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HomeMy WebLinkAboutManagerNewsletter20141208 This Newsletter is formatted for use on all browsers.View this email in your browser From the Desk of Town Manager C. Elizabeth Gibson December 2014 Volume 5, Number 5 Town of Nantucket 16 Broad Street Nantucket, MA 02554 P: (508) 228-7255 F: (508) 228-7272 Contact Us! Town of Nantucket Website Newsletter Archives Subscribe to Newsletter Jetties reconstruction starts this spring, explore the history and the future of our East and West Jetty. Town Administration News and Updates FY 2016 General Fund Budget Development Annually, the budget development process for the upcoming fiscal year(s) begins in September. Town Administration (by Charter) develops the timeline that will be used for the process, which is generally endorsed by the Board of Selectmen in early September. Town Administration with analysis and input from the Finance Department, reviews revenue received in the prior year, prepares revenue projections for the coming year and issues budget instructions to the Town departments and agencies. Throughout October and November, the budget requests from the various departments are reviewed, discussed, evaluated and a budget recommendation put forward to the Board of Selectmen in early December. The Board reviews the recommendations throughout December at its regular weekly meetings and holds a public hearing in early January (January 7, 2015) to receive any public comment before the document is forwarded to the Finance Committee for its review and ultimate recommendations to Town Meeting. 2015 Annual Town Meeting April 6th - 6:00pm NHS Auditorium Click here to see all 30 Citizen Warrant Articles Click here for the 2015 ATM Timeline Town Parking Lot Repaving We are planning on creating a more efficient layout at the Town Pier Parking lot in order to accommodate more parking spaces and while we are at it, give it a facelift by adding a new coat of asphalt. Click here to see FY2016 Proposed Roadwork FY 2016 Capital Projects During 2014, Town Administration in conjunction with the Capital Program Committee developed a long-term capital financing plan which will be updated annually. We are in the process of updating it now, for the years FY 2016 – 2025. The purpose of the plan is to get all of the foreseen projects into a document with options for funding in such a manner as to reduce the burden on the taxpayer as much as possible through various financing techniques (ie, length of borrowing, use of various funding sources, consideration of retiring debt, timing on borrowing, etc). With regard to projects for the upcoming fiscal year, instructions are sent to departments over the summer, the projects are reviewed, discussed and evaluated by Town Administration throughout September. Recommendations are reviewed with the Board of Selectmen at the end of September and then forwarded to the Capital Program Committee. The Committee spends October and November reviewing, discussing and evaluating and presents its recommendations to the Finance Committee mid-December. The Finance Committee then develops its recommendations and presents to Town Meeting. Energy Office Update LED Pilot Program There are 9 LED retrofits that have been installed in different decorative streetlamps for this demonstration pilot project. This is a collaborative research project between the Town of Nantucket's Energy Office and Worcester Polytechnic Institute Report issues such as illegal dumping, potholes, or needed sidewalk repair right from your smart phone using SeeClickFix Read the Fast Ferry Connector Survey Results and Analysis here Read the SMAST Water and Pond Quality Report that assesses our estuaries and coastal salt ponds (WPI) students to determine the social and economic feasibility of implementing LED retrofits in the Town's decorative streetlamps, the majority of which are located in the historic core downtown. The purpose of this LED pilot project is to assess the potential benefits and the public opinions of the various LED lights, which vary in color and brightness. In 2006, the Town of Nantucket accepted ownership of the decorative streetlamps in the core historic districts in the Town and Siasconset from National Grid. The Town of Nantucket became responsible for the maintenance and repair of the streetlamps, while National Grid is responsible for supplying electricity to the pole and replacing light bulbs and photocells. Locate and report an issue with a decorative streetlamp here with our Interactive Map. Meet Our New K-9 Unit Member ---Moby--- Moby is a 12 week old Yellow Lab that was purchased from a kennel in Massachusetts. He is in the initial stages of his training now. Once Moby has matured (approx. 