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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTown Managers Newsletter - 2011 09 12 From the Desk of Town Manager Libby Gibson SEPTEMBER 12, 2011 VOLUME 2, NUMBER 9 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 Department News Town Administration Wastewater Action Plan Outreach Update The Tom Nevers Civic Association held its annual meeting on August 6 – Chairman Rick Atherton and I attended to discuss the development of a Wastewater Action Plan. A Board of Selectmen’s workshop meeting was held on August 10th from 4:00 – 6:30 pm at the public safety facility to review the Nantucket and Madaket Estuaries Reports with the consultant whose agency conducted the studies (Dr. Brian Howes of UMass Dartmouth’s School of Marine Applied Science Technology). The Department of Environmental Protection’s representative for the Massachusetts Estuaries Project (Brian Dudley) was also present. We appreciate the attendance of both parties and their comments were very helpful. The workshop was well attended and there was quite a bit of public comment expressed as to ensuring that the Town fully examines alternatives to sewering certain areas identified in the Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan, as well as updating the CWMP with the information that has been obtained since the Plan was issued in 2004. The Chairman and I also attended the annual Nantucket Civic League President’s Breakfast on August 20th to review the Wastewater Action Plan. On September 9th, Michael Kopko and I attended the monthly meeting of the Cape and Islands Selectmen’s and Councilor’s Association at which the topic was Wastewater Issues. The meeting was informative and provided a good opportunity to talk with town officials from other communities about their wastewater plans and experiences. Over the next few weeks, the Board will be considering the information and public input it has received so far and has scheduled a summary review for its October 5th meeting. Finance Director Irene Larivee was appointed in August as the Town’s Finance Director. Irene served most recently as the Town’s Assistant Finance Director. She has a strong background in accounting and personnel management, and has been instrumental in the implementation of improvements in the Town’s financial management practices. We welcome her and look forward to continuing to work with her in her new capacity. DPW Director As of the issuance of this newsletter, we are in the process of engaging Kara Buzanoski, DPW Director in Northborough, Mass., as Nantucket’s DPW Director. Kara has been offered and has accepted the position -- the necessary paperwork simply needs to be completed. We look forward to welcoming Kara to the Town Administration Team. We also sincerely thank Assistant DPW Director Mohamed Nabulsi for his work to maintain continuity in operations. Board of Selectmen The Board and I attended the annual Nantucket Community Association forum, co-sponsored by the Advisory Committee of Non-Voting Taxpayers on Tuesday, August 16th. Each Board member discussed a particular topic: Rick Atherton spoke about the Board’s goals; Michael Kopko reviewed financial management improvements; Bob DeCosta provided an update on the development of coastal management principles; Patty Roggeveen gave an update on the wastewater management plan; Whitey Willauer provided a comprehensive energy initiatives status report; and I reviewed the department consolidations which were implemented for fiscal year 2012. Questions ranged from energy issues to ticks, Wilkes Square, and parking. While the crowd wasn’t quite as large as in prior years, we always appreciate the opportunity to provide information and discuss topics of interest. At the Board’s September 7, 2011 meeting, the use of iPads, purchased in August, was introduced. Each Board member has been issued an iPad (with the exception of Bob DeCosta who agreed to use his own). Paper packets are no longer prepared for the Board. The HDC and Conservation Commission are either already or about to also begin the use of iPads instead of paper agenda packets. The estimated payback time for the cost of the iPads through the use of far less paper, staff time, and reduction of waste is less than 12 months. An added benefit is the ease of access to information not readily available otherwise at meetings. The Board of Selectmen’s agenda packets are also available on the Town’s website, weekly. Upcoming Town Administration Activities Over the next several weeks and months our main focus will be working on the development of FY 2013 capital project recommendations; the development of the Town Meeting calendar and Town Meeting warrant – the Board voted in August to start the 2012 annual town meeting on Saturday, March 31st; the development of FY 2013 budget recommendations; continuing to monitor and implement additional financial management improvements; compilation of the annual town report for FY 2011; follow-up pursuant to the issuance of a Request for Proposals for a forensic audit and operational management review of the Airport; the development of a comprehensive event planning and permitting policy; and, of course, continued progress toward implementing the Board of Selectmen’s goals for 2011-2012. Community Events/News September 11th The Nantucket Fire Department hosted a September 11th remembrance ceremony on Sunday, September 11th at 9:55 am. The music of a bagpiper started the ceremony which was brief but poignant with the tolling of a bell denoting the fire call numbers of the Twin Towers, and remarks from Reverend Jacqueline McGrady, Reverend Ted Anderson and Assistant Town Manager Gregg Tivnan. Fire personnel, volunteer fire personnel, the Nantucket Police Department, the US Coast Guard, a contingent of US military veterans, the Girl Scouts, the Boy Scouts all had organized groups present. Thank you to Fire Captain Elizabeth Shannon for her work to coordinate and organize the event. Local 8th grader, Kezia Duarte, who is Governor Patrick’s Nantucket ambassador for “Project 351”, a state-wide community service program for youth, obtained and placed flags at the Rotary and Round-a-bout locations in recognition of September 11th. Kezia spoke about her role at the Board’s September 7th meeting. SEPTEMBER TRIVIA QUESTION What is the name of the shellfish used at one time by the Wampanoags as currency and what was the name of the currency? ANSWER TO AUGUST TRIVIA QUESTION Where is this: On the Town and County Building on the western corner on Broad Street. Correct answers from: Catherine Stover Jim Lentowski Barbara Gookin H. Flint Ranney Diane O’Neil