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Home My WebLink About2016-9-3ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF NONVOTING TAXPAYERS Minutes of meeting 10 A.M., SATURDAY, September 3, 2016, at 4 Fairgrounds Road 1. Attending: Lou Bassano, Gary Beller, Howard Blitman, David Brown, Don Green, Peter Halle, Peter Kahn, Sue Matloff, Barbary Matteucci, Bill Sherman and Jay Strauss, and guests Wilkes Squatty n convener Dave Fredericks, also Kevin G. Curran. Member absent: s m Tony Walsh. 2. ACNVT Chair Jay Strauss opened the meeting at 10:16 a.m., noting that a quorum was present. [Meeting delayed until PSF space opened.] New member Barbara Matteucci was welcomed. 3. After approval of the agenda and adoption of minutes of July 30 and August 20, 2016, our guest Dave Fredericks was welcomed. 4. Dave Fredericks first spoke of his background, starting with encountering Walter Beinecke on his first trip to the island, moving to the island, job with Nantucket Electric, its President, then VP of National Grid following its takeover. In the –3 years since retiring Dave had diverse work experiences. About 2 years ago he initiated conversations among the owners of the contiguous properties commonly known as Wilkes Square [recently renamed Harbor Place], thinking that its further development should involve their coordinated interests plus those of the Town and community. 5. Wilkes Square is characterized as a very complicated –4 1 /2A property with 30 – 40 easements, multiple ownerships, some Land Courted, harbor frontage, MGL Ch 91 concerns, interparty contracts, Town streets and ways, and intermodal transportation issues. 6. From perspective of National Grid, its Wilkes Square real estate is but one of some 1700 properties. (While on NG's real estate committee, Dave oversaw some $1 B in construction.) Another owner Winthrop has very many other properties. Ownership interests of ReMain and the Town in Wilkes Square are relatively r minor but given due respect in the conversations. — _ 7. The general concept Dave is working with, due for public outreac uu ,� in about 3 weeks, is three -part: one water - related embracing the U °' waterfront, perhaps inland up to 100', a second serving as a public - c`r'y, transportation center, and a third the `middle' property to be developed commercially in keeping with the interests of the c� owners. The land for a transportation center, perhaps 1-1/12A, ��' N could end up in Town ownership along with any transportation structures. Dave displayed a brochure on Wilkes Square, intended for later distribution. 8. The owner group has commissioned consultant studies of the property. Recommendations received align well with the many studies done for the Town and its Planning department (PLUS) over the years. 9. Needed early on is Town commitment to a well- planned transportation center, perhaps including a multi -story parking structure, plus layout of streets and ways, provision for NRTA, bicycles, pedestrians and others. (The Town has set aside funding for upgrade of sidewalks in the core district.) A parking facility over the 30' zoning limit is not envisioned (though an additional floor level would boost capacity from 300 by about 90). That 30' limit does not reflect the typical 40 +' height of some 80% of downtown buildings. At least two owners are opposed to building underground. 10. While the site would be served by public transportation including NRTA and be bike and pedestrian friendly, having adequate space for parking is critical. I I.National Grid needs to retain its brick substation, the landing point for the two subsea power cables from the mainland, also some lot area in case an alternative substation location is needed in future. 12. When the fuel tank farm at Wilkes Square is finally relocated in 2019 — 2020, the new tank farm on airport property will scaled down by half. Site contamination at the present location is not so much from fuel spills as coal tar residue from earlier times. While contaminated earth could in principle be excavated and exported, perhaps uneconomically, removal is not planned. Wells for subsoil sampling would give better information. 13. Storm water management will be needed to protect the harbor. 14.The water - related one -third of the site could extend the concept of linked harbor frontage pursued by the Land Bank. To meet Army Corps of Engineers flood zone requirements, uses might have to conform with 5' — 7' height above ground level, eg, elevated parkland. 15.In the `middle' area where stores, offices, restaurants, etc. could be located, benefit could be gained in adding 1 — 2 bedroom apartments aloft to have a residential presence, eg, for site workforce. Resolving uses in this area will be a drawn out process. 16.Beyond the imperatives of good planning for Wilkes Square, the Town would be well advised to create a top position for an official to oversee and speak with own voice for Town interests in transportation, perhaps a Director of Transportation. An instance where such a single voice could have brought a better outcome is the new HyLine terminal facility. Town transportation interests include NRTA and SSA (with Nat Lowell and Rob Ranney stretched to attend fully). 17.Meanwhile, funding might be found for a Town expert consultant to participate with the owner group in planning the site. 18.On the broad proposition that core district parking should be properly priced to reflect costs in providing it, Kevin Curran spoke of high -tech facilities attracting private investment. Gary Beller recalled the success of a beautiful parking facility built by the Brooklyn Botanical Garden (Gary serves on its board) as a possible model generating some $800K net annually. Dave mentioned success in Annapolis. With adequate revenue, NRTA could be properly funded and many other transportation needs addressed. At present, the various transportation- derived revenues are not allocated to those needs. 19. Dave Fredericks left the meeting at 11:13 a.m., thanked for his contribution. 20.Per motion by Bill Sherman, seconded, discussed and duly passed, the Chair is authorized to send a letter per draft text to the BOS recommending that the HDC staff continue to report administratively to the Town Manager, not necessarily through PLUS, in conformity with the Town Charter. 21. Per motion of David Brown, seconded, discussed and duly passed, the Chair is authorized to send a letter per draft text to the BOS in support of the sewer project Madaket /Warren's Landing/Somerset. The understanding is that delay risks zero interest funding offered by the state and failure to address the nitrogen- loading problem risks state mandated sewering at higher cost. 22.Lou Bassano raised the question of partial Town Meeting voting rights for seasonal island property owners (Nonvoting Taxpayers = NVT). He found that Chatham (with a strong ACNVT) does not accord such voting rights. According to the office of the MA Secretary of State, voting at Town Meeting now requires first establishing permanent MA residence for 30 days. Nantucket Town Meeting could vote a home rule petition asking an exception for Nantucket's NVT to accord partial voting rights. If voted, the HRP would go to the General Court for legislative action. Given the formidable political hurdles, the question turned to how better to communicate NVT concerns to the Town and its voters. Bill Sherman noted that ACNVT has not had a representative speak at Town Meeting for some years since Howard Blitman was well received there. Lou questioned whether ACNVT could undertake a survey of Nantucket nonvoting taxpayers to provide basis for affirming their (majority) support on pertinent issues. Bill offered to get a listing of island NVT from the Town Assessor, suggesting the modest funding for a survey might be available. The Nantucket Civic League has an email list of area association members including about 1000 seasonal residents. [Mailing of RE tax bills can be accompanied by a survey with permission of the Finance Department and Town Administration, I believe.] No action was taken. 23.On motion of Gary Beller, seconded, discussed briefly and duly passed, the FY2016 ACNVT officers were voted to continue serving in FY2017. 24.Chair Jay Strauss set the next ACNVT meeting for June 24, 2017. 25.The meeting was adjourned at 11:45 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Bill Sherman, Secretary Draft minutes e- distributed 9/8/16. Minutes adopted 7/15/17, posted 7/24/17 and hard copy submitted to Town Clerk 7/25/17