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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 Contact Us! Town of Nantucket Website Newsletter Archives Subscribe to the Newsletter 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!