HomeMy WebLinkAboutTown Managers Newsletter - 2013 04 08
From the Desk of Town
Manager Libby Gibson
APRIL 8, 2013 VOLUME 4, NUMBER 3
Town of Nantucket
16 Broad St.
Nantucket, MA 02554
P: (508) 228-7255
F: (508) 228-7272
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2013 Annual Town Meeting
The 2013 Annual Town Meeting (ATM) began on Tuesday, April 2 at 6:00 pm
at the Mary P. Walker Auditorium at Nantucket High School. Approximate
voter attendance on Night One was 379 – a comparatively low turnout. Of the
86 articles on the warrant, 25 were initially called for discussion; a few calls
were later withdrawn. Article 10 (General Fund Capital Projects for Fiscal Year
2014) with slightly over $4 million of capital projects was approved with little
discussion and one defeated amendment for additional funding. In my last e-
newsletter I reported that the Board of Selectmen voted to seek $600,000 for
the completion of design and construction plans for phase 2 of the Public
Safety Facility at 4 Fairgrounds Road (addition of Fire Station), at the 2013
ATM. Since then, the Board decided not to seek funding at this year’s ATM
and had the following comment to Article 10 printed in the warrant:
BOARD OF SELECTMEN COMMENT: The Board of Selectmen had
submitted a $600,000 request for funding from Free Cash for the
preparation of construction plans for a Fire Station addition to the
Public Safety Facility at 4 Fairgrounds Road for this Town Meeting.
The Finance Committee voted not to support the request and it does
not appear in the Motion to Article 10. The Board agrees with the
Finance Committee’s action not to include it and also that it is the
Board’s intent to establish a building committee to review the design
plans and analyze options.
An extensive zoning article regarding permitted uses (Article 30) was adopted
after some debate. Notably, of the 11 zoning articles, this was the only one
called for discussion. Article 47 (Bylaw: Civil Fingerprinting) was deemed by
Chief Pittman as being the “most misunderstood article on the warrant” and
the discussion seemed to bear that out. After several negative comments and
further clarifications as to the intent of the bylaw, it was adopted by a
majority voice vote. After very brief discussion, no action was taken on Article
50 (Charter Amendment regarding how the Town Meeting warrant with
Finance Committee motions is provided to the public). Defeated articles
included: Article 51 (citizen-sponsored home rule petition requesting an
“alternate Selectman”); Article 66 (citizen-sponsored home rule petition that
would make Nantucket Town employees hired after a certain date ineligible
for inclusion in the Barnstable County Retirement system); Article 68 (citizen-
sponsored “non-binding” article seeking Town support for the formation of a
non-profit “Nantucket Life Foundation” to purchase the current funeral
business, seek land from the Town to construct a funeral home and establish
a crematory) was defeated. Night Two had very low attendance. I did not get
an official count, but I would say less than 200 people. Article 70 (Charter
Amendment to increase Town Meeting quorum requirements for
appropriations) was defeated; Article 73 (Authorization for Board of
Selectmen to convey Town land at 47 Boulevarde) was carried, as amended,
after some amount of debate; Article 74 (Authorization to acquire land at 2
Bartlett Road) was adopted after some discussion; Article 78 (Authorization
for long-term lease for property at Landfill for Cell Tower) was defeated after
considerable discussion. Lastly, a new motion to Article 86 (Stabilization
Fund) to appropriate $500,000 from Free Cash into the Fund failed….by 1
vote.
Town Administration News and Updates
Winter Storms Impact
While Nantucket escaped with far less damage than many other communities
from the major winter storms, they did wreak a bit of havoc with some of our
infrastructure. The Easy Street bulkhead and adjacent sidewalk took a
beating as did the Town Pier and floating docks. We are working to ensure
that the Easy Street sidewalk is repaired before Daffodil Weekend. The DPW
has a bigger job than usual for “spring cleanup” due to the storms. The Town
Pier remains closed to boaters due to significant damage incurred as a result
of the series of winter storms that battered the facility over the winter. At this
point the floating dock is broken in nine places with eight out of ten floats
broken. The electrical and water distribution systems have also been
compromised on the floating docks. Toscana Corporation has been awarded a
contract to do emergency repairs that should enable us to use the floating
docks this summer season. Those repairs should get underway shortly. The
standing pier has experienced similar damage. We lost several of the cross
braces under the docks as well as over two hundred deck planks. Many more
were jarred loose by the pounding waves. Many of those lost planks will need
to be replaced. All the decking will need to be re-secured with appropriate
screws to make the dock safe to walk on. Marine Division staff will be
handling the temporary repairs to the wooden parts of the standing pier.
