Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 2016Sewer Projects, A New(er) Humvee, and a "Gasoline Buggy" http://us8.campaign-archive2.com/?u=bc2c42bcb6cc04d8937a4da58&id=4c65cb5fde&e=d8171b4561[3/24/2016 3:08:30 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 2016 Volume 7, Number 2 Sewer Project & 2016 Annual Town Meeting At the April 2, 2016 Annual Town Meeting, voters will be asked to approve funding for one sewer project with two phases. They will also be asked to add the parcels to be sewered by the project into the Town Sewer District. The sewer project includes the following Needs Areas from the Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan Update. Phase 1 -- Nantucket Harbor Shimmo (formerly known as “Monomoy”)* Phase 2 -- “Plus” parcels (various areas that are within or directly abut the Town Sewer District that had been left out of the District in error at some point in time) (nothing to do with the “PLUS” department) There are two warrant articles specifically relating to this project: one article will require town meeting approval to add all of the properties in the above areas into the Town Sewer District (Article 19). The Town Sewer District is the area served by the Surfside Wastewater Treatment Facility. The other article (Article 18) seeks approval to borrow the funds needed to design and construct the project. This article will require further approval at the April 12, 2016 Annual Town Election, if it is approved at the town meeting. *NOTE: Phase 1 above was called “Monomoy” in all previous documents, maps and reports and has been renamed “Nantucket Harbor Shimmo” to more accurately reflect the geographic area that it encompasses, which includes Brewster Road to the southwest to Gardner Road on the northeast and Kelley Road to the south across to Nantucket Harbor. The estimated cost of the project is as follows: Nantucket Harbor Shimmo (Phase 1) Design $2,782,916 Construction $25,046,246 Total $27,829,162 “Plus” (Phase 2) Design $1,309,821 Construction $11,788,385 Total $13,098,206 Sewer Projects, A New(er) Humvee, and a "Gasoline Buggy" http://us8.campaign-archive2.com/?u=bc2c42bcb6cc04d8937a4da58&id=4c65cb5fde&e=d8171b4561[3/24/2016 3:08:30 PM] Total both Phases combined: $40,927,368 The project will be financed with a zero percent interest loan from the state, for which the Town has been placed on the state’s “Intended Use Plan” which is similar to a pre-approval, provided certain standard conditions are met. The loan will be paid back through a combination of betterments (assessed to property owners whose property will be sewered) and the tax base. The “split” between betterments and the tax base is still under discussion by the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee. After much discussion and evaluation, it has been proposed to assess the betterments using the Uniform Unit Method proscribed in the Massachusetts betterment statute. This method assesses a specific “unit” to each dwelling unit. The proposed dwelling unit definition that is under discussion is a 4-bedroom residential dwelling. A second or third dwelling on the same property with no more than 4 bedrooms would be assessed as one-half unit. Discussion also continues on this formula. On February 10th, the Board of Selectmen held a workshop discussion about water quality, which described the need for this project. The packet for that meeting may be found here. Upcoming meetings about the project: - Monday, February 29, 4pm/Community Room, 4 Fairgrounds Road Joint Board of Selectmen-Finance Committee meeting - Saturday, March 5, 10am – Noon/Community Room, 4 Fairgrounds Road Nantucket Civic League Forum - Wednesday, March 9, 6pm/Community Room, 4 Fairgrounds Road Board of Selectmen Workshop Meeting A town-wide newsletter was mailed last week; and we are working on letters to affected property owners as well as Frequently Asked Questions for the Town website. An email address for questions about the project has also been established: sewerproject@nantucket-ma.gov Find more information on the many aspects of our Water Quality initiatives here. Sewer Projects, A New(er) Humvee, and a "Gasoline Buggy" http://us8.campaign-archive2.com/?u=bc2c42bcb6cc04d8937a4da58&id=4c65cb5fde&e=d8171b4561[3/24/2016 3:08:30 PM] New Fire Station Update An administrative Fire Station Building Committee has been working closely with the architects, Kaestle Boos Associates, and the Owner’s Project Manager (OPM) Jon Lemieux from Vertex Companies, on the design of the new Fire Station. The construction documents are approximately half complete. The overall design and layout is complete and we are now