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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTown Managers Newsletter - 2010 05 20 From the Desk of Town Manager Libby Gibson MAY 20, 2010 VOLUME 1 NUMBER 2 Town of Nantucket The First Edition… 16 Broad St. Nantucket, MA 02554 This new monthly e-newsletter is meant to convey information to the public about current Town projects, programs, initiatives and accomplishments in a timely, easy-to-access manner. This is a new initiative for Town Administration and comments and suggestions about this newsletter are welcome. P: (508) 228-7255 F: (508) 228-7272 Contact Us!Our Island Home Memorial Service On April 21, 2010, Assistant Town Manager Gregg Tivnan and I attended an annual memorial service at Our Island Home for residents who have passed away during the year. It was a lovely ceremony conducted by Reverend Georgia Ann Snell with original music performed by Vaughan Machado. I highly encourage people to visit OIH, it is well-run, friendly and the residents love visitors. Town of Nantucket Website Newsletter Archives Subscribe to the Newsletter Wind Turbine Grant The Board of Selectmen recently approved the submittal of a grant application to the state for nearly $400,000 for the construction of a 1.5 megawatt wind turbine at the landfill where the current communications tower is located. The total cost of the turbine is estimated at approximately $4,500,000. Payback is expected to be made within 8-10 years. Subsequently, on-going savings would be realized through the energy generated by the turbine. The project cost, less the grant (if approved) would be sought through a debt exclusion override at a fall special town meeting and election. As the project develops further, more information will follow. We would appreciate receiving public input on the prospect of this wind turbine. Open Meeting Law Information Sessions We recently held informational sessions regarding changes to the Open Meeting Law which go into effect on July 1, 2010. Detail regarding the specific changes can be found on the state website at www.mass.gov. While intended to better keep the public fully informed and make access to public information easier, implementing these changes will require additional work on the part of town personnel. Among other things, the changes include: • The Town must maintain a listing of all public meetings which may be viewed/accessed by the public 24 hours a day, 7 days a week • A list of all documents used at a public meeting by the body holding the meeting must be attached to the minutes of the meeting • The 48 hours required notice of a public meeting will no longer include Saturdays • Meeting notices must include the topics which are reasonably expected to be discussed at each meeting Town Administration is currently working on issuing protocols as to implementation of these changes for all affected Town agencies. Post-Annual Town Meeting Workshop On May 5, 2010, the Board of Selectmen held a post-annual town meeting workshop meeting to review what went well and what could be improved from the 2010 annual town meeting, and what could be considered for the future. Some of the suggestions to consider for the future included: holding town meeting on a Saturday; holding an annual town meeting without zoning and a fall town meeting with zoning; holding additional public informational sessions about the various warrant articles to which the public is encouraged to attend to learn more about the articles and to express concerns, questions or comments ahead of time. The Board will be discussed the outcome of its workshop meeting at a subsequent regular Wednesday night meeting. Have You Noticed? As you drive through the mid-island round-a-bout this week, you will hopefully be pleasantly surprised at its appearance: DPW crews were out last week clearing out weeds, trash, mulching and removing dead plants. The area looks much better, thanks to the DPW for attention to this area! While you are in the area, check out the new roof on the Fire Station! The contractor did a great job (Paul Kosciuk) and the project was completed significantly under its appropriation. If you have time to stop in the Fire Station, there is a new and interesting mural in the front vestibule, depicting the Great Fire of 1846, painted by a local volunteer.