HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-10-11
Minutes of the Meeting of the Auto Limitations Study Committee of October 11 ,
2006. The meeting took place in the conference room of the Town and County
Building, 16 Broad Street, Nantucket, MA 02554. Members of the committee
present were: Whitey Willauer, Nat Lowell, Matt Fee, Christine Silverstein, Alan
Brown, Paula Leary and John Wagley. Mike Burns was absent. Others in
attendance: Michael Kopko, Bill Sherman, Timothy Madden and Representative
Eric Turkington. Libby Gibson, Town Administrator called the meeting to order at
2:07 p.m.
Election of Officers. Nat Lowell nominated Paula Leary for Chairman, Ms. Leary
accepted the nomination. Whitey Willauer nominated Matt Fee for Chairman, Mr.
Fee accepted the nomination. Ms. Leary was voted as chairman of the g
committee. Mr. Willauer nominated Mr. Fee as Vice Chairman, t~being no n
other nominations for Vice Chairman Mr. Fee was unanimously voted Vice~
Chairman. Mr. Lowell and Alan Brown agreed to be co-secretari~of the -'
committee, so voted. ~... co
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Meetina Schedule. The committee discussed a meeting schedule. It was C:!9reed
the committee will meet every Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. in the conference roonT'"'Of
the Town Building. Ms. Leary agreed to post the meetings with the Town Clerk
and reserve the room.
Discussion of Mission Statement. Ms. Leary stated the Mission Statement of this
committee as approved by the Board of Selectmen: "The mission of the Auto
Limitations Study Committee is to make recommendations on automobile
limitations on Nantucket to the Board of Selectmen by December 31,2006". Mr.
Willauer stated this committee is a result of the Board of Selectmen's goals and
objectives to explore the limitations of vehicles. Discussion took place as to
whether the mission statement could be changed. Ms. Gibson stated that if the
committee feels the mission statement requires a change it will require a vote by
the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Kopko stated that the mission statement was
written as a starting point for this committee and felt the Board of Selectmen
would welcome a change to the mission statement and are hopeful a meaningful
article will be developed to take to town meeting voters.
Discussion of Local Approval versus Leaislative Approval. There was discussion
on what requires legislative approval through a home rule petition and what can
be approved locally. The Town of Nantucket can not limit vehicles that requires
home rule petition. There are other avenues the town can pursue to affect
change.
Discussion of Transportation Planner Role. Mr. Fee asked if this committee has
support for Mike Burns, Transportation Planner, to provide information necessary
to the committee carrying out its mission. Mr. Willauer and Ms. Gibson stated
yes. Ms. Leary will discuss this with Andrew Vorce, Planning Director.
.
Home Rule Petition Discussion.
Representative Turkington felt the Legislature would approve home rule petitions
and that the issue with the home rule petition on limiting vehicles was there were
no details of how that would be done and it raised many questions. The
committee that held the public hearing in Nantucket went away with a feeling
there was a split and not a mandate. Too many questions were raised about
who decides, who gets a car, and what alternatives are being provided. Mr.
Madden recommended in addition to a home rule petition for this committee to
work on the other issues. Discussion of need for Annual Town Meeting approval
and the difficulty against high feelings for and against auto controls, there is a
need to research control measures the Town is allowed to impose under existing
permitting laws.
General Discussions. Mr. Lowell stated the "problem" needs to be defined,
ramifications discussed, unintended consequences, and the transparency with
voters at Town Meeting. Mr. Fee stated we need to look at the future economics
of downtown due to limited road system infrastructure improvements. Ms. Leary
stated that when parking was strictly enforced a few years ago you noticed a
difference downtown. Ms. Leary stated that when you ask the question "do you
want to limit vehicles" people will respond "yes", if you ask "do you want to limit
cars and have yours taken away", the answer will be different. Some discussion
on how road changes and other measures could help the flow of vehicles. Bill
Sherman, represented the Advisory Committee of Nonvoting Taxpayers and
presented a letter signed by the chairman Mr. Howard Blitman and commented
that summer residents expect to be treated evenhandedly with substantially the
same benefits and burdens as year round residents, more receptive to some type
of parking permitting system, for the SSA in Hyannis to handle restriction criteria
set by Nantucket, and that revenues collected from fees be earmarked for
addressing the island's transportation problems. Discussion to place on various
types of remedy, paid parking, windshield stickers, is it just a downtown parking
issue or island wide, is it a seasonal traffic issue or year round, downtown or
island wide. The committee agreed that these were some of the many issues
that need to be discussed to fulfill our mission. Ms. Leary suggested these
issues be the starting point and agenda items for our next meeting, all members
concurred with that.
Ms. Silverstein moved to adjourn the meeting at 3:30 p.m.; seconded by Mr.
Lowell. So voted.
Approved: October 17, 2006.