working on the finer details. During the design process, the drawings are sent to a third party estimator to verify that the project is within budget and funds are not wasted on designs which do not fall within budget. The drawings have been reviewed twice and have come back within budget both times. We are on schedule and anticipate a complete set of drawings being released for the bidding process in April, 2016 with construction to start in late June or July. New Hire, Firefighter/EMT, Jordan Seitz Sewer Projects, A New(er) Humvee, and a "Gasoline Buggy" http://us8.campaign-archive2.com/?u=bc2c42bcb6cc04d8937a4da58&id=4c65cb5fde&e=d8171b4561[3/24/2016 3:08:30 PM] Firefighter Matt Avis accepted a position with the Concord Fire Department, creating an opening which was filled with Call Firefighter/EMT Jordan Seitz. Jordan grew up on Nantucket, and graduated from Nantucket High School. After graduating from Hobart College, Jordan worked as a forest fire fighter for two years, returned to Nantucket and has been a call firefighter for the last three years. Jordan will attend the nine-week recruit firefighter program in Stowe, MA this winter. Jordan’s extensive forest firefighting experience will be a great asset to our team. Meanwhile, we extend best wishes to Matt Avis. New Office Administrator, Kai Hodge Sewer Projects, A New(er) Humvee, and a "Gasoline Buggy" http://us8.campaign-archive2.com/?u=bc2c42bcb6cc04d8937a4da58&id=4c65cb5fde&e=d8171b4561[3/24/2016 3:08:30 PM] The Fire Department would like to extend a warm welcome to Kai Hodge, its new Office Administrator. Jeannette Hull retired from this position in January and after interviewing many excellent candidates Kai was hired. Kai is a long time resident of Nantucket and was most recently employed at the Department of Public Works as an Administrative Assistant. Kai’s extensive education and knowledge of Town systems will be a huge asset to the Fire Department. Kai will be working on transitioning the Fire Department to a computerized time management system as well moving it in a paperless direction. Kai will also be responsible for accounts receivable, accounts payable, reception, customer service, scheduling inspections, and payroll processing. The Nantucket Fire Department is lucky to have Kai as a member of its team, and the Town wishes Jeanette well. Collaboration with Cape Students and Federal Surplus Program Cape Cod Regional Technical High School students and federal military surplus programs help replace old equipment at a fraction of the cost. The below Humvee was received through the Federal Excess Personal Property Program and the Firefighter Property Program. Find out more about this Humvee and other surplus vehicles that our Fire Department will be using in the upcoming year in this article in Cape Cod Times. Sewer Projects, A New(er) Humvee, and a "Gasoline Buggy" http://us8.campaign-archive2.com/?u=bc2c42bcb6cc04d8937a4da58&id=4c65cb5fde&e=d8171b4561[3/24/2016 3:08:30 PM] This Humvee will replace a utility pick up that is used for small brush fires, pulling trailers, snow plowing, and general errands for the duty crew. The Humvee will also be used for any fires on the beach; before the Nantucket Fire Department did not have a reliable way to access fires on the beach. 2016 Annual Town Meeting Update The 2016 Annual Town Meeting warrant may be found online here. Town Meeting will be held on Saturday, April 2, 2016 at the Mary P. Walker Auditorium at the Nantucket High School, beginning at 9:00 am. The Finance Committee is currently meeting 2-3 times per week to finalize its motions (recommendations) to the warrant articles. The Planning Board is also holding hearings on the zoning articles. By March 10 motions will be complete and the warrant with the motions will be mailed out to all voters by March 25. Sewer Projects, A New(er) Humvee, and a "Gasoline Buggy" http://us8.campaign-archive2.com/?u=bc2c42bcb6cc04d8937a4da58&id=4c65cb5fde&e=d8171b4561[3/24/2016 3:08:30 PM] Our Island Home - Update Last year the Town engaged SMRT Architects and Engineers to conduct a feasibility study regarding a new Our Island Home facility. The current facility is aged, has many deteriorating physical issues and its operational model is outdated. SMRT was requested to review the following locations for a new facility: first priority was to the existing site, second was at Sherburne Commons (Town-owned property); and, others included the Wannacomet Water Company site on Milestone Road and the 2-4 Fairgrounds Road site. A presentation of the study was made to the Board of Selectmen on October 7, 2015; a public informational session was held on November 