HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-8-2ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF NONVOTING TAXPAYERS
° NUnutes of meeting 10 A.M., SATURDAY, August 2, 2014, at
C 4 Fairgrounds Road RECEIVED
1.1"Attending: Lou Bassano, Howard Blitman, David Brown, Roger
Ernst, Lucas Fischer, Sue Matloff (from 11:10 am), Steve Meader? 8 P 1$
k,l Bill Sherman, Jay Strauss, Tony Walsh - -- a quorum. Also pepty� E T T 0 W N C L E R
jfroT i 10:13 am) Allen Reinhard and (from 1 1:10 a.m.) Mrs.
Bassano. Member absent: Donald Green.
2. ACNVT Chair Howard Blitman called the meeting to order at
10:02 a.m. The proposed agenda for the meeting was approved.
The minutes of the July 19, 2014 meeting were approved.
3. While awaiting arrival of Allen Reinhard (attending a prior
meeting at the PSF), Roger Ernst questioned whether ACNVT
should target for more frequent letters of recommendation to the
BOS. Also proposed was sending letters to the I &M for wider
public awareness of ACNVT positions. Bill Sherman cautioned
that the ACNVT was set up to advise the BOS, not as an advocacy
group. Our letters and minutes are posted on or linked to the
Town's ACNVT website. Our Chair and individual ACNVT
members can be encouraged to talk with Town officials, summer
residents and voters.
4. Allen Reinhard arrived and was introduced in his many capacities:
Chair of the Wannacomet Water Commission, also as Chair of
the Nantucket Islands Land Bank Commission, Chair of the
Roads and Right -of -way Committee, and Chair of the Cemetery
Commission, former selectman, plus President of the Nantucket
Civic League and Ranger with the Nantucket Conservation
Foundation.
5. Allen recalled becoming involved in civic matters as Secretary
to the County Charter Commission. With enabling State
legislation, that became the Nantucket Town and County
Charter Commission on which Allen continued to serve as
Secretary through the time the Town and County charters were
adopted.
6. Allen affirmed that summer residents have the ear of the BOS
and the Town Manager and that they were mindful of the
summer residents' contribution to Town real estate tax
revenues.
7. Responding to Allen's question: what are ACNVT concerns ?,
Howard spoke of environmental impacts of the Sconset bluff
armoring and the proposed Cottage Hospital upgrade. He said that
he would attend the BOS Wednesday meeting August 6th.
8. As Chair of the Wannacomet Water Company board, Allen
addressed our concerns about a proposed hospital relocation to the
Wyers Valley. The 40 -acre site was acquired by the Water
Company in the early 1900s (see Fran Hartman history). At the
Wyers Valley site, 79 shallow wells (average depth 42') are now
vacuum pumped, with low energy efficiency. The wellfield from
which they draw extends under Island Lumber and out the Polpis
Road to Don Allen Ford. Replacement by two 1500 gpm deeper
(150 — 180') wells would bring the wellfield within the Wyers
Valley 40 acres, a wellhead district more readily protected against
contaminants.
9. Since the early 80s, the Town has proposed various non -water uses
for the property. None has been for public health purposes until the
recent interest for the Cottage Hospital, its public health purposes
being viewed as consistent with the Water Company's mission.
The Cottage Hospital is said to have considered 6 island sites after
first weighing and rejecting upgrade on its present Prospect
Avenue site. Key factors include island centrality, bus routes, safe
landing for MedFlights, and 20 acres adequate for future needs.
Wyers Valley proved optimum, adding that it has public water and
sewer.
1O.Like the Hospital, the Water Company is highly regulated.
Checking its own resources and the State DEP gives assurance
against contamination from a new hospital on its site.
11. Water Company ratepayers, who footed the cost of the 40 acres,
would gain by having the Hospital pay for the deep wells. Existing
office buildings dating from the 1970s would advantageously be
relocated to the Water Company's North Pasture site. Both Water
Company upgrades are envisioned irrespective of the Hospital's
role.
12.Allen thought a 2015 ATM vote on the Wyers Valley siting would
allow better preparation of voters than a Special Town Meeting
this fall and fuller response of the Hospital to voiced misgivings.
13. Roger favored a lease to the Hospital with the Town retaining
ownership of the 20 -acre site. A Town representative should sit on
the Hospital board. A lease would allow the Town to set conditions
on the Hospital to allay concerns about its impact on Wyers
Valley. Conditions could be set requiring upgrade of the Hospital's
clinical culture to match its facilities upgrade. Bill Sherman
thought Hospital retention of ownership of its building might
provide collateral if the Hospital needed a bond issue, collateral
that a lease wouldn't normally provide. And acquisition by the
Land Bank of a conservation easement on the remaining 20 acres
would provide further benefits, eg, to water company ratepayers.
14.Per Allen, these ideas are being considered. He noted that Bob
Gardner, Manager of the Water Company, also is on the Land
Bank Commission. Allen is mindful of our 8/30/14 meeting with
Dr. Hartman and might be able to come.
15.Discussion turned to the geophysics of saltwater intrusion,
especially at the periphery of the island's sole aquifer. With 40
square miles of land surface and —37" of rainfall, the island
receives about 6 billion gallons of water per year, forcing fresh
water out at the edges.
16.If the Hospital relocates to Wyers Valley, Roger thought its
existing Prospect Avenue site might serve a school use. Others
continued to express a preference for continued Hospital use of
that site.
17.After discussion of plans for our last meeting of the current season
on 9/13/14, the Secretary was asked to invite Transportation
Planner Mike Burns. He could speak to concerns about traffic
impacts from relocation of the Hospital, also of the Richmond
Group plans for its Old South Road properties.
18.The meeting was adjourned at 11:22 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bill Sherman, Secretary
Draft minutes e- distributed and submitted to Town Clerk 8/6/14
Minutes adopted 8//30114, hard copy submitted to Town Clerk 9/8 /14