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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 2015STM Update, Firefighters Honored, and NRTA Year Round Transit http://us8.campaign-archive2.com/?u=bc2c42bcb6cc04d8937a4da58&id=67b26511f0&e=d8171b4561[3/24/2016 3:13:28 PM] This Newsletter is formatted for use on all browsers.View this email in your browser From the Desk of Town Manager Libby Gibson December 2015 Volume 6, Number 12 Community Compact On November 19, 2015, the Finance Director and I travelled to Barnstable Town Hall for a signing ceremony with Lt. Governor Karyn Polito and representatives from three Cape towns that also executed a “Community Compact” with the state. The Commonwealth Community Compact program, introduced by the Baker Administration several months ago, is an agreement between a municipality and the state to adopt a best management practice with technical assistance provided by the state in order to implement it. Municipalities that pledge to adopt best practices through the Community Compact will get bonus points on selected state grant programs and will be prioritized for various technical assistance programs. STM Update, Firefighters Honored, and NRTA Year Round Transit http://us8.campaign-archive2.com/?u=bc2c42bcb6cc04d8937a4da58&id=67b26511f0&e=d8171b4561[3/24/2016 3:13:28 PM] Nantucket Firefighters Honored By Governor Baker Governor Charles Baker honored four Nantucket firefighters at the annual Massachusetts Firefighter of Year Awards on November 23rd in Cambridge, MA. Beau Barber, Kevin Ramos, Nate Barber, and Dave Pekarcik were recognized for their actions during winter storm Juno that hit the island hard in January. They put on dry suits and waded through chest-deep water to rescue a dozen people from their flooded homes. “Very proud of the guys and very lucky to have them as members of my team,” said Paul Rhude, Nantucket Fire Chief. STM Update, Firefighters Honored, and NRTA Year Round Transit http://us8.campaign-archive2.com/?u=bc2c42bcb6cc04d8937a4da58&id=67b26511f0&e=d8171b4561[3/24/2016 3:13:28 PM] 2015 Special Town Meeting Update All seven of the articles at the Special Town Meeting on November 9, 2015, were adopted: Articles 1 and 2 were zoning articles submitted by the Richmond Group and involved changes to the Zoning Map and Zoning Bylaw. Through the issuance of a special permit by the Planning Board, density increases that will require the construction of permanently deed restricted housing units affordable to those earning less than 80% of Area Median Income will be an option in the R-5 and CN zoning districts. This development option was supported as a local permitting alternative to the so-called “40B” Comprehensive Permit that is issued by the Zoning Board of Appeals, but largely regulated by the State. These adopted articles have been sent to the Attorney General for final approval as required. Article 3 sought an additional $1,300,000 in supplemental funding for the renovation of the Town’s shellfish propagation facility at the Brant Point Boat House, due to bids coming in higher than anticipated for which funding was not sufficient. The funding was approved, the low bid has since been accepted, a STM Update, Firefighters Honored, and NRTA Year Round Transit http://us8.campaign-archive2.com/?u=bc2c42bcb6cc04d8937a4da58&id=67b26511f0&e=d8171b4561[3/24/2016 3:13:28 PM] contract has been signed and the project has started. Article 4 sought a re-vote of $1,000,000 in funding for professional services in connection with a facility for Our Island Home which was approved at the 2015 Annual Town Meeting; however, the vote was flawed and had to be redone. The funding was approved. It has since become more apparent that before we embark upon a design and final decision on location for the facility, that we should examine the operational model(s) that are the most efficient and effective. We will be issuing a Request for Proposals shortly in order to seek a professional firm to help us with this. Article 5 sought an additional $2,000,000 in supplemental funding for the Fire Station project. Although the project has not yet gone out to bid for construction, indications with other municipal projects in the region and on-island are that bids may be higher than the existing appropriation. The request was approved, the bid documents are being prepared now and the project will be put out to bid over the winter. Article 6 was a home rule petition seeking to allow real estate conveyances from the Land Bank to the Town (School) in connection with the new Intermediate School project (Grade 3 – 5) next to the Elementary School. The parcels proposed for conveyance are needed to stage the construction area of the project. Subsquently, the parcels are planned for development into playing fields. The home rule petition has been forwarded to our legislative representatives to file for legislative consideration. Article 7 was a technical correction regarding the Town Clerk’s salary, which has now been resolved. Saturday, April 2, 2016 Annual Town