 February 2005 at 7:00 PM. The meeting took place in the Court Room, Town and
County Building, Nantucket, MA 02554. Members of the Board present were Bruce Watts, Michael Glowacki,
Robert F. Murphy, Douglas Bennett and Timothy Soverino. Chairman Soverino called the meeting to order at 7:00
PM.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Chairman Soverino announced there will be no Board of Selectmen meeting on March 2, 2005 due to school
vacation.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Police Chief William Pittman presented a "life saving" award to Police Officer Daniel Mack for his preventive action
last November in saving the life of an individual who was suicidal. Police Chief Pittman also recognized Deputy
Chief Charles Gibson who was named by the Rotary Club as "Citizen of the Year" for providing "effective
leadership, increased morale and initiating a strong and effective drug enforcement program" while he served as
the interim Police Chief.
Rick and D. Anne Atherton, co-chairs of the Civic League thanked the Board and Town Administrator Libby Gibson
for working with the Civic League this past year on Town issues and announced that a member of the Civic League
would be attending all future meetings of the Board of Selectmen.
Town Clerk Catherine Stover asked why the wording for a ballot question that is to appear on the April 5, 2005
election warrant is different than the wording voted on at the February 16, 2005 meeting. Chairman Soverino
explained that Town Counsel made minor wording changes after consulting with state election officials. Ms. Stover,
speaking as a private citizen, stated she hopes the Board will include an article in the warrant regarding the second
dwelling issue and Surfside sewer plant upgrade.
Nantucket resident John McLaughlin apprised the Town how much money he believes has been spent since the
Town contracted Waste Options to operate the landfill.
Approval of Minutes of 9 February 2005 at 7:00 PM. Mr. Glowacki moved approval; seconded by Mr. Watts. So
voted.
Approval of Payroll Warrant for Week Ending 20 February 2005. Mr. Bennett moved approval; seconded by Mr.
Murphy. So voted.
Approval of Treasury Warrant and Pending Contracts for 23 February 2005. Mr. Bennett moved approval; seconded
by Mr. Watts. So voted.
Traffic Safety Advisory Committee Recommendations. Mr. Murphy moved that a parking area on Main Street (by
Larsen Park) in Siasconset be designated as a 15 minute parking area; seconded by Mr. Watts. So voted. Mr.
Murphy moved that a yield sign be installed, to control the northbound traffic on Ocean Avenue, at the intersection
of Gully Road and Ocean Avenue; seconded by Mr. Watts. So voted.
Town Clerk: Request for Re-Appointment of Member to Board of Registrars. A brief discussion ensued concerning
this matter and Mr. Murphy moved to re-appoint David Goodman to a three year term as Registrar of Voters;
seconded by Mr. Bennett. The motion was not carried as Mr. Watts, Mr. Glowacki and Chairman Soverino were
opposed. After some additional discussion, Mr. Watts moved to table this matter until March 16,2005; seconded by
Mr. Glowacki. So voted. Mr. Murphy and Mr. Bennett were opposed.
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Discussion Concerning Special "Deer Hunting Week" February 7,2005 - February 13, 2005. Stephen Holdgate,
representing the Nantucket Hunting Association expressed the opinion of many local hunters that there were "way
too many off-island hunters" who were unfamiliar with the Island and its terrain here for the hunt. Mr. Holdgate
suggested that the regular hunting season be extended to the whole month of December and the February hunt be
eliminated. Nantucket resident and local hunter Tony Barone concurred adding that the bow hunting season should
be extended. Nantucket resident Phil Austin read a prepared statement opposing the recent hunt and Nantucket
resident Dr. Butterworth also spoke against the hunt. Dr. Butterworth noted that the female deer are pregnant at this
time of the year, the deer are hungry, and the harsh weather conditions make for an "unfair" hunt situation. Health
Officer Richard Ray stated that the February deer hunt was deemed "successful" by the Division of Fisheries and
Wildlife (DFW) and he had only one individual contact his office concerned about "inappropriate behavior" by a
hunter. Mr. Ray advised the audience that, if the consensus of the town is not to have the February deer hunt next
year, the Town must petition DFW to hold another public hearing.
Also speaking in opposition to the February deer hunt were Nantucket residents Patrick Topham, Lindsey Welch,
John and Beverly McLaughlin, Carol Black (who indicated she has 300 signatures from residents opposing the
special deer hunting week), Kevin Bates and Carol Manville. After some Board discussion, Mr. Bennett moved to
petition the DFW to schedule a public hearing on Nantucket, concurrent with a Wednesday night Board of
Selectmen meeting, to allow residents to publicly voice their objections to another February deer hunt; seconded by
Mr. Watts. So voted.
