HomeMy WebLinkAboutTown Managers Newsletter - 2010 08 06
From the Desk of Town
Manager Libby Gibson
AUGUST 6, 2010 VOLUME 1, NUMBER 3
Town of Nantucket
16 Broad St.
Nantucket, MA 02554
P: (508) 228-7255
F: (508) 228-7272
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Something we don’t see every day: this leatherback turtle, entangled in fishing
gear, was spotted 11 miles offshore. Marine Superintendent Dave Fronzuto and
Beach Manager Jeff Carlson headed out to locate it and were successfully able to
remove the entanglement, using techniques they learned from recent specialized
training pertaining to disentangling marine animals. Great work Dave and Jeff!
Gaps in Services During Busy Summer Months
Summer is well upon us, the weather has been terrific, visitors abundant and
Nantucket’s event schedule is filled with any manner of offerings for all ages.
Town resources are stretched, however. With an on-going hiring freeze and very
tight fiscal resources, personnel is down and while the Town’s departments are
doing their best to keep up with the island’s needs, gaps in service are to be
expected from time to time.
Municipal Projects Completed
Several municipal projects have recently been completed, including: interior
repairs at the Teen Center; a lift for handicap accessibility has been installed at
the Mooney Building; roof projects at the Fire Station, Town Annex at 37
Washington Street and DPW garage have been completed and came in
significantly under appropriations. Much needed renovations at the Sconset and
Children’s Beach restrooms have been finished. We are extremely pleased that
most of these projects were done by local contractors.
Watch Out for Rip Currents!
Rip currents have been severe this summer along the south shore beaches.
Lifeguard saves have been extraordinarily high. People need to be very cautious
about swimming in these areas – even strong swimmers can get caught in the
current and it can be a struggle to get out. Not all of Nantucket’s beaches are
public or lifeguarded. Please exercise common sense when at the beach.
Wannacomet Water Sets Record
Not surprisingly, considering the hot and mostly rainless recent weather, on July
8, 2010, Wannacomet Water set a new single day pumping record of 3,901,223
gallons – surpassing the 2008 record of 3,785,000.
Board of Selectmen 2010-2011 Goals
Town Administration has been working on preparing an action plan to implement
the Board’s 2010-11 goals, which are posted on the Town’s website at
www.nantucket-ma.gov/selectmen. Monthly reports will be given at the Board’s
regular meeting the first Wednesday of the each month. Planning for the FY 12
budget is among the top priorities. Preliminary estimates of revenue and
expenses reflect a likely scenario of anticipated expenses exceeding revenue. This
will mean, again, that priorities will have to be established and expenses reduced.
The Town has spent the last 2 years going through the painful and difficult
process of reducing expenses and identifying priorities (it sounds easier than it
is). This is likely to continue for FY 12 budget planning.
Our Island Home Fair
The 30th annual Our Island Home Fair was held on July 17 and featured a dunk
tank, teddy bear clinic, raffle and Chinese auction, a DJ, children’s’ games and
face painting and many other fun activities. The funds raised go toward the
Home’s annual Christmas party for the residents.
New E-Newsletter Feature!
(suggested by Bob Gardner)
Nantucket Trivia Question of the Month:
Where was the Town Building before the current building at 16 Broad Street was
constructed? (I know, this is an easy one…)
Email me your answer by August 16th for inclusion in the September newsletter. I
think we may be ready to go “live” with this e-newsletter for September. If there
are any issues or topics you think should be covered in future newsletters, please
feel free to email me. Thank you.