HomeMy WebLinkAboutTown Managers Newsletter - 2010 12 01
From the Desk of Town
Manager Libby Gibson
DECEMBER 1, 2010 VOLUME 1, NUMBER 7
Town of Nantucket
16 Broad St.
Nantucket, MA 02554
P: (508) 228-7255
F: (508) 228-7272
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Fiscal Year 2012 Budget
Town Administration continues to actively work on developing its
recommendations for the FY 12 General Fund budget. We are scheduled to
present our recommendations to the Board of Selectmen on December 8,
2010. As mentioned in my November e-newsletter, part of our proposed FY
12 budget plan involves departmental consolidations. Conceptual proposals
were reviewed with the Board at its November 17, 2010 meeting. These
proposals were reviewed with the union that covers affected employees
earlier in November and with all department heads on November 16. There
are collective bargaining obligations associated with the proposals and
meetings are underway. The consolidations are meant to address issues
including:
-- efficiency and operational improvements (regardless of the economy)
-- cost savings to address on-going structural imbalance in the budget
-- adjusting staffing where appropriate in accordance with economic
conditions
While savings are projected as a result of the consolidations, other personnel
reductions are likely to be recommended in order to balance the budget.
Town Projects
Proposed Madaket Wind Turbine
Various studies and activities have either been completed or are underway,
including: feasibility, transportation, avian, noise/visual, flicker, engineering
and design. We have engaged the Energy Study Committee to outline a
public outreach plan and are hoping to seek construction funding at the 2011
annual town meeting. We received a $390,000 grant from the state’s Clean
Energy Center for design and engineering earlier this year. Other funding for
this project is coming from the Cape & Islands License Plate Fund.
FY 2010 Capital Projects
The Capital Program Committee is currently finalizing its recommendations
for FY 12 capital projects. The Committee’s report is expected to be issued
this month. In January, the Finance Committee will begin its review of the
CPC recommendations, as well as 2011 annual town meeting warrant articles
and the FY 12 budget.
2011 4th of July Fireworks
At a November Board of Selectmen’s meeting, there was discussion about a
potential lack of funding for the 2011 4th of July fireworks display. While the
display for previous years has been specifically budgeted in the Visitor
Services department budget, recently due to budget constraints funding has
come from another source, the county Cape & Islands license plate fund. For
FY 2011 and 2012, that fund will be primarily used for expenses associated
with the proposed Madaket wind turbine and it is uncertain whether or not
the fund can entirely support both expenses. In the event that it cannot,
funding will be needed for the fireworks. At the Board’s November meeting on
this, the Visitor Services and Information Advisory Committee was charged
with coming up with a funding plan. The Committee and Visitor Services
Director ran with this charge and came back to the Board on November 17th
with not only a plan but a $10,000 anonymous donation. Sales by Visitor
Services of 2010 4th of July T-shirts last spring and summer generated
approximately $6,000 in revenue. Hopefully, with additional donations we are
well on our way to fund this traditional summer event.
2011 Annual Town Meeting
32 citizen articles were received for the 2011 annual town meeting warrant.
These and other warrant articles will now be sent to and reviewed by the
various town agencies and departments. The articles are currently being
compiled into a draft warrant and will be reviewed by the Board of Selectmen
throughout December. A final warrant is scheduled for adoption by the Board
at the end of January. The Finance Committee will begin its review of citizen
warrant articles on December 16.
Employee News
Our Town Clerk, Catherine Flanagan Stover recently completed her term as
President of the New England Association of City and Town Clerks. She was
honored at a reception in Salem, Mass and presided over the 43rd annual
conference of the Association in mid-November. It is a tribute to the Town
when our employees are elected by their peers for positions like this. Good
work, Catherine!
Trivia question: where is this? Email me your answer by December 21st for
inclusion in the January newsletter.
NOVEMBER QUESTION & ANSWER
What is an umbo? It’s that little “tail” on the bottom of a scallop shell (the
non-technical answer)
Correct answers from:
Jim Lentowski
H Flint Ranney
Catherine Stover John Buckey
Best wishes for healthy, happy holidays!
The Town of Nantucket participated for the first time in the Nantucket
Historical Association’s 2010 Festival of Trees. (Thanks go out to Erika
Mooney and Kate Hamilton!)