HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-9-2ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF NONVOTING TAXPAYERS
Minutes of meeting 10 A.M., SATURDAY, September 2, 2017, at
4 Fairgrounds Road
- y
1. Attending: Gary Beller, Don Green, Peter Halle (from 10:08 a.m.)�,
_�
Peter Kahn, Bill Sherman, Jay Strauss, and Tony Walsh (until 10:4
�'
a.m.); and guest Airport Manager Tom Rafter, also Philip Nowack. G
Members absent: Lou Bassano, Howard Blitman, Sue Matloff, and
Barbara Matteucci.
2. Our Chair Jay Strauss called the meeting to order at 10:03 a.m. and
"•'•
declared a quorum not present. The proposed agenda was not 'o
adopted and minutes of August 19, 2017 were not approved.
3. Our guest Tom Rafter, recalling our concern about TSA space
availability, reported that he had met with TSA personnel to
consider fixes. Recognizing the "shockingly high" number of pre-
screened passengers, a separate queuing line and screening facility
will be set up for them.
4. Peter Halle reckoned TSA waiting room occupancy at 120,
inadequate when 3 or 4 big jets are in, e.g., Jet Blue, AA and Delta.
Tom proposes an extension of the TSA waiting space out toward
the tarmac, –60% increase designed for use only in -season. TSA
upgrades of equipment and personnel would thus be only for
Daffodil Day to Columbus Day.
5. With the U.S. pilot shortage, bigger planes are favored by carriers, a
trend the airport is preparing for.
6. Currently four positions on the apron can accommodate those big
jets. An angled fifth position is proposed to better utilize available
gate space. Scheduling that might reduce the number of big jets on
the apron at one time is set by carriers, not the airport.
7. For the airport, the four in -season months are critical to funding its
operations.
8. Given limited space for added counters, serving more carriers may
entail common use counters where two or more carriers rotate use
as needed to serve respective flights.
9. The airport's HVAC system fails to meet peak summer demand.
CNE, which does the schools' HVAC, will upgrade the geothermal
heat pumps with a new chiller.
10. In a Phase II plan, the front courtyard may be used for added non -
passenger space.
1 l.Airport improvements generally get 90% federal, 5% state and 5%
local funding. Of a $4.50/enplanement tax, carriers get 0.11.
They've unbundled their fares, getting $billions from baggage and
other charges.
12.To ease traffic coming to the airport, a traffic study is looked to,
offering, e.g., a turnout lane from Old South Road going east at its
Airport Road intersection
13.Tom has been promoting better off-season service, e.g.,
connectivity to Providence by year end. With a Cape population of
200,000, carriers such as Jet Blue might more easily justify more
destinations from Hyannis, adding further options for Nantucketers.
A new carrier (Recrit?), successor to Island Air, has expressed
interest as has Island Shell, with planes perhaps from Bill McGrath.
14.Cape Air may trade up from Cessnas to larger planes. They're
considering differential pricing. (In contrast, the 10 -ticket per -flight
fare is the same summer and winter.)
15. With increasing large planes, the airport is running short of apron
space for general aviation.
16.Tom Rafter left the meeting at 10:47 a.m., thanked for his remarks
and effort to make TSA screening more passenger friendly.
17.Don Green then spoke of the Town's employee health insurance
program, explaining his extended background as M.D. involved in
health insurance issues. Concern re the issue was voiced to us
earlier by Town Manager Libby Gibson. Don has done research,
talking with the Board of Health Chair and the Town's Human
Resources Director Stephen Tuzik [See http://www.nantucket-
ma.gov/174/Health-Insurance-Information ].
18.As background Don noted that 2/3ds of total U.S. funding of health
care is borne by taxpayers (through Medicare, Medicaid, VA, tax
`expense' of corporate employee plans, government employee
benefits, etc.) but single -payer systems elsewhere yield better
outcomes at less cost. Unless a similar efficiency comes to the U.S.,
the Town will depend on the state legislature and perhaps a change
in its health benefits program for better outcomes at less cost to
employees and the Town.
19.Of total Town health benefits (414 million), 90% is paid per union
contracts. The Town is not truly a self -insurer with its limited pool
of those covered. Administration of benefits is through Blue Cross
Blue Shield, coverage being provided by Master Medical.
20.Current options for cost saving depend on union negotiations.
Possibilities include dropping Master Medical, joining a
municipalities pool to spread risk, and adding re -insurance. (20% of
persons insured typically account for 80% of costs.) Going to a
Community Participating Option (CPO) is another possibility.
[https://www.bcbsil.com/employer/products/cpo.htm )
21.Don reckons that Town costs could be brought down to —$11.3
million for a $3 million saving.
22. For our next meeting (June 30, 2018), the Town's Human
Resources Director Stephen Tuzic will be invited for a further look
at potential health care savings for the Town and its employees.
23.The meeting was adjourned at 11:23 a.m., the next meeting being
set for Saturday June 30, 2018 at 10 a.m. in the PSF Training
Room, with guests hopefully Town Manager Libby Gibson and
Director Stephen Tuzic.
24.Respectfully submitted,
Bill Sherman, Secretary
Draft minutes e -distributed 9/14/17. Minutes adopted 6/23/18,
posted 6/25/18 and hard copy submitted to Town Clerk 6/25/18