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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 2015February Town Manager Newsletter - Storm Update, Water Quality Specialist, and Curt Glidden Retires http://us8.campaign-archive2.com/?u=bc2c42bcb6cc04d8937a4da58&id=cddc28071b&e=[12/7/2015 4:34:33 PM] This Newsletter is formatted for use on all browsers.View this email in your browser From the Desk of Town Manager Libby Gibson February, 2015 Volume 6, Number 2 Town of Nantucket 16 Broad Street Nantucket, MA 02554 P: (508) 228-7255 F: (508) 228-7272 Contact Us! Town of Nantucket Website Newsletter Archives Subscribe to Newsletter Town Pier Damage Much of the Town Pier was severely damaged from winter storm Juno, click the photo above to see the extent of the damages Winter Storm Juno As we (and the rest of the country) by now know, Nantucket was hit hard by a severe winter storm last week. Despite the island-wide power outage, which affected electricity, telephone service, cable television and cell phone service, the community made it through the storm by pulling together as we usually do in such situations. DPW personnel were out nearly constantly clearing roads, the Emergency Operations Center at the Public Safety Facility was staffed and actively responding to what calls they were receiving, School staff and Red Cross volunteers assisted by US Coast Guard personnel quickly mobilized the shelter at the high school. Despite being without power itself, the Stop & Shop provided food for emergency workers and the shelter. Significant damage to municipal infrastructure includes: the Town Pier and the Jackson Point and F Street boat landings, flooding at 37 Washington Street (Finance offices), the municipal fire alarm system was knocked out by wind and power surges, the wave barrier at Children’s Beach boat ramp was blown out by the strong waves and wind. Low-lying areas in the Francis Street, North Beach Street and Brant Point areas were flooded to within less than a few inches of the “No Name Storm” of 1991. February Town Manager Newsletter - Storm Update, Water Quality Specialist, and Curt Glidden Retires http://us8.campaign-archive2.com/?u=bc2c42bcb6cc04d8937a4da58&id=cddc28071b&e=[12/7/2015 4:34:33 PM] Tax Collector and Assessors Office Temporarily Move to PLUS Due to flooding at 37 Washington St., the Tax Collector's office and Assessor's office have temporarily moved to the PLUS building at 2 Fairgrounds Rd. As the storm was raging, arrangements were already being made for National Grid and other utility crews and equipment to get to the island as soon as possible to begin restoring power and making repairs. Early on Tuesday morning, the electric cables that connect us to the mainland, went down as a result of icing problems. Between the efforts of National Grid, Airport staff and equipment (using the creative solution of airplane de-icing methods), the cables were restored within a few hours. *Airport, National Grid, DPW, and NPD working together to de-ice the substation* We are now working on the task of gathering together cost estimates to repair the damage, coordinating with the insurance companies, federal and state officials and the necessary clean-up. We were extremely heartened and encouraged by a visit from Governor Charlie Baker and Massachusetts Emergency Management Director Kurt Schwartz on Wednesday afternoon. We met with them to review the storm damage and the issues we encountered during the storm and then took them on a quick tour. They assured us that they will work hard to help us with any possibilities of reimbursements. Congressman Keating has also offered his assistance. February Town Manager Newsletter - Storm Update, Water Quality Specialist, and Curt Glidden Retires http://us8.campaign-archive2.com/?u=bc2c42bcb6cc04d8937a4da58&id=cddc28071b&e=[12/7/2015 4:34:33 PM] Follow the Fire Department on Facebook See what the NFD is up to these days and receive public safety announcements that will keep us and the island safe. Stay up to date on this important project to reconstruct the Easy and West Jetties An effort that has been underway for over a year, is the set-up of a public safety radio channel that would broadcast emergency information to Nantucket residents and visitors, during emergency or other events. We have approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for the channel – now we need to get the infrastructure in place. This is a project that will likely take on a higher priority in the coming weeks. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the Town staff – as well as those who worked with us* before, during and after this storm to do their best to keep roads clear, communications going (as well as possible), monitor what was happening and address needs during the storm and get us back on track. National Grid David Fredericks Verizon Comcast Nantucket Cottage Hospital US Coast Guard Mass Emergency Management Agency Mass State Police Governor Charlie Baker Red Cross Faregrounds Restaurant Stop & Shop Steamship Authority Toscana Trevor Barrett Public Works in Action February Town Manager Newsletter - Storm Update, Water Quality Specialist, and Curt Glidden Retires http://us8.campaign-archive2.com/?u=bc2c42bcb6cc04d8937a4da58&id=cddc28071b&e=[12/7/2015 4:34:33 PM] Natural Resources now on Twitter Follow NRD on Twitter to stay up to date on Harbor Water Quality Initiatives