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
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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!