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