HomeMy WebLinkAboutTown Managers Newsletter - 2012 05 21
From the Desk of Town
Manager Libby Gibson
MAY 21, 2012 VOLUME 3, NUMBER 5
Town of Nantucket
16 Broad St.
Nantucket, MA 02554
P: (508) 228-7255
F: (508) 228-7272
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ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The annual Memorial Day parade will commence at 1:00 pm on
Sunday, May 27th in front of Legion Hall on Washington Street.
Committee, board and commission vacancies, plus a timeline for
application submittal, the public hearings to consider applications
and the date of appointments may be found here. Interested
applicants are encouraged to apply.
Kwanzan cherry trees in full bloom in front of the Town Building.
Photo by Ellen Trifero
Town Administration News and Updates
Staffing Changes
The Marine Department has been reorganized, administratively, for the
purposes of achieving efficiencies, including centralization of various permits
and information technology systems, enhanced safety and planning and more
focus on emergency and other marine/harbor-related planning that needs
specific attention. This is also part of an on-going effort to group departments
by function so as to capitalize on existing internal structure for administrative
matters such as purchasing, payroll processing, bill paying, so that operations
staff can focus on operations and direct service to the public especially in
areas which have felt the impact of personnel reductions.
On April 23rd, Marine Superintendent Dave Fronzuto became the Town’s
Emergency Management Coordinator. Dave will manage the Town’s
emergency planning and associated activities; continue to develop,
coordinate and implement the Coastal Management Plan, Shellfish
Management Plan, and Harbor Plan. The position will also be responsible for
updating the Town's emergency management plan and will actively attend
meetings of state and regional emergency planning officials. Although we
have been able to satisfactorily handle our responses to major events to
date, our preparedness is really not up to where it should be for a community
our size and as geographically isolated as we are -- enabling an existing,
experienced staff person to bring us up to date is a very positive benefit.
Dave will continue to oversee the operations of the Marine Department,
including the water quality program, meetings with various community
groups and boards such as Harbor & Shellfish Advisory Board as needed and
assist when needed or required with day-to-day operations. Administrative
oversight of Dave’s position has been delegated to the Police Chief and
Dave’s office has moved to the Public Safety Facility at 4 Fairgrounds Road.
The Marine Superintendent position will not be filled.
Sheila Lucey has been appointed Harbormaster and will handle the day-to-
day operations of the harbor and waterfront activities. Office Administrator
Catherine Tovet has been moved to the Public Safety Facility and will
continue to issue not only Marine Department permits but other permits
issued by the Police Department. This will enable us to provide more
convenient service particularly during the summer, to the public for these
permits which were previously restricted to certain days and hours due to
staffing availability. The general public will be able to come to 4 Fairgrounds
Road at any time during normal business hours to apply for and receive
permits such as gun permits, taxi licenses, beach driving permits as well as
the Marine Department permits. The hours for access to beach and shellfish
permits will be expanded into the evening hours during peak season. A
temporary seasonal employee has been hired to staff the Marine Department
front office area during the summer. The Marine Department will also be tied
into the central dispatch center. Callers to the Marine Department will no
longer get a recording after office hours -- they will be able to talk to a live
person if they choose.
These changes have not resulted in additional staff; rather, the use of
existing staff more effectively and purposefully.
DPW/Park & Recreation
Last year, we consolidated the Park & Recreation Department with the DPW.
The former Park & Recreation Director, Jimmy Manchester, has now become
the Town’s Facilities Manager. He will continue to oversee maintenance of the
playing fields, beach concessions and other recreation properties, as well as
municipal buildings and other properties. The event side of Park & Recreation
will be handled, at least for now, with a seasonal recreation coordinator.
All of these consolidations and changes, including the departmental
consolidations initiated last year, are meant to utilize our existing resources
more effectively and to provide continued or better service to the public
wherever possible. Change can be tough to implement, manage and see
through. We seem to be in the midst of the “change transition” that we have
been talking about for the last 4-5 years and it is causing some angst among
staff and the public from time to time. We anticipate that once people get
used to different – and hopefully better service – these changes will be
welcomed. Many cities and towns are going through very similar changes. It
is imperative in light of the falling revenue we have all experienced over the
last several years, that we “change the way we do business” as do all
progressive organizations when faced with fiscal challenges. This in fact, has
been our budget development “motto” for about the prior three budget years.
Fire Department
On May 8th, the NFD sponsored a hazardous materials (“Haz-Mat”) drill and
training at the Public Safety Facility. The District 1 Massachusetts Department
of Fire Services Hazardous Materials Response Team came to the island with
vehicles and equipment to demonstrate their capabilities in the event they
are needed on the island. The team conducted a drill at the Surfside
Wastewater Treatment Plant. The purpose of this drill was to test the
capabilities of District 1’s Haz-Mat Team operations in conjunction with the
Nantucket Fire Department. The objectives for the drill were to recognize the
presence of a hazardous material emergency, establish safety zones, perform
emergency decontamination, practice operations of various meters and
identify the presence of dangerous chemicals. The exercise that took place
involved a cargo truck with dangerous chemicals involving the set up of a
methamphetamine lab that mixed together causing a dangerous and toxic
atmosphere. The drill was done in real time and the Haz-Mat technicians had
no issues working at half capacity with 25 technicians from the state and five
from NFD.
