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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 2015Balloon Articles, Audits, and Spring Cleaning http://us8.campaign-archive1.com/?u=bc2c42bcb6cc04d8937a4da58&id=e044489213&e=[UNIQID][12/7/2015 4:40:28 PM] This Newsletter is formatted for use on all browsers.View this email in your browser Libby Gibson Town Manager's Newsletter May 2015 Volume 6, Number 5 2015 Annual Town Meeting Recap The 2015 Annual Town Meeting concluded in three nights this year. Of the 111 articles on the warrant, 30 were initially called for discussion. Many of the zoning articles resulted in lively discussion and several were not adopted. Significant appropriations for a new fire station and new additions to the schools were approved with little or no discussion and the subsequent ballot votes on those were approved at the Annual Town Election the following week. A controversial bylaw amendment regarding the restriction/ban on the sale of balloons was approved. That bylaw will become effective if and when the Attorney General approves it. All bylaw amendments that were approved, including zoning, will require Attorney General approval to be effective. Several home rule petitions were adopted, including one to rescind a vote from the 2014 Annual Town Meeting to make two HDC members appointed rather than elected. The home rule petitions will require the approval of the state legislature in order to become effective. At its May 6th meeting, I will be reviewing Town Meeting follow-up with the Board of Selectmen, specifically Balloon Articles, Audits, and Spring Cleaning http://us8.campaign-archive1.com/?u=bc2c42bcb6cc04d8937a4da58&id=e044489213&e=[UNIQID][12/7/2015 4:40:28 PM] seeking direction from the Board as to how it wants to proceed and/or prioritize action on articles that allow the Board to take further action – primarily the real estate articles. Here is a link to the final outcome of votes taken on the warrant articles. Summer Prep Now that spring is upon us and summer is around the corner, the Department of Public Works has been focusing on a multi-faceted summer preparation initiative. The Children's Beach playground is currently being renovated and will be completed for the summer season. In conjunction with the Harbormaster and Beach Coordinator Dionis, Surfside, and other major beaches have been cleaned up after the rough winter and things such as fencing and walkways have been repaired. In addition to these larger clean up projects, the DPW has been working on many smaller tasks around the historic downtown area and island wide projects as well. Painting of parking lines and crosswalks Painting of yellow and white roadway lines Street sweeping Repairing potholes Balloon Articles, Audits, and Spring Cleaning http://us8.campaign-archive1.com/?u=bc2c42bcb6cc04d8937a4da58&id=e044489213&e=[UNIQID][12/7/2015 4:40:28 PM] Brick repairs on sidewalks Replace fence rails and posts Reset curbing damaged by plows Replace/repair soil dislodged by plows Repair loose/broken pieces on playsets Replace/repair broken and faded signs Repairing and painting of benches Audit Update At the April 22, 2015 Board of Selectmen meeting, Tony Roselli, CPA from Roselli Clark & Associates presented the Town of Nantucket’s 2014 Audit (see power point presentation here). The Town once again received an unqualified opinion on its financial statements. This means that in the auditor’s opinion, the Town's books present fairly, in all material respects, the respective position of the governmental activities. The auditors also noted the progress that has been made in clearing the management letter comments from previous audits. The Town for the first time produced a Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). This report is a much more in depth audit report, and is designed to provide the reader with more financial and statistical information. Some other highlights from the FY14 audit include an increase in the undesignated fund balance by $864,000, findings related to the Airport, Wannacomet and Sconset Water. Last fall, the Town's bond rating was increased by Moody’s from Aa2 to Aa1. The Finance department is currently planning for the FY15 audit, with the goal of receiving another unqualified opinion, and continued work on addressing the management letter comments. Town Pier Update Work has begun on repairing the damage suffered from this winter's storms. 62 pilings must be removed and then replaced with new pilings. Balloon Articles, Audits, and Spring Cleaning http://us8.campaign-archive1.com/?u=bc2c42bcb6cc04d8937a4da58&id=e044489213&e=[UNIQID][12/7/2015 4:40:28 PM] A device nick-named the "hammer", seen below, is used to pull out each piling. Balloon Articles, Audits, and Spring Cleaning http://us8.campaign-archive1.com/?u=bc2c42bcb6cc04d8937a4da58&id=e044489213&e=[UNIQID][12/7/2015 4:40:28 PM] Richard Ray Retires! At the end of 2014, long-time Health Officer Richard Ray announced his retirement as of May 29, 2015. Richard’s 37-year history with the Town has been…..colorful! He was responsible for the adoption of a number of – often controversial – public health-related initiatives intended to benefit the community, most notably a smoking ban – before the Mass General Laws were changed to address this; and septic system standards that are stricter than what the Mass Balloon Articles, Audits, and Spring Cleaning http://us8.campaign-archive1.com/?u=bc2c42bcb6cc04d8937a4da58&id=e044489213&e=[UNIQID][12/7/2015 4:40:28 PM] General Laws require. Richard’s sense of humor and unique way of making public presentations will be missed. I have always respected and appreciated Richard’s deep love of Nantucket – which is often evident in his work. Richard was recognized for his years of service with a standing ovation at this year’s Town Meeting (thank you for thinking of it Prentice Claflin!). Thank you Richard! Town Administration Weekly Recap Watch Assistant Town Manager on Geno TV review what's going on this week in town government. Trivia Questions Question: What was the name of Louis Coffin's store where the women's side of Murray's Toggery Shop now lies? Bonus Question: The famous Nantucket Reds were started in 1958, but what were they called before they were renamed "Nantucket Reds"? Balloon Articles, Audits, and Spring Cleaning http://us8.campaign-archive1.com/?u=bc2c42bcb6cc04d8937a4da58&id=e044489213&e=[UNIQID][12/7/2015 4:40:28 PM] March Trivia Q. What is this? A. Cross section of the underwater cable First correct answer came from Barbara Gookin. The first to respond with an answer was Richard Ray with "Meat Lovers Pizza"! 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 Balloon Articles, Audits, and Spring Cleaning http://us8.campaign-archive1.com/?u=bc2c42bcb6cc04d8937a4da58&id=e044489213&e=[UNIQID][12/7/2015 4:40:28 PM] Copyright © 2015 Town of Nantucket, All rights reserved. unsubscribe from this list update subscription preferences