Meeting (ATM) The Board of Selectmen has begun to consider and discuss warrant articles for the 2016 ATM. Thirty-two citizen articles have been received and will be reviewed by the Finance Committee beginning on December 7. A preliminary schedule of the Finance Committee meetings regarding 2016 ATM warrant articles may be found here. It is updated from time to time so it is a good idea to check it before you attend a meeting. Meet Our New Land Use Supervisor Holly Backus Please join us in welcoming the newest member of the PLUS Department, Holly Backus. We are excited to have her as our Planning and Land Use Specialist. Holly was born and raised on Nantucket, and most recently moved back to the island with her husband (also from the island) and daughter, from Summerville, SC where she was a Planner for Berkeley County Government; a large county outside of Charleston, SC. While she was at Berkeley County Government, she was only one of two planners for a county that is the same size as Rhode Island that has grown so much, it was named the 35th fastest growing county in the nation! While Nantucket is not quite the size of Berkeley County, she hopes that the skills she gained there and her love for the island will make her a valuable asset to the Town of Nantucket. Holly holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Historic Preservation and Architectural History from Roger Williams University and completed the graduate program in Historic Preservation at The Preservation Institute: Nantucket (also known as PIN), a program from the University of Florida. Holly is happy to be back on Nantucket with her large and extended family and pursuing her career in planning. Holly looks forward to utilizing more of her degree in Historic Preservation and eventually be able to assist the Historic District Commission and staff. STM Update, Firefighters Honored, and NRTA Year Round Transit http://us8.campaign-archive2.com/?u=bc2c42bcb6cc04d8937a4da58&id=67b26511f0&e=d8171b4561[3/24/2016 3:13:28 PM] Nantucket Airport Air Traffic Control Tower Repair A construction team recently craned into place a steel structure to enclose the FAA Air Traffic Control Tower atop the Airport’s Terminal building. This structure will encapsulate the Tower for the winter while the cab is reconstructed and the office space renovated. When the structure is removed this spring, the rehabilitated Tower will remain at its current height with its aesthetics intact. However, systems in place will have seen a much needed modernization. The Tower supports a full-time and year-round crew of Air Traffic Controllers; these controllers in turn support a safe and efficient civil aviation network. Just as the 1960’s-era technology is insufficient to meet future aeronautical needs, the existing building mechanical systems and layout lacks modern amenities. The project is scheduled for completion prior to ACK’s busy summer season. In the meantime, Air Traffic Control is working out of a temporary tower located on the Ramp. The modernization project is funded by the FAA, through a 2.3 million Congressional earmark. The contractor is Maron Construction of Providence, RI. STM Update, Firefighters Honored, and NRTA Year Round Transit http://us8.campaign-archive2.com/?u=bc2c42bcb6cc04d8937a4da58&id=67b26511f0&e=d8171b4561[3/24/2016 3:13:28 PM] STM Update, Firefighters Honored, and NRTA Year Round Transit http://us8.campaign-archive2.com/?u=bc2c42bcb6cc04d8937a4da58&id=67b26511f0&e=d8171b4561[3/24/2016 3:13:28 PM] Nantucket Regional Transit Authority AECOM from Rocky Hill, CT has been selected to conduct the NRTA's Year Round Transit Study to determine the feasibility and develop service scenarios for year round fixed route public transit services. The public will be offered various opportunities to participate in this process and provide comments through surveys and interactive public input workshops in January 2016. Open-house style public input workshop meetings will be held January 11th and 12th, tentatively to be held at the American Legion at time to be determined. There will be an on-line survey on the NRTA’s website from December 21st thru January 16th. Paula Leary, NRTA Administrator, stresses the importance of participation from the public during this process. This is the opportunity to show that year round service in Nantucket is both wanted and needed by the community. Specific information and more details will be coming soon. Trivia In what year did the Downyflake on S. Water St. experience an early morning gas explosion? Where was the next location? Double Bonus Question: Who originally owned the Downyflake? November Trivia STM Update, Firefighters Honored, and NRTA Year Round Transit http://us8.campaign-archive2.com/?u=bc2c42bcb6cc04d8937a4da58&id=67b26511f0&e=d8171b4561[3/24/2016 3:13:28 PM] Q. Where are 3 pink houses on Nantucket? A. Lily St, Milk St, and 1 in Wauwinet Town of Nantucket 16 Broad Street Nantucket, MA 02554 P: (508) 228-7255 F: (508) 228-7272 Contact Us! 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