6-12 months) he will continue with his formal training. Moby will be trained as a passive alert narcotics detection canine. This training will take approximately 12-16 weeks and will be conducted through the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department with his handler Canine Officer Keith Mansfield. The police department currently has a fully trained 11.5 year old Yellow Lab named Blek. Blek has been serving the Town since 2004. YELL -Youth Empowering Lasting Leadership YELL’s goal is educate and encourage island youth to become Peer Leaders and to serve as positive role models in their day-to-day interactions with people. This teen leadership program for Nantucket middle school students is a collaborative sponsored by A.S.A.P Nantucket, Nantucket Police Department, and the Nantucket Community School. Topics such as the dangers of alcohol and suicide prevention/awareness are discussed. In October YELL students were invited on the Lynx tall ship to learn about team work and sailing. Members of the YELL program learned about Red Ribbon Week and the dangers of drugs. Don't flush your rags! Take a tour of the Surfside Waste Water Treatment Plant with David Gray, our Plant Manager, and find out why we should not flush down disposable rags and wips even when they are labeled as "flushable." Follow us on Twitter for up to date information New Fire Station Work Group The New Fire Station Work Group met regularly over the past year to review the Town’s fire and emergency services, examine the current condition of the existing Fire Station on Sparks Avenue, and advise the Board of Selectmen on whether to renovate or replace the existing Fire Station. Click here for its Summary of Recommendations and Findings Click here for its presentation at the Board of Selectmen meeting on 11/19/14 MEET YOUR TOWN VOLUNTEERS: JOSEPH T. GRAUSE, JR. (Joe) Q: How long have you lived on Nantucket? A: My family has vacationed on Nantucket since 1984; Maria and I moved here full-time in May of 2011. Q: Where are you from? A: I grew up in Monmouth County, NJ. My wife, Maria, and I raised our family in Needham, MA. Over the years we have also lived in London, England and Chicago. Q: What is your job? A: I am semi-retired. My background is in investment management, investment research and mutual funds. Professionally, I am still involved in the fund industry as a trustee of two mutual funds. Here on Nantucket I am involved with PASCON, Habitat for Humanity and the Landmark House. Q How long have you served on the (committee, board, commission, volunteer position)? A: I was just appointed to the Finance Committee at the end of June. Q. Have you served on any other Town boards or committees besides that one? A: Prior to the Finance Committee I served on the Capital Program Committee. Q: What interests you about serving the Town makes you want to be involved? A: I always enjoyed solving problems when I worked full-time. I really love living on Nantucket and now have the time to volunteer in Town Government. I bring the same problem-solving perspective to my participation on the Finance Committee. Q: What is the most rewarding part about serving? A: Being part of a group that can help develop – in my case – better fiscal planning for the Town. Q: What is the most challenging part? A: I still have a lot to learn about how public organizations operate. Q: If you could change one thing about Town government, what would it be? A: I’m not touching that one! Q: What is your favorite spot on Nantucket? A: Miacomet Golf course; the beach at Cisco. Understanding the Residential Exemption Here is a short FAQ to better understand the ins and outs of the residential exemption. Click here for our web page containing multiple documents with further information. 1. How is the residential exemption adopted? The Board of Selectmen vote each year whether or not to adopt the exemption. The amount of the exemption must also be voted by the Board of Selectmen, and may be no more than 20% of the average residential value. 2. Who may qualify? Local homeowners may qualify for the exemption on their principal residence. For the purpose of this exemption, taxpayer shall be interpreted as the "owner of record" as recorded in the Registry of Deeds and principal residence is the address of the taxpayer as used by the taxpayer for income tax purposes. 3. What is the qualification date? The real estate must be owned and occupied as the taxpayer's principal residence as of January 1 of the year preceding the fiscal year. For example, for the Fiscal Year 1995, July 1,1994 through June 30, 1995, the taxpayer must have owned and occupied the real estate as of January 1, 1994. 4. How does a taxpayer apply for the Residential Exemption? The taxpayer has 3 months from the date of mailing of the tax bills to apply, on a form approved by the commissioner, to the Board of Assessors. Once the exemption is approved it remains in effect until any change in ownership or title occur. 5. How is the residential exemption determined? Once the Board of Selectmen has adopted the exemption and voted the percentage, the Assessor determines the amount of value to be exempted from those qualifying parcels. Click here for a detailed explanation. Trivia Question Where was the first lifesaving station on Nantucket built and in what year? Please email answers to jbridges@nantucket-ma.gov Copyright © 2014 Town of Nantucket, All rights reserved. unsubscribe from this list update subscription preferences