Again, the electrical, water and pump out systems on the standing pier were
also compromised as they were on the floating docks. The Town has hired an
engineering firm to evaluate the entire Town Pier structure including the
floating docks to determine the condition of the underlying support structure.
We have seen evidence that several of the pilings may be compromised. The
engineering firm will make recommendations to the Town on what needs to
be done to make the pier safe and perhaps strengthen it to better withstand
future storm events. We do not anticipate that report being completed before
this summer. We do anticipate having the Town Pier operational for this
summer season but we do not anticipate being open by the traditional date of
May 1st. Our goal is to have the pier available for slip holders before the
Memorial Day Weekend.
Sconset Bluff, along Baxter Road was severely compromised in an area close
to the public road. Town officials are working on developing alternate access
proposals as at least a section of the road could become impassable in the
foreseeable future. These options are scheduled to be presented to the Board
on April 24th.
Easy Street sidewalk – winter storm damage
Town Manager Website
Earlier this year, we introduced a Town Manager website on which you can
find information including: Recently Asked Questions (“RAQs”), Town
Government 101, Current Projects. Click here to check it out. Feedback on
content is appreciated!
Years of Service Acknowledgement
At the end of February, I visited Our Island Home to distribute Years of
Service pins to the employees who did not make it to the Selectmen’s
presentation of pins in December. OIH employees receiving pins were: Keren
Rowe Thomas, Jessica Mason-Wilson, Denise McCarthy Ricketts, Hopie
Robinson, Lisa Toney, Henrick Wallace, Debra Bechtold, and Patricia Dargie.
Jessica Mason-Wilson, Me, and Debra Bechtold
Projects
Downtown Sewer Rehabilitation Project (Phase II-B)
This project (click here for a map of the streets that will be affected and
additional information about the project) began at the end of January and has
continued diligently through March and into April, although there have been a
number of schedule changes due to weather conditions (no ferry service to
deliver materials, snow on the ground, flooding and utility conflicts not
anticipated based on record drawings and Dig-Safe markings). We have
identified a major source of salt water intrusion to the collection system that
will be added as a repair to this project. This area was not identified
previously during infiltration /inflow studies. Construction is currently
occurring on Hussey Street, Main Street, Centre Street, Quince Street, Fair
Street, North Water Street, and Whaler’s Lane. Broad Street construction has
been postponed until the second construction season starting in October
2013. Construction will be suspended for the Nantucket Daffodil Festival
weekend April 26th to April 28th. Then construction will resume on April 29th
with seasonal suspension from May 15th to October 14th. The scheduled
completion date is still December 2014.
Perry Butler of the DPW Sewer Crew explaining the sewer work taking place
on East Chestnut Street
Hummock Pond Road Bike Path
Final smoothing, paving, landscaping here and there and signage will be
occurring along the path during the spring. A ribbon-cutting with a special
cook-out is being planned for Saturday, June 15 – stay tuned for more details
about this…
Millie’s and Massasoit Bridges
Over the past few years, both bridges have been identified by Massachusetts
Highway Department as being in need of repair. Appropriations were
approved at the 2011 and 2012 annual town meetings, and the necessary
work was completed in March.
Teen Center
Following discussions which began last spring, the School Superintendent
gave a presentation on March 13. The general concept is that the Nantucket
Community School offices along with the Early Childhood Center will move to
the Teen Center building in phases over the next 18 months, beginning this
spring. This move will free up much needed space for educational purposes at
the Middle School and High School. Funding was approved at the 2013
Annual Town Meeting for renovations to the Teen Center to improve the
space for these purposes, as well as space to be dedicated for teens.
Development of teen involvement and programming has already begun.
Announcements
Suspension of Hard-to-Handle-Waste Fees at Landfill
In March, the Board of Selectmen voted to suspend these fees until October 1
at which time the Board will evaluate the impact of the fee suspension and
determine whether or not to eliminate the fees altogether. These are fees for
items such as: furniture, mattresses, appliances, computers, TVs. We have
found that such items are ending up in conservation and other areas where
they absolutely should not be. The irresponsibility of people is astounding
with regard to illegal dumping -- and littering for that matter. Recently, we
received a detailed complaint about trash in the mid-island area. Commercial
businesses in that area should take on a much more concerted effort to clean
up in and around their properties on a regular basis. The Nantucket Clean
Team will start up for the season later this month. We are fortunate to have a
solid group of dedicated volunteers to help keep our island clean. The Clean
Team can always use volunteers – check out the link.
