HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-8-11C L
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ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF NONVOTING TAXPAYAL40 "'
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Minutes of meeting 10 A.M., SATURDAY, August 11, 201$, aP
4 Fairgrounds Road T s
1. Attending: Howard Blitman, David Brown, Roger Ernst, Lucas
Fischer, Steve Meader, Bill Sherman, Harris Stone, Jay Strauss and
Jim Treanor, plus Melissa Philbrick, Executive Director of ReMain
Nantucket, (from 10:35 to 11:18 a.m.), and Lee Saperstein, PE
mining engineer and head of the Article 68 Work Group that
prepared "Best Management Practices for Landscape Fertilizer Use
on Nantucket Island ".
2. ACNVT Chair Howard Blitman called the meeting to order at
10:00 a.m. The minutes of the July 30, 2012 meeting were
approved.
3. After being introduced, Lee Saperstein described findings reported
by the Article 68 Work Group, said to be harmonious and
competent. Some 70 landscapers were at its May 2012 meeting. Its
efforts to limit nitrogen loading of island harbors and ponds were
aided by Total Daily Minimum Loading data from the Mass
Estuaries project. The Board of Health will be considering in the
off-season whether regulations are needed in addition to the Work
Groups educational efforts.
4. Shifting focus to preservation of native vegetation, Lee described
the island's hardy vegetative cover following the glacial retreat
some 16,000 — 20,000 years ago. Under "Site Planning for New
Construction," Best Management Practices commends retention of
that hardy vegetation at least as a buffer and for screening as a lot
is developed. (Cf. Section 11 for low maintenance landscaping, see
hqp://www.nantucket-
ma.pov/Papes/NantucketMA BComm/art68reports/BMP %20fina1
%202012- 03- 05.ndf)
5. Howard Blitman recalled an anecdote, a Squam Road property
developed with an initial clear cutting of all vegetation. Lee
commended combining good science and education to minimize
such practice.
6. Later Lee spoke of efforts of the Roads and Right -of -Way
Committee, on which he serves, to support a biking alternative to
Prospect Street west of the hospital.
7. Melissa Philbrick, without need of introduction, spoke of
ReMain's focus on the downtown plus harbor and all on island that
has an impact on the downtown area. ReMain draws upon experts
and good science to address issues first brought to ReMain by
islanders. To support downtown merchants, faced with much
turnover, a marketplace coordinator is sought for the off - season to
develop ideas for re-energizing.
8. ReMaiin Nantucket has a philanthropic missoin and, as noted at
http: / /remainnantucket.org/ there's an entrepreneurial venture
aspect as well. After Melissa spoke of such projects as the
Greenhound Building (used by the NRTA), Howard called
attention to the extensive plans of the Maria Mitchell Association
for inland of Washington Street. Melissa added ReMain's efforts to
bring college -level educational opportunities to Nantucket. UMass,
WPI and the Preservation Institute were seen as able to enliven the
downtown in the off - season.
9. Melissa next displayed plans for an in -town bike path to the
Milestone rotary. Developed at ReMains's expense in cooperation
with Town planners, the path would utilize the old rail bed and
entail a widening of lower Orange Street. With some opposition
anticipated, acquiring needed land use rights, then final plans,
bidding and construction make early completion improbable.
Howard proposed writing the BOS in support of the effort.
10.Upon motion made, seconded and passed, Howard Blitman was
authorized to send such letter.
1I.Howard then extended an invitation to the ACNVT, spouses, etc.
to a gathering at his home at 54 Squam Road on Sunday evening
September 2d, from 4 — 6 p.m..
12.Our next meeting was rescheduled for Saturday, September 1,
2012, at 10:00 a.m. in the PSF Training Room.
13.The meeting was adjourned at 11:25 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bill Sherman, Secretary
Draft minutes e- distributed and submitted to Town Clerk 8/18/12
Minutes adopted 9/1/12, hard copy submitted to Town Clerk 7/3112