and their Shellfish Propagation Facility. This wave barrier was reconstructed on Sunday 1/31 by DPW and Emergency Management. The previous barrier incurred significant damage during the storm surge of winter storm Juno. Tris and Kenny have been working hard on the downtown sidewalks, the addition of ice on top of the snow has prolonged the sidewalk cleanup. February Town Manager Newsletter - Storm Update, Water Quality Specialist, and Curt Glidden Retires http://us8.campaign-archive2.com/?u=bc2c42bcb6cc04d8937a4da58&id=cddc28071b&e=[12/7/2015 4:34:33 PM] Large winter storms require extensive plowing, which can lead to the break down of equipment. Here is Germano Chatti, the DPW Shop Foreman, fixing a hydraulic system late Tuesday night to get this plow back on the road. Click here for DPW's storm chronology New Water Quality Resource Specialist February Town Manager Newsletter - Storm Update, Water Quality Specialist, and Curt Glidden Retires http://us8.campaign-archive2.com/?u=bc2c42bcb6cc04d8937a4da58&id=cddc28071b&e=[12/7/2015 4:34:33 PM] Please join us in welcoming the newest member of the Natural Resources Department Kaitlyn Shaw. We are excited to have her as our Water Resource Specialist. Kaitlyn joins us from Cross River, NY. She graduated with a M.Sc. in Coastal Systems Science from UMASS, School for Marine Science and Technology and a B.Sc. in Coastal Studies from UCONN, Avery Point. Kaitlyn is passionate about coastal water quality and has a wealth of knowledge in biogeochemical sampling and analysis. She has experience with seagrass and shellfish restoration projects and is a certified diver. Her love of coastal science began as a child during summer visits to Nantucket with her grandparents. When not submerged in her work, Kaitlyn enjoys exploring with her dog Moosh, swimming, kayaking, diving and underwater photography. MMA Annual Conference During the weekend of January 23-24, Assistant Town Manager Gregg Tivnan, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen Rick Atherton, Selectman Tobias Glidden and I attended the Massachusetts Municipal Association annual conference in Boston. This conference is a great opportunity to network, meet and talk with peers, and attend a variety of workshops about trends, issues and updates in municipal government. 2015 Annual Town Meeting Warrant February Town Manager Newsletter - Storm Update, Water Quality Specialist, and Curt Glidden Retires http://us8.campaign-archive2.com/?u=bc2c42bcb6cc04d8937a4da58&id=cddc28071b&e=[12/7/2015 4:34:33 PM] The Warrant Has Arrived The 2015 Annual Town Meeting warrant was adopted by the Board of Selectmen on January 21st. The Finance Committee has already begun deliberations on its motions to citizen warrant articles, following a public hearing in December and will continue to review and discuss the warrant articles in the coming weeks. A public hearing is scheduled for Monday, February 9, 2015 at 4pm at the Community Room of the 4 Fairgrounds Road Public Safety Facility for the public to comment on any of the warrant articles. The FinCom will finalize its motions in early March, the warrant with motions will then be mailed to voters prior to Town Meeting which begins on Monday, April 6, 2015. Curt Glidden Retires After 45 Years at Water Company February Town Manager Newsletter - Storm Update, Water Quality Specialist, and Curt Glidden Retires http://us8.campaign-archive2.com/?u=bc2c42bcb6cc04d8937a4da58&id=cddc28071b&e=[12/7/2015 4:34:33 PM] J. Curtis Glidden retired from Wannacomet Water Company after 45 years of service effective January 23, 2015. Curt began his career as a utility man on February 23, 1970, which meant that with the exception of the pumping station he worked on every component of the system doing maintenance and repairs of water mains, services and fire hydrants, reading meters, and anything else that needed doing. Curt is the last employee of Wannacomet who started when the office was on Main Street and the shop was where the Starlight Café and Theater is now. Wannacomet moved to the Milestone Road location in 1973. Curt was well known and respected for his work ethic and physical stamina rarely taking sick leave. More recently Curt was a key employee in the conversion of the water meter reading system from the drive by to the fixed base Flex Net system. Curt was responsible for making the technical upgrades and the field programming of the meters and was determined to see it completed before he retired and because of his efforts and talent it happened and he retired with a smile. Curt has a great sense of humor and loved to play practical jokes on his fellow employees. Town Manager Weekly February Town Manager Newsletter - Storm Update, Water Quality Specialist, and Curt Glidden Retires http://us8.campaign-archive2.com/?u=bc2c42bcb6cc04d8937a4da58&id=cddc28071b&e=[12/7/2015 4:34:33 PM] Recap Watch an update on what's going on in Town Government and a review of the previous night's Board of Selectmen 1/21 meeting on Geno TV. Last week's update was not taped due to the winter storm. Trivia of the Month In what year was the West Jetty constructed? The Easy Jetty? Bonus Question: In what year did the citizens of Nantucket petition Congress to dredge a channel through "The Bar"? Share Tweet Forward Copyright © 2015 Town of Nantucket, All rights reserved. unsubscribe from this list update subscription preferences