4, 2015 and Sherburne Commons invited us to give a presentation to its residents on February 4, 2016. Following the November 9, 2015 Special Town Meeting it was determined that before a site is decided upon the process should be “reset” and a review of alternative operational models should be undertaken in order to determine what type/size/location of facility would make the most sense from a cost standpoint, quality of care standpoint and for the community. In addition, we would be remiss not to consider demographic challenges and increasing regulatory mandates and oversight, which the final report will address. The consultants will also examine ways in which to best provide the complete continuum of care for residents of Nantucket. The firm SK Advisors was engaged to conduct this review. Firm principals were on-island last week to meet with Town officials, employees, Our Island Home residents and their families and friends. We expect a final report to be presented to the Board of Selectmen sometime in March or early April. Hatchery Update The Brant Point Shellfish Hatchery renovations are well underway. Winter has been kind to us so the work has been completed in a timely manner thus far. It has been exciting to see each room framed out knowing that the equipment will be installed in a way that will allow for an extremely efficient shellfish production program. The design of the building has allowed us to maintain and preserve the integrity of this iconic location on the outside while making innovative changes inside that will provide the community with a year round state of the art shellfish hatchery. We are looking forward to the new production year and improving the stocks of Nantucket’s shellfish populations. Sewer Projects, A New(er) Humvee, and a "Gasoline Buggy" http://us8.campaign-archive2.com/?u=bc2c42bcb6cc04d8937a4da58&id=4c65cb5fde&e=d8171b4561[3/24/2016 3:08:30 PM] Meet Your Town Volunteers Peter Kaizer Q: How long have you lived on Nantucket? A: My whole life, except for college and a little time working in Boston thereafter. Q: Where are you from? A: Fortunately I was born and raised here. Q: What is your job? A: I am part of the Commercial Lending Team at Cape Cod 5. Q: How long have you served on the Capital Program Committee? A: This was my first year. Q: Have you served on any other Town boards or committees besides that one? A: The CapCom was my first foray into town service; however I’ve since been on a selection committee that was headed by the town Energy Office. Sewer Projects, A New(er) Humvee, and a "Gasoline Buggy" http://us8.campaign-archive2.com/?u=bc2c42bcb6cc04d8937a4da58&id=4c65cb5fde&e=d8171b4561[3/24/2016 3:08:30 PM] Q: What interests you about serving the Town, and makes you want to be involved? A: For me it’s more a sense of responsibility than an interest. I saw a lot of family, friends, co-workers donating their time and energy to various public efforts and realized that I owe this island just as much as anyone else does. Q: What is the most rewarding part about serving? A: It’s just good community service. Q: What is the most challenging part? A: Finding the time. Q: If you could change one thing about Town government, what would it be? A: I don’t think I’ve been involved long enough to identify anything in particular. I’m still just trying to soak it all up. Q: What is your favorite spot on Nantucket? A: Depends on which way the wind’s blowing. Trivia Sewer Projects, A New(er) Humvee, and a "Gasoline Buggy" http://us8.campaign-archive2.com/?u=bc2c42bcb6cc04d8937a4da58&id=4c65cb5fde&e=d8171b4561[3/24/2016 3:08:30 PM] What year did Nantucketers vote 326 to 286 to allow the "gasoline buggy" to be used? Bonus: Who is the gentlemen in the above photo who towed the car by horse to the State highway to then be driven to Sconset? January Trivia How many different Nantucket Nectar trivia caps have there been since the beginning? A) 273 B) 495 C) 750+ D) Lost Count Bonus Question: How much was the juice originally sold for and from what type of recycled bottle was it served from? Answer: 750+ Bonus: Their juice was originally sold for $1 from recycled wine bottles There were no correct answers to the January Trivia Town of Nantucket 16 Broad Street Nantucket, MA 02554 Sewer Projects, A New(er) Humvee, and a "Gasoline Buggy" http://us8.campaign-archive2.com/?u=bc2c42bcb6cc04d8937a4da58&id=4c65cb5fde&e=d8171b4561[3/24/2016 3:08:30 PM] P: (508) 228-7255 F: (508) 228-7272 Contact Us! Town of Nantucket Website Newsletter Archives Subscribe to Newsletter Copyright © 2016 Town of Nantucket, All rights reserved. unsubscribe from this list update subscription preferences