Public Hearing to Consider Request from Donick and Kim Cary for Variance from Sanitary Sewer Policy for
Property at 6 Dukes Road to Connect to Municipal Sewer on Madaket Road via Connection from Permitted
Pressure Sewer Line. Chairman Soverino opened the hearing and asked if any individual was present who wished
to speak in favor of, or in opposition to the request. Jamie Ranney, attorney for Donick and Kim Cary explained that
the 6 Dukes Road property is currently served by an on-site septic system that is considered "failed." Mr. Ranney
stated that the Carys would like to connect to the municipal sewer on Madaket Road via a connection from a
resident of Dukes Road (Meg Hunter) who has a permitted pressure line which can service 10 other properties (7
other properties already serviced by this line). Public Works Director Jeff Willett spoke in favor of the request, noting
that the last three connections have been "reserved" for cases such as the Carys who have sustained failed septic
systems. As no individual spoke in opposition, Chairman Soverino closed the hearing and Mr. Watts moved to
approve the Carys' request; seconded by Mr. Bennett. So voted.
Public Hearing to Consider Application for Change of Manager, New Directors and Stock Transfer for American
Seasons Corp d/b/a American Seasons, Holder of Seasonal All Alcoholic Beverages License for Premises Situated
at 80 Centre Street. Chairman Soverino opened the hearing and asked if any individual was present who wished to
speak in favor of, or in opposition to the application. Bruce Miller, treasurer of American Seasons, spoke in favor
and noted the reasons for the changes and stated the new manager will be Michael LaScola. As no individual
spoke in opposition, Chairman Soverino closed the hearing. Mr. Murphy moved to approve a change of manager,
new directors and stock transfer for American Seasons Corp d/b/a American Seasons; seconded by Mr. Bennett.
So voted.
Public Hearing to Consider Re-Naming the Portion of Macys Lane Running Southerly from Old South Road to
Monohansett Road to "Airport Road" (continued from February 9,2005). Chairman Soverino opened the continued
hearing and asked who wished to speak on the matter. Planning Board member Frank Spriggs stated the Planning
Board voted unanimously on December 13, 2004 to approve the recommendation of the Assessor to change the
name of a portion of Macys Lane. Assessor Debbie Dilworth reiterated the reasons, outlined in the meeting of
February 9,2005, for the name change. Ms. Dilworth also noted that, at the February 9,2005 meeting, Macys Road
(Madaket) resident Phil Gallagher expressed some frustration about the duplication of names, and she suggested
that Macy Road be changed to "Thomas Macy" Road. Nantucket resident Robert Sarkisian, whose father lives on
Macys Lane, also spoke in favor of the change. Chairman Soverino closed the hearing and Mr. Watts noted that
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one letter was received in opposition to the name change by Richard Anderson. After some discussion, Mr. Bennett
moved to re-name that portion of Macys Lane from Old South Road to Evergreen Way "Airport Road"; seconded by
Mr. Watts. So voted. Mr. Murphy was opposed.
Town Administrator's Report.
1. Sewer Connection Fee Report. Town Administrator Libby Gibson reported that, at the request of the Board, she
reviewed towns (and contacted officials from most of these towns) with sewer connection fees of $2,000 +. Ms.
Gibson provided the Board with a spread sheet listing those towns, the type of fee (i.e. connection, permit fee,
betterment), whether the town has a sewer enterprise fund, sewer districts, a wastewater treatment plant, and other
relevant comments and information. Ms. Gibson noted that all towns have "different situations" and there is "not
necessarily a particular model" to follow. Some discussion followed and Chairman Soverino stated that the Board
needs time to review the material provided tonight by Ms. Gibson. Ms. Gibson reminded the Board that the
consultant who is preparing a financial report pertinent to the funding of the Surfside Wastewater Treatment Facility
will be at the meeting of March 9, 2005 to present his report to the Board agreed to further discuss the issue of
sewer connection fees at that time.
Selectmen's Reports/ Comments. Mr. Bennett spoke on the "political convention" he hosted on February 20, 2005
and noted an upcoming voter registration party at "Kitty Murtagh's" on March 12, 2005.
There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 8:30 PM.
Approved the 9th day of March 2005.
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