Airport
The Airport’s new Manager, Tom Rafter from New Jersey, starts work on June
4th. We are looking forward to his arrival and to working with him on moving
forward productively and cooperatively on issues pertaining to the Airport.
The Board of Selectmen has had discussions lately with Airport
Commissioners about Airport capital projects as related to the availability
funding and grant commitments. A forensic audit of Airport procurement
issues, which commenced several months ago, is expected to be issued
shortly. A report prepared by one of the Town’s financial consultants will be
presented to the Board at its meeting on May 30th. A report of the Attorney
General regarding Airport procurement practices which was expected last
fall/winter remains unreleased but expected.
Board of Selectmen News
On Saturday, May 12th, the Board hosted the Cape Cod and Islands
Selectmen and Councilors Association monthly meeting for the second
consecutive year. The meeting commenced with a tour of the landfill
operation, followed by a luncheon business meeting with comments by State
Representative Timothy Madden and a review of some of the Town’s specific
solid waste and landfill related issues by DPW Director Kara Buzanoski and
Landfill Operator Charlie Gifford of Waste Options. Approximately 25
members of the Association attended. It was a fun and informative meeting.
NEW E-NEWSLETTER FEATURE
“Get to Know Your Town Volunteers”. This new feature will ask a member of
a Town board, committee or commission questions about their interest in
serving and some other information about them. This month I talked with
Fernando Esteban of the Affordable Housing Trust. Fernando has also quietly
provided much appreciated interpreter services from time to time for various
town departments.
Q: How long have you lived on Nantucket?
A: I first visited Nantucket in 1972 and returned many times eight years
later with the intent of retiring on the island by 1995 with my wife Tinka
Knopf.
Q: Where are you from?
A: I was born in Manila, Philippines in 1935 of Spanish parents, started my
schooling under the American educational system, had Filipino classmates
and friends and was there during WWII under the Japanese. Thus before my 10th birthday I already spoke Spanish, English, Tagalog and Japanese.
Q: What is your job?
A: I am a retired educator and presently am a medical interpreter at the
Nantucket Cottage Hospital, for the Cape Cod Child Development Center as
well as de facto acting document translator for the town.
Q: How long have you served on the (committee, board, commission,
volunteer position)?
A: Since the inception of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund in 2009.
Q: What interests you about serving the Town makes you want to be
involved?
A: Having survived the atrocities of the Japanese soldiers wherein, among
other things, we ended up with nothing but the clothes we had on our backs,
I know what it is like to live in poverty. I get exhilarated when a person in need is able to have his or her own home, and improve economically, socially and have self esteem.
Q: What is the most rewarding part about serving?
A: The most rewarding part of serving occurs when the Trust is able to
provide an adequate home for the person in need.
Q: What is the most challenging part?
A: The most challenging part includes obtaining the various permits
required, the uncertainty of funds needed to acquire property and housing,
and the screening of worthy candidates.
Q: How many languages do you speak?
A: Speaking a language is not like learning how to ride a bike. Once done,
you have it for life. With languages, you lose it if you don’t use it. While I
have studied 14 languages, I presently feel comfortable speaking Spanish, English, Tagalog and Latin.
Q: What is your favorite spot on Nantucket?
A: Wherever my wife and I are together! (Didn’t expect that answer, did
you?) Nantucket is beautiful in so many ways, in different times of the year
and within the different hours of the day. There are moments on the island
that cannot be duplicated elsewhere. My friends from Mallorca who come to
visit say, “Why would anyone want to leave Nantucket!” while friends from
here who have been with us in Mallorca have said “Why would anyone want
to leave Mallorca!” The world is beautiful. Too bad some people make it ugly.
But, most of the people here try to make Nantucket what it is: a favorite spot
in which to live!
Q: Who is your favorite Town Manager? (from Nantucket, who is in the
position, now) A: (hahahaha, this is a joke) I know who it is but I can’t remember her
name! (Gotcha that time!)
MAY TRIVIA QUESTION
How many pairs of brothers currently work at the Nantucket Fire
Department?
APRIL TRIVIA QUESTION
Where is this:
ANSWER: Fresh Ketch in Hyannis!
Answers submitted by:
Erika Mooney
Susan Balester
Diane O’Neil
Barbara Gookin (she just said “off-island”)
Leslie Forbes
Jim Lentowski (Jim gave this very comprehensive answer: “In America (not
Nantucket); where rosa rugosa grows (theoretically close to the shore);
where little attention is paid to overhead utilities; where there is little/no sign
control -- Ah . . . 462 Main Street in Hyannis, corner of Winter Street”
As always, ideas for future e-newsletter topics are welcome!