HomeMy WebLinkAboutTown Managers Newsletter - 2011 03 07
From the Desk of Town
Manager Libby Gibson
MARCH 7, 2010 VOLUME 2, NUMBER 3
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
The Finance Committee continues its review of the FY 2012 budget, has met
with several town departments and agencies, enterprise funds, County and
the School Department. The Committee is scheduled to adopt its motions for
the 2011 town meeting warrant articles, which include the general fund and
enterprise fund budgets, within the first two weeks of March. Town
Administration continues to engage in collective bargaining negotiations
pertaining to the department consolidations planned for FY 2012. We have
also met with the Nantucket Builder’s Association and Nantucket Bar
Association to discuss the code enforcement and regulatory services
consolidation. Several pertinent concerns and suggestions were raised at
these meetings, mostly relating to availability of staff for inspections, permit
issuance and files review. As we have discussed since the consolidations were
initially presented to the Board of Selectmen in November, department
operations may have to change due to the staffing reductions, including the
possibility of office hours limitations or restrictions. We are also actively
reviewing permit software which would, ideally, increase the information and
activities that people can obtain and conduct on-line. We are scheduled to
review the Human Services consolidation at a Healthy Community
Collaborative Group luncheon meeting on March 22 at noon at Faregrounds
Restaurant.
2011 Annual Town Meeting
The 2011 Annual Town Meeting begins on Monday, April 4th at 6:00 pm at
the Mary P. Walker Auditorium at Nantucket High School. The Finance
Committee held its annual public hearing on the 2011 Annual Town Meeting
warrant articles on February 28th with a good turnout. As noted above, the
Finance Committee is scheduled to adopt its motions in early March. The
Planning Board also has a statutory role in making motions to the zoning
articles. The Planning Board will be having a public hearing(s) in March as
well to finalize its motions. The warrant, with Finance Committee and
Planning Board motions as well as Board of Selectmen comments is required
to be mailed to voters 7 days prior to Town Meeting.
Town Projects
Proposed Madaket Wind Turbine
The Town proposes to install two 900 kW wind turbines, or perhaps one 1.5
MW turbine, on Town-owned property at the Madaket landfill. Due to
Madaket’s highest-in-the-state wind speeds and highest-in-the-state electric
costs, which translate into significant potential for a successful project, the
Town received a favorable nod and a $390,000 reimbursable grant from the
Massachusetts Clean Energy Center for the study and design of turbines on
the property in 2010.
While keeping a close eye on other turbine projects on Cape Cod and
elsewhere, the Project Team is methodically obtaining permits and permission
as well as conducting necessary research and outreach before the project is
approved to make sure wind-generated energy is feasible and appropriate for
the island and its residents. To date, over $250,000 of the grant has been
allotted for avian studies, acoustic tests, visual models, wetlands delineation,
state and federal authorization, and dynamic economic models. All this
information is available to the public at
http://www.ackenergy.org/Madaket.html.
Additionally, the Energy Study Committee is appearing before all Town
regulatory agencies for necessary bylaw approval and permits and has been
conducting public forums to discuss matters important to our residents.
There are many public events scheduled so please refer to the Committee’s
outreach page at http://www.ackenergy.org/Press.html.
The turbine(s) will be tied directly to the electric meter at the waste
composting plant (the “digester”) at the landfill, to offset the enormous costs
of running that facility 24/7. In FY 2012, without the benefit of lower per-
kilowatt hour wind energy, the Town is budgeting $370,000 to fund the
composting operation. Based on current electric rates, the economics of the
project speak for itself. Most recently financial analysis was provided to the
Finance Committee at its meeting on February 17th.
Sewer Issues
At its March 2, 2011 meeting, the Board of Selectmen discussed
implementing mandatory sewer connections when and if sewer becomes
available to properties not currently sewered. There is an article on the 2011
annual town meeting warrant which would allow for the adoption of
regulations for this purpose. There is also an existing Board of Health
regulation that can require mandatory connections. The Board will be
continuing its discussion on this issue in the coming weeks. The Board also
discussed funding formulas for the expansion of sewer to the so-called
Monomoy “needs area”. An appropriation for this project will be sought at the
2011 annual town meeting. A “needs area” is an area identified in the Town’s
Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan (CWMP) that essentially should
be sewered because conditions for subsurface wastewater treatment disposal
systems (ie, septic systems) are poor. At its March 2, 2011 meeting, the
Board of Selectmen agreed to recommend to the Finance Committee a
funding formula for the Monomoy project of 2/3 of the cost to be assessed in
the form of betterments to the affected abutters and 1/3 to be sought from
the taxpayers through a debt exclusion override.
Employee News and Accomplishments
Fire Department
During the week of February 21st, Chief Mark McDougall attended a
leadership course at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, MD. This
intensive 6-day course provides the appropriate skills for the volunteer
emergency services officer to view administrative effectiveness through
adaptive leadership skills and efficient management practices. Course units
include leadership -- setting the stage, planning, forging partnerships, human
resource management, recruitment, retention, needs assessment and assets,
risk assessment, leading change, and "putting it all together." Mark returned
from the course reporting that it was well worth it and a great experience.
Cape Cod Manager’s Meeting
On February 10th, I attended the monthly Cape Cod Manager’s meeting with
other Cape managers in recognizing the contributions of former Yarmouth
Town Manager Bob Lawton. The event took place at the newly renovated
Sandwich Town Hall. The presentation of a gift and words of praise from
various managers took Bob by surprise. Over a thirty-year career Bob set the
standard for professionalism in public administration. He has been a mentor
to many of us and is held in high regard statewide for his knowledge of
municipal government. He has agreed to continue to work with the managers
group and we welcome his ongoing commitment to seek solutions to
problems confronting town governments on Cape Cod.
In memoriam
It is with great sadness that I write of the passing of DPW Director Jeff Willett
on February 28th. Jeff joined the Town in 1988, the same year I started. I
was just beginning my municipal career while Jeff was continuing with his. I
have learned a lot from Jeff and I am grateful for his advice, support and help
over the years. With Jeff’s leadership, the Town has moved forward
progressively and in comparison with many other communities, much farther
ahead in the areas of sewer, wastewater, solid waste and stormwater
management. He leaves a legacy that will benefit our community far into the
future. We will miss him very much.
MARCH TRIVIA QUESTION In what year was the Town of Nantucket incorporated?
FEBRUARY TRIVIA QUESTION
In what year was the current Nantucket Atheneum built?
Answer: 1847 (and in less than 1 year after the Great Fire!)
Correct answers from:
Linda Roberts Jim Lentowski Catherine Stover
Diane O’Neil
Winter is almost over!