HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-06-30
ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF NONVOTING T AXP AYERS
Minutes of meeting at 10:00 A.M., SATURDAY, JUNE 30, 2007, in the
2 Fairgrounds Road Meeting Room.
1. Present: Howard Blitman, David Brown, Roger Ernst, Bill Sherman,
Jay Strauss, and Jim Treanor, plus new member Denis Cross and
guest speaker selectman Allen Reinhard.
2. Chair Howard Blitman called the meeting to order at 10:03 a.m.,
noting a quorum present. Minutes of the 9/30/06 meeting were d
approved and prior approval of the 8/26 and 9/9/06 met!ing minutes
was confirmed. ' Z-
3. Our Chair welcomed new ACNVT member Dennis Cr6ss (whoSe.
term begins 7/1/07) and expressed appreciation for the service of
members who are not continuing into FY08. By vote duly takin~our
Chair was asked to send member Terry Sutphen our hearty c;
congratulations on his success in battling cancer. Responding to a
question, the Town Administrator/Manager was identified as the
appointing authority for the ACNVT [per vote of2003 Annual Town
Meeting, amending Town Code Section 11-13 adopted at the 1999
A TM, also reducing full membership from 25 to 15 and providing
staggered 3-year terms].
4. Selectman Allen Reinhard, elected to the BOS in April, was
welcomed by our Chair, recalling his noteworthy prior and continuing
service to the Town on other committees and commissions. The
current BOS was characterized as very effective with a diversity of
skills and supported by a strong Administrator/Manager and staff who
got things done. Allen highlighted BOS concerns arising from further
articulation of its goals and objectives, notably:
5. Gaining state legislative enactment of the 2007 ATM home rule
"Sewer Act" to confirm island authority to manage our wastewater
collection system including BOS/Sewer Commission decisions on
new sewer connections per established guidelines. An on-island
follow-up by the legislative committee is expected this summer to
resolve issues raised by a few opponents.
6. Achieving affordable housing goals in 2007 with funding anticipated
from the Housing Bank [counterpart to the Land Bank and to rely on a
1 % fee based on non-exempt transfers of island real estate expected to
yield $3 - 4 million/year]. Representatives of all factions having a
major role in affordable housing (real estate agents, banks, etc.) will
be asked to advise re the Housing Bank. Howard Blitman noted his
long professional experience, e.g., with HUD funding and the FHA.
The island's quest for affordable housing could be aided by the
Massachusetts Housing Authority. Allen Reinhard recalled a state
presentation about impact of "40B" (so-called anti-snob) zoning and
the newer and more community-oriented 40R affordable housing
prOVIsIons.
7. Achieving the potential for a more efficiently organized Department
of Public Works and, in particular, to realize cost and energy savings
through in-house Town fleet maintenance and waste stream
gasification for energy recovery. The DPW needs resources adequate
to maintain Town infrastructure, to address major upgrade programs
such as correcting sewer infiltration and inflow (III), and to oversee
design of new facilities.
8. Achieving an unquestionably fair appointment process [much
improved in the latest FY08 appointments], fully benefiting from
volunteer talent, and strengthening the performance of chair, vice
chair, secretary, etc. in fulfilling the respective missions of the
committees, boards, and commissions. The latter effort has been
assigned to the Assistant Town Administrator /Manager who has been
developing templates and guidelines for such officers.
9. Our Chair, recalling the role of the ACNVT in having a spokesperson
for summer residents at Town Meeting, asked Allen Reinhard his
recommendations regarding ACNVT focus in FY08. Possibilities
included affordable housing, traffic and parking, maintaining a good
balance between growth and conservation, and achieving openness to
constructive changes. Roger Ernst reminded us of the high percentage
of residential real estate tax levy that is paid by non-resident taxpayers
without vote at Town Meeting - an issue that prompted the creation of
the ACNVT. How would the island handle the financial impact ofa
depression? Allen Reinhard observed that he previously had been a
nonresident taxpayer and understands their desire for a vote.
10.Dennis Cross questioned how the ACNVT is informed about the
collective views of nonresident taxpayers that it represents. Prior ideas
of canvassing were recalled and the extent current members reflected
different island areas and interests noted.
11.Answering Jay Strauss' question about the Master Plan status, Allen
spoke of the zoning steps taken, e.g., Town and Country Overlay
Districts, and development of area plans. 'Sconset and Madaket's
have been completed, 'Sconset is working on an update, and Tom
Nevers and Surfside are currently developing area plans. The BOS has
urged the Planning Board to go beyond these piecemeal steps.
12.After Allen left, obliged by his NCF responsibilities, further
discussion centered on the feasibility of an ACNVT questionnaire,
e.g., piggybacked on a Town mailing or through The Independent.
Our Chair urged that we meet next without a speaker and decide on
our FY08 focus and other matters raised at this meeting.
I3.0ur next meeting is scheduled for IO a.m. Saturday morning, July 14th
(a meeting every other week). We will meet at 2 Fairgrounds Road
unless otherwise advised.
I4.The meeting was adjourned at II :I5 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bill Sherman, Secretary