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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTown Managers Newsletter - 2011 04 07 From the Desk of Town Manager Libby Gibson APRIL 7, 2011 VOLUME 2, NUMBER 4 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 2011 Annual Town Meeting The 2011 Annual Town Meeting began on Monday, April 4th. Three presentations were made by Representative Timothy Madden and Chairman of the Board of Selectmen Patty Roggeveen at the beginning of the meeting: the Nantucket Cottage Hospital in honor of its 100th anniversary; Jim Lentowski, Executive Director of the Nantucket Conservation Foundation for his recent Lifetime Achievement Award for Conservation from the National Land Trust Alliance; and, our own Selectman Brian Chadwick in honor of his two terms of service which he is completing this year. Selectman Brian Chadwick Thirty-one articles out of the 117-article warrant were called the first night of town meeting. Turnout was good with 572 voters noted the first night. Town Meeting concluded on Wednesday, April 6th, with approximately 150 people in attendance. Among the articles acted upon the most notable included: -- the defeat of a motion to eliminate salaries for the Board of Selectmen; -- the defeat of Article 31, which was a home rule petition to expand the local room occupancy tax to seasonal vacation rentals of 60 days or less – this was a very close vote with 245 ayes and 262 nays; -- the passage of the Finance Committee motion to Article 33 which will shift a portion of the debt service in the Sewer Enterprise Fund for the Surfside and Sconset wastewater treatment facilities to the taxpayer as described in the handout we developed for the town meeting; this vote is contingent upon a debt exclusion override vote at a special election which is scheduled for Board of Selectmen consideration at its April 13th meeting; -- a resolution to Article 44, introduced by Selectman Willauer, relating to the development of wind energy at the landfill was passed on a majority voice vote; -- the passage of a vote prohibiting swimming pools in the Old Historic District (Article 58); -- the defeat of a motion to Article 59, a zoning article relating to parking garages; -- Article 72, which was a bylaw amendment allowing the Sewer Commissioners/Board of Selectmen to expand sewer districts without a vote of town meeting, was defeated amidst discussion relating to the need for more discussion and review of sewer issues generally; -- an article to allow the Town to dispose of its property at 22 Federal Street (the “Mooney Building”) was, after attempted amendments and two moves to reconsider, finally adopted. Town Projects Proposed Madaket Wind Turbine Although no action was taken on all but one of the articles included in the 2011 annual town meeting warrant pertaining to the Town’s proposed wind turbine project at the landfill property (ultimately it was determined that additional analysis is needed in order to proceed), studies and public education will continue over the coming months with the intent to bring an article to the next town meeting for an appropriation for the project. Madaket Estuaries Report On March 15th, the Board of Selectmen received a presentation from the Massachusetts Estuaries Project and its contractor regarding a report on Madaket Harbor and Long Pond. The study which generated the report began in 2005, and was to identify sources of nitrogen in Madaket Harbor. The report’s basic conclusion is that watershed nitrogen loads could be sequentially lowered, first by removing the landfill load from Long Pond (which represents 66% of the watershed load) and then by reductions in septic effluent discharges. Load reduction approaches need to be evaluated by the community. The Board of Selectmen will be discussing additional modeling to help determine approaches over the next several months. Madaket Wastewater Treatment Facility – Preliminary Design Contract In March, a $348,000 professional services contract was awarded to Woodard & Curran. Funding for these services was appropriated at the 2010 annual town meeting. Preliminary design will include identification of design issues, endangered species, historical and archeological surveys and detailed soil testing among other items. The proposed location of the wastewater treatment facility (WWTF) is on land currently owned by the federal government. The Town is undertaking to obtain the portion of the property needed for the WWTF through a no-cost “public benefit conveyance” for public health purposes. The remainder of the property is subject to a negotiated sale with the federal General Services Administration. The Town is currently working on an appraisal of the property to assist with that process. Water Quality Management Plan On March 9th, Beach Manager Jeff Carlson gave a presentation to the Board of Selectmen regarding the status of development of a water quality management plan (one of the Board’s goals for 2010-11). There will be several components to the plan, including a description of applicable water bodies (i.e., harbor, pond, beach) along with any plans for improving or