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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTown Managers Newsletter - 2010 11 01 From the Desk of Town Manager Libby Gibson NOVEMBER 1, 2010 VOLUME 1, NUMBER 6 Town of Nantucket 16 Broad St. Nantucket, MA 02554 P: (508) 228-7255 F: (508) 228-7272 Contact Us! Town of Nantucket Website Newsletter Archives Subscribe to the Newsletter Fall foliage at the Nantucket Atheneum Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Town Administration is actively working on developing its recommendations for the FY 12 General Fund budget. Our recommendations are likely to include proposals for various department consolidations and some decrease or elimination of positions. The Town has fixed expenses that it must pay, such as employee health insurance, retirement, utilities, fuel and various required services. Our projected FY 12 General Fund revenue will not cover these expenses, plus all of the other services, programs, activities and events that the Town currently provides. As a result, it is necessary to review and prioritize what the Town can afford to provide. This involves looking at core/essential services, departmental activity levels, employee benefit and staffing levels, potential new revenue sources and other funding possibilities. FY 12 is a very challenging budget year and it is going to require a great deal of time, effort, explanation and discussion. We are constantly considering ways to engage or inform the public in a productive manner about the FY 12 budget because of the significant changes it will require. We are currently planning a series of information sessions to which we will invite the public to come and ask questions, provide input and learn more about the changes we are discussing. Town Projects Public Safety Facility The public safety facility is nearing completion. The police are expected to begin their move in November and complete it in December/early January. There was initial discussion about moving the Registry of Motor Vehicles to the PSF; however, we have determined that a more effective use of the space is for the Town’s Information Systems department to be relocated from inadequate and problematic space at 2 Fairgrounds Road to the PSF. Once the building is complete and the police have moved in, most board, committee and commission meetings will be held in the community room there. Other Project News Required studies and evaluations are continuing for the proposed Madaket wind turbine. An RFP for the Public-Education-Government (“PEG”) channel is out and responses are expected shortly. The bid for restoration of the Civil War Monument at the intersection of Main, Gardner and Milk Streets is out (and, no, it does not involve relocating the Monument…). An RFP for preliminary design of a Wastewater Treatment Facility in Madaket is also out. We are in the process of finalizing a contract for the design of re-use of the soon-to-be “old” Police Station on South Water Street. Town Accomplishments Nantucket has once again been recognized by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as one of the top “Smart Growth” communities in the state, scoring 125 of 140 possible points, ranking second behind the western Mass city of Northampton. Communities are evaluated in accordance with 33 land use planning and regulatory practices related to land protection, affordable housing, sound governance and alternative energy. The ranking assists the state in coordinating resources with those communities that are consistent with statewide priorities and programs. Nantucket’s high ranking makes the community more competitive in respect to twelve grant programs providing funds for infrastructure, environmental and housing programs. The top five communities according to current scoring are:  Northampton 135  Nantucket 125  Pittsfield 123  Barnstable 121  Framingham 114 Nantucket’s up-to-date plans, including the 2009 Master Plan, open space and housing plans, varied zoning districts, high percentage of preserved land, investment in alternative transportation and energy, and overall progressive accomplishments have elevated the community from 3rd last year to 2nd this year. Since the program was initiated in 2005, Nantucket has consistently scored among the top ten communities statewide. The Planning Office has worked very hard on this initiative and their successful efforts are much appreciated. On October 27, 2010, the Nantucket Fire Department received delivery of a 500 gallon class-B foam trailer which will be used for extinguishing large fuel fires. This equipment was obtained through the Department of Homeland Security and the trailer delivery sites were determined through the Southeast Regional Planning & Economic Development District. This is a valuable piece of equipment for the island with regard to being prepared for large scale fuel fires. Employee News Years of Service Awards At its October 6, 2010 meeting, John Marques (DPW), Steve Butler (Building) and Curt Glidden (Wannacomet) were presented with years of service pins for 20, 25 and 40 (!) years, respectively. Other employees not able to be present who will receive significant years of service pins are: Dale Gary (DPW, 20 yrs), Nicky Duarte (DPW, 20 yrs), Pam Bell (Airport, 20 yrs), Anne Coleman (Our Island Home, 20 yrs); Sandra Araujo (Our Island Home, 20 yrs); Sheila Clinger (Police, 25 yrs) and Ann Lindley (Our Island Home, 30 yrs). The service of these employees is much appreciated. This just in... Richard Ray, our Health Officer, has been awarded the Michael Sorocco Award by the Massachusetts Health Officer’s Association. This prestigious award is presented to the Mass. Health Officer who best demonstrates a high level of integrity and ability to influence responsible public and environmental health practices on a state and local level. We are very proud of Richard and congratulate him on this recognition of his achievements. Nantucket Trivia Question of the Month: What is an umbo? (Note if you look this up, you need to determine the definition that might be appropriate for a certain activity that occurs on Nantucket in November…This should be an easy one. Thank you Dave Fronzuto for the suggestion) Email me your answer by November 19th for inclusion in the December newsletter. OCTOBER QUESTION & ANSWER Q: Who was the first female Nantucket Selectman?* A: Anne Ring in 1926 – 1929. She was also the first female Selectman in Massachusetts! FYI: Anne Ring 1926 - 1929 Esther Gibbs 1972 - 1978 Nancy Sevrens 1984 – 1993 Diane Coombs 1989 – 1992 Cheryl Bartlett 1993 - 1999 Pam Killen 1995 - 2001 Georgia Ann Snell 2001 – 2004 Catherine Flanagan Stover 2006 – 2007 Patricia Roggeveen 2007 - *Courtesy of Town Clerk Catherine Stover Correct answers from: NO ONE got this one!