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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 r"" :J::> , \.0 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.