HomeMy WebLinkAboutTown Managers Newsletter - 2011 11 07
From the Desk of Town
Manager Libby Gibson
NOVEMBER 7, 2011 VOLUME 2, NUMBER 10
Town of Nantucket
16 Broad St.
Nantucket, MA 02554
P: (508) 228-7255
F: (508) 228-7272
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NOTE: Unfortunately, due to illness, time constraints and technical
difficulties, there was no Town Manager’s e-newsletter for October, so this
issue contains September and October news in addition to upcoming items.
Town Administration News and Updates
Conflict of Interest Training
On September 19th, attorney Lauren Goldberg from Town Counsel’s office
provided several training sessions to staff and appointed and elected officials
from the various Town boards, committees and commissions on the Conflict
of Interest Law. The training was well-received and attendance was decent.
Several disclosures of various kinds were filed with the Town Clerk and taken
up by the Board of Selectmen shortly thereafter.
Airport Procurement Issues
The Town was visited by representatives of the Massachusetts Attorney
General’s office on September 14th regarding an investigation that agency
has underway pertaining to violations of state procurement laws. On
September 21st, the Board of Selectmen and myself executed a
Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) regarding Airport procurement
administration and related issues. The Airport Commission is also a party to
the MOU. In early September, at the suggestion of the Finance Committee,
the Board of Selectmen issued a Request for Proposals for a forensic audit of
certain Airport projects and activities and an operational review. Four
proposals were received and the Board executed a contract with Marcum LLP
on November 2nd. At its meeting on October 25th, the Airport Commission
took action to terminate the employment of the Airport Manager and
appointed an interim manager, Bill McGrath, on November 1st. Town
Administration continues to work with the Airport on its procurement issues;
and, to refine its own central procurement function for the Town
Administration departments.
DPW Director
New DPW Director Kara Buzanoski began work for the Town on October 3rd.
She is well underway with learning the “ways” of the island and is busy
attending capital project, budget, staff, citizen and many other meetings.
Kara is also working on updated the DPW webpage on the Town’s website.
We welcome Kara, look forward to working with her and again thank
Assistant DPW Director Mohamed Nabulsi for his invaluable assistance during
the months prior to Kara’s hire.
Fiscal Year 2013 Capital Project Requests
I gave a presentation regarding the above to the Board at its September 28th
meeting. The requests and the Board of Selectmen’s recommendations were
forwarded to the Capital Program Committee. The Committee has been
meeting weekly with departments throughout October and will continue into
November to discuss and review the various proposals. The Committee will
make its recommendations to the Finance Committee in mid-December. All
Capital Program Committee meetings are public and are posted on the
Town’s website. Some of the larger capital requests include the renovation of
20 South Water Street (old police station); road improvements funding;
stormwater management improvements; construction of Hummock Pond
Road bicycle path. At its meeting of October 12th, the Board of Selectmen
endorsed the concept of seeking an appropriation at the 2012 annual town
meeting to construct the entire Hummock Pond Road bicycle path, with a
portion of funding to come from private donations.
Social Media Conference
On October 20th, Assistant Town Manager Gregg Tivnan and I attended a
Massachusetts Municipal Manager’s Association monthly conference in
Wareham regarding the role of social media in local government. It was an
extremely interesting meeting with many other town managers, and
discussion about how damaging (both professionally and personally) “blogs”
and other community on-line comment sites can be; however, also
recognition as to their value. The focus was on how to get the most positive
use out of these potential resources and how to best or most appropriately
correct misinformation, promote the use of facts and documentable data and
engage citizens in productive discussion.
Upcoming Town Administration Activities
Over the next several weeks and months we will be working on the
development of FY 2013 budget recommendations and associated budget-
related activities; the development of the 2012 Annual Town Meeting
warrant; assistance regarding Airport procurement administration and
Manager search; continuing to monitor and implement financial management
improvements; collective bargaining negotiations; and, of course, continued
progress toward implementing the Board of Selectmen’s goals for 2011-2012.
Board of Selectmen
2012 Annual Town Meeting Starts on Saturday, March 31, 2012.
The Board has voted to start the 2012 ATM on a Saturday. We are working
on ways in which to get this information out to the public and encourage
attendance, including an Information Sheet with childcare options for the
day, parking availability and availability of refreshments for purchase during
the Meeting. Input and ideas from citizens are welcome. The meeting is
planned to start at 8:30 am with opening ceremonies; 9:00 am to start the
Meeting, break from 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm; resume until 5:00 pm. There will
be at a least a couple of 10-minute breaks throughout the day.
Wastewater Action Plan
At its meeting on October 5th, the Board agreed to seek funding at the 2012
Annual Town Meeting to update the 2004 Comprehensive Wastewater
Management Plan (“CWMP”) before putting forward any of the projects as
identified in the CWMP to the voters for funding. A number of activities have
occurred since 2004 which impact the CWMP, including water service to
Madaket, zoning changes regarding lot size, Board of Health regulations for
Madaket regarding number of bedrooms in a dwelling, the issuance of
Massachusetts Estuaries Project (“MEP”) reports for Nantucket (final) and
Madaket (draft) Harbors, a volunteer group charged with proposing fertilizer
use regulations to the Board, and septic system inspection regulations
covering various areas of the island. The impact of these and other items,
including a thorough and detailed examination of various alternatives to
sewering and/or sewering instead of/in addition to the areas identified in the
CWMP are expected to be addressed in the CWMP update. The Board is also
likely to appoint a citizen advisory group to help review and discuss the
update as it proceeds. The Board will hear a presentation from the MEP
consultants on their draft Madaket report on Thursday, November 17th at
4:00 pm at the Community Room of the 4 Fairgrounds Road Public Safety
Facility, followed by a public comment, question and answer meeting at 5:00
pm at the same location.
Community Events/News
Island Fair
The annual Island Fair was held on Saturday and Sunday, September 17th
and 18th at Tom Nevers Field. This year, because of the departmental
consolidations which took place in FY 2011, and included the transfer and
reduction of Park & Recreation duties and staff to the Department of Public
Works, we relied heavily on volunteers to organize, coordinate and manage
the Fair. Along with Park & Recreation Director Jimmy Manchester who
remained involved for this year, Campbell Sutton, Ray Owen and several
other individuals were instrumental in putting on the event which was well-
attended and especially great for families. I was honored to be a judge for
the Pet Show.
Cliff Road Bicycle Path Extension
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on October 8th at the bike path site to
acknowledge substantial completion of this project which runs from
Sherburne Turnpike to Crooked Lane. Honored guests included
Representative Timothy Madden and Senator Dan Wolf. A ceremonial ride
also took place:
Main Street Designation
Following the Cliff Road event, another community event to celebrate the
designation of Nantucket’s Main Street as “One of the Top Ten Great Streets
for 2011” by the American Planning Association. This event was held at the
Pacific Bank steps, the Town Crier was present as well as several Selectmen
(former and current), Representative Madden and Senator Wolf, Director of
Planning Andrew Vorce, Planning Commission Chair Nat Lowell and also
American Planning Association Region One Director Angela Vincent. The Land
Bank park at Fair and Main Streets was the perfect place for a nice reception
following the event.
Town Crier Eric Goddard
NOVEMBER TRIVIA QUESTION
In what year did Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard unsuccessfully attempt to
secede from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts?
ANSWER TO 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: Quahog; wampum
Correct answers submitted by:
Erika Mooney
Diane O’Neil
Barbara Gookin
Susan Balester H. Flint Ranney Jim Lentowski
Catherine Stover
Linda Roberts
Penny Snow
As always, ideas for future e-newsletter topics are welcome!