A minor example of illegal dumping found by the Nantucket Conservation
Foundation on April 4, 2013
Grant Award - Airport
Nantucket Memorial Airport has been chosen by the Massachusetts
Department of Transportation Aeronautics Division to establish the first
carbon neutral airport in the United States. The designation pairs ACK with
the Mass DOT Aeronautics Division Carbon Neutral Airport Program, which is
in turn supported by the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center. The
resulting Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) provides technical
assistance for a comprehensive energy audit, design and construction of an
appropriate project, and a guarantee that energy improvements will generate
cost savings sufficient to pay for the project over the term of the contract.
Net carbon neutrality for ACK will be achieved through a combination of
energy conservation initiatives, renewable energy generation projects, and
carbon reduction measures. The proposal was submitted by a cooperative
team of Airport and Town Energy Office staff, and represents an opportunity
for the Island to showcase its commitment to sustainable transportation.
Community News
"Forgotten Patriots Who Supported the American Struggle for Independence"
was this year's topic for the Daughters of the American Revolution nation-
wide essay contest. Anna Leary (daughter of Nantucket Regional Transit
Authority Administrator Paula Leary) was the Nantucket Elementary School
5th grade winner with her essay about Haym Solomon, a Jewish financier of
the American Revolution. Her essay was also selected as the state winner.
Anna was recognized at an awards luncheon in Cambridge, MA on February
18th. Congratulations, Anna!
Anna Leary reading her award-winning essay at the ceremony in Cambridge
Autism “Light it Up Blue” Day
Tuesday, April 2nd was designated “Light it Up Blue Day” on Nantucket by
the Board of Selectmen at its March 27th meeting, along with a Proclamation
voted by the Board, to promote autism awareness.
Get to Know Your Town Volunteers
This monthly feature highlights a member of a Town board, committee or
commission, their interest in serving and some other information about them.
This month, Phil Stambaugh, a member of the Capital Program Committee
agreed to be interviewed:
Q: How long have you lived on Nantucket?
A: Year-round eleven years. Vacationing here for 29 years before that.
Q: Where are you from?
A: Grew up in Olathe, Kansas, outside Kansas City. Dad was air controller at
Olathe Naval Air Station, owner of our family meat market, and meat cutter
at A&P. Olathe was the size of Nantucket’s year round population. Oldest of
seven…5 girls and 2 boys.
Q: What is your job?
A: VP Regional Relationship Manager, Cape Cod Five Bank.
Q: How long have you served on the Capital Program Committee?
A: Three years.
Q. Have you served on any other Town boards or committees besides that
one?
A: No.
Q: What interests you about serving the Town makes you want to be
involved?
A: Being involved and helping out.
Q: What is the most rewarding part about serving?
A: Attempting to understand the interrelationships of the various town
departments and their funding.
Q: What is the most challenging part?
A: Prioritizing, for the Finance Committee, Town department capital
requests given the limited budget.
Q: If you could change one thing about Town government, what would it be?
A: Two things: 1. increased communications and coordination among
department heads of their capital requirements, and 2. better multi-year
capital expenditure planning for fixed asset maintenance and replacement.
Q: What is your favorite spot on Nantucket?
A: Folger’s Marsh at the Shipwreck Museum; to the North: the marsh,
harbor, U Mass, Pocomo Point, and Great Point Light; to the South: the
marsh and Shawkemo ridge of the middle moorlands. Beautiful light,
constantly changing landscape colors, and seasonal bird wildlife.
Phil Stambaugh
APRIL TRIVIA QUESTION
Name the first whale ship of which Absalom Boston (first African American
whale ship captain) was the captain?
FEBRUARY TRIVIA QUESTION
What was Cliff Road called before it was called Cliff Road?
Answer: North Street
Correct answers submitted by:
Diane O’Neil
Linda Roberts
Catherine Stover
Barbara Gookin (almost)
Jim Lentowski
Ann Medina
As always, ideas for future e-newsletter topics are welcome!