HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-7-20ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF NONVOTING TAXPAYERS
Minutes of meeting 10 A.M., SATURDAY, July 20, 2013, at RECEIVED
4 Fairgrounds Road ��11�� RUG 30 RM 8 53
1. Attending: Howard Blitman, David Brown, Roger Ems4'steVel
Meader, Bill Sherman, Jay Strauss, Jim Treanor and Tm NVt E-T T OW N C L E R K
- a quorum; also guest NPD Chief William Pittman (from 10:03
a.m.) and potential ACNVT member Dr. Don Green.
2. ACNVT Chair Howard Blitman called the meeting to order at
10:00 a.m. The minutes of the June 29, 2013 meeting were
approved.
3. Responding to Howard Blitman's call for nominations for FY2014
ACNVT officers, no names were put forward. The current officers
were asked to continue and, upon motion made and duly seconded,
were elected unanimously. Continuing Chair Howard Blitman said
that the current FY2014 term would be his last. Continuing Vice-
Chair Jim Treanor spoke of concern about his own term, noting
that a backup such as Tony Walsh or Don Green is best kept in
mind.
4. The Chair welcomed NPD Chief William Pittman who spoke first
of the Triathlon earlier in the morning. Despite greater than
anticipated participation, non - participants were accommodated in
reaching their destinations through the race course. Management of
the July Fourth beach gatherings was successful but instructive of
possible gains for 2014. Rotaries and roundabouts facilitate traffic
but are hard to unsnarl when they back up. Delays on Surfside
Road at Sparks may be helped when First Way is opened.
5. In town traffic is often limited by free cross -street movement of
pedestrians. Bikers have been given some 12 tickets in the past
year and others given warnings. The Chief meets with bike -
company owners to get their customers better attuned to island
bicycle rules and conditions. Island kids are also taught the rules.
The proposed in -town bike path is regarded as a high priority.
6. Since 2007 — 2008, crime rates have been going lower but calls for
NPD services have been going up. Centralized dispatch will
include the Fire Department starting in September as well as NPD
and marine. Calls now are all recorded (perhaps a factor in the
recorded rise in the number of service calls). Three ambulances are
available on island.
7. Responding to a question about taxi meters from Jim Treanor,
Chief Pittman spoke of numerous informal complaints, usually
about problematic taxi driving. The case for taxi meters is not yet
persuasive for the BOS. Taxi inspections, warnings and citations
by the NPD continue.
8. Over population of deer results in some 3 cruisers per year lost or
damaged by deer — auto collisions. Perhaps 30 — 40 other deer —
auto collisions occur.
9. The NPD has benefitted from its VIP program bringing island
volunteers in, e.g., to man the NPD reception window.
I O.Tony Walsh and other members spoke of the Chief's presentation
as "impressive" and asked our Chair Howard Blitman to write the
Town Manager to that effect.
I I.David Brown reported on the upcoming 2013 Summer Forum set
for Monday morning July 29'h at 9:30 a.m. in the Great Room of
The Atheneum. Upon motion made, seconded and passed
unanimously, the role of ACNVT as co- sponsor was affirmed.
Members were encouraged to attend.
12.After discussion and upon motion made, seconded and passed
unanimously, Chair Howard Blitman is asked to write the BOS
recommending that an independent expert be engaged to give a
professional engineering opinion on the revetment proposed for
erosion - control installation at the foot of the Sconset bluff.
13.As a speaker for our August 31, 2013 meeting. Howard undertook
to ask Marianne Stanton of the I &M. Possible ownership change
for the paper was noted.
14.In support of Don Green's application for ACNVT membership, a
letter from Chair Howard Blitman to Town Manager Libby Gibson
was proposed. Either by such letter or at the August 10th meeting
with Libby, the new policy restricting ACNVT to seasonal
membership (and perhaps to those who pay island real estate taxes)
could be questioned. [Don Green has since applied for and been
appointed to the ACNVT.]
15.The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bill Sherman, Secretary
Draft minutes e- distributed and submitted to Town Clerk 7/31/13
Minutes adopted 7/20/13, hard copy submitted to Town Clerk 8/30/13