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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 Contact Us! Town of Nantucket Website Newsletter Archives Subscribe to the Newsletter 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!