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
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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!)