maintaining certain standards of water quality. Also, any known reports or studies which have been conducted will be identified and made available on- line. Coastal Management Principles At the same meeting, Jeff also gave an update on the development of coastal management principles, another Board goal. The Sconset Beach Preservation Fund has indicated willingness to assist with providing some level of professional services to complete the development of the principles. This effort will continue over the next several months. FY 2010 Financial Audit In early March, the Town received its draft FY 10 audit and associated management letter. The auditors provided a qualified opinion, which was a major disappointment. Immediately, however, Finance and Administration staff began to develop an action plan with a timeline to address as many of the issues as possible before June 30, 2011. The timeline will be reviewed with the Board of Selectmen at its April 13th meeting. Progress will continue to be reviewed with the Board monthly. The Audit Committee will meet on April 14th and April 26th and monthly thereafter to review progress. While there are a number of reasons for the step backwards, at this point, we are focused on moving forward, achieving and documenting progress, implementing accountability measures and resolving issues once and for all. Employee News and Accomplishments Fire Department - Explorer Program The Fire Department has revitalized Explorer Post 99 and serves as the Post’s primary partnering organization. Charted by the organization, “Learning for Life,” Exploring is based on the unique and dynamic relationship between youth and the organizations in their communities. Exploring programs are based on five areas of emphasis: career opportunities, life skills, citizenship, character education, and leadership experience. Explorer Post 99, specifically a Fire Service and Emergency Medical Post, is a hands-on program that exposes participants to many career experiences, leadership opportunities, and community service activities. One of the Explorer graduates and Nantucket native, Shane Perry, is currently at the Fire Academy and will become a full-time Nantucket firefighter shortly. The program is open to all Nantucket youth who have completed the eighth grade and are 14 years of age but have not yet reached their 21st birthday. The youth members are supported at all times by Adult Advisors who assist with curriculum development and training guidelines. Advisors include: Blaine Buckley, Amy Eldridge, Earl Eldridge, Ritch Leone, Jeff Pollock, Kevin Ramos, Elizabeth Shannon and David Webb. Additional adult volunteers are always welcome. Shane Perry Fire Department – Arson Watch Poster Contest The Nantucket Fire Department, in collaboration with the Arson Watch Reward Program, announced the Nantucket County winners of this year’s statewide Arson Watch Poster Contest at the Board of Selectmen’s March 23rd meeting. Celebrating its 29th year, the contest was open to all public and private school students in the 6th – 8th grade throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Over 1,300 students participated statewide including 33 students from Nantucket. Entries were compiled by Fire Prevention Officer Elizabeth Shannon and submitted to a panel of judges from around the state who chose the first and second place winners from each county. Artwork was judged on its creativity, the conveyance of fire prevention or fire safety message and its originality. The two winners from Nantucket County were: first place -- Irena Roggeveen, a 7th grade student at the Cyrus Peirce Middle School; and, second place -- Nicole Gottlieb, a 7th grade student at the Nantucket New School. Both Irena and Nicole are now entered into the statewide contest, from which first, second and third place winners will be selected. The Nantucket County winners will be honored at an awards luncheon in May. Nicole and Irena DPW – Brush Cutting Over the last several months, those travelling around the island can’t help but notice the results of a significant effort by the DPW to brush cut and clear overgrown roadside areas, including Polpis Road and Hummock Pond Road. While this commendable effort deserves recognition our “to do” list does include the formation of a work group to examine the development of brush cutting standards, as was discussed at the 2010 annual town meeting. We hope to get such a group underway later this year. Polpis Road Community News Meals on Wheels On March 23rd, the Meals on Wheels program, headed by Mark Budaj, hosted “guests” to help deliver meals. I attended as well as Selectmen Atherton and Willauer. This program is very important to many island residents and it is very rewarding to participate. Volunteers are always needed and you can find out more by calling Mark at 508-228-4647. APRIL TRIVIA QUESTION In what year did the Steamer Nobska make its final run? MARCH TRIVIA QUESTION In what year was the Town of Nantucket incorporated? Answer: 1671 Correct answers from: Barbara Gookin Jim Lentowski Catherine Stover Pam Meriam Diane O’Neil H. Flint Ranney Frank McPherson (my Canadian uncle!)