HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-09-09
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RECEIVED
TOWN CLERK'S OFFICE
NANTUCKET. MA 02554
ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF NONVOTING T AXP A yI9is 0 2 2006
Minutes of meeting at 9:30 A.M., SATURDAY, SEPTE"M=ER 9, '006, X-tX~.4wJ
in the CLERK: LtvJ)
2 Fairgrounds Road Meeting Room.
1. Present: Roger Ernst, Bob Shapiro, Bill Sherman, Jay Strauss, Terry
Sutphen, plus guest speaker Brian Chadwick.
2. Acting Chair Terry Sutphen called the meeting to order at 9:35 a.m.
Minutes of the 8/26/06 meeting were approved, subject to
confirmation.
3. Chair Terry Sutphen introduced Brian Chadwick of the Board of
Selectmen who led off with a comment on overrides under Prop 2 Yz.
Overrides to provide funding for the Town's operating expenses have
been avoided until 2006 largely because of new growth. With year-to-
year increases in the real estate tax levy capped at 2 Yz% and operating
expenses increasing at closer to 7%, the extra percentage increase
allowed by the State's reckoning for new growth has been critical to
balancing the operating budget. But now growth is slowing. Success
in budgeting has and will come from closer cooperation between the
BOS and the FinCom. FinCom has accepted the lead in developing a
5-year forecast.
4. Brian Chadwick concurred in ACNVT views that spending Town
money well was of greater concern than maximum frugality. Much
effort is going into making Town departments efficient and well
managed to get best results from dollars spent. Paring back on needed
Town services tends to prove more costly in the long run.
5. On zoning, managing growth is important but finding politically
acceptable limits, e.g., on second dwellings and 'studios,' has no
ready answer. Protecting the island's limited supply of commercially
zoned areas has current focus due to economics favoring residential
development in RC zones. Affordability of homes is a key to
maintaining the Nantucket working community. Abuse of zoning by
40B developments could be curbed with implementation of Open
Space zoning of conservation land. For the present, however, serious
objections have been raised by the Conservation Foundation. NCF's
ability to fund acquisitions has depended on land valuations based
upon usual residential zoning of its property.
6. Brian affirms the BOS emphasizing its responsibilities in setting
Town policy. Perhaps BOS appointment of members to regulatory
boards, rather than their election, would make for more coherent
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Town policy, but Brian did not express a firm position on this. He did
stress the importance of evenhandedness in applying rules and
regulations, in enforcement as well as in board decisions. [The Town
Government Study Committee has been weighing appointment versus
election. In the County government, all three of the department heads
are elected (Sheriff, Registrar of Deeds and County Clerk).]
7. As to assuring beach access for the public, eminent domain takings
may be needed. He expressed concern, reflecting upon a recent
Supreme Court decision, that takings not be targeted to benefit private
development.
8. Answering a specific question about proprietors' roads, he understood
that the County has no obligation to maintain them but the police can
act when laws are violated on such roads.
9. Brian stressed going directly to parties involved for clarity when
conflicts arise. Citing some concerns about the handling of non-
criminal citations by the Clerk Magistrate of the District Court, he
recommended getting clear about the law and facts of a citation, then
discussing the disposition of the citation with the Clerk Magistrate to
understand her viewpoint. An appeal to the Court from her action is
possible but unlikely to prove fruitful.
I O. Brian Chadwick was thanked for his forthright presentation of his
thoughts on matters of concern to ACNVT members and to summer
residents. The meeting was adjourned at 11 :40 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bill Sherman