HomeMy WebLinkAboutTown Managers Newsletter - 2011 01 07
From the Desk of Town
Manager Libby Gibson
JANUARY 7, 2011 VOLUME 2, NUMBER 1
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 presented its recommendations to the Board of
Selectmen on December 8, 2010 and to the School Committee on December
14, 2010. The Board had some discussion about the budget during its
December meetings, held a public hearing regarding the budget on January
5, 2011 and is scheduled to present recommendations to the Finance
Committee on January 24, 2011.
2011 Annual Town Meeting
32 citizen articles were received for the 2011 annual town meeting warrant.
These and other warrant articles have been 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 January. A final warrant is scheduled for adoption by the Board on
January 26, 2011. The Finance Committee began its review of citizen warrant
articles on December 16 and continues the review throughout January and
February.
Newly Appointed Board of Health
On December 22, 2010, the Board of Selectmen, pursuant to legislation
enacted last year, considered applications for membership to a separate
Board of Health. The BOH will continue to be administered by the Health
Department staff. The ability of the newly created BOH is meant to enhance
both public and environmental health practices currently in place and foster
more defined and focused health initiatives as its singular responsibility.
Following appointment of its members on January 26, 2011, the new BOH will
establish its new meeting schedule; and, over time, its goals and objectives
for the year.
Town Projects
Proposed Madaket Wind Turbine
We have begun a public outreach program to inform the public and other
interested parties about the proposed wind turbine project. We met with the
HDC on January 4, 2011 and are meeting with the Finance Committee on
January 19, 2011 at 4:00 pm.
Water Service to Madaket
Bob Gardner, Wannacomet Water Manager reports: that with regard to
Phase I (Madaket Road and South Cambridge Street), the 12” water main on
Madaket Road has passed all the required tests and is in service. All of the
hydrants on Madaket Road are in service. The service connections to the
property lines are being installed and are expected to be completed next
week. Three homeowners have connected to the system and another 8 have
filled out connection applications. The South Cambridge Street line is
undergoing pressure and bacteriological testing and I expect that main and
hydrants to go into service by the end of next week. In the spring, in
accordance with our agreement with the DPW, Madaket Road will undergo a
full depth reclamation and the base course of pavement will be put down.
The DPW is responsible for installing the finish pavement. With regard to
Phase II of the project (North Cambridge Street and Tennessee Avenue),
design and permitting is underway and I expect construction to be completed
by May 1st.
Town Building Attic Reorganization
We are tremendously grateful to Judy Zurheide, a local resident organizer
extraordinaire, who volunteered to reorganize the attic of the Town Building –
and did! She did a fabulous job, not only transforming the attic’s appearance
but assembling a much more organized system of records storage. Thank
you, Judy! The attic has been a regular source of difficulty to tackle – it is like
a furnace in the summer and like the Arctic in the winter and it is difficult to
find the time to remain up there long enough to make a dent. We are
extremely grateful and appreciative for Judy’s efforts. This project is an
important step toward the Town Clerk’s goal for a comprehensive municipal
records management plan.
Cliff Road Bicycle Path Extension
Construction of the Cliff Road bike path extension from Crooked Lane to the
intersection of Sherburne Turnpike began in October 2010, and is scheduled
to be completed by July 2011. The construction cost is $692,433, which is
being paid for with federal and state funding through the NP&EDC’s
Transportation Improvement Program. The work that remains to be
completed includes replicating a portion of an abutting wetland, relocation of
some utility poles between Crooked Lane and Hinckley Lane, and paving of
the path itself.
A private citizen’s video of the project’s status during stroll weekend can be
found at the link below:
http://www.nantucketrealestateagent.com/Nantucket-Real-Estate-
Blog/bid/50532/Cliff-Road-Bike-Path-on-Nantucket-Work-has-begun
Employee News and Accomplishments
Our Island Home
Once again, OIH completed its annual survey with the state Department of
Public Health with flying colors and no deficiencies. The staff and
administration are extraordinarily dedicated to their work and it shows in
accomplishments such as this one. OIH also recently learned, following an
intensive training program for new Medicare billing procedures, that OIH was
the only one of the 93 facilities trained by its Medicare consultant (Harmony
Healthcare) to have completed the initial month of billing/documentation
under the new Medicare regulations, correctly. Attention to detail and
documentation compliance is critical for complete Medicare reimbursements.
We are proud of our staff for their diligence in ensuring that the Town
receives the maximum in reimbursement.
Department of Public Works
Administrative Assistant Anne Marie Crane, through significant focused
persistence, coordinated an effort which has brought in over $100,000 in
outstanding landfill bills since 2009! Way to go Anne Marie!
Quarterly Years of Service Awards
Bob Gardner, Tom Erichsen, Kathy Richen and Connie Voges
Beginning in October, the Board began a new protocol of public recognition of
employees who achieve years of service milestones. At the January 5, 2011
meeting, the following employees were recognized for their years of service
to the Town and presented with special service pins:
Ten Years of Service
Airport
Garrett Allen
Peter “Kirby” Fowler
Building Department
Tom Paterson
DPW
John Braginton-Smith
Martin Stone (Wastewater Treatment Facility)
Finance
Connie Voges
Fire
Jeff Allen
Shawn Monaco HDC Mark Voigt
Marine & Coastal Resources
Dwayne Dougan
Our Island Home
Fernella Phillips
Stormy Reed
Priscilla Worswick
Nadene Hay
Wannacomet Water
Robert Earle
Fifteen Years of Service
Finance
Kathy Richen
Tom Erichsen
Fire Ed Maxwell
Our Island Home Carol Matson Police
Jerome Mack
Wannacomet Water
Robert Gardner
DECEMBER QUESTION & ANSWER
Question: Where is the scene in the photo?
Answer: At the Land Bank’s Gardner Property on Hummock Pond Road
Correct answers from:
Erika Mooney
Michael Kopko
Mark McDougall
JANUARY TRIVIA QUESTION
What is a Sally Port?
Best